The Five Best Restaurants within a Two-Hour Drive of Des Moines.
All are standouts and worth the drive—or at least a detour.
It’s tempting to save destination dining for summer, but I’d argue for a winter foray. There’s a particular coziness to a cold-weather getaway—and in a slower season for restaurants, your presence can be especially welcome.
I’ve chosen five great restaurants within a two-hour drive of Des Moines. Certainly, there are other spots within this zone that tug at my heart—vintage favorites like Brother Sebastian’s in Omaha and Northwestern Steakhouse in Mason City come to mind. But for this list, I’m zeroing in on a different kind of experience: the up-to-date, chef-driven, farm-to-table places offering one-of-a-kind cuisine that feels fresh, expressive, and worth the miles (actually, four are destination restaurants, and one is worth a detour when you’re in the vicinity—you’ll see).
These are alphabetical. Incidentally, I’ve visited all of these restaurants within the past six months, with one visit just slightly earlier.
Au Courant Regional Kitchen, Omaha
About 2 hours from DSM.
If you miss the small, chef-driven bistros that once dotted our region—Sage, Bistro 43—Au Courant brings that spirit into the 2020s. Tucked into Omaha’s Benson neighborhood, this Modern European spot delivers the intimacy of a corner bistro with a contemporary edge. The name fits: au courant means up to date, and the cooking reflects exactly that—seasonal, technique-forward, and infinitely fresh.
The pastas alone are worth the drive: a butter-glazed pappardelle with mushrooms and fried basil, or more recently, cloudlike gnocchi with bright, savory Italian sausage. Among the mains, a swordfish with golden-tomato Béarnaise and a gorgeous black cod stood out. And pork lovers: if “pork secreto” appears, don’t hesitate. The menu changes weekly, always with surprises, such as an Autumn Salad with pig ear, fennel, and carrot.
Cobble Hill, Cedar Rapids
About 2 hours from DSM.
Two-time Beard-nominated chef Andy Schumacher and his wife, Carrie, brought Cobble Hill to their hometown in 2013 after years of living and working in Brooklyn, and the restaurant carries that borough’s spirit through and through. The room itself—brick walls, vintage-leaning décor, and a touch of artsy loft—sets the tone for food that feels both personal and polished, but the real draw is the food: energy, craft, and creativity combine without fuss.
A playful sunchoke starter with Maytag blue mousse, a delicate cappelletti in a sprightly beurre blanc, an airline chicken breast with a mellow green-garlic sauce, and a deeply savory Berkshire pork shoulder showed the kitchen’s range. Warm, expert service and a dreamy gelato-sorbet duo sealed the deal. Keep in mind the menu changes frequently.
Milk and Honey, Harlan, Iowa
About an hour and a half from DSM.
Breakfast or lunch here might not be worth a stand-alone three hour round trip, but if you’re headed west—or anywhere near Walnut—Milk and Honey is absolutely worth weaving into your plans. Watch this video and you’ll learn how Sysco Food Systems dominates (and degrades) our rural restaurant landscape. You’ll see how Milk and Honey’s owner Ellen Walsh-Rosmann bucks that trend. Watch as she mixes brioche from scratch, folds in local milk and eggs, and sources from a long list of nearby growers.
The French toast itself is a beauty: crisp outside, custardy inside, real maple syrup, local eggs. A house-corned-beef Reuben and a mustardy, homespun potato salad hit the same quality-over-quantity notes.
Go if you’re in the area—or passing through. It’s a genuine bright spot near the state’s western stretch of I-80.
The Webster, Iowa City
About 1 hour 45 minutes from DSM.
The Webster manages that rare balance of buzzy and calming, thanks to a gracious front-of-the-house team and an inviting room of deep blues, greens, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing century-old buildings. Chef-owner Sam Gelman—a top-level alum of Momofuku Ko and other Michelin-level kitchens—channels his big-city bona fides into a Midwest-focused, contemporary American menu that’s thoughtful but never precious (it’s the kind of contemporary refined-heartiness I love). Handmade pastas, seasonal produce from Iowa farms, and beautifully composed plates make it easy to savor the arc of a meal, course by course, via large-portioned shared plates. The food is polished, with warm, expert service to match.
