East Village (Des Moines) Travel Guide - Free

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East Village
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East Village Des Moines pairs historic storefronts, Iowa Capitol views, independent shops, creative dining, craft drinks and lively culture in a walkable district.

Between the River and the Capitol

East Village occupies the eastern side of the Des Moines River, directly across from the older commercial core and within easy reach of the Iowa State Capitol. Its streets combine nineteenth- and early twentieth-century brick buildings with contemporary apartments, restaurants, galleries and independent shops. The district is compact enough to explore on foot, yet its varied architecture gives each block a different emphasis: restored storefronts along East Grand Avenue, older commercial façades on East Locust Street and quieter edges towards the Capitol grounds.
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Historic Buildings, Independent Businesses

The neighbourhood's character rests on reuse rather than grand civic spectacle. Former warehouses, shops and offices now accommodate clothing and design retailers, bookshops, cafés, bars and restaurants, while long-established apartments sit above active ground floors. RAYGUN, Domestica and other independent businesses have helped make East Village a recognised local shopping quarter, and the area is especially appealing to visitors who prefer browsing small operators to visiting a conventional shopping centre. Food ranges from casual burgers and pizza to contemporary dining and craft beer, with Zombie Burger and the Iowa Taproom among the best-known names associated with the district.

Everyday Life After Dark

During the day, East Village is a place for slow browsing, coffee and architecture, while evenings bring a steady flow of diners and drinkers without turning every street into a nightlife strip. The Iowa State Capitol and its landscaped grounds form a significant eastern presence, but the neighbourhood itself feels more commercial and social than ceremonial. Seasonal events, independent retail and a concentration of locally minded restaurants give the district a distinct role in Des Moines: a small, walkable urban quarter where historic fabric and present-day city life meet.

Best attractions in East Village

East Village's principal attraction is its walkable concentration of restored commercial architecture, independent businesses and civic surroundings rather than a single enclosed museum. East Grand Avenue and East Locust Street provide the main browsing routes, with historic façades, cafés, restaurants and design-led shops occupying buildings that once served more conventional commercial purposes. The Iowa State Capitol and its grounds form a major landmark at the eastern edge of the district, offering visitors an opportunity to connect the neighbourhood's everyday streets with Iowa's political history; the building and grounds should be treated as a separate civic precinct within the wider East Village setting. The Des Moines River and nearby Principal Riverwalk also help explain the area's geography, linking it to downtown and public spaces along the water. Seasonal events and temporary markets add another layer, although individual programmes vary from year to year.

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Best landmarks in East Village

The Iowa State Capitol is East Village's defining landmark and occupies the eastern side of the neighbourhood's urban setting. Completed in 1886, its central dome, broad grounds and formal civic architecture provide a powerful contrast with the smaller brick commercial buildings nearby. Within East Village itself, the most significant landmarks are less monumental: the surviving late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century storefronts and warehouses that form the East Village Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Buildings such as the Hohberger Building help convey the district's former commercial role, while the streets leading towards the Des Moines River preserve the relationship between trade, government and movement that shaped the area. The riverwalk and bridges are also important geographical markers, even when they are experienced as public infrastructure rather than heritage monuments.

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Explore East Village on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in East Village, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in East Village

East Village has one of Des Moines's most concentrated independent dining scenes, with restaurants and casual food businesses occupying historic storefronts along East Grand Avenue, East Locust Street and nearby cross-streets. Zombie Burger is the best-known name, offering an exuberant burger-focused setting, while Bubba Southern Comforts brings Southern-influenced cooking to the district. The Iowa Taproom is associated with a broad selection of Iowa-made beers and a substantial food menu, making it a useful introduction to the state's brewing culture. Elsewhere, visitors will find pizza, contemporary American cooking, cafés, sweets and informal places suited to a quick meal between shops. The area works well for a progressive evening of small stops rather than a single, uniform culinary style, and the mix reflects East Village's transformation from older commercial quarter into a dining and social district.

