8 Shortlisted Restaurants In Kennett (MO) That Locals Love!

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Last updated on December 12, 2022 by Wandering our World

Dining out can be a big decision when you’re on vacation, and it can sometimes be one of the most stressful ones too. So whether you’re just passing through Kennett, MO, or going there for a few days, we’re here to help!

That’s why we’ve compiled this handy list of all the restaurants in Kennett we think you need to go try out when you’re in town.

From Mexican eateries and seafood restaurants to popular burger places that have been around for decades, this town has a surprisingly diverse and impressive cuisine scene.

There’s plenty to choose from, so make sure you give a few of our recommended restaurants a chance. Bon appetit!

Chef cooking in kitchen
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

The Best Restaurants in Kennett, MO: Food Worth Waiting For

1. Downtown Bistro

Popular neighborhood bar and grill serving classic American wares in a lively atmosphere with occasional live music! Separate kids menu is available too.

If you’re in town and want to experience one of the most popular restaurants in Kennett then a visit to Downtown Bistro should be on your agenda.

Not only is this a great restaurant that serves classic, all-time favorites but it also has one of the best vibes that you’ll get to experience in town. So kick your boredom to the curb with a tasty meal and a place with lots of activity!

As soon as you walk through the door you can see the charm that the place exudes. With lots of black and white pictures of the town’s history, its walls are works of art in their own right.

Apart from this, they have a very cozy space, mostly because of the huge bay windows that let in a lot of light and street views. Plus, the lighting around the bar area is also very festive, especially as the evening sets in.

As far as their food is concerned, Downtown Bistro has a very comprehensive menu that’s full of meat, pork, chicken, and veggie delights. But it’s their burgers and pasta that are the most renowned dishes, so make sure to try some of those when you visit.

Additionally, they also have daily specials that they announce on their Facebook page every day. That page is also a great source of information to see when a band is playing live at this restaurant too, so remember to check it before you go.

Downtown Bistro is closed over the weekend. However, they are open every other day from 10:30 am to 2 pm for their lunch service and from 5 pm to 9 pm for their dinner service.

Address: 101 1st St, Kennett, MO

Italian pastas with different kinds of sauce
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Roxiller

2. Mr. C’s

One of the oldest burger joints in town, an iconic part of the town’s history!

Mr. C’s is one of the most iconic restaurants in Kennett, and one that’s been open for over 60 years!

Its heritage and history are so finely ingrained in the town’s existence that it’s just not possible to come to Kennett and not be pointed in the direction of Mr. C’s. This restaurant is a true local hotspot and a tourist hub as well, so make sure you add it to your itinerary,

Their interior looks like it’s been frozen in time and in many ways it’s like stepping into a photograph! With everything around us constantly evolving and changing, it’s nice to visit somewhere that you know is the same – that’s how many of the locals feel about the place.

It’s a cute little spot that feels homey and comfortable. There’s only a few tables to choose from as it’s not a big restaurant, so it can get busy at times so bear that in mind.

They are basically a burger joint and have been perfecting their recipe for decades, so you’re bound to be blown away by the amount of flavor they can pack in their food. So, order their hamburgers, cheeseburgers, steak sandwiches, or chicken strip sandwiches and you’ll be on cloud nine.

All of these burgers come with sides and slaw, as well as a drink, so it really is a perfectly filling meal.

They open Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 am to 2 pm for their lunch service and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm for their dinner service. Make sure you catch them when they’re open because trust us, you don’t want to miss out on what is easily one of the best restaurants in Kennett, MO.

Address: 1315 E 5th St, Kennett, MO

Top view of home made tasty burgers on wooden table.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kesu01

3. John’s Waffle & Pancake House

Delicious homestyle breakfast favorites served in a great atmosphere with exceptional service! Unmissable and irresistible.

Think breakfast is the most important meal of the day? We agree. And breakfast done right on vacation is nothing short of perfection. Luckily John’s Waffle & Pancake House makes a mean breakfast spread full of all of your favorite items and some quirky additions that you’ll find nowhere else. It’s definitely a spot that you and your stomach will both be happy to visit!

