This is my favorite restaurant by far. Atmosphere is bright, small and easy to talk, though it does get a little loud when busy. The food is always so good. This is a small thing but I love the eclectic dishes they use. Food is always fresh and delicious. I love the steak stroganoff but I tried the osso bucco this time and it was yummy. read more

Alba - Osso Bucco Presse - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

One of my favorite meals I've had in Des Moines since moving here! For appetizers, we got the truffle fries, the deviled eggs, the brussels sprouts, and the biscuits. All were good, but the deviled eggs stood out as a favorite. For entrées, I had the gnocchi and was impressed. I also tried bites of the barramundi and the steak stroganoff, which were incredible as well. I hope to come back soon and try something new. Our waitress seemed to be the only one working that night so service was a bit slow but she was kind. Ambiance was fine! Some echo. read more

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Really enjoyed this place. Went for Nye and it was packed, as expected. Waited at the bar for our table of 6 and got sat about 30 mins after our reservations. We didn't mind getting a drink at the bar though. The prefix menu had a good selection of vegetarian focused, seafood and meat options. Went with the parsnip soup, prosciutto wrapped trout, and crème brûlée. Everything was really delicious. Only comment was that the crème brûlée was tiny and likely could have firmed up a bit more. Service between courses could have been faster but given it was nye and we had a group, it didn't bother me too much. Would love to come back and check out other items on the menu! read more

I had a wonderful dinner with my husband before a Broadway show. We ordered the beet salad and mushroom tart as starters. The beat salad was light and flavorful. The mushroom tart was heavier with some unique flavors. We shared and enjoyed them both. For dinner I ordered the beef stroganoff, and my husband ordered scallops. Again both entrées were wonderful. I adored the beef stroganoff. It was a unique combination of flavors. Heavy in comparison to the small plate of scallops. If you were hungry for a big meal, skip the scallops and go for the beef stroganoff. We had chocolate lava cake for dessert with their homemade buttermilk ice cream and coffee the perfect way to finish an amazing meal. The atmosphere is open and unique their doors hanging from the ceiling and a fun painting, lots of windows. The service was attentive, and the pacing of our meal was perfect. read more

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Went for valentines this year after not going since Feb 2020. Huge change since then and not in a good way. The prices were likely double what they were before and the options didn't meet expectations. We were also crammed like sardines in the room, and felt like we were on top of the people seated next to us. The food was fine and the service was great. Good wine and cocktail list, and the desserts were the best part of the meal. read more

Went here once before a gaslight anthem concert at woolys. Had some appetizer that was really good.

My wife and I visited Alba for the first time, and we were both thoroughly impressed. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel welcome--their friendliness and warmth set the tone for a great evening. Our server, Andrew, was excellent; he knew the menu inside and out and gave thoughtful recommendations. We started with the fritters (prosciutto, soy aioli, pineapple, pickled peppers), which were light, flavorful, and a fun mix of textures. The roasted beets salad with herbed goat cheese, orange, and champagne-orange vinaigrette was beautifully balanced--fresh and bright without being heavy. For mains, we ordered the gnocchi (herb crema, roasted vegetables, truffle oil, chicken confit) and the NY Strip Stroganoff (local mushrooms, crispy shallots, pickled mustard seed). The stroganoff was my dish, and it was fantastic--the beef tender, the noodles cooked perfectly, and the flavors rich without being overly earthy. The gnocchi was equally well-prepared, a comforting dish with depth from the truffle oil and chicken confit. If there's one caveat, it's that the main courses took a little longer to arrive than expected--but the wait was worth it once the plates hit the table. We finished with the molten chocolate lava cake, and it was the perfect ending: indulgent, decadent, and satisfying without being cloying. Overall, Alba exceeded our expectations. Great food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere. We're definitely coming back. I forgot to take pictures, but the dishes we had are classic staples--there are plenty of pictures. read more

Food- Amazing food. Brussels sprouts are by far the best I have ever had. Scalps were good, probably would choose a different main next time. Sweetcorn bisque was refreshing. Desert was impeccable, and espresso was great Service- Amazing and attentive. Always brought new silverware when needed. Regularly filled water and drinks. Food came out with perfect timing, the courses were timed perfectly. Ambiance- Great candle light vibes. Nothing to complain about. Overall great. The reason for a 4 star is that the water was lukewarm. It is fine to not serve water with ice directly in the cup, but I think the water needs to be chilled before serving. The water was the only downfall of my experience, and that says something great about this restaurant. read more