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Best bars in East Village

East Village's nightlife is centred on bars, breweries, restaurant lounges and informal evening gatherings rather than a large cluster of nightclubs. The Iowa Taproom gives the district a strong beer-focused presence, while smaller bars around East Grand and East Locust streets provide places for conversation, cocktails and late meals. The Continental and Cooney's Tavern are established names associated with the area's bar culture, although the precise mix of venues and operating arrangements can change. Evenings are generally busiest around dining times and seasonal events, with the atmosphere becoming quieter on residential side streets. Visitors looking for larger clubs, concerts or theatre productions may need to continue into downtown or other parts of Des Moines; East Village is better understood as a compact social quarter where drinking is closely connected to restaurants, independent businesses and a walkable historic setting.

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Best nightclubs in East Village

East Village's nightlife is centred on bars, breweries, restaurant lounges and informal evening gatherings rather than a large cluster of nightclubs. The Iowa Taproom gives the district a strong beer-focused presence, while smaller bars around East Grand and East Locust streets provide places for conversation, cocktails and late meals. The Continental and Cooney's Tavern are established names associated with the area's bar culture, although the precise mix of venues and operating arrangements can change. Evenings are generally busiest around dining times and seasonal events, with the atmosphere becoming quieter on residential side streets. Visitors looking for larger clubs, concerts or theatre productions may need to continue into downtown or other parts of Des Moines; East Village is better understood as a compact social quarter where drinking is closely connected to restaurants, independent businesses and a walkable historic setting.

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Best shops in East Village

Shopping in East Village is defined by independent retail, design-conscious businesses and small storefronts rather than department stores. East Grand Avenue and East Locust Street are the principal browsing streets, with clothing, homewares, gifts, books, art and locally oriented products appearing among cafés and restaurants. RAYGUN is associated with witty Iowa-themed clothing and stationery, while Domestica is known for home goods, gifts and a carefully selected design sensibility. The district's appeal lies in the way retail remains embedded in historic commercial buildings, allowing a short shopping route to become an architectural walk. Stock and opening arrangements change, and the area is not a traditional produce market district; visitors should expect independent boutiques and specialist shops rather than a broad everyday retail range. Seasonal events can bring additional makers and temporary vendors into the neighbourhood.

