Top 10 Restaurants In Independence, Missouri

With bold flavors, and modern interpretations of traditional dishes, Café Verona promises to transport guests to the romance of Italy. Located on historic Independence Square, the restaurant’s interior features a dramatic replica of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus while warm tones and rich woodwork complete the restaurant’s inviting ambiance. A well-stocked bar makes the perfect setting for a pre-dinner drink. Try a starter of crab-stuffed risotto balls with spinach and roasted red pepper aioli followed by a comforting plate of mac and cheese available with additional grilled chicken breast, lobster or rib eye steak.

Located in a historical building dating back to 1907 that formerly housed the town’s drugstore, Ophelia’s offers guests an eclectic American menu infused with global flavors. For visitors, there is a stylish and cozy inn situated directly above the restaurant. Headed by executive chef Bobby Stearns who crafts inventive dishes like lobster and crab crepe with bourbon cream sauce and mains like Chilean sea bass with roasted corn polenta, sautéed spinach and a citrus buerre blanc, this place is not to be missed.

For an area that specializes in barbecue fare, fans of the style certainly won’t have a hard time finding a barbecue joint. But Independence’s A Little BBQ Joint still manages to stand out from the crowd. The family owned restaurant has mouthwatering dishes and a laid-back, casual vibe complemented by a quirky, retro interior furnished with classic car parts. The menu features all you would expect of a barbecue joint like pulled pork, brisket and ribs, served alongside daily specials like smoked meatloaf. Local diners looking for a more relaxed Thanksgiving this year can even bring in their own turkeys to be smoked by the restaurant’s expert barbecue chefs.

A cozy basement level pub and restaurant with a casual, lively ambiance and trendy clientele, the focus at The Court House Exchange is on burgers and beers. Guests can choose from a number of signature burgers such as the black n’ blue—a Cajun-flavored burger topped with creamy blue cheese, lettuce and tomato in a toasted Kaiser bun. There are also comfort food classics like golden brown deep-fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans. For dessert try the popular bread pudding with caramel sauce and don’t forget to try one of the Court House’s local microbrew beers.

A small, casual and cool venue in downtown Independence, Eat Up Dog is a specialty hot dog joint with a classic diner-style interior that prides itself on serving up delicious, grilled-to-order hot dogs. Guests can relax in one of Eat Up Dog’s retro booths or take a seat at its diner counter while chowing down on classic options like the Chicago dog—a sausage topped with pickle, tomato, relish, sport peppers, mustard, celery and salt in a poppy seed bun—or specialty dogs like the Hawaiian, which comes with ham, potato chips, mozzarella cheese, pineapple sauce and pink sauce.

Originally established in 1919, Dixon’s Famous Chilli has the honor of being the longest-running family-run restaurant in the Kansas City area and the winner of awards including Pitch’s Best Chili. Dixon’s chili is served the proper Kansas City style: available in one of three ways – ground beef comes with either meaty juices, a soupy bean broth or dry. Guests then top it off with a number of fixings like ketchup, sour cream, grated cheese and jalapeño relish. A variety of burgers and hot dogs are also available alongside other chili-based dishes like tamales, tacos and burritos.