The Absolute Best Brunch in Des Moines

Brunch in Des Moines is a serious commitment. You know the drill: rally the crew, pick a side in the war over patio seating, and prepare to wait.

It’s a weekend ritual that demands strategy. But here’s the thing—this city’s spread is wild, stretching from the refined, vegetable-forward plates at HoQ to the towering, gut-busting brisket omelet at Buzzard Billy’s.

We’ve done the heavy lifting so you don’t have to, from the skywalk-accessible cafes to that one spot where the mango habanero mimosa will wake you right up. Your table is ready.

The Breakfast Club

Highlights
Crepe flight devoured completely
Mango habanero mimosa stings
Many vegan menu options
Worth the Sunday wait
Excellent bartender care

You will wait on a Sunday. Accept this as part of the deal. The payoff arrives when the crepe flight lands, a full spread that you will devour without a trace of shame. The mango habanero mimosa stings in that good way, waking you up better than any coffee. If you are vegan, this menu opens up wide, giving you real choices, not sad afterthoughts. The bartender treated every seat like a regular’s, even the first-timers. It’s loud, busy, and worth every minute of that wait. Go hungry, bring patience, leave planning your next visit.

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Mullets Restaurant Des Moines

Highlights
Fast, friendly bar service
Unique breakfast menu options
Great kid-friendly atmosphere
Delicious Tres Leches waffle
Fun, lively dining vibe

Mullets works fast, and that matters when your stomach is growling and your patience is thin. The bar service is quick and friendly, getting you seated and served before you can overthink the menu. The Tres Leches waffle is the real draw here, sweet, rich, and unlike anything else in town. Bring the kids; the place buzzes with a lively energy that keeps everyone entertained. You’ll find unique breakfast options that break the boring eggs-and-toast routine. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s a solid bet for a weekend morning when you want a good time with your meal.

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Main Street Cafe & Bakery Des Moines

Highlights
Skywalk-accessible big space
Made-to-order breakfast sandwiches
Fresh ingredients in every meal
Efficient service, great coffee
Ice cream from Outside Scoop

Step off the skywalk and into a space that feels bigger than it should, which means you can actually get a table without a brutal wait. The made-to-order breakfast sandwiches arrive hot and properly stacked, built with fresh ingredients that taste like they were sourced that morning. Service is efficient, and the coffee is strong enough to do its job. You can also grab ice cream from Outside Scoop on your way out, a dangerous perk. It’s a no-fuss, reliable spot that treats you right, especially if you’re on a schedule or need a break from the brunch circus. You’ll get in, eat, and leave pleased.

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HoQ Restaurant

Highlights
Fresh, vegetable-laden main courses
Warm, attentive service throughout
Rich asparagus bisque standout
Excellent naan and foccacia
Perfect mezcalita accompaniment

HoQ makes you wonder why more places don’t treat vegetables like the main event. The main courses arrive piled high with fresh produce, and you won’t miss the meat. The asparagus bisque is the quiet standout, rich and smooth, with a depth that demands you sop up every last drop with their excellent naan and focaccia. The service warms you up as much as the food, attentive without hovering. Pair it all with a perfect mezcalita, and you’ve got a brunch that feels refined but never stuffy. This place deserves your attention, and it will keep it.

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Buzzard Billy’s

Highlights
Brisket omelet wins big
Eggs Benedict earns praise
Servers give spot-on recommendations
Portions enormous, plates photogenic
Fast service, friendly staff

Buzzard Billy’s does not mess around with portions. You will leave with a box, and you will be grateful for it. The brisket omelet is the clear winner here, tender meat wrapped in fluffy eggs that hold their own. Also order the Eggs Benedict; it earns the praise it gets, with a hollandaise that’s properly tangy. Your server will steer you right, offering spot-on recommendations that match what you’re craving. Service is fast and friendly, and the plates come out looking like they belong on a menu cover. It’s a reliable, hearty choice that won’t disappoint.

