Every local has a favorite restaurant in their hometown. However, when we wander to new places, we often consult the internet for dining ideas, looking to sites like Yelp, Google, or Open Table for suggestions. For this post, we consulted Trip Advisor to see which restaurants were in the top spot for each of these 20 Missouri towns and cities. You may be surprised by some of the results.

1. Highest rated restaurant in St. Louis: Bogart’s Smokehouse

Bogart’s is a very popular down-home barbecue spot featuring Memphis & St. Louis specialties served in a laid-back setting. It is located in the trendy Soulard neighborhood at 1627 S 9th Street.

Website: bogartssmokehouse.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Fountain on Locust, 3037 Locust Street

2. Highest rated restaurant in Kansas City: The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille is a giant upscale steakhouse chain that actually has restaurants all over the country. They offer classic American fare in a warm yet refined setting. The only Capital Grille in Missouri is located at 4740 Jefferson Street.

Website: thecapitalgrille.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Q39, 1000 W 39th Street

3. Highest rated restaurant in Springfield: Metropolitan Grill

The Metropolitan Grill is a new American restaurant & bar featuring an eclectic menu and unique cocktails in a buzzy, urban atmosphere. They consider themselves "the ‘Cheers’ of fine dining." They are located at 2931 E Battlefield Street.

Website: metropolitan-grill.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Houlihan’s Restaurant and Bar, 2110 E. Republic Road

4. Highest rated restaurant in Columbia: CC’s City Broiler

CC’s City Broiler is an upscale American restaurant & bar with exposed brick décor offering steaks, seafood & fine wines. They boast small, fun dining rooms and great service. They have been in business for over 20 years, and are located at 1401 Forum Boulevard.

Website: ccscitybroiler.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Shakespeare’s Pizza (3 Locations in Columbia)

5. Highest rated restaurant in Branson: Dobyn’s Dining Room, The Keeter Center, Point Lookout

Dobyn’s Dining Room is a student-run campus restaurant in the Keeter Center in Point Lookout. They feature farm-to-table American cuisine in a lovely lodge setting. They are located at 1 Opportunity Avenue.

Website: keetercenter.edu

Restaurant ranked 2nd: India Clay Oven, 2005 W 76 Country Blvd

6. Highest rated restaurant in Independence: A Little BBQ Joint

This family-owned restaurant features an easygoing, relaxed atmosphere. Generous portions of BBQ are served surrounded by classic car-themed décor. They also have an outdoor bar, and are located at 1101 US-24.

Website: alittlebarbqjoint.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: Ophelia’s Restaurant and Inn, 201 N Main Street

7. Highest rated restaurant in Joplin: Red Onion Café

A Joplin favorite since 1995, Red Onion serves American grill fare in a modest dining room situated in a 100-plus-year-old building. They are located at 203 E 4th Street.

Website: redonionrestaurants.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Instant Karma Gourmet Hot Dogs, 527 S Main Street

8. Highest rated restaurant in St. Joseph: JC Wyatt House

JC Wyatt House is a beautiful 1891 Historic home that serves delicious gourmet food by reservation only. Truly an elegant dining experience with impeccable service, they are located at 1309 Felix Street.

Website: jcwyatt.net

Restaurant rated 2nd: Gyro Paradise – Mediterranean Grill, 1209 N Belt Hwy

9. Highest rated restaurant in Jefferson City: Domenicos Italian Restaurant

Domenico’s is a family-owned and operated Italian steakhouse that has been serving dinner nightly since 1991. They offer catered luncheons, and feature great steaks, seafood, chicken, veal, and pasta dishes. They are located at 3702 W Truman Boulevard #225.

Website: domenicosjeffcity.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: The Grand Café, 107 E High Street

10. Highest rated restaurant in Cape Girardeau: Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine

Broussard’s is a beloved local favorite serving authentic Cajun food in a Mardi Gras-themed décor. Though delicious spicy Cajun is their specialty, they also offer classic American options. They are located at 114 Main Street.

Website: broussardscajuncuisine.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: Katy O’Ferrell’s, 300 Broadway Street

11. Highest rated restaurant in Osage Beach: Pappo’s Pizzeria and Pub

Pappo’s serves handcrafted pizzas with artisan dough baked in a hearth stone. They also offer a nice selection of small batch brewed house beers and guest beers on tap. In Osage Beach, they are located at 4705 Osage Beach Parkway. They also have locations in Springfield and St. Louis.

