Everyone needs to eat, but here at the Lake, that experience also includes a variety of sights and sounds as well, from regular live music, to a multitude of Lake view options while you dine, the Foodie experience at Lake of the Ozarks can be as exciting or relaxing as you like, while satisfying every palate. The Lake area is also known for it's welcoming atmosphere and exceptional hospitality, from the fully staffed courtesy docks to park your boat while eating, to the multitude of family and pet friendly environments, to comprehensive resorts featuring several dining options on site, there's always another gastronomic experience just around the next bend.
Missouri is known for the variety of different Hickory trees that are native here, which gives the strongest flavor of all cooking woods, and this is one reason why you'll find so many BBQ and smoked food restaurants in the lake area. Another factor may be that Kansas City is the home of the first ever Commercial BBQ restaurant, opened in 1907 by Henry Perry. Although MO is the King of tomato and molasses based sauces within the "BBQ Belt", the Lake Restaurants offer a variety of BBQ styles, and it can be an adventure for BBQ lovers and foodies in general to explore them all and find your favorites.
On the Water or on Land, the waterfront theme pervades much of the Lake of the Ozarks activities, and the dining is no exception, as many places serve fresh seafood dishes, and several feature Cajun or Caribbean motifs, or names like Shrimp Daddy's and the Fish and Company. Fishing on the Lake provides a plentiful bounty of assorted fresh fish options highlighted at local dining establishments, and with the wide array of restaurants serving a range of options, daily deliveries of fresh supplies are flown into regional airports to provide the best quality to nearby bars, grills and eateries all over the Lake area, resulting in a smorgasbord of outstanding seafood experiences.
At Lake of the Ozarks, breakfast is important meal to fuel up and prepare for a day on the Lake, and the area is populated with an assortment of restaurants featuring breakfast buffets, daily breakfast specials, or serving breakfast well into the afternoon, with hearty portions and wide selections to satisfy any appetite. The Lake area also highlights a variety of specialty food and drink, including homemade candies and fudge, donuts, ice cream, wines and signature cocktails at almost every bar, offering an array of opportunities to compliment your meal or shopping experience. With so much diversity, dining can be as much of an adventure as any other Lake activity, whether you live here part time or full time, and a favorite eatery could even have an influence when selecting your next home.