via Marina Wood Fired Pizza & Italian Cafe Menu (2025 Update)
Introducing via Marina Wood Fired Pizza & Italian Cafe, a hidden gem in Des Moines known for its wood-fired pizzas and authentic Italian cuisine. The menu offers a variety of options, from crispy calamari to savory potato croquettes and tender eggplant Parmigiana. For salads, indulge in the Insalata Via Marina with toasted almonds and fresh mozzarella or the classic Caesar salad with house-made dressing.
The true Neapolitan pizzas like the Margherita with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil are a must-try. Customers rave about the flavorful dishes, generous portions, and exceptional service. Whether you're a meat lover or a vegetarian, there's something for everyone at this cozy Italian cafe. Don't miss out on their delicious Nutella calzone for dessert. The casual yet elegant ambiance and the welcoming staff make via Marina a top choice for Italian dining in the area.
Antipasti - Appetizers
Calamari
Small squid, lightly breaded and fried. Served with aioli
Potato Croquettes
Mashed potatoes, seasoned with pecorino cheese, mozzarella & spices. Dipped in egg, rolled in bread crumbs, then deep fried. Served with marinara sauce
Sauté di Vongole
small, tender clams sautéed in olive oil, garlic & spices
Eggplant Parmigiana
layers of oven roasted eggplant, provolone, fresh basil, mozzarella & marinara
Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella
Antipasto Misto
assortment of meat, cheese & marinated vegetables
Meat Balls & Marinara
Italian Sausage & Roasted Bell Peppers
Caprese
tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, basil and sea salt
Bowl of Minestrone Soup
A medley of vegetables in a chicken based broth, by Vince's
Insalata Via Marina
mixed greens, toasted almonds, cranberries, seasonal fruit, fresh mozzarella, pomegranate red wine vinaigrette
Insalata Rucola
arugula, cherry tomatoes, parmigiano, fresh lemon & extra virgin olive oil
Insalata Caesar
crisp romaine, house made Caesar dressing, croutons & parmigiano
Insalata Mista
mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette, red onion, tomatoes, parmigiano
Pear & Gorgonzola
pears, toasted walnuts and gorgonzola cheese tossed with mixed greens and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Insalate - Salads
Pizza Napoletana - True Neapolitan
Margherita
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, parmigiano, extra virgin olive oil. Options To Add To Your Margherita or Marinara: Meat - pepperoni, chicken, salami, prosciutto, sausage, ham, copa, bacon; Oven Roasted - red onions, crimini mushrooms, bell peppers; Etc. - artichokes, olives, arugula, anchovies, rapini cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, sundried tomatoes
Marinara
Tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, extra virgin olive oil. Options To Add To Your Margherita or Marinara: Meat - pepperoni, chicken, salami, prosciutto, sausage, ham, copa, bacon; Oven Roasted - red onions, crimini mushrooms, bell peppers; Etc. - artichokes, olives, arugula, anchovies, rapini cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, sundried tomatoes
Via Marina
roasted pepper & pesto sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, onion, crimini mushrooms, cherry tomatoes
Sorrento
tomato sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, crimini mushrooms, olives, capers, basil
Pompeii
pesto, mozzarella, parmigiano
Forcella
tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, pepperoni, pepperoncini
Enzo
smoked mozzarella, rapini, sausage
Capri
roasted red pepper sauce, mozzarella, oven roasted crimini mushrooms
Diavola
spicy olive oil, mozzarella, ricotta, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes and basil
Contadino
cream sauce, mozzarella, rosemary chicken
Vomero
tomato sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula
Ripieno (Calzone)
filled pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, ham, tomato sauce
Frutti di Mare
wild cod, prawns, Clams & calamari with olive oil, garlic, capers, onions and olives with spaghetti
Pesce all Puttanesca
wild cod in a spicy tomato sauce with spaghetti
Spaghetti alle Vongole
small tender clams sautéed in olive oil & garlic, also available "macchiato" with a touch of fresh tomatoes
Prawns Positano
sautéed prawns with cherry tomatoes, cream and fresh basil with rigatoni
Chicken Marsala
tender chicken breasts and crimini mushrooms with Marsala wine and cream, over fettuccine
Chicken Piccata
chicken breasts pan fried with butter, lemon and capers, served with fettuccine pesto
Rigatoni Sausage & Rapini
sautéed greens and Italian sausage in a light & spicy sauce
Cacio e Peppe
spaghetti with pecorino (sheep's milk cheese) & freshly ground pepper
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
fresh cream, bacon, parmesan, egg yolk and heavy black pepper
Rigatoni Arrabbiata
made to order spicy tomato sauce with olive oil, garlic & red pepper
Spaghetti al Pesto
basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan & pecorino
Rigatoni Siciliana
scratch tomato sauce, eggplant, peppers and fresh mozzarella
Fettuccine Alfredo
butter, fresh cream & parmesan
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
olive oil, garlic, crushed tomatoes, capers, olives, red pepper & a touch of anchovy
Rigatoni all'Amatriciana
scratch tomato sauce, bacon, onion and spices
Cannelloni di Magro
homemade pasta filled with ricotta, spinach, pecorino cheese, topped with marinara sauce & smoked mozzarella
Lasagna alla Napoletana
beef, ricotta, tomato sauce & smoked mozzarella
Cucina della Casa - Via Marina Special
Dessert
Cannoli
Lightly sweet ricotta with chocolate chips fills three crisp pastry shells
Mocha Decadence Cake
Homemade, with dark chocolate & espresso. Served with raspberry topping
Nutella Calzone
Italian hazelnut chocolate spread baked in a calzone
Crema al Limone
Refreshing lemon cream decorated with a limoncello swirl, presented in an elegant champagne flute
Tiramisu
Homemade traditional Italian dessert with layers of coffee and liqueur dipped lady fingers and mascarpone cheese, dusted with coco powder and chocolate drizzle.
