+1 515-255-3725
Nestled in the heart of Des Moines, Simon’s is a standout American restaurant offering an inviting blend of classic comfort and sophisticated flavors. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere wraps you in warmth and authenticity, where owner Simon’s personal touch ensures every guest feels like part of the family. The bustling yet intimate setting makes Simon’s not just a place to eat, but a destination for memorable dining experiences.
Simon's menu is a celebration of rich, hearty dishes that showcase the best of American cuisine with refined flair. The Beef Stroganoff is a velvety, indulgent favorite, perfectly balancing tender beef and creamy sauce that lingers on the palate. Seafood lovers will delight in the Seafood Bisque, a luscious, flavorful soup brimming with ocean-fresh ingredients, or the Seafood Cioppino, which captures the essence of seaside cooking with a robust medley of shrimp, crab, and scallops.
Steak enthusiasts are drawn to Simon’s expertly prepared house specialties, such as the Steak Deburgo and the succulent New York Steak, each grilled to perfection and served with rich Portobello mushroom and onion sauce that adds a deep umami complexity. Lamb chops, tender and expertly seasoned, also feature prominently as an exceptional choice for those craving a more adventurous yet classic American entrée.
Aside from mains, Simon’s appetizers like the crispy, golden Onion Rings and the savory Crab Dip offer bold textures and flavors that awaken the palate. House salads and bruschetta provide fresh, vibrant complements for a well-rounded meal. Pasta lovers can indulge in offerings like Lasagna, Manicotti, and the hearty baked pasta dishes, reflecting homestyle comfort with an elevated touch.
Simon's dining experience is completed with a sweet note—complimentary slices of rich, moist Red Velvet Cake that guests rave about. This thoughtful gesture echoes the genuine hospitality that Simon himself brings to each table, making every visit feel like a special occasion.
Reviews consistently praise Simon's for its attentive service and welcoming vibe. Diners like Anna Schaffer and Stacey Page have shared heartfelt stories of waiting patiently for a table, only to be rewarded with attentive care, delicious meals, and the sense of being valued beyond just a reservation. Audrey Standish highlights Simon’s personal engagement with guests, noting his recommendations extend beyond his own kitchen to the local community. Even after a busy day, the team’s commitment to quality and kindness shines through, as echoed by Michael A Moore’s account of the warm welcome and comfortable wait area.
Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a refined yet approachable dining experience, Simon’s offers a rich palette of flavors, warm hospitality, and a heartfelt atmosphere that transforms every meal into a cherished memory. From the first sip of a carefully selected Pinot Noir to the last bite of their signature beef tenderloin, dining at Simon’s is truly an experience that lingers long after the meal ends.
The best dining experience ever!!! Came here on a Tuesday night for a birthday dinner for 7 people. We called the week prior for reservations but they said they were already full. We decided to still take a shot. We ended up waiting a little over 2 hours. We were all ready to eat and growing impatient. When Simon came and personally told us our table was ready we were greeted with onion rings, fresh bread, pizza, and spinach artichoke dip. Our sever was super friendly and attentive. The team work between the whole staff was extremely impressive. No one seemed to miss a beat. Food was amazing! Simon sat down at our table and spoke with us and introduced himself to each of us individually. I am so happy we chose to wait! Will definitely be back!
We had an amazing time dining at Simon’s. Simon himself was personable and he takes time to get to know his guests. He greets every table and makes you not feel like a number! Simon even took the time to go over recommendations for other local places while we were in town. A+++++ service! The restaurant was packed at 5, luckily we got in line at 4:30. Our server was attentive. We started off with the baked feta, which was delicious. Our second course was a house salad with homemade dressing, yummy. For our entrees I got the New York Strip and my husband got Steak DeBurgo. Both were cooked to perfection. To finish the meal we had house made red velvet cake which was made by Simon’s father. Everything was perfect! We will be back!
