A trip to these best restaurants in Branson, Missouri, can make memories that will last a lifetime.
In this down-to-earth place with a touch of natural country charm, the holiday experience includes great food and fun in equal measure. Finding the best restaurants in Branson, Missouri, can occasionally be difficult due to the abundance of available options.
We’re here to simplify it for you with some of the must-visit restaurants in Branson, the most well-liked restaurants in Branson, and the best restaurants in nearby areas.
The Branson restaurants have various dining options, from breakfast to dinner. Also, Branson has many family-friendly restaurants serving the most delicious food. You can also find a variety of dining cuisines available, from Italian, Japanese, and Mexican to fusion dishes.
This town may be a foodie’s dream where you can spend a night eating pub food like wings and a beer at a local sports bar, dining at a classic diner the next night, or indulging in a hearty seafood feast.
Best Places to Eat in Branson, MO
At one of the most reputable downtown eateries in Branson, Missouri, you may start your day with a heaping plate of pancakes, biscuits, and gravy. After a full day of exploring Branson’s attractions and activities, you may wind down and unwind at one of the city’s best restaurants or cafes. In Branson, there are many different best restaurants to pick from.
You have the option of going with a well-known national chain, or you could go with something fresh and original.
1. BillyGail’s Cafe
Billy Gail’s Cafe is the ideal location for a satisfying breakfast or lunch if you’re searching for a dining experience embodying the Ozarks’ spirit. BillyGail’s Cafe is a must-visit.
Antiques and country cafe decor are incorporated throughout the former service station turned restaurant, making it comfortable and pleasant for customers.
This Branson restaurant’s main dish is hubcap-sized pancakes served to guests on overlapping plates. They are available in various flavors such as chocolate chip, blueberry, and pecan. Breakfast favorites include stuffed French toast, a variety of omelets, and extra-thick biscuits and gravy. The cafe offers hearty burgers, handmade soups, and lunch sandwiches.
BillyGail’s operates a country store next to a mortar restaurant where customers can acquire distinctive crafts and souvenirs to take home in addition to the restaurant’s substantial portions.
2. Level 2 Steakhouse
The Level 2 Steakhouse is a fine dining venue that excels in flavor, ambiance, sophistication, and overall experience if you’re searching for non-chain restaurants in Branson, Missouri.
The hearty steakhouse soup, which comes with cheddar cheese, smoked tomatoes, and flavorful steak tips and is topped with sour cream and green onions, is a great way to start your meal. For appetizers, seafood fans can choose from a light shrimp cocktail with poached white shrimp and red cabbage slaw or gently battered calamari served with Key lime miso mayonnaise.
The selection is quite delicious, and you have to try the distinctive L2 salad, which features candied walnuts, strawberries, pineapple, Missouri’s best goat cheese, and seasonal spring greens.
Don’t forget to save space for dessert—a must-have dessert to end your meal is the Missouri butter cake, served with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.
3. Gettin’ Basted
Gettin’ Basted was established in 2012 as a barbecue competition team. The first full-service restaurant they opened in Branson in 2017 was on their site in Branson’s entertainment district. Gettin’ Basted is another best restaurant in Branson, MO 65616.
This family-friendly diner franchise restaurant stands out from the competition because it invented a unique way to prepare Ozarks barbecue: hot and quick. To refine the procedure, live wood coals and 55-gallon barrels are utilized. This taste would appeal to youthful individuals and those who are still young at heart.
Take advantage of your opportunity to try their distinctively smoked brisket and learn about the Ozarks-style barbecue that this restaurant created. If you want a sandwich with a fiery aftertaste, choose the Nashville Hot. Do not forget to add some classics to your order, like grilled chicken wings that won the championship.
People who enjoy enormous portions must get the Judge’s Plate to sample this establishment’s best items, including brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and sausage. Although it includes some pricy items on the menu, it is unquestionably worth every penny.
4. Dobyns Dining Room
Dobyns Dining Room at the Keeter Center on the University of the Ozarks campus has won numerous awards and made the way to being one of the best places to eat in Branson, MO.
It is a 100% student-run restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Due to its farm-to-table dining concept, the modern casual restaurant offers fresh products. It might be comparable to other restaurants in Branson or other restaurants in Branson that offer fine dining. Also, this restaurant is one of the greatest for birthday celebrations in Branson and the surrounding areas, particularly if you’re with your immediate family.
Those who enjoy pasta shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to try the barbecue mac, which features hickory-smoked pork and oozing gouda cheese sauce. The alfredo with chicken and smoked mushrooms is a fantastic alternative. Pair it with the daily-varying, hand-crafted soup from the head chef himself. If you’re a vegetarian, get a dish of the school’s fresh harvest salad, which includes tomatoes, lettuce, cranberries, and almonds.
5. Pickin Porch Grill
Pickin Porch Grill, located in the Branson Craft Mall, is one of the city’s top destinations for burger aficionados. Also, it showcases pieces of art made by American craftsmen from throughout the country.
Pickin’ Porch Grill is one of the local restaurants in Branson that will provide excellent service and an introduction to the cuisine fusion dishes that locals here consider their favorite. This well-known diner offers live music performances on certain days to keep you engaged, staying true to the city’s character. When you’ve finished exploring the mall for artistic goods, it’s also a terrific place to take a break.
