RoCA
Casually stylish brick-walled eatery serving New American small plates and craft cocktails in Des Moines' Historic Court Avenue District.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
RoCA
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Casually stylish brick-walled eatery serving New American small plates and craft cocktails in Des Moines' Historic Court Avenue District.
Order Shared Plates
Try a variety of shared plates to experience different flavors and dishes.
Reservations Recommended
Busy on weekends, consider making reservations for a guaranteed spot.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
New American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Steak de Burgo Toast
Des Moines' signature dish reimagined with steak tips, mushrooms, and truffle mash on focaccia.
Craft Cocktails
Expertly crafted cocktails, including the unique 'Smoking Gun' and 'Gotham Sour'.
Shared Plates Experience
A vibrant array of small plates perfect for sharing, offering diverse flavors.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Order Shared Plates
Try a variety of shared plates to experience different flavors and dishes.
Reservations Recommended
Busy on weekends, consider making reservations for a guaranteed spot.
Off-Peak Hours
Visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and less crowded dining experience.
Consider Sharing Apps
Portion sizes on appetizers can be small relative to price; consider sharing.
Tips
from all over the internet
Order Shared Plates
Try a variety of shared plates to experience different flavors and dishes.
Reservations Recommended
Busy on weekends, consider making reservations for a guaranteed spot.
Off-Peak Hours
Visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and less crowded dining experience.
Consider Sharing Apps
Portion sizes on appetizers can be small relative to price; consider sharing.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
RoCA is praised for its unique shared plates, expertly crafted cocktails, and stylish ambiance, making it a great spot for dates or celebrations. While some find the appetizer portions small for the price, the overall quality of food and attentive service generally leads to very positive dining experiences.
"I went here, for my first time, with my daughter before a show at the Civic Center. We shared some plates and had a couple drinks. It was super busy and we didn't have reservations, but they let us sit in open seats at the bar. I'm hoping to go back again very soon."
Juanita Slaughter
"We have enjoyed our visits to RoCA. It’s a casual upscale bar feel, and the focus is on shared plates. They also have flatbreads and an “entree” section. We have enjoyed the flatbreads and shared plates, haven’t tried any of the larger entrees. The steak de burgo shared plate is really unique, it’s hearty and tasty but fun to try! Cocktails are also good, and service has been good when we have visited."
Dave Donahue
"Surprised by the food - large portions, flavor was amazing! And we were stopping in before the Indigo Girls concert and food got there quickly & our bartender/server was very pleasant!"
Nichole Rusnak
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
RoCA is celebrated for its unique shared plates, particularly the Steak de Burgo Toast, and its expertly crafted cocktails.
Yes, RoCA is frequently recommended as a great spot for date nights due to its ambiance and shareable plates.
Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend evenings, as the restaurant can get very busy.
While not inexpensive, the quality of food and drinks is generally considered good value for the price.
The menu features a variety of small plates, some of which can accommodate vegetarian preferences.
Yes, the menu's focus on small plates and flatbreads makes it suitable for a quicker meal, and food can arrive quickly.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The best restaurants in the Des Moines metro in 2024
RoCA, an abbreviation of Restaurant on Court Avenue, keeps dining fun with sharable plates, craft cocktails and flatbreads housed in one of the oldest buildings in downtown Des Moines, hosting retail stores before becoming a restaurant in 2014. Co-owner Todd Millang asked readers of the Des Moines Register to pick the name of the restaurant before it opened in 2014 in the Historic Court Avenue neighborhood. Chef Andrew Havlovic takes a different spin on steak de Burgo, moving it to toast form, while serving favorites such as seared yellowfin tuna, peppadew peppers stuffed with whipped goat cheese, and pork belly tacos slathered in a spicy chili glaze.
22 Must-Try Restaurants in Des Moines, IA
RoCA, short for ‘Restaurant on Court Avenue,’ is a casual and stylish brick-walled eatery that serves New American cuisine in the form of small sharing plates, creative entrées, and handcrafted cocktails. Located in the Historic Court Avenue District of Downtown Des Moines, RoCA offers an innovative seasonal menu of market-driven fare prepared using locally-sourced ingredients and regional produce. Signature dishes include pomegranate pork tenderloin, seared scallop risotto, grilled flank steak, chicken marsala, and RoCA-smothered tots.
Historic Court District Neighborhood in Downtown Des Moines
Other restaurants like RoCA, Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co. and Pho Real Kitchen & Bar provide a vast assortment of food options. Tons of bars and nightlife venues bring the city scenery to life after dark, ranging from an extensive Scotch menu at The Red Monk to hundreds of martini flavors at The Stuffed Olive, even a game lounge and arcade bar called Ricochet. If food, drink and entertainment is what you’re looking for, Historic Court District is your one-stop shop.
Best Appetizers in Des Moines
If you’re looking to share a bunch of small plates and appetizers for your entrées, RoCA on Court Avenue is the place to go, with more than 20 shared plates options, encompassing everything from sliders to sprouts. But the winner, winner steak dinner here is the Steak de Burgo Toast. Here, Des Moines’ signature dish is given the appetizer treatment, with steak tips, roasted mushrooms, and truffle mashed potatoes served atop toasted focaccia.
Highest-rated Restaurants in Des Moines, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (120 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309-2208- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in the Des Moines metro area
9 Best Places To Eat In Des Moines: Dining On Any Budget
RōCA, or “Restaurant on Court Avenue,” is in the historic court avenue district of Des Moines. Excellent wines paired with locally sourced meals make this restaurant stand out. Smoked salmon bruschetta, pork belly tacos, charred Brussels, fall turkey sliders and chicken masala are items you will find on the menu.
11 Date Night Restaurants in Des Moines
RoCA is known for it's shareable plates and delicious, craft cocktails, and is a favorite among many for date night!. Stop in and take in the appealing design, along with their large selection of wines, drinks and snacks!
40 Best Restaurants in Des Moines, IA for 2025 (Top Eats!)
208 Court AveDes Moines, IA 50309(515) 282-3663 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Open since 2014, this brick-walled eatery is famous for its delectable New American dishes and craft cocktails.
11 Hipster Joints In Des Moines
RōCA, short for Restaurant on Court Avenue, is owned by Aaron Holt. He was taught by the best chef in Iowa – his mother. He has taken what he learned and brought it to an unique places called RōCA.
Top 14 Gluten-Free American Diners to Experience in Des Moines
Perfect spot to kick back with unique cocktails and a rotating menu, especially before catching a show nearby!. Delicious food options. Had the gluten free steak and mushroom flatbread.
must go restaurants in des moines, iowa
The perfect ambiance with a lengthy cocktail menu & shared plate options, how could this get any better for a date night or girl’s night out?
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit