For 22 years, the readers of Rural Missouri have been sharing their favorite places in the Show-Me State with the editors of the magazine. Around 40,000 votes were cast across 18 categories in the annual Best of Rural Missouri Readers’ Choice Awards. Each year the results highlight the best places to eat, shop, stay and relax throughout Missouri. Winners in the 2025 edition of the contest were recently announced in the magazine’s April edition, with a first place, second place and editors’ choice award presented in 18 categories.
“Our annual contest continues to showcase the incredible businesses, destinations and hidden gems that make our state special,” says Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri editor. “This year’s winners reflect both longtime favorites and new honorees, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the people and places that make Missouri a wonderful place to live and explore.”
The 2025 winners are spread to nearly every corner of the state and are from towns and villages both big and small.
The following were selected by Rural Missouri readers as the best in 2025:
Restaurant
1st: Beckett’s, Glasgow
2nd: Fulton Cafe, Fulton
Editors’ Choice: Carson’s, Sikeston
Barbecue
1st: Wabash BBQ, Excelsior Springs
2nd: Sweet Smoke BBQ, Jefferson City
Editors’ Choice: Duke’s BBQ Shack, Wentzville
Pizza
1st: Firehouse 54, Eagleville
2nd: Brooklyn Pizza, Fulton
Editors’ Choice: Mother Tucker’s, Lamar
Coffee Shop
1st: Fireside Bakes and Brew, Fayette
2nd: Bourbon Cafe & Coffee Saloon, Bourbon
Editors’ Choice: Knox County School Bus Cafe, Edina
Bakery
1st: Hoeckele’s Bakery and Deli, Perryville
2nd: Rolling Pin Bakery, Glasgow
Editors’ Choice: Black Oak Bakery, Dearborn
Food Truck
1st: Mr. Murphy’s Stuffed Potatoes, Mexico
2nd: Mad Moose and Crew BBQ, Cuba
Editors’ Choice: Smokin Pickle, Fulton
Burger
1st: Rich’s Famous Burgers, St. James, Sullivan, Owensville, Steelville and Bel-Nor
2nd: Dukes on the Boulevard, Jefferson City
Editors’ Choice: Mary Janes Burgers and Brew, Perryville
Winery
1st: Stone Hill Winery, Hermann
2nd: Spencer Manor Winery, St. James
Editors’ Choice: Charleville Brewery & Winery, Ste. Genevieve
Brewery/Distillery
1st: Public House Brewing Co., Rolla
2nd: Pinckney Bend Distillery, New Haven
Editors’ Choice: Piney River Brewing Co., Bucyrus
Roadside Attraction
1st: Uranus Fudge Factory, St. Robert
2nd: Jim the Wonder Dog Museum, Marshall
Editors’ Choice: Maxie the Goose, Sumner
Park
1st: Maramec Spring Park, St. James
2nd: Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon
Editors’ Choice: Elephant Rocks State Park, Belleview
Community Event
1st: Apple Butter Makin’ Days, Mt. Vernon
2nd: Septemberfest, Tipton
Editors’ Choice: Tom Sawyer Days, Hannibal
Flea/Antique Market
1st: Dusty Daisy, Clinton
2nd: Sara’s Treasure, Cameron
Editors’ Choice: Jacob’s Cave, Versailles
Family Fun
1st: Midway Golf and Games, Columbia
2nd St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis
Editors’ Choice: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Springfield
Outdoor Adventure
1st: Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Lampe
2nd: Katy Trail State Park, Clinton to Machens
Editors’ Choice: Float Trip, Van Buren
Downtown
1st: St. Charles
2nd: Jefferson City
Editors’ Choice: Cape Girardeau
Made-In-Missouri Product
1st: Dandelion Creek, Plattsburg
2nd: Burgers’ Smokehouse, California
Editors’ Choice: Southern Gent Candles, Rocheport
Artist/Craftsperson
1st: Flat Rock Leather, Pilot Grove
2nd: Jim Dyke, Jefferson City
Editors’ Choice: Brandon Crandall, Brashear
Best of Rural Missouri Hall of Fame
During the 22-year history of the Best of Rural Missouri contest, some restaurants, places and people have emerged as perennial favorites among readers. The list below highlights those entries which have received five or more first-place wins during the history of the statewide contest. The Hall of Fame members are:
* 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
You can find more info about the 2025 contest at www.RuralMissouri.org.
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