Waukee

west boomtown · 50263

Waukee is what happens when corn fields meet corporate relocation packages. Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook all parked data centers in Des Moines' western orbit, and Waukee caught the spillover: subdivisions sprouting faster than the school district can name them, Kettlestone's town-center experiment trying to manufacture the walkability the rest of the suburb forgot. Dating here skews engineer-coded and recently-arrived, the kind of crowd that meets at Mickey's Irish Pub or drives to West Glen for anything resembling a third place. The tradeoff is honest: more square footage, less serendipity. You will not bump into anyone. You will, however, have parking.

$61,351

median income

$1,386

median rent

The data

Waukee by the numbers

Median individual income in Waukee is about $61.4k.
● Verified · Census ACS 5-yr, 2019–2023
The median renter in Waukee pays about $1,390 a month.
● Verified · Census ACS 5-yr, 2019–2023

On the ground

Local date spots

17 spots · tap a point, label, or class to filter

Class

Budget

Vibe

17 spots across Waukee

Waukee
Dining
Cosi Cucina Italian Grill
Italian restaurant$$$$★ 4.8 · 1,724
Good for groupsWheelchair access
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.8★ from 1,724 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Cosi Cucina Italian Grill.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue11 AM to 9 PM
Wed11 AM to 9 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 9:30 PM
Sat11 AM to 9:30 PM
Sun4 to 8:30 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Family-friendly · Groups · Tourists
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Destination Grille
American restaurant$$$$★ 4.6 · 1,484
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 1,484 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Destination Grille.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 9 PM
Tue11 AM to 9 PM
Wed11 AM to 9 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 9 PM
Sat11 AM to 9 PM
Sun11 AM to 8 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups · Tourists
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Irina's Steak & Seafood
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.7 · 1,315
LGBTQ+ friendlyGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.7★ from 1,315 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$$$ · top-end is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Irina's Steak & Seafood.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$80
Their share$80
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon3 to 9 PM
Tue3 to 9 PM
Wed3 to 9 PM
Thu3 to 9 PM
Fri3 to 11:30 PM
Sat3 to 11:30 PM
Sun3 to 9 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Central Standard Craft Beer & Burgers
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.3 · 1,143
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.3★ from 1,143 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Central Standard Craft Beer & Burgers.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 9 PM
Tue11 AM to 9 PM
Wed11 AM to 9 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 10 PM
Sat11 AM to 10 PM
Sun11 AM to 9 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Family-friendly · Groups · Tourists
Pets
Dogs allowed
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Cooper's on 5th
American restaurant$$$$★ 4.6 · 884
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 884 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Cooper's on 5th.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue11 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Wed11 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Thu11 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Fri11 AM to 2 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Sat11 AM to 10 PM
SunClosed
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups · Tourists
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Fire Creek
American restaurant$$$$★ 4.4 · 871
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.4★ from 871 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Fire Creek.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 9 PM
Tue11 AM to 9 PM
Wed11 AM to 9 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 9 PM
Sat11 AM to 9 PM
SunClosed
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Delivery · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups · Tourists
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
Mickey's Irish Pub Waukee
Irish pub$$$$★ 4.5 · 710
Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.5★ from 710 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Mickey's Irish Pub Waukee.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 12 AM
Tue11 AM to 12 AM
Wed11 AM to 1 AM
Thu11 AM to 1 AM
Fri11 AM to 2 AM
Sat9 AM to 2 AM
Sun9 AM to 4 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · No-contact delivery · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
College students · Family-friendly · Groups
