Cooper's on 5th

Started with the cheese curds, ended with a Cubano and the Chicken Philly. First, the cheese curds were DIVINE. I’m a little shocked they aren’t permanently on the menu. The cubano was well liked. Four stars because the Chicken Philly is a little weird; you can tell by the photo that it’s just a chicken breast with melted cheese. Flavor was pretty good but it was just an odd meal and presentation. Overall, this place is darling. We sat outside but the inside has a perfect romantic ambiance. Would definitely go back.

Definitely worth checking out!!! We loved the ambience and atmosphere. Food was outta of the park. We had the egg rolls and a Cubano sandwich. Our waitress was super friendly and checked on us several times. Highly recommended

I came all the way from Minnesota. 1st time here, as we celebrated a birthday. I can't say enough about this place. It was absolutely amazing. The manager outstanding. Our waitress, she was nice, pregnant could have done a bit better but things were good. A beautiful place and I highly recommend it.

I liked the specialty sandwich menu as well as the different side options. The burgers for lunch were huge, making the higher prices more worth the spend. I personally didn't love the loaded potato salad, but the zucchini fries were a good choice. The liquor and mixed drink selections were amazing, and the waiter/bartender definitely handled the full house very well. Great atmosphere. The biggest downfall was having to wait for a table, especially if someone couldn't sit on high chairs, limiting the table space. However, they do take reservations. Thank goodness for the nice parking lot accessed from the back alley.

One of my favorite places during my favorite time of year! I eat here every year after Jingle in the Junction but it's amazing all year round. I get the egg roll of the day every time and I have never had the same one twice. So delicious. Our server was excellent- top notch service. Highly recommend!

The ambiance of a cozy neighborhood pub serving tasty comfort food is always a good drawing card. Chicken DeBurgo was my evening delight. The chicken was not as tender and fresh as I would like. The sauce had a bitter taste yet enveloping a creamy and smooth awakening while cascading over every taste bud in my palate. My preference for dining was a booth or table — due to no reservations at 6:10 PM — I had to sit at the bar after my first seat upon entering —where—I was asked to reposition myself because the tables were reserved for evening arrivals which were still empty when I left. Perhaps the wait staff can check the time for reservations before removing a regular paying customer. Despite the annoying young ladies at the bar using colorful language the young bartender was very courteous. I’ll stick to my noon arrivals or make sure that I have an evening reservation.

The food used to be top-notch but could have been an off night. I ordered the Chicken DeBurgo and was average at best. The sauce was delicious but the potatoes were underseasoned and bland for being garlic cheddar and the chicken was not seasoned. Nice cook on the chicken though as moist. Other plate was a shrimp pasta that was a solid dish. The chocolate lava cake was nice with the bitterness of the chocolate and sweetness of ice cream. The peanut butter cake was very rich and nice flavor.

The food was amazing, as was the service One negative and it's not really super bad-we didn't know that it's best to have a reservation. We were on vacation, just passing through town pretty much. Though, we did get immediate seating on the outdoor patio. It was pretty hot that day- they do have it covered and there were fans. As you can tell I didn't die from being hot..lol.

Looking for a small neighborhood pub many may call a restaurant -- then try Cooper's on 5th. I deviated from my regular protein and ordered Chicken DeBurgo which was elegantly served. At first I was taken back because the wait staff asked if I had reservations. Having none -- I was seated at the bar along side some cheerful young ladies on one side and a very helpful lady on the other side who offered to push my higher than normal chair toward the bar. The food was very tasty and the bartender was very gracious.

Fun little place in Valley Junction, rather small and quaint. The menu is limited but seems to please many. We ordered the Meatloaf Meltdown Cooper's Way and the Junction Burger, both with steak fries. Both really good, the Meatlaof was a bit salty but still good. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly. No wait to pay the bill at the end of the meal which is also very important. The restrooms...yes, you do have to walk through the kitchen to get there. But they are clean.

Fantastic craft cocktails. They do a whiskey sour right! The short ribs though... man. Put those on the list. Also, don't forget about the Du Jour Egg Rolls. Had the cheeseburger edition with the special thousand island sauce... that'll tickle those Mac Dee's memories from way back. A small, quaint place with food, drink, and service to back it.

