We arrived on a Wednesday evening and didn't expect the restaurant to be busy. We were correct. However, we proceeded to wait approximately 25 minutes for a table, while no less than 5 employees stood at the front hostess stand and continually averted their gaze. When we were finally escorted into the restaurant, a table 10 feet from where we were standing, we noticed there were only about 5 tables with guests in the restaurant. Despite this very rocky start, our server arrived and was spectacular. Simona waited on us and was one of the best servers we have had the pleasure to meet. She was very attentive and kind. She is the reason for the 4 stars. If others in the restaurant were as pleasant, we would give many more stars and high recommendations. The food was very good and arrived in a timely manner. Simona is the reason we will be back. read more

Busy Saturday visit, was luckily enough to get a seat at the bar, closer to the fish. Quick service, host and server were friendly enough. Ordered a build your own burger with Swiss and mushrooms and fries. Order came out hot and relatively quick. I only wish a burger came with mayo instead of dry buns, then you need to ask for it and wait several minutes for a small ramekin to come out. Burger itself was cooked and seasoned well, mushrooms were fresh, fries were yummy. Server didn't check on meal but did give me a drink refill. $20 for burger, fries, soda & tip on the high side, but food and atmosphere were nice. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

The service is great. The waitress is very personable. And the service was fast. I like the family environment. The food was not good. I ordered the catfish and it was awful. I sent it back and got their cod instead. It was not much better. All of it was greasy and tasted like the grease had not been changed in weeks. I didn't eat it either. I was still charged full price. So even though I live locally.I won't be back. Not what you would expect from BASS PRO SHOP. read more

Went to Hemingways tonight and ordered the blackened Grouper. Normally this should be a thick chunk, but it came out looking like a catfish fillet. As I ate it, I noticed it was not very flaky and looked translucent. Upon further investigation, I discovered it was raw. Showed it to the manager whose eyes grew to the size of golf balls in shock. The soup was cold and the water tasted so thick of chlorine that I thought I swallowed a whole pool of chlorinated water. We learned a couple cooks quit early in the day. Wonder why...hmmm? Needless to say several others in our party ended up feeling sick from the horrid fare this establishment tends to serve. Eater beware when going to Hemingways because that meal could wind up being your last. read more

My wife and I had looks forward to coming here to eat lunch for a while now. So we had time and stopped in the food was good try the shrimp tacos. And the drinks were strong which my wife loved. The issue was the service. We sat at the bar because there was 20 min wait for a table. Took awhile to get the bartender to come get us meuns and our drink order. She was rude and very short with us. So service being a big deal to me is why only 2 stars read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - an aquarium - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

Server: Ivy. She's amazing and very sweet. Ambiance: a very ernest hemmingway themed eatery. I can certainly see the writer/ outdoorsmans influence. Food: very good. The wife says its too fishy. I think the freshness is a plus. Very filling with ample portions. Overall: its a very good respite after a long morning walking through this massive bass pro "resort". If you visit. Ask for Ivy. Shes amazing. Military 15% discount if you stay at the angler lodge. read more

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Good food and the clam chowder was hot and very good. The fish was good but don't get the catfish, I have heard it is not to good but you can try it yourself. The service is good; very nice people. The drinks are good they are very syrupy which adds a good bit of flavor. The ambiance is good to, it gives a feel of being at the ocean while fishing but also like the lake. I would come back, very taste. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - The aquarium - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

Pretty good I got the chicken sandwich, but wished I got the fish and chips tasted the fish and was really delicious! Atmosphere was really cool! read more

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Ashley was our server. We came in not realizing we it was close to closing time. Staff invited us to come on in, it was no problem. The food was hot, delivered quickly. The food was sooooo good. Our table we had the bison meatloaf...mmmm Islamorada portfino and the first and chips. Not one complaint. It's a pretty cool place. Nothing like being able to watch a live fish tank while you eat and/or overlooking Bass pro shop. Would recommend it if you get a chance. read more

