Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Iowa
  4. Des Moines
  5. Des Moines
Bar Nico, Des Moines, IA

Bar Nico

4.7
4.7
89 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
  • Charming
  • Innovative
  • Gluten-free-friendly
Our restaurant's mantra is "Sin Maiz, No Hay Pais" meaning "without corn there is no country" as such, our tortillas are hand ground in house from heirloom organic Mexican corn varietals - made daily & cooked to order. As a result of our corn obsession, we have no flour in house & are a completely gluten-free kitchen.

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Contemporary Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 9:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Matt Small

What 89 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Iowa

    Innovative

  • Iowa

    Healthy

  • Iowa

    Hot spot

  • Des Moines

    Innovative

  • Des Moines

    Healthy

  • Des Moines

    Hot spot

  • Des Moines

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Nico captivates with its "fantastic food" and a vibrant atmosphere. Diners rave about the "amazing drinks" and a menu that's entirely gluten-free. Chef Matt's creations are praised for their "unique and amazing flavors." The service is consistently noted as attentive and welcoming, making it a "must-visit" spot in Des Moines.

89 Reviews
  1. Sam

    Chicago5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding! Excellent service and solid food… so solid!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Sunee

    Des Moines1 review

    4.0

    Dined on February 28, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Hard to find, perhaps a better sign outside? Atmosphere was very comfortable. Our server was exceptional! Food was delicious. I enjoyed my Paloma immensely!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Kaden

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Bar Nico is by far and away my favorite restaurant in the Des Moines area. Chef Matt does such a great job changing up his menu seasonally. He does such a great job of blending texture, flavor, spice, all into one amazing dish and the drink selection is incredible and innovative just like the dishes. His staff is also absolutely amazing and very hospitable and professional. Bar Nico does all of this while being 100% gluten free! If you have celiac disease or a reaction to gluten this place is the place for you! I know from experience a lot of times gluten-free dishes don’t taste as good or close to what you may have had before my celiac diagnosis. However, as I mentioned before this restaurant does not cut any corners, and the food is as authentic as it can be! Again, recommend 10 out of 10 times! We have gone several times and are planning to go even more! Hats off to chef Matt and his staff!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Alec

    Des Moines1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a reservation and had to wait 30+ min. Other than that it was great!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Dave VIP

    Des Moines2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The staff at Bar Nico always take great care to ensure the service, food, and experience is exceptional!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jack

    Des Moines5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, top food! We will be back for sure!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Abigail

    Des Moines1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such an amazing experience here! The food was incredible, our server was so kind and attentive, and the margaritas we amazing!! We will definitely be coming back! I will definitely recommend Bar Nico to my friends as well!

    Is this helpful?

  8. amy

    Des Moines3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always amazing. I had the roared chicken enchiladas. Rich flavors. Fresh tasting. Service was outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  9. RD VIP

    Des Moines13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Very cool venue. Very good food, limited but logical menu. A little on the high end of cost I think they could do with about a 20% reduction in cost and they’d be perfect.  We will go back. 

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Des Moines6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was amazing and the service even better. We go often, and it never disappoints. Haven't had a bad thing yet. The service staff seems genuinely happy to be there which is a rare find. 10 out of 10!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bar Nico is rated 4.7 stars by 89 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
Google Map for Bar Nico

428 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-1910

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Contemporary Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 9:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Matt Small
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo