East Village occupies the east bank of the Des Moines River, directly in the shadow of the Iowa State Capitol’s gold dome. The neighborhood runs roughly along East Grand Avenue and Court Avenue, packed with independent boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, art galleries, and craft cocktail bars housed in restored early-20th-century brick buildings. It serves as both a civic and cultural anchor for downtown Des Moines.
What is East Village Des Moines known for?
East Village is known for its dense concentration of locally owned restaurants and shops along East Grand Avenue, its proximity to the Iowa State Capitol grounds, and its role as the creative hub of Des Moines, drawing artists, chefs, and entrepreneurs into rehabilitated historic storefronts that line the district’s walkable grid. The neighborhood has become a benchmark for mid-sized American urban revitalization since the early 2000s.
- Iowa State Capitol building and grounds, free to visit
- Independent boutiques and design studios on East Grand Avenue
- Weekend Downtown Farmers Market (Court Avenue area, May–October)
- Active gallery scene including the Des Moines Social Club
Best things to do in East Village Des Moines
The best things to do in East Village include touring the Iowa State Capitol’s interior gold dome and legislative chambers at no charge, browsing independent shops along East Grand Avenue, attending events at the Des Moines Social Club on Mulberry Street, and exploring the Principal Riverwalk along the Des Moines River waterfront just west of the district.
- Free self-guided tour of the Iowa State Capitol interior
- Browse local boutiques and art galleries on East Grand Avenue
- Walk the Principal Riverwalk connecting to downtown bridges
- Attend live music or comedy nights at the Des Moines Social Club
Where to eat in East Village Des Moines
East Village offers some of Des Moines’s most acclaimed dining, concentrated along East Grand Avenue and nearby side streets, with options ranging from craft cocktail bars to chef-driven New American restaurants using Iowa-sourced ingredients. The neighborhood’s restaurant density makes it easy to move from drinks to dinner on foot.
- Zombie Burger and Drink Lab: creative smash burgers and horror-themed milkshakes on East Grand Avenue
- Proof: upscale New American tasting menus in a historic building
- Exile Brewing Company: local craft brewery with a taproom in the district
- Centro: long-running Italian-inspired restaurant on East Grand Avenue
- Fong’s Pizza: cult-favorite bar serving tiki drinks and Asian-influenced pizzas
Where to walk in East Village Des Moines
The most rewarding walk in East Village starts at the Iowa State Capitol grounds, descends along East Grand Avenue through the retail and dining core, then continues west across the MLK Jr. Parkway bridge to connect with the Principal Riverwalk along the Des Moines River, covering roughly one mile of continuous urban streetscape and waterfront trail.
- East Grand Avenue from the Capitol west to the river bridge
- Principal Riverwalk along the Des Moines River waterfront
- Court Avenue corridor connecting East Village to the Court District
How to get to East Village Des Moines
East Village is accessible by DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit) bus routes that run through downtown Des Moines, with stops along East Grand Avenue and near the Iowa State Capitol; the neighborhood is also a short walk or bike ride from the Greater Downtown core via the Court Avenue bridge or MLK Jr. Parkway bridge over the Des Moines River.
- DART bus routes serving East Grand Avenue and Capitol area
- B-Cycle bike-share stations located within the neighborhood
- On-street and surface-lot parking along East Grand Avenue
- 15-minute walk from the Des Moines skywalk system terminus
Best time to visit East Village Des Moines
The best time to visit East Village is late spring through early fall, roughly May through September, when the Downtown Farmers Market operates on Saturday mornings along Court Avenue, restaurant patios open along East Grand Avenue, and outdoor events at the Iowa State Capitol grounds and Des Moines Social Club are in full swing.
- Saturday mornings in summer for the Downtown Farmers Market
- September for the 80/35 Music Festival held in downtown Des Moines
- Weekday lunch hours for shorter waits at popular East Grand Avenue restaurants