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This restaurant is located inside the bass pro shop on the top floor. I have never heard of nor been in a restaurant that was inside an outdoor recreational merchandise store. Once you go through an entrance, you see a big statue and waterfall. I just could not believe it. What is even more super cool is that there is an aquarium behind the bar! I was here for a rehearsal dinner. We had a view of the floor with only camo items. I am not from the Midwest and did not know there could be a whole floor dedicated just camo, it was insane to me. The food was whatever, but the service was pretty fast. The bathroom was pretty and clean. Would I come here again? Yes, but to only sit at the bar looking at the aquarium and maybe drink and go shopping around haha! read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

Went twice this week when we visited for the aquarium. The first time we planned our visit to the aquarium, we didn't make it, got wrapped up in shopping at bass pro. Don't pass that up if you visit this time of year. Great prices! Anyway, we had a bison burger - yum, Caesar salad - delicious, clam chowder, - we're from Nor Cal and have had some amazing clam chowder and this was good but different, cheese curds - so good, mahi mahi sandwich - he got it blackened and liked it a lot, and coconut shrimp - only ok. The servings are large, fries are delish, service is excellent. We will definitely go back next time we're in the area. read more

Our server did a great job. However the Sunday brunch has a very small selection and it is not good. It's expensive and the food was terrible. I've enjoyed Hemingway's in the past, but I won't be back. It was truly awful. read more

Ambience makes the place, the aquarium behind the bar is amazing. We sat at the bar, service was a bit slow, seemed they had 1 bartender doing everything. Hubby had mahi mahi sandwich which was good. I had fish and chips which were good. The fries though are horrible. I love good fries and I couldn't even eat them. Mushy and tasteless.... read more

The food is awesome and wait staff was very sweet! I had the mahi mahi with lobster sauce and shrimp (highlighted item in the middle of the menu) it hit the spot and was delicious. Photo is halfway through but you get the idea. Will be back. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

I should preface what I'm about to say by admitting Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe was once my favorite restaurant in the Springfield area. I've had multiple birthday get-togethers here, and my friends and relatives have held many parties here. It's been a solid mainstay in my lifestyle and among the culture of my friends and family. With that out of the way, I must also admit that I now very much dislike Hemingway's, because I believe their quality and service have hit rock bottom; there is zero perceived value for the ostentatious prices they're asking. I don't know who manages this restaurant now, but I'd guess it's not the same person who ran it years ago. It used to be so good. I moved back to the area a year ago. I visited hemingway's my first week back, excited to revisit my old haunt. I left upset. My steak was tiny and overcooked; I had them remake it, and the second one was worse. I decided it had to be a bad day, so I'd return to the restaurant again. I tried again with similar poor results, and then stubbornly tried a few more times while hoping they'd improve. They did not. Finally, I wrote them off. Recently, however, Hemingway's announced the return of their Sunday brunch buffet. I decided I'd give them one last attempt, because surely this meant a return to their old quality and offerings. They must be improving, right? Wrong. The buffet food was not good. Honestly, Golden Corral would be a better Sunday brunch. Yet, I paid $93.00 for three people to have a bad buffet and a drink. I hope Bass Pro corporate can find a way to revive this restaurant. It appears this place is consistently missing the mark. I assume you need a re-training or restructuring of restaurant management, at very least. Please fix your scheiße, or change your name and stop spoiling the good name of my favorite author. As much as Hemingway loved writing about good food experiences in his novels, non-fictions, and foreign correspondence for the Star during his time in Paris in the 20's, it's clear he had high standards for food and drinks. Unfortunately, if Hemingway were alive today and visited your establishment, I find it unlikely he would ever write this restaurant into one of his books (unless he needed a fine example of a disappointing experience). read more

Great food for lunch and is $10 all you can eat or all you can take. I always loose the batter of All you can eat food. Either I stuff like blow up puffy fish or not get my money worth with two plates. This place is beautiful. It has fish tank I front of the the bar. The mermaid food stand. The most important is eat at this largest Bass Pro Shop and continue sight seeing in the store. The restaurant is at the far most left wing of the store if you decide go to eat first since it is huge to find the restaurant in the store. The restaurant is the only one in Bass Pro Shop have the name of Hemingways. The rest of Bass Pro Shop is with White River Fish House. The food is descend. It has a lot of choice. Sometime you can eat at the bar and watch the diver cleaning the aquarium glass. The service is good. The interior is very nice. So go enjoy. read more

