It’s summer in Des Moines and there is a restaurant patio seat with your name on it! Head out when the sun is shining and dine alfresco with the kids. We gathered the top spots for family friendly outdoor dining in Des Moines. Read on and bon appétit!
Court Avenue Brewing Company
309 Court Avene • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 282-2739
Court Avenue Brewing Company is frequently packed with happy families. It’s an urban retreat with patio tables and a great view down Court Avenue. The Brewing Company also has great food which includes a Gluten Free Menu and an awesome Kids Menu that features Fish Fins (Panko crusted white fish) and healthy side choices such as black beans, salad and veggie sticks. Adults will enjoy one of their six different house brews. To top it off, the wait staff is friendly and endlessly patient with antsy kids.
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing • 550 Bass Pro Drive NW • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 957-9600
Strings of white bulbs, metal chairs and a seat near the water on the “Pier” at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse near Bass Pro Shops, makes this one of the most impressive patios in the Des Moines area. You’ll probably want to go on a date here, sure, but kids are welcome when there’s no sitter to be found. The drink menu includes wines, martinis and scotches for the grown-ups, and an accommodating staff serves up a menu of steak, seafood, chicken and pasta dishes.
P.F. Chang’s
Jordan Creek Town Center • 110 S Jordan Creek Parkway • West Des Moines, IA • (515) 457-7772
After shopping or catching a movie at Jordan Creek, scoot on over to P.F. Chang’s huge covered outdoor patio. The patio overlooks the “lake” and fountain area of the shopping center, making it a scenic and interesting place for outdoor dining. On the menu: Americanized Chinese dishes. I particularly like the Lettuce Wraps and the Dan Dan Noodles. My husband usually orders the Mongolian Beef and the kiddos love to use their chop sticks to gobble up the Sweet and Sour Chicken.
The Riverwalk Hub
215 Water Street • Des Moines, IA • (515) 559-3650
The Riverwalk Hub offers a simple menu featuring premade, but very tasty sandwiches and a salad bar. You can’t beat the view from the “Hub’s” patio which is a perfect spot to take in and enjoy the river on a warm summer day. The Riverwalk Hub can get pretty busy during the weekday lunch rush. If you don’t want to compete with the crowds, try a late lunch, they’re open until 3:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday. Or go on the weekend when they’re open until 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. There is not a Kids Menu, but the sandwiches are large enough to share.
Saints Pub+Patio
Multiple Locations
You can’t go wrong when you take the kids to lunch or dinner on the patio at Saints. It’s one of our favorite outdoor eateries during the summer and fall months. The outdoor dining area is as big as the indoor space, offering plenty of tables. Choose from a large diverse menu, which includes specials like the Pretzel Bacon Burger, Roja Wrap and Fish+Chips. The littles will love their yummy mac+cheese.
What is YOUR favorite place for outdoor dining with the kiddos? Let us know in the Comments!
