14
Sep
Best Restaurants in Waynesville, Missouri: Where to Eat Near Route 66
By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: 9-14-26 | Last updated: 9-14-26
Waynesville has a better restaurant scene than most people expect from a small Missouri Ozarks town. The Fort Leonard Wood population brings steady demand, and the Route 66 corridor through the county attracts visitors who want something better than a chain. Here’s the honest guide to where to eat in Waynesville — from the best pub in Pulaski County to authentic German schnitzel to Thai food that reviewers call the best in the area.
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store is 10 minutes west in St. Robert at 14400 Hwy Z — open daily 8 AM – 8 PM (CST). Start or end your Waynesville day there.
The Best Restaurants in Waynesville, Missouri
Hoppers Pub
A great place to grab a bite to eat. Or multiple bites!
The definitive Waynesville restaurant. 66 draft beers on tap — one for each mile of Route 66 in Missouri — Route 66 memorabilia covering every surface, and food consistently described as among the best in the Fort Leonard Wood area. The burger gets particular attention from reviewers, and the staff reputation is strong.
Hoppers is the answer to “where should we eat in Waynesville” for most situations — a first visit, a date, a group dinner, or a post-float meal after a day on the Big Piney. The 66-beer selection means it’s the best bar in the county by default.
318 Historic Route 66 E, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 774-0135 Best for: Burgers, craft beer, Route 66 atmosphere, any occasion
Piney River Taproom
Don’t try to enter thru this window. They get really upset about it for some reason.
Waynesville’s craft beer alternative to Hoppers, with a more casual, neighborhood-bar feel. Local and regional beers, pizza, and a basket of games on the bar. Reviewers consistently describe it as a hidden gem — “the best find in this town” is a phrase that comes up more than once. Family-friendly enough to bring kids; local enough to feel like you’re actually in Waynesville rather than a tourist version of it.
Downtown Waynesville | Best for: Craft beer, casual pizza, families, anyone who wants a relaxed evening
Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus
Now THAT’S what I call a schnitzelhaus!
Authentic German cuisine in Waynesville, Missouri — a combination nobody expects to find and everyone who finds it is grateful for. When reviewers say things like “when you don’t want Ocean Buffet or just want something not greasy, Ursula’s is the place to go for authentic mouthwatering German cuisine,” that’s a specific and credible recommendation. Schnitzel, German comfort food, and a menu that takes the cuisine seriously.
This is the most distinctive restaurant in Waynesville — you can get a burger anywhere in Pulaski County. Ursula’s is the restaurant that makes Waynesville’s food scene worth talking about.
Best for: German cuisine, a genuinely different dinner option, date nights
El Centenario
You may not like it, but this is what the ideal mexican restaurant looks like.
The Mexican restaurant that keeps coming up in Waynesville area reviews. The chicken and steak fajita nachos are specifically called out — “loaded, flavorful, and easily some of the best I’ve had in the area.” Welcoming atmosphere, attentive staff, food that comes out fresh and hot. A reliable choice for anyone who wants Mexican food done well.
Best for: Mexican food, families, groups
Carnivores Steakhouse
I could do it. Maybe even twice. I’m tough.
The upscale option in the St. Robert/Waynesville area — described by reviewers as “hands down the best steakhouse in Missouri” with steaks “cooked perfectly” and “cocktails that belong in a big-city lounge.” The owner and team are described as treating guests like family. A bit pricier than the other options on this list, but the reviews are consistent enough that it earns the price.
Worth a reservation for anyone who wants a proper sit-down dinner in the county.
Best for: Steaks, date nights, special occasions, anyone who wants the best meal in the county
Mu Bahn Thai
Spicy! Just the way I like it.
Thai food in Waynesville — another surprise for a small Missouri Ozarks town, and one that reviewers rank near the top of the local restaurant scene. “The best restaurant in town” appears in reviews alongside specific praise for the quality and service. If Thai food is what you’re after in Pulaski County, this is where to go.