One caveat: The Webster shines brightest with three or more at the table. The menu is built for sharing, but if you try to sample something from each section—as you should—you’ll end up with far too much food for two. Bring an extra diner or two and go family style.
Yoshitomo, Omaha
About 2 hours from DSM.
Sushi purists will be perfectly happy here, but anyone who loves inventive interpretations—minus the mayo-laden gimmicks—will be thrilled too. This is the kind of meticulous, concept cooking that earns James Beard attention (Yoshitomo was Omaha’s 2025 and 2026 nominee). Picture yellowtail perched on a sourdough cushion rife with tamari and brown butter, or a soft-shell crab roll perched in Viet-Cajun shrimp butter—crisp, delicate, and bursting with flavor. Dish after dish showed real verve and precision, the sort so many restaurants aim for but rarely hit. And the service? A great combo of expert and mellow.
Just a few blocks from Au Courant, Yoshitomo sits amid a lively stretch of Benson—a historic district now packed with bars, oddball boutiques, and even a shop dedicated to, shall we say, romantic curiosities. It’s a fun detour before or after dinner, and very much part of the charm.
COMING UP: I’ll be visiting some OG restaurants—cozy dining rooms and comforting food for cold winter nights. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss these posts.
Time for a road trip! Thanks, Wini.
Au Courant is by far perhaps one of the best restaurants in the Midwest, in my opinion. We visited in May 2025 to enjoy dinner prior to an opera performance (thanks for the suggestion, Wini!). Enjoyed the multi-course tasting menu with wine pairing. Every course was amazing, the flavors thoughtfully and masterfully combined. Our server was top-notch in professionalism - her enthusiastic descriptions of where and how ingredients were sourced (locally!) were full of honesty and pride, without lofty and irrelevant verbiage. (amazed to learn of a grower actually cultivating morels - and doing it well). Knowing we were on a timeline to be in our opera seats, she kept service moving along without feeling rushed. The sommelier (?)/host/person who seemed to be in charge (Ben? Brian? I am terrible with remembering names!) was OUTSTANDING! The wine pours were consistent and just the right volume, he brought each bottle to the table with each course and provided thorough information on all aspects of the wine. He sensed we are wine enthusiasts from our comments, answered our questions and engaged in intelligent and thoughtful conversation regarding wine. Learned from our server that he meets with his distributors on Mondays to purchase beverages for the week. At that time he only has a vague outline of what the Chef is considering for the tasting menu which comes out on Thursday. I think you have to have a broad width of knowledge and exceptional palate to decide on wine pairings without even tasting the food, or even having a complete idea of what to expect. Huge respect for this man! When he learned we were from Des Moines he shared he was from Iowa City, we had a delightful conversation about Iowa and Nebraska. At the end of the meal, he surprised us with complimentary Amaro digestif, which was absolutely what we needed after a very satisfying and filling meal before settling into 3 + hours of Handel. The pairings were spot on, all the courses were A+, we left feeling sated and happy, both physically and mentally. Emphasis on local, local local, menu changes weekly, beverage pairings are spot on, and it is ridiculously affordable. I believe it was 6 courses, each one not just a tiny bit of food placed with tweezers, but also not a "Midwest too-large-portion." If memory serves, I think with the beverage pairing it was something like $120-$130 per person. It definitely was less than $150 per. To enjoy such a variety of courses, with perfectly paired beverages, for that price, is unheard of. Nothing in Des Moines compares, if you're looking for creatively crafted cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, coupled with unique and thoughtful beverage pairings and welcoming and professional service. My only small complaint was the music - it was a bizarre mix of hits from across the decades. And a bit loud. We were there when they opened, not many people, as more tables were seated the volume did get turned down. It was just odd/not my cup of tea to be savoring a course while listening to "Thriller."
Bottom line, Au Courant is definitely worth a trip to Omaha. Stay the night, and explore the Gene Leahy Mall, the Riverfront, and the Old Market district. And the Benson neighborhood where Au Courant is located, a funky neighborhood with a great vibe. Or visit the famous Omaha Zoo. Whatever your pleasure, Omaha has a lot to offer - and only a 2 hour drive from Des Moines! And if you're looking for a great old-school style breakfast, Bailey's is the place. House-made corned beef and hash - best I've ever had. In a strip mall, odd location, challenging parking, always busy - but classic and worth the wait for a seat.