Everyone knows Lambert’s. It’s the home of throwed rolls, the home of southern cookin’, the home sides on demand. It’s a great restaurant that thousands of people have come to love over the years. Lambert’s is a great restaurant.

But, it’s not the only restaurant in Ozark.

There are tons of great place to get your munch on in Ozark. There’s something for whatever kind of mood you’re in. Let’s take a look at 10 awesome locally-owned restaurants in Ozark!



The town of Ozark just got a little taste of Europe close to home! David Pruneau, owner, operator, and chef of the new local restaurant, Little Danube, is bringing Eastern European Tradition to his community. Drawing heavily from his own upbringing in Europe, Pruneau hopes to expand the palette of many Ozarkians. Even the unique name of his new venture has an inspiring story behind it. Its meaning derives from the second-longest river in Europe and the events in 1987 in which David’s Father fought for his freedom by fleeing an oppressive political landscape of Romania. Davids love for his homeland and the Ozarks is is clearly present at Little Danube, making him a standout individual in the community.

Maru brings Japanese cuisine to the culinary palettes of our neighbor to the south like no other restaurant does in the area. It features a robust sushi menu, too. Plenty of things to try each time you visit!

Don’t get this restaurant confused with the now closed Mr. Yen’s. Yen Ching is still open and dishing out some sweet (and sour) meals to Chinese food lovers in Ozark. If you love Springfield-style cashew chicken, this is a great place to go. They also have a pretty tasty Imperial Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken and if you’re in an adventurous mood, try the hot squid & veggies!

Yen Ching also has awesome decor and a great environment for dates or family dinners. Check it out!

A contemporary Latin-American restaurant with locally sourced ingredients? YES PLEASE! Iguana Roja serves up unique and delicious dishes that are handmade by chef Brian Taylor and the staff. You might’ve heard that they won best wings at Wingapalooza, but they’re much more than just a wing restaurant. This place goes the extra mile to provide a wonderful dining experience. They’ll even make guac right there at the table. This place pulls out all the stops and some world famous musicians are taking notice!

If that’s not enough, it’s also a great place to grab a frosty, local beverage! That’s right. Iguana Roja serves Mother’s brews on tap, along with a bunch of other unique kinds of oat soda. Check them out on their Thirsty Thursdays for 1/2 price draft beers!

They don’t put fresh in the name for nothing. Salvatore’s makes everything from scratch and you can really taste the difference. They have a robust menu with sandwiches, paninis, burgers, salads, and of course, plenty of pasta dishes.



Salvatore’s also has a great wine menu with plenty of choices and advice on which wines to have with what you’re ordering for dinner!

If you’re looking for a cozy place to enjoy some breakfast, brunch or lunch, Market House is a great choice! It comes with the feeling of a classy bistro and the delicious menu of one, too! Market house makes things from scratch, which really gives you a taste of gourmet home cooking inspired by a Midwestern pizazz.



Market House features soups, sandwiches, salads, quiches and plenty more. Some of their house specialities are pretty great, too. Try the Deputy Fire Stacker for breakfast. It’s a scrumptious combination of eggs, crispy hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy. Nothing like a hearty breakfast to start of a weekend!

The ultimate bar and grill in Southwest Missouri, Big Whiskey’s has carved out a niche in Ozark as well! Serving up it’s famous appetizers, burgers, steaks and brews, it’s quickly become a go-to spot to grab some comfort food. It’s the perfect environment for a night on the town or the venue to watch a big game. You can’t go wrong with a Viking Burger or a New York Strip at any of Big Whiskey’s locations.

Oh, and the fries…they’re really, really good.

The East Coast has found a home on the Ozark square at Mama’s Style Kitchen. They make NY style pizza and cheese steaks inspired by Philadelphia. Their customer rave about the environment and service they receive and the quality of the food served. The menu is loaded with awesome dishes like Stromboli, Gyros, and Chicken Pesto to name a few.

What an absolutely perfect place to have lunch in downtown Ozark. The Spring Creek Tea Room is an adorable spot for soups, salads, quiches and plenty more. The choices for dessert are equally amazing. These folks have the best cakes and pies in town. Just look at ’em!

Not fast food. Just good food. Rosie Jo’s is fast, but it’s not a burger in a wrapper, this is Southern Soul food. This is a great place to get a pork tenderloin sandwich and a side of hand-cut fries or fried chicken and mashed potatoes with white gravy. If you’re looking for a heart meal and friendly environment, look no further!

What’s your favorite Ozark restaurant? Let us know in the comments on Facebook!