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Went with another couple. We loved the food. It was really amazing. But the ambiance was horrible. We couldn't hear ourselves talk. Very cafeteria like and soooo loud. Unfortunately it wasn't good enough to get us to return. Apologies as I wanted to love it. read more

It's been a while since we've been here, and even longer since I wrote a review. Good news is my new review will be a bit shorter as everything is just as good as it was 6 years ago! Now that we know where the front door is (north side), we walked in and got checked in by one of the servers. It was a Sunday night, again before a Civic Center show, and we stopped in about 4:45 -- with a reservation. I've suggested Yelp update the dining hours, which are 4-close every day. We each got a glass of wine and awaited our dinner. We coincidentally were in the mood for the same things we got in my last review. Again, the Halibut was great - it had a very tasty rhubarb sauce, along with the veggies. My wife got the chicken again, and it came with an array of carrots and risotto. We did save room for dessert - a slightly different one this time called Castella Cake. The cake was nice and fluffy with fresh strawberries. The Dried Meringue didn't add much for me, but I just flicked it off. Service was nicely paced and we were there about an hour with one drink each, and dessert. We could have been out more quickly if we didn't want to linger and enjoy the great food and service. Still highly recommended! read more

What went well.....everything. In route , through Des Moines , heading home. Found this gem of a restaurant ~ 1 mile from our hotel. My husband and I enjoyed a cocktail then on to the main course. His chicken was so moist and flavorful. The mixed vegetables were prepared perfectly. I ordered the beef stroganoff which had the most delicious mushroom sauce ( and I am not a huge fan of mushrooms) and the hand made pasta was ideal to hold on to every little bit of gravy. No room for dessert. Thanks to Sam for taking care of us. read more

Alba has a great happy hour. You get a lot of food for your money and the food is good quality. Only thing I had an issue with was the buns were soggy from a mixture of the moisture from the heat but also a little greasy I think. I love the fries here-super fresh. Only wish I had some malt vinegar to go with (asked, they didn't have). Staff is nice and a great place to wind down after work at the bar. It was a bit stuffy inside but I assumed it was because we're in the weird in-between spring still trying to be winter and it was actually quite warm out. Will be back I'm sure. read more

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We made a reservation for the chef's table and enjoyed watching the meals being cooked in the kitchen. The bar is curved so it's appropriate to bring more than two people to. Even though we were a table for two, I imagine that you can interact with everyone in your group. Our food was great, the dessert was amazing. Our server kindly explained items on the menu we were unfamiliar with. The experience was wonderful. read more

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We decided to come for some happy hour burgers and fries because we had heard great things and we did not leave disappointed. The Brussel sprouts appetizer came our fast and hot. Very delicious! The burgers were good but the buns were quite soggy and somehow dry at the same time though. Atmosphere on the bar side was okay, quite dim except for an exterior door with a window providing some light. The service was good, we were checked on a few times and they were attentive when needed! We would definitely come back for happy hour again but I'm eager to try their full menu items too. read more

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Came here with a group. We had our own space for 12. Cool ambiance, not sure about the doors hung from the ceiling. The apps were very good, had the truffle fries, some croquette things and some other things, was ordered for the table. I ordered the osso bucco, very meaty, but needed salt. Risotto was also good. Others dishes looked great like the gnocchi. Had several desserts the lemo ice team was the best of all the think I. ate. They make their own ginger ale. Service was good. read more

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Consistently good food. The menu changes a bit each season and we love the variety. Good wait staff, too. We go regularly. One downside....it's very loud inside (they have patio, too). read more

To be fair, I don't know how accurate this review is of the restaurant experience here, since all we bought was a dessert to go! But in regards to a dessert to-go... I saw there was an icebox peach merengue cake on the summer menu and really wanted to try it. It was 10 dollars. Even in a cardboard box, the presentation was very pretty! The cake portion was delicious! Unfortunately there was only a few small mouthfuls of it. The shattered merengue was pretty bland, and the scoop of peach even more so. It was frozen completely solid and was difficult to eat. I will definitely come back at least once more to try a full menu since they have a lot of unique offerings! But I don't think I will try a frozen dessert again. read more

