Ultimate Guide to Downtown Des Moines’ Wine Scene

Breweries and craft beers tend to get a lot of the spotlight in the region — and for good reason — but wine lovers, don’t fret! If you’re looking for restaurants and wine bars with the best and most notable wine lists in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), you’re in the right place. Here's your guide to navigating the city's diverse wine-scape. Your only dilemma will be deciding which wine list to try first!

Downtown Des Moines Restaurants with Great Wine Lists

Many Downtown Des Moines restaurants put an emphasis on their wine list, and this city is full of amazing places to enjoy a glass (or two). Get a sample of the Downtown DSM wine scene with this list of local favorites.

Aposto at the Scala House

644 18th St., Des Moines
Located in the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood of Downtown DSM, this upscale Italian restaurant offers a charming atmosphere and unique dining experience in a historic Victorian mansion. Dozens of bottles of wine are available at a range of price points or select from the list of by-the-glass options. No matter your palate, the extensive wine list has something for everyone from a lighter, fruitier white to a heavier, full-bodied red. Your wine (and dining) experience at Aposto is sure to be perfectly executed. Pro Tip: Reservations fill up fast at this local gem! Remember to plan ahead if you have a special date in mind for your visit.
apostodm.com

Django

1420 Locust St., Des Moines
Downtown DSM’s up-scale French restaurant serves up a variety of wines, including selections from local wineries and bottles from all over the world. Right across from the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the menu boasts everything you’re looking for in French cuisine without the pretentious attitude. Don’t miss out on the happy hour specials on select wines by-the-glass on weekdays. And there is no corkage fee seven days a week if you choose to bring your own bottle of wine to enjoy. We’ll raise a glass to that!
djangodesmoines.com

Harbinger

2724 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Located on Ingersoll Avenue right outside of Downtown DSM, Harbinger is a vegetable-forward farm-to-table restaurant featuring an Asian inspired menu with sharable small plates. The restaurant was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list and was featured on Wine Enthusiast’s list of Des Moines restaurants with great wine lists. The seasonal rotating menu helps guide the selections on the wine list to perfectly compliment co-owner and chef Joe Tripp’s dishes. Their seven-course tasting menu is a great way to explore new flavors with an option to add a wine tasting to the meal to align with each course.
harbingerdsm.com

Lucca DSM

420 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Sophistication and rustic charm combine at this Italian-American semi-formal restaurant in Downtown Des Moines’ Historic East Village. The seasonal menu is perfectly complimented by the impressive selections of Italian and French wines available on the wine list. The intimate ambience of the dining room will have you and your dining companions lingering over great conversation (and also over a great glass of wine!).
luccadsm.com

The Purveyor

505 E. Grand Ave. #105, Des Moines
With the mission to connect the community of Downtown DSM to global tastes and offerings, The Purveyor brings a unique food and wine emporium and in-house gourmet restaurant to Historic East Village neighborhood. Sip and savor from one of Iowa’s finest and most innovative wine lists and exclusive tap-to-bottle wines. Wine lovers will want to sign up for the Wine Club membership for the opportunity to taste and explore wine varieties on-the-regular.
purveyordsm.com

Table 128

220 SW 9th St. #120, Des Moines
A Downtown DSM standout in the restaurant scene, Table 128 is a culinary experience with farm-to-table cuisine and a warm, inviting atmosphere (pictured above). The much-loved restaurant located in the Grays’ Landing neighborhood puts a focus on small wine producers, allowing the seasonality of the food menu to lead the offerings included on their wine list. The Table 128 team works directly with winemakers to source selections of new and exciting varieties of wine to curate an exceptional list of by-the-glass and by-the-bottle options.
table128bistro.com

Wine Bars in Downtown Des Moines

From hip and cool to sleek and sophisticated, Downtown Des Moines’ wine scene includes a variety of wine bars with unique ambiance. Keep it local and ask your friendly server for a local glass worth a swirl and a swig.

