I did not expect one of my more convincing seafood meals to happen in Iowa.
Then a bowl of clam chowder landed in front of me, packed with actual clams. That argument pretty much ended there.
The parking lot had already hinted that locals knew something I did not. Inside, the surprises kept coming.
Sushi shared the menu with fried oysters, and a seafood counter sat right beside the dining room. For a moment, West Des Moines felt a long way from landlocked.
Then I learned the place had recently picked up a major local award, and suddenly the crowd made even more sense.
I came in curious about the hype. A few bites later, I was already wondering what I should order next time.
An Award Winner With Deep Local Roots
Awards get handed out all the time, but some winners make you nod and say, yes, that tracks.
This one tracks. Waterfront Seafood Market has been a go-to for Des Moines area seafood lovers for years, and its latest local honor feels less like a surprise and more like a formal thank-you note.
Some regulars have been coming for well over a decade, marking birthdays and anniversaries here. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
What won me over was the simple idea behind the place. It sells fresh seafood and cooks it too, so the fish on your plate did not take a long detour to reach you.
The menu is big, the portions are generous, and the prices felt fair for fresh seafood in the middle of the country.
You will find it in a busy commercial stretch just outside downtown Des Moines, making it an easy stop on the way into or out of the city.
The address is 2900 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
A Market And A Restaurant Under One Roof
Few restaurants let you eat dinner and then shop for tomorrow’s dinner on your way out.
Here, the seafood market sits right alongside the dining room, and it is not just a cute extra. There is a full fish counter stocked with fresh catches you can take home and cook yourself.
I love this setup for two reasons. First, it tells me the kitchen is working with the same product they are proud enough to sell raw.
Second, it gives home cooks a real option in a state where fresh seafood can be hard to find. If you have ever stared sadly at a frozen fillet in a grocery aisle, you know the struggle.
My advice is to take a peek at the counter before you order your meal. Seeing what looks best that day can help you pick an entree or a daily special with confidence.
If you plan to buy fish to take home, bring a cooler bag in the car, especially in summer. Iowa heat is no friend to salmon.
The market side also makes this a handy stop for anyone hosting a dinner party. You can taste the goods first, then shop like a pro.
The Clam Chowder Everyone Talks About
Clam chowder is the dish people mention more than anything else on this menu, and after one spoonful I understood the fuss.
The bowl arrived thick, creamy, and steaming. What stood out right away was the clam count, because there were tender pieces in nearly every bite instead of a lonely few hiding at the bottom.
Plenty of chowders lean on potatoes and cream to fill the space. This one still has that cozy richness, but the clams actually get top billing.
I ordered a cup as a starter, and I regretted not going for the full bowl. Lesson learned, and I am sharing it so you do not repeat my mistake.
Chowder also makes a smart lunch if you want something filling without a heavy entree. Pair it with a salad and you are set for the afternoon.
Oyster stew is on the menu too, for anyone who likes a classic, old-fashioned soup with a little extra personality.
On a cold Iowa day, a warm bowl here feels like a small reward for surviving the wind chill. I would call it clam-tastic, but I promised myself only one pun per section.
A Sushi Counter That Surprised Me
A seafood market in West Des Moines rolling sushi might sound like a plot twist, but it is one of the best parts of the whole experience.
The restaurant has a dedicated sushi side, and plenty of diners call it the best sushi in the state. After trying a few rolls, I can see why that claim keeps popping up.
The menu has fun names that make ordering feel like a game. The Chuck Norris roll is a fan favorite, and the girlfriend roll and volcano roll get plenty of love too.
Other options include a king crab roll, spider roll, salmon roll, and spicy crab roll. The pieces are generous, so a couple of rolls go further than you might expect.
Sushi also works well as a shared starter before a hot entree. It is a nice way to get picky eaters to try something new, since a crunchy roll feels less scary than raw fish on its own.
Takeout is a strong move here as well. Big orders come packed on a tray, which makes a sushi night at home look impressive with zero effort.
Honestly, I came for the fish counter and left as a roll convert.
Fried Oysters And Shellfish Worth Cracking
Crunchy, golden, and just salty enough, the fried oysters were the surprise hit of my second visit.
They are lightly breaded and can be pan fried or deep fried, keeping the coating from completely taking over what is underneath.
Shellfish lovers have plenty to explore beyond that. The current menu includes steamed littleneck clams, fried clam strips, shrimp cocktail, peel-and-eat shrimp, and Alaskan king crab for anyone ready to turn dinner into a project.
Those crab legs are a splurge, but they are also the sort of order that turns an ordinary meal into an occasion.
The restaurant runs rotating specials too, especially on Wednesday evenings. Those change from week to week, so checking the current listing before your visit is smarter than counting on one specific deal.
For September 23, 2026, the Wednesday feature is Lobster Night, with a whole lobster served alongside sweet corn, new potatoes, and coleslaw.
