10 Popular Italian Restaurants in Des Moines (2023)

Discover the best Italian Restaurants in Des Moines, known for great dining experiences and budget-friendly options. You can enjoy locally sourced produce and music at festivals and farmer’s markets. From fan favorites to hidden gems, each restaurant offers unique Italian dishes, including pizza, steak, pasta, and more. Savor a wide variety of delicious Italian food choices!

Italian Restaurants in Des Moines

1. Bianchi’s Hilltop Restaurant

You can explore Bianchi’s Hilltop Restaurant, a top Italian eatery in Des Moines. Indulge in thin-crust pizza, pasta, salads, and appetizers like fried ravioli. The dinner menu includes entrees like steak and a variety of side dishes.

Bianchi’s Hilltop Restaurant is family-owned, with a bar and kid-friendly game room. Walk-ins are accepted but prepare for a short wait. Bianchi’s Hilltop Restaurant is located east of Des Moines, operating for lunch and dinner.

Address: 2820 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, USA

2. Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, located in West Des Moines, is a popular local restaurant with multiple locations across the United States. This restaurant ranks second among the ten popular Italian restaurants in Des Moines.

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano provides a wide range of fancy Italian food, perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Pre-booking is highly recommended. The menu includes appetizers like crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, pasta dishes, pizza, sandwiches, steak, and seafood.

Lunchtime sandwiches are a must-try. Also, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano has a kid’s menu and a selection of exclusive wines for adults. Save room for desserts like lemon cake, New York-style cheesecake, and homemade Italian pastries.

Address: 5990 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

3. Simon’s

Simon’s, also known as J. Benjamin’s, is a respected chain of Italian Restaurants in Des Moines, a must-visit. This restaurant has appetizers like onion rings and bruschettas—various pasta dishes, including chicken parmesan, lasagna, alfredo pasta, and other specialties. You can never go wrong with Simon’s pizza menu if you are in the mood for pizza. They have various vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on their menu.

Address: 5800 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50322, USA

4. Leaning Tower of Pizza

Leaning Tower of Pizza is one of the most famous Italian restaurants in Des Moines. With over 50 years of serving customers, this restaurant is an expert in delicious pizza and sides like homemade onion rings, garlic bread, and jalapeno bread. For something unique, try Paul’s Pick 3, where you can choose three toppings to create your personalized pizza.

However, you can try Leaning Tower of Pizza’s famous specialty pizzas, like Bacon Cheeseburger, Hawaiian Pizza, Chicken Bacon Pizza, and Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Whether you’re craving a casual Italian dine-out, spaghetti, meatballs, mac ‘n cheese, salads, sandwiches, or refreshing beverages, this food destination has it all!

Address: 512 SW 3rd St, Ankeny, IA 50023, USA

5. Aposto

A revered Italian dine-in spot in a historic Victorian Mansion, offering a delightful three-course dinner with standout dishes like osso buco and Lemmo’s cavatelli. Take advantage of their delicious desserts like chocolate torte and panna cotta. Aposto is always open for dinner only, so book in advance.

Address: 644 18th St, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA

6. Baratta’s Restaurant

Baratta’s Restaurant ranks sixth among the ten popular Italian restaurants in Des Moines. This restaurant is a famous and oldest Italian restaurant in Des Moines. Baratta’s Restaurant provides a variety of soups, salads, pasta, pizza, and desserts. Their dinner menu features popular dishes like Amiggo and Spumoni with Rum sauce. Reserve a table early for lunch or dinner.

Address: 2320 S Union St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA

7. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse is another Italian restaurant in Des Moines. You can savor different cuts of perfectly grilled and roasted steaks aged for at least 28 days. This restaurant’s menu also features beef, pork, seafood, chicken dishes, and various pasta options with traditional sauces. Johnny’s Italian must-try dishes include Steak de Burgo and Toasted Ravioli.

Address: 6800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA

8. Centro Restaurant

Centro Restaurant is another popular Italian restaurant in Des Moines. This urban Italian restaurant has Italian-inspired food offering a wide variety of pizza, calzones, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and more. However, Mondays feature half-priced pizza and Peroni beer for dine-in or takeout.

Address: 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

9. Tumea & Sons Restaurant

Tumea & Sons Restaurant is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in Des Moines, serving perfected home recipes. Enjoy their lunch menu with various appetizers, salads, pasta, and sandwiches. For dinner, try their popular dishes like Pepper steak and Chicken Asiago, and take advantage of the desserts like Cannoli and tiramisu.

Address: 1501 SE 1st St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA

10. Basil Prosperi

Basil Prosperi is a fan-favorite Italian cafe in Des Moines, offering affordable and delicious pizzas, pasta, calzones, and sandwiches. You can customize your pizza or calzone with your choice of toppings. Basil Prosperi also serves pasta with various sauces and toppings, including chicken and shrimp. This restaurant’s Caesar salad is a great option too.

Address: 801 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

Conclusion

You can carefully review the article above to discover the top Italian restaurants in Des Moines. This restaurant offers delicious traditional pasta dishes, homemade Italian sides, and desserts. You can enjoy a fantastic dine-in experience with family and friends. Take-out and delivery options are available through these Italian restaurant websites.