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Address and Contact Information
Address: 9500 University Ave Suite 1118, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515) 994-8378
Website: https://guesthousetavernoyster.com/
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Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster
A Taste of the Northwoods … Opened in the winter of 2024, Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster was created to provide our community with a warm, cozy space to gather with …
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Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster, West Des Moines. 5581 likes · 142 talking about this · 284 were here. Northwoods Inspired – Midwestern hospitality.
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3.2K+ followers · 705 posts · Northwoods inspired. Midwestern hospitality. West Des Moines/Waukee, Iowa.
Reviews
Melinda
We came in with visiting family on Friday. I’m surprised to have such a good seafood option in the metro! I loved their take on classic dishes like the lobster roll. The special of the month was made with truffle butter.
Everything was DELICIOUS! We came in during Happy Hour so we started out with some Chargrilled Oysters and Oysters Supreme. We also got the Smoked Whitefish Dip for those that didn’t eat oysters. I tried a little bit of everyone’s entrée–10/10 would recommend! Our server was also hilarious so she definitely rounded out the whole experience!
You get pull-tabs with Happy Hour items and we ended up winning 2 free beers! I love the lodge design and the communal table in the middle of the restaurant. I definitely did not feel like I was in DSM, anymore. Just remember to request but to sit by the door during winter conditions!
… moreEverything was DELICIOUS! We came in during Happy Hour so we started out with some Chargrilled Oysters and Oysters Supreme. We also got the Smoked Whitefish Dip for those that didn’t eat oysters. I tried a little bit of everyone’s entrée–10/10 would recommend! Our server was also hilarious so she definitely rounded out the whole experience!
You get pull-tabs with Happy Hour items and we ended up winning 2 free beers! I love the lodge design and the communal table in the middle of the restaurant. I definitely did not feel like I was in DSM, anymore. Just remember to request but to sit by the door during winter conditions!
Audrey Klunenberg
There’s a special kind of comfort to inhabiting a space filled with Hamm’s merchandise. We loved the cozy interior and theme, and the waitstaff were attentive. We shared a relish tray, poutine with short rib, and the fish sandwich. As an avid poutine purveyor, I think they have some improvements to be made to their gravy. Maybe some acid to cut the richness and a pinch back on the salt? That said, we will be back at some point! We are thankful for anything new that isn’t another sports bar.
… moreCua Vang
Devine service, amazing food and one out of the four oyster varieties (at the time) we tried was the 2nd best oysters we’ve ever tasted (beer money oysters) I would’ve gotten another dozen but they ran out for the night but it’s okay!
Love the pull tabs: got 1 winner out of 2 tabs. Drinks were amazing and came out quick. Price was consistent with the quality of food. It’s seafood so of course it’s gonna be pricey but done exceptionally well and worth the money.
We came in at 5pm on a Saturday and were told we would have to be done in 1.5 hours but were in and out due to how quick service was. Saw many people were unable to be seated when they came after us so I recommend making reservations here especially on weekends.
… moreLove the pull tabs: got 1 winner out of 2 tabs. Drinks were amazing and came out quick. Price was consistent with the quality of food. It’s seafood so of course it’s gonna be pricey but done exceptionally well and worth the money.
We came in at 5pm on a Saturday and were told we would have to be done in 1.5 hours but were in and out due to how quick service was. Saw many people were unable to be seated when they came after us so I recommend making reservations here especially on weekends.
Casey
First of all, the Wisconsin Old Fashioneds were so good. I love that they come with a pull tab and I won a free beer! Our server mentioned that typically you have to wait until your next visit to redeem it, but he was kind enough to let us use it that night, which we really appreciated. Such a fun, unexpected touch. I also tried the Iowa Nice, and it was an amazing cocktail as well. Super well-crafted and just as impressive as the Old Fashioned.
We started with the pierogis appetizer, and they were so good and the perfect start to our meal.
For my entrée, I ordered the sweet potato gnocchi. It was really rich, and the walnut cream sauce leaned a little sweet, but it was a good complement to the gnocchi. The side Caesar salad wasn’t bad either, the dressing was a bit more oily and less creamy than I’m used to, but it still had really good flavor.