John’s is the perfect blend of café and diner with the best qualities of both. The interior has been done up to resemble a diner but their service and menu remind you of a café.

There are table and booth styles of seating to choose from. However, if you’re like us and like being as close to the food as possible then you can even sit at the bar and watch all the fry cooks make everything right in front of your eyes!

Their pancakes and waffles are available all day, so even if you’re a late riser, you can still have those no matter what time you come at. Apart from that, their skillets, breakfast wraps and omelets are some of the most popular items they serve, so make sure to grab one of everything to sample all that they make.

John’s Waffle & Pancake House is open 6 days a week so there’s plenty of time to stop by. They are closed on Tuesdays, but apart from that catch them anytime between 6 am to 3 pm.

Address: 424 Independence Ave, Kennett, MO

Pancakes with banana, walnut and caramel.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Lilechka75

4. B2Q BBQ

Slow-roasted BBQ cooked in a wood-based oven, with the deepest flavor imaginable!

There’s honestly nothing like BBQ. It’s an acquired taste for sure, but if you’re a fan then you’re a fan for life. But finding out spots that make great barbecue can be difficult, because not everyone gets that deep flavor combination just right. However if you’re in Kennett then you’re in luck because B2Q BBQ is one of the best barbecue places in the state!

This unassuming simple looking restaurant focuses on the things that truly matter, flavors and food. That’s not to say that the restaurant isn’t a nice place to be, it is. However it’s definitely a no-frills establishment that focuses on the food.

That said, it has a clean and homey feel to it, with some tables and chairs, as well as counter side seating to choose from. It’s supremely popular with locals and tourists alike, so make sure you come early to avoid getting caught in rush hours. They also have an outdoor table if you want to enjoy your BBQ while catching some sun.

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to how you want to enjoy their food. You can choose between just having meat and sides, or you can choose to indulge in their sandwiches, nachos, or burgers, all of which are bursting with their slow-roasted meat. It’s up to you!

They also have a separate kids’ menu and daily specials that you can look through as well. Also, they have some really creamy and exquisite ice cream flavors that make the perfect dessert, so make sure you grab some scoops after eating.

B2Q BBQ is closed over the weekend, but they are open all throughout the week from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, so drop by then!

Address: 314 Independence Ave, Kennett, MO 

Selection of bbq items
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/YuraWhite)

5. Catfish Wharf

Scrumptious seafood served in an awesome ambiance full of regular patrons and hospitable staff!

Seafood on vacation is always a great option, and for us, heading over to Catfish Wharf brings back memories of having seafood during summer vacations growing up. This place is nostalgic, fresh, appetizing, and inviting all at the same time, making it easily one of the best restaurants in Kennett, MO.

This restaurant has a homey atmosphere because it is family owned and operated. Everyone you meet there, from the staff to the patrons, will greet you like family, making the place feel comfortable and warm.

There are plenty of tables to choose from and many interesting under-the-sea-themed decorations adorning the walls too. The love and attention that’s gone into setting up the place definitely comes through when you look around.

Their po’boys and fish plates are amongst the most popular dishes but they also have many other items that you can choose from – including frog legs! So, if that’s a delicacy you want to try, this eatery would be the perfect place to try them from.

Apart from that, their burgers and sandwiches are highly recommended, and they come with some amazing sides.

Catfish Wharf is open seven days a week. From Monday to Saturday they are open from 10 am to 8 pm, but on Sunday they are only open for lunch from 10 am to 3 pm.

Address: 610 South Bypass, Kennett, MO

6. Grecian Steak House of Kennett

A popular local steakhouse that dry ages their meat to perfection! It’s also a family-friendly place with a separate kids’ menu!

If you’re looking for the best steaks in town that are cooked to perfection then one of the best restaurants in Kennett that you should visit is Grecian Steak House of Kennett.

They are absolute masters of their craft and make the meat taste extra delicious with their dry aging technique, spices, and flavors. Their steaks are an absolute treat to enjoy and perfect for special occasions or date nights.

