Waffle House - Vandiver Dr

Great for Breakfast. Would avoid late lunch or dinner if you are not into the burlesque / drag…read morequeen scene. Service was great, wait staff was very kind and helpful. Eclectic vibe with comfort food breakfast cooking.

Friendly service and extensive menu. I ordered the…read moreMediterranean breakfast plate. Was pretty delicious, though the eggs were a little dry. My son had the biscuits and gravy, which he said were okay.

Interior

Starving artist

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Ozark Mountain Biscuit & Bar

4.2(201 reviews)

1.0 mi

My husband and I are thrilled to have found this place to eat in Columbia, so much so that we wish…read morethere was a location where we live. I haven't found a good fried chicken place in over 25 years, and when I bit into the chicken and tasted their garlic mashed potatoes I realized that I had found the next best thing to what one believes grandma's home cook meal would taste like. The side biscuit was a treat to have and went well with honey or their wonderful jam. In fact, my husband and I are certain that their biscuits and gravy for breakfast must be wonderful based on their side biscuit. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly as well. I also noticed how quickly food was served for anyone waiting for their meals after they were ordered. I anticipate that we will be back to enjoy their other food options.

Worth the 30 minute wait for brunch Wings and and waffles…read more5/5 in my opinion We will be back

Iced vanilla latte, side of home fries, rainbow biscuits

COMO Hot chicken

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Deluxe Bloody Mary, blackberry jamboree

Ernie's Cafe & Steak House

4.0(162 reviews)

1.2 mi

Great spot to eat. Staff were very friendly. Would definitely go back whenever I am in the area…read more Bloody Mary was delicious.

Excellent breakfast and outstanding service. Great diner atmosphere. Downtown location. Walkable…read morefrom downtown hotels.

Counter

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Beet Box

4.8(141 reviews)

0.9 mi

I'll be honest--I had never even heard of Columbia, Missouri until a few weeks ago. So to say I had…read moreexpectations would be a flat-out lie. I couldn't have told you a single thing about this part of the country. But after one lunch at Beet Box, I'll be talking about Columbia for a long time. The Lamb & Eggs is an absolute masterpiece. On paper, it doesn't even sound like it should work. Then it shows up looking like a beautiful mess--a mishmash of flavors, textures, herbs, vegetables, creamy elements, perfectly fried eggs, and incredibly seasoned lamb. It feels like chaos... until you take the first bite. Then it all makes perfect sense. Every ingredient has a purpose, and somehow it all comes together in one of the most memorable dishes I've had in a very long time. As incredible as that bowl was, the Za'atar Fries with Harissa Mayo somehow stole the show. Crispy. Battered. Perfectly seasoned. Every single fry had that satisfying crunch on the outside while staying fluffy inside, and the harissa mayo was the perfect finishing touch. These aren't fries you order because you're looking to round out the meal. They're fries you'll be thinking about long after you leave. I came into Columbia knowing absolutely nothing about it. I left wondering how a place this good isn't on every food lover's radar. Beet Box isn't just a great lunch spot--it's a Godsend. Six stars...out of five!

I had the shawarma bowl and it was quite good. Very good customer service and it's a clean…read moreestablishment. Hard to find healthy food around here so this is a good option. Portion was a bit small in my opinion. There's a parking lot.

Menu. Read the reviews or ask them for descriptions.

Lamb Wrap

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On deck

Broadway Diner

4.0(186 reviews)

Was looking for a good breakfast and ran across this gem. Fast, Friendly, clean bathroom, a…read moreclassic diner feel. Service was nice and friendly. Would definitely visit again.

Food was delicious. Service was great! Fast and friendly. Ambience is small busy diner. Fair…read morewarning soda is $3 for 8 oz even with refill kind of pricey and substitutes are not the price in menu. So good diner food and fast friendly but no prices on menu.

Interior

Royale

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Exterior

Sage

4.6(28 reviews)

1.3 mi

Coming from the Kansas City metro area, my expectations for food are probably a little higher than…read moremost people in Columbia. I went to Sage with two friends and we had to wait a bit to find seating because it was so busy. The restaurant itself is pretty small and tight, so it was definitely on the louder side with everyone sitting close together, but it wasn't unbearable or anything worth complaining about. I ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese croissant. The croissant itself was buttery and flaky, which I liked, but overall I wasn't very impressed, especially for the price. It just felt like something I could make at home for cheaper and probably better. One of my friends ordered the waffle though and said it was the best waffle he's ever had. He liked it so much that he ordered a second one, so that's definitely a positive.

A great breakfast option in Columbia! This was some of the best coffee I've bought from a cafe in a…read morereally long time. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the options but I tried the Samoas latte and it was amazing! To eat I had the spinach quiche. I really enjoyed the crust and it was so good I had to order a second one before I left. My sister had the avocado toast. The pickled onions were a nice touch! Would definitely recommend for locals or anyone visiting.