My fiancé got the hot chicken sandwich with salt and vinegar fries, and both were amazing! 10/10. The breading on the chicken was so crunchy and had just the right amount of spice. And the fries? So tangy and delicious. I kept stealing them off his plate.
The restaurant was bustling and every table was full. It was a little loud and at times hard to hear my fiancé talk across the table, but that’s to be expected when a place is that popular. I’m really glad we snagged a booth instead of a table, it made it feel a bit cozier.
We did have a reservation for 6:00 pm and showed up about ten minutes early. We still had to wait, which we expected since we were early. We were seated around 6:05. The only downside was the waiting situation. There isn’t really a proper waiting area, it’s basically the entryway between the first and second doors. It was really cold last night, so it wasn’t comfortable to wait out there. We ended up waiting near the host stand with a few other parties, and it felt like we were in the way with people constantly coming and going. I do wish there were a better setup for waiting guests especially in the winter months. I definitely recommend a reservation and I’m not sure you could get a table without one especially on the weekends.
Overall though, we had a great experience. We spent about $120 for the two of us, had drinks, appetizers, entrées, and even brought home leftovers. Great food, fun drinks, and solid service. We’ll definitely be back!
… moreWe started with the pierogis appetizer, and they were so good and the perfect start to our meal.
For my entrée, I ordered the sweet potato gnocchi. It was really rich, and the walnut cream sauce leaned a little sweet, but it was a good complement to the gnocchi. The side Caesar salad wasn’t bad either, the dressing was a bit more oily and less creamy than I’m used to, but it still had really good flavor.
My fiancé got the hot chicken sandwich with salt and vinegar fries, and both were amazing! 10/10. The breading on the chicken was so crunchy and had just the right amount of spice. And the fries? So tangy and delicious. I kept stealing them off his plate.
The restaurant was bustling and every table was full. It was a little loud and at times hard to hear my fiancé talk across the table, but that’s to be expected when a place is that popular. I’m really glad we snagged a booth instead of a table, it made it feel a bit cozier.
We did have a reservation for 6:00 pm and showed up about ten minutes early. We still had to wait, which we expected since we were early. We were seated around 6:05. The only downside was the waiting situation. There isn’t really a proper waiting area, it’s basically the entryway between the first and second doors. It was really cold last night, so it wasn’t comfortable to wait out there. We ended up waiting near the host stand with a few other parties, and it felt like we were in the way with people constantly coming and going. I do wish there were a better setup for waiting guests especially in the winter months. I definitely recommend a reservation and I’m not sure you could get a table without one especially on the weekends.
Overall though, we had a great experience. We spent about $120 for the two of us, had drinks, appetizers, entrées, and even brought home leftovers. Great food, fun drinks, and solid service. We’ll definitely be back!
Jane Burt
Well, not sure if this is my own taste or if I would have been disappointed regardless. I had really been looking forward to eating here, I’d heard so many things about it but not really good. Not really bad. Just that they had a good menu. And the menu was good. Lot of good items on there that you look at and say wow. I really want to try that! I tried the boursin cheese mushrooms. I have always gotten button mushrooms, moist with a little butter and then a nice toast on the stuffed boursin cheese. Unfortunately these mushrooms must have been portabello. It was cut long and were chewy. The texture was unpleasant. The boursin cheese sauce was tasty, but had a gummy texture to it. I also ordered the Hot Skillet of tatet tots with beef and mushroom sauce. It came burnt on top (see pic), had very little beef and although it had a good taste and was very hot, again, the sauce was pasty instead of creamy. Seemed odd that attention to detail on how these dishes react with thickener isn’t considered. My boyfriend ordered the Oysters Rockefeller. He said they had good taste but again, dry and not moist at all. Kinda made me sad, I had high hopes for this place. Maybe I will try it again one day when I recover from this mediocre experience. Waitress was super nice, I will say that! And atmosphere here is spot on!
