Bubba
1 / 10

Bubba

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Bubba offers a swanky yet cozy Southern comfort experience with an extensive whiskey list and classic dishes.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Bubba

Bubba

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Bubba offers a swanky yet cozy Southern comfort experience with an extensive whiskey list and classic dishes.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Bubba's Southern Food is hands down one of the best restaurants in Des Moines! Upscale yet welcoming."

TIP

Reserve Ahead

Make reservations in advance to ensure a table at this popular Southern comfort spot.

Sip & Slide Thursdays

Enjoy happy hour deals on sliders and cocktails every Thursday.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Southern

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(515) 257-4744

Address

200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Southern Comfort Food

Authentic Southern Comfort Food

Indulge in generous portions of Southern classics like fried chicken, meatloaf, shrimp & grits, and fried green tomatoes.

Our 2025 essential places to eatExploring The Capital City: The Ultimate Guide To Des Moines & Things To DoGoogle Review
Swanky Yet Cozy Ambiance

Swanky Yet Cozy Ambiance

Experience a stylish setting with a patio, featuring elegant decor like crystal chandeliers and brick accents.

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Extensive Whiskey Selection

Extensive Whiskey Selection

Explore a large array of whiskies, perfectly complementing the rich Southern cuisine.

The 11 Best New Restaurants in Des MoinesGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

BUBBA 📍Des Moines, IA #foodies #fyp #southerncooking #desmoinesiowa
@thumgreenbean
118 likes • 12.2K views

Reserve Ahead

Make reservations in advance to ensure a table at this popular Southern comfort spot.

Sip & Slide Thursdays

Enjoy happy hour deals on sliders and cocktails every Thursday.

#travellife #travellove #travelblogger #usa #krazy #desmoines #iowa bubba in Des Moines, Iowa. Comfort food at its finest
@krazydom
9 likes • 758 views
THE PICKLES! #bellyupdsm #bubba #lunch #cocktails #pickles
@bellyupdsm
76 likes • 2K views

Don't Miss Desserts

Savor delectable desserts like caramel apple crumble or whiskey pecan pie with vanilla ice cream.

Explore Southern Staples

Try unique menu items like shrimp & grits or the classic fried green tomatoes.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reserve Ahead

Make reservations in advance to ensure a table at this popular Southern comfort spot.

Sip & Slide Thursdays

Enjoy happy hour deals on sliders and cocktails every Thursday.

Don't Miss Desserts

Savor delectable desserts like caramel apple crumble or whiskey pecan pie with vanilla ice cream.

Explore Southern Staples

Try unique menu items like shrimp & grits or the classic fried green tomatoes.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Bubba is celebrated for its delicious Southern comfort food, generous portions, and friendly service. Diners rave about dishes like shrimp and grits and fried chicken, and appreciate the upscale yet cozy ambiance. While most reviews are glowing, one diner expressed disappointment with a recent change to the fried chicken recipe, though noted other dishes were still excellent.

"Came here for my child's undergrad graduation celebration! She made a great pick! The food was great! Service was awesome. We even had an episode with one of the toilets while there and the manager made sure everything was right! Watch out for that first stall 🤣"

Monica

"We arrived at opening time, for a weekday lunch. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, frog legs for appetizers, & the mac&cheese (a sharable dish, for sure! So rich & filling!!) with shrimp & bacon, & chicken fried steak for our entrees. We shared a peanut butter chocolate pie for dessert. Our waitress was very kind & professional. Our food was well presented & HOT when it arrived at the table. Veggie garnished were fresh & crisp. A delightful meal, celebrating a wonderful day."

Tina Hawley-Grimes

"Bubba's is great, we got the gumbo, jambalaya, fries, and bananas foster and sweet tea. Everything was excellent. The gumbo and jambalaya were seasoned perfectly and so flavorful. The fries were also nicely seasoned and were cooked to be crispy on the outside while still being slightly soft inside. The sweet tea was less sweet than lots of other sweet teas we've tried (this is a good thing), as it lets the flavor of the tea come through, while still being sweet enough. The bananas foster was also amazing, our only complaint about it was that it could do with a bit more banana.

The restaurant is in a nice old building, and the downstairs seating area really gives off that classic old feeling. Unfortunately upstairs doesn't share the same decor, making the upstairs feel much more like 'generic restaurant', but this doesn't take anything away from the food. The service is also excellent."

George Marshell

What People Like

Flavorful Southern classics
Attentive and friendly service
Upscale and inviting atmosphere

What People Dislike

Recent change to fried chicken recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Bubba is known for its generous portions of Southern classics such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, meatloaf, and fried green tomatoes.

Our 2025 essential places to eatExploring The Capital City: The Ultimate Guide To Des Moines & Things To DoGoogle Review

Yes, Bubba offers a large array of whiskies and signature Southern cocktails, making it a great spot for drinks.

The 11 Best New Restaurants in Des MoinesGoogle Review

The restaurant boasts a swanky yet cozy atmosphere with a patio, featuring elegant decor like crystal chandeliers and exposed brick.

22 Must-Try Restaurants in Des Moines, IAGoogle Review

Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance to secure a table, especially given its popularity.

Where to find 19 great happy hours across the Des Moines metro, from 3hop to Zavy Kitchen

Bubba features Sips & Sliders Night on Thursdays, offering a trio of sliders and discounted cocktails, beer, and wine.

TikTokWhere to find 19 great happy hours across the Des Moines metro, from 3hop to Zavy Kitchen

Yes, Bubba is known to accommodate dietary needs, including soft food diets for post-surgery customers.

Google Review

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Shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, meatloaf, and all the food your Southern grandmother would make are on the menu at Bubba, the ode to founding partner Chris Diebel’s Waco, Texas, roots. Stepping into Bubba Southern Comforts feels like a warm embrace of Southern charm, where you will never go home hungry. Deviled eggs topped with pecan-smoked bacon and a pimento board stacked with buttermilk crackers made in-house, Kentucky-style Benedictine spread, and pickled vegetables start any meal in true Southern style.

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Bubba has only been around a few years but has already become a Des Moines institution thanks to their swanky-yet-cozy atmosphere and unique southern classics. That magazine ready décor has us fanning ourselves like an old southern grandma, and we won't stop hootin’ and hollerin’ about those deviled eggs. If you’re looking for a Southern-style brunch with shrimp and grits, creole omelets, and fried green tomato benedict, then Bubba will leave you happier than a pig in...well, you know.

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