JEFFERSON CITY – From beloved small-town restaurants to can’t-miss destinations, the 2026 Best of Rural Missouri Readers’ Choice Awards highlight the people and places Missourians say define the Show-Me State.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual contest conducted by Rural Missouri, a monthly magazine serving Missouri’s rural electric cooperative members, drew nearly 40,000 votes across 14 categories, celebrating standout spots to eat, shop, stay and explore. Winners were announced in the magazine’s April issue, with first place, second place and editors’ choice honors awarded in each category.
“Each year, this contest becomes a roadmap to the places Missourians truly love — from small-town cafes to must-visit destinations,” says Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri editor. “What makes it special is that these winners aren’t chosen by critics, but by the people who live, work and travel these roads every day. It’s an authentic snapshot of what makes rural Missouri shine.”
The 2026 winners represent communities across the state, from larger regional hubs to small towns and villages. The following were selected by Rural Missouri readers as the best in 2026:
Restaurant: First Place – The Rustic Garden, Bland; Second Place – Fulton Cafe, Fulton; Editors’ Choice – Harry J’s Steakhouse, Moscow Mills
Barbecue: First Place – Hercules Southern BBQ, Piedmont; Second Place – Hog Tide Bar-B-Que, Aurora; Editors’ Choice – Sweet Smoke BBQ, Jefferson City
Pizza: First Place – Pizza Glen, Clinton; Second Place – Via’s Pizza, Bourbon; Editors’ Choice – Primo’s, Canton
Coffee Shop: First Place – Bourbon Café and Coffee Saloon, Bourbon; Second Place – Swan Valley Brew Co. & Flea Market, Forsyth; Editors’ Choice – Foxtrot Coffee, Poplar Bluff
Dessert or Ice Cream: First Place – Central Dairy, Jefferson City; Second Place – Roaring River Restaurant, Cassville; Editors’ Choice – Nadine’s Homemade Ice Cream, West Plains
Pork Tenderloin: First Place – Tater Patch, Rolla; Second Place – Paula’s Cafe, Craig; Editors’ Choice – Smith’s Restaurant, Bolivar and Collins
Burger: First Place – Bubba’s Burger Bar and Egg Emporium, Moberly; Second Place – Rich’s Famous Burgers, Cuba, Owensville, Pacific, Sullivan, Steelville and St. James; Editors’ Choice – Mary Jane Burgers and Brew, Perryville
Winery, Brewery or Distillery: First Place – Logboat Brewing Co., Columbia; Second Place – Peaceful Bend Winery, Steelville; Editors’ Choice – Pinckney Bend Distillery, New Haven
Community Event: First Place – Apple Butter Makin’ Days, Mt. Vernon; Second Place – Junk Junktion, Moberly; Editors’ Choice – Easter Eggstravaganza, Echo Bluff State Park
Family Fun: First Place – Missouri State Fair, Sedalia; Second Place – Wonders of Wildlife, Springfield; Editors’ Choice – Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center, Cape Girardeau
Show Cave: First Place – Bridal Cave, Camdenton; Second Place – Meramec Caverns, Stanton; Editors’ Choice – Mark Twain Cave, Hannibal
Main Street or Downtown: First Place – Kirksville; Second Place – St. Charles; Editors’ Choice – Lexington
Missouri-Made Product: First Place – Cherry Mash, St. Joseph; Second Place – 1820 Sauce, Keytesville; Editors’ Choice – Farm House Collection, Jamesport
Artist or Craftsperson: First Place – Flowers on Phoenix, Tipton; Second Place – Glen Tutterow, Metal Artist, Cuba; Editors’ Choice – Ray Harvey, Muralist, New Haven
Best of Rural Missouri Hall of Fame
The Best of Rural Missouri Hall of Fame, established in 2023, recognizes destinations and businesses that have earned first place five or more times in the statewide contest. Honorees include:
* Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que, Cuba
* Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton
* St. James Winery, St. James
* Silver Dollar City, Branson
* Branson
* Lake of the Ozarks
About Rural Missouri
For nearly 80 years, Rural Missouri has served as the official publication for Missouri’s more than 590,000 electric cooperative members. Published monthly, the magazine features stories on the state’s most interesting people and businesses, along with dining destinations, travel ideas and road-trip-worthy getaways. Learn more at www.RuralMissouri.org.