Flavory Bistro

Seven of us ate dinner here and we had a great meal. We loved the setting of this restaurant and conversation for our large group was easy. Our waiter, Stefan, who presented himself as the son of the owner, was quite charming. We also appreciated that all our dishes were well seasoned. This is a wonderful little restaurant.

It's my second time coming here with my fiance and I got the steak for dinner. The steak was decent but the mushrooms were mostly dehydrated, which I was not expecting. I was expecting slightly bigger portion sizes but food was well seasoned. The waiter also didn't interact with us much and he wasn't really around even before the place got busy. Before we left, our receipt was put on the table and the waiter walked off without saying anything. There's room for improvement regarding service. The atmosphere was nice but it did get somewhat loud so I had to speak up a bit to be heard.

I ordered a special catering meal for a family dinner and was absolutely blown away by both the service and the food! They went above and beyond—creating a custom menu just for us, making flatbread per my special request (even a gluten-free version!), and communicating quickly and kindly throughout the whole process. When I came to pick it up, the staff was so friendly and welcoming—they even had me sampling things at the counter! I genuinely felt like I was at home. Everything was delicious, and I’ll definitely be coming back again and again!

I had the most incredible experience here. I love Mediterranean, but what I love most Is authenticity of my experience. The food is absolutely Phenomenal! I was unsure what to get, being indecisive. I asked about just around everything on the menu. The owner came out and told me about everything she offered, and I settled on the Mediterranean feast. It was beyond delicious. They helped me choose a bottle of wine, and the chocolate cake was to die for. Unlike any chocolate cake you’ve ever experienced, it was dense and delicious.

Stopped into The Flavory Bistro for lunch with a friend who’s a huge fan—he insisted the Gyros were top-notch, so I took his advice. And honestly? The food delivered. First impressions: It’s a small, attractive spot in The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. Clean, classy decor with adequate seating. It was only about half full while we were there, but we still had to stand and wait quite a while before being greeted and seated. Our server wore a headset, which made the experience feel… odd. He was soft-spoken to the point of confusion, and it wasn’t always clear if he was talking to us or someone through his earpiece. Service was very slow and impersonal—we had long gaps between being seated, ordering, getting water, then drinks, and finally our food. No check-ins, no warmth, and the bill was silently dropped off like an afterthought. (We later wondered if he might be related to the owner.) He technically did the job, but without any sense of hospitality. Thankfully, the food made up for it. The Gyro was outstanding—tender meat, fresh hummus, and vibrant tzatziki that hit just right. I asked for fresh jalapeños and they nailed that too. The fries were crisp and seasoned perfectly, and the garlic sauce was intense in the best way. The space was mostly clean, with nice ambiance—though the bar/kitchen area looked chaotic and cluttered, clearly being used for extra storage, which took away from the polished feel. Apologies—no food pics this time. Got lost in conversation and forgot. But trust me, the food was absolutely worth it. Bottom line: I do recommend The Flavory Bistro for the food—it’s seriously good. I’ll probably return, but here’s hoping for a little more warmth and attentiveness in the service next time around.

Tonight was my first time eating dinner! The owner found out three of us ladies were new to the restaurant. She brought out a board of all the yummy cheeses, breads and veggies! So kind and nice! I’ll definitely be back! The food and service were amazing!!!

Very cute little place. Love the healthy options. Our server was a little curt. But otherwise an enjoyable experience. Can be a little noisy with the cement floors and open concept kitchen area. I got a chicken gyro bowl and it was very delicious and a perfect portion size for lunch.

Excellent, especially for Des Moines Metro. Easily the best Mediterranean food I’ve had in the DSM Metro by far. Seems like it is a family run joint that’s been here for about 10 years. Always great when you can see the cooking happing in front of you. Service is excellent as well!

