Which Iowa restaurant was named one of the most beautiful in America? Hint: It's in Des Moines

Since 1990, People Magazine has published its Most Beautiful issue, recognizing celebrities from actress Michelle Pfeiffer to launch the program to this year’s cover star Sofia Vergara. The magazine also named “The 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America,” and one from Iowa made the list.

In honor of People’s 50th anniversary and 2024 Beautiful Issue that came out at the beginning of May, the editors at OpenTable crowned 50 restaurants as the country’s most beautiful.

In Iowa, Mulberry Street Tavern earned the honor for its “rich wood paneling, a zinc bar, and stately leather chairs” that “create a warm atmosphere in downtown Des Moines.”

Maybe the bedazzled raccoon hanging next to the bar earned the restaurant the spot on the list.

The restaurant inside the Surety Hotel in downtown Des Moines opened in 2020 with a nostalgic vibe. Diners can watch the chefs working in the open-hearth kitchen. Just this February, Mike Holman took over as the executive chef after three years and seven months as the chef and operator at Trailside Tap in Ankeny.

What to order at Mulberry Street Tavern

Fans rave about the half chicken with aji amarillo and stuffed pork chop with stewed fava beans, stuffed collards and cherry agrodolce. Mulberry Street Tavern serves the beloved MST double burger decked out with sriracha pickles and grilled onion.

Lunch brings a fried chicken sandwich, avocado toast with a six-minute egg, or chicken salad wrap.

Diners stop in on the weekend for a popular brunch. On June 1, for example, the restaurant celebrates all things Miley Cyrus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a deejay, contests and singalongs. Customers can order blueberry pancakes, a croque-madame, French toast with rhubarb compote, and breakfast burger topped with cheddar, Berkwood bacon, maple mustard, garlic aioli, and an over-easy egg.

Where to find Mulberry Street Tavern

Location: 206 Sixth Ave., Des Moines

Contact: 515-985-2066 or suretyhotel.com/mulberry-street-tavern/

Hours: Open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner every Monday through Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Stop by the bar from noon to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Reservations: opentable.com/r/mulberry-street-tavern-des-moines

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, X, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Mulberry Street Tavern named one of the most beautiful restaurants