What a charming spot!! Walking into this place feels like stepping right into the Mediterranean --…read morethe decor is absolutely on point. I ordered the rice platter with falafel, and wow, flavor explosion! The tzatziki tasted homemade (because it probably is) and was super creamy and delicious. Now, let's talk about the tiny plot twist -- they charge $0.75 each for olives and feta. Not a dealbreaker, but for that price I was hoping for more than five lonely olive slices and a baby spoonful of feta. Still, everything else totally made up for it -- the food came out fast, fresh, and full of flavor. I'll definitely be back!

The Moroccan fries were fantastic I immediately forced their existence into the conversations I had…read moreafter trying them. Addicting Moroccan seasoning atop a good crispy fry. The Fresh Platter with gyro, falafel, and red hummus was tasty and plentiful. With a good amount of seasoning and fresh ingredients. I look forward to coming back here.

Great fresh Mediterranean food, friendly service, and generous portions. The Green Olive is a Des…read moreMoines gem.

5-Star Plus Plus Review: Green Olive at 1960 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265…read more Green Olive absolutely delivered a meal that felt like comfort food and a special treat at the same time. I ordered the combo meal, and it was the kind of plate that makes you slow down and enjoy every bite because there is so much flavor and variety. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, with that perfect balance of warm spices that tastes rich without being too heavy. The beef had a deep, savory flavor and a satisfying bite, and the lamb was the real standout. It tasted clean, bold, and cooked just right, with that hearty, slightly smoky taste that makes lamb worth ordering. Every protein on the plate felt like it was prepared with care, not rushed. The rice was fresh and fluffy, and it did exactly what great rice should do. It held the meal together and soaked up the flavor from everything around it. Then came the best part, the variety of sauces. Each sauce brought something different. One added a creamy smooth finish, another gave a bright kick, and another brought that deeper, bold flavor that keeps you coming back for one more bite. I loved being able to mix and match because it made the meal feel like several meals in one. To finish, I had the cheesecake and coffee, and that was the perfect ending. The cheesecake was smooth, rich, and satisfying without being overly sweet. The coffee was warm, strong, and comforting, and it tied everything together like a great closing note. Bottom line: Green Olive gave me a full, flavorful, and well-balanced experience from the first bite to the last sip. If you want a meal that is filling, fresh, and packed with variety, the combo meal is the way to go. The staff were friendly and kind absolutely OUTSTANDING!!!

"Do I order here or sit down..." roughly what I asked as well as the next guy who came in while we…read morewere eating. Whoever is at the front desk should proactively greet each person and ask "dining in or to go?" Instead the lady waited for me and the next person to takk with her first. Then she asked if we knew what we wanted. If they fix this, your answer should be "to go". While the ambiance is lovely, the fact they make you buy bottles of drinks instead of having cups of water or other drinks available really decreases the value of sitting in and cheapens the experience. The restaurant ambiance is also marred by all the items for sale like a local market. Perhaps it makes it feel more genuine, but definitely makes it feel less fine dining. That and the music gets interrupted by what is likely alarms or timers on the phone playing music. Perhaps it shouldn't be thought of as fine dining, and more of a foreign family diner. The service was nearly non-existent. As mentioned before you had to proactively ask how things worked, there were no refills as it's just bottles ... and the bottles just sit in a fridge. Outside of that she sat at the front desk on her phone, though she did ask how everything was... once... after we got it. She also thanked us for coming when we left. It took about 10 minutes to get food... not bad since the food seemed fresh. That said the food was good enough. I've had better chicken shawarmas, but nothing tasted bad. It's slightly above average experience hence the rating. I wouldn't go so far as to say you must try this place, but I wouldn't say don't come here either. I hope they improve the experience over time. This review is meant as constructive criticism.

Food: Hot, fresh and delicious! Ordered the Mo'z box to-go which came out hot and ready. It comes…read morewith a chicken shawarma and fries. Obsessed with the garlic dipping sauce that comes with it. Atmosphere: Felt like I was back in Greece. The vibe is so cute with greenery over the ceiling and artwork. Could be a fun casual date night spot or a lunch spot. Seating: Booths and low top tables available About: They're a local family run business and if you like supporting local and love good food and shawarma's, it's a must-have. Definitely adding this into my rotation of spots.