An upscale hole in the wall pub with great scratch cooking. Yeah, that is the sentence I would use to describe Coopers on 5th. We went for a triple Birthday party with three generations of foodies and we left satisfied. The menu was small but had a great variety, it was a nice change. I started with the Garlic Tomato Bisque just because... It was garlic forward followed by tangy tomato some acidity then a sweet tomato finish. It was quite layered for a soup. I followed that with the Braised Short Rib which was tender and fell apart to the touch. At first i thought the Demi Glace was powdered due to it's flavor and consistency but hey assured me it was home made. It was ok but it could have been better with a red wine like a cabernet. My wife had the Chicken DeBurgo. The sauce, which was crested here in Des Moines, was like a thickened heavy cream with just a touch of parmesan and sweet Italian seasonings. It was good. We finished the night off with three free desserts and it not being my birthday I ordered the peanut butter chocolate cake. It was rich and amazing. They had no problem telling me that it was made from the bakery down the street while the Volcano cake was made in house. Both were amazing. We both decided that we needed to come back and try some of the other dishes on the menu. Food 9/10 Quality 10/10 Service 10/10 Atmosphere 10/10 plating 8/10 47/50=4.7=5 star

4.5* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 5* 04/05/2024 After really enjoying our first stop here over 2 years ago, we've been unsuccessful in getting in on several other occasions (didn't have the forethought to make a reservation and they were full several times when we stopped in to check). Tonight we took the time to experience their Happy Hour while waiting to join our son and daughter-in-law at another restaurant for dinner. This time we arrived early (around 5pm) and were able to find seats at the bar to enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. For an appetizer, we were intrigued by the Fried Zucchini (see picture) and it was recommended by the bartender. We were impressed when it arrived and found both the zucchini and dip to be delicious - tempting us to place a 2nd order when we knew we needed to save space for dinner. A great stop in Valley Junction for lunch or dinner...just make sure that you make reservations, as you might not get in otherwise.

Food was delicious. Staff was friendly, helpful and patient, as I seldom know what I want and therefore ask several questions about menu items. It's a cozy place

This place is a gem! The server was friendly and service was quick. The egg roll starter was unreal. Melt in your mouth good! That meatloaf sandwich was delicious and the salad was refreshing. The old fashioned was perfect! I would absolutely go back!

Very nice place! Our server, Jay, was very helpful in explaining options on the menu and suggesting meals for my party. Everyone was very pleased with their food, which I'd describe as "classes up" comfort food. I had the Cajun meatloaf in the open face with slaw on top. The combination of flavors was a mini party for my mouth. There was a nice kick from the Cajun spices and the cheese was a rich, soothing complement to the kick. We also tried some of their cocktails which were all delicious. Happy to have found it.

Went to lunch on a Wednesday around 1. Not overly busy. we were told we could sit wherever we wanted. they have a nice drink menu. my daughter and I both got the 2 item lunch. I got the chicken salad and sweet potato fries. I dipped my fries in creamy parmesean dressing, which is very garlicky. The chicken salad is a curry flavor, I was concerned because I'm not a big fan of curry. so glad I took a chance on it! the bread was toasted to perfection. Daughter J had the tuna salad sandwich and house salad with honey mustard dressing. the dressing was delicious, I dipped a couple fries into it. She enjoyed her sandwich. She lives in a big seafood area and so I was glad she enjoyed it. Service was great, food was brought out quite quickly. The restaurant is quite cozy. Stop in and give them a try you won't regret it.

We've been trying to get into Coopers for awhile to try it out and see if all the rumors and hype were true. Previously tried to go without making a reservation and could not get in. This time, made a reservation, arrived a few minutes early, and was seated immediately. Calm lighting, wood and leather furnishings, and sparking glassware welcome you into this warm space. Our waiter came over quickly and introduced himself and was so polite about offering to answer any questions we have. The food service industry is very competitive and besides the food, service is the one thing that will make someone into a repeat customer or not. Dinner was off to a great start! We enjoyed a couple martini's and mules. All fresh, uniquely crafted, and delightful! We were told by friends that the egg rolls were a must. We tried them and were pleasant surprised! Flavorful and unique! We also tried the Pepper Jack cheese sticks (one of the chefs specials for the week). Hands down one of the best fried cheese sticks ever! Tasty, crispy and the cheese was so hot and gooey! I also tried their soup of the day which was a kale and graziano sausage soup! One of the best soups I've ever had and I usually don't like kale very much . For dinner we had the cielo burger and the Sonoma chicken sandwich. The flavors exploded off of our palates! Everything was juicy and fresh! We take the quality and freshness of the food restaurants serve seriously. If the food is not good, we're not going to waste our money and come back. Coopers on 5th meets up to its reputation of being one of the best places in Des Moines for food and drinks! We're definitely coming back!! Maybe during the summer when their patio is opened. Thanks Coopers on 5th for a great date night for my hubby and I! Just amazing!!

