The 36 Best Restaurants in Des Moines, Iowa | Eater

"When you open the door to the airy, elegant dining room at chef-owner Steve Logsdon’s Lucca, you might feel transported from the East Village of Des Moines to the East Village of New York — assuming you can ignore the shimmering metallic dome of the Iowa State Capitol down the road. The restaurant offers some of the best upscale-yet-approachable Italian fare in town. Come for pasta, a sandwich, or a protein-topped salad at lunch. Or call ahead to reserve a table for the surprisingly affordable ($57) four-course prix fixe dinner, which comes with your choice of salad, pasta (don’t miss the pillowy gnocchi), main dish (the scallops are exceptional), and dessert." - Karla Walsh