The Cave DSM

1437 Walnut St., Des Moines
This natural wine shop and bar is tucked into a corner on Walnut Street in Downtown DSM’s Western Gateway neighborhood. Natural wines are typically produced with organically farmed grapes, fermented with native yeasts, free of additives, chemicals and pesticides, and involve minimal intervention to preserve the natural qualities of the grapes. Owners Heather and Nick Leo were introduced to natural wines while living in Europe, and today they handpick every bottle on the shelves of their shop, offering more than 100 bottles to browse. Stop in for a Saturday wine tasting with friends and pick from the selections on the snack menu to nibble on while you explore unique flavors. Ask about The Cave DSM Wine Club monthly subscription for a great way to introduce new wines into your rotation!
thecavedsm.com

Hobnob Coffee & Wine Bar

1000 Walnut St., Des Moines
Located in the lobby of Hotel Fort Des Moines, this authentic European-style café provides an elegant ambiance and serves locally roasted coffee plus a curated list of the finest wines. Take advantage of happy hour wine specials available Wednesday through Saturday from 5-7 p.m., and additional deals on bottles of wine on Wine About It Wednesdays.
hotelfortdesmoines.com/dining/hobnob-coffee-and-wine-bar

The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar

321 E. Walnut St., Des Moines
This Historic East Village hot spot serves up an extensive mix of quality wine from vineyards big and small, as well as a plethora of grape variations. Whether you’re in the mood for a medium-bodied Pinot Noir or a crisp, refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc, The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar has you covered. The rich history of the building and neighborhood is highlighted in the elegant atmosphere of the bar along with modern accents. The eastern side of the swanky bar is lined with a wall of wine bottles showcasing the vast menu selection. A delicious rotation of shared plates and yummy sweets from ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery are also on the menu if you’re looking for something to munch on.
thenewnorthwestern.com

Additional Wine Experiences in Downtown Des Moines

These Downtown Des Moines wineries, wine stores, festivals and events include one-of-a-kind, can’t-miss wine experiences in the heart of the city. Whether you’re looking to splurge on a bottle of high-end vino, craving a glass of light, crisp white or wanting to rosé all day — these hotspots and hidden gems are the perfect way to experience new wine offerings and old favorites.

Downtown Farmers’ Market

Historic Court District, Downtown DSM Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers’ Market is a great spot to shop for local Iowa wines! From May through October, explore local wine vendors like Madison County Winery, Summerset Winery and more at the outdoor market in the Historic Court District, or check out the indoor Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market held annually over one weekend in November.
desmoinesfarmersmarket.com

Jasper Winery

2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Just outside Downtown DSM, Jasper Winery produces more than a dozen wines using locally grown grapes, also boasting innovative wine styles. Grab a seat in the tasting room or enjoy the beautiful scenes of the winery on the outdoor patio. Samples, flights, wine by-the-glass and bottle purchases are all available, as well as a limited snack menu.
jasperwinery.com

Vines to Wines

684 20th St., Des Moines
Make your own fine wine at Vines to Wines in the historic Sherman Hill district in Downtown DSM. Check out upcoming wine events or reach out to schedule a private wine experience for you and your friends to explore the joys of winemaking.
vinestowinesdm.com

 

Winefest Des Moines

Winefest Des Moines holds events year-round, featuring local restaurants, chefs, bars and wineries. From food and wine workshops to pairing dinners and tasting events, the organization’s goal is to improve the community’s cultural scene. Keep an eye out for upcoming Winefest events, like the Grand Tasting at Hotel Fort Des Moines (shown above) and many others.
winefestdesmoines.com

Wine, Food & Beer Showcase by Des Moines Metro Opera

This annual foodie event is one of the oldest food and beverage events in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and supports the Des Moines Metro Opera’s programming for education and community engagement. Showcasing the finest restaurants, local Des Moines wineries and breweries, caterers and distilleries in the area, this is a can’t-miss event for lovers of wine in Downtown Des Moines.
desmoinesmetroopera.org/WFBS

And keep your eyes peeled for pop up wine events in Downtown DSM, like the Bosnian Wine Dinner at Django and the Argentina Wine Dinner at RoCA. Mark your calendar for Indulge DSM: Wine, Cheese & Chocolate on January 24-25, 2025.

Explore even more Downtown Des Moines restaurants and wine experiences, and plan your next visit Downtown with these parking and navigation resources.