Alba - Peach icebox cake - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Went to Alba for my wife's birthday and it was a wonderful evening with great service and great food. Ordered the glazed wild-caught salmon which has the perfect level of caramelization. We also ordered the 12 oz. New York Strip steak, which was cooked to perfection at medium. I recommend trying the lemongrass crème brûlée---it has a hint of basil and citrus that work remarkably well with the dessert. Ambiance was relaxing and cozy. And the price was a great value. A true gem. read more

Again on Nov. 21, '24 my wife and I visited restaurant Alba in Des Moines Iowa, It is located in the downtown, in the shadow of the golden dome of the state capital. The restaurant, once again, offered a wonderful experience. It is not a small hole in the wall restaurant, it has a good size upper dining area where we sat, and there is a large lower area to accommodate a larger crowd. THERE IS A TABLE IN THE KITCHEN as well!!!!!!Reservations are necessary for that experience. Although it serves high end offerings, there are more modestly priced offerings such as burgers for $18 made by the same chefs in the same kitchen. The diners are dressed casually like blue jeans and shorts in the summer and some come well dressed but the majority are dress-causal. The parking is, well......keep driving around the block until a spot opens up and it will. The staff are all well informed about the menu and will guide you if you have questions. The manager is on hand as well and will do anything to make your meal exactly to your wishes. This is an excellent restaurant, which is why it is ALWAYS busy, you get quality for your dollar. For an appetizer I had the new to the menu, duck empanadas, 3 to an order with a spicy sofrito base on the plate. Soffritto is Italian and is onion carrot and celery while sofrito contains tomato and hot spices and peppers and is Spanish, We ordered the Miso roasted butternut squash soup. It was perfection. My wife ordered the hand cut 8 ounce tenderloin. The very personable manager asked her to describe the steak degree she desired and it was cooked 100% to the degree she wanted. The Pave Potatoes are something you will find only rarely on any restaurant menu. It takes detailed technique and a day or two to create. Special and delicious. My scallops were made perfectly, garnished with spinach and wild mushroom slices. We were not able to consume any dessert. The tet et tet wine was perfect. Please go and be thrilled. Alba restaurant 524 E 6th St. Des Moines, Iowa read more

We went for happy hour and sat at the bar. My burger was delicious and the BoGo beer was a nice addition. Great atmosphere and great food.

Great food - Lamb empanadas were delicious and the beef stroganoff had homemade noodles!! Their parm fries were crunchy and perfectly cheesy. read more

Visiting from out of state, looked up great places for dinner... found this gem. My uber driver also raved about it. Great service, great food and wonderful drinks. (They even make a sazerac correctly) very impressed. I'll be back! Thank you, Aislinn read more

WOW. We went here for restaurant week and I cannot complain one bit. Honestly one of the top restaurants I've been too. Very upscale and classy. We got to pick from the prix fixe menu. Brandon got the sweet corn soup (yum). I got the marinated beet which were super tangy and were from the yogurt. The ossobuco and gnocchi were amazing! I will say the herbs in the sauce on top of the ossobuco was a little much but definitely worked. If I went back I would probably get the gnocchi cause it was so good. We also got an array of desserts for the table including the s'mores crepe brûlée, corn bread pudding, and chocolate torte. I would recommend the first and thirds. The corn bread pudding was served in a jar that was hard to get the food out of. We also got the Pinot noir and sauv blanc which were perfect with the meal. read more

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We went to Alba last night and had an incredible meal. The service was fantastic, and the menu was delicious and fresh. To start, we had the cream of asparagus soup and fritters that had prosciutto with aioli and pineapple. For our entrees, we had the prawns and gnocchi and the NY strip steak. Since the menu changes seasonally, we are looking forward to coming here every few months to try more of their offerings read more

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Whenever people ask, "what's the best restaurant in the metro?" my answer is always Alba. Alba, with the doors like Monsters, inc. It's never Lucca. Keep it straight, or you'll be eating crunchy pasta while being condescendingly told it's al dente (I know what TF al dente is). This is the ditch I'll die in. Alba is the best restaurant in Des Moines. We've never had a mediocre meal at Alba. The sauces are always sublime. I try menu items at Alba that I'd never try anywhere else because I know it will be the best it can ever be. They can't make a bad meal. It sounds crazy, but the food is really that good. And when you're not feeling adventurous, they always have a great burger. You can't go wrong there. read more

