As your home improvement friend, I want to provide you with the ultimate guide to the restaurants at the iconic Branson Boardwalk. With over 4 million visitors annually, the Boardwalk is one of the most popular attractions in Branson, Missouri. Stretching along the shores of pristine Lake Taneycomo, this lively area features fun activities, shops, shows, and plenty of dining options to appeal to anyone.
In this guide, I‘ll give you a detailed overview of the Boardwalk and share my expert picks for the best restaurants, broken down by category – from quick bites to fine dining. With so many excellent eateries to choose from, you‘re sure to find something to satisfy any appetite or occasion!
All About the Branson Boardwalk
Before we dive into the restaurants, let me share some key facts to help you get familiar with the Branson Boardwalk:
- Location – Right in the heart of Branson along Lake Taneycomo, about 2 miles from downtown
- Size – Over 1,500 feet long along the shoreline
- History – Opened in 1996, quickly becoming one of Branson‘s top attractions
- Visitors – Draws over 4 million visitors annually
- Attractions – Ferris Wheel, Arcade City games, Branson Variety Theater, the Landing Fountains, specialty shops, nightlife
As you can see, the Boardwalk has so much to offer for the whole family! The beautiful setting right along the lake provides a relaxing backdrop to enjoy the attractions, entertainment, shopping and dining. At night, dazzling lights illuminate the Boardwalk, making it an even more vibrant destination.
Now let‘s get into the main event – all the mouthwatering dining choices available!
Sit-Down, Full Service Restaurants
If you‘re looking to sit back and relax with table service and a scenic view, here are my top picks for full service restaurants on the Boardwalk:
For Steaks – LongHorn Steakhouse
When you need a perfectly cooked steak, I highly recommend LongHorn Steakhouse. Their specialty is steaks and chops grilled over a wood fire for robust flavor. I suggest the Flo‘s Filet – a tender 8 oz filet seared just right. Pair it with their house salad and a baked potato for a satisfying meal. Their seafood and chicken entrees are also excellent if you‘re not in the mood for steak.
For Mexican – Cantina Laredo
My top choice for authentic Mexican cuisine is Cantina Laredo. Right on the lakefront, this lively restaurant serves up fajitas sizzling on a skillet along with enchiladas, tacos, and specialty dishes like tender camarones al mojo de ajo (shrimp sautéed in garlic). I love their variety of tequila-based drinks too. With a fun festive ambiance, Cantina Laredo is perfect for enjoying Mexican food with a view.
For Comfort Food – Billy Gail‘s Cafe
If you‘re craving some stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, Billy Gail‘s Cafe really delivers. I suggest trying their pot roast dinner smothered in gravy or the chicken fried steak with creamy mashed potatoes. Meatloaf, fried chicken, and chicken & dumplings are also on the menu, so you can‘t go wrong. Portion sizes are huge here which makes it a favorite for families.
For Fine Dining – Level 2 Steakhouse
For an exceptional fine dining experience, Level 2 Steakhouse is my top Boardwalk recommendation. As Branson‘s premier steakhouse, Level 2 serves the finest certified Angus beef along with seafood and signature drinks in an elegant atmosphere. The bone-in ribeye and filet mignon melt-in-your-mouth, and I love enhancing my steak with lobster tail or seared scallops. With white linens and phenomenal service, Level 2 is perfect for celebrating a special occasion or indulging in a luxurious dinner out.
For Classic American – Colton‘s Steak House & Grill
When you‘re looking for generous portions of American favorites at fair prices, I suggest Colton‘s. Their specialty is meaty ribs slow smoked to fall-off-the-bone tenderness, along with steaks, chicken fried steak, burgers, and pasta. The atmosphere is rustic and relaxed – perfect for families. I recommend Colton‘s baked potato as a hearty side to your entree. Overall, a great place for classic American cooking done right.
For Breakfast – Grandma Ruth‘s Family Restaurant
If breakfast is your favorite meal, head straight to Grandma Ruth‘s for huge platters of your morning favorites. I‘m talking massive plates of eggs, pancakes as big as your head, breakfast meats, hashbrowns, and buttermilk biscuits. You‘ll walk away stuffed and satisfied. Grandma Ruth‘s serves breakfast all day, so you can hit them up for fluffy pancakes and eggs mornings, afternoons, or nights!