The food outshined the service! Ambiance: 4 stars Food: 5 stars Service: 2 stars Well, I came here with a friend for lunch. He loves the place and said the Gyros are fantastic. So I went with his recommendation. First impressions: The place is small and nicely located in the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. They have adequate seating and were only slightly busy when we arrived (I would say it was at half capacity the entire time we were there) We stood at the reception location for a while before we were 'greeted' and finally seated. We sat for quite a while before the guy with the headset to came back to take our orders. This was the weird part - he was fine, but he spoke so quietly we were not sure he was addressing us or talking to someone in his headset. Eventually we got our orders in, and we again waited. Some time later the water showed up, then after another pause the drinks we ordered were delivered, and sometime later the food showed up. He even remembered the dipping sauce which I thought I was going to have to ask for. We ate our entire meals without once being asked how things were, and eventually after the food was all gone, he came back to unceremoniously plop the bill on the table, and after another extended period he came back to process the payment. All-in-all the interaction with this guy was 'just weird'. (It was suggested that he might be the son of the owner...) He was doing his job but there was absolutely not any extra effort put in to make us feel welcome, and the total lack any real interaction was off-putting. The overall appearance of the place was nice and appeared clean, the decor was fresh and classy. However the bar area around the kitchen was very cluttered and looked like it was being used for overflow storage and it was a bit chaotic and had lots of clutter. Please forgive the fact that I forgot to take pictures of the delicious food. I got into conversation with my friend and just forgot! It was a very well made traditional Gyro with generous portions of meat, fresh hummus and a perfect portion of super fresh tzatziki sauce. I ordered fresh jalapeños and they got that right too! The side of fries were delicious as well, seasoned perfectly, crispy and fresh, and the garlic sauce...well did not lack for garlic! Wowza!! Overall I do recommend this place for the food! I will most likely return and I hope that the service will be a little better next time around.

Flavory Bistro is our go-to date night spot, and it never disappoints! It's been awhile so wanted to write another review. The Mediterranean Feast is our favorite --it's the perfect mix of fresh, flavorful dishes that gives a little bit of everything. The homemade cheese is truly something special--rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It's one of those things you just can't stop talking about after the meal! We also love that it's a family-run business, and you can tell everything is made with so much care and attention. Since everything is made to order, the freshness and quality really shine through. If you're looking for a spot with amazing Mediterranean food and a personal touch, Flavory Bistro is the place to go. We always look forward to our next visit!

This place was awesome. The server was great and the food was wonderful! We had the Mediterranean Bruschetta for an appetizer and it had great flavor. The pepper mixture that was on the plate was so good! My main course was an open face burrata cheese and tomato sandwich. It was yummy. If you want a good solid meal this is the place... it surely will please!

Ordered take-out, and food was prepared quickly. The falafel was good, but hummus was almost flavorless and the pita was stale. The garden salad was a good size and the vegetables were fresh. The side bread was good (not stale). I also ordered baklava, but it was inedible-- it fell apart immediately and was flavorless.

Kevin Paella was outstanding! Highly recommended. Staff was very nice during the wait for my takeout. Nice place will definitely be back!

Mediterranean food in a comfortable setting, Flavory Bistro is a solid dining option in Ankeny's The District at Prairie Trail. Its unique menu is executed well, and it includes gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. There is also a full bar and Coca-Cola products. There is plenty of free parking available, and Flavory Bistro's artwork and design are comfortable. The Ankeny Chamber recently rated it the healthiest Restaurant in Ankeny. Chef Lisa has a creative menu! I enjoyed my beef/lamb gyro plate, a good-sized portion that was delicious and served in a manner that wouldn't fall apart. Their tzatziki sauce is slightly different than normal t-sauce, thicker and tasty. I loved their fries, especially when combined with the tzatziki sauce. GREAT hummus! Stefan was kind and polite, asking whether we had any allergies that would affect our experience. I appreciated that comment. Didn't rush us on a busy night. Later that night, I heard their paella was superb as if I needed a reason to return!

"It is what it says on the tin!" Delicious luncheon today with their gyro beef bowl and an oatmilk latte. Impressive speed, efficiency, and attentiveness by the host. They seem to use a lot of eclectic tableware. It makes the decor all the more charming. I will definitely be back!

Dine in experience 5:30 Tuesday: ordered a side caesar salad, chicken cordon bleu and risotto. It took 50 minutes for food to show up. Server was nowhere in site the whole time. Suggest serving the salad and a piece of bread or a cracker first. When we left there were several patrons at 3 other tables and none of them had food. It looked like there was one person cooking 1 order at a time. She was doing her best. Chicken was VERY salty. Caesar side salad was very good, as was the risotto. Server could use customer service training...

