The Show Me State is a scrumptious place that’s home to an impressive array of group-friendly fine-dining options, fun foodie tours and enough barbecue, microbrews and wine to keep any group coming back for seconds.
St. Louis
From the Italian restaurants of The Hill to smokehouses like Pappy’s and Sugarfire, which cook up world-famous ribs, St. Louis is a mecca for foodies.
“One great way to give your group a glimpse of our amazing culinary scene is to join a dine-around,” says Anthony Paraino, director of communications for the St. Louis CVC.
He cites StL Culinary Tours as one of the city’s tour operators ready to facilitate a delicious journey for both large and small groups.
St. Louis also boasts Urban Chestnut Brewing Co., Schlafly Bottleworks and Square One Brewery & Distillery, among other craft brewers, as well as Anheuser-Busch, the mega-popular purveyor of Budweiser, which offers free brewery tours, according to Paraino.
Kansas City
In Kansas City, home to four James Beard award-winning chefs and even more nominees, there is an incredible lineup of group-friendly restaurants to explore, as well as some of the best barbecue in the country.
According to Derek Klaus, senior communications manager for Visit KC, a great way for groups to experience Kansas City’s world-famous barbecue is through local operator KC Barbecue Tours, whose stops include the popular Gates Bar-B-Q, LC’s Bar-B-Q and Woodyard Bar-B-Que.
“Attendees walk away with knowledge of Kansas City-style barbecue and, of course, full bellies,” he says.
Cooking classes, Klaus adds, are extremely popular for groups meeting in Kansas City.
“The Sundry, a farm-to-table market less than a mile from the Kansas City Convention Center, offers fun and accessible classes where groups can learn to make their own sushi, soups and cocktails,” he says.
Branson
In Branson, which has become known as the moonshine headquarters of Southwest Missouri, groups of up to 75 can tour Copper Run Distillery, according to Deborah Cohen, director of meeting and convention sales at the Branson/Lakes Area CVB.
“It’s a small-batch distillery just north of Branson that uses local resources like pure limestone-rich Ozark water to create moonshine, rum and whiskey,” she says. “They can create custom cocktails and provide live music as well.”
Another moonshine attraction, Cohen adds, is the Branson Landing-based Missouri Mountain Moonshine, a new restaurant and event venue that offers free tastings, a barbecue-themed menu and live music.
“Groups can enjoy tastings of apple pie, peach and cinnamon flavored moonshine, to name a few,” Cohen says, adding menu specialties include barbecue chicken nachos and moonshine banana pudding.
Springfield
It’s back to beer in Springfield where popular group-friendly breweries include Mother’s Brewing Company, which offers tours and tastings of its unique beers, and Springfield Brewing Company, a downtown favorite that offers tours, live entertainment and a full-service restaurant.
“The walls of Springfield Brewing Company are a fascinating trip through Springfield’s past with dozens of photos showcasing the city’s history,” says Susan Wade, public relations manager for the Springfield Missouri CVB.
Downtown Springfield, she adds, is home to more than 40 chef-owned restaurants of varying cuisines, and many are located in historic buildings.
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Among them are Aviary Cafe & Creperie, Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe, which Wade says “has the best sweet potato hash browns around,” and Mudhouse, which is famous for its coffee and sandwiches.
Columbia
If the group wants to get acquainted with Columbia’s cuisine scene, Megan McConachie, marketing and communications manager for the Columbia CVB, suggests Columbia Culinary Tours, which customizes private outings for groups.
“Sample selections on the tour range from Cajun to doughnuts to even olive oil,” she says. “This delicious experience gives groups a look behind the scenes of what makes Columbia such a great dining destination.”
And located in Rocheport, only 15 minutes west of Columbia, is Les Bourgeois Winery, which McConachie says “has long been a bluff-top escape for wine enthusiasts in mid-Missouri.”
Les Bourgeois is now home to a new tasting room with seating for up to 30 people, and group tours are available.
Lake of the Ozarks
Wine-tasting continues along the Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail, which features six wineries, including Sugarloaf Vineyard and Seven Springs Winery.
“With breathtaking views, wine tastings and delicious food, our wineries are all about the overall experience,” says Rebecca Green, public relations manager for Lake of the Ozarks CVB.
The Lake of the Ozarks area also has group-friendly restaurants, many of which are situated on the water with lovely lake views.
The newest additions to the lake’s portfolio of eateries are Tucker’s Shuckers Oysters & Tap and Redhead Lakeside Grill.
St. Joseph
Two must-stops in St. Joseph are Tipple Hill Winery & Vineyard, which facilitates group tours and tastings, and Galvin’s Dinnerhouse, where everything is homemade and “the pan-fried chicken is legendary,” according to Mary Supple, director of sales at the St. Joseph CVB.
“Groups will enjoy the specialty pan-fried chicken dinners, though there are steaks and pecan-crusted trout, too, all served family-style with soup, salad, muffins, corn, green beans and freshly baked bread,” she says.
St. Charles
For a tasty outing in downtown St. Charles, tour guide Dishing Up America has groups covered.
According to Elizabeth Phelps, assistant director at the Greater St. Charles CVB, the tour offers an opportunity for groups to discover Missouri’s oldest and largest historic district.
“Your Dishing Up guide will introduce you to a few restaurant characters and some of the flavors that make Main Street shine,” she says.
This tour includes stops at First Missouri State Capitol, Magpies on Main, Foundry Art Centre and Grandma’s Cookies.
Jefferson City
In Jefferson City at Canterbury Hill Winery & Restaurant, groups can meet for private dining or a wine sampling either inside/upstairs in the Capitol View Room or outside.
“Take in breathtaking panoramic views of the city from the vineyard patio with live entertainment and a fire pit,” advises Katherine Reed, communications manager for the Jefferson City CVB.
If the group prefers beer, there is also Prison Brews brewery and restaurant, where attendees can play a friendly game of bocce ball before imbibing in a micro sampler of handcrafted beers and sharing some appetizers, including Jailhouse Fries and Prison Nachos.
