Mulberry Street Tavern Brings Lounge Polish to Downtown

The read from public feedback

Mulberry Street Tavern holds a 4.2 Google rating from 311 reviews, placing it among the more favorably received hotel restaurants in downtown Des Moines. Public feedback repeatedly describes an upscale experience that stops short of feeling stiff or overly formal. The restaurant sits inside the Surety Hotel, but diners emphasize that it works as a destination in its own right, not merely as a convenience for overnight guests.

The overall character is polished and adult, with enough warmth for dates, drinks and unhurried dinners. Cost falls in the mid-range category, though the setting and style appear designed to feel more elevated than casual neighborhood dining.

Cocktails and atmosphere lead

The room is one of the clearest strengths in the available reviews. Diners describe a moody, mid-century lounge look, large windows and a comfortable vantage point for watching downtown activity. That combination makes Mulberry Street Tavern particularly appealing for an evening cocktail, a bottle of wine or a meal where atmosphere matters as much as speed.

Cocktails receive repeated praise, including from guests who initially stopped in only for a drink and appetizer. The bar identity does not appear tacked onto the restaurant. It is central to the experience, supported by a setting that encourages diners to settle in rather than rush through a meal.

Several reviewers also highlight attentive, personable hospitality. The strongest service reports describe staff who remain engaged without making the table feel hurried, reinforcing the restaurant’s upscale but approachable positioning.

What diners order

The public reviews supplied here mention a broad mix of tavern snacks, pasta, seafood and meat. Cheese curds and charcuterie stand out as worthwhile shareable choices in one group’s account. Other favorable mentions include artichoke fritters that avoided feeling overly heavy, fresh oysters on the half shell, homemade Bolognese and bison filet served with creamy mashed potatoes.

No single dish recurs often enough in the supplied feedback to qualify as the consensus order. The more reliable pattern is that appetizers and drinks inspire especially positive reactions. That makes the tavern easy to consider for a lighter stop, while the pasta and meat dishes indicate enough range for a full dinner.

Reservations and pacing

The main caution comes from a weekday visit by a party of seven without a reservation. That table reported slow service and steaks arriving overcooked, suggesting larger groups may put pressure on the kitchen and dining room. The relaxed pacing happened to suit that gathering, but it could frustrate diners with plans immediately afterward.

A reservation is the sensible move, especially for groups or date-night timing. Based on the combined rating, listing details and review themes, Mulberry Street Tavern is strongest when approached as a leisurely evening venue: cocktails first, shareable starters, then dinner if the table wants to stay. Its appeal rests on polished surroundings, a well-regarded bar and hospitality that often feels personal, with some inconsistency possible during more demanding services.