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Normally I write a cute little review but there's nothing really to say except, awful food. Worse, our daughter's fish was not cooked thoroughly. They did take it back and replaced with another piece. Very disappointed and will not go back. read more

Islamorada Dish and May, the bartender was a great help. 5 stars, a must visit at the Bass Pro Shop. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Islamorada Dish and May, the bartender was a great help. 5 stars, a must visit at the Bass Pro Shop. - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

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Food was interesting and overall good. The bison fried steak was a little tough, and the elk sliders were just ok, but the key lime pie and shrimp bonetti were stellar! Ambiance is great, I loved the aquarium inside. read more

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Sunday brunch was disappointing. All the meats except for the dried out roast beef, came in some type of sauce. Both the chicken and fish were in a cream sauce and the pork in a glaze. Then you had warm fried catfish and small fried shrimp. The salad bar wasn't bad offering peel off shrimp that were also small in size. The only vegetable offered that wasn't part of the salad bar was corn. I won't be back. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

We were a bit leery about ordering halibut at a restaurant so far from the source of the food, especially after having lived in Anchorage, Alaska for several years, but we were pleasantly surprised. The pan-seared halibut was wonderful. The elk smash burger was also wonderful. In fact, the only thing even mildly disappointing was the Caesar side- salad. I strongly recommend the duck stuffed poppers (I don't remember what they actually call them). We will definitely be going back for more halibut and to try some of their other seafood. read more

This is a beautiful little restaurant inside of Bass Pro shop. My drink was very good, unfortunately my catfish dinner not soo much. The fish breading was very hard like it had been sitting and the catfish was oily. My business partners fish and chips were good. Soup and salad were very good unfortunately with the main course not being good, left disappointing experience read more

Went for lunch, 1pm on a Friday, mostly empty restaurant...not busy at all. Staffing seemed adequate. Atmosphere was nothing special and that matched the quality of the food....nothing special. I got fried catfish with French fries...had to send it back. The texture of the fish reminded me of the consistency of pudding seasoned in creek water! They remade the meal and it was better but not great. Hubby had country fried bison and he said it was good. Now for the prices.........I can only speak to my fried fish and fries lunch but $18 for 2 pieces of fish and a handful of fries is a bit much. Its a meal I have easily gotten elsewhere for half the price with better taste. Will not return read more

I had no clue what to expect. A restaurant in the granddaddy of all Bass Pro Shops. We were escorted in to a private room given that our party was 9 people. Beautiful room with seating for about 12 with French doors for privacy. We took part in the breakfast buffet. $11 per person is quite reasonable. We had the usual scrambled eggs, sausage links, bacon, potatoes and a little southern flair of fresh biscuits and sausage gravy. I totally had to give in to that! Our server did a great job even though this was only a buffet experience. They also have these tiny God's realm confections called Apple dumplings. That is Missourian for dang good little food creations that will make you forget every diet you walked in the door with. You can also enjoy pancakes and fruit salad and even banana muffins. Then you have the chance to walk it off if this never ending store. There are fish and sculptures and turtles and all sorts of things related to nature. If you are in Springfield, this hs to be a stop. Whether it is breakfast lunch or dinner or brunch on Sunday. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

Kid friendly and we even sat near the bar so my youngest could watch the fish while we ate. Ok, truth be told, we ALL watched the fish while we ate... fish. The fish & chips was perfect! Meaty and just the right amount of breading. Also had the Cesar salad - it was delicious. The server was attentive and courteous. She was one of only a few (guessing due to COVID) but service did not suffer one bit. Restrooms were also clean. We would definitely go again. read more

Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe - Fish And Chips - Seafood Near Me - Springfield, Missouri