Website: papposbrewco.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: Wobbly Boots, 4717 Osage Beach Pkwy

12. Highest rated restaurant in Rolla: A Slice of Pie

Though they are most famous for their specialty pies, A Slice of Pie also has a lunch menu featuring quiche, pot pie or soup with homemade bread or fresh salads. After lunch, you must definitely have dessert, so save some room. They are located at 601 Kingshighway.

Website: asliceofpie.info

Restaurant rated 2nd: Los Cazadores, 121 Hj Drive

13. Highest rated restaurant in Hannibal: LaBinnah Bistro

LaBinnah Bistro is a cozy eatery in the Garden House Bed &Breakfast at 207 N. 5th Street. They serve delicious American dishes with an international twist. They offer a casual, laid-back atmosphere with attentive and personable service.

Website: labinnahbistro.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: Java Jive, 211 N Main Street

14. Highest rated restaurant in Carthage: Habaneros Mexican Grill

Habaneros serves authentic Mexican food in a casual, relaxing atmosphere. They specialize in fresh guacamole made right in front of you at your table, and boast the best margaritas in town. Located at 100 Lincoln Street. They also have a location in Joplin.

Website: habaneromexgrill.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Rumor Has It, 319 S Main Street

15. Highest rated restaurant in Lake Ozark: JB Hook’s Restaurant

JB Hook’s is an upscale eatery located right on the water, serving steak and seafood and creative cocktails. They are affectionately known as "Hooks" locally, and strive to make everyone feel like locals. They are located at 2260 Bagnell Dam Boulevard.

Website: jbhooks.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Baxter’s Lakeside Grille, 2124 Bagnell Dam Blvd

16. Highest rated restaurant in Ste. Genevieve: Audubon’s of Ste. Genevieve

This restaurant has new owners, a new executive chef, a new menu and a new restaurant concept. Despite all of the changes, many old favorite dishes remain as well as most of the original staff. They reopened the downtown Ste. Genevieve restaurant on March 4th, which is located at 9 North Main Street. The new name is Audubon's by Chaumette, named after John J. Audubon.

Website: audubonstegen.info

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Chaumette Vineyards and Winery, 24345 State Rte WW (Note: Same owners as #1!)

17. Highest rated restaurant in Hermann: Hermann Wurst Haus

Hermann Wurst Haus is located in historic downtown Hermann at 234 E 1st Street, and features wine country's premier meat, sausage and deli. They offer more than 47 varieties of award-winning bratwurst and sausages, grand champion house-smoked bacons and gourmet foods and gifts.

Website: hermannwursthaus.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Vintage Restaurant, 1110 Stone Hill Hwy

18. Highest rated restaurant in St. Charles: Sugarfire Smoke House

Sugarfire is a rustic local BBQ chain located at 3150 Elm Point Industrial Drive. They serve ribs, salmon, brisket cheesesteaks, spiked shakes and much more.

Website: sugarfiresmokehouse.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: Tony’s on Main Street, 132 N Main Street

19. Highest rated restaurant in Lee’s Summit: Jack Stack Barbecue

Jack Stack Barbecue is a Kansas City-area chain known for its vast barbecue menu. They have five locations, and have been in business since 1957. The Lee’s Summit location is at 1840 NW Chipman Road.

Website: jackstackbbq.com

Restaurant ranked 2nd: Summit Grill and Bar, 4835 NE Lakewood Way

20. Highest rated restaurant in Liberty: Rock & Run Brewery

Rock & Run is an industrial brewpub with a warm, welcoming atmosphere featuring wood fired pizza, salads, baked dishes and sandwiches. They have a total of 40 quality craft beer tap offerings, ten of which are Rock & Run beers brewed on-site. They are located at 110 E Kansas Street.

Website: rockandrunbrewery.com

Restaurant rated 2nd: Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, 8 E Franklin Street

Did your favorite make #1?  Do you disagree with TripAdvisor?  The great thing here is that the rankings are based on user reviews, so if your favorite is under-represented, you can help by adding your own review!  A good review for a #2 restaurant might just be enough to move it to the top spot!