Lobster is not limited to special nights either. The regular dinner menu includes lobster tails and live Maine lobster priced by weight.
If choosing one shellfish sounds impossible, order a couple of different things for the table and share.
That is considerably more fun than spending ten minutes arguing with yourself over the menu.
Fish Entrees With A Midwest Touch
Midwestern diners know walleye, and it felt right to see it holding its own among ocean fish on this menu.
The walleye was tender and mild, the kind of fish that makes a first-timer relax. I also sampled the Cajun halibut, which had a gentle kick of spice and a flaky, moist center.
Catfish is another popular pick, and it is a comfort-food classic for good reason. Salmon, rainbow trout, and classic fish and chips round out a lineup that covers nearly every taste.
Seasonal dishes rotate through as well. Daily specials are worth asking about, because they often highlight whatever came in fresh that week.
For picky eaters, walleye or fish and chips is the safest bet. For adventurous types, the Cajun halibut delivers more personality without going overboard.
A shrimp pasta also shows up on the menu for anyone who wants seafood with a side of noodles.
My tip is to decide on fried or not fried before you open the menu. That one choice cuts the options down fast and makes ordering much easier.
No matter which fillet lands on your plate, you are in good hands. I left feeling like a fish-cellent decision maker.
Crab Cakes, Gumbo, And Scallops
Starters can make or break a seafood dinner, and three dishes here come up in conversation again and again.
Crab cakes are one of the most talked-about items on the menu. I loved how the crab stayed the star instead of getting lost in filler, and a bite with sauce made a perfect opener.
Gumbo is the next big hit. It brings a warm, savory, Southern-style depth that feels surprising in the middle of the Midwest.
Gumbo also pairs nicely with bread for dipping, which brings me to one of my favorite small touches here, coming up next.
Scallops are a regular favorite too, and you can find them as a bacon-wrapped appetizer.
Not every scallop plate wins every diner over, so I suggest asking which preparation is shining that day. A quick question can steer you toward the best version.
Coconut shrimp is another fun choice for anyone who likes a sweet and crunchy bite.
If you are dining with friends, order a few of these and share. Sampling is the smartest way to learn which dish becomes your personal favorite.
My table ended up bargaining over the last crab cake. Nobody lost a friendship, but it was close.
Bread, Sides, And A Sweet Finish
A basket of bread before dinner is becoming rare, which is exactly why the bread plate here made me smile.
It is a small, classy touch that sets the tone for the meal. It also keeps hungry diners happy while the kitchen works on the main event.
The sides deserve real attention. The sweet coleslaw has earned a loyal following, and it adds a cool, crisp contrast to anything fried.
Sweet potato fries are another winner. They pair well with nearly any fish on the menu and bring a little sweetness to balance the savory dishes.
A tossed salad is available for anyone who wants something lighter alongside a rich entree.
Save room for dessert, and I mean that seriously. The chocolate cake has fans who still talk about it long after the plates are cleared.
I shared a slice, and I immediately regretted being generous. Next time I am ordering my own and practicing the art of not sharing.
Even kids who are unsure about seafood can build a happy plate out of fries, bread, and cake. That makes this an easier family choice than many people expect.
A Classic Dining Room With Seaside Charm
Artwork covers nearly every wall, and that was the first thing my eyes landed on once I was inside.
The dining room has a classic, coastal-inspired feel, with etched glass details and little lamps on the tables that give off a warm glow. It is the kind of room that feels calm and familiar.
Some diners describe it as a spot you would take your grandparents, and I mean that as a compliment. The style is traditional rather than trendy, and I found it relaxing.
Conversation comes easily here. That makes it a comfortable pick for date nights, birthdays, anniversaries, and family dinners.
Tables get cleaned carefully, down to the edges and under the condiments. Small details like that tell me the team cares about more than the food.
The mood turns lively when the place fills up, especially on busy weekend nights. Expect a friendly buzz rather than quiet whispers.
If you prefer a calmer meal, aim for a weekday lunch. You will get the same seaside charm with fewer people around and more time to admire the decor.
I left feeling like I had taken a mini beach trip, minus the sand in my shoes.
Smart Tips For Timing Your Visit
Timing is everything at a restaurant this popular, so a little planning goes a long way.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, and 11 AM to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday, so do not plan a lazy Sunday seafood lunch here.
Friday nights get very busy, especially during Lent. Waits of 20 minutes are common, and peak times can stretch to 45 minutes or even an hour.
Weekend lunch fills fast too, even shortly after opening. Arriving early also helps you catch popular dishes before they sell out, which does happen.
Plan on a relaxed pace for dinner, since a full meal with starters and dessert can easily take a couple of hours.
Prices lean a bit higher than a casual chain, but the freshness and portions make it feel fair. Plenty of families save it for special occasions, and that feels right.
After my visits, the recent award makes perfect sense to me. This spot proves that great seafood in Iowa is no fish tale, and I am already counting down to my next bowl of chowder.