One of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the culture of a city like Springfield, Missouri is to eat your way through it.
There are many beloved restaurants in the city with diverse cuisines, from Italian to Thai.
However, it’s easy to fall victim to tourist traps or mediocre restaurants when you’re quickly visiting someplace new!
If you don’t have access to local opinions or haven’t had time to vet each restaurant on your wishlist, you may not know what culinary experiences lie ahead in Springfield.
Luckily, we’re here to help!
Our recommendations originate from a passion for Springfield’s restaurant scene. These 14 restaurants have been hand-picked to show the range of delicious options in Springfield for passers-by and would-be locals.
Under each restaurant, you’ll find a bite-sized description of what they offer, followed by our personal opinion on the restaurant’s best attributes.
Let’s begin!
Image Source: Civil Kitchen
Civil Kitchen captures the essence of American cuisine — burgers, ribs, fries, and root beer floats.
In our opinion, the menu is the perfect size, with plenty of side, main, and dessert options to choose from.
You can find classics such as a fried chicken sandwich and smash burger.
Overall, the atmosphere inside of the restaurant is relaxed, yet inviting.
This is the kind of restaurant that can pull off casual and formal dining at the same time.
Whether Springfield is the destination of a work trip, or you’re planning to become a local, this spot provides great variety in food, drink, and vibe!
Image Source: Bruno's Italian Restaurant
Bruno’s Italian Restaurant has a simple, yet delectable menu that can accommodate the preferences of most.
From their BYOP (build your own pizza) option to their selection of pastas, you can’t go wrong with this Italian favorite.
According to some regular diners, the food is terrific and is always accompanied by friendly service.
You may want to consider making a reservation before you arrive in Springfield, but walk-ins are definitely welcome. It can be hard to find authentic Sicilian or Italian food in Missouri, but this place comes very close!
Image Source: Farmers Gastropub
Pubs are notorious for serving pints and small plates, but the food seldom lives up to the drinks.
At Farmers Gastropub, they aim to change the standard for pubs by providing delicious versions of the same pub grub seen across Britain and America.
Notably, this restaurant is home to Feast Magazine’s Chef of the Year, Andy Hampshire. This chef brings his training and passion for cooking to each dish served at Farmers Gastropub.
Also, this restaurant has a nice menu for kids with staples like chicken strips and buttered noodles.
Image Source: Van Gogh's Eeterie
Van Gogh’s Eeterie is Springfield’s first Dutch restaurant, inspired by a trip the owner and head chef took to Amsterdam many years ago.
With his parents, this restaurant has really taken flight in Springfield with its authentic menu and array of options.
Although Dutch food is not as common to find in the United States, this restaurant does an excellent job of blending Dutch essentials with well-known American foods.
You can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Van Gogh’s Eeterie. In fact, they serve their scrumptious breakfast all day!
If you’re gluten-conscious, they offer a gluten free toast substitute, and if you’re vegan, there are entire dishes without animal products.
Overall, Van Gogh’s Eeterie is a welcome addition to Springfield’s top restaurants.
Image Source: Big Easy Grill
Next on the list is Big Easy Grill, which is described well by its name!
If you’re on the hunt for some good Cajun-Creole eats, make sure this place is on your itinerary. The restaurant may seem unassuming, but lovers of Cajun food swear by its ability to figuratively transport diners to Louisiana.
The pricing at this establishment is quite reasonable, so if you’re looking to feed a large number of people, this is a great option.
Image Source: Gilardi's
Another wonderful Italian restaurant in the Springfield area is Gilardi’s.
This restaurant grows their own food around the property, and outsources to local farms when they need to.
From these fresh ingredients, they’ve crafted a lovely, small menu of pastas, fish, and soups.
Gilardi’s is a fancier dining experience than some of the others listed in this article, but the extra cost is well worth it for the care that goes into these dishes.
Image Source: Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar
You can’t go wrong with a good steak and crackling fireplace!
The menu at Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar contains multiple cuts of dry-aged steak that can be accompanied by one or more of their rich side dishes.
Open Monday to Saturday, this location is great for couples or those looking to throw a social event. If you make a reservation, be sure to check out their award-winning wine bar as you peruse the menu!
Image Source: Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar
Char Steakhouse and Oyster Bar has taken a different approach to steakhouse staples.
At this restaurant, the combination of steak and seafood really elevates the dining experience of all patrons.
Plus, the wide range of seafood will definitely pique the interest of any fish-loving folk.
Char Steakhouse’s owner also operates Flame Steakhouse and Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes, so their food is practically proven to be well-liked.
Image Source: Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes
Voted “Best Burgers in Missouri,” Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes takes a simple meal and goes above and beyond.
With (almost) four locations in the Springfield area and a rockin’ menu, this place is awesome for families, date night, and coworker social hours.
If you manage to visit this joint, be sure to try the alcoholic Sugar Daddy shake – it has smoked bourbon, candied bacon, butterscotch schnapps, and vanilla frozen custard. Yum!
Image Source: Hemingway's
Are you bringing guests along to your dining experience? If you really want to “wow” them, Hemingway’s is the way to go.
Hemingway’s offers a variety of buffets and seafood options to eat, but the real star of the show is the massive aquarium in the middle of the restaurant!
You and your guests can sit around the bar to observe an aquatic nature scene. Not to mention, the crab legs are excellent.
Image Source: Avanzare Italian Dining
Avaranze has excelled at providing Springfield with rich Northern Italian cuisine.
They’ve got all of the dish types covered – chicken, beef, pasta, and Tuscan specialties.
If you’re not looking to dine-in, consider ordering online and picking up your dinner curbside.
The decor, staff, and atmosphere of this restaurant will have you feeling like you’re transported to the Italian countryside.
Image Source: Café Cusco
The owner of Café Cusco affectionately refers to himself as “Gringo Joe” – as his restaurant is a non-Peruvian take on Peruvian food.
On their website, Joe says his restaurant was inspired by a hike through the Inca Trails to Machu Picchu.
A few years later, he opened the restaurant with his mother, Claire and it has become wildly popular in the Springfield area. Café Cusco’s menu is vibrant and representative of Peruvian cuisine, with his own spin on some of the dishes.
Image Source: Jimm's Steakhouse & Pub
Jimm’s Steakhouse is both an award-winning restaurant and a pub.
For those looking to score an early dinner, Jimm’s does an early menu with steaks and sides for a reduced price.
Otherwise, you can expect a full menu at lunch and dinner with all of your classic steakhouse dishes. If you’re into spinach artichoke dip, give this one a go!
Image Source: Rama Thai Café
Who doesn’t love Thai food? Rama Thai Café really caters to Springfield with its fresh produce, array of herbs and spices, and traditional Thai recipes.
Any dish can be modified to fit your spice tolerance – not everyone can handle Thai-level spice!
For parties of all sizes, this restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating around the converted Colonial-style house. Truly, you’ll feel right at home when dining at Rama Thai Café, with their large portions and friendly kitchen staff.
