Missouri Wine Country is famous for its rolling vineyards, but the river towns that anchor it have another story to tell. Old brick taverns sit just a few blocks from the Missouri River in Hermann, Washington, and St. Charles, and they keep serving filling dinners long after the summer crowds head home.
Some of these buildings date back to the 1800s, and their menus run from bratwurst platters to steaks, burgers, and Italian plates. If you like your history with a side of comfort food, these six spots belong on your next road trip along the river.
1. Concert Hall and Barrel Tavern, Hermann, MO
Bratwurst gets the star treatment in downtown Hermann. The Bratwurst Sampler Platter is the headliner at Concert Hall and Barrel Tavern, a historic spot one block from the Missouri River at 206 E 1st St.
The menu pairs German specialties with American pub fare, so a group can split between schnitzel moods and burger moods without a debate. Portions run generous, and most meals land in the $10 to $20 range per person.
The building itself is part of the draw. It has a reputation as one of the oldest bars west of the Mississippi, and the roomy dining area has plenty of tables for families and groups.
Kids are covered with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and there is a full vegetarian menu too. A jukebox and TVs keep things casual.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and stretch to 1:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday evening is the busiest stretch, so reservations help, and free parking is usually easy to find.
2. Sharp Corner Tavern, Hermann, MO
Not every Hermann meal needs a wine tasting itinerary attached. Sharp Corner Tavern, at 414 Market St, is the relaxed neighborhood pub where burgers and pizza do the talking.
The signature burgers are the reason most people stop, and the pizza makes it easy to feed a hungry group. It also opens at 10 AM, so breakfast and lunch are on the table along with dinner.
I like this one for its no-fuss attitude. Bar games, sports on TV, and a historic, cozy room give it a true small-town tavern personality.
Plan around a few quirks. It does not take reservations, and it is closed on Sundays.
Monday through Wednesday it runs until 10 PM, Thursday until 11 PM, and Friday and Saturday until midnight. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up, while weekday afternoons stay calm, and free parking sits close by.
3. 1869 Draft Room, Washington, MO
The name gives away the birth year. 1869 Draft Room sits inside a historic brick building on Front Street in Washington, facing the Missouri River riverfront.
Inside, it runs as a lively bar and grill with a long list of taps and a pub menu built around burgers, bar plates, and comfort food. Happy hour food specials and a full vegetarian menu round things out.
Families are welcome here more than you might expect from a riverfront bar. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables, plus outdoor seating where dogs are allowed.
Evenings can get lively with karaoke and live performances, so check ahead if you want a quieter dinner. Thursday morning is the calmest time, while Thursday nights and weekends get busy.
It opens daily, starting at 3 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays and 11 AM the rest of the week. Late-night food runs until midnight most nights and 1:30 AM Thursday through Saturday.
4. Old Dutch Hotel & Tavern, Washington, MO
Here is a tavern where you can eat dinner and then just walk upstairs to bed. Old Dutch Hotel & Tavern, built in 1898, still welcomes overnight guests a couple of blocks from the Washington riverfront.
The tavern side offers full table service with a cozy, romantic feel that suits a date night or a quiet evening after touring the area. The beverage list is strong, so dinner here tends to be a relaxed, linger-a-while affair.
Hotel guests get modern rooms, Wi-Fi, and a complimentary breakfast, which makes this an easy home base for a wine country weekend.
Timing matters. The tavern opens at 4 PM Monday through Thursday, at 11 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and stays closed on Sundays, with a 9 PM close each night.
Reservations are accepted, and Friday evening and Saturday afternoon are the busiest stretches. Street parking is a mix of free and paid spaces, so give yourself a minute to circle the block.
5. Lewis & Clark’s Restaurant, St Charles, MO
Grab a seat on the balcony and you get two views at once. Lewis & Clark’s Restaurant looks out over historic Main Street in St. Charles and the Missouri River beyond it.
St. Charles is the gateway to Highway 94, the route that leads toward the Augusta and Defiance vineyards. That makes this a smart dinner stop at the start or end of a wine country drive.
The building holds three floors of seating, with marble tables and a historic feel throughout. The menu is big and American, covering steak, seafood, and burgers, along with salads like the Castlewood Canyon Salad.
Desserts are a strength, and a private dining room works for larger gatherings. Kids get their own menu and high chairs.
Expect to spend about $20 to $30 per person. It opens at 11 AM every day except Tuesday, closing at 8:30 PM most nights and 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and reservations are accepted.
6. Tony’s On Main Street, St Charles, MO
Look up when you walk in, because there is a canoe hanging from the ceiling. That nod to river life sets the tone at Tony’s On Main Street, an old brick building on the north end of historic Main Street in St. Charles.
The kitchen serves Italian and American specialties, which means pasta lovers and steak fans can share a table without compromise. Desserts get plenty of attention, and a full vegetarian menu is available too.
The space is large, with exposed brick, warm woods, and Adirondack chairs adding to the laid-back look. Live music and sports on TV give weekend nights an upbeat energy.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Weeknights from Tuesday through Thursday are noticeably calmer.
It is closed Mondays and opens at 4 PM Tuesday through Thursday and on Sunday, with earlier 3 PM openings and late hours on weekends. Parking is easy, with a free garage, lots, and street spaces nearby.
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