Des Moines’s best local businesses

The 235 spots we’ve checked and stand behind — the ones we’d send a neighbor to. No stars, no pay-to-play.

BaseLocal's Best

● Updated Sep 17

Find a spot

235 businesses across 12 categories — pick a shelf, or search them below.

• 01Restaurants59 places · newest: El Michoacáno Taquería, Aug 15
• 02Beauty39 places · newest: Beauty By Aracely LLC, Aug 15
• 03Shopping27 places · newest: APN African Marketplace, Aug 14
• 04Entertainment9 places · newest: Waveland Golf Course, Aug 2
• 05Nightlife23 places · newest: St. Kilda Collective, Aug 14
• 06Bakeries & Sweets24 places · newest: Baskin-Robbins, Aug 15
• 07Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage16 places · newest: St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Aug 14
• 08Health & Wellness6 places · newest: Bare Haven, Aug 14
• 09Arts & Culture3 places · newest: Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Aug 2
• 10Home & Garden3 places · newest: Home Furnishings Sales & Financing, Aug 2
• 11Hobbies, Books, & Crafts15 places · newest: Bulldog Shop: Drake University, Aug 14
• 12Cafes6 places · newest: Friedrichs Coffee, Aug 14

Nothing matched that. Know a spot we’re missing? Tell us →

Pinned in Des Moines today

More spots

Businesses in categories too small for their own page — yet.

• Broken Arrow Wear T-Shirt Printing & Embroidery

  Services

  Web-based studio specializing in personalized textiles like uniforms, T-shirts and promotional items.

  4404 Merle Hay Rd · brokenarrowwear.com ↗

• Des Moines Water Works Park

  Parks & Outdoors

  Des Moines Water Works Park is basically our city’s backyard, with gardens to wander, prairie to breathe in, and the Arie Den Boer…

  2201 George Flagg Pkwy · dmww.com ↗

• Ingersoll Outdoor Supply LLC

  Sporting Goods

  From archery and fishing staples to optics, camping gear, knives and practical personal safety essentials, Ingersoll Outdoor Supply LLC is…

  529 36th St · ingersolloutdoorsupply.com ↗

• Stoked

  Sporting Goods

  Stoked is your Des Moines spot for adventure-ready apparel and gear, with a curated mix of new and re-loved pieces for trail days, campsite…

  518 E Grand Ave · stokeddsm.com ↗

• Just Paws! Gourmet & Gifts

  Pets

  Just Paws! Gourmet & Gifts is a local stash of pet joy, with doggie ice cream, custom cookie cakes, birthday bones, Meowables for picky…

  3800 Merle Hay Rd #906 · justpawsiowa.com ↗

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