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I would recommend this as a good spot to take the family and/or kids while on a trip to Bass Pro's granddaddy store. They've got quite a few options, incredible decor inside and outside the cafe (my favorite being the well-documented aquarium behind the bar), and a reasonably priced adult buffet (~$15). The individual menu options, which tend to be around or just above the price of the buffet, are obviously higher quality options. The buffet has a solid salad selection, a few soups and desserts to choose from, and three entrees (chicken, beef, and fish). However, the quality of the buffet food was mediocre, and I would stick to the menu on my next visit. read more

Sad to say this was an incredible disappointment. We were a party of three there for a late lunch on a Friday a few weeks ago. The restaurant was pretty busy but the hostesses at the front desk were less than friendly and dismissive. We waited 20 minutes for a table and were seated far, far away from the buffet area so I can't comment on that. Because we were seated so far away, no one in our party ordered buffet, we all ordered regular entrees from the menu. When the salads were brought to the table, mine had a very long dark hair wrapped around the cucumber and I was immediately turned off. I cannot handle hair in my food. I just can't. I opted to cancel my entire meal because I was so grossed out but the other two in my party went ahead with their meals. Our server was very friendly but she wasn't around a whole lot. We waited for drink refills and just to ask her a question here or there. (That was the main reason I just canceled my entire meal - I was annoyed by that on top of the hair). Come to find out just a few days ago, my husband was very unhappy with the food at Hemingway's and stated it was the worst lunch he'd had in quite a while. While the Bass Pro Shop and other attractions here are compelling, this restaurant was a downer and we have no plans to go back. read more

I went on a Saturday afternoon for their buffet and it wasn't real busy. I had read that it was good and reasonably priced. Neither were true. When I went in as a 65 year old single diner, they asked how many and I said "one". (I don't know why it's almost a 100% chance that they always reply "just one". They don't do that if you have 2. And, most of the hosts try to put you at the bar.) Anyway, I got to my table (not in the bar) and looked at the menu. The buffet was $25. I thought that was pretty high but I assumed they would have a nice selection for that price. Well, you know what happens when you assume.... It was the worse buffet I have ever experienced. There was a chicken dish - labeled chicken - which I think had capers; green beans; mac 'n cheese; Mexican lasagna; catfish(??); link sausage; mashed potatoes (no gravy); scrambled eggs; damp biscuits and gravy; salad bar and several deserts that didn't look good at all. The catfish (if it was catfish) wasn't good at all. The chicken wasn't good. The mashed potatoes were ok. The mac 'n cheese was not even good. The only thing that was actually decent were the link sausage. I looked at the desserts after trying the entrees and there weren't any desserts that even tempted me to try them. It's sad to think that the Golden Corral is so much better. I think it was about 10 years ago that I had their buffet and it was good and reasonably priced. The restaurant should be ashamed. read more

This restaurant far exceeded our expectations! We had a Groupon certificate and - we are so glad we tried this amazing restaurant! We had the delicious elk burgers for an appetizer. Our entrees Islamorada Portofino - Blackened Mahi mahi, grilled shrimp, the most delicious cream sauce, and fresh green beans. Our server was so helpful making sure there wasn't lemon in anything ( allergy) and very attentive and sweet to each table she took care of. I HIGHLY recommend this fantastic restaurant. Really wish we lived closer!!! read more

This is essentially the high end option of the restaurants available in the theme-park atmosphere of Bass Pro, and it's various attached attractions, in Springfield. We went looking for comfy chairs, a bit of a break from the noise, and warm food ... and our expectations were exceeded on every level. The shrimp tacos were delicious and not overpriced for the huge shrimp and ample portions. We also enjoyed the mahi mahi sandwich, which included a thick filet on a nice soft bun with fries. Great experience, would recommend. read more

We enjoyed our anniversary meal at Hemingway's in the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield. The restaurant was not busy on a Monday night, and we were seated immediately. The space is beautiful with aquarium views and tables are spaced comfortably. Our server Ashley was very friendly and attentive. Both my husband and I had the Islamorada Portofino dish. The fish was fresh and well-cooked with mashed potatoes and green beans as sides. Our cost for two meals with added dinner salads and iced tea was $62.00. read more

