East Village Des Moines: A Food Neighborhood Guide

East Village Des Moines is the neighborhood just east of downtown, between the Des Moines River and the State Capitol, where old brick buildings now hold cafes, kitchens and small shops. Wikipedia says its East Village section is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This guide covers the history, the food you will meet and how to walk it.

It covers the neighborhood's story, the kinds of food a Des Moines Register guide describes and a plan for a walking afternoon.

What is the history of East Village Des Moines?

Wikipedia says the district was platted in the nineteenth century, and that Scandinavian and Eastern European Jewish immigrants began settling the near east side not long after. Its buildings come in three layers: wood-framed buildings from the nineteenth century, brick buildings in revival and commercial styles from the late 1800s into the early 1900s, and car-oriented buildings from the early to middle twentieth century, including part of the old East Des Moines Auto Row.

At one point the city planned to demolish several buildings, and residents argued to save them, which is part of why the street still looks as it does.

What does the State Capitol add to the neighborhood?

The Iowa State Capitol complex, with the Iowa Supreme Court, the State of Iowa Historical Museum and the Des Moines Botanical Garden, sits on the edge of the district. Wikipedia says the Capitol has a golden dome and offers guided tours, and the grounds include a granite map of the state's counties.

For a food visitor, the Capitol is useful as a landmark and as a pair of bookends: walk up the hill in the morning for the building and its grounds, then walk back down for lunch. A museum visit also gives you a break between meals, so you eat with more appetite.

What kinds of food will you find in East Village Des Moines?

A Des Moines Register guide to the neighborhood describes a mix of independent kitchens, shops and cafes with distinctive interiors, often using reclaimed wood and salvaged materials. It lists seasonal American menus, some using Iowa ingredients, along with Cuban, Greek, Lebanese and Japanese cooking, upscale versions of diner classics and burgers, and morning menus with creative twists on breakfast favorites.

It also mentions a beer hall focused on Iowa brews, frozen yogurt and smoothie counters, patio seating at some places in warm months and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at a number of kitchens. The guide is not new, so treat it as a sketch of the neighborhood and check current details yourself. It says hours vary widely and many places close on Sundays or Mondays.

How do you plan a brunch outing in the East Village?

A late breakfast is a good first meal in a neighborhood where many kitchens close early in the afternoon, according to the Register guide. Aim for a late morning start, take a table with a window if you can and order two dishes to share, one sweet and one savory. A shared pair tells you more about a kitchen than one large plate.

After brunch, walk a loop: the river edge, the old brick blocks and back toward the Capitol. Look for Iowa ingredients on menus, such as corn, pork, eggs and apples, and ask what is local this week. A server who can name the farm or the season is a good sign.

What should you notice about the buildings as you eat?

The three building eras Wikipedia lists are visible from the sidewalk. Look for the older wood-framed buildings, the brick fronts from the revival and commercial styles and the wide, car-era storefronts that once belonged to Auto Row. Many former workshops, showrooms and warehouses now house kitchens, which is why interiors often feature reclaimed wood and salvaged materials, as the Register guide notes.

A good habit is to take a photo of the front and of the plate, so a rating later carries both the place and the dish. A neighborhood that was nearly demolished deserves a slow look at what remains.

How should you walk a historic district with an appetite?

Pick one street and walk it twice, once in the morning and once in the evening, because the neighborhood changes character with the light. Notice the signs and brick and the way old industrial buildings were reused. Carry water and a napkin, and plan for a seat halfway through.

Because places open and close, check each place's own information before you go. If a place is closed, move on to the next block rather than waiting.

How can Mosey help you keep notes on an East Village walk?

Open Mosey at each stop and rate what you ate: the place and the stars are all that is required, but you can name the dish, add tags and attach a photo. Tag a friend walking with you, and each of you can rate the same meal.

Build a list called East Village loop and send the invite link to a friend, who can add stops even if they are new to the app. Follow friends to see what they rated and saved. See the ratings and lists pages. As more people rate, the ranked lists fill with real places.

What else should you read about Des Moines?

For a dish to try on the walk, see the Iowa chop guide. For the market, see the farmers market guide. See also the Des Moines page, the Iowa page and the US food guides.

On your next afternoon in the East Village, open the Mosey app and rate your first plate by name.