My husband took me here for our 3 year anniversary. Hands down was amazing food and the owner is the best. We had to wait a little over hour to be seated but it was well worth the wait. I love this place the food and atmosphere was top notch. They also give you a slice of red velvet cake that was delicious!!!
I enjoyed Simon's. Owner treats everyone like family. Quaint place with a sitting room next door to wait for a table. Drinks are reasonable and bartender is attentive and quick. Onion rings were amazing! Had Graziano sausage with vodka sauce. Spicy and delicious. Wife had chicken Alfredo. She was not a fan but I know it is a go to for my future daughter n law. Red cake after appeased wife.
I took my fiance out for dinner here for her birthday. She is from Waukee and I am from North Carolina. MAde a trip to visit for the special occasion. From the moment you arrive you are welcomed in every way. Read the message on the menu it is exactly what you get. We got there and there was a 40 minute wait. We were shown the lounge/bar area next door to the restaurant and said it would be 40 minutes or so. We sat in the nice lounge/bar and waited. We had a drink and played connect four. That 40 minutes flew by so fast as we were just not standing around waiting. This is the first time I have even seen a restaurant setup like this but I think they all need to follow in Simon's footsteps. Simon was the one who told us it would be 40 minutes and to enjoy ourselves in the lounge and he would be back to get us. Not taking our names or anything which was quite impressive and he came and got us when seating was available. Simon loves what he does you can see and feel it. Now if that was not enough to convince you to try this place. Let me tell you I review so many places and I Iove doing it. I one day hope to have my own place and let me tell you Simon's is exactly how I would setup and run my place and the food was above and beyond amazing. I have eaten at some pretty high end restaurants and Simon's food was at and above them all. My fiance got the manicotti and I got the chicken florentine. I am usually picking on italian food because that is what I cook the most and let me tell you the sauce was absolutely perfect. The chicken florentine had a little spice to it which I love and the diced capicola was a very nice touch. The chicken was so tender and juicy and cooked to perfection. Then to top it off they give you a free slice of red velvet cake and it does not disappoint in any way either so good as you can see we devoured it. If you want amazing food and an amazing experience trust me try Simon's you will not forget it. We will be back.
Amazing food and service! Highly recommend! I had the beef tenderloin with a portabella mushroom and onion sauce (pic) and it was so good. As was my brothers steak deburgo. Also recommend the onion rings and mushroom crostini for apps. For the mushroom crostini they also gave us sliced cucumbers along with the toast points for those that were GF. To top it off, they end the meal with a complimentary piece(s) of red velvet cake to share. Also, love the fact that you can bring your own wine. Corkage fee may apply but 1 bottle is free for groups of 4 or less, and 2 free for groups of 5 or more. Otherwise, it is just a $10 fee per bottle I believe. Make sure to get there early before they open at 5pm or be prepared to wait. They do have an awesome waiting room/bar next door for those waiting or wanting a drink after.
Unexpectedly had the best dining experience of my life! I tend to spent my time seeking out good food and fun and Simon provided hospitality like I’ve never had. So incredibly impressed from the moment he opened the door for us. Since it’s an intimate space, he said we could waiting in the (gorgeous!) lounge next door, he’ll come back to grab us when our seats are ready for us. Jason made a wonderful cocktail with earl gray infused scotch. Such a simple and fantastic idea to make customers comfortable. During dinner, Elise made sure we ordered just the right food to try all their specialties. Truly grateful for Simon and his fantastic team!
This was our first time visiting Simon’s and it was fantastic. We had their Beef Stroganoff and their Steak Deburgo. Both were excellent. The Beef Stroganoff had a variety of noodles (penne, spiral, and sea shell) and the sauce was magnificent. The Steak Deburgo was recommended to us by another guest and I’m so happy that I tried it. The steak was so tender that it cut like soft butter. You can’t go wrong but come early to get a table. The restaurant opens at 5 PM. We arrived at 4:45 PM and there was already a line to get in and we were lucky enough to be the last guests in as they were full. We highly recommend this place as the staff is friendly.