Road trips are a blast, and what better way to tour your state than trying out local restaurants! There’s nothing particularly fancy about this food journey.  A lot of these places are in small towns and feature simple, home-style menus. One thing they all have in common is absolutely delicious food! You can stay where you are after dinner, or drive closer to the next day’s breakfast location. In truth, the drive time is relatively short, so you’ll often have time to wander around and see the sights between meals. No diets allowed! Here's a link to the Google Map for this trip which we think is one of our best restaurant road trips in Missouri.

Breakfast Day One: Beanik Cafe and Pastry

We start out one of our best restaurant road trips in Missouri with a quiche or pastry and some delicious coffee or tea at Beanik Cafe and Pastry in beautiful Ste Genevieve. It’s located in a quaint little shop full of hand-crafted gifts and other items, and the menu changes its featured items daily. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience! If it’s available, try the bacon quiche (pictured) with a cup of specialty coffee or tea. They are located in historic downtown at 122 N Main Street.

Visit the Beanik Cafe and Pastry Facebook page for more information.

Lunch Day One: Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine, Cape Girardeau

Located in the heart of Cape Girardeau, Broussard's Cajun Cuisine is a family-owned Cajun-style restaurant. It's considered one of the best restaurants in Missouri. Their authentic recipes bring the taste of Louisiana Cajun into Missouri. Spicy Cajun goodness is brought to you by a friendly wait staff (there are less-spicy, American style options as well). Try the Catfish Po’Boy, 6 inches or a foot long, served with Cajun Fries. The building housing Broussard’s is true to the history of the downtown/riverfront area, with vintage architecture. A must for anyone visiting Cape Girardeau, this restaurant has actually been featured on several best of lists, including a couple of our own.

Read our previous coverage on Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine to learn more.

Dinner Day One: The Open Range Steakhouse, Willow Springs

(Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Open Range Steakhouse in Willow Springs is permanently closed.)

The Open Range Steakhouse is a family-style restaurant in the small town of Willow Springs. Make sure to get a baked potato, made light and fluffy using real butter. Generous portions allow for you to order half portions or better yet, take some with you for a midnight snack! An added bonus: If you decide to stay at the Comfort Inn next door for the night, the restaurant will give you a 10% discount on your meal. They are located right off the highway at 1208 E. Main Street.

Breakfast Day Two: Gailey’s Breakfast Café, Springfield

Located in the historic old Seville Hotel, Gailey’s has been locally owned and operated since 2005. They serve delicious home-cooked breakfasts accompanied by great specialty coffee and tea. Their specialty omelets are a favorite, in particular the Mediterranean Omelet and also the yummy Sweet Browns. Gailey’s was also voted Best Breakfast several years in a row by 417 magazine. Try the French Quarter with a side of biscuits and gravy (pictured).

Visit the Gailey’s Breakfast Café website for more information.

Lunch Day Two: Crabby’s Seafood Bar & Grill, Joplin

Probably the most upscale meal on this trip will be at Crabby’s Seafood Bar & Grill in Joplin, and it will also probably be the most expensive. However, it’s absolutely worth it for the best seafood in Joplin! They use fresh, seasonal ingredients, and combine unique flavors with Head Chef Damien Tiregol’s fine culinary style. Known for its crab cakes (pictured), dine in style in a nice, friendly atmosphere.

Read our previous coverage on Crabby’s Seafood Bar & Grill to learn more.

Dinner Day Two: White Grill, Nevada

After our fancy lunch, let’s finish out the day with something a little more simple. White Grill in Nevada is a local favorite that has been serving their signature hamburgers for over 80 years! Credited with the invention of the "Suzie Q," a mass of quarter inch strings of potatoes that are deep fried, White Grill’s burgers and Suzie Q’s easily become an addiction, and it's definitely worth a stop.

Read our previous coverage on White Grill to learn more.

Breakfast Day Three: Kay’s Restaurant, Osage Beach

(Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Kay's Restaurant in Osage Beach is permanently closed.)

Kay’s Restaurant is a popular Lake of the Ozarks breakfast destination that offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast. With reasonably priced food and a friendly staff, this breakfast and lunch seasonal restaurant can’t be missed. With all-you-can-eat, you can try a bit of everything, or try one of their delicious omelets like the ham and cheese (pictured).

Lunch Day Three: Kline’s Restaurant, Rosebud

(Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Kline's Restaurant in Rosebud is permanently closed.)

Kline’s is a local favorite in the very small town of Rosebud. They are an extremely busy restaurant serving barbeque, breakfast, burgers, Cajun/Creole, sandwiches and seafood. They offer wonderful food at great prices. Portion sizes are generous.

Dinner Day Three: Dew Drop Inn, Bloomsdale

For the last meal on one of our best restaurant road trips in Missouri, we will visit the tiny village of Bloomsdale for a casual dinner at Dew Drop Inn. The newly renovated Dew Drop Inn was originally built as a flour mill in 1897. A home town, casual atmosphere is just the place to wind down after a few days of driving, and classic bar menu items like hand breaded mushrooms, pulled pork nachos, peel-n-eat shrimp, white chicken chili, chicken wings, and sandwiches are sure to please.

Visit the Dew Drop Inn website for more information.

Not only have we supported some local businesses but we have also experienced the beauty of southern Missouri along the way. Are you ready for one of the best restaurant road trips in Missouri? Comment if you've been to any of the locations along the route.