A Guide to the Top 12 Best Restaurants in Branson, Missouri

Are you ready to embark on a delectable journey through Branson’s culinary wonderland? Look no further! We understand that finding the best restaurants in a city teeming with options can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to curate a list of the top 12 restaurants in Branson, so you can skip the guesswork and dive straight into the city’s most delightful dining experiences.

Whether you’re a local searching for new culinary adventures or a visitor hoping to savor the best flavors Branson has in store, our carefully selected list will be your ultimate guide. From charming, hole-in-the-wall eateries to upscale establishments, we’ve left no stone unturned in our quest to uncover the finest dining spots.

Say goodbye to endless online searches and uncertain restaurant choices. Our problem-solving approach has done all the legwork for you, ensuring that every meal you have in Branson will be a memorable one. So sit back, relax, and let us lead you to the culinary treasures that will leave your taste buds singing with delight. Let’s dig in and discover the best 12 restaurants in Branson together!

12 Best Restaurants in Branson, Missouri

1. Gettin Basted

If you are looking for an excellent barbecue restaurant in Branson, Gettin’ Basted is the place to go. This restaurant is a retro dining room serving excellent BBQ meals and burgers. They do award-winning barbecue that’s absolutely delicious, well-cooked, and juicy. Getting’Basted has a 4.6 rating and for a good reason. One such reason is their expert cooking. Their meals, especially the BBQ plates, and burgers, are delicious. You need to have their sampler platter; it comes with turkey, sausage, pulled pork, chicken, and ribs. The briskets here are cooked perfectly, and the ribs are the fall-off-the-bone type. Some of the popular picks in Gettin Basted you might want to try include baked beans, pulled pork mac and cheese, basted nachos, wagyu brisket, and cheeseburgers. The service options include dine-in, takeaway, curbside pickup, and delivery options. So you can enjoy the spectacular dishes at Gettin’ Basted anywhere, whether at home, at work, or in a restaurant.

2. Farmhouse restaurant

When you are craving country cooking, you should visit Farmhouse Restaurant. Farmhouse Restaurant is a down home outpost, serving fried steak and chicken, catfish, cobbler, and many other mainstays in a comfy environment. The restaurant is big on home-style meals and offers a great breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Their menu covers soups and salads and breakfast treats like omelets, egg plates, biscuits, and cakes. You’d also find sandwiches, the restaurant’s specialties, desserts, and drinks. The popular picks are chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, French toast, chicken and dumplings, peach cobbler, country fried steak, fish sandwich, and dollar pancakes. There are many other delicious treats; you just need to explore the menu or ask the staff for recommendations.

3. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner

Mel’s Hard Luck Diner is a long-running music-themed, 1950s-style diner featuring a burger and blue-plate menu. They have singing servers! Aside from that, Mel’s Hard Luck Diner is an amazing place to eat, a good reason why it’s rated 4.6. They are open for lunch, dinner, and dessert. Their menu covers soups, pies, cakes, grilled plates, chicken options, homemade salads, and much more. Their popular picks include burgers, Mel’s Way grilled cheese, chicken fingers, fried, Grand Village cheese steak, chicken tenders, spaghetti, and meatballs. Other highlights include great dessert, fast service, live music, and a trendy look. They also offer a kid’s menu, free wifi, and provisions for family and group dining.

4. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

Enjoy an abundance of Italian classics and favorites at the Olive Garden Italian restaurant. Their menu features pasta, salads, pizzas, desserts, classic Italian entrees, and more. Their popular dishes include salad and bread sticks, chicken Alfredo, chicken parmigiana, seafood Alfredo, Tiramisu, and chicken gnocchi soup. There are also so many other unique dishes you can enjoy, from the tour of Italy to their chicken parmigiana and fettuccine Alfredo. All dishes are served fresh from the kitchen to your table. You can visit with family or friends and enjoy an amazing meal at Olive Garden Italian restaurant.

Also, Read 10 Best Restaurants in St. Charles Il, to enjoy a Pleasurable Dining Experience

5. McFarlain’s Family Restaurant

Family restaurants are always the best place to eat home-cooked meals, and Mc Farlain’s Family Restaurant is one of the best places to enjoy home-cooked meals. They are committed to serving quality and organic foods. The eatery is famous for breakfast and lunch, but they also serve dinner. Their menu covers burgers and fries, brunch burgers, blt sandwiches, and log cabin creations like deep-fried fish, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, and mashed potatoes. You will also find legendary meals like Mcfarlain’s, including fried chicken, backwoods grilled chicken, fried shrimp platter, and lots more. Do not forget about the dessert; it is prepared fresh in the restaurant’s bakery. Other provisions in McFarlain’s Family restaurant include healthy options, a kid’s menu, quick bites, and comfort food.

6. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen 

When you are craving Southern cooking, look no further than Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. This restaurant is known to offer the best of Southern fares, prepared in home style. The restaurant is committed to offering the best dishes for lunch and dinner. They serve varieties including family-style lunch, best-ever southern fried chicken, beef pot roast, and their famous sides, including fresh candied yams, creamed potatoes, and many more. For dinner, expect dishes like old-fashioned southern meatloaf, spare ribs, chicken and dumplings, roasted chicken, and lots more. Paula Deen’s drink menu is also a feature to look forward to. They offer wines from different regions, including beers, flavored tea and lemonade, and other beverages. There is also something for the kids, both for drinks and food, so do not hesitate to bring them along.

7. White River Fish House

White River Fish House was voted as the best overall restaurant in Branson, and for good reasons. The restaurant features a historic floating restaurant located just off the shore of Lake Taneycomo. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling glass, which offers a dramatic view of the beautiful waterway. White River Fish House focuses on providing fresh seafood, with a wide range of delicious entrees inspired by new and saltwater plates. The menu also features hearty steaks, chicken, ribs, sandwiches, and burgers.

Look forward to highlights such as great beer, tea, and cocktail selection, fast service, fireplace, and fantastic wine list. At White River Fish House, you can visit for lunch and dinner, and their service option covers dine-in, delivery, outdoor seating, and takeaway services.

8. Danna’s BBQ and Burger

Danna’s BBQ and Burger, as the name suggests, is one of the best restaurants in Branson you visit for a satisfying BBQ, plates, and burgers. This family-owned institution dishes up fresh and quality smoked BBQ, burgers, and hearty sides. Their menu covers options like BBQ nachos, beef ribs, pulled pork and beef, banana foster, stuffed baked potato, pulled pork or beef sandwiches, and lots more. Off-the-grill options include single burgers, single-cheese burgers, turkey burgers, and more. Their sandwich options, such as beef or pulled pork sandwich and chicken BLT are the main deal; you should try it. Danna’s BBQ and Burger is popular for lunch, dinner, and solo dining. It is also great for group dining if you are planning a lively gathering for friends, colleagues, or families.

9. Wakyoto Japanese Restaurant

If you are craving Japanese food, look no further than Wakyoto Japanese restaurant. This restaurant is a chill Japanese kitchen located in a strip mall setting, where they offer exceptional sushi rolls, sake, and cocktails. Wakyoto Japanese restaurant is that restaurant where you take a picky friend, the reason being that they have a vast menu. Their menu covers different palates, from noodles plates, vegetarians, meat lovers, soups, and lots more. Wakyoto restaurant is big on healthy food, yet you will find something delicious to savor. Their service option covers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery, so you can enjoy their fantastic food whether you want to eat out or dine in. Other provisions available at Wakyoto Japanese restaurant include comfort food, small plates, a kid’s menu, wine, and beer.

10. Shepherd’s Mill Restaurant

Shepherd’s Mill Restaurant also known as Shepherd’s Grill, is a top grill restaurant in Branson, offering many delicious grilled and non-grilled plates in a cozy setting. This restaurant is the place to go if you want to treat your family or friends to an authentic Ozark dining experience. Shepherd’s Mill restaurant is located in the park at the historic Shepherd of the Hills Farm, making it a suitable attraction site and a good restaurant. They are open for lunch and dinner and offer good food and a great environment. Their services include dine-in, takeaway, and outdoor seating. The place has a casual look, which makes it fit for most events. Families, groups, and tourists frequent the place.

Also, Read 10 Best Restaurants in Littleton CO To Enjoy a Fantastic Meal!

11. Saltgrass Steak House

Saltgrass Steak House is an informal Texas-themed restaurant offering a meaty menu and a full bar amid cattle kitsch. The restaurant features a beautiful and relaxing environment. Their offerings include healthy options, comfort food, and lots of beverages like cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits. You can visit for lunch, dinner or dessert. So when next you are planning a special event or just a casual outing, Saltgrass Steakhouse is a good place.

12. Floretina’s Restaurant Italiano

Floretina’s Restaurant Italiano offers excellent Italian entrees and family-style dishes in Tuscan countryside-inspired digs. The restaurant is quite colorful and has a lively atmosphere. They are big on serving home-cooked meals and have a family-friendly atmosphere. Dine with your family or friends while enjoying the Italian food traditions, friendship, and hospitality. 

Their style of food is unique, though it is Italian-inspired; their dishes are primarily innovative plates. Also, Floretina’s uses locally sourced ingredients to prepare their food, which always comes out delicious and flavorful. Some of the popular dishes are seafood ravioli, chicken Parmigiana, chicken marsala, rigatoni all carbonara, and roasted ravioli. Their spaghetti bolognese, stuffed mushrooms, and pork shank osso buco are also popular picks.

Conclusion

Branson offers a culinary paradise to food enthusiasts. Restaurants in Branson offer exceptional quality and diverse flavors, which creates an unforgettable dining experience for visitors and locals alike. Branson is undoubtedly a foodie’s paradise from southern barbecue joints to upscale restaurants.

So the next time you visit Branson, be sure to explore the city’s rich culinary scene. Embark on this journey with our trusted guide to the best restaurants in Branson, and you will indeed have a spectacular dining experience.