Spumoni
originating in Naples, layers of chocolate, cherry & pistachio ice cream
Limoncello
Sambuca Romana
Sambuca Black
Nardini Amaro
Ramazzotti Amaro
After Dinner Spirits
Bevandi - Beverages
Mineral Water
San Pellegrino
Limonata, Aranciata & Blood Orange
San Pellegrino, from Italy
Soft Drinks - Complimentary Refills
Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Diet Pepsi & Ice Tea
Root Beer
Henry Weinhard's
Coffee
gourmet drip by Caffe d'arte
Assorted Tea
Rainier
Peroni
Georgetown Manny's Pale Ale
Black Raven Trickster IPA
Draft Beer
Bottled Beer
Coors Light
Rogue Dead Guy Ale
New Belgium Belgian Tripel
Odin Thor's Equinox
Shiner Bock
Weihenstephaner Heff
NYF Hard Root Beer
Hard Cider
Kaliber NA
Nebbiolo, Piemonte IT
Pico Maccario Barbera d'Asti, Piemonte IT
Chianti, Toscana IT
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico, Toscana IT
Sangiovese, Molise IT
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Abruzzo IT
Syncline Subduction Red, Lyle WA
Palazzo della Torre, Allegrini, Veneto IT
Mark Ryan Long Haul, Columbia Valley WA
Red Blend
Morgante Nero d'Avola, Sicilia IT
Januik Merlot, Columbia Valley WA
Argiolas Perdera, Sardegna IT
Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Toscana IT
Abeja Cabernet, Walla Walla WA
San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino, Montalcino IT
Marchesi di Barolo, Barolo
Vino Rosso
Vino Bianco
Mark Ryan "The Vincent" Chardonnay, Columbia Valley WA
Novelty Hill Chardonnay, Columbia Valley WA
Zenato Pinot Grigio, Veneto IT
Batromagno Bianco, Puglia IT
Mark Ryan Viognier, Columbia Valley WA
Argiolas Costomolino, Sardegna IT
House Selection Prosecco, Veneto IT
Banfi Brachetto, Piemonte IT
Rose
Prosecco Rose, Veneto IT
Pico Maccario Rose. Piemonte IT
Vino Sparkling/Rose
Vino della Casa
Imported Italian - Red or White
Penfolds Tawny
Barnard Griffen Syrah Port
Dessert Wine
Apertivi - Cocktails
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, prosecco & soda on the rocks
Huckleberry Cosmo
Huckleberry vodka, cranberry juice muddled lime
Negroni via Marina
Punt e mes, Campari, gin & orange twist
Blood Orange Abstraction
Huckleberry vodka, cocchi Americano & blood orange san pellegrino on the rocks
Nardini Manhattan
Copperworks Single Malt Whiskey, vermouth, Nardini amaro, orange bitters and cherry
Maple e Rubino
Knob Creek Smoked Maple, bourbon, Penfolds Tawny port, Angostura bitters & cherry
Moscow Mule
Vodka, Bedfords Ginger Beer, mudded lime, served in a copper mug. Substitute Whiskey/Bourbon for a Kentucky Mule
Positano
Vodka, muddled basil and lime, sweet & sour
Sicilian Manhattan
Bourbon, Pistachio liqueur, sweet vermouth, orange bitters
Mango Martini
Grey Goose Le Melon Vodka, Mango, puree, muddled lemon
Sazerac
Templeton rye, angostura, peychauds bitters & simple syrup with a lemon twist served in an absinth washed martini glass