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East Village essentials

Getting There
East Village is across the Des Moines River from the traditional downtown core and can be reached by crossing the Principal Riverwalk connections or the city streets linking downtown with the east side. The DART bus network serves downtown and nearby corridors, including stops around the East Grand and East Locust Street area, although routes and stop locations should be checked before travelling. Drivers will find street parking and commercial car parks, but availability varies at busy dining times. Visitors arriving from Des Moines International Airport will generally need a taxi, rideshare or hired car rather than a direct rail connection.
Getting Around
East Village is compact and best explored on foot, particularly along East Grand Avenue, East Locust Street and the connecting cross-streets. Pavements are generally straightforward, though older surfaces, kerbs and crossings can make some routes less comfortable for visitors with limited mobility. The river, elevated roadways and the Capitol grounds shape the edges of the district, so apparently close destinations may require a specific bridge or crossing. Cycling can be practical on the wider city network, but visitors should pay attention to traffic around downtown approaches and avoid assuming that every street has a dedicated cycle lane.
Safety
Use ordinary city-centre precautions in East Village: keep phones and bags secure in crowded restaurants, bars and seasonal events, and avoid leaving belongings visible in a parked car. Traffic is the main practical concern when crossing wider roads near downtown and the Capitol, particularly after dark or during busy periods. Evening activity is concentrated around restaurants and bars, while some side streets are quieter; stay aware of surroundings and use a licensed taxi, rideshare or well-lit route if returning late. Conditions can change during festivals, roadworks and winter weather.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or urgent medical assistance, and state clearly that you are in East Village, Des Moines, while giving the nearest cross-street or building address. For a non-urgent police matter, use the Des Moines Police Department's current non-emergency contact details rather than 911. Emergency departments and clinics are located elsewhere in the wider Des Moines area, so visitors should use 911 for serious illness or injury and confirm directions with dispatch. Pharmacies and medical services may change, so do not rely on an unfamiliar listing without checking it.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect residents and businesses by keeping voices low around apartment entrances and avoiding blocked pavements while taking photographs. Ask before photographing people, private interiors or staff, and do not climb on historic structures or touch displays around civic buildings. In independent shops, browse carefully and follow requests about bags, photography and service animals. American restaurants commonly expect a tip for table service, with the amount based on service and the local bill; check whether a gratuity has already been added. Do not treat public art, heritage façades or Capitol grounds as informal climbing areas.
Local Tips
East Village is most rewarding when approached as a neighbourhood walk rather than a checklist of large attractions. Compare the older façades on East Grand Avenue with the smaller-scale streets towards the Capitol, then pause at a café or independent shop before continuing. The district sits close to downtown, but the river and major roads can interrupt direct routes, so a map is useful when moving between the central business district, the riverwalk and the Capitol. Winter visitors should allow extra time for snow, ice and shortened daylight, while summer evenings are well suited to combining dinner with a slow architectural walk.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yuh]
YesYep[yep]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No worries[pleez/no wur-eez]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[par-dun me/my bad]
How are you?Howdy[haw-dee]
Fine. And you?I'm good. You?[ahym gud. yuh?]
Do you speak English?Y'all speak English?[yawl speak ing-glish?]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[ahynt get-tin it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check out the menu?[can ah chek owt thee menu?]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[ahy dohnt eet meet]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I settle up, please[can ah set-tul up, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Git![git]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call thee cops!]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![call a doc!]
I'm lostI'm lost[ahym lost]
I'm illI'm sick[ahym sik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[ahy wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingI'm just lookin'[ahym just look-in]
How much is it?How much?[how much?]
That's too expensiveThat's too pricey[thats too pry-see]
Can you lower the price?Can ya budge on the price?[can yuh buhj on thee pryce?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[what time is it?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[its one]
Half past (10)Half past ten[haff past ten]
MorningMorning[mornin]
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[even-in]
YesterdayYesterday[yester-day]
TodayToday[to-day]
TomorrowTomorra[toh-mor-uh]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[fore]
5Five[fahyv]
6Six[siks]
7Seven[sev-uhn]
8Eight[ayt]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wheres thee...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[whats thee address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya show me (on the map)?[can yuh show me (on thee map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[whens thee next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[ah ticket (to ....)]

History of East Village

Settlement East of the River

East Village developed on the east side of the Des Moines River as the young city expanded beyond its original commercial centre. Its position near the river crossing and the rising Capitol area gave it an early connection to trade, movement and civic growth. Streets were laid out as Des Moines grew during the nineteenth century, and modest homes, shops and service businesses gradually joined the area around East Grand and East Locust streets. The neighbourhood was never simply residential: its proximity to the river, downtown and government buildings encouraged a mixed urban role that remains visible in its combination of commercial blocks and older houses.

Commercial Growth and Civic Expansion

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, East Village became part of the expanding commercial landscape east of the river. Brick buildings accommodated retailers, offices, lodging and small businesses, while the development of the Iowa State Capitol and its surrounding grounds strengthened the area's connection with state government. The Capitol building was completed in 1886, and its presence helped shape the streetscape and movement patterns around the eastern side of the district. Many of the buildings that now give East Village its visual identity date from this period of commercial and civic expansion.

Decline, Clearance and Preservation

Like many older American urban districts, East Village experienced commercial decline as shoppers and investment moved towards newer retail areas and suburban development. Some buildings were altered, left vacant or threatened with demolition, while large-scale road and redevelopment projects changed the relationship between the neighbourhood, downtown and the river. Preservation work later placed greater value on the surviving nineteenth- and early twentieth-century building stock. The East Village Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, reflects this recognition of the area's architectural and urban significance.

A Contemporary Urban Quarter

Since the early twenty-first century, East Village has undergone substantial reinvestment through building restoration, new housing and the arrival of independent retailers, restaurants and bars. The change has made the neighbourhood a prominent part of Des Moines's pedestrian-oriented city centre, while also raising the familiar tensions that accompany urban revival: older commercial spaces are more active, but rents, ownership and the balance between local and newer businesses continue to evolve. Today, East Village is defined by this layered history, with historic façades and civic surroundings supporting a contemporary dining, shopping and residential district.

East Village in Photos

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The closest neighbourhoods to East Village, if you have time for more than one stop.

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