Des Moines Going Out: Open Sesame, a Fest, Waukee

A quieter week now that the fair's behind us, but there's still plenty worth knowing: a well-earned review for an East Village favorite, a festival that fought through the weather, and a look at what's coming to the western suburbs. Here's the roundup.

Open Sesame gets its flowers

Little Village published a warm review of Open Sesame, the Lebanese cafe that's been quietly serving some of the metro's best hummus, shawarma, and baklava since 2010. It's a small, colorful room at 313 E Locust St in the East Village, closed Sundays and Mondays, with a full bar worth planning around. If it's somehow not on your list yet, this is your nudge. Hungry for more in that stretch, our best restaurants guide has plenty of East Village company.

The World Food and Music Festival beat the weather

The World Food and Music Festival wrapped its three-day run at Western Gateway Park over the weekend, Aug 28 to 30, with more than 60 vendors and 30-plus countries represented. Storms forced a delay and briefly shut down the downtown farmers market, but the vendors pushed through and the crowds came back. It's free and it returns every August, so keep it on the calendar. We track what's next on the events calendar.

Big names are heading to Waukee

The Waukee Towne Center signed a batch of first-to-Iowa tenants this week, including The Hampton Social and 30hop on the food and drink side, plus L.L.Bean and Arhaus. Don't line up yet: the full grand opening is set for spring 2027. But anchors like Target, Olive Garden, and Freddy's are already open out there, with Dutch Bros, Jersey Mike's, and Crisp & Green coming soon, so the west side is quietly turning into a real dining destination.

That's the short version. Every week we round up where to eat, drink, and go out in Des Moines and send it in one email. Get it here, no noise.