Wonderful atmosphere and amazing food! Definitely recommend for a nice eclectic meal with quality food. The Brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly! Drinks were amazing!! read more

A huge part of me thinks that I did not order the right items here, because according to the popular dishes mentioned in others' reviews and the structure of Alba's menu, their meat dishes are the highlights. My partner got the gnocchi and the sunchoke & potato bisque. She said the gnocchi was overcooked and therefore too soft, resembling mashed potatoes more than gnocchi. Having Brussel sprouts in gnocchi was also a combination that we had never seen before. My seasonal vegetables and Brussel sprouts were both amazing, and I managed to finish both of them. The so-called "small plates" were not small at all LOL because the vegetables themselves pretty much made me full. For the farmhouse burger, the ground beef tasted like it did not have any seasoning, so the sauce compensated for the lack of taste. According to my partner, the sunchoke & potato bisque was excellent. Finally, we were debating between the rum crème brûlée and the clafoutis, and went with clafoutis after our server recommended us such. The clafoutis looked very different from what we were used to, and contained a very little portion of cherries. However, it still tasted very good! I think if I was to return next time, I should try some of the dishes that they were known for more, which would allow me to enjoy the restaurant more. The place has very good decor. We sat by the window, which had bright lights, but most seats in the room were covered by darkness, which some people may enjoy. The restaurant is also located in a very nice neighborhood, East Village, so it is easy to explore other businesses like Raygun and Storyhouse Bookpub, etc. within vicinity! read more

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I hate to leave negative reviews on places, especially locally owned, but I just can't get behind Alba. My wife and I have been there 4 times now and have yet to have an experience we feel is worth the price. Tonight I ordered a $45 filet mignon that was overcooked and came with no sides or plating. I have no problem with steakhouses prices, but if you're going to charge steakhouse prices you better be able to back it up. My wife had a burger which was pretty dry and disappointing. Caesar salad was absolutely loaded with dressing and was possibly the saltiest thing I've ever eaten in my life. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm just trying to tear Alba down, but we agreed we won't be coming back after tonight. read more

Alba - 8 oz Filet* - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The drinks, atmosphere, burgers, and service here are excellent! I've been here two times in a week! Mondays are burger night where you can get certain drinks and a variety of burgers for $6! It's an amazing deal! I got the California burger last Monday and it was really good. I've had several cocktails here that have all been good, including the Horse Feather and Manhattan Sour. On their regular menu, the Pork Belly appetizer and Beef Burger are excellent! Also, you definitely need to try the chorizo fries at least once! You're welcome in advance. I'm definitely a fan of Alba! read more

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Great location, great cocktails, and a really great place for dinner!! Tonight we decided to try alba after reading reviews we stumbled upon Alba. What a great place!! The cocktail I tried was "The Smoke Show" which is a great twist on the classic margarita. For starters/ Small Plates we tried the "Ancho Chicken Empanadas" which came out with a crema, pickeled red onion and smashed avocado. Those flavors together mad a great combination. We also tried the "Halibut Fish Sticks" which was a delicious take on the classic fish stick! We ate them so quickly because of how good they were!! For dinner we both tried the Gnocchi. It was offered in a full or half size... Knowing we both wanted to try their deserts, we opted for just a half size to spare room. The option for the gnocchi was either Chicken Confit or Prawns. We both got chicken... What a decadent dish, the cream sauce, the roasted veggies and the chicken all served with a fresh gnocchi... I cannot wait to come back and have this dish again! Luckily the waitress gave us a spoon, I nearly licked the bowl For desert we ordered the "Spiced Pear Clafoutis" which came out in a hot Skillet... it's a half inch cake with spiced pears baked into it, topped with a cranberry granola and a dollop of delicious vanilla ice cream. ... Delicious!! All In all, we will be back!!! Yumm!! read more

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I came here during happy hour (4-6pm) during the week. Their menu had so many things that I wanted to try so I took advantage of its happy hour prices and ordered 3 appetizers. Their appetizers were the perfect size and made the perfect meal, plus 2 of them were off the happy hour menu and were $6 each. I ordered deviled eggs with beet tartar, brioche crumble, and onion cracker first. Then their Roasted Brussels sprouts with ricotta, turmeric aioli, and calabrian chili vinaigrette. I ended with a Roasted Delicata squash & burrata with spinach, arugula, pickled beets, toasted pepitas, blistered grapes. I ordered and aperol spritz and a Lambrusco to go with the meal. Service was delightful, they were cordial and waited for me to finish each plate prior to bringing me the best. My only critique was the ambiance. It was very dark in there, but these are just minor details compared to how amazing the food tasted. read more

