Safe Sips in the Suburbs, Nothing More
Waukee · Des Moines · Japanese / Asian Fusion / Sushi · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Wasabi Waukee reads like it was assembled by someone who Googled 'popular wines' and called it a day. Kim Crawford, Santa Margherita, Meiomi — these are the airport lounge hits of the wine world, and they show up here right on cue. It's not offensive, but for a polished date-night spot, you'd hope for a little more ambition.
The list leans hard on California, Italy, and New Zealand — a triangle of comfort that rarely surprises anyone. There's no real exploration of regions that actually complement Japanese food well, like Alsace, Austria, or even domestic Riesling. What you get is a roster of brands your parents recognize, priced for a crowd that isn't going to ask questions. The gap between what's on this list and what could be here — given the cuisine — is genuinely frustrating.
There are 8–15 pours by the glass, which sounds promising until you realize it's the usual suspects rotating in and out. There is a lunch promotion spotted on Facebook — $3 off wines by the glass — which is a nice touch and the closest thing to a deal you'll find here. Don't expect the glass list to change with the seasons or challenge your assumptions.
Risata Moscato d'Asti NV — $10.65
At a glass price that's essentially retail for the bottle, this is the one moment where the math actually works in your favor. It's sweet, low-alcohol, and honestly not a bad call against spicy rolls.
Risata Moscato d'Asti NV
Most people will skip a Moscato at a sushi spot, but the light effervescence and residual sweetness actually do real work against heat and soy-forward dishes. It's underestimated here and nearly criminally underpriced compared to everything else on the list.
Josh Prosecco NV
Nearly $39 for a bottle of Josh Prosecco — a wine that retails for $13 — is a nearly 200% markup on one of the most mass-produced sparklers on the market. You can find this at Costco for less than a single glass of it costs here. Hard pass.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + Spicy Tuna Roll
The grassy citrus cut of Kim Crawford has enough acidity to slice through the richness of the tuna and cool the heat just enough. It's not a revelatory pairing, but it's the most functional one on this list, and sometimes that's what you need.
❌ The Bottom Line
Wasabi Waukee is a genuinely good sushi restaurant that treats its wine list like an afterthought — familiar names, steep markups, and zero curiosity about what wines might actually sing alongside the food. Order the cocktails or sake instead, and save the wine discussion for somewhere that cares.
Johnston · Des Moines · Wine bar / American
Louie's Johnston is exactly what a suburban wine bar should be — a big by-the-glass list, fair prices, and zero pretension. Send your friends here when they want to drink well without a side of attitude.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Clive · Des Moines · Steakhouse & American
Club Car is a reliable steakhouse wine list doing exactly what it was built to do: keep Cab drinkers happy and nobody walking out complaining. Don't come here for discovery, but don't leave without ordering the Jordan.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ingersoll / Grand · Des Moines · Contemporary American
Louie's Wine Dive is the kind of place Des Moines needs more of — a real wine program in a no-pretense room, with Tuesday half-price deals that make experimenting genuinely low-stakes. It's not a destination list, but it's absolutely a destination night.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Clive · Des Moines · American, Brewpub
Granite City is a brewery that tolerates wine, and the list reflects that perfectly. Drink the beer — it's the whole point of being here.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Des Moines / Jordan Creek · Des Moines · Italian
Bravo! is a fine dinner out if the pasta is what you're after, but the wine list is purely functional — corporate-designed, safely marked up, and entirely forgettable. Order a glass of bubbles or the Chianti, make peace with your choices, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Des Moines / Jordan Creek · Des Moines · Chinese, Asian, Pan-Asian
You're not coming to P.F. Chang's at Jordan Creek for a wine revelation, and that's fine — but show up on a Wednesday, grab a half-price bottle of Whispering Angel or the Browne Family blend, and you'll drink better than the list's full-price reputation deserves. Just don't pay full freight.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.