Robby D
Google
The Cheese Bar has become one of my favorite places to go for lunch in Des Moines. If you enjoy cheese-focused comfort food, this place is easy to love. Their grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, and cheese boards get a lot of praise from other customers, and I completely agree. My personal favorite is the Reuben Grilled Cheese with the Tomato Soup. It is incredibly flavorful and comforting, and I find myself craving it often.
The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed, and it works really well for casually dressed groups or anyone who just wants to hang out and enjoy good food. People often mention how inviting the place feels, and that matches my experience every time. They also offer a big selection of drinks like wine, cider, beer and mead. I am not much of a drink person myself, but many guests seem to appreciate having those options.
One thing I agree with other reviewers on is the price. It can feel a bit expensive, especially if you order more than one item or expect large sides. For me the quality usually justifies it, but it is something to keep in mind.
Service is friendly, although there are times when it feels a little slow. This seems to happen more when the place gets busy. On my most recent visit, paying the bill took longer than expected because the staff were helping new customers, so I ended up waiting quite a while. It was not enough to ruin the visit, but it did stand out.