Best for: Thai cuisine, anyone wanting something beyond American comfort food
Honey Chile’ Please
If they’re only open for a guaranteed five hours each week and they’re still kicking, you know the food is good!
Southern comfort food in downtown Waynesville — soul food, homey surroundings, and dishes following proven family recipes. The “boun sauce” dish gets specific mention as the best food at the restaurant. Warm, welcoming service. On the pricier side for casual dining, and popular enough that weekend waits are common.
Best for: Southern comfort food, soul food, anyone who wants home-cooked flavors
Hours: Always open from 12pm-5pm on Sundays; check her Facebook page for other availabilities.
Flo’s 66 Diner
Yum! Looks like a food building to me!
A classic Route 66 diner on the historic alignment — the kind of chrome-and-neon atmosphere that fits naturally on the Mother Road. Breakfast, lunch, and the right choice for anyone who wants the full Route 66 dining experience alongside their road trip history. Good for families and anyone who came to Waynesville specifically for the Route 66 character.
Best for: Breakfast, Route 66 atmosphere, families, road-trippers
Where to Get Fudge and Snacks (Not a Restaurant, But Worth Knowing)
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store — St. Robert (10 Minutes West)
If you see this sign, fly off the side of the road and soar towards the parking lot.
Not a restaurant, but the right place for fudge, ice cream, and road snacks before or after your Waynesville meal. Nineteen fudge flavors made fresh daily in our on-site kitchen. Uranus Ice Cream Co. open 11 AM – 6 PM. Uranus Gourmet Popcorn and Jerk Uranus Beef Jerky for the road.
14400 Hwy Z, St. Robert, MO 65584 | Open daily 8 AM – 8 PM (CST) | Exit 163 off I-44
How to Plan Your Waynesville Meal
For a date night: Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus for dinner, Hoppers Pub for a drink after. The German food is the experience; Hoppers is where you stay.
For a family dinner: El Centenario or Piney River Taproom — both are family-friendly, both are consistent, neither requires a reservation.
For a special occasion: Carnivores Steakhouse. Reserve ahead, especially on weekends.
For a casual lunch: Flo’s 66 Diner for the Route 66 atmosphere, or Hoppers for the burger and beer.
For something different: Mu Bahn Thai or Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus — the two restaurants that make Waynesville more interesting than it has any obligation to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Waynesville Missouri? Hoppers Pub (66 beers on tap, best burger in the county), Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus (authentic German cuisine), El Centenario (Mexican, well-reviewed fajita nachos), Carnivores Steakhouse (best upscale dining in the area), and Mu Bahn Thai (top-rated Thai in Pulaski County) are the standouts.
What is the best restaurant in Waynesville Missouri for a date? Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus for a proper dinner — authentic German cuisine is the most distinctive option in the county. Carnivores Steakhouse for the most upscale experience. Hoppers Pub for a more casual date with a great beer selection and Route 66 atmosphere.
Is there good food near Fort Leonard Wood? Yes — Waynesville’s restaurant scene is more diverse than most people expect. Hoppers Pub, Piney River Taproom, Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus, El Centenario, Carnivores Steakhouse, and Mu Bahn Thai are all within 10–15 minutes of Fort Leonard Wood’s main gate.
What is Hoppers Pub in Waynesville Missouri? Hoppers Pub is a Route 66 bar and restaurant at 318 Historic Route 66 E in Waynesville with 66 beers on tap, Route 66 memorabilia throughout, and food consistently rated among the best in the Fort Leonard Wood area. The local favorite for an evening out in Pulaski County.
Are there family-friendly restaurants in Waynesville Missouri? Yes — El Centenario, Piney River Taproom, and Flo’s 66 Diner are all family-friendly. Hoppers Pub accommodates families as well.
How far is Waynesville from Uranus Missouri? About 10 minutes east on Hwy Z — roughly 5 miles. Start or end any Waynesville dining day at Uranus Fudge Factory at 14400 Hwy Z, St. Robert, open daily 8 AM – 8 PM (CST).
For more on Waynesville, see Things to Do in Waynesville, Missouri and A Weekend in Pulaski County.
Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