Quick Service & Casual Bites
When you want grab-and-go food or quick but delicious bites, the Boardwalk offers tasty options from burgers to funnel cakes:
Best Hot Dogs – Nathan‘s Famous
For premium hot dogs and fries, nothing beats Nathan‘s Famous. Their hot dogs are specially made using Nathan‘s original 1916 recipe. I suggest getting one topped with chili and cheese for a messily delicious experience! Their golden french fries and thick hand-dipped shakes also hit the spot.
Best Pizza – Gusano‘s Chicago Style Pizzeria
Gusano‘s does phenomenal Chicago-style deep dish pizza with layers of chunky tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and toppings sandwiched between a thick, buttery crust. It takes a little longer to bake, but the wait is worth it! I recommend enjoying a slice along with an ice-cold beer at their bar.
Best Funnel Cake – Funnel Cakes of Branson
For an iconic boardwalk treat, Funnel Cakes of Branson serves up piping hot, freshly fried funnel cakes topped with powdered sugar, fruit, chocolate and more. I suggest trying their S‘mores funnel cake with marshmallow, chocolate drizzle and graham crackers – delicious! It‘s the perfect place to indulge your sweet tooth cravings on the Boardwalk.
Best Burger – Louie‘s Grill & Bar
When a juicy burger and fries sounds ideal, Louie‘s Grill & Bar delivers tasty freshly made burgers cooked to order. Their cheeseburgers hit the spot, or try one of their specialty burgers topped with bacon, chili and slaw. Louie‘s chicken sandwiches and hot dogs also satisfy if you‘re not in a burger mood!
Best Ice Cream – Kilwin‘s Chocolates & Ice Cream
For creamy scoops of ice cream, shakes and chocolate sweets, Kilwin‘s is my recommendation. Their ice cream is rich, smooth and full of flavor, with specialties like chocolate, coffee chip, and cake batter ice cream. Or, indulge in Kilwin‘s famous chocolate fudge or handmade truffles for the ultimate chocolate experience.
Best Coffee & Pastries – Hot & Creamy Cafe
Hot & Creamy Cafe serves up incredible cinnamon rolls, danishes, muffins and other baked goods made fresh daily. Everything is baked in-house and delicious. Their coffees, espressos and steamers are fantastic too. It‘s the ideal spot to grab an iced cinnamon roll, latte and scone before a busy day on the Boardwalk!
Desserts & Sweets
Because I‘ve got a major sweet tooth, I had to include my top suggestions for the best spots to fulfill your dessert cravings:
Best Cheesecake – Serendipity on the Landing
For creamy New York-style cheesecake with graham cracker crust, Serendipity can‘t be beat. Their rotating cheesecake flavors include turtle, salted caramel and classics like plain and strawberry. Every bite is light and decadent! Serendipity‘s hearty fruit pies and ice cream are also fantastic.
Best Fudge – The Fudge Factory
At The Fudge Factory, you can watch fudge being handmade in old copper kettles through viewing windows while you wait for your order. The creamy fudge comes in enticing flavors like maple walnut, rocky road, and peanut butter. They even have sugar-free options! For classic rich fudge, this is my top choice.
Best Baked Treats – Maggie McFly‘s Cupcakes
For freshly baked cupcakes in flavors like chocolate peanut butter, lemon cream, and red velvet, Maggie McFly‘s is a must. Their cupcakes are moist and loaded with frosting – perfect for an afternoon pick me up! Maggie McFly‘s also sells mini cheesecakes and pot pies when you need a little something extra.
Best Gelato – Rita‘s Italian Ice
When a frosty Italian ice or creamy gelati is calling your name, Rita‘s delivers. Their refreshing Italian ices come in fruit flavors like mango and cherry. For gelati, layers of Italian ice get topped with sweet custard for the best of both worlds. It‘s the ideal place to cool off with an icy treat after a busy day exploring the Boardwalk!
