Mulberry Street Tavern — Restaurant in Des Moines

In the sweltering, corn-syrup haze of a Des Moines midday—September 18, 2025, etch it in the ledger of lost afternoons, for the flatland demons were howling—I careened into that fever-dream speakeasy called Mulberry Street Tavern, hunkered at 206 6th Ave like a banker’s ghost risen from the trolley tracks of yesteryear.  Five stars, you corn-fed heathens, five bloodshot stars ripped from the hide of the prairie sky, because to score it lower would be to spit in the eye of the open-hearth gods who stoke its fires. Kenny—yes, Kenny, that grinning apparition at the zinc bar, going by Lil Dicky in the shadowed hours when the whiskey whispers names—unleashed a soup and salad that struck like a combine harvester laced with lightning and holy water from the Raccoon River. The soup? A cauldron of primordial elixir, steaming with root vegetables that clawed their way from Iowa’s black earth, infused with herbs sharp as switchblades and a broth so rich it could bribe a senator or dissolve the chains of a bad divorce. And the salad! Mother of mercy, the salad—a riot of greens plucked from forbidden truck-farm patches, crisp as the crack of a .38 in a cornfield ambush, tossed in a dressing of vinaigrette that sang of elderberry sins and the tears of ambitious cicadas. It wasn’t mere sustenance; it was a ritual gut-punch, a chlorophyll-fueled exorcism for every mile of monotonous interstate that led me here, belly full of regret and radiator fluid. But the mixed drinks, oh you sons of the soil, the mixed drinks were the real heart-attack revelation, sorcerer’s brews muddled in shakers of hammered tin by Kenny’s callused, clairvoyant mitts. One gulp of that rye-fueled monstrosity—dub it the “Trolley Phantom,” why not?—and I was airborne over the Des Moines skyline, hallucinations of top-hatted tycoons waltzing with feral hogs, the ice rattling like loose change in a politician’s pocket during a filibuster. Another, a vodka vortex with bitters bitter as a betrayed harvest and a lemon twist that seized the sinuses like a twister in July, hurled me into paroxysms of cackling hysteria that bounced off the leather-upholstered walls, where mounted antlers from long-dead bucks judged me with eyes like boiled marbles. These weren’t libations; they were mutagens, man, chemical grenades lobbed into the trenches of temperance, exploding into visions of endless amber waves under a blood-orange moon. I lurched out into the muggy gale, tab settled but psyche swollen with the riot of it all, swearing a blood oath to this agribusiness Atlantis amid the feedlots and fairgrounds. Five stars? Christ, I’d mortgage the family silo for more. Kenny, you outlaw alchemist, keep ladling that lunacy—Lil Dicky’s saga swells with every...

TLDR: Book them right now, let Andre, Trystan and the MST team curate a culinary experience driven by creative, innovative chefs, and a passion for service to inspire customer delight.

The Details: Our visits to Mulberry Street Tavern have been nothing short of exceptional, thanks to the outstanding service and delectable cuisine. Celebrating a special occasion, we were fortunate to have Trystan as our server for our first experience. Trystan and the team took impeccable care of us. Trystan's attention to detail, warm demeanor, and dedication to making our evening unforgettable set the tone for a remarkable dining experience.

The food at Mulberry Street Tavern is spectacular, with the crispy duck breast and wood charred broccolini standing out as highlights. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the presentation was artful yet unpretentious. It was clear that the kitchen takes great pride in their craft, creating dishes that are both innovative, comforting, and accessible while enjoying a relaxing evening downtown.

On our subsequent visit, when Trystan wasn't available, we were delighted to be taken care of by Andre. Andre seamlessly continued the exceptional level of service we had come to expect. He applied extensive culinary knowledge and menu familiarity to expertly recommend our next options for this visit based on the high notes we enjoyed during our previous visits. We opened with a locally curated charcuterie board MST rotates regularly through their partnerships with local cheesemongers, the board offered a delightful array of flavors that set the stage for another outstanding meal featuring the crispy skin salmon over masa harina, and the tavern burger with a sauce & rosemary fries that are probably under review by the FDA for their potential addictive properties.

What truly sets Mulberry Street Tavern apart is the staff's commitment to going above and beyond for their guests. Both Trystan and Andre exemplified this through their genuine hospitality and expert knowledge of the menu. They represent the efforts of the team that deliver such an exceptional experience and are a credit to the kitchen's talents, menu design, and delivery. The atmosphere is inviting, the service is impeccable, and the food consistently exceeds expectations.

Mulberry Street Tavern has become a go-to spot for special occasions and memorable meals. It is perfectly located as the starting point for a spectacular evening whether you're in the dining room or enjoying the massive, enclosed patio on a summer evening. We look forward to our next visit to see what culinary delights and exceptional...

My wife and I recently stayed at The Surety for an overnight stay in Des Moines. The Mulberry Street Tavern is attached, so it was an attractive option for cocktails before going out to eat. While reviewing the menu, my wife was impressed with the brunch options made a reservation for the following morning.

Our experience was mixed.

The Good: The space itself is gorgeous. The lighting, wood features, tables, etc. look wonderful. There is a large, classic looking collection of bottles behind the bar. It has a very classy feel and the clientele seemed to reflect that - definitely not a dive bar or college bar, but more a place for couples/groups to grab a nice drink or light bite before a show or other reservation.

My food was also excellent. We only ate brunch, so I can't speak to the dinner. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and received a massive plate with huge, crispy and chewy biscuits (definitely not a can of Pillsbury) covered in delicious sausage gravy. The dish had some sweet notes (maybe honey) that were very appealing. I highly recommend the dish.

The bad: Our service, particularly in the evening, was underwhelming at best. We sat at the bar and were given menus. We ordered two cocktails from the menu and the bartender looked somewhere between "annoyed" and "indifferent." The drinks arrived quickly enough, but then my wife and I were ignored for most of our remaining time. We sat in the middle of the bar, so both bartenders had to walk past us (and our empty glasses) multiple times, yet it was like we were invisible.

The following morning at brunch the employee at the host stand also seemed rather indifferent to our presence. We were seated and it seemed there was one server for the entire restaurant, which wasn't full, but had just opened and several tables were waiting to put in their order. Eventually, the hostess, rather than the server, took our order. Perhaps they were short staffed, but customer service overall did not seem to be a priority.

My wife ordered avocado toast and got a rather small portion, especially relative to mine. I think it tasted fine, but it was not very hearty.

Overall: Your experience may vary. Maybe we just had bad luck with service, but I suspect we'll try out some other spots the next time...