With a lovely interior full of architectural delights and tons of light, it’s just the place to unwind and relax. Choose from a variety of tables, arranged in an open-plan seating area that has a large salad bar on one side of the hall.

This place is huge so you never have to worry about not finding a place, which for a popular restaurant like Grecian Steak House of Kennett is saying something.

They serve steaks, burgers, sandwiches, and seafood, but are mostly known for their steaks and burgers which have that spectacular dry aged meat, so we’d recommend trying those on your first visit.

Plus, they also have a separate kids’ menu and desserts that you can try when you’re done with the main course. Their cheesecake is touted as being a slice of heaven, so try that afterwards or pack it to go, it’s entirely your choice!

Grecian Steak House of Kennett is another restaurant that’s open 7 days a week, plus they have the same timings no matter what day it is, making it easy to remember their schedule. Visit them anytime from 11 am to 9 pm.

Address: 1108 South Bypass, Kennett, MO

beef steak display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/lisovskaya

7. Sweet Mayhem Bakery & Bistro

A sweet little bakery and restaurant serving delicious baked goods and amazing coffee!

Sometimes you just want some coffee and desserts to get you through the day, right? On those days you should simply head on over to Sweet Mayhem Bakery & Bistro.

Not only does this place have some of the best desserts and coffee in town, but they also have salads and sandwiches so there’s plenty of choices. But for anyone with a sweet tooth though, you’ll likely have no space left over after delving into their baked goods!

Even their interior is just like a coffee shop should be. With tables on one side and the ordering counter stacked to the brim with goodies on the other, you’ll just constantly be drooling over the wide assortment of stuff they have on the shelves.

They also decorate the place really well according to whichever holiday is nearby, so depending on when you go, it’ll always look on-point and chic.

From pies, cakes, pastries, cookies, muffins, coffee, salad and sandwiches the eatery does everything exceptionally well, making it a great well-rounded spot to go with family or friends.

Since it’s impossible to try everything that you’d want while sitting there we’d greatly encourage taking stuff to go along with you so you can enjoy them while sightseeing too!

Sweet Mayhem Bakery & Bistro is only closed on Sundays and open every other day apart from that.

They open quite early too from 7am to 6pm Mon to Friday (and 9am to 2pm on Sat), so if you’re an early riser and want to enjoy your mug of coffee with something sweet, hop on over!

Address: 121 1st St, Kennett, MO

cafe coffee and food selection
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Alisa Korolevskaya

8. Mi Ranchito 4

Authentic Mexican food served in a lively atmosphere with professional service!

There’s quite a few Mexican restaurants in Kennett, MO – after all, who doesn’t like Mexican food? But, arguably the best amongst all of them is Mi Ranchito 4. That’s because this place simply makes the best-tasting food, provides the largest quantities of it, and has excellent efficient service among. Making it a definite winner in our eyes!

It’s a very well-decorated restaurant as well. With lots of different colored lights and ornaments giving it a cheerful look and feel. In the middle of the restaurant there’s a huge fountain that’s also full of lights and color. Definitely an area of the eatery where you should take some pictures to remember your time.

They also have booth-style and table-style seating to choose from and can accommodate a lot of people, owing to how big the lounge is. 

Their nacho fajitas, burritos, and tacos are amongst their most ordered dishes. However, they have a huge menu and if you feel like experimenting and ordering something different to try, this would definitely be the place to do so. That’s because they make everything from scratch, fresh daily, so that you can always rely on the quality of ingredients they work with.

Mi Ranchito 4 is open seven days a week, making it a very reliable place to visit. Their timings vary midweek and over the weekend, so check the schedule before going. During the week, they open from 11 am to 9 pm, and on Friday and Saturday, they open for another extra hour so from 11 am to 10 pm.

Address: 1730 1st St, Kennett, MO

Many types of tacos on the table.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Gulcin Ragiboglu

The Best Restaurants In Kennett, MO: Our Final Thoughts

That’s everything from us, guys! Our list of restaurants to dine at is in Kennett, MO.

Make sure you share this list with whoever’s accompanying you as well as other friends or family who’d be interested in knowing where to go and what to eat in Kennett, MO. Enjoy!

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.