I had been to Louie's Wine Dive a few times before Friday, August 15, but usually for apps and drinks, not a full meal. On this occasion, I ordered the chicken piccata. It was amazing. I literally cleaned my plate, and it was a very generous portion (see picture). Our server was friendly, attentive, and took care of us perfectly. I will definitely be back!!
Overview
Walking into Louie’s Wine Dive at 4040 University Ave suite a, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States, feels like stepping into a place that already knows you. I’ve eaten here more times than I can count, sometimes after a long workday, other times for a slow weekend brunch, and the experience has stayed consistent in a way that’s hard to fake. The room hums with casual energy, servers actually remember returning guests, and the menu balances comfort with just enough ambition to keep things interesting.
What keeps me coming back is how the kitchen treats familiar food with respect. The menu changes seasonally, but staples like the mac and cheese or the well-executed burgers always deliver. One visit stands out when I watched a server explain the wine pairing process to a table next to me, breaking it down without any pressure or snobbery. That approach reflects a real method in hospitality: meet guests where they are. According to research from the National Restaurant Association, diners are more likely to return to restaurants where staff make recommendations in an approachable way, and this place nails that every time.
The wine program is clearly a focus, but it never overwhelms the experience. Instead of an intimidating list, selections are curated to complement the food. On one visit, I tried a flight recommended by the staff, paired with a flatbread and a seasonal pasta. The pairing worked because the wines were chosen for balance rather than flash. Studies published by the Journal of Foodservice Business Research show that thoughtful pairing increases overall guest satisfaction, and you can feel that philosophy in action here. It’s less about showing off bottles and more about enhancing the meal.
Brunch deserves its own moment. I’ve brought friends who claimed they weren’t brunch people, and they left reconsidering that stance. Dishes arrive hot, portions are generous without being wasteful, and the kitchen handles timing well even during busy hours. The process behind this is clear: streamlined prep, a focused menu, and staff communication. The USDA has long emphasized the importance of proper kitchen workflow for food safety and consistency, and this spot seems to take those standards seriously. I’ve never had a dish come out undercooked or sloppily plated.
Reviews around Des Moines often mention the welcoming vibe, and that matches my experience. On one occasion, a minor delay happened during a packed dinner service. Instead of brushing it off, the manager checked in personally and explained what was happening. That kind of transparency builds trust, and it aligns with customer service principles taught by organizations like the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, which stress honest communication as key to guest loyalty. Not every visit is perfect, but how issues are handled matters more than pretending they don’t exist.
The location itself works in its favor. Being on University Avenue makes it easy to reach, whether you’re local or visiting nearby neighborhoods. Parking is manageable, and the space feels designed for lingering conversations rather than rushing people out. I’ve noticed groups celebrating birthdays alongside couples on casual date nights, which says a lot about versatility. The menu supports that range, offering shareable plates alongside hearty mains, so different dining styles fit comfortably.
If there’s any limitation worth noting, it’s that peak hours can get busy, and waits happen. That’s not unique to this restaurant, and it’s a common tradeoff for places with strong reputations. Based on my experience and consistent feedback from other diners, the food quality and service usually justify the wait. Phrases like worth the wait and go-to neighborhood spot come up often in conversations and reviews, and they feel earned rather than exaggerated.
Overall, dining here feels grounded in real experience, not hype. The team understands food, wine, and people, and that combination shows up in every visit, from the menu choices to the way guests are treated once they sit down.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ No-contact delivery ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great beer selection ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine list ✓ Live music ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Happy-hour food ✓ Healthy options ✓ Late-night food ✓ Private dining room ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ Toilet ✓ Wi-Fi ✓ Wi-FiAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Romantic ✓ Trendy ✓ UpmarketCrowd
✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPets
✓ Dogs allowed outsidePhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 800 reviews
Down the street from Drake Law School is Louie’s Wine Dive a Drake neighborhood gem. Welcoming is genuine from Ginny, John and Brandy. Entering I took a seat at the bar where I was able to peruse the colorful concoctions drafted by Ginny who was very customer focused offering up loads of brand trivia even mentioning the most popular burger which was the Louie Burger. This burger was well portioned in terms of meat to bun. The caramelized onions, sliced pickle and sauce were intoxicatingly delicious. As a non alcohol drinker Ginny blended this lemonade mock-tail which was absolutely good. The decor was moderately decorated with a colorful scheme that scintillated a customer friendly vibe. Stop in and try their Louie Burger - watch any of their Big Screens in tune with the March Madness, and the Easter Celebration- you will be surrounded with good food and a congenial atmosphere that would be a slam dunk of good comforting fun.
Food is consistently good, service super, love live jazz nights. Cameron and Alexis deserve raises as they were incredible!! Thank you for delicious food, atmosphere and top notch service. Love open table for reservations! New app to track points, easy to know where I stand. Keep up the great work Louies!!
Best cheese curds I’ve ever had & they are GF! The crab Benedict, chicken sandwich & burger were very good! The ball got dropped with the breakfast potatoes & French fries…soggy & not very hot. (Could have been timing?) Loved being able to sit on the patio in the shade & seeing its dog friendly! Server was nice but late in taking our order & clearing our plates. I’ll definitely be back for another Limoncello Spritz & Squeaky Cheese (curds) with my dog, Blue!
Went here for an early Valentine's Day dinner with the wife to avoid crowds. First, I will say that even though they were somewhat busy and we didn't have a reservation, we were able to get a table quickly, which was nice. The table they had us at was very small, even for just 2, which was a bit of a downside. Our server was very professional, and did a good job checking in during the meal without being overbearing. I got the 4 pork gnocchi. I was a bit worried that the red wine sauce might be too strong, but it was actually very good, and I enjoyed the dish a lot. The only downside is that there weren't as many pork pieces as I would have expected; the dish was great, just a little light on meat, especially given its name. My wife got the Pumpkin Marscapone Ravioli with chicken. She thought the sauce was actually much too sweet, and though the chicken was good, the dish was just not as good as she'd hoped. She put a generous amount of salt and pepper on, which improved it, but she still ended up eating less of it than she would have if it had been more savory. We also got a chocolate molten cake to share. This was small, but given how intense the flavor was turned out to be just the right size. It was good, but easily took twice as long as our entrees to come out (nearly 30.minutes just for this; we weren't sure if the order just got in at a bad time, it what, but the wait for the desert was the worst part of the experience for the night. The atmosphere was also good, with jazz music played just loud enough that other tables talking were just a din, but not so loud you couldn't talk at your own table. The lighting was also good. The only bad part was that our table was more like the size of an end table, but we made do with it Overall, this place was very good, with just a couple little things that could be improved. We'd go again.
Great place overall. The service was excellent, and the staff was friendly and professional. Live jazz was performed as part of the Wednesday night schedule, which created a fantastic atmosphere for dinner. The food was served hot and fresh and was plated well. The crab cakes were delicious.
Look, I was having a hard day when I came in. Cameron here, he made sure to take the time to make my visit special. He helped me find a solid drink during happy hour, guided me through the menu expertly, and made the experience special. 10/10 this guy knows his stuff and I will be back.