Des Moines has a lot to offer for a variety of wines. We have local wineries that produce some good wines, and then there are restaurants with an extensive wine lists from all over the world. Some nights, it’s nice to bring your own, favorite, bottle of wine that you can’t always find on a wine list. If you’re wanting to bring your own bottle of wine
Django
Django is a brasserie-style (a small informal French-style) restaurant offering everything you love about French cuisine. They feature no-corkage fee EVER. If you’re looking for a tasty happy hour, be sure to hit up Django for that as well. Their happy hours is Mon-Fri from 4-6 pm. Have a drink from their specialty cocktail list, enjoy $1.50 oysters and $1.50 shrimp as well as half-price cheese and charcuterie plates. One special you can’t miss is their All-Night Happy Hour, every Tuesday after 4pm!
1420 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
M – TH: 11am – 10pm
FRI – SAT: 11am – 11pm
SUN: 10am – 9pm
Splash
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill is a 5-star establishment, and recipient of The DiRoNA Award has also received The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. So, even though you might have a favorite bottle of wine at home you’re sure to find a new bottle of wine that is delicious at Splash.
303 Locust, Des Moines, IA
Oyster Bar Lunch: 11:30 am to 2 pm, Mon – Fri
Splash Seafood and Oyster Bar Dinner: 5 pm to 10 pm, Mon – Sat
HOQ
I’ve heard that on Tuesday nights, Hoq has a no corkage fee for wine. Hoq Restaurant in Des Moines, IA is a unique restaurant in that it focuses on featuring plates that approximately 90% of their ingredients come from local farms. It’s one unique restaurant that everyone should take advantage of in the east village. There’s nothing better than knowing that your plate is local.
Aposto at the Scala House
Aposto at the Scala House features a no corkage fee on Thursday nights. This restaurant was once named Cafe di Scala. Here at Aposto, you’ll find modern classical cuisine,” the menu highlights global flavors — especially Italian, French, Asian and Latin cuisines. Apost is still known for its wine list. It has been noted by several industry leaders. In fact, they received an award from Wine Spectator in 2007 for the award of excellence and unique distinction from Wine Enthusiast.
Fun fact: The word “aposto” translates to “everything is right.”
644 18th Street Des Moines, Iowa
Wednesday through Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Reservations by phone only: 515.244.1353
Americana
Wine down and think about all the awesome event you attended in Des Moines over the weekend with a bottle of wine. Sunday nights at Americana there is no corkage fee. After your wine on Sunday, you should come back on Mondays for their Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner – dinner.
1312 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Mon – Thu 11am to 10:30pm
Friday 11am to 12:30am
Saturday 10am to 12:30am
Sunday 9:30am to 10:30pm
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3pm to 6 pm
Saturday Brunch 10am-2:30pm
Sunday Brunch 9:30am-2:30pm
Marino’s
What better than a family owned restaurant with homemade Italian food – oh and no corkage fee. Marino’s doesn’t have a liquor license. People who visit can bring in their own beer and wine. Score. Read about what people are eating here.
5801 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50322
Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Centro
Centro Restaurant in Des Moines is another top Italian restaurant to choose from. Again if your’e looking for a great spot in Des Moines with no corkage fee, Centro is a place to go on Sundays.
1003 Locust St. (Corner of 10th & Locust), Des Moines, IA
Lunch hours M-F: 11am-2pm SAT: 11am-3pm SUN: 10am-3pm
Dinner hours M-TH: 5-10pm FRI, SAT: 5-11pm SUN: 4:30-9pm
Cafe Fuzion
Cafe Fuzion has been around Des Moines for 5 years. They fuse local ingredients with Asian spices which give plates a unique twist and a whole lot of fresh flavor. Cafe Fuzion was the award winner for the people’s choice award at the 2014 World Food and Music Fest in Des Moines. They feature no corkage fee at their restaurant.
1240 E. 14th Street Des Moines, IA
Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Bravo! Italian
This West Des Moines Italian restaurant has some amazing dishes and a great wine selection. If you do have that one special bottle that you must have for celebrations or just because, Bravo! Italian restaurant features no corking fees. If you are interested in viewing their wine list, check it out here.
Malo
Malo is the Des Moines restaurant to enjoy Latin cuisine. This restaurant has an outstanding brunch as well as lunch and dinner options. Specialty cocktails are enjoyed on the patio during the warm months. If you’re wanting some wine with your dinner, Malo now includes no corkage fees – EVER.
900 Mulberry Street
Monday – Thursday 11:00am – 11:00pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00am – Midnight, Sunday 10:00am – 9pm.
