The Top 10 Restaurants In Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Located on the Mississippi River in Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau is a fantastic city steeped in history. Art lovers, history buffs and foodies will take delight in this city as great murals abound along with historic buildings and excellent dining establishments. From fine-dining gems to budget friendly locales, the culinary scene is brimming with incredible flavors, many of which can be explored below in our dining guide for Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Bar, Restaurant, European, Dessert, Vegetarian, $$$
A fine-dining restaurant, 36 Restaurant and Bar is a newer culinary gem on Cape Girardeau’s restaurant scene. Owned and operated by local residents, John Eric and Vanessa Klein, this venue specializes in New American cuisine imbued with European influences. Within a lovely, elegant yet comfortable interior space, complete with partially exposed brick walls and wooden floors, discerning diners can sample many exquisite dishes, like the pan-roasted grouper on a bed of charred cauliflower purée, Swiss chard, and broccoli. Open for dinner Monday through to Saturday, 36 also offers a host of alcoholic beverages along with desserts, including the favored crème brûlée bread pudding.
Located in the heart of downtown, Bella Italia delights customers with its delectable Italian delicacies. A family-owned establishment, the warm and inviting atmosphere makes it a great spot for any occasion from a night with friends and family to a romantic rendezvous. Highlights of the menu include the lasagna and the angel hair Neapolitan with mushrooms, spinach, roasted garlic, pine nuts, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Established in 1996, Bistro Saffron is a delightful establishment featuring Pan-Asian cuisine. Focusing on traditional Asian recipes with a modern spin, the artfully plated dishes are sure to be a hit with visitors. Delicious items on offer include the vegetarian egg rolls served with a sweet citrus sauce, the panang catfish, and the veggie Thai made with seasonal vegetables and served with jasmine rice and choice of protein. Saffron is open everyday except for Sunday for both lunch and dinner.
Opened in 2013, Broadway Biergarten is an energetic venue serving a host of beer and cider alongside tasty fare sure to make mouths water. Located in the historic downtown area, this casual German biergarten-American craft beer bar features an impressive selection of not only draft brews but also those in bottles and includes both global and local varieties. To complement the beer and ciders available, an array of dishes are on offer, with highlights being the one pound imported pretzel, fried dill pickles, the eponymous Biergarten burger made with angus beef and served with waffle fries, and the famous boneless chicken wings.
Another historic downtown culinary gem, Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine is a lively venue serving zesty Cajun cuisine and classic American dishes. Established over 25 years ago, this restaurant continues to attract diners not only with its zesty cuisine, which is made with top quality ingredients, but also its laid-back environment. Within a colorful interior space, complete with vibrant murals, guests can feast upon flavorful home-style options such as fried catfish served with hushpuppies, the étouffée dinner made with either gator, crawfish, shrimp, or chicken in a creamy white sauce with sautéed onions, green peppers, celery, and spices served over rice.
Bar, Restaurant, American, Contemporary, Seafood, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
Founded in 1997 by James and Pat Allen, Celebrations is a fine-dining treat tucked inside a historic house. Featuring an elegant yet relaxing space adorned with art, the restaurant also offers guests the option of enjoying their meal al fresco on a charming, enclosed courtyard. From local purveyors to those outside the region, the culinary team seeks out the freshest, seasonal ingredients for their delectable fare, which changes often. An award-winning wine list plus luscious desserts are also available.
Minglewood Brewery opened in 2014 providing guests with a selection of craft brews along with tasty fare. Located downtown, this brewery features exposed brick walls and wooden floors creating a warm and inviting space where friends can gather to unwind after a long day. Open every day except for Sunday, guests will find great brews such as Minglewood American Stout — their first brewed beer — and Minglewood Tropical Pale Ale with notes of mango and citrus alongside a variety of food. The chicken garlic alfredo pizza topped with chicken, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, alfredo sauce, cheese, and buttermilk ranch is one tempting choice. Live entertainment is also featured, which adds to the fun environment.
A family-owned operation, Muy Bueno serves Mexican delights to hungry lunch and dinner patrons Monday through to Saturday. Within a friendly and casual atmosphere, guests can savor a host of items from appetizers to tacos to tamales. Must-try dishes include the al pastor taco with grilled adobo marinated pork, white onion-cilantro garnish and lime, the carne asada burrito stuffed with grilled marinated steak, beans, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and Mexican cheese and sizzling shrimp fajitas. An assortment of Mexican soft drinks plus other refreshing beverages are on the menu as well.
Established in 1974, Port Cape Girardeau is a downtown restaurant specializing in mouthwatering barbecue. Nestled inside a building steeped in history — it was once an office of General Ulysses S. Grant — this venue features a comfortable space in which to feast upon an array of recipes. The great ambiance is enhanced by exciting entertainment that often includes live music.
Opened in 1994, Zoi’s Gyros Corner treats diners to its delicious Mediterranean cuisine. A popular venue, the restaurant is tiny and features a drive-through for those guests who prefer to take their meals home. Gyros in a variety of combinations, including the spicy version with tomato, onion, and spicy feta dip, are an option along with specialty gyros, such as Greek BLT with gyros meat, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and tzatziki. Salads and plate dinners also make an appearance on the menu.
