The best breakfast in Des Moines

This is the breakfast guide, real, any-day breakfast, diners and hash browns and biscuits and gravy, not the bottomless-mimosa weekend scene (that's its own guide). Here's where Des Moines actually starts the day.

Classic diners

Waveland Cafe on University is the local benchmark, a proper greasy-spoon since 1984, famous enough that Jason Momoa makes a point of stopping in. Get the "everything" hash browns and expect a weekend wait. Drake Diner near campus is the retro neon-and-aluminum landmark (since 1987) with all-day breakfast, and Railroad Bill's Dining Car in the East Village is the modern all-day diner, with a solid run of vegan options and house-roasted coffee.

Biscuits, gravy, and a big farm breakfast

For a heavy, happy plate, PerKup on the West Des Moines line is the cult biscuits-and-gravy value pick. HomeGrown (Sherman Hill and West Des Moines) does the farm-to-table version, everything local, from the eggs to the Berkwood pork. And The Machine Shed in Urbandale is the full Iowa-farm experience, skillets and cinnamon rolls the size of a hubcap.

Breakfast tacos and burritos

Faustinos Breakfast & Tacos in West Des Moines makes breakfast tacos, chilaquiles, and carnitas omelets to order until mid-afternoon. And Abelardo's is the go-to for a hash-brown breakfast burrito at basically any hour, it stays open late into the night.

Bakery-cafe mornings

For pastries and a quieter start, La Mie is the French boulangerie (since 2003) for croissants and a proper morning plate. Scenic Route Bakery in the East Village leads on croissants and pinwheels, and Gateway Market pairs a local grocery with a sit-down cafe.

For the view

Mullets, on the river near the ballpark, does breakfast on its patio, breakfast pizza, sweet-potato tots, and the downtown skyline across the water. A great slow-morning hang.

The quick cheat sheet

• Classic diner: Waveland Cafe, Drake Diner, Railroad Bill's
• Biscuits & gravy / farm breakfast: PerKup, HomeGrown, Machine Shed
• Breakfast tacos & burritos: Faustinos Breakfast & Tacos, Abelardo's
• Pastries & cafe: La Mie, Scenic Route, Gateway Market
• Patio & view: Mullets

Looking for the weekend bottomless-mimosa version instead? That's our brunch guide. Need the coffee to go with it? Here are the best coffee shops in Des Moines. And it's all part of our best restaurants in Des Moines guide.

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