Lake of the Ozarks, MO -  With over 200 restaurants and nightspots, there is no shortage of options for great places to eat at the Lake of the Ozarks. However, one of the most memorable ways to enjoy a meal is dining lakeside, where the views are as spectacular as the food.

Named by Boating magazine as one of the top five destinations in the country to "dock and dine," Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks features over 60 restaurants that are situated lakeside, either with a stunning view of the water or with convenient marinas where boaters can tie up their vessels, step off their boats and onto the dock and walk up to the restaurant to enjoy their meal.

Some of the most popular "dock and dine" restaurants at the Lake offer a variety of fare, ranging from Cajun cooking to classic American cuisine and beyond. And, most feature live musical entertainment and each has its own unique amenities and experiences as well. Although arriving to dinner by water is arguably a lot more fun, having a boat is not necessary to enjoy these great lakeside dining options - all of the restaurants are also accessible by land.

Captain Ron's Bar and Grill,

	Captain Ron's Bar and Grill has two sand beaches for the enjoyment of its customers.

located at the 34.5 Mile Marker (MM) or by land at 82 Aloha Lane in Sunrise Beach, is a pirate-themed dining and entertainment complex 

featuring two sandy beaches, four Tiki bars and Captain Ron's very own pirate ship, the Gypsy Rose. Customers can appreciate the diverse menu options, including handmade pizzas, grouper dinners or a "B-Lob-T" (bacon, lobster and tomato) sandwich while choosing to dine inside or outside on the expansive patio. Captain Ron's also hosts the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, the largest unsanctioned boat racing event in the nation every August.

Coconuts Caribbean Beachside Bar and Grill, 

on the 7 MM of the Gravois Arm of the Lake or by land at 15208 Red Hollow Road in Gravois Mills, brings a tropical paradise to central Missouri. Artificial p alm trees, a sandy beach, multiple swimming pools and a swim-up pool bar are prominent features of this Caribbean-themed bar and grill. The restaurant's popular menu items include its Caribbean Rice Bowls, tropical salads, crab legs, fish tacos and other tropical-inspired dishes.

Dog Days Bar and Grill, at the 19 MM or at 1232 Jeffries Road in Osage Beach, has been named one of the top 10 "performance boating watering holes in the nation" by Powerboat magazine. Dog Days features gourmet burgers, tasty appetizers as well as steaks, seafood and pasta and a wide array of popular frozen cocktails. Dog Days has multiple swimming pools and a swim-up bar. It's also is the host of two of the Lake's most popular events: the Canine Cannonball, an Olympic-style competition for dogs, and AquaPalooza, the area's largest on-the-water music festival.

Redhead Lakeside Grill,

	Redhead Lakeside Grill was recently voted the "Best Dining on the Water" by readers of Lake Lifestyles magazine.

at the 21 MM or 1700 Yacht Club Drive in Osage Beach, is one of the Lake's newest dockside eateries and has wasted no time in earning plaudits from the local community. Redhead was voted the best at the Lake in multiple categories in Lake Lifestyles magazine's 2018 readers poll: Best Bar and Grill, Best Dining on the Water, as well as having the Best Chef at the Lake. Redhead features two stories of dining and entertainment space, a swimming pool with a swim-up bar, a Tiki bar as well as the largest TV at the Lake of the Ozarks. Redhead's menu boasts brick oven pizzas, burgers, tacos and other delicious specialties.

Shorty Pants Lounge,

	Shorty Pants Lounge specializes in authentic Cajun cuisine.

at the 21 MM or 1681 Autumn Lane in Osage Beach, features a creole-inspired menu and a  massive outdoor dining deck overlooking the water. Voted the "Best Cajun" food at the Lake by readers of Lake Lifestyles magazine, the New Orleans-inspired menu offers spices from Louisiana, "world famous" crab cakes, beignets, étouffée and po'boy sandwiches that might have customers thinking they're eating in the French Quarter. The outdoor Tiki bar serves many popular cocktails like Shorty Pants' muddled Mojitos and its signature Cajun Bloody Mary.

