Advertisement

Iowa Food & Dining

St. Kilda's Surf And Turf Is An Iowa Restaurant That Comes From The Land Down Under

By Kim Magaraci | Published December 15, 2019

Des Moines is one of the best cities in all of America for foodies. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, and there are new restaurants and cafes opening all the time. Did you know the city is home to an Australian restaurant right here in Iowa? Visit St. Kilda to try a meal that will make you feel like you’re on the other side of the world.

When Australian-raised restauranteur Alexander Hall decided to open up a cafe here in Des Moines, he named it after his home town near Melbourne and welcomed the chance to bring Australian influence to Iowa.

Now, St. Kilda Surf & Turf has earned a reputation for being one of the most welcoming spots for a meal in the capital city.

Advertisement

The menu focuses on healthy and modern fare, like this beautiful pan seared halibut dish served with heirloom carrots, broccolini, and a flavorful green curry sauce.

Advertisement

You'll also find comfort food favorites like fish and chips, inspired by the homestyle Australian cuisine that Hall grew up with.

Nearly everything on the menu is house-made. Try their speciality burger featuring a freshly ground blend of wagyu beef, wild boar, elk, and bison. It's served with bacon jalapeño jam and housemade pickles, and topped with swiss cheese.

Their buttermilk brined fried chicken sandwich is served with hand-cut chips (or fries, to the Americans in the room). It's an incredible take on a country dish classic.

Perhaps their most famous dish is the grilled salmon served with brussel sprouts. Enjoy Butternut squash, a crispy rice cake, five spiced apples all topped with a sweet chili glaze. You will fall in love at first bite!

Be sure to try the Australian potato cakes for a taste of the land down under. They're the perfect side dish to any meal.

Advertisement

St. Kilda Surf & Turf serves breakfast all day, along with salads and a selection for both 'surf' and 'turf' lovers. You'll feel like you're on vacation with every dish you order.

You can find a full menu and more information on the St. Kilda website, here.

For more unique dining in the Hawkeye State, read You Might Not Know These 9 Amazing German Restaurants Can Be Found In Iowa.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Featured Addresses

111 E Grand Ave Suite 101, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA