Missouri sits about as far from the ocean as you can get, yet some seriously good fish and chips are hiding in its pubs, grills, and seafood shacks. From a Victorian-style Scottish pub in St. Louis to a Cajun fish joint in Liberty, the crispy fish on this list is worth planning a weekend around.
Each stop brings its own twist, whether that means house-made tartar sauce, a skyline view, or a basket of cornmeal-dusted catfish. Save this list, grab a hungry friend, and start mapping your next road trip.
1. The Scottish Arms, St. Louis, MO
A Victorian-style pub on South Sarah Street may serve the most British plate of food in all of St. Louis. The Scottish Arms pairs its fish and chips with peas, the way a proper pub back across the pond would.
The rest of the menu leans just as traditional. Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, lamb shank, and duck Wellington all make appearances, and the truffle fries are a popular add-on.
The room has a cozy, historic look that works well for date night or a relaxed solo dinner. Live music and sports on the screens give it a lively edge on busier nights.
Plan ahead, because the pub is closed Monday and Tuesday and does not take reservations. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up fast, so a weekend lunch or Sunday brunch is the easier way in.
Free parking is usually easy to find, and there is a kids’ menu for younger fish fans.
2. Harry’s Country Club, Kansas City, MO
Despite the name, there are no golf carts here. Harry’s Country Club is a lively Kansas City bar with a jukebox, live music, and a menu built on hearty comfort food.
The fish and chips sit alongside city fried chicken, a pork tenderloin sandwich, a Cuban, and a fried bologna sandwich. Starters like homemade chips and dip, buffalo bites, and elote make it easy to turn dinner into a shared spread.
The enclosed patio is a big draw because it offers a view of the Kansas City skyline. In the evening, the ambient lighting inside gives the place a warm, relaxed look.
Hours run late, until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, so it works for a post-game or post-show bite. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Saturday nights.
3. Farmers Gastropub, Springfield, MO
Seasonal ingredients and British pub classics share the same menu at this Glenstone Avenue favorite. Farmers Gastropub calls its food American and British bar fare, and the fish and chips lead the way.
Fans of UK comfort food can keep going with bangers and mash, cottage pie, a full English breakfast, and pudding for dessert. The Blue Heron Farm Scotch egg is a nod to local sourcing, and the fried chicken miso mac and cheese adds a creative swerve.
A fireplace makes it an inviting stop on chilly Ozarks evenings. Vegans and vegetarians get full menus of their own, which is rare for a pub.
The kitchen is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and closed on Sundays. Free parking, a kids’ menu, and reservations make planning simple.
4. Hemingway’s, Springfield, MO
Lunch next to a giant aquarium is not something most fish and chips lovers expect. Hemingway’s, located at the Bass Pro Shops flagship in Springfield, delivers exactly that.
The restaurant is dedicated to Ernest Hemingway and focuses on seafood. Its fish and chips come crispy and fresh with house-made tartar sauce, and they have earned a loyal following.
The menu wanders in fun directions too. Elk sliders, bison chili, bacon-wrapped duck poppers, New England-style clam chowder, and key lime pie all show up, along with fried catfish and blackened mahi mahi.
Breakfast service starts at 9 AM on weekends, which makes it a handy fuel stop before shopping. Families will find high chairs, changing tables, a kids’ menu, and plenty of free parking.
5. Llywelyn’s Pub – St. Charles Mainstreet, St Charles, MO
Historic brick Main Street in St. Charles is already a great place to wander. Llywelyn’s Pub at 100 North Main gives that stroll a tasty finish.
This Celtic-themed spot is part of a local chain, and it serves British and American pub grub. Fish and chips anchor the menu, joined by shepherd’s pie, a Reuben, and an adult grilled cheese.
Bar games, live music, and a patio keep things social. Dogs are welcome outside, which is a bonus on a nice afternoon.
The pub stays open until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. A full vegan menu and a kids’ menu mean the whole group can find something, and reservations are accepted.
6. O’Malley’s Pub, Weston, MO
Weston is a tiny river town with big 19th-century character, and O’Malley’s Pub fits right into that old-school charm. It is a down-to-earth Irish pub with live music and classic pub grub.
The menu features Irish favorites like beef in stout, Irish egg rolls, crab cakes, and a soft pretzel. Fish and chips appear on the kids’ menu, so younger diners get a fun intro to the classic.
This is the most affordable pub on the list, with most meals around $10 to $20 per person.
Hours vary, so check before you go. Weekdays start at 5 PM, while Friday through Sunday open at 11:30 AM.
Pair dinner with a walk around Weston’s historic main street for an easy day trip from Kansas City.
7. Krustaceans Seafood, Columbia, MO
Cajun butter and crab legs might be the headliners, but the battered fish here deserves its own spotlight. Krustaceans Seafood brings a casual seafood boil vibe to downtown Columbia.
The fish and chips come with well-seasoned fried fish and fries, and the Cajun fries are a smart upgrade. The fried fish and shrimp combo and the Krab platter are other popular orders.
Staff are known for showing first-timers how to tackle crab legs, which makes it a friendly stop for seafood newbies. Portions are generous for the price.
The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and takes a midday break on Wednesday and Thursday. Parking downtown can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
8. Crabby’s, Joplin, MO
Crab cakes made this Joplin fish house famous, yet the fish and chips might steal your heart. Crabby’s offers beer-battered fish with homemade fries in a dimly lit, slightly upscale dining room.
The seasonal menu covers a lot of water. Pan-seared Chilean sea bass, seafood chowder, blackened Cajun tilapia and shrimp, and creamy linguine with a seafood medley are all options.
Save room for the bread pudding. It is one of the standout desserts on the menu.
Crabby’s opens Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially Friday and Saturday evenings.
9. Tropicana Bar & Grill, Joplin, MO
Two floors and a balcony give this Main Street grill more personality than your average burger joint. Tropicana Bar & Grill, nicknamed Tropix, is a casual Joplin hangout with fish and chips on its highlighted menu.
The menu also includes the Tropix Burger, fish tacos, an ahi tuna salad, and Killer Bill’s Fried Dills. It is a fun place to order a few things and share.
Trivia night, a fireplace, and sports on TV keep regulars coming back. Prices mostly fall between $10 and $20 per person.
Tropix is open Tuesday through Saturday, with late hours until 1:30 AM on weekends. Free parking is usually plentiful.
10. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Kansas City, MO
Sometimes fish and chips deserve white tablecloth treatment. McCormick and Schmick’s brings the classic to the Country Club Plaza area in a clubby, upscale setting.
The fish and chips pair nicely with a cup of clam chowder. Other picks include shrimp kisses, seared ahi tuna, classic calamari, al pastor fish tacos, and Chilean sea bass.
Happy hour is a budget-friendly way to visit, with food offerings running about $4 to $10. The chocolate bag is the dessert to know about.
Expect a wait at peak times. Dinner reservations are recommended, and free garage parking makes the Plaza easy to navigate.
11. Cliff’s Taphouse, Kansas City, MO
Burgers and tacos get top billing at Cliff’s Taphouse, but the fish and chips quietly earn a spot of their own. This Gillham Road restaurant puts fresh twists on classic American fare.
Beyond the fish, the salmon BLT, BBQ burger, and Taphouse burger are favorites. Sweet potato fries make a good side swap.
The spacious covered patio is a highlight, and dogs are welcome. The place has a welcoming LGBTQ+ friendly spirit.
Weekend brunch starts at 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Cliff’s is closed Mondays and accepts reservations.
12. The Fish Market, Liberty, MO
Gator on the menu is your first clue that this is not a stuffy seafood spot. The Fish Market in Liberty is a relaxed, fish-themed joint with a Cajun streak.
The catfish basket is the Missouri take on fish and chips, with a pound of cornmeal-dusted catfish, battered fries, and hush puppies. Fried alligator, alligator street tacos, seafood fritters, and firecracker shrimp round out the adventurous side.
Prices stay friendly, around $10 to $20 per person. Carrot cake is a sweet way to finish.
It is open daily, with families covered by a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. Saturday evening is the busiest time to visit.
From St. Louis pubs to Joplin grills, Missouri proves you do not need a coastline to fry a great piece of fish. Pick one, plan a drive, and taste the difference.
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