We had such nice relaxing dinner here after our 3 hour trip in the aquarium. Thank you to Christy for being friendly and patient with our crew during all the holiday craziness. Our daughter came home and asked us to pray for her eye to get better since it was bandaged. She made a wonderful impression on her and made dining with 6 children a breeze. We would definitely come again. Thank you. read more

First experience here was Sunday brunch. HOLY COW. So good!! They had lunch foods- salmon, brisket, chicken, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese... but also eggs, bacon, waffles.. all the breakfast things. For 20$ it was well worth it! Second time was for dinner buffet. I preferred the brunch, but dinner was also good! Service each time was excellent. read more

Waste of money and disappointment !!!!Before Covid we use to come for the brunch buffet very often and had good experience every the time . October 8th we broad two teenager boys and were planning to have good meal but ....... it was a big disappointment ! Started with soup - it tasted like coming straight from can and very salty . Meatloaf had wrong taste , look and smell , it had sour (!) taste and bad aftertaste . Chicken Alfredo was ok but it set to long on hot table and lost flavor . Only eatable hot food was mashed potatoes . Salat bar was fresh and ok . I tried to talk to a worker, who introduce him self as a Sheff and he didn't see or taste anything wrong . Wi paid 130 backs for 4 of, vent home disappointed and boys ate chips and salsa in the car . read more

The chili, clam chowder, fish and chips and bison burger was all good. We remember a more extensive menu on our previous visits

Our family of 12 went here for Thanksgiving dinner today. It was very overpriced and the food was underwhelming. Our waitress was rude and it is supposed to be all you can eat family style but they get pissey when you ask for refills. They also wanted you to pay 2.00 extra per person for sides that really should be included at 25.00 per person. 100% do not recommend for a holiday dinner. read more

Worst Cobb salad I've ever had! $17 for 1/4 avocado, eggs with anemic yolks, old lettuce and 1/2 strip of bacon crumbles. Won't get hungry when shopping at Bass Pro again! read more

What a wonderful place with absolutely amazing ambience! After a 6 hour day on the road then browsing around Bass Pro we headed straight to Hemingway's for happy hour! Our service was perfect and laid back while we enjoyed a couple drinks and gator! Delish! They were getting the buffet going and wow it looked amazing, next time we will come in later for that! What a lovely place and lots to enjoy! read more

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Use to be a great place to eat. But not any longer. A very limited menu, prices are high and portions small. I got fried chicken and it was a small piece and small portion on mashed potatoes. With a drink it was 20.00 and I left hungry. read more

I don't think you should eat a lot here, but the service was great, and atmosphere was really fun. A few of us stopped by after a work meeting for drinks, then hit the store downstairs - a great time! Highly recommend that for tourists (and in that order). We ordered a few snacks of fried alligator, hummus, and the venison mushrooms. Others liked the fried alligator, but I thought it was more like fried bits. And why with that fluorescent green sauce? Totally missed the mark with that one. The hummus was standard, but the venison mushrooms were quite good. I wish you got more though! They could make a lot more money by revamping the menu, and updating the drinks. Really very little here fit into the theme or region. We didn't try any other food, as it doesn't seem recommended. I did notice the buffet has a sneeze-guard on the inside, where you are if getting food, but not on the back-side, where everyone is passing by on their way in or out of the restaurant. That should be fixed... or even better, can't we just do away with buffets altogether? The 30,000 fish tank behind the bar is amazing. They chose fascinating fish over 'pretty', and it's a great call. There were squarish, flat-faced fish, lots of fish with facial protrusions, and so on. It was really fun to watch! Hemingway's is a kitschy, dated has-been that's fun for a quick stop (probably more for tourists than anything) with tons of potential. I hear they are remodeling. I hope they keep more of a throwback feel, just up the quality of decor (while the bar itself is gorgeous, the wallpaper/carpet/chair upholsteries scream bad 80's hotel). read more