According to Wikipedia, a destination restaurant “has a strong enough appeal to draw customers from beyond its community.” The destination restaurant’s origins were with the Michelin Guide in France, who rated restaurants based on whether they were worth a special trip. Here in Michigan, we’re lucky to enjoy plenty of this category of restaurants. Of course, we have the privilege of living in-state. However, even if you don’t call Missouri home, you’ll find that any spot on our list of destination restaurants in Missouri is worth the trip! Here are just a few of Missouri’s best:

1. Abigail’s, Rocheport
Yelp/ Anastasia L.
Yelp/ David W.
Located at 206 Central Street, Abigail’s is a charming little restaurant in a small but beautiful Missouri River town. The menu changes twice daily, and the prices are fairly reasonable. Because of the size, get there early for lunch and make reservations if you are coming for dinner. Finish the meal off with one of their delicious homemade desserts. To learn more about this restaurant, visit Abigail's online.
2. Café Blackadder, Warrensburg
Facebook/ Café Blackadder
Yelp/ Billie H.
Café Blackadder prides itself on using locally-sourced goods. The menu features a variety of farm-fresh salads and sandwiches, including their Turkey Salami Panini, which was voted best sandwich in Missouri. They also have vegan options, and feature a funky, relaxed atmosphere and counter seating. Curious to learn more? Head on over to the Café Blackadder website.
3. The Courtyard at Overlook Farm, Clarksville
Facebook/ Overlook Farm
Facebook/ Overlook Farm
This seasonal restaurant offers menu items that have been raised or grown on Overlook Farm, and guests who stay at the spacious and luxurious on-site inns can get items from its menu year-round. It is located next to the Mississippi River just off Highway 79 near Clarksville. The decor features wood burning ovens and grills, open fire-pits, fountains and a waterfall, and they are known for their original blooming wisteria. They also feature live music each weekend. For more information, head on over to the Courtyard at Overlook Farm website.
4. Ophelia’s, Independence
Facebook/ Ophelia’s Restaurant and Inn
Yelp/ Melissa C.
Ophelia’s has been a favorite in Independence for many years. Located in the historic Independence Square, they have an eclectic menu that includes simple soups and salads as well as steak, duck, lamb and seafood like Alaskan halibut. For dessert, try the scrumptious chocolate crème brulee. Guests enjoy a casual, romantic, and friendly atmosphere, making Ophelia’s a true gem.
5. Osage Restaurant, Ridgedale
Yelp/ Trina H.
Yelp/ Heather F.
When it comes to destination restaurants in Missouri, Osage Restaurant certainly qualifies. Osage is one of the amazing restaurants at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, near Branson. It boasts a beautiful view of Table Rock Lake and Ozark Mountain, and combines modern elegance with natural beauty. Décor includes rugged wood beams and centerpiece iron chandeliers, as well as rich leathers, tapestries, custom artwork and native artifacts. For dinner, try the scallops and the rack of lamb. Finish it off with a delicious dessert like gooey butter cake and vanilla bean ice cream. Osage Restaurant is truly a dining experience like no other, and is a top notch destination everyone should experience. For more information, head on over to the Osage Restaurant website.
6. The Blue Owl, Kimmswick
Yelp/ Hao X.

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Facebook/ The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery
The Blue Owl features comfort foods like southern fried chicken and biscuits in generous portions. However, they are most famous for their Carmel Pecan Levee High Apple Pie®. This delicious dessert was featured on the Food Network's "Paula’s Party," and, in 2011, was selected as one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite things and was featured in O Magazine.