If you want to sample one of the people’s all-time favorite burgers, stick to the Anaheim Burger. It is packed with cheese, charbroiled Angus, lettuce, avocado, chipotle lime aioli, peppers, and grilled onions. The chorizo burger with candied jalapenos would be ideal for those who like slight spiciness. Moreover, try their pulled pork sandwich for a lingering taste of barbecue.
6. Rocco’s NY-Style Pizza
It is a pizza restaurant owned and operated by a family and has provided excellent food service to the Branson area for many years. It is conveniently situated adjacent to the highway and four kilometers from the city center.
This fast-food restaurant has received high appreciation from locals and visitors for its fantastic pizza and spaghetti. It makes its recognizable signature dishes with handcrafted, homemade dough and farm-fresh ingredients. Thanks to its passion, this pizzeria is one of Branson’s top dining establishments. You would adore its sleek appearance and orderly interior, undoubtedly making you miss home.
Make sure you order the rancho romano pizza if you want to try the most popular dish in the area. This pizza features homemade ranch, fresh mushrooms, tomato, spinach, and garlic on top of a Romano cheese crust. For those who want the traditional flavors, there are cheese, Hawaiian, and Margherita options.
7. India Clay Oven
India Clay Oven is a restaurant that opened in 2012 and specializes in Punjabi cooking. This type of cuisine is famous for its luscious and buttery flavor. There are gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly options at this restaurant.
Enjoy some delicious dishes from the India Clay Oven that will give you a taste of Indian cuisine. Since the food is prepared right at the table in this informal setting, you can mix and match the veggies, meats, and sauces in your meals. Thanks to its welcoming ambiance, this restaurant can readily show why it’s one of Branson’s top choices.
Start your dinner with a tasty veggie samosa stuffed with potatoes and green peas. Order their chicken tikka masala for the main dish to sample tasty meat with tomato, onion, and butter sauce. If you want something spicy, you may also get chicken with chili.
Vegetable biryani or a rice dish seasoned with numerous Indian spices might be your best lunch in Branson. You will undoubtedly enjoy the spicy taste of the classic Raita soup that is also included with it.
8. The Paddlewheel
The Paddlewheel, a distinctive floating farmhouse restaurant in the Main Street Marina on Lake Taneycomo, was constructed in 2013. It has been constructed as a building farmhouse restaurant that is entirely run and owned by Branson residents.
The Paddlewheel is, without a doubt, one of Branson’s trendiest nightclubs. Here, open mic nights and fantastic live music performances are generally held on the weekends. These concerts at one of the city’s finest restaurants are a must-see during your time in Branson and shouldn’t be missed. It also has a welcoming eating area with many relaxing places, like by the fire pit or in the indoor game room. A magnificent view is waiting for you everywhere.
By ordering their ideal chicken sandwich, you can keep your stomach filled. It has a six-ounce chicken breast loaded with bacon, provolone cheese, vegetables, and honey mustard. For those seeking a healthy option, a house salad is also available. Try their specialty drink, the Captain’s Punch, which combines Captain Marzan and Cruzan Coconut Rum with cranberry and pineapple juices.
9. McFarlain’s Family Restaurant
Found inside the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex, it is a delicious, one-of-a-kind dining opportunity available only in Branson. The restaurant serves hearty fare inspired by the IMAX movie “Ozarks Legacy & Legend.”
Begin your dinner with McFarlain’s special-recipe cornbread served with honey butter, and then move on to crispy country-fried okra, chicken or steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, local fish, or any other daily specials. Take a piece of homemade apple pie or cobbler with your meal.
You may see bits of Branson’s history interspersed throughout the brick-and-mortar restaurant’s design. This includes old black-and-white photos from the Branson Historical Society and views of Branson’s development over time.
10. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner
Visit Mel’s Hard Luck Diner for lunch, dinner, and a show is among the best places to eat in Branson, MO. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner is within the Grand Village Shopping Center and is home to Branson’s original singing servers.
This diner is well-known for its entertaining 1950s-style decor and the singing waiters and waitresses that entertain customers all day. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, known as “the home of the original singing servers,” has a brilliant staff of professional musicians, singers, and songwriters.
Discover all your favorite comfort foods from the diner, including hot sandwiches, chili dogs, and fries. The diner’s original flair includes a full-service soda fountain with classic drinks like old-fashioned sodas, shakes, ice cream sundaes, and banana splits.
Seeing yourself applauding, toe-tapping, or dancing while eating is normal. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, situated in the Grand Village Shops, focuses on giving guests of all ages an unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
Numerous food alternatives are available in Branson, Missouri, regardless of your preferences. You can select from various dining alternatives when you stay in one of Incredible Branson’s rental cabins and enjoy.
Every time you visit Branson, Missouri, brand-new attractions and well-known sights will await you.
Be sure to plan an early dinner during the holiday season in Branson since many of the city’s top restaurants are known to reach capacity early on. Our recommendation? Try one of the restaurants listed above. Be sure to leave room for dessert as well.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