Had lunch with some friends, and we all agree that Cooper's has great food and service! Definitely a gem in Valley Junction. Thanks for everything.

I made reservations for 6 people on 'Open Table' at least 2 weeks in advance. I arrived and they advised that they had given away the large round table to a group of 7 and asked the 6 of us to SQUEEZE into a booth that seated 4. One word...Livid. One of my guests left in disgust. But that's not all. It was so hot inside the restaurant (in Nov) that I HAD to ask them to open up a door to let in some cool air. I ordered a burger, didn't like the taste...was possibly pan fried, not grilled. Others ordered chicken sandwich and/or chicken pasta and liked it. I won't be going back anytime soon.

Came here from a friend's recommendation and we loved it! The restaurant is small and cozy, but don't let that deter you from bringing a big group either. We had 14 of us and sat at 2 large tables and really enjoyed ourselves. Our server Jeffrey was extremely competent and attentive, and also very kind. He made sure to refill our water glasses plenty (pretty sure I counted 3 times, which is super nice), and the food itself was delicious. I personally could not get enough of the potato wedges, and dipping them in some ranch? Heavenly.

Place was nice, pretty small. Sat at the bar, bartender was awesome very attentive and friendly. Started with the Zucchini appetizer which was the best thing I ate all night. Super crunch, not mushy it was great. The mac and cheese was ok but spicy. I had the burger with the famous sauce. It was to thick and it made everything mushy. I had the potato salad which was ok but if you are going to hint at the taste of German potato salad then make it. It tasted like mashed potatoes with a with a shot of vinegar. I was glad to try it but I wasn't dazzled.

Great service, cold drinks with good company. The food was amazing and would eat it every day if i could I'm from Michigan and was just traveling through but if your in the area definitely check it out

This gem of a restaurant gets 4.5 stars. The staff was very kind and assertive (which stood out to me). Overall, I had a great experience at Coopers. And I will note, there were a few things that could have been better. Getting to the restaurant took a few extra minutes because the outside signage was not helpful. It took me a few times looking at the sign to know if I was at the right place. I was looking for 'Coopers on 5th' ... so seeing "CPRS" in a circle was a little confusing. The Menu looked great- there was a nice selection to choose from. I ordered the *Caesar Salad with chicken* (delicious!) and the soup du jour, which was explained as a 'creamy chicken noodle soup'. The soup was bland, lukewarm and definitely not creamy. I wasn't a fan. The bathroom... Could use a little love. The vibe in this restaurant is extremely pleasant and the space is small and quaint. I would go back. The food was decent and I'd like to try a few more things on the menu. The lights are on the darker side so it's a great spot for a formal dinner (4-5 people max) or a date.

My husband and I have been fans since Cooper's opened.We have always had great service and attentive staff. Occasionally there might have been something that wasn't Coopers grade but if mentioned to owner, would always listen and work on improvement. I like that it's a local owner and small in capacity as the huge restaurants tend to be very loud which I don't like. Coop also has a party room across the street at Winchesters that my husband used for my surprise birthday party this year. Everything was spectacular! I love these guys!!

It's been 6 years since my last 5 star review for Cooper's, so I thought it was time to update. We go once or twice a month pretty regularly, so obviously we like it! They have creative specials, a great, varied regular menu, and very tasty cocktails. If you don't make a reservation there's a decent chance you'll need to wait, and their sister bar, Winchester, across the street is a great place to camp out until your table is ready. For our most recent visit we wisely had a reservation, and we were seated right away. I got a tasty vodka martini, and my wife tried the Peach Bellini martini. We both ended up ordering another mid-meal, so obviously they were excellent! For dinner I got the Meatloaf Dinner. It's one of my go-to's. It has a bit of a kick and you get an ample serving for most...I usually take half the meatloaf and potatoes home for lunch the next day, and this time was no exception. My wife got Bourbon Glaze Salmon...also part of her regular rotation, and it was tender and delicious. She can't have dairy, so they double the veggies for her in place of the risotto. Service was great and the prices are reasonable. There is seating on the patio in season, but it's somewhat limited...as is the indoor seating, so reservations are always a good idea. Highly recommended!

Extremely good drinks and food. You have to try the egg rolls. Service is always excellent.

Was searching for a solid restaurant in Des Moines to try out the infamous Steak DeBurgo and we were lucky that Cooper's on the 5th accommodated our request during lunch time. The steak was so tender and juicy. The mushroom gravy reminded me of my favorite steak restaurants in the Philippines (we are a sauce loving country!). The homemade chips and potato wedges sides were also on point - golden and crispy without being oily. The meat loaf sandwich specialty was also flavorful and quite large. Our server was very pleasant and friendly. Highly recommend Cooper's for delicious comfort food in a casual pub setting. I loved their old style pub ambiance and glad we were able to support a long established local restaurant.