Breakfast & Brunch
No trip to the Boardwalk is complete without a satisfying morning meal! Here are my top 3 recommendations for breakfast and brunch:
Best Pancakes – Peggy Sue‘s Diner
Peggy Sue‘s 1950‘s-themed diner serves pillowy, fluffy pancakes in plain, blueberry, chocolate chip and other flavors. Their breakfast platters come with 2 giant pancakes, eggs, and bacon or sausage – enough to fuel your morning! The nostalgic diner ambience makes it a fun place for a hearty start to your day.
Best Big Breakfast – Grandma Ruth‘s Family Restaurant
Grandma Ruth‘s is the spot when you‘re craving a mountain of breakfast food to start your day. Their humongous plates come loaded with fluffy biscuits, crispy bacon, sausage patties, eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes. Be prepared to walk away absolutely stuffed! Grandma Ruth‘s uses quality, fresh ingredients too.
Best Breakfast Buffet – Clocker‘s Cafe
For an incredible variety, I love Clocker‘s Cafe breakfast and brunch buffet. Enjoy made-to-order omelettes, breakfast meats, pastries, fruits, oatmeal, yogurt and more. Unlimited trips to the buffet make it easy to sample a bunch of different items. Located adjacent to the Boardwalk, Clocker‘s breakfast buffet is the best fuel-up before a busy day.
Bars & Nightlife
After the sun goes down, the Boardwalk comes alive with lights, music and lively nightlife spots. Here are two classic bars I recommend checking out:
Best Piano Bar – Pat O‘Brien‘s
Pat O‘Brien‘s provides a rollicking good time with dueling pianists taking requests from the crowd. Their signature Hurricane cocktails pack the perfect blend of rum, juice and liquor to really get the party going. With great drinks and lively music, this is my top pick for experiencing the energy of the Boardwalk after dark.
Best Pub – Waxy O‘Shea‘s
If you‘re seeking an authentic Irish pub vibe, Waxy O‘Shea‘s is a great spot right on the Boardwalk. Grab a seat at the bar for draft beers, Irish whiskey, and classic cocktails while listening to live acoustic music many nights. Waxy‘s also offers fantastic happy hour specials on drinks and appetizers, making it the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day.
Dining with a View
One of my favorite things about the restaurants along the Boardwalk is the spectacular views! Here are two spots I highly recommend for meals with a gorgeous backdrop:
Romantic Lakefront Dining – White River Fish House
For fine dining overlooking the shimmering lake, White River Fish House is unmatched. The contemporary interior provides panoramic vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows. Meals feature fresh catches like salmon and sea bass, paired beautifully with wine. For an intimate, romantic dinner, I suggest requesting a table right at the windows!
Scenic Outdoor Seating – Cantina Laredo
With a patio overlooking the lake, Cantina Laredo offers an amazing setting for Al fresco Mexican cuisine. The vista of the marina and lake paired with a margarita is hard to top! I love taking in the views with their steak and shrimp fajitas or fish tacos at an outdoor table. It‘s my number one recommendation for outdoor Boardwalk dining.
Helpful Tips & Recommendations
To wrap up this guide, I want to share a few helpful tips for visiting the restaurants at the iconic Branson Boardwalk:
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The Boardwalk gets busy in the mornings, so arrive early or make reservations, especially on weekends.
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If visiting in summer, plan to eat lunch after 1 pm when crowds thin out. Popular spots can book up at peak lunch hours.
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Don‘t forget your camera! The lakeside restaurants offer gorgeous scenic views for your photos.
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Check live music schedules for the bars and lounges. Many have great local bands and entertainment.
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If traveling with kids, the casual restaurants like Dairy Queen, Nathan‘s and Funnel Cakes are very family-friendly.
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At sit-down spots, ask for patio or window seating to enjoy the views. Request it when you book reservations.
I hope this comprehensive guide provides lots of helpful details to plan your dining at the iconic Branson Boardwalk! With so many excellent restaurants to explore along the scenic shoreline, you‘re sure to find new favorites. Let me know if you need any other Branson tips or home improvement advice!
