Looking for vegetarian-friendly restaurants? Our top picks are Main Street Cafe & Bakery, Winchester Public House and Al's Dairy Freeze, ranked by diner ratings among restaurants whose current menus carry vegetarian-tagged dishes. The full list below updates as menus change.
Discover the top 89 affordable dining experiences
Discover affordable restaurants in Des Moines with vegetarian options. Budget-friendly vegetarian dining.
Des Moines's Affordable Vegetarian Destinations
Exploring the vibrant plant-based scene in Des Moines doesn't have to break the bank, thanks to a diverse array of budget-friendly eateries offering creative meat-free dishes. From the comforting American classics at Main Street Cafe & Bakery to the artisanal slices at Dough Co Pizza, this collection highlights how local favorites across Italian, Mexican, and even steakhouse traditions cater to vegetarian diners. Whether you are craving a casual bite at Al's Dairy Freeze or a refined evening at Trostel's Greenbriar, these spots prove that flavorful, vegetable-forward meals are accessible throughout the city.
30 restaurants in Best Affordable Vegetarian Restaurants in Des Moines | Affordable & Vegetarian
- Main Street Cafe & Bakery · rated 5/5: 4 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Winchester Public House · rated 4/5: 26 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Al's Dairy Freeze · rated 4/5: 21 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- The Station on Ingersoll · rated 4/5: 21 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Nightingale Cocktail · rated 4/5: 15 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Crème Cupcake · rated 4/5: 14 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- G. Mig's 5th Street Pub · rated 4/5: 11 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Dough Co Pizza · rated 4/5: 8 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Italian.
- The Outside Scoop · rated 4/5: 3 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Mi Casa Cake Shop · rated 3/5: 19 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Mexican.
- Trostel's Greenbriar · rated 3/5: 13 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Steakhouse.
- The Green Olive: 42 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Mediterranean.
- Drake Diner: 31 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Scooter's Coffee: 31 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Motley School Tavern: 30 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Felix & Oscar's: 30 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Italian.
- El Bait Shop: 28 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Mexican.
- Gameday: 27 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Tasty Tacos: 27 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Mexican.
- Skip's: 25 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Clyde's Fine Diner: 24 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Friedrichs Coffee: 24 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Iowa Beef Steakhouse: 22 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Steakhouse.
- Saint Kilda Collective: 21 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Either/Or: 20 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Blue Shark Ale House: 19 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
- Old Chicago: 19 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Italian.
- Fresko: 19 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Mediterranean (often associated with "fresh.
- Tito's Lounge: 19 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. Mexican.
- Zombie Burger & Drink Lab: 18 vegetarian-friendly dishes on the menu. American.
How this list is built
Chefi analyzes each restaurant’s menu and tags every dish’s dietary suitability with an ingredient-based engine. Restaurants with at least three matching dishes on their current menu rank first, ordered by diner ratings, with the number of matching dishes breaking ties; owner-verified restaurants are highlighted at the top. Lists refresh as menus and ratings change.
