10 Restaurants That Define the Culinary Soul of Springfield, MO

By Jamie Dutton

If you asked me about Springfield’s dining scene before I started coming here, I might’ve shrugged and mentioned cashew chicken. It’s the city’s claim to fame, after all. But after eating my way through the city, I realized there’s a lot more to Springfield’s food story—a mix of old-school comfort and fresh creativity that feels distinctly Midwestern but never boring. Here are my 10 favorite restaurants in the Queen City of the Ozarks.

The Order

1. The Order

This downtown spot inside the stylish Hotel Vandivort could easily coast on its good looks. But then you take a bite of their play on cashew chicken: fried chicken bites, lemongrass-ginger caramel, fish sauce and spiced cashews. It’s a dish that’ll steal the show from whatever else is on the table—or maybe ate this year. The Order is upscale without being snooty, perfect for a date night or when you just feel like spoiling yourself.

2. Team Taco

Tucked away in the Rountree neighborhood, Team Taco keeps it simple and delicious. Pictured here is the Pump Up the Lamb taco: braised leg of lamb with mint chimichurri sauce, feta and pico. This is a spot that’s reliably quick, casual, and always tastes like summer.

Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes Springfield Missouri

3. Black Sheep

Gourmet burgers are everywhere these days, but Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes makes you believe they invented the idea. The Cowboy Carl comes with slow-cooked smoked brisket, spicy fried onions, a house-made pickle, and chipotle BBQ—messy in all the right ways. Their boozy shakes are just as over-the-top, but somehow it works. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it doesn’t care if you leave with barbecue sauce on your shirt.

4. Ocean Zen

Ocean Zen is where you go when you want a little drama with your dinner. Their oven-roasted Chilean sea bass is delightfully herby. The dining room is sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows and just enough elegance to make you sit up a little straighter.

5. Bawi Korean BBQ

At Bawi, you’ll get your own tabletop grill and a selection of marinated meats to cook at your leisure, plus an array of Korean sides like spicy kimchi and crispy pajeon. It’s as much about the experience as the food, but the flavors more than hold their own.

6. Greek Belly

If you’ve ever had a bad gyro, Greek Belly is your antidote. Their lamb is perfectly seasoned, the pita is soft and warm, and the tzatziki is garlicky enough to make you reach for gum after. It’s small, unassuming, and the kind of place you find yourself thinking about long after you’ve left.

Haruno Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill Springfield Missouri

7. Haruno

When I need sushi in Springfield, it’s Haruno every time. Their Madam Butterfly roll—bulgogi bbq beef, pickled radish, tamago, carrot and cucumber—is a little indulgent but never too heavy. The modern decor and dim lighting make it feel just upscale enough for a Friday night out without feeling like you’re trying too hard.

8. Cafe Cusco

I thought I knew what Peruvian food was until I stepped into Cafe Cusco on Commercial Street. It’s bright, colorful, and smells like garlic and lime. Their lomo saltado—a beef stir-fry with rice and fries—feels like comfort food but with a sharp, citrusy kick. The servers make you feel like you’ve walked into a friend’s house for dinner, and the vibe is casual without cutting corners.

9. The Wheelhouse

This modern Asian-fusion spot in the The Vib Best Western Springfield serves up dishes that are anything but traditional. The Wheelhouse’s build-your-own tacos are best done with kimchi felafel that have just enough heat to keep things interesting. The vibe here is casual and quirky—mismatched chairs, handwritten menus—but the food is sharp and focused.

Leong's Asian Diner Springfield Missouri

10. Leong’s Asian Diner

You can’t talk about Springfield food without mentioning Leong's, where Springfield-style cashew chicken was invented. It’s fried, sauced, and salty in all the best ways, served in a retro diner that feels like a time warp to the 1960s. Don’t mess around—order the original cashew chicken, and thank me later.