Waffles from The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks.
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Best Restaurants in Springfield, MO
Best of 417 is our comprehensive guide to the best restaurants in Springfield and southwest Missouri! Featuring our Best of 417 picks as voted by our readers and our Editors' picks.
Readers’ Choice Awards Edited by Jo Jolliff |Photos by Brandon Alms
Feb 2025
Photo by Brandon Alms
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Pick one of the sections below to see more. The Readers' Choice section lists your picks for the best places to eat, dishes and more. The Editors' Picks are a collection of the foodie things we loved over the last year. You can also click How It Works to read about how the Best of 417 is determined.
CHOOSE A SECTION
Best of 417 2025 Readers' Choice Awards
The best restaurants in Springfield and southwest Missouri, voted to the top by the readers of 417 Magazine.
5 BEST SPRINGFIELD AREA FINE-DINING RESTAURANTS
Winners (in alphabetical order)
Avanzare Italian Dining
Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Jimm’s Steakhouse & Pub
Metropolitan Grill
The Ozark Mill Restaurant
5 BEST PLACES FOR LUNCH
Winners (in alphabetical order)
Bambino’s Cafe
City Butcher and Barbecue
Jimm’s Steakhouse & Pub
Nearly Famous Deli & Pasta House
Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT
Winner: Piccolo | Nixa
Second Place: Galloway Grill | Galloway
Third Place: Cafè Cusco | Commercial Street
BEST BRANSON AREA RESTAURANT
Winner: The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks
Second Place: Osage Restaurant at Top of the Rock
Third Place: Level 2 Steakhouse
BEST JOPLIN AREA RESTAURANT
Winner: Red Onion Cafe
Second Place: Blackstone Gastropub
Third Place: Crabby’s Seafood Bar & Grill
BEST SWEET-AND-COZY MORNING STOP
Winner: The Workshop at Finley Farms
Second Place: Sleepy Opossum Cafe
Third Place: Urban Grounds Coffee + Plant Lab
BEST RESTAURANT SERVICE
Winner: Jimm’s Steakhouse & Pub
Second Place: The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks
Third Place: The Ozark Mill Restaurant
BEST PLACE FOR BREAKFAST
Winner: Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe
Second Place: Early Bird Breakfast Pub
Third Place: Billy Gail’s Restaurant
BEST PLACE FOR BRUNCH
Winner: The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks
Second Place: Aviary Cafe
Third Place: JW’s Kitchen
BEST COFFEE SHOP
Winner: Mudhouse Coffee
Second Place: Architect Coffee Co.
Third Place: Dancing Mule Coffee Company
BEST STEAKS
Winner: Jimm’s Steakhouse & Pub
Second Place: Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Third Place: Avanzare Italian Dining
BEST BURGERS
Winner: Black Sheep Burgers + Shakes
Second Place: Lindberg’s Tavern
Third Place: Bair’s Sports Grill
BEST SALADS
Winner: Jimm’s Steakhouse & Pub
Second Place: Bambino’s Cafe
Third Place: Garbo’s Pizzeria
BEST SANDWICHES
Winner: The Sub Shop
Second Place: Derby Deli
Third Place: J. Parrino’s Queen City Deli
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Pappo’s Pizzeria
Second Place: Pizza House
Third Place: Arris’ Pizza
BEST CHICKEN WINGS
Winner: Coyote’s Adobe Cafe
Second Place: Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar
Third Place: Springfield Brewing Company
BEST BARBECUE
Winner: City Butcher and Barbecue
Second Place: Gettin’ Basted
Third Place: Crosstown Barbecue
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
Winner: Avanzare Italian Dining
Second Place: Bambino’s Cafe
Third Place: Piccolo Contemporary Italian
BEST MEXICAN FOOD
Winner: Cesar’s Old Mexico
Second Place: Señor Julian Mexican Bar & Grill
Third Place: La Paloma Mexican Grill
BEST TACOS
Winner: Cesar’s Old Mexico
Second Place: Tinga Tacos
Third Place: Tacos El Champu
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Winner: London Calling Pasty Company
Second Place: I Love Tacos Taqueria
Third Place: Not’cho Ordinary Taco
BEST THAI FOOD
Winner: Everyday Thai
Second Place: Rama Thai Café
Third Place: Thai Express
BEST CHINESE FOOD
Winner: Corner 21 Chinese Cuisine
Second Place: Leong’s Asian Diner
Third Place: Lucy’s Chinese Food
BEST SUSHI
Winner: Haruno Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill
Second Place: Nakato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
Third Place: Kai After Dark
BEST BEER MENU
Winner: 417 Taphouse
Second Place: The Backlot at Alamo Drafthouse
Third Place: Farmers Gastropub
BEST COCKTAIL MENU
Winner: The Golden Girl Rum Club
Second Place: The Ozark Mill Restaurant
Third Place: Miss Boston’s Cocktail Lounge
BEST LOCAL BREWERY EXPERIENCE
Winner: Wire Road Brewing Company
Second Place: 4 by 4 Brewing Company
Third Place: Springfield Brewing Company
BEST WINE MENU
Winner: Cellar + Plate
Second Place: The Vineyard Market
Third Place: Avanzare Italian Dining
BEST SWEET TREATS
Winner: Andy’s Frozen Custard
Second Place: The Keeter Center College Creamery
Third Place: Pineapple Whip
BEST CATERER
Winner: Simply Delicious Catering
Second Place: Char Steakhouse & Oyster Bar
Third Place: Traveling Chef
BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY OPTIONS
Winner: Cafe Cusco
Second Place: Farmers Gastropub
Third Place: Piccolo Contemporary Italian
BEST GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS
Winner: Cafe Cusco
Second Place: Black Sheep Burgers + Shakes
Third Place: Van Gogh’s Eeterie
BEST PATIO
Winner: Wire Road Brewing Company
Second Place: 4 by 4 Brewing Company - Fremont Hills
Third Place: Tie & Timber Beer Co.
BEST PATIO WITH A VIEW
Winner: The Ozark Mill Restaurant
Second Place: Buffalo Bar at Top of the Rock
Third Place: Vantage Rooftop Lounge & Conservatory
BEST PLACE TO RUN INTO EVERYONE YOU KNOW
Winner: Architect Coffee Co.
Second Place: Metropolitan Grill
Third Place: Georgia Mac’s
Photos by Brandon Alms
Photos by Brandon Alms
How does 417 Magazine pick winners?
Throughout the year, our team has kept up with what’s new, hot, in style, delicious, making waves, going viral, selling out and making a big impression in 417-land. Then our editors combined them into a slate of nominations for 417-land to vote on. There were killer contestants to vote on for each category, plus voters had the option to write in anyone we left off the list. (Ugh, why didn’t we think of them?!) After the voting period ended, we compiled your votes, and the winners are published right here.
How do I tell you about my business?
If you think your business deserves to be on next year’s ballot, we want to know about it! Send a note to our editorial staff at editor@417mag.com. We take calls, letters, emails and skywriting from our readers about what to check out. We’re sure you’re awesome, so tell us why. Don’t be surprised if some of our staffers come around to check out what you have to offer. In fact, exploring new, fun local stuff is our favorite part of our jobs! We are always looking to share the best with our audience.
Do advertisers automatically win?
Nope! Let’s put this rumor to rest. Still skeptical? Ask one of our advertisers who didn’t win. We take serious measures to keep our integrity intact and maintain boundaries between our sales and editorial departments. In fact, we’re required to in order to uphold our good standing with the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA). You can’t buy a Best of 417 nomination or win with money. You can only earn a spot on the list by being the best, getting the word out and raking in the votes!
