The 20 Best Restaurants in All of Missouri
Missouri is famous for many gastronomic delights, including toasted ravioli, concretes, pork steaks, slingers, St. Paul sandwiches, butter cake, and St Louis style pizza. However, these are not the only dishes you can enjoy when dining out in the state. There is a vast choice of restaurants serving local and international dishes, with options to suit all tastes and budgets. These range from casual eateries that serve crowd-pleasing food to fine dining establishments serving unique creations made using the best ingredients available. Here are the 20 best restaurants in all of Missouri.
20. Lambert’s, Ozark and Sikeston
Lambert’s is run by the Lambert family, and they aim to make visitors feel at home so they can relax while enjoying a meal. The menu consists of dishes such as steaks, burgers, ribs, chicken fried steaks, and fish. Tables are served with sharing side orders that they can pass around the table, so it is excellent for family dining or for eating out with friends. Lambert’s has been open for more than 75 years, and it has built an excellent reputation amongst the locals for the standard of the food and the warm atmosphere.
19. Broussard’s, Cape Girardeau
If you are a fan of Cajun cuisine, then Only In Your State recommends dining at Broussard’s in Cape Girardeau. The original Broussard’s was in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and the Cape Girardeau is modeled on the original. It overlooks the Mississippi River, so guests can enjoy water views as they dine. On the menu, there are both American and Cajun-style dishes.
18. Garozzo’s, Kansas City
All types of cuisine are available in Kansas City, but one of the most popular is Italian. Of all the Italian restaurants in the city, the best one to visit is Garozzo’s. The chef-owner, Michael Garozzo, grew up in The Hill, which is the historical Italian district of St. Louis. He worked alongside his family in various Italian restaurants when he was growing up. He finally fulfilled his dream of owning his own restaurant when he opened Garozzo’s in Kansas City in 1989. There is a wide selection of Italian dishes on the menu, although it is best known for chicken speidini. Alongside the menu, there are daily specials and a full bar.
17. Farmer’s Gastropub, Springfield
When the Farer’s Gastropub first opened, it was run by a British man and his American wife. They wanted to source ingredients from local farmers and bring them straight to their restaurant’s table. Although the restaurant has since changed hands, the farm-to-table ethos remains, and it is once again operated by a British man and his American wife. It is an accessibly priced option that serves the freshest food, and there is also a full bar.
16. Hackett Hot Wings, Joplin
Best Things Missouri says that one of the must-visit restaurants in Missouri is Hackett Hot Wings in Joplin. The owners of this joint have based their 13 sauces on the flavors they grew up eating in family barbecue joints in Memphis but have then refined the flavors to reflect Joplin. Although the chicken wings are the highlight of the menu, there are plenty of other meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.
15. The Block, Webster Groves
The Block in Webster Groves is a meat lover’s dream, as it has its own full-service meat counter. While the public can go in and buy the raw meat, the meat counter is also used to butcher and prepare the meats used for the dishes on the menu. As you would expect from a restaurant with its own eat counter, there is a meat-heavy menu, and all the meats are cooked perfectly to the customer’s preference. However, there are also other options on the menu for seafood lovers and vegetarians. The dining room is a cozy and stylish space with industrial-chic and wood elements.
14. Char Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, Springfield
Formerly known as Touch Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, Char Steakhouse & Oyster Bar is one of the top restaurants in Springfield, Missouri. It is a two-story restaurant and lounge that serves modern Mediterranean fare. As the name of the restaurant suggests, they specialize in hand-cut and dry-aged steaks, and it has an oyster bar that also showcases other fresh seafood. In addition to wines and beers, there is a cocktail list of fun and creative cocktails. There is also a bar lounge area that serves lighter options, and there is a happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm daily. Former diners have praised both the customer service and the restaurant’s ambiance.
13. Gram & Dun, Kansas City
Gram & Dun is located in The Plaza, which is an upscale riverside neighborhood in Kansas City. It boasts a sophisticated menu of American eats with creative accompaniments. The restaurant’s interior adds to the overall dining experience, as there are leather banquettes, wood-beamed ceilings, and one of the best patios in the city. It is known for its drink options, as there is a wide selection of craft beers and wines.
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12. The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange, Kansas City
The Rieger Hotel is a landmark building in Kansas City that was built in 1915. Its on-site restaurant, The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange, has a dining room that has been restored to maintain some of the original architectural features while giving the restaurant a modern look. In the main restaurant, the chef-owner has created an interesting menu that has both local and international dishes. Dishes who want a lighter meal can head to the bar area to enjoy upmarket bar snacks.
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11. Justus Drugstore, Smithville
Justus Drugstore was given its name as the restaurant is set in a former family drugstore that the chef’s parents owned. Chef Jonathan Justus and his wife transformed the drugstore into a beautiful bistro that opened its doors in 2007. Seasonal local ingredients inspire the menu, and the bistro has a farm-to-table ethos. Staff suggests wine pairings to accompany your meal, or you can just order your favorite wine.
