Learning about eating a more plant based diet? Need help on getting started eating vegan? Here is your intro to all things vegan food in Des Moines. Bonus points for all of these recommendations being small businesses in the Des Moines area. We talked to some of our local experts who own these businesses to talk about the vegan community here in the 515. 

Written by: Rachel Wermager, Des Moines Girl Contributor

The Des Moines vegan small business community is just that—a community. “We are so very lucky to live in a city that is large but still very intimate,” says Beth Jackson, owner of Nourished DSM. “We know each other, we see each other, we help each other… It really is a beautiful thing the way our Des Moines community is having fun, reaching out, encouraging one another, and just showing up! It’s awesome!”

Nourished DSM is one of two completely vegan or vegetarian meal-prep companies in the area, the other being New World Kitchen. And while that may sound like they’d be in direct competition—vying for the heart of every vegan in the Des Moines metro—neither of the owners look at it that way.

“The great thing about the small business community here is that we are really focused on bringing our own unique thing to the table, and are more likely to collaborate than to act competitively,” says Madeline Krantz, chef and owner of New World Kitchen. Jackson agrees, “I do not look at any other businesses in the area as competition, only as another food business I can support, and hopefully they can support me. We all are in this together.”

This wave of high-quality grab-and-go meals is likely a result of our changed eating habits during COVID, but these owners aren’t worried about business declining, even in a post-pandemic world. “I feel businesses like mine and the weekly ordering grab-and-go options are so much fun! I truly feel that we will not go back to eating entirely how we used to before COVID.” says Jackson. “People are having fun ordering fresh grab-and-go food, taking it to a park or their porch with friends or family, and enjoying their delicious food items in a way that they didn’t really do before.”

Overall, Des Moines continues to blossom with vegan-friendly restaurants and options. When people think ‘Iowa food,’ their first thought is probably meat and corn—not cravable vegan dishes. But it’s exciting and refreshing to see more dietary lifestyles represented in the area.

If you’re curious about becoming vegan or vegetarian, but don’t know where to start, the vegan community in Des Moines is ready to welcome you with open arms (and probably something delicious). “Know that there are so many resources out there now! Vegan groups on Facebook, vegan cooking videos on Youtube, blogs—it’s easier than ever to find inspiration for meals and information about vegan products, and to connect with likeminded people,” says Krantz. Of course, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy the downright delicious food these meal-prep companies, and other vegan restaurants, offer.

Thanks in part to both Jackson and Krantz, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite vegan-friendly restaurants in Des Moines right now. Whether you’ve been living a plant-based life for years, or are simply interested in dabbling in the vegan community, each and every one of these places is a must-try in our books.

Don’t miss our list of perfect Instagram follows at the bottom!

Meal Prep and At Home

Nourished DSM

  • To order directly from the website, look for the weekly menu Thursday at noon, with ordering available until Sunday at noon. You can also pick up Nourished items at Mars Cafe, Iowa Food Cooperative, and coming soon: Kava DSM!

Jackson says some of the most popular items people ask for at Nourished are the Mexican Street Corn and Walnut Salad, the Beet Poke Bowl, and the Asian Noodle Salad. All three come in 32 oz. containers. She takes back the compostable salad containers to be processed in commercial compost. The other containers can be dropped off at your next pick up to be reused.  

New World Kitchen

  • For online ordering, the weekly menu comes out Tuesday morning, with ordering available from Tuesday – Thursday and pickup the following Monday at the Mickle Center. Or, you can pick up items from The Slow Down Coffee Co.

The best-selling items Krantz sells at New World Kitchen are the Cheeseburger Chowder, Smoky Broccoli Ranch Salad and their two-serving Cheesy Broccoli Bowl XL. 

Restaurants + Food Trucks

A Dong 

  • 1511 High Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309 
  • 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day, Closed on Mondays

A Dong is an incredible, family-owned Vietnamese staple that has been in Des Moines since 1989. They have a huge vegetarian menu that you can request be vegan when ordering! Questions for them before you go? They don’t have an Instagram, but are responsive on Facebook. 