It was good but underwhelming. The vibe and ambiance is fantastic which raised expectations but the food was a bit lackluster. The food wasn't bad but didn't pop with flavor and lacked a bit of freshness (especially the bread products did not seem fresh). This was my second visit and I would have given the initial experience five stars but this second one was simply average (3 stars). Maybe the chef had an off night; it simply didn't meet expectations the second time around. So, good not great is a fair assessment.

We were able to get a table without a reservation. He had an "Easy Way Out" cocktail, I had the Blueberry Sour. It was rainy & a bit chill & the waitress was able to whip up a hot chocolate. We both had the Burger of the Week - a tasty twist in a sloppy Joe. The decor is cozy & dimly lit - not a tv in sight. Perfect for an after work drink or a cozy date night. One of our favorite dinner spots in the Junction.

Our office ordered lunch from Cooper's today. Everything came out great! I would recommend the Meatloaf, but the New Yorker was also terrific. Prices were reasonable. You should definitely add Cooper's on 5th to your "go to" list.

Make a reservation to try the short ribs. They fell off the bone and the gravy was perfection. It was smooth. The green beans were fresh and had a crunch to them. The staff were attentive. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere.

This place is awesome. The dining room is very comfortable. Booths, high tables, lower larger family tables, a little of something for everybody. Great cocktails and wine selection. I had the short ribs and mashed garlic mashed potatoes. Both were excellent. Our server was Alexis and she was awesome too. All around enjoyable dining experience. Thank You Coopers on 5th !

Great place. Service was excellent. We stopped after the farmers market and git a table right away. Food was great. Will definitely stop back in

Sadly we had to leave before our group of 6 even sat down. We made reservations OVER 2 weeks in advance. (This was going to be our 1st time there for all of us). They only had 1 booth to seat us in. "6" people that maybe 4 small people could sit comfortably OR "we could sit at the bar". Why did we even make reservations? So disappointed!

Everyone needs to give this small restaurant in the Valley Junction area of West Des Moines a try. They have some great food at a reasonable price. I had the meatloaf sandwich Cooper's style, which means the put spicy coke slaw on top. It was delicious. We went back and they had a special that day of steak de'burgo, it to was very good, but I still miss the steak de'Burgos from Johnny's Vets Club. I will say I have eaten here several times always gotten great food and service is always friendly and fast. So if you are in the 5st area of WDM, this is a must try.

Always excellent food and service. Small dining room and patio. Large flavors and attention. Egg roll flavors are unique. Potato salad is a warm German style and delicious! Specialty cocktails are well crafted!

Amazing food and service! We were seated outside on the back patio and is was the perfect date night. We will definitely be back!

We went to Coopers as a birthday dinner. The atmosphere was immediately romantic, lowly lit, and felt like a cozy but special place. The martinis are so good that you can't go wrong. The service was friendly and quick. We ordered the Gouda Mac and cheese as well as the meatloaf. I've never been a fan of meatloaf but I'm telling you, THIS IS THE BEST MEATLOAF I HAVE EVER HAD. I am already planning my next night here.

We went at 5:00 pm on a Thursday evening to try to get in this restaurant with 9 people to sit in two tables. They denied us saying big parties can get too rowdy. If we had walked in a party of 4 and a party of 5 they would have seated us. They were not unkind about it. Just odd. Oh well. :)

Cooper's is a cozy spot in Valley Junction. It's a smaller place but it has such a relaxed vibe. The food is fantastic. They always have egg roll specials--and they're always a unique flavor or theme! I've been here numerous times for girl's lunches and dates. Would recommend!

Quality find. Great food. Great beer, wine and signature cocktails. Service is really good. Most definitely worth the visit.

It's a small, cozy space with delicious food! The staff has always been helpful and kind. They make you feel welcome!

Only one or two visits. People say it's good but I think it's enhanced bar food.Service varies based upon crowd. Ambiance is bar-like.

I would give this place NO stars if I could. My party and I just had the most weird experience. We walked in to be seated and they would not seat our party of 9. We said you can split us up into groups of four and five and they said; I'm sorry we can't seat you. It gets rowdy in here. Not sure if they were referring to our group or the customers already seated. We asked to speak to the manager and the hostess said that is what I was told to say. Such a bizarre situation experience that none of us in my group had experienced before. I would strongly discourage NOT trying this place.

