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10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Des Moines Downtown

10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Des Moines Downtown

The 10 best Mexican restaurants in Des Moines Downtown include Bar Nico, Malo, El Bait Shop, Coa Cantina, Tacos Mariana's, Habanero's, Las Americas, Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill, Fernando's Mexican Grill, and Tacos La Familia. Mexican dining spots are found throughout downtown Des Moines, with a number of modern cantinas in the East Village. The restaurant types range from upscale cocktail bars and large, themed restaurants to straightforward street food taquerias. The dining experience can be a sophisticated evening at Bar Nico or fun casual, at the Western-themed Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill, which features a mechanical bull. A meal at a Mexican restaurant in downtown Des Moines costs between $10 and $70 per person.

The fame of Mexican restaurants Des Moines Downtown comes from their focus on craft cocktails, unique settings, and quality Iowa ingredients like Berkshire pork. Bar Nico stands out as the best upscale option for its stylish atmosphere, extensive agave list, and sophisticated plates. For a quick meal, Tacos Mariana's serves some of the best Mexican food Des Moines Downtown with its classic, no-frills street tacos and fresh toppings bar. Malo provides vegan options like its mushroom tacos, while Bar Nico offers gluten-free dishes such as the Tuna Tostada, and Tacos Mariana's serves all its tacos on corn tortillas.

The top Mexican restaurants in Des Moines Downtown are listed below.

10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Des Moines Downtown are listed below.

1 Malo
2 Habanero's
3 Las Americas
4 Fernando's Mexican grill
5 Tacos La Familia
6 Bar Nico
7 El Bait Shop
8 Coa Cantina
9 Tacos Mariana's
10 Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill

What Makes Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Downtown Famous?

Mexican restaurants in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, are famous for their modern, chef-driven concepts and active, bar-centric atmospheres. The East Village neighborhood is a center for this style, with spots like Bar Nico and Coa Cantina offering composed dishes and large tequila and mezcal selections. This is different from the family-run eateries found in other cities. The local food offerings also incorporate Iowa's agricultural output, with restaurants like El Bait Shop featuring high-quality Berkshire pork in their tacos. Themed establishments, such as the firehouse-located Malo and the Western-styled Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill, also contribute to the city's reputation.

What Types of Mexican Restaurants are Commonly Found in Des Moines Downtown?

Several kinds of Mexican restaurants operate in downtown Des Moines. These different types form the city's famous cuisine.

Modern Mexican Restaurants and Cocktail Bars: These are stylish, upscale casual spots with a focus on craft cocktails and contemporary plates. Bar Nico and Coa Cantina are key examples.
Large-Format Latin-Inspired Restaurants: These are high-energy, spacious restaurants with menus that include Mexican food alongside other Latin American dishes. Malo, located in a historic firehouse, fits this category.
Taquerias and Street Food Counters: These are casual, no-frills eateries that serve classic tacos, burritos, and tortas. Tacos Mariana's and Tacos La Familia are primary examples.
Themed Bars and Grills: Some downtown spots are known for a specific theme or a non-food specialty. El Bait Shop is a world-renowned beer bar that serves tacos, and Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill has a Western theme with a mechanical bull.
Hybrid Markets and Eateries: These are small businesses that operate as both a grocery store and a food counter. Las Americas is a notable example, selling imported goods alongside fresh pupusas and tacos.

Are There Authentic Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Downtown?

Yes, Des Moines has Mexican restaurants that cook with established family recipes. Tacos Mariana's and Tacos La Familia are straightforward taquerias that serve classic street food. Las Americas, a combination grocery store and eatery, offers homestyle Mexican and Salvadoran food, including tamales and pupusas made from scratch. These businesses provide a direct connection to the foodways of Mexico and Central America.

What are the Signature Dishes at the Best Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Downtown?

Specific food items are the main attractions at the top Mexican restaurants in downtown Des Moines. The following list describes some of the most notable dishes found in the area.

Malo Taco: A signature taco from Malo featuring seasoned ground beef in a puffy flour tortilla that is fried to order.
Pupusas: A traditional Salvadoran dish made of a thick corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat. These are a specialty at Las Americas.
Berkshire Pork Tacos: Tacos made with high-quality pork from a heritage breed raised in the region. This is a popular item at the craft beer bar El Bait Shop.
Tuna Tostada: A modern dish with fresh, raw tuna served on a crispy tortilla, often with avocado and chile aioli. This is a signature small plate at Bar Nico.
Breakfast Burritos: Large burritos filled with eggs, potatoes, cheese, and a choice of meat, served all day. Fernando's Mexican Grill is known for this item.

Do Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Downtown Offer Vegan Options?

Yes, several Mexican restaurants in downtown Des Moines offer vegan options. Malo has a vegetarian section on its menu, with items like mushroom or tofu tacos that can be prepared vegan. The modern menu at Bar Nico includes vegetable-based small plates that can be modified. Fast-casual spots like Fernando's Mexican Grill allow for the creation of custom burritos with beans and vegetables.

Do Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Downtown Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Yes, Mexican restaurants in downtown Des Moines provide many gluten-free options. Taquerias such as Tacos Mariana's and Tacos La Familia serve their tacos on corn tortillas by default. Bar Nico offers numerous dishes, like the tuna tostada and carne asada, that are made without gluten. Malo also provides corn tortillas as an option for its tacos and has many naturally gluten-free items on its menu.

What is the Average Price of a Meal at Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Downtown?

The price of a meal at a Mexican restaurant in downtown Des Moines ranges from $10 to $70 per person. A single meal at a taqueria like Tacos Mariana's or Fernando's Mexican Grill costs between $10 and $20. A group meal for two to four people at a casual sit-down restaurant such as Malo or Cowboy Mexican Bar & Grill is between $50 and $100. A meal at a budget-friendly spot like Las Americas costs $10 to $15 per person. A full dinner with cocktails at an upscale restaurant like Bar Nico costs $40 to $70 per person.

Is Mexican Food Popular in Des Moines Downtown?

Yes, Mexican food is popular in downtown Des Moines. Its popularity is clear from the presence of Mexican restaurants in prime downtown locations, especially in the East Village. The availability of different kinds of restaurants, from upscale cocktail bars like Bar Nico to casual taquerias like Tacos Mariana's, shows that the food is in high demand for business lunches, casual dinners, and celebratory nights out. The success of large, high-traffic restaurants like Malo further confirms that Mexican and Latin-inspired food is a main component of the downtown food experience.