Aside from standalone establishments, other popular "dock and dining" spots include some of the most celebrated resorts at the Lake of the Ozarks. 

	Bobber's Restaurant and Lounge at Alhonna Resort serves a hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The family-owned Alhonna Resort, on the 8 MM or at 677 Outer Drive in Lake Ozark, features a variety of lodging options, including motel-style rooms up to four-bedroom cabins complete with kitchens, living rooms and decks overlooking the waters of the Lake. Alhonna is a favorite among groups, catering to many family reunions and fishing tournaments throughout the year. A s such, its restaurant and lounge, Bobber's, is a favorite for hearty breakfasts and lunch and dinners with sandwiches, salads, wraps, fried fish platters and 12 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream for dessert.

	Patrons tie off their boat at Bear Bottom Resort at the 38 MM in Sunrise Beach.

The restaurant at   Bear Bottom Resort, at the 38 MM of the Osage Arm of the Lake or at 123 Bear Bottom Drive in Sunrise Beach,  is part of a sprawling, family-owned resort, complete with rental cabins, campgrounds and the Lake's largest waterslides that are easy to spot from the water. The most popular menu items are the massive Bear Bottom Nachos, which can feed three to four people with just the half-order, and the "Bear Bones" jumbo chicken wings. Bear Bottom also features live musical entertainment on weekends.

	H. Toad's at Camden on the Lake boasts a diverse and delicious menu as well as live entertainment every weekend.

H. Toad's at Camden on the Lake Resort, at the 7 MM or 2359 Bittersweet Road in Lake Ozark,  boasts a menu of everything from gourmet burgers to steaks and pasta. In addition to H.Toad's, there's the Caribbean-themed menu at Toad Island adjacent to the outdoor stage and Toad Pizza at the pool. Guests can choose indoor or outdoor seating, or swim up to the pool bar. In addition to H. Toad's, Camden on the Lake has many deluxe guest rooms and suites, a spa and an entertainment complex that features live music and/or DJs every weekend throughout the summer months.

The Lodge of Four Seasons,

	The Lodge of Four Seasons features two restaurants: Breezes for casual dining and HK's Restaurant and Bar for upscale dining.

at the 13.5 MM or 315 Four Seasons Drive in Lake Ozark, is one of the area's original full-service luxury resorts. Among its amenities are the nationally-recognized Spa Shiki, two championship golf courses, a marina and multiple dining options. HK's Restaurant and Bar offers a stunning view of the Lake and the resort's Japanese Gardens as well as modern American cuisine, including steaks, seafood and pasta in a fine-dining setting. In addition, Breezes is The Lodge's casual American bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tan-Tar-A Resort, 

	Tan-Tar-A Resort's restaurants are a short walk from the resort's marina.

at the 26 MM or 494 Tan-Tar-A Drive in Osage Beach, has been a staple at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1960. This full-service resort features two championship golf courses, an indoor waterpark, horseback riding, multiple swimming pools for guests, a marina and the Tropic Island, a 150-passenger luxury yacht that provides scenic, narrated cruises. Dining options at Tan-Tar-A include the laid-back JB's Boathouse, featuring casual fare as well as steaks and fried chicken. For fine dining, Windrose 26 Marker Lakeside Dining specializes in seafood dishes such as fresh Alaskan halibut and pan-seared scallops as well as steaks and other mouthwatering entrées. There's also Frank & Lola's Pizzeria and Billiards, featuring hot pizza, tangy chicken wings and delectable wraps.

This is merely an appetizer of some of the excellent lakeside options vacationers at the Lake of the Ozarks can expect to enjoy while in the area. For a complete list of dining options in the area, including many other award-winning restaurants dotting the landscape, head to www.FunLake.com or check out the 2018 Lake of the Ozarks Dining Guide.