We know there’s a debate between brunch culture and breakfast culture, but we’ve rounded them all up, because frankly, hashbrowns are all that really matter. Here’s a list of our favorite breakfasts and brunches in Des Moines (in alphabetical order, because we couldn’t possibly rank them).

Don’t see your favorite here? Let us know! We’re happy to keep adding to make this a list you can come back to time and time again!

Bubba

Source: Bubba

  • Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • 200 10th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309

We LOVE Bubba, from the bourbon drinks to the shrimp and grits. It’s no surprise, then, that they have a brunch we can’t forget! Their brunch menu features things like a smothered skillet, peach cobbler French toast, and crab cake benedict (with Cajun hollandaise). There’s surely something for everyone that’ll definitely leave you full all day!

Get your tastebuds moving.

Drake Diner

Source: Dave Corbett

  • Open at 7 a.m., 7 days a week
  • 1111 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50311

Ahh, the place we spent more time than not in high school! Drake Diner is truly a Des Moines landmark since its opening in 1987. The 50’s diner ambience is just *chef’s kiss* and the food always hits the spot. If you’re looking for perfect casual diner vibes, you have to go to Drake Diner. No question.

Check out the OG.

Fresko

  • Daily, from open –  2 p.m.
  • 909 Locust St. Ste 103, Des Moines, IA 50309

Bottomless mimosas for $18 and TONS of gluten-free options? Fresko is a millennial’s dream for brunch, which is our way of excusing the amount of times we’ve been there since its opening. If you haven’t gone yet, this is the perfect girl’s day brunch or out-of-towner spot to showcase DSM as the burgeoning metro area that it is!

Make your reservation now.

Gilroy’s

  • Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • 1238 8th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

There is nothing not to enjoy about Gilroy’s brunch especially when dining with large groups. Served family-style all-you-can-eat brunch for $24.99. They also like you to stay a while as they offer bottomless mimosas, bloody marys, and screwdrivers for $16.99. Go in the summer and check out their beautiful patio as well.

Family Style Brunch

Gusto Pizza Bar’s Brunch

  • Saturday & Sunday Brunch, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • 2301 Ingersoll Ave. Suite 105, Des Moines, IA 50312

Gusto Pizza meets Brunch! What better way to wake up than with pizza pies?! And if you are feeling extra mighty on a Saturday or Sunday, you might dabble with their mix and match bottomless booze for $25. Cheers to the weekend!

More info.

HomeGrown

  • Open daily, 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • 555 17th St. Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309

For a place that’s only been open a few weeks, HomeGrown runs like a well-oiled machine! We highly recommend getting yourself on the waitlist from the comfort of your jammies in bed as wait times are sometimes lengthy. When you’re ready, check in at the restaurant and you’ll be seated in no time. Be sure to try their signature pop-tarts whether you’re splitting one with a friend or getting one just for yourself because they are phenomenal! The service is great and quick, prices are reasonable, the food is delicious, and the drinks are fun! Quite frankly, there’s nothing we don’t absolutely love about HomeGrown and are so glad they’ve opted to call Des Moines home.

Learn more.

La Mie

Source: TripAdvisor

  • 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon. – Sat. for the Bakery, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon. – Fri. for Elevate
  • La Mie Bakery, 841 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312
  • La Mie Elevate, 601 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309 (Downtown Skywalk)

This is an add that feels obvious to us, but might not be as obvious to our friends that are newer to Des Moines. It’s hard to overstate just how good this bakery is, so if you haven’t had any of their pastries, do so within the next week. Along with the amazing selection of baked goods, La Mie has a breakfast menu that’s hard to beat, including quiche florentine, tartines, and above-standard omelettes.

Browse for brunch.

Louie’s Wine Dive

  • Brunch hours: Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 4040 University Ave. Suite A, Des Moines, IA 50311

Maybe this is just in our heads, but we feel like Louie’s Wine Dive isn’t talked about nearly enough. Between it’s amazing drink deals, beignets, and patio vibes, we’d ideally be there every weekend. Louie’s Wine Dive is also heavily accommodating to gluten-free friends for any meal!

