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

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Bubba

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Bubba offers a swanky yet cozy Southern comfort experience with an extensive whiskey list and classic dishes.
"Bubba's Southern Food is hands down one of the best restaurants in Des Moines! Upscale yet welcoming."
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.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Southern
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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

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

Extensive Whiskey Selection
Explore a large array of whiskies, perfectly complementing the rich Southern cuisine.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
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.
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
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
What People Dislike
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.
Yes, Bubba offers a large array of whiskies and signature Southern cocktails, making it a great spot for drinks.
The restaurant boasts a swanky yet cozy atmosphere with a patio, featuring elegant decor like crystal chandeliers and exposed brick.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance to secure a table, especially given its popularity.
Bubba features Sips & Sliders Night on Thursdays, offering a trio of sliders and discounted cocktails, beer, and wine.
Yes, Bubba is known to accommodate dietary needs, including soft food diets for post-surgery customers.
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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 is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves creative Southern fare in a friendly and inviting setting. The restaurant has an elegant air with upholstered chairs and backboards, interesting artworks, and crystal chandeliers, making it a great spot for a romantic dinner. The menu reflects the rich heritage of the South with classic dishes like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, po’ boys, deviled eggs, fried chicken and waffles, meatloaf, and gumbo, along with signature Southern cocktails.
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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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Bubba now has Sips & Sliders Night on Thursdays with a trio of sliders for $10 and $6 cocktails, beer and wine options. The Southern restaurant in downtown Des Moines offers a Thursday night happy hour with $10 barbecue slider trios featuring pulled pork, chicken, and brisket. Diners can also order $6 alcoholic beverages, such as a mint julep and Old Fashioned cocktails, beer, wines by the glass, and more.
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Bubba and its superb blend of southern comforts — including the Shrimp & Grits, a Cajun-charred gulf shrimp served with Anson Mills white cheddar grits, collard greens, grilled squash, bell pepper, onion and chili oilis — is the Best Local American Food in the metro, according to CITYVIEW’s Best Of Des Moines poll for 2022. 200 10th St., Des Moines, 515-257-4744; www.bubbadsm.com.
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To unwind after a week of work, you might choose to indulge in southern comforts like fried chicken and mint juleps at the beautifully decorated and impossibly charming Bubba. Or try a multi-course meal at the James Beard nominated Harbinger, where the food itself is an art form and is so pretty you’ll feel guilty eating it (don’t worry, the guilt fades after the first bite).
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Bubba Southern comfort takes you on a journey through the rich flavors of the south. Start your Mardi Gras celebration with classic appetizers like Cajun-spiced shrimp or crispy hushpuppies served with a zesty remoulade. The culinary journey continues with signature dishes that showcase the best of southern comfort food, infused with a touch of New Orleans flair.
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Those who love Southern fare should drop by Bubba, Des Moines’ popular spot for comfort food. The restaurant has brunch, lunch, and dinner options as well as a kids’ menu. Diners who drop by at lunchtime can try out delightful treats like short rib sandwiches, chicken fried steak, buttermilk fried chicken, or shrimp tacos, among many other dishes.
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Another great place to include in your list of places to visit in Des Moines is Bubba. Bubba is a family-owned and operated restaurant, they serve the very best dishes, and their setting is inviting. In the restaurant, you will find interesting artworks, crystal chandeliers with beautifully designed chairs and backboards.
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My first time in Des Moines was marked by a fantastic brunch experience at Bubba. The lemon drop martinis were expertly made with fresh lemon and the portions were wonderfully generous - especially the fried chicken. I must commend the quality of the service - our waitress was not only super friendly but also very prompt.
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For elevated Southern comfort food classics like chicken and waffles, fried okra and Kentucky hot brown open-faced sandwiches, Bubba is your best bet. Open for lunch, Sunday brunch and dinner, this downtown hot spot is also a great place for a bourbon or a mint julep. Location: 200 10th St., Des Moines
Bubba In Des Moines Serves The Best Chicken And Waffles In Iowa
Have you ever had a craving for a specific dish, but found it hard to track down in Iowa?. That happens all the time when it comes to southern comfort food — or at least, it did until Bubba came to town!. Visit this soulful Southern restaurant to find the best chicken and waffles in Iowa.
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This southern cuisine restaurant brings the flavor for brunch!. Their meals are cozy, accessible, and feel like home (if your home is southern that is). In addition, Bubba offers a variety of vegetarian, classic, and meat-filled brunch options as well as creative and delicious drinks.
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Iowa might be relatively north in the U.S., but there is plenty of Southern comfort food at Bubba. If you love restaurants that feel like home and are full of hospitality, this one is for you. Start with some fried green tomatoes or crab cakes before moving onto the main course.
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There’s nothing more Southern than a slice of pie after a hearty meal. Bubba’s whiskey pecan pie is served with vanilla ice cream and topped with caramel sauce. Or give the oatmeal cream pie a sample, made with decadent cream cheese and apple-citrus compote.
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Experience a lively vibe with top-notch Southern dishes and mixed drinks, plus a menu that promises something for everyone!. Went in on a quiet Thursday afternoon and the service and food were top shelf. Ribeye steak was cooked to perfection.
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Bubba is a great spot if you're feeling comfort food, but in an up-scale atmosphere!. The aesthetic in this restaurant is so cute, and their take on southern comfort food is pretty much my reason for date night every single time!
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If you're craving good Southern cookin' during your stay in the Midwest, look no further. Bubba is different from everything else you'll find in downtown Des Moines. The restaurants rugged and refined story began in 1993.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (224 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3609- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Downtown's southern-style restaurant has everything you're looking for: crispy breading, high-quality white meat, fresh veggies. Price: $11 w/a side. Address: 200 10th St., Des Moines; 515-257-4744
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200 10th StDes Moines, IA 50309(515) 257-4744 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Bubba, which opened in 2016, is a trendy dining establishment with a wide menu of Southern dishes.
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A Southerner’s favorite spot because of two things: whiskies and BBQs. Yes, we are talking about Bubba Place, which offers Southern comfort and leisure. Indeed, a down-home and a downtown.
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Run by Texas-born managing partner Chris Diebel and head chef Courtney Oberender, they offer the perfect balance of rich Southern food and lighter options to please every palate.
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We recommend getting reservations for dinner at Bubba, the restaurant next door to your hotel that serves upscale Southern comfort foods and signature cocktails.
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Bubba features buttermilk certified organic chicken that is brined, breaded, seasoned and fried to order with your choice of white or dark meat and two sides.
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Bubba – For southern comfort food in a cozy atmosphere, Bubba is the place to go. Portions are huge so you’ll have plenty for leftovers!
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200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309Phone: 515-257-4744 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Bubba (@bubbadsm)
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit