Dumpling Darling - Des Moines

The ambiance at Dumpling Darlings is quite intriguing. As soon as you walk in, your eyes are immediately drawn to the exposed brick walls and ceiling, giving it an urban vibe. A friendly young woman, presumably the hostess, greeted us right away. Our waiter was attentive and approachable, offering a lot of helpful recommendations that we actually took advantage of. Although there was a slight wait for our food, everything arrived fresh and piping hot. We ordered the Avocado Rangoons, which turned out to be the highlight of our lunch—very creamy and delicious. However, we did notice that not all the menu descriptions accurately reflected the spiciness of the dishes. For instance, my wife had to request that her Coconut Fried Rice be remade, which the staff was happy to accommodate. After the adjustment, the dish was much more to her taste and delicious. We will definitely return to explore more of the unique items on their menu.

We ordered the steamed pork dumplings and soup dumplings, and both were fantastic—especially impressive for a restaurant's first day open. We also enjoyed the tractor sodas and cocktails, and while the jasmine cocktail was delicious, it felt a bit small for its price. The service was excellent, and the staff was friendly. The atmosphere was lovely as well. My wife and I will definitely return!

The dumplings here are fantastic! They offer a variety of 5 steamed and 5 fried dumplings. We opted for the steamed selection, which I would recommend for those who prefer traditional flavors. They also have a tofu option for those who don't eat meat. Although the restaurant was busy when we visited, the staff was prompt and friendly. Additionally, they have a good selection of craft beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.

Great place! My young daughter and I got a flight of their dumplings and had a great time trying the different dumplings in the matching sauces. Now we each have our favourites! We will be back to try more!

We had the steamed pig dumplings and soup dumplings, and both were fantastic. There were no issues at all on opening day. We really enjoyed the tractor soda and cocktails; the jasmine cocktail was especially nice, although it was a bit on the small side for the price. The service was excellent, the staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was lovely. My partner and I will definitely be returning!