5 Gluten-Free Restaurants in Des Moines

With such a diverse culinary scene, it should come as no surprise that Des Moines offers many places with options to help you eat sans gluten. The following are the five gluten-free restaurants in Des Moines. 

Americana 

Midwest comfort meets American fusion at this gluten-free restaurant in Des Moines. Americana is famous for its locally-sourced and aged meats but also its massive lineup of items that are gluten-free or can be made gluten-free upon request. Some favorites include the New York strip with a 14-oz. Angus strip, miso butter, crispy fried onions, white cheddar mash and lemon-parmesan asparagus; the Boursin shrimp pasta with gluten-free penne pasta, butter-poached shrimp, Boursin Cheese cream sauce, balsamic-marinated Roma tomatoes, shallots, garlic and basil; and the cedar plank-roasted salmon with fresh Canadian Atlantic salmon, citrus herbs, house-made garlic aioli, truffle, finger potatoes, lemon-parmesan broccolini and butter-poached shrimp. The flourless chocolate torté is a must to try, crafted with chocolate sauce and fresh berries as are the key lime bites with macadamia, coconut, lime, strawberries and house whip cream. Americana is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit americanadsm.com.

Buzzard Billy’s

With a dedicated gluten-free menu, it is no surprise that Buzzard Billy’s is one of the best gluten-free restaurants in Des Moines. The joint offers a multitude of Cajun-style gluten-free plates, including a seafood jambalaya with sauteed shrimp, crawfish tails, tomato, celery, onion, bell pepper and gluten-free rice; Shrimp Creole with Gulf shrimp, garlic, spices, tomatoes, onions, celery and bell pepper; and the breaded chicken with gluten-free chicken tenders, gluten-free rice and Maque Choux. Buzzard Billy’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information, visit buzzardbillys.com.

Fresko

An assortment of gluten-free plates can be found at Fresko, a health-driven spot offering seasonal menus made from the bounty of Iowa farms whenever possible. Some gluten-free dishes guests can expect to enjoy include the pork chops stuffed with apple, spinach, Boursin stuffing, brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes and a pomegranate reduction; achiote chicken tacos with pickled cabbage, chipotle aioli and mango salsa; and fish tacos with chili-marinated cod, jicama slaw and guacamole. Plus, “GF2” plates can be made without gluten upon request. Fresko is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit freskodsm.com. 

HOQ Table

A farm-to-table experience, HOQ Table offers an ever-evolving menu with fare crafted with 90 percent of its ingredients stemming directly from local farms. Everything from its butter to the seafood is local, chemical-free and sustainably sourced. The fare lineup is almost entirely gluten-free and offers many unique vegetarian items. Some gluten-friendly musts to try include the Wild Alaskan salmon with local Kennebec potatoes, herbs and Kalona SuperNatural organic cream; the Momtaz Vegan Bowl with fried rice and lentils, grilled seasonal vegetables, spiced potatoes and chickpeas; or Chef Suman’s Bowl with local greens, grilled seasonal vegetables, free-range poached egg, house-made hummus, scratch lamb sausage, lemon juice and herb oil. Be sure to save room for dessert and opt for the gluten-free Grand Marnier chocolate cake or a scoop of the house-made seasonal sorbet. HOQ Table is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner. For more information, visit hoqtable.com. 

Blaze Pizza

With two locations in West Des Moines, Blaze Pizza is the go-to destination for an almost too-good-to-be-true gluten-free pizza. The family-friendly pizza spot creates artisanal pizza crusts with simple ingredients, including water, extra-virgin olive oil, salt and a touch of sugar—no chemicals, additives or frozen ingredients. Blaze Pizza offers three gluten-free crusts to choose from, including cauliflower, keto and its original GF dough. In addition to the gluten-less crusts is an assortment of vegan and vegetarian options, including vegan and soy-free cheese. Blaze Pizza is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., except Friday and Saturday when it closes at 11 p.m. For more information, visit blazepizza.com.