When you think of Missouri day trips, Ozark, Missouri, might not immediately come to mind. Thanks to Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and a handful of local restaurant owners, however, the small town just south of Springfield has suddenly become a destination. It’s charming and walkable, with plenty of food options (beyond the always-popular Lambert’s Café, just off Highway 65). Here are five reasons to stop during your next trip to southwest Missouri.
1. Grab coffee and toast at The Workshop at Finley Farms. After much anticipation, Morris opened this working farm and coffee shop in late 2019. It offers a full coffee menu and some of the best toast in town, but it’s the atmosphere that’s especially a draw. When the weather is nice, the large metal garage doors that line one wall of the workshop open to a sprawling patio overlooking the farm. It’s downright bucolic—and that’s saying something when you consider it sits off the main strip that runs through town. If it’s chilly out, you can gather around the massive in-door fireplace and plan which workshop—weaving, tie-dying, baking (the list goes on)—you’d like to take.
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2. Fill up on brunch at The Finley. This renovated church is now home to a restaurant with a seasonally curated menu, a bar, and a whiskey-forward speakeasy. While lunch or dinner are satisfying, don’t miss brunch on the patio. Take your pick of elevated brunch classics: apple cider donut holes, pimento cheese cornmeal cakes, fried green tomato BLTs, pumpkin pancakes, peach cobbler french toast, crab cake Benedict… You can also order a cocktail—and if you’re a whiskey person, plan on ending your day back at the speakeasy.
3. Sip on a margarita at Iguana Roja. Part of what makes Ozark so attractive is the fact that you can park at the square and spend the rest of the day walking to everything on this list. If you’re ready for a cocktail break, then consider a stop at Iguana Roja for a margarita and homemade tamales. There are seven margaritas to choose from, plus a build-your-own option. And ask about seasonal drinks, including sangria during warmer weather.
4. Devour a cookie or other sweet from Stacey’s Sweets. Give yourself a sugary kick of energy at this downtown bake shop. Stacey’s is known for its custom cakes and baked goods, but there’s also cookies, cupcakes, bars, cake pops, brownies, macarons, and more.
5. End the day with dinner at Finley Farms & The Ozark Mill. Be sure to make a reservation at this restored historic landmark. The place has been packed since it opened last fall. There’s a reason: The setting is tranquil, the food is delicious, and the gift shop is charming. The menu is composed of true comfort food: bison meatballs, risotto fritters, cornbread, chicken and dumplings, short rib pasta and catfish. If the weather permits, sit at a table outside overlooking the Finley River, and take a stroll across the pedestrian bridge after dinner.