4.8* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $50 05/15/2026 My wife is fond of her Lebanese heritage, so when we saw Open Sesame on the Des Moines Register's Must Go List in East Village last month, we knew we needed to check it out. Last night was our opportunity and boy was it ever a memorable experience! Their website speaks of it being a colorful decor - and that is true both inside and out (see pictures)! We were warmly greeted and promptly seated - and asked if he could take our picture under the billowing, colorful ceiling (see picture). We started with a a round of drinks - my wife ordered the Ishtar's Revenge (see picture) and I went with the Yazmina (see picture). All of the cocktails are quite unique and we enjoyed both of these. As we started talking with our server, MJ - he looked familiar and his story sounded familiar. We asked and he confirmed that he used to own Gazali's in Clive, IA - a restaurant closer to our home that we enjoyed several times. MJ recommended the the Vegetarian Sampler Plate (see picture) for an appetizer and we loved it - offering the opportunity to sample several different Lebanese menu items on one plate. For our main courses, my wife ordered the Shawarma Chicken Pita Wrap (see picture) and I opted for the Combo Rice Plate (see picture), done spicy per MJ's suggestion. As we always do, we shared tastes of each of our dishes and loved them both! Lastly, the Jalab (rose and date infused water - see picture) caught my eye - so I ordered one of those to enjoy with my meal. Again, it is highly recommended! What visit to a Lebanese restaurant would be complete without Baklava (see picture), which MJ recommended that we enjoy with Turkish Coffees (see picture and video of pouring). We even got an education on how best to each the Baklava - pick it up with your fingers, take a bite, then keep that bite in your mouth while you take a sip of the Turkish Coffee - then enjoy! While it is hard not to enjoy Bakalava, it was even better when paired with the Turkish Coffee. If you found this review helpful, please Share, Follow & Like.

MJ and his family are so awesome and kind! I stopped in to try a refreshing drink on my walk in my…read morefirst time ever in Iowa on my walk to the beautiful golden capital and what a warm welcome it was. I met his whole family and he introduced me to all the customers. It was so fun and familial and inviting. Not to mention the decor inside is gorgeous! I love supporting local and trying new things. Definitely give this place a visit if you want good vibes, good energy, and delicious food made with love for real.

I drove almost an hour to have my shawarmas here but when i reached they were out of halal chicken,…read moreso I would recommend calling them first and checking with them if they have the chicken available. Got the lamb shawarma and it was really good but was a little bit disappointed because I didn't get the chicken.

We had been big fans of the food truck, we used to follow it around whenever possible. We were very…read moresad when it closed down. We saw that this had opened awhile ago, but have not had the opportunity to go up and give it a try. It was well worth the wait. We got both the chicken and the steak shawarma and gave each other half. The meat is rich with an amazingly deep flavor for something so simple. Add the bite of the pickles and both of these are superb sandwiches. The food truck had different sauces for each sandwich, that has changed. Just the one sauce now, but it is a lovely yogurt based bit of tastiness. We also got a side of falafel. Falafel is always hit and miss for me. This was a definite hit. Once again a wonderfully complex taste from something so simple. The wrap had a nice bit of crunch to it after being on the grill. This is not as long and involved as a lot of my reviews, but it doesn't need to be. It's a very small, simple menu, but oh my it is great. We will get back up there when we can, we hope that they will open a shop in Des Moines.

4.8* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $20 04/27/2026 Tonight's opportunity to enjoy another stop at Tito's came at the end of my journey updating several locations for happyhourdesmoiones.com. It was getting to be dinner time, so asked my wife to meet me here for my last stop. Every time we've stopped here, we have been impressed with the quality of the food and tonight was no different. I had already enjoyed some Happy Hour specials at another venue, but my wife hadn't yet eaten dinner. She ordered the Gyro & Fries (see picture) and as you might guess, I did try a couple of bites. We both thought it was a very good gyro and were delighted to see that it is the daily special each day from 11-2, so we will definitely be coming back for lunch some day. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

The wife and I tried this place for the first time. I've known about this lounge because of my son,…read morebut he and I never made it here. Don't tell him I went without him :) Anyway, I'm glad the wife and I gave it a try. We walked in at 5:30 on a Friday and it was busy. We didn't wait but for a few minutes and had a table. The greeter was very friendly and our server was super nice and pleasant to have as a waiter. His recommendations were spot on. The whole restaurant was hopping busy but operating very smoothly. Not a quiet place, a true sports bar ambiance. The wings were very very good. Maybe some of the better ones I've had here in town. The gyro was fantastic, and huge. Great value. The wife's flatbread was great too. Excellent food all the way around. Prices for very reasonable. Happy hour helps some of the prices for sure, but still a well priced establishment. We are fans of this place and will most certainly be back.

We are from out of town and have been looking for a good Greek restaurant for quite some time. We…read morefound this place from a google search and we were not disappointed. Excellent food, excellent service really well priced. Wonderful time

We happened upon this little gem as we were wandering around Des Moines shops. We always love…read moreGreek, and their neighbor in the shop next door recommended it. Just the proprietor couple there serving lunch on a Saturday to a not too full restaurant, given it was January. Even though the door opens to the dining room, they kept it surprisingly warm enough for how chilly it was outside. We shared Mezethakia and the Greek Village Salad, because we were looking for a light lunch. The flavors! Oh, we wish we lived in Des Moines - we would go there all the time! The proprietor was friendly, the ambiance was good, but the food was absolutely excellent.