It was the Valley Junction Farmers Market right on 5th Street in old downtown West Des Moines! Nice Farmers Market! We walked around then decided to get something to eat and drink. Coopers on 5th is nice, the Staff is excellent, seemed a bit pricey but I enjoyed myself. I had a bottle of Ruthie Gold Lager and Egg Roles Au Jour- interesting take on egg roles but good

Cooper's is a favorite of mine and is always consistently delicious. Great food all around and great cocktails!

Love this place. Food is always amazing and the drinks are great. It's small so you probably want to make a reservation....especially if you're there on a typically busy night. Highly recommend

The service was spot on. Our server was extremely knowledgable about the menu and wine pairings. The food was really good in terms of the presentation and flavors. The only drawback for me was that it was really busy and a bit noisy.

Cozy spot with a welcoming vibe. Spencer took care of us and did an excellent job behind the bar. We noted our fries were cold and he replaced them quickly with no hesitation. The food was good overall! The burger wasn't outstanding, but it was good; also, it was large, I couldn't even finish it after eating the egg rolls and soup. This is a nice spot with friendly staff and I'll for sure be back.

This place kind of reminds me of Simons. A small area and a feel of a small business owner. The service was very kind and personable. Due to the tight space we sat out back on the patio. I do wish that we could've brought our puppy out back ! The ribs were the best thing on the menu! The seafood ravioli was good but I can tell the crab was imitation. For the price it seems fair on the seafood

Tired of my usual spots around WDM, I hopped on Yelp for a new spot and came across Cooper's. Very glad I did! The place has a delightfully old-school vibe, but is modern enough to have a decent selection of craft beers. I was able to find one of my Colorado faves--Breckenridge vanilla porter. The bartender was kind enough to offer a chilled glass. Not enough places extend this basic courtesy. They run a lunch special where you can pick from two items for $7 or three items for $10. I selected the 1/2 grilled cheese, a cup of their featured soup and a side of German potato salad. The soup was a broccoli beer cheddar. This soup was creamy and balanced well. Actual cuts of broccoli were present... The bread on the sandwich was toasted well and the bacon was crisp. German potato salad didn't have as much vinegar as I'm used to, but certainly wasn't a disqualifying factor. Only downside is they close between 2pm and 4pm. The bartender invited me to stay as they were occupied with a little league team, but I thought it would be impolite. The bartender checked in at least twice, another employee checked in, and was thanked on my way out the door. Zero complaints; I'll be back next time I'm in town.

Cooper's is a classic neighborhood bar and restaurant. The eggrolls are an absolute must try. In fact there's nothing on the menu you shouldn't try. One of our favorite places.

Excited to have found another one of Des Moines "Hidden Gems"... This place is GREAT!! Amazing craft cocktails, delicious food, cute quaint location. All of this plus great service makes for an amazing dining experience. Starting with an amazing craft cocktail menu, we went right in, tried the Violette sky (I substituted Gin for Mezcal) and loved it!!! We also tried the "Once Upon A Thyme in Mexico" and the "Honey Lemon Old Fashion" yes to all of them! For food you must try the "egg roll" special of the day.. today's was "monte cristo" (Ham and cheese) with a delicious jam like sauce on top... the sweet and salty combo was a hit! For dinner I had the special sliders, which were pork and beef with an apple butter like sauce. My spouse has the Beef short ribs with mashed potatoes... Yummmm For dessert we were lucky and got the last piece orange spice chocolate cake. Magnificent! This place is amazing, already ready to come back

To go food was very ugh tonight. Tried Coopers on 5th for the first time since moving near the valley junction area...tonights menu were flavorless burgers cooked to a crisp and fries that tasted like frozen ice was still attached to them. Some of them were seasoned, some not. We ordered the chocolate lava cake to go as well and it came completely frozen in a to go box. Called up the restaurant and asked them how long we need to cook this at our home for? 1 minute was the answer and lemme tell you the cake was also gross. Sponge cake with a molten center that was tasteless. Sad. Off night tonight, Coopers?

This is a little jewel in Valley Junction. The food here is really good. It's a small restaurant but you can get dinner to go.

First timers at Coopers! Everything was absolutely awesome. Little hole in the wall place with a chill atmosphere and great food and service. Our waiter was Spencer and he did a fantastic job. We all tried the egg rolls and pulled pork nachos and you can really tell a difference with the homemade tortilla chips. I got the open face Cajun meatloaf and sandwich and it was very good. Slightest of kick, but the coleslaw is perfect with you. Overall fantastic experience and we hope to come back in the future!