First time here. Over the lunch hour or so. It was quite busy but I was met and seated promptly. My order was taken pretty quickly. I ordered a turkey panini and a Diet Coke. The waiter ask if I had any allergies which I thought was very thoughtful. The panini was good and tasty. The coleslaw was not creamy as I typically like it but it had a unique taste that I did enjoy. It took a bit longer to get my food than it should but I was not disappointed with the meal. The price was about right for what I was served. Good amount of seating and welcoming. There is a front and back entrance and you can your order to go. I'd certainly come back again.

We recently went to Flavory Bistro to eat. Everything was wonderful. Good food, good service. We would highly recommend it.

I want to enjoy this place because it is local, and I want to support. However, I have been here twice and each time had the same sub par experience. The atmosphere is cold, and each time I've gone be prepared to wait along time for anything; to be seated, to have your order taken, to have your drink order taken, etc. The only redeeming quality is the food is decent. First time I had the chicken gyro, second time the Turkey panini. Both good food, but the atmosphere and service is lacking. There seems to be one waiter for most of the entire restaurant- hence taking their time and waiting around. You wait forever for them to come to you and then when he does- he talks so fast and it makes you feel completely rushed. The second time we visited I was with my husband who ordered a cocktail that seemed watered down which he asked for something else and we could hear the chefs behind the counter snickering at his request when it was sent back- they proceeded to stare at us most of the meal. Which is not only very uncomfortable but also very unprofessional. We were told by waiter they'd take the drink off and when the bill came they didn't. We ended up paying for it all in total. The customer service combined with being starred at during dinner was enough to make us want to leave and not come back.

Wonderful food. And staff. I haven't had a thing I didn't like. Especially like the traditional foods. The mixed platter is a little bit of everything. Seating is limited so get there early.

We stopped here for dinner last night and while it was on the pricy side, the quality of the experience was top notch. Our waiter Matthew was fantastic, with multiple stories to share about the food, the owner and himself. While we didn't get to meet Lisa the owner, the story we heard of her Mom traveling the world with her and pushing her to identify what was in the global foods based on taste was fantastic! As to the food and drinks, we'll start with the Fresh Margarita (see picture). While pricy @$12 and small, it was one of the best margaritas we've had. I ordered a Beef Gyro (which had lamb mixed in with the beef - see picture). Both the Gyro and the tzatziki sauce were delicious. My wife ordered the Seafood Paella (see picture) and we both really enjoyed it. My wife makes our favorite Paella, so we both have become critical of most restaurant Paella. While we are used to lemon in the recipe, Lisa's alternate use of lime and green olives were unique and added to the character of the dish. The only thing holding me back from a 5 on the Food rating was the Baklava (see picture). Again, my wife had made some really good Baklava and we have enjoyed it on numerous occasions at restaurants and food festivals. As the picture demonstrates, this serving was average at best...thin, square, dry and relatively bland in taste. A disappointing end to the meal given how fantastic the main courses were. Todd's FAS: Food: 5- (Baklava held me back from a full 5) Atmosphere: 4+ Service: 5 If you found this review helpful, please click on 'Useful'.

Ambiance cute and quaint, service was extraordinary and the food was just as I had hoped for. Our server treated us like royalty, knew the menu as if he had created it and if I had a few like him I'd open my own restaurant. Spartan Salad is a must as it is unique and a warm cabbage salad that I'd never had before.

This place is amazing. Great good, great ambiance. I got the beef and lamb gyro with a side salad and elderflower tea. Really, really good, 10/10!

Love coming here! Great food, great people! Great atmosphere! First time we had seafood paella Mediterranean Steak is to die for! Cesar salad and fries were the perfect sides to this entree! Everything was cooked to perfection!

The Mediterranean steak was delicious and the portion was huge. They give a full size salad, side and the protein leaving me feeling grateful for tasty lunch of leftovers! They have shorter hours for dinner (5-8:30pm) so be sure to get their early to enjoy the full relaxed ambiance.

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!!! I have wanted to try it but I figured my husband wouldn't want to go so I went with the girls! Chicken Alfredo was fantastic and it came with amazing bread. Everything is house made and you can tell because it all tastes fresh! I had the smoked salmon plate and every item was wonderful and a surprise. The hummus was thick but perfect. The red relish was not too sweet and lightened the hummus. Lisa's cheese was light, creamy with a slightly thicker texture than it looks. Loved the gluten free bread and the gluten bread. I can't help it, I love it all! Tried my friends taziki sauce and am going back to have it all to myself. Then, baklava and a gluten free cookie. Yum, yum, yum. I couldn't tell it was a gluten free cookie. Coffee was amazing, dark and not bitter.