… moreAlissa Douglas
Excellent Menu!! Excellent service!! Best Old Fashioned (Wisconsin) I’ve had in years! Great Walleye! Excellent Server; shout out to Saeed! We had drinks, appetizer and dessert Butterscotch pudding with maple drizzle and toasted pecans…. It was so good we are coming back Tuesday Evening with 2 other couples! We ❤️ “Blunch”
… moreJoseph Banfield
Great first experience at Gueshoust! And don’t be afraid if you aren’t an oyster or seafood fan they have lots of great options. I think the name can be misleading. Very attentive and fun service from the bartender and I enjoyed the atmosphere.
The pull tabs for happy hour items or oysters are a great idea and something i hadn’t experienced before. You get one for each item and pull them back revealing if you won anything. I won a free old fashioned!
I got the relish tray for starter which I was so excited to see because I love pickled items. It was fantastic there were so many different things on the plate from beet pickled eggs to pickled peppers! Watch out for the olive pits though wish they were pitted that’d be my only complaint!! I finished with the soup which was great and hearty seasonal bowl!! Highly recommend this place
… moreThe pull tabs for happy hour items or oysters are a great idea and something i hadn’t experienced before. You get one for each item and pull them back revealing if you won anything. I won a free old fashioned!
I got the relish tray for starter which I was so excited to see because I love pickled items. It was fantastic there were so many different things on the plate from beet pickled eggs to pickled peppers! Watch out for the olive pits though wish they were pitted that’d be my only complaint!! I finished with the soup which was great and hearty seasonal bowl!! Highly recommend this place
Kara Simmons
They have an amazing happy hour! It’s a great time to go try oysters if you’re worried you won’t like them and don’t wanna pay full price! Food is delicious! They have the best Brussel sprouts I have ever had! Cocktails were yummy and the service was great!
… moreAndrew and Carolina Weispfenning
We had dinner here last night, 11/14/25 And I told my husband, we have to make a review!
If you enjoy oysters, Seafood, Good drinks, This is the place for you!
We are a big foodies, and we love oysters-And not everyone can make oysters with a ride balance of flavor, textures etc
This place was amazing, We had two different types of oysters (chard grilled and Supreme ) oyster shots, I had the shrimp stuffed with crab (ask for a side of bread for the amazing sauce !!!) and my husband had fried walleye and the Mac and cheese … oh and the keylime was to die for !!!
The service was Amazing, I wish I remembered to ask for his name, he was so knowledgeable and even let me try a couple of wines to pair my meal perfectly ! 10 out of 10 we will come back !!
*place was packed so thankfully we had a reservation! So that’s a good idea if you plan of going during The Weekend !!
… moreIf you enjoy oysters, Seafood, Good drinks, This is the place for you!
We are a big foodies, and we love oysters-And not everyone can make oysters with a ride balance of flavor, textures etc
This place was amazing, We had two different types of oysters (chard grilled and Supreme ) oyster shots, I had the shrimp stuffed with crab (ask for a side of bread for the amazing sauce !!!) and my husband had fried walleye and the Mac and cheese … oh and the keylime was to die for !!!
The service was Amazing, I wish I remembered to ask for his name, he was so knowledgeable and even let me try a couple of wines to pair my meal perfectly ! 10 out of 10 we will come back !!
*place was packed so thankfully we had a reservation! So that’s a good idea if you plan of going during The Weekend !!
Kara Williams
Went here on Wednesday night for our anniversary dinner. Got a bottle of wine to start, then ordered the pork shank (by our waitresses recommendation) with the mashed potatoes and spouse got the burger with fries. The pork shank with the squash puree sauce was delicious! It was a little on the cooler side, temperature wise, but I know pork when done is a much lower temp than beef so not sure if that’s why. The potatoes were delish!
For dessert we got the tiramisu cake and seasonal pie. The pie was amazing! The cake though was pretty dry, so won’t likely order that again. We will likely be back!
… moreFor dessert we got the tiramisu cake and seasonal pie. The pie was amazing! The cake though was pretty dry, so won’t likely order that again. We will likely be back!