Located along the Mississippi River about 30 minutes south of downtown St. Louis, the restaurant and bakery serves breakfast and lunch. The Blue Owl Sweet Shoppe features an old fashioned soda fountain, 20 different flavors of ice cream, house made candies, specialty coffee and hot chocolate, and a gift shop, and is located next door to the restaurant.
7. Audubon's by Chaumette, Ste Genevieve
Yelp/ Carl K.
Yelp/ Sally P.
Located just one-hour south of St. Louis in beautiful, historic Ste Genevieve, Audobon's offers exquisite fine dining. Housed in the former Hotel Ste Genevieve, the restaurant consists of 4,000 square feet of first floor dining, which includes a bar, a main dining room and two private dining rooms, along with a lower level events space with a wine cellar-like atmosphere. Under new ownership as of March 1st, many old favorites remain on the menu along with unique new dishes like bacon-wrapped shrimp with honey-mustard bourbon glaze. For more information, you can visit Audubon's website.
8. Hermann Wurst House, Hermann
Yelp/ John A.
Yelp/ Chris C.
Hermann Wurst House is located in historic Hermann in Missouri wine country along Highway 100. They offer more than 40 varieties of fresh and smoked sausages, bratwursts and bacon. The restaurant and deli offers the day’s fresh sausuage choices along with hickory-smoked pulled pork, and deli meat sandwiches. In addition, Hermann Wurst House brews its own line of German-style beer and offers locally crafted sodas.
9. Balducci Vineyards, Augusta
balducciswineryandrestaurant.com
balducciswineryandrestaurant.com
Balducci Winery sits on 76 beautiful acres along Highway 94, and includes a winery, tasting room and a restaurant. Pair your meal chosen from their classic Italian menu with one of their award-winning wines. They feature both thin crust and deep dish pizza, Italian favorites like garlic cheese bread, baked brie, and toasted ravioli, along with classic Italian pasta dishes and entrees. Enjoy a delicious meal in a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere.
10. Claverach Farm & Vineyards, Eureka
Yelp/ Zach S.
Yelp/ Zach S.
The 300-acre Claverach Farm is located just twenty miles outside of St. Louis. At first, the farm would grow specialty produce and microgreens and sell them to local restaurants. When they converted their 100-year-old barn into a venue featuring farm-to-table meals for the community, their Saturday "farm dinners" became extremely popular. The meals feature four courses, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, served at long community tables. Guests are welcome to wander through the property’s gardens, orchards and vineyards before and between courses.
11. Stone Soup Cottage, Cottleville
Yelp/ Stone Soup Cottage
Yelp/ Steve B.
Stone Soup Cottage is a one-of-a-kind experience in historic Cottleville. Thursdays through Saturdays, Chef Carl McConnell and his wife Nancy offer reservation-only "farm to fork" dinners. They feature a six-course, prix-fixe French and Italian tasting menu with seasonal dishes paired with complementary wines. Located on a 6.5-acre farm, they furnish the majority of their own produce. The décor is rustically elegant, housed in a building that was constructed of wood from the farm's original 1930s barn overlooking the farm's fields and ponds. Curious to learn more? Visit the Stone Soup Cottage website.

What is your favorite place to dine in Missouri? Have you been to any of these destination restaurants in Missouri? We would love to hear about your experience — be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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More to Explore

destination restaurants in Missouri

Beth C. | May 13, 2021

What are the most unique restaurants in Missouri?

Now that you've learned about some must-try destination restaurants in Missouri, we'd like to highlight another spot. One of the most unique restaurants in Missouri, Rockbridge Trout Ranch is a must. Rockbridge Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch is the definition of a hidden gem. For one, it's tucked away within the foothills of the Ozarks. Once you arrive here, you'll find nothing but peace and quiet. And, of course, tons of trout! The restaurant offers an impressive trout restaurant that allows endless ways to enjoy this delicacy. One of the most unique experiences is the Catch & Keep option which allows you to fish for your dinner, which will then be cleaned and packaged for you so that you can cook it yourself.

Where can I go in Missouri that only the locals know about?

Experiencing Missouri as the locals do means finding out-of-the-way places that are often overlooked by crowds. Some of the best local gems in Missouri include the Prairie Garden Trust, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Mark Twain Landing, Rockbridge Memorial State Park, Big Cedar Lodge, Kozy Kaboose at the St. Louis West KOA Campground, and Wakonda State Park. For more information, be sure to read about these places in Missouri that only the locals know about.

Where can I find the best barbecue in Missouri?

Pinpointing the best barbecue in Missouri is a tall order given the fact that the Show-Me State boasts some of the best in the nation. Of course, everyone has their preferences, but the following is consistently ranked as the best barbecue in the state: Big Muddy BBQ, A Little BBQ Joint, Sugarfoot BBQ, Bootlegger's BBQ, Fishin' Pig, Missouri Hick BBQ, and Roper's Ribs. Curious to learn more? Read our previous article: These 7 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Restaurants In Missouri Are Great Places To Eat.

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Featured Addresses
206 Central St, Rocheport, MO 65279, USA
121 N Holden St, Warrensburg, MO 64093, USA
16095 Hwy W, Clarksville, MO 63336, USA
201 N Main St, Independence, MO 64050, USA
Osage Restaurant, 150 Top of the Rock Rd, Ridgedale, MO 65739, USA
The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery, 6116 2nd St, Kimmswick, MO 63053, USA
9 N Main St, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670, USA
Hermann Wurst Haus, 234 E 1st St, Hermann, MO 65041, USA
6601 S Missouri 94, Augusta, MO 63332, USA
570 Lewis Rd, Eureka, MO 63025, USA
Stone Soup Cottage, 5809 Hwy N, Cottleville, MO 63304, USA