Had a good meal. Fresh food, great service. Decent atmosphere. Biggest clock I've ever seen in a bistro. Lots of cool Mediterranean choices and some Italian style plates. I would come back.

The veggie sautéed salad with lemongrass is so amazing. The bread, the cheese, it's all amazing. This only reason it gets 1 star less is because their front of house staff needs some training. Or maybe more help. Even so, we love to come here!

Okay, they got more staff, the food came out fast and yummy this is still one of my favorite places in the metro the food is always fresh and taste and never disappoints!

SO GOOD! The staff is so great and accommodating (for my vegan diet at least) and the food, oh my gawd the food is so good. I had the paella and finished my leftovers less than an hour later because it was so good. My wife had a grilled vegetable salad which was "delicious af". And it's nice inside - cement flooring and kind of rustic parts; it reminds me of restaurants asking the Mediterranean coast. Seriously, try it.

Obsessed with flavory bistro. Fresh ingredients, unique dishes, friendly service and they cater to many food preferences & allergies. We also take family who are visiting to Flavory Bistro because they make Ankeny look awesome!

I enjoyed this quaint little local restaurant with its galley of art on the walls. The cabbage/ lamb soup was a delicious starter. I followed that up with the shrimp gyro accompanied by homemade hummus and tzatziki sauce. I wasn't sure I had room for dessert but I couldn't pass up the yummy gluten free butterscotch and chocolate chip cookie to go with my large cup of coffee. Everything was delicious and seemed fresh. They appear to be very accustomed to dealing with food sensitivities and preferences. The service was prompt and friendly.

We loved this place! In a nice shopping and dining area with plenty of parking. Casual but still classy. Plenty of healthy choices. I had an avocado and banana smoothie. It paired perfectly with my chicken gyro. We also ordered chicken fettuccine alfredo and salmon with salad. All of the dishes were flavorful. The salmon was the favorite! Great service and amazing food! Will be back for sure!

Really wanted to like this place. Friends & even my nutritionist recommended it. Service was fine. Soup was awful. It tasted like flavorless broth with soggy celery. The main meals were just bad. Even our non- picky 14 year old didn't finish his meal. Bummer. We eat mostly Mediterranean & healthy meals, but will continue to cook our own. Spent $40+ on this and was extremely disappointed.

Warm welcome as we stepped in the door. What a great location for this meditation cafe. We venture over this area often. It is hopping with all the nice restaurants. Today Mom and I stopped in for a late lunch. Our first time here. We had no problem picking the hummus from the menu to start and getting some gluten free bread to go with it. There was a $2.ish up charge for the gluten free but worth it as she ate it right up. For the main portion we had Greek salad with a side of soup. The Greek salad was big and came topped with an egg. Not hard boiled, but almost over medium. I got the egg and was pleasantly surprised that the flavors of the salad and egg blended well together. The cup of soup with the salad that we added was a chicken and broth. Hot and tasty on a cold day. We were getting full, but then on the counter I watched the cook pour the most wonderful looking chocolate over a cake. My mouth was watering when we asked if that was the gluten free cake. When they said yes we had to try that too. It was perfect. Not overly sweet and a little nutty just like me. Lol Highly recommend stopping here if you are out and about in the Ankeny area.

I could eat their bruschetta everyday! The food is of high quality, has so much flavor, and is cooked to perfection every time. Also love their smoothies. And the workers are so friendly and efficient!

Amazing!! The Alfredo was out of this world! Went back twice in our visit said we didn't go to a third time. Will be back

Very much enjoyed our dinner at the Flavory Bistro, however service left something to be desired. I had the meatballs and pasta which I thought was fantastic and I'm not usually a big pasta fan. My husband had the Greek salad which he also enjoyed and we started with the hummus plate. I wish they'd offer more bread or lessen the amount of hummus provided as A LOT went to waste. Our food came out quickly but our server made a few ordering mistakes and we had to ask other servers for service a couple of times, but other than that we would definitely go back.

This place is always great! We go here frequently! They have excellent seafood paella & Mediterranean platters! We also love the gyros and brunch! The service is efficient and good. The ambiance is average & could use a little updating, but very clean.