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Mulberry Street Tavern

Highlights
Upscale bar, approachable prices
Light, flaky cheese curds
Consistently solid over years
Western Skillet wins brunch
Worth returning for more

Mulberry Street Tavern has figured out the balance: upscale enough to feel special, priced approachably enough to make it a regular stop. The cheese curds are light and flaky, nowhere near the heavy, greasy versions you’ve had elsewhere. The Western Skillet is the move, a hearty mix of eggs, potatoes, and protein that wins brunch without trying too hard. You’ve probably walked past this place for years. Don’t. It’s consistent in the way that matters, and you’ll find yourself returning, order unchanged, because it’s just that good.

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Lachele's Fine Foods

Highlights
Smash burgers worth the hype
Loaded chili cheese tots
Warm, welcoming staff
Quick, hot service
Cool, upbeat vibe

Lachele’s packs a punch with a menu that knows exactly what you want. The smash burgers are worth the hype, crispy edges, melty cheese, and a bun that holds up to the juice. Get the loaded chili cheese tots too; they’re a whole meal disguised as a side. The staff treats you like you’ve known them for years, and the service is quick, keeping your table turning. The vibe is upbeat and cool, the kind of place that feels alive. You’ll come for the burgers, stay for the tots, and plan your next visit before you leave.

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Bubba

Highlights
Soul-soothing Southern comfort food
Attentive, warm top-tier service
Perfectly seasoned fried chicken
Consistent Des Moines staple
Southern charm, modern vibe

Bubba is the kind of place that feels like a warm hug, if that hug came with a side of perfectly seasoned fried chicken. The Southern comfort food here is soul-soothing, each bite reminding you why this spot has staying power in Des Moines. The service is top-tier, warm and attentive without hovering. You’ll get that modern vibe mixed with old-school charm, and it works. It’s a staple for a reason, and you’ll understand the moment you taste it. Whether you’re nursing a hangover or just craving comfort, this place delivers, every single time.

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University Library Cafe

Highlights
Not a library, pure charm
Elevated pub grub and breakfast
Full bar, cool locals, history
Friendly staff, best sandwiches

Despite the name, you won’t be shushed here. University Library Cafe is pure charm, pulling you in with its quirky, historic vibe. The pub grub and breakfast elevate the standard fare, and the sandwiches are the best in town, fresh, stacked, and satisfying. There’s a full bar, and the crowd is a mix of regulars and newcomers, all soaking in the cool atmosphere. The staff is friendly, making you feel like a local on your first visit. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to tell your friends about, and then bring them back to.

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Bar Nico

Highlights
Fully gluten-free homemade menu
Unbeatable Happy Hour pricing
Fresh, chef-level small plates
Lively bar with standout margaritas
Friendly, welcoming staff service

Bar Nico is a rare find, especially if you eat gluten-free. The entire menu is homemade and free of gluten, so you can order without playing the “can I eat this?” game. During happy hour, the pricing becomes unbeatable, making it a crime not to order multiple small plates. The food is fresh and chef-driven, and each plate comes out looking like art. The bar is lively, and their margaritas are standout. The staff is welcoming, treating you like a regular on a holiday. It’s a place that makes you feel good, in every sense.

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The Royal Mile

Highlights
Fish and chips crispy
Exceptionally fast service
Delicious flaky cod
Great pre-show dinner

Before your next show, head to The Royal Mile. The fish and chips arrive at your table absurdly fast, but they taste like they took their time. The cod is flaky, the batter is crispy, and the whole plate is satisfying without feeling heavy. It’s a pre-show dinner that actually works, efficient service without sacrificing quality. You’ll be in and out with time to spare, feeling good about your choices. And you’ll be back, because that speed and quality are hard to beat.

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Purveyor

Highlights
Outstanding service and knowledgeable staff
Excellent Spanish tapas and small plates
Great wine and cocktail selection
Take-home deli meats and cheeses
Chic industrial atmosphere

Purveyor operates on a different level. The space is chic and industrial, but the service feels personal, with a knowledgeable staff that guides you through Spanish tapas and small plates like they’ve eaten them a hundred times. They probably have. The wine and cocktail list is strong, and you’ll want to try a few. Don’t skip the take-home cases, filled with deli meats and cheeses that are just as good as what you ate in-house. It’s an experience more than a meal, and that’s precisely why you’ll leave already planning to return.

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