Contact
Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Gastro Grub & Pub
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.5 · 583
Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.5★ from 583 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Gastro Grub & Pub.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue4 to 9 PM
Wed4 to 9 PM
Thu4 to 9 PM
Fri4 to 10 PM
Sat4 to 10 PM
SunClosed
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Curbside pickup · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Cafés
Home Sweet Cone Ice Cream
Ice cream shop★ 4.8 · 505
Good for groupsWheelchair access
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.8★ from 505 Google reviews
Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Home Sweet Cone Ice Cream.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon12 to 10 PM
Tue12 to 10 PM
Wed12 to 10 PM
Thu12 to 10 PM
Fri12 to 10 PM
Sat12 to 7 PM
Sun12 to 10 PM
Parking
Paid parking lot
Dining
Delivery · In-store pickup · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
Caffrey's Sports Pub
Sports bar$$$$★ 4.2 · 407
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.2★ from 407 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Caffrey's Sports Pub.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 12 AM
Tue11 AM to 12 AM
Wed11 AM to 12 AM
Thu11 AM to 12 AM
Fri11 AM to 12 AM
Sat10 AM to 12 AM
Sun10 AM to 12 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
Urban Cellar - Wine Bar, Grille, And Market
Restaurant$$$$★ 4.6 · 372
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 372 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Urban Cellar - Wine Bar, Grille, And Market.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 9 PM
Tue11 AM to 9 PM
Wed11 AM to 9 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 10 PM
Sat10 AM to 10 PM
SunClosed
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups · Tourists
Pets
Dogs allowed
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
Merll's Pub & Patio
Bar & grill$$$$★ 4.6 · 365
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 365 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Merll's Pub & Patio.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 12 AM
Tue11 AM to 12 AM
Wed11 AM to 12 AM
Thu11 AM to 12 AM
Fri11 AM to 12 AM
Sat10 AM to 12 AM
Sun10 AM to 12 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
Kenny's Garage
Bar$$$$★ 4.5 · 308
Good for groupsWheelchair access
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.5★ from 308 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Kenny's Garage.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon3 PM to 2 AM
Tue3 PM to 2 AM
Wed3 PM to 2 AM
Thu3 PM to 2 AM
Fri3 PM to 2 AM
Sat11 AM to 2 AM
Sun11 AM to 2 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Dining
LT Organic Farm Restaurant
Farm★ 4.9 · 277
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.9★ from 277 Google reviews
Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at LT Organic Farm Restaurant.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 8 PM
Tue11 AM to 8 PM
Wed11 AM to 8 PM
Thu11 AM to 8 PM
Fri11 AM to 8 PM
Sat11 AM to 8 PM
Sun11 AM to 8 PM
Dining
Onsite services
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
85 Bar West
Sports bar$$$$★ 4.3 · 187
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.3★ from 187 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at 85 Bar West.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 10 PM
Tue11 AM to 10 PM
Wed11 AM to 10 PM
Thu11 AM to 10 PM
Fri11 AM to 12 AM
Sat11 AM to 12 AM
Sun11 AM to 10 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups · Tourists
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
WineStyles of West Des Moines
Wine bar★ 4.6 · 138
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 138 Google reviews
Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at WineStyles of West Des Moines.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 8 PM
Tue11 AM to 8 PM
Wed11 AM to 8 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 9 PM
Sat11 AM to 9 PM
Sun1 to 5 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Waukee
Drinks
The Kee
Bar$$$$★ 4.4 · 137
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.4★ from 137 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at The Kee.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 2 AM
Tue11 AM to 2 AM
Wed11 AM to 2 AM
Thu11 AM to 2 AM
Fri11 AM to 2 AM
Sat10 AM to 2 AM
Sun10 AM to 12 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps

Waukee

Waukee by the numbers

Local date spots

Cosi Cucina Italian Grill

Destination Grille

Irina's Steak & Seafood

Central Standard Craft Beer & Burgers

Cooper's on 5th

Fire Creek

Mickey's Irish Pub Waukee

Gastro Grub & Pub

Home Sweet Cone Ice Cream

Caffrey's Sports Pub

Urban Cellar - Wine Bar, Grille, And Market

Merll's Pub & Patio

Kenny's Garage

LT Organic Farm Restaurant

85 Bar West

WineStyles of West Des Moines

The Kee

Reach Waukee singles right where they plan dates.