Best food in Ankeny!!! I'm gluten free and everything here is so delicious, fresh and doesn't hurt my stomach!

For the love of God how can you say no to this food? It is delicious it is amazing I am amazed!!!!

Great fresh food. Love the open kitchen and wait staff. This is a family own business with great family recipes

Went with a group and had a great time. Food was really delicious. Everyone was pleased with what they ordered. Wait staff was helpful and fun. Will definitely be back.

The food is always healthy and absolutely delicious! It's safe to say that the paella is honestly the best kept secret in the Des Moines metro area! The best I've ever had without traveling abroad! If you haven't been to Flavory yet, you must plan your next outing ASAP!! Service is always friendly and atmosphere brings a welcomed diversity to the current restaurants in The District.

Margarita Fantastic! Great Place, nice bistro. Great Margarita! App was wonderful as well.

I can't believe I wanted as long as I did to visit Flavory Bistro! Everything was perfect for our lunch stop today. The food was amazing and the hospitality was great. The ingredients were super fresh! It was a nice meal to slow down and enjoy real, homemade, healthy and fresh food. We had a glass of wine, hummus plate, a Brochette, spartan salad, and finished off with a cappuccino and americano Will be back.

Not a huge fan of Mediterranean food and didn't think I liked gyros but wow! The gyro was delicious and completely changed my mind! Also, had a bite of the scallops and they were cooked to perfection. Buttery and sweet. Can't wait to go back

This was an outstanding, quick healthy Mediterranean Feastmeal. Very friendly vibe from the server and with an open view to the kitchen, extremely calm, well-organized all female team!

You have to go here! This is one of my favorite places in Ankeny! First, the staff makes you feel like a member of the family and are so attentive, helpful, and friendly. Second, this place is very clean and has such nice decorations. I love the vibe here! Third, the food is out of this world good and pretty healthy too! Can't say enough good about this place!

Our favorite place to eat in Ankeny! Food is always delicious and fresh and the staff is so so nice

Wow, what an incredible find! Wonderful service and phenomenal cuisine. Very impressed with this restaurant.

Absolutely delightful! My daughter and I shared the paella which was very good. I would love mussels and more scallops but that may be unrealistic for a casual lunch. I'm not an expert but the menus reflects many Mediterranean accents. I would love to return Mediterranean Bruschetta Warm Spartan Salad Seafood Paella The service is slow but it's not fast food. Take your time.

I was looking for a place with vegan options and Flavory Bistro had several things on the menu. I had the Vegetarian panini and it was delicious!

Wonderful , fresh, authentic. Nice casual family atmosphere with high end menu. Friendly staff and clean restaurant.

I ate here by myself on a random Saturday afternoon while running errands. It's a great place, especially the food. Even at 530, I was able to pick a seat by the window - it's nice on the east side away from the kitchen. I am pretty sure the owner was waiting on tables, which is always encouraging to see. He had a lot of pride in his restaurant and gave good service. My food was prompt, I had the beef/lamb gyro. I liked the cucumber sauce, it was obviously fresh made. The meat was seasoned really well and had generous portions. I was full after eating just the sandwich, which was lucky because sides are not included here. I didnt order fries, and they don't come standard (just an fyi). They do have a liquor license, so you can get wine or beer but no mixed drinks. Their selection isnt bad, three or four choices in each category. If I had any complaints, it would be the price. You're getting really fresh food and decent portions, but it still seems spendy. Also, the ambiance for a date or dinner is a bit lacking for my tastes. This would be a much better lunch (or brunch) locale. All in all, Flavory Bistro lives up to its name. My food was tasty, and I enjoyed the meal.

Excellent menu. Not your typical selections for a restaurant in this area so it was a nice change of pace. Great wine that the waiter recommended pairing with my meal. The service was outstanding and it was a nice atmosphere. It's a smaller place in the district but if you're looking for something a little different I would highly recommend it.

Had the chicken gyro and the bf had the prosciutto sandwich. The chicken was grilled perfectly and was very flavorful. It came with a side of tzatziki sauce and hummus. The hummus was ok, nothing special and a bit lacking in flavor. The sandwich was ok but I am not a fan prosciutto so I won't go into detail. It came with a slaw that was more like a salad due to the tangy vinaigrette. Overall, a good experience and I would like to go back and try other items.