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Absolutely consistently high quality food and service. Enjoy the creativity displayed in the menu. Preparation and presentation always excellent. read more

Great spot in the East Village, stopped in while in town on a Monday night, had the game (NFL-sound muted) on at the bar w/ background music that fits the vibe, which is authentically good. Highly recommend the Maryland Lump Crab app. Decent wine by the glass options as well. Excellent staff & service. read more

This was a great dining experience. We wanted to go somewhere new and try some new things. Food was all 5star worthy, in my opinion! Definitely make it a place to go read more

Came here many times since my last burger night and EVERY TIME had been amazing! Mason, the head chef, is a culinary mastermind! The things him and his team can create and EAT is amazing! The service is always great and the staff is so friendly and knowledgeable about, literally, everything Alba related- from wine to dessert! Also came here for Valentine's Day dinner and it was, no surprise, amaze. I can honestly say I dub them one of my favorite local restaurants! And I don't have many favorites! read more

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This was my first restaurant meal since pre-COVID and wow, was it a good one! We got a bunch of appetizers to share and the halibut beignets were especially weird but delicious--good for sharing, I didn't want a ton but they were fun to try. For entrees, I had the halibut and it was kinda mind blowing. Perfectly buttery with lots of accompanying flavors and textures, all delightful. They had some non alcoholic drink options, which I always love. I was disappointed they didn't offer any bread as we waited. Well-trained staff and a nice ambience. Definitely DO NOT come here until you're fully immunized, as it was pretty crowded and obviously maskless (didn't dock stars for this because the state policies can't be blamed on the business). read more

Alba - Wild Alaskan Halibut - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is still the best restaurant to eat at in Des Moines. Everything we ordered was delicious. The mussels were great with a broth that was so flavorful. All of us ordered the New York Strip Stroganoff and it was honestly the best stroganoff I ever had. We ended the meal with a combination of desserts that we shared and the rum creme brulee and the lava cake with buttermilk ice cream were favorites, but they were all wonderful. The service is always excellent, the staff is friendly and so knowledgeable. Love this place! read more

My rating is going to be a bit in the between because I haven't tried many of their dishes. However, the staff was super friendly and helpful so I can definitely recommend this place for anyone who is looking for a simple dine in place in downtown Des Moines. I did have some appetizers and a salad. To be honest, the cost of the dishes are quite expensive but I guess if you're looking for experience and don't mind spending money-- this is the place to go. read more

Went to Alba for a quick Mother's Day dinner. Super beautiful inside, love the ambience and energy there. Food was good. Unfortunately my 8 oz filet was cold. The gnocchi was delicious though. Wish I had traded my steak for that instead. My husband had the lamb which was also delicious and hot! Our server was very kind and our food came out fairly quickly! Coffee is superb! read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Des Moines it has an intimate atmosphere in the bar and it's been my go-to place for some time. It has the same type of atmosphere in the bar area the Django used to have before they moved out of their place The owner is the ultimate farm-to-table person with always trying to have new innovative menu ideas. Jason has opened several restaurants in Des Moines and has been a behind-the-scene supporter for several chefs starting their own restaurant. I look forward to his upcoming creation in Beaverdale. Garrett the manager, is outstanding and he is committed to you having a wonderful time. Garrett has great knowledge of cocktails, wine and the menu, including special tips on how things are prepared in the ingredients of menu items. Tonight my companion and I both had the French onion soup which is an outstanding variation of the soup. It's a veal stock with onions that have been rendered down and removed. With fresh leeks being the onion if you will in the soup. It is outstanding Imagine it'll be available in January February March of the winter months. We then had the sauteed grilled scallops is the main course with butternut squash cubed and parsnip cubed in a cream type sauce it was wonderful. To top it off we had what we knew would be wonderful which is the molten lava chocolate dessert which I've had many times here and still is outstanding. If you've never been here before get down here for several different opportunities. They have a wonderful hamburger happy hour with gourmet burgers and gourmet fries causing six box on Mondays. Each year I also come during restaurant week I have been totally amazed at the flights offered. It's one of the Des Moines gems. read more