Des Fresh

  • 520 SW 9th St Suite 116, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Open Friday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

What was once a highly-sought after food truck and occasional booth at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, is now in their very own location within the Cityville on 9th apartment complex. Des Fresh is 100 percent vegan and has an incredible menu selection to choose from. Try the classic Chick Stack and wedges, the unique and flavorful Sushiritto, or any one of their rotating menu items. 

El Michoacano Ice Cream and Mexican Food

  • 2922 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
  • 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Merle Hay neighborhood, where you at? El Michocano is a casual set-up offering traditional Mexican street fare with vegan options & ice cream at a counter. Literally all of our vegan experts mentioned this place, so definitely check it out if you haven’t already.

Gursha Ethiopian Grill

  • 2316 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
  • Visit their website for the latest! 

Gursha, which stands for friendship and love, serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine in the Drake neighborhood. If you haven’t tried Ethiopian yet, whether you’re vegan or not, you absolutely should at Gursha. They serve 11 different vegan entrees that our friends at THE COLLECTIVE DSM love ordering.

Kathmandu Restaurant

  •  7229 Apple Valley Drive, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
  • Visit their website for the latest! 

Located in Windsor Heights next to B-Bops, Kathmandu serves authentic Nepalese food with classic Indian dishes as well. One of our readers noted that Kathmandu is often overlooked and after eating it for lunch today, we agree! Check out their vegetarian options and note that you’ll want them vegan when ordering!

Lucky Lotus

  • 2721 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
  • Open Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Both Jackson and Krantz named this as one of their favorite spots for vegan food, and if you’ve ever had Lucky Lotus, you know why. The Southeast Asian eatery is known for delicious dishes like their Drunken Noodles and Pad Thai, plus their ability to make almost any dish vegetarian or vegan. Check out their website for their full summer menu. 

5 Borough Bagels

  • 13435 University Ave #300, Clive, IA 50325
  • Open Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Saturday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Sometimes, you just want the simple things in life—like a bagel and cream cheese. 5 Borough Bagels, the locally owned and operated New York style bagel shop, offers two different house made vegan cream cheese spreads. Pick from savory or sweet: tofu spinach artichoke or tofu cinnamon walnut, to spread onto your favorite bagel. They also feature a vegan sandwich on their lunch menu and vegan milk options for your coffee and lattes. 

Nosh

Nosh is the perfect grab-and-go lunch spot or peaceful spot to get some morning work done. Located in the East Village, Nosh offers a wide array of smoothies, paninis, salads, bagels & toasts, coffee drinks, with an emphasis on healthy, local and plant based options! They get bonus points for always having amazing local vendors in store to buy as well. 

Railroad Bills Dining Car

  • 621 Des Moines St, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Everyday: 7 AM – 2 PM

File this under: places you didn’t know had a vegan menu! Railroad Bill’s is one of our favorite places to do a bit of antique shopping and then get great food in a fun, casual setting. Located just east of the main East Village drag, this diner introduced an extensive, separate vegan menu in 2018 offering all-day breakfast and brunch foods.

Veggie Thumper

  • Order online and check the weekly schedule to see where the bus will be.

Veggie Thumper was founded on the goal of bringing wholesome, healthy, plant-based comfort food to people. When you buy food from the Veggie Thumper bus, you’re getting high-quality, organic, locally-sourced vegan cuisine. Check the website often for menu and location updates and start snacking consciously! 

Pho 515

  • 801 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314 (located in the C Fresh Market)
  • Open every day 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

One of Jackson’s go-to vegan options right now is the vegan Tofu and Avocado Banh Mi from Pho 515. It’s filled with delicious marinated tofu, avocado, pickled veggies and a touch of soy sauce all on a perfectly soft bun. They also offer vegan egg rolls, vegan pho, vegan fried rice and more. 

Dessert

Thistle’s Summit

  • Carry-out and pop-up events only! Follow along on their social for the latest. 

What started out of a tiny home kitchen in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is now the largest and first plant-based bakery in central Iowa. The queer and woman-owned bakery specializes in allergy-friendly delights that will leave you saying, “wait, this is vegan?!” 

Good Local Instagram Follows

Curious about other aspects of veganism? Did we miss someone who deserves a shout out? Want more guides like this? We don’t care what the topic is, we’d love to chat with you about anything. 😘

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