With a rich heritage and vibrant culture, Jefferson City is the state capital of the American State of Missouri. Also known as Jeff City, it is named after the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Known for its fantastic nightlife and delectable food, here is a compiled list of the best restaurants in Jefferson City.
Das Stein Haus Restaurant and Bistro
$$ | (573) 634-3869 |
Established in 1981, the Das Stein Haus restaurant and bistro offers a German specialty fine dining experience with heavy Central European influence. From the old Euro-American-themed Helmut tavern to the contemporary fine dining restaurant, the Das Stein Haus is the perfect place for a memorable dining experience.
The dinner menu features a wide selection of meals, from the escargot bourguignonne appetizer to wiener schnitzel, and for the more adventurous palate, Helmut’s specialty frog legs sauté.
The menu also features a beautiful selection of desserts and an extensive wine list to choose from. The bistro features a karaoke event every Friday and Saturday night for music lovers.
Madison’s Cafe
$$ | (573) 634 – 2988 |
Starting the list, this restaurant serves an eclectic mix of fine American and Italian cuisine. It features a relaxed yet elegant ambiance, with a smiling team ready to serve guests.
The restaurant has a choice of four menus, each designed to cater to a specific group of clients. These are:
Madison’s Main Menu: The a la carte style menu offers a selection of daily meals, carefully selected and balanced to satisfy the palate.
Private Dining Menu: A menu for private dining events, it features a wide selection of hors d’ oeuvres, luncheon, and dinner options complete with desserts and specially reserved amenities.
Catering Menu: Madison’s catering menu is strictly off-premises and features a wide selection of food and beverage options for every function.
Gluten-Free: Specially designed for diners with special dietary needs, this menu offers a wide array of healthy food options for any meal.
The Grand Cafe
$$ | (573) 635- 7842 |
Set in downtown Jefferson City, The Grand Cafe is an American cuisine, fine dining restaurant with a touch of historic European class.
The restaurant is known for in-house meals made using the freshest ingredients available. With a lunch menu ranging from turkey Caprese panini to buffalo chickpea cobb buddha, The Grand Cafe is a great place for a fine lunch any day.
The restaurant also offers a small plate menu featuring charcuterie, lamb lollipops, hummus, and crispy pork belly, to mention just a few. The dinner menu is an extensive array of fine meals, from pan-seared salmon to slow-roasted duck breast, all prepared and served with a smile.
O’Donoghue’s Steaks and Seafood
$$ | (573) 635-1332 |
Set in a late 19th-century structure on the Central East Side of Jefferson City, this restaurant is a blend of historical architecture and contemporary ambiance.
Once you step inside, the neat, welcoming interior furnishings usher in an atmosphere of calm, and the ever-smiling team springs to action. As the name suggests, steaks and seafood dominate the menus, with calamari and sirloin options top of the list.
The menu also features a full wine list, with options ranging from Matua Sauvignon Blanc to the Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and guests can call ahead for reservations.
Bandanas Bar-B-Q
$$ | (573) 634- 7427 |
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For lovers of smoked meats and barbecue, Bandanas Bar-B-Q is the place to look forward to in Jefferson City. The medium-priced restaurant serves an astonishingly wide array of meat dishes, such as hickory smoked brisket, combo platters, and family feast meals, to mention but a few.
Bandanas also features a kids’ menu and a gluten-free option, ensuring they cater to all groups. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, serves a wide selection of wines and beers, and offers meal delivery services.
Oscar’s Classic Diner
$$ | (573) 659-0006 |
Our list of best restaurants in Jefferson City cannot be complete without a vegan-friendly restaurant.
Oscar’s Classic Diner is an excellent option for vegans in a city where most restaurants serve contemporary menus featuring animal products. The expansive menu features a whole section of vegetarian burgers and salads, not to mention the gluten-free menu options available.
The American cuisine is a homely touch for the guests, and the service team is friendly and attentive.
Colton’s Steakhouse and Grill
$$ | (573) 635- 5336 |
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In the heart of Jefferson City, Colton’s Steakhouse and Grill, which also offers vegetarian-friendly options, is a popular spot for diners. The menu ranges from meaty dishes to vegetarian salads and sides, as well as beverages.
The restaurant also offers a kids’ menu that is expertly designed to cater to the little ones, making it a good dining place for whole families. It has a homely ambiance with warm lights and decor, and you can order takeout.
Love Sushi
$$ | (573) 634- 0095 |
A list of the best restaurants in Jefferson city would not be complete without a sushi restaurant. Love Sushi is an Asian/ Japanese cuisine specialty restaurant, making it a popular dining place for sushi enthusiasts.
Established in 2002, Love Sushi specializes in Japanese and Korean cuisine, offering an eclectic blend of Asian delicacies in an American setting. The vegetarian-friendly menu features sushi, sashimi, dumplings, and rolls. Whether you want to sample the vegan Green Land Roll or the Arigato Sashimi, you are spoilt for choice at this diner.
Love Sushi guests also get to sample specialty wines, such as the Cupcake Moscato, from the Tre Venezie region in Italy.
Fuji Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
$$ | (573) 634- 8578 |
Another specialty restaurant serving Oriental cuisine, Fuji Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, is a vegetarian-friendly diner on the south-side of Jeff City. The restaurant offers a vast menu of delectable Asian foods and treats such as Hibachi lunch selection, Vegetarian rolls, and Fuji special dinner.
Fuji also offers a kids’ menu designed to satisfy the little ones, making it a family-friendly restaurant. The beverages menu features a mix of oriental drinks such as Saki, spirits, wines, and beers from all over the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Domenico’s Italian Restaurant and Catering
$$$ | (573) 893- 5454 |
If you’re a lover of Italian cuisine, visiting Jefferson City, you will want to sample Domenico’s menu. The extensive menu serves a variety of dishes, from baked goat chevre appetizers to seafood ravioli and the vegan macro.
Featured meats and seafood include steak arco bass, New York strip, and shrimp scampi. Dessert treats such as Tiramisu are also available, along with specialty coffees and cocktails. Domenico’s kids’ menu is well crafted and includes chicken fingers with pasta or mostaccioli served with sauce.
Ecco Lounge
$$ | (573) 636-8751 |
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Ecco Lounge is a diner serving American cuisine in Jefferson City, perfect for the occasional night out. Established in 1945, the restaurant/ tavern menu features delightful dishes such as chicken wings, shrimp, cheeseburgers, pork, and fish tacos.
The menu also features a variety of starters and soups, as well as a carefully designed kids’ menu featuring pasta and chicken tenders. Steaks and chicken specials are favorites at this diner, and a selection of aged sirloins, prime ribs, or chicken bruschetta are available.
Sapphires Restaurant and Lounge – Doubletree by Hilton
$$ | (573) 632- 4144 |
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Every guest dining at a Doubletree by Hilton restaurant expects nothing but the best service, and Sapphires restaurant and lounge is no different. Situated on the penthouse level of the Hilton building, the restaurant offers grand views of the beautiful city spanning as far as the eye can see.
The American cuisine, complete with grill and lots of cheese, brings a homely feeling to the diner. The restaurant serves all meals, from breakfast to brunch to lunch and dinner, while the lounge offers a wide array of wines and cocktail selections.
Conclusion
Jefferson City is a destination with an unmatched wealth of culture and history. The city is a metropolis, with inhabitants from all corners of the globe.
The diverse cultures are evident in the cuisine options available in the best restaurants in Jefferson City. Whether a resident or just passing through, check out this list of restaurants for the perfect dining experience.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
These are all OK but my favorites didn”t get mentioned especially the Town Grill.