Peak Summer Vibes: Try Waterfront Dining at SS Dockside Cafe and Pub on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake

You know a place has peak summer vibes when people arrive in boats and can dock them right in front of a floating restaurant. Then there’s the lingering smell of sunscreen wafting through the air to join the savory scents of the entrees. This is exactly what you’ll find at SS Dockside Cafe and Pub in Shell Knob, Missouri. Located on the Kings River Arm of Table Rock Lake, this restaurant offers gorgeous water views, personable service, and a scrumptious menu of food, drinks, and desserts (including a summertime must: hand-scooped ice cream). 

You’ll know you are getting close to SS Dockside Cafe when the peaks and valleys of the roller coaster highways of the Ozark Mountains suddenly begin to slant downward. Lake folks know this means the water is nearby.

Soon enough, you’ll arrive at the Viola Recreation Area, a lakefront campground and public use area operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Don’t be confused, you’re in the right spot! The cafe is part of the marina complex on the waterfront. The summertime vibes begin as you walk the piers and pass the boat slips to reach the floating cafe. 

It’s easy to be confused about which building is the restaurant, as the rustic exterior doesn’t reveal much about what’s inside, but as soon as you step through the doors, you’ll find a welcoming interior—and a welcoming staff.

While the exterior is truly rustic, the interior is what I would call “rustic chic,” with wood covering every surface and tree trunks and limbs used in decorative ways. Your eyes, however, will quickly move past the interior to take in the wall of windows that overlook the lake and forested hills.

While you can dine inside, for peak summertime vibes, you must head out to the patio. Since the restaurant is floating on a dock, the outdoor tables are right on the water. Table Rock is one of Missouri’s cleanest, deepest lakes, making it a hotspot for water lovers. On a recent visit, my husband and I enjoyed watching turtles, birds, and, the most interesting animals of all, humans. Jet skis zipped by while families laughed on pontoon boats. Yes, this is summertime!

Okay, now let’s talk food. The menu first tempts you with unique drinks, including “dirty” sodas. You can choose one of their special creations or create your own using their mix of sodas, 30 flavor syrups, and heavy cream. My Dr. Pepper with coconut, pineapple, and cream was basically like summertime in a cup.

Of course, a waterfront restaurant’s menu should be heavy on the seafood, and SS Dockside doesn’t disappoint. If you’re feeling adventurous, start your meal with some Gator Bites (chunks of alligator tail). For an entrée, you can opt for something traditional, like hand-breaded catfish, or something more unique, like the Sweet Pepper Shrimp, which is wrapped in bacon and topped with a sweet and spicy pepper sauce. The Shrimp Boil is another traditional favorite.

Those who don’t like seafood will also find ample options, including burgers, steak tacos, burnt ends, ribs, and more. Rounding out the menu, you’ll find a Little Maties section for kids and a selection of desserts, including key lime pie, chocolate cake, and hand-scooped ice cream. For a special Missouri connection, I recommend my favorite flavor, Ooey Gooey. This sweet treat is loaded with chunks of ooey-gooey butter cake, which was invented in St. Louis. 

If you want to burn off some calories after your meal or work up an appetite before it, check out nearby Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, which is a short drive away. This 10,000-acre getaway, sometimes called “heaven on Earth,” is packed with trails, waterfalls, and scenic views. You might even spy some bison and elk if you take the tram tour. We love this special slice of Ozarks scenery. 

Whether you arrive on boat or land, the SS Dockside Cafe and Pub will give you some of Missouri’s best summertime vibes. There are two other land-locked locations, one in Nixa and the other in Branson. While these offer the same great menu, they don’t offer the amazing views of Table Rock Lake. Head to the waterfront location, so you can soak up the best of summertime in the Ozarks.