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Cool fixtures

Flat Branch Pub & Brewing

4.0(972 reviews)

1.5 mi

Good little pub! Great location near MIZZOU to stop and grab a bit to eat. The restaurant is large…read moreand spacious, with both indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of local decor! Our server was kind and attentive. We stopped in for lunch and had a 20 minute wait, but once seated we were well cared for through the lunch service. We started with the pretzels and wings as our appetizers. The pretzels were hot, soft and delicious! The wings were classic buffalo wings. For my entree I opted for the steak with mashed potatoes and veggies, all of which was satisfactory.

Solid good, OUTSTANDING service from Jay today. What a guy! He was so attentive, so kind, and he…read moremade our visit a great one.

Grilled creole salmon

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Glenn's Cafe

3.6(228 reviews)

Service was solid and the food was delicious. We started with the smoked salmon spread which was…read moreheavenly. I had the Turkey Avocado BLT. My dining companions had the hot chicken sandwich and the shrimp and grits. We loved it all. The only complaint I would have is the fries were not as crispy as I would like. But honestly that's minor. The decor is nice, the vibe is strong and the staff is so welcoming.

We've never been here before today, and we were excited to try something new! When we walked in we…read morewere seated fairly quickly and the restaurant was nice. The waiter was very polite and refilled our drinks a couple times. The reason it was not five stars was because of the food and the price. It was higher priced for food that was just okay. We definitely do not recommend the sweet potato fries! The regular fries were better. This restaurant is good if you don't have many other options, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

Dining room is nicely appointed and very comfortable.

Oysters

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Complimentary flute of champagne

Barred Owl Butcher & Table

4.4(318 reviews)

I have eaten here several times now and never disappointed. Everything is always so fresh and…read moreseasonal. Tonight I was pleasantly surprised by the gnocchi. Lamb can be heavy but this one was not and the broth was great also. Our server Ash was attentive and prompt but not overbearing. I will definitely return.

Had really high hopes for this place after a long day on the road. The menu looked inventive and…read moreamazing. Things started out well, the BF had a tasty Manhattan and I had a mocktail that was subtle and delicious, and not overpriced as mocktails often are. But alas. The house salads that we ordered were overdressed in a vinaigrette so acidic we couldn't finish them. And there wasn't much to them. Other than greens and fried shallots and pickled red onions, there was a tiny dusting of some finely grated cheese. And who needs two kinds of onions and nothing else on the salad? Then we each had a bowl of the matzo ball soup, which was ridiculous. Three matzo balls sitting in a quarter-inch of broth that was so unbelievably salty that we couldn't eat that either. We ended up asking for hot water to dilute the broth to a level of saltiness that was edible. The chicken was okay and the matzo balls were okay. A little gummy. But the broth was just awful. It all made me wonder if the chef had lost their sense of taste due to Covid or something. Seriously. I've had that happen to me a couple of times and all I could taste was really basic stuff like sour and salt. And our waitress was totally uninterested in trying to make our experience better. She wasn't rude, she was just indifferent to the fact that we'd been served two courses that we absolutely couldn't eat. Didn't offer us anything to compensate or even express any sympathy about it. We got out of there as fast as we could and made ourselves feel better with an Andy's frozen custard.

Inside the Barred Owl. Cheerful vibe, food sucked.

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Uprise Bakery

4.0(142 reviews)

The place was highly recommended and I thought I was in for something really special. Sadly it was…read moredisappointing. When I called on the phone Gavin was very helpful and patient as I have dietary restrictions. I ordered a soup that was vegan and gluten free ( Beet, Apple etc) and I ordered what I thought was a nice green salad only to see Parmesan sprinkled all over it even though I was clear that I was gluten free and dairy free. They took out the croutons but not the cheese. Gavin apologized and did a refund but i was surprised that he didn't offer to make things right but offering me something else as it wasn't my mistake and I had to drive all the way back to return the salad to get a refund. I don't blame him at all and I was wondering if this is managements policy ? Again I don't wish to knock Him at all as he was super busy at lunch time and mistakes do happen. My review is directed at Management.

I really liked it overall. Only a less than 5 star because it is counter service day and night and…read morepricing seems a little high for that. Overall: good food and drinks

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Daniel D.

4 years ago

Dennys in kingdom city was closed. Went to Waffle House. Definitely good shit. Yummy stuff

Ki M.

14 years ago

Got food poisoning and all I had was a waffle and bacon.

Waffle House - Vandiver Dr - diners - Updated September 2026

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3.9

(50 reviews)

We stopped for breakfast...service was very quick and friendly…read more Food arrive quickly even though they were busy. Orders were accurate and well cooked. Everything was good, other than the weak spot was the gravy which is why they didnt get 5 stars. Understandably, the place gets noisy when busy...which to me is to be expected and shouldn't affect a review.

The food was pretty good even though I thought that it was a bit pricey. The service was okay, but…read morenot great. The bathrooms were clean and the place was well kept We were sat quickly despite it being a busy Saturday lunch. Overall not bad, but not great.

