New Lake Of The Ozarks Waterfront Restaurant Is Building A Pool… IN A CAVE

When you own a cave, and it sits on a perfect piece of commercial lakefront property at the nation’s most popular recreational lake, what do you do with it? If you’re Lake of the Ozarks area entrepreneur Mark Waddington, you build a family-friendly restaurant with a pool that goes into the cave!

If you know the Lake, you know the site. By land, it’s on Highway 5, at the Niangua Bridge, across the highway from the old Niangua Falls restaurant. By water: the 3 Mile Marker of the Niangua Arm, right next to the bridge, on the north side of the channel. Long ago, houseboats were rented from here. But this summer, boaters of all ages will have a new, unique spot to enjoy food and drinks and chilling in the pool, lakeside.

The Cave Bar & Grill will bring casual, family friendly dining to a perfect spot — the more laid-back Niangua Arm of the Lake, but only a few miles from the “four corners” where all the action converges, making it an easy stop for boaters enjoying a day on the water. “The focus is an atmosphere the whole family can enjoy,” said Marketing Manager Jamie Lusero. She contrasted it with the more adult-focused High Tide Bar, next to Redhead’s Lakeside Grill, both of which are owned by Waddington. “The area it’s in will help with that… you will find a lot more families on that side of the Lake.”

The Cave’s menu is being designed by Redhead Executive Chef Pierre Torres, whose menu at Redhead brilliantly crafts quality with casual. It’s still in progress, but Lusero says brick-oven pizza will definitely be a staple, along with grinders (hot sandwiches). Torres also built the menu at Roxie’s Roadhouse, the most recent restaurant opened by Waddington, on the Lake Ozark Strip. (Read about the Roxie’s experience here: https://www.lakeexpo.com/advertorial/roxies-roadhouse-on-the-lake-ozark-strip-crafts-uniquely-local-american-fare/article_dbbe5d9e-88f7-11ec-ac66-2712f4597367.html)

Dining will largely be outdoors, so The Cave will only be open seasonally. The huge lakeside pool, surrounded by sand (because why not?!) will offer views of the water and will extend into the cave. Two pool bars will keep the chill vibes going, while a toddler pool nearby gives kiddos a place to splash and play.

The Cave -- Where The Pool Will Go — The pool at The Cave Bar & Grill will extend into the on-site cave. The new restaurant is under construction and the owner hopes to open it by Memorial Day Weekend.

Visitors to The Cave will find ample dock space. “More than anyone would ever need!” Lusero laughed. “We will have around 130 slips.” It’ll be the newest spot on boaters’ “to-go” list for this summer: Lusero says The Cave is coming together quickly, with the aim to be open by Memorial Day Weekend.