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Basil Prosperi

About Us

Basil Prosperi is a premier Italian restaurant and café in Des Moines, IA. Since 1994, we’ve been committed to delivering outstanding customer service. We specialize in pasta, pizza, breads, and salads, and we offer catering, takeout, to-go, dine-in, and more. We’re known for the consistency of our food and our dedicated staff, and we’ve proudly been a skywalk staple for over 25 years. Our signature jalapeño cream sauce is a customer favorite and a must-try. At Basil Prosperi, we work hard to provide excellent food and friendly service to ensure every guest enjoys their dining experience. We look forward to welcoming our Des Moines neighbors—stop in today!

Areas Served

Des Moines, IA

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Italian Cuisine

Our Services include:

Catering
Dine-In
To Go
Takeout

Our Products include:

Italian Food
Pasta
Pizza
Salads
Bread
Calzones

Testimonials

On 6/23/2026 Hhsjdfn Tsudfb had this to say:
ordered a pasta dish and really enjoyed it. the sauce was rich and flavorful, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the portion was generous enough to leave me satisfied. it tasted fresh and comforting, like the kind of meal you look forward to all day. definitely something i'd order again.

On 6/19/2026 Qasimali Alalyany had this to say:
I completely stumbled into Basil Prosperi the other afternoon while wandering around the 801 Grand building downtown. I was looking for a quick lunch, and the line stretching out the door told me I was in the right place. The setup is a cozy, buzzing Italian cafe and deli that manages to move people through incredibly fast, which was great because I was starving. I was trying to shuffle my wallet back into my pocket while holding a tray and almost swiped a stack of plastic lids off the counter with my elbow, but the person working the cash register just laughed it off and smoothly handed over my cup of soup. The food itself is pure, unpretentious Italian comfort food. I went with their lunch combo, pairing a half roast beef and provolone sandwich with a bowl of their famous jalapeno cream soup. The soup is an absolute revelation, perfectly velvety and rich with just enough spicy kick to keep it interesting without burning your tongue off. The roast beef sandwich was built on incredibly fresh bread with a nice touch of honey mustard, though I accidentally squeezed it a bit too hard and lost a slice of tomato right onto the wrapper. For a fast, deeply satisfying downtown lunch break that won't clean out your wallet, this little family-owned gem absolutely kills it.

On 5/26/2026 Melissa Perez had this to say:
I love this place! i come here for lunch twice a week and their staff is amazing!! restaurant is always clean and food is always tasty 😋

On 5/7/2026 Daniele De Matos had this to say:
This place knows what they're doing! The Alfredo sauce was exactly what I had been looking for, for a while! It was cheesy, creamy and a little salty but that's how Alfredo should be. 10 out of 10

On 4/22/2026 Ashley Vander Veen had this to say:
Fantastic experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The food was incredible and everything tasted so flavorful. The food comes out quickly so you don't have to wait long... Perfect lunch experience!

Contact Us

Basil Prosperi
801 Grand Ave Suite 355 Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 244-2070
Email: basilprosperi@gmail.com

Located in the 801 Grand Building, tallest building in Iowa

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Personal Checks, Debit Cards

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM

News

Thank you so much for the amazing words! We’re thrilled to hear we’re your favorite lunch spot and that you love the fresh, clean flavors and relaxed vibe. And that jalapeño creamed soup really is something special—we’re honored it’s a standout for you! If you haven’t stopped by yet, we’d love to welcome you in and serve up a lunch you won’t forget.

From office lunches to family gatherings, Basil Prosperi makes catering easy and delicious. With flexible options for dine‑in, takeout, and catering, we’re proud to be your go‑to Italian restaurant and café in Des Moines. Since 1994, our focus has stayed the same—excellent food, friendly service, and a dining experience you’ll want to repeat. Stop by today and see why we’ve stood the test of time!

Looking for Italian comfort food done right? Basil Prosperi has you covered with classic pasta dishes, flavorful pizzas, fresh salads, calzones, and more. Our customer‑favorite jalapeño cream sauce is a must‑try and keeps guests coming back again and again. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, dinner, or ordering to‑go, you can count on great food and a welcoming experience every time.

For over 25 years, Basil Prosperi has been a Des Moines staple, serving up consistently great Italian food with friendly, reliable service. From hearty pastas and hand‑tossed pizzas to fresh salads and warm breads, every dish is made with care by a dedicated team that truly loves what they do. Stop in for dine‑in, grab takeout, or enjoy something delicious on the go—we’re always happy to serve our neighbors!

🍽️🥗 Indulge in a delicious lunch experience at Basil Prosperi! Treat yourself to the finest pairings of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastas. Join us today and savor every bite! 🥪🍝