One Iowa Restaurant Made the ‘Best of the Midwest’ List for 2024

Late last month, (March of 2024), Midwest Living released a list of winners for their 2024 Best of the Midwest Awards! The article highlights 25 of "the buzziest openings of the past year" in the categories of Lodging, Arts & Culture, Outdoors, Family, and Food & Drink.

Out of the 25 honorees, only ONE comes from the state of Iowa, and it's in the Food & Drink category. It's a Des Moines Restaurant called Oak Park.

According to the Des Moines Register, Oak Park opened its doors at 3901 Ingersoll Avenue last October. The executive chef is Ian Robertson, who formerly worked at another popular Des Moines restaurant, 801 Chophouse.

Oak Park's website says that the restaurant is a "masterful fusion of refined Prairie-style architecture, warm hospitality, a world-class wine program, and modern American cuisine inspired by the changing seasons." Current entrees include Pork Ragu, Carrot Wellington, Filet Mignon, Seafood Pasta, Pan Roasted Halibut, and more. They even have a $100 Banana Split for dessert!

So, why was Oak Park chosen as one of the "Best of the Midwest" for 2024? The article reads:

"Rarely does a restaurant generate enough buzz that the chef of Noma in Copenhagen, arguably the most famous restaurant in the world, comments on Instagram saying he hopes to visit one day. Oak Park can claim that. Dinners in the architecturally stunning Prairie-style dining room are long and luxurious, enhanced by whimsical cones of caviar, prime meats cooked on a Josper charcoal grill and a wine list the size of a book."

Oak Park currently has a 4.9-star rating on Google, with at least one customer saying it was the best food they have ever eaten! Many reviews mention that the restaurant is expensive, but that it is worth the price. It's also revered for its amazing service and atmosphere.

If you're interested in visiting Oak Park in Des Moines, you'll likely need to make a reservation online HERE. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. You can check out the current menu and pricing HERE.