Brunch menu here.

Mitzi’s

  • Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m – 2 p.m.
  • 206 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Located in the beautiful historic Valley Junction you are sure to find an outstanding and abundant amount of food at Mitzi’s. you are sure to find something for everyone between the delicious biscuit style meals, to heaping pancakes, or the house of the rising bun featuring 3 cinnamon rolls stacked high topped with bacon.

Mitzi’s

Motley School Tavern

  • Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • 1903 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310

Where are our Beaverdale peeps at? Located in the same space where Chef’s Kitchen was, there are some call backs to Chef’s Kitchen menu items in their current menu. It’s a cozy space that works well for a low-key brunch or a group get together. You can’t go wrong with the pineapple-upside-down pancakes or the chorizo omelette.

See more.

Mulberry Street Tavern

  • Saturday & Sunday Brunch, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • 206 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309

Not to be confused with the other “MST” brunch spot (above), Mulberry Street Tavern is an exciting, chic restaurant located within the Surety Hotel downtown. We love going here for brunch because there’s usually a yoga class held in the beautiful atrium on Saturday mornings, followed by a free mimosa! It’s within walking distance of the Downtown Farmer’s Market, and the restaurant uses ingredients from local farm partners around Iowa. Make sure to try the sticky bun and the shrimp and grits for a hearty, but worth it, brunch.

Menu stalk now.

Railroad Bill’s Dining Car

  • Open daily, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • 621 Des Moines St., Des Moines, IA 50309

In the “breakfast category” is Railroad Bill’s Dining Car, a time-honored type diner with contemporary touches, located in the East Village’s northeast corner (next to Raccoon Forks Trading Co.). Railroad Bill’s Dining Car features a classic diner all-day breakfast and lunch menu, accentuated by innovative vegetarian and vegan dishes. They also proudly serve Railroad Bill’s Roast coffee, which is roasted fresh each week by pals at Raccoon Forks Foods in Ames. Eat and then shop antiques? We’re in.

Check it out.

Little Brother

Source: DSM Magazine

  • Breakfast menu: Friday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 6587 University Ave., Windsor Heights, IA, 50324

The previously named RC’s Diner became “Little Brother”, as in little brother to Harbinger. Yep, owned by the same peeps! They absolutely crush the breakfast game and we love the location in Windsor Heights! Try the latkes, corned beef hash, chicken fried portbello, or several “benny” options.

Check out the full breakfast menu.

Sisters in Cheese

  • Wednesday & Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thursday & Friday 7 a.m – 12 p.m.
  • 203 S. State St., Madrid, Iowa 50156

Headed north out of town for the weekend or just want a little Saturday morning drive? Stop by Sisters in Cheese for a carryout breakfast served hot and fresh daily. Locally woman -owned, founded in 2017, with what began as providing grazing boards, boxes, and tables has grown into serving delicious breakfast and coffee. At DSMG, the Janet Sammie and Biscuit Bits and Gravy Sundae are some of our favorites, but we believe you cannot do any wrong with their menu. Check out their social media pages for the latest menu updates.

Sisters in Cheese

St. Kilda

Source: St. Kilda

Opening in May 2017, St. Kilda feels like it’s been around forever and is the perfect example of bigger city vibes in our cute mid-sized city.

Peep the menus.

Tupelo Honey

  • Saturday & Sunday Brunch, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • 665 Grand Ave. Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50309

It’s been about a year since Tupelo Honey opened in the heart of downtown. Tupelo Honey is a Southern Comfort food restaurant founded in Asheville, NC, with a few locations scattered nationwide. We loved checking out Tupelo Honey for brunch. They have a wide array of fun mimosas and southern comfort brunch classics done right like chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Check out the full menu here.

Waveland Cafe

  • • Monday – Saturday, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • 4708 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311

The perfect breakfast place and the best all around breakfast shop. It’s classic, it’s cute, it’s hearty. It’s everything Iowa does best. Most of the wait staff have been here since 1992. And Khal Drogo loves it. Need we go on?

Browse the menu now.

Ready to tackle the brunch scene this weekend? Check out all of our weekend guides here.