First Watch

3.5

(72 reviews)

Was here in Columbia to visit the college kid and see a game. I've been to First Watch in other…read morestates and this one was very similar with a large open space. There are seats at the bar and lots of tables but since this is a college town, use the app to reserve your table or check the status. We got there early and was seated right away. By the end of our meal, there was a line out the door. They make a good pot of coffee and leave the pot at your table. Love this! Its nice not to have to request a refill. Food is fresh and the waffles had tons of fruit. The Farmhouse Hash was cooked perfectly and wasn't hungry until dinner time.

I spent the weekend in Columbia visiting my daughter. We ordered from First Watch twice. The first…read moretime, we waited over an hour for a simple order of a breakfast sandwich, bacon, and an iced coffee. I let it go, thinking maybe it's a holiday weekend. Today, I ordered more simple food - pancakes, bacon, ham & cheese sandwich. After over an hour of waiting for my Door Dasher, they cancelled my order and blamed it on the driver. The driver had been waiting for 45 mins! This place consistently offers TERRIBLE customer service. Save yourself the trouble and order from anywhere else.

Slim Chickens

3.2

(60 reviews)

We were craving fried chicken while on a road trip. A colleague recommended Slim Chickens as pretty…read moregood. The staff were friendly. The lady at the register called me honey... in the best possible, friendly, southern hospitality way. She yelled my order back to the line, and it wasn't long before I could dig in. I had the regular chicken sandwich, hold the sauce because I put mayo from the cantina area on it - and subbed in fried mushrooms as my side. I cannot express how excited I was to see fried mushrooms on the menu! That alone added a star to this review! I will always order fried mushrooms if I see them on a menu! The shrooms seemed hand breaded, like the chicken on my sandwich, just with different breading.. All was GBD (golden, brown, delicious for those unfamiliar!). I certainly got my fried chicken fix satisfied! Everything was tasty. While everything I got was fried, I wouldn't go so far as to say it was super greasy. I would say that napkins were an absolute must though. It's not a place for the feint of heart, if you're worried about your health -- it's hand breaded and fried y'all. So there will be some greasy fingers and yummy, salty, fried deliciousness. It's a pretty good stop for fast food, fried chicken. I'd go again, especially if they keep those shrooms on the menu!

The customer service is horrible, very rude , unprofessional I went through drive though window she…read morewas rude with me not friendly . These younger kids don't get she filled out the application not me if you are unhappy clock out and go home. Your rudeness is not necessary needed.

Bandana's Bar-B-Q - Columbia

3.1

(100 reviews)

Popped in here for a quick lunch while the Tesla was supercharging…read more Food was really good and came out hot and fresh. I really enjoyed the sweet & spicy BBQ sauce on my brisket sandwich. Amanda provided excellent service and answered all of our menu questions like a pro.

I've driven past Bandana's for months and finally found the time to invest in Missouri BBQ! So…read moreglad I did! This will become a new habit for as long as I stay in COMO! Having enjoyed The "Best BBQ" in 37 of our United States, as most agree, "Kansas City" style rocks the charts and I would rank Bandana's over Gates! The experience was even better by delicious sides (don't miss Bandana's Cherry Pie ala mode! This was equally enhanced by amazing service from Amanda, making it a #1 in my top 10! -Cliff

Texas Roadhouse

3.3

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Texas Roadhouse always slaps. It's nostalgic for my family too because we've been going since my…read moreson was little. He loved going for his bday to sit on the saddle and have everyone sing and watch the waitresses dance. These days, I don't think the waitresses dance anymore, which is a bummer... but we still love coming here. My son and I went on two separate occasions since moving to Columbia. The first time we went, he ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger and I got a Loaded Baked Potato, Chili & mixed Veggies. The second time, I ordered a Ribeye with mushrooms, and Mac n Cheese. My son ordered Prime Rib with Mac n Cheese and we shared a cactus blossom. Our server was awesome, he was so attentive and kept the dinner rolls flowing! A manager stopped by to make sure everything went good for the night, which was super nice. Honestly, Texas roadhouse is at the top of my list of favorite restaurants, and I'm so glad Columbia has this location. We honestly can't wait to go back.

I ordered the prime rib and chilli the prime rib was cooked just right and the chilli is always…read moreamazing.

LongHorn Steakhouse

3.0

(88 reviews)

Stopped in for lunch with co-workers. We got there early and did not have to wait. The service was…read moreprompt and friendly. I noticed the restaurant is very clean and looks nice. We all got the 12oz ribeye. All were cooked correctly. I really like the steak flavor and it was very juicy. The sides were all good and everyone was happy. I was impressed with the service and food. I will definitely return for more work lunches here. Thanks everyone at LongHorn for a great meal.

This place. Slow. Food is so average but the price isn't. The idea that people eat here and think…read moreit's really good is bizarre. It's generic at best. The thin ribeye had no flavor. It's about what I expect from a chain steak joint.

Perche Creek Yacht Club Cafe

5.0

(1 review)

We had a delicious breakfast this morning. Fast, friendly with amazing options and flaky biscuits…read more We'll be back and highly recommend. The owner says they also do a Sunday Buffett and always have friend chicken as an option. We can't wait to try that.

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