Based on 81 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.7 stars. Price
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ Delivery
Address:
428 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 243-0611
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Sunday | 3–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 3–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 3–10 PM |
| Thursday | 3–10 PM |
| Friday | 12–11 PM |
| Saturday | 12–11 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Reviews
Melinda Bianchi
I ate here for the first time last Friday and visited again with another group of friends yesterday for Happy Hour. I wouldn’t call this food Mexican, or even Mexican fusion…maybe Mexican-inspired. Who cares really? Maybe people looking for authentic Mexican food… Whatever it is, I loved it! The flavors were complex yet complimentary. Service was on-point. Restaurant was nicely laid out and decorated. They might have an issue getting groups over 4 in as I only saw one table that could accommodate such numbers.
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Andrew Wright
A welcome surprise finding some great Mexican food in Iowa. The cocktails were incredible and the mushroom taco blew us away! Also a great happy hour. Would highly recommend.
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GZS
I am finding out there are many great establishments in the East Village in Des Moines during my stay. This place is top notch with wonderful service. Had the guacamole and duck carnitas. Both were excellent and will be back!!
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Hope Shaman
MUST GO! Absolutely amazing atmosphere, food, drinks, and people. The hard work that I’ve seen go into this place shines so bright through the outcome of the food, presentation, and overall experience. Every single plate that came out was delicious and every cocktail was crafted perfectly. The attention to detail is very well done. So excited to see this place grow – it’s already off to an amazing start!
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Nick Nanninga
My wife and I had a great dining experience here!! The atmosphere was upbeat, service was friendly and the authentic Mexican food was unlike anything we’ve ever had before. The bartender was friendly and served up some awesome cocktails, a lot of which had an authentic Mexican touch and the margarita was on point! Will definitely be going back!
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Hannah Turley
I had high hopes for this new East Village restaurant, and it did not disappoint. Bar Nico is definitely on the same level as my favorite Minneapolis Mexican/small plates restaurant Colita, and it’s so exciting we have this gem here in DSM. The drinks were well-crafted and my husband especially appreciated how tart his Nico’s Margarita was. The chips came with three different salsas, including some of the best pico de gallo I’ve ever eaten. House-made chips and tortillas elevated every dish. The hanger steak was cooked to perfection. The booths and wallpapered back wall created a beautifully verdant yet cozy atmosphere. There are speakers built into the walls and we jammed to the Stones, Golden Earring, and the White Stripes while we ate, but it wasn’t so loud we couldn’t carry on a conversation. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered five different menu items that were all wonderful, but we need to go back ASAP because there were so many other things we wanted to try. I loved everything!
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claire
all gluten free and so delicious! got queso fundido, shrimp tacos, mushroom tacos, and cheesecake! very cute restaurant and super kind staff!
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John Kennedy
I really enjoyed my time at Bar Nico, but I have integrity when it comes to reviewing bars and restaurants. A bar or restaurant can to get five stars if they do not have a mirror in the men’s room to snap a quick selfie. Because of the lack of a mirror, they have to only get a four star review. The server was awesome and he made sure to ask for a review on the lobby wolf. 10/10 on the lobby wolf.
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Steven
Great new place in the East Village! Service was on point and very friendly. The food was amazing with a unique selection and the homemade to order chips and tortillas are delicious! We will be back to try new things and reorder new favorites!
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doug detrick
I thouroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere and staff. The blue corn tortilla chips were excellant on there own but even better with the guacamole-humus pumpkin seed mix without cilantro, which I do not like, and pico de gallo. (I tried their regular salsa but am not a big fan of chipolte seasoning, which it was made with). I lived in Austin for 7 years and have spent a lot of time in New Mexico and can say, they had the best pico de gallo and guacamole I have ever had and some of the best chips. The taco’s I had were also excellant. They are non-traditional but I really enjoyed the following taco’s: walleye, sweat potato, and brisket, the mushroom and shrimp were also good. Liz my server was very attentive and did an excellant job. I highly recommend this gem of a restaurant.
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