10. Prison Brews, Jefferson City
Missouri State Penitentiary is one of Missouri’s most popular tourist attractions. Just a few blocks away, you will find Prison Brews, which is a prison-themed restaurant with a dining room decked out like a detention center. The bar is separated from the dining room with jail cell bars, and the walls are decorated with prison relics. There is a menu of tasty favorites at this casual venue, such as pizzas, burgers, shrimp, and brats. In the summer months, the restaurant opens its covered patio where you can dine in an outdoor setting or play on the bocce court.
9. Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, Columbia
Flat Branch Pub & Brewing is an award-winning upscale gastropub in Columbia. It has been open for 20 years, and it is set in a converted brick warehouse that was built in 1927. The restaurant is known in the city for having the largest bar in Columbia and its spacious patio that is ideal for alfresco dining on warm evenings. Diners can choose from an extensive menu of pub classics that have been given a modern twist. Although there are many drinks options, most diners try handcrafted, in-house brewed beers to accompany their meal. Although the food is divine, there is a relaxed ambiance at this venue.
8. Bogart’s Smokehouse, St. Louis
One of the cooking styles associated with Missouri is barbecue, so many restaurants are offering this type of food. The top option in St. Louis is Bogart’s Smokehouse, which has been open since 2011. At the restaurant’s helm is chef Skip Steele, who learned his trade in Memphis. Steele cooks all the meat on a smoker in the backyard. The meats are slow-cooked over cherry or applewood.
7. 44 Stone Public House, Columbia
The Culture Trip lists 44 Stone Public House as one of the best restaurants in Missouri. It is an upscale gastropub in Columbia that has a menu inspired by the traditional dishes of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. However, the food is given a modern American touch. In addition to the excellent food menu, there is also an extensive list of domestic and imported whiskeys and craft ales.
6. Osage Restaurant at the Top of the Rock, Ridgedale
Top of the Rock is a property that offers accommodation, entertainment, and several dining options. From its elevated position amidst the Ozark Mountains in Ridgedale, Top of the Rock offers guests spectacular views from every angle. The best restaurant at the Top of the Rock is Osage Restaurant, set in a stunning building overlooking Table Rock Lake. There are crowd-pleasing comfort foods on the menu that the chef elevates with sophisticated twists. Below the restaurant is Buffalo Bar, where you can relax with a drink after your meal.
5. Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, Kansas City
Missouri is famous for barbecue joints, and one of the best and the most famous is Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque. The meat is deliciously tender and flavorsome, as it is slow-smoked with oak and hickory woods before being cooked on the barbecue. However, the restaurant is best known for its sauce, which they use to coat all the meats. The customers loved the sauce so much that the restaurant began bottling their sauces to sell.
4. The Boathouse at Forest Park, St Louis
Forest Park spans 1,400 acres, and it is a place that people go to enjoy a range of outdoor recreational activities. It is also home to the restaurant The Boathouse at Forest Park. The lakeside restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining options, and you may prefer to dine on the deck watching the activities on the lake during the warmer months. It is open for lunch and dinner daily, and it is famous for its high-quality Sunday brunch. On some evenings, there is live music to enjoy as you dine.
3. Annie Gunn’s, Chesterfield
List Challenges says that Annie Gunn’s is one of the best restaurants in Missouri. It is open for lunch and dinner daily, with separate menus depending on the time of your visit. An entire section of the menu is devoted to steak and chops, but there are also lighter and healthier options, including salads that you can design yourself by choosing the ingredients. Although it is a fine dining restaurant, the meals are hearty, and there is a casual and unpretentious vibe. There is a decent wine list and a good choice of beers to accompany your meal. You will find Annie Gunn’s on Chesterfield Airport Road in Chesterfield.
2. Rockbridge Trout & Game Ranch, Rockbridge
Amid the Ozarks, travelers can find solitude and tranquillity at the Rockbridge Trout & Game Ranch. The ranch is by a lake at the foothills of the Ozark mountains, and it sits on more than 2,000 acres. It has an on-site restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition to the main dinner menu, a special trout menu offers six ways to have your freshly caught trout prepared. There is even the option to catch your own trout, and then the restaurant will clean, prepare, and cook the fish when you are ready to dine.
1. Overlook Farm & Inn, Clarksville
According to Smithsonian, one of the best restaurants in all of Missouri is Overlook Far & Inn in Clarksville. It is no surprise that this is a farm-to-table restaurant, considering the restaurant is on a farm. The award-winning restaurant sits on 325-acres, so the diners can enjoy stunning rural views. Various dining experiences are available, ranging from breakfasts cooked by a private chef to the heart Inn Dinners. The chef will accommodate customers’ special dietary requirements by adapting dishes if they let them know in advance.
