1
Union Station Deli
705 S Illinois Ave, Joplin, MO 64801
Union Station Deli is a locally owned deli serving breakfast and lunch. It is known for sandwiches, salads and made-from-scratch soups.
Best for: sandwiches and soup
Best Lunch Spots in Joplin
Updated October 2026 · 10 places · Joplin
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Our top picks are Union Station Deli, Red Onion Cafe and Joplin Avenue Coffee.
Here are 10 Joplin, Missouri places suited to a quick weekday lunch, including locally owned delis, cafes and diners. I left out national chains and used current local listings or the businesses’ own pages to confirm their Joplin addresses and what they serve.
The list
- 2
Red Onion Cafe
203 E 4th St, Joplin, MO 64801
Red Onion Cafe is a locally owned restaurant in a building more than 100 years old. Its menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, American-style entrees and a keto menu.
Best for: soups, salads and sandwiches
- 3
Joplin Avenue Coffee
506 S Joplin Ave, Joplin, MO 64801
Joplin Avenue Coffee is a locally owned coffee shop in downtown Joplin. It serves coffee drinks, smoothies, teas and blended drinks, and its menu includes wraps, salads, bagels and pastries.
Best for: coffee and a light lunch
- 4
Sunrise Cafe
649 S Duquesne Road, Joplin, MO 64801
Sunrise Cafe is a locally owned cafe serving breakfast and lunch all day. The local tourism listing also identifies burgers among its offerings.
Best for: all-day breakfast and lunch
- 5
Norma's Diner
1901 S Main St, Joplin, MO 64804
Norma's Diner is a family-owned diner serving breakfast and lunch classics. Its listed hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Best for: diner classics
- 6
Babe's
5018 N Main St, Joplin, MO 64801
Babe's serves old-fashioned burgers, sandwiches, sides and ice cream. It is known as the home of the Chubby Cheese.
Best for: burgers and sandwiches
- 7
Red Onion Espressoria
1007 E 32nd St, Joplin, MO 64804
Red Onion Espressoria is a quick-dining restaurant in Joplin. It serves soups, salads, sandwiches and American-style entrees, with patio dining available.
Best for: soups, salads and sandwiches
- 8
Joplin Greenhouse and The Coffee Shop
2820 E 32nd St, Joplin, MO 64801
The Coffee Shop is located inside Joplin Greenhouse. It serves coffee drinks, tea, milkshakes and breakfast pastries.
Best for: coffee and breakfast pastries
- 9
Hackett Hot Wings
520 S Main St, Joplin, MO 64801
Hackett Hot Wings is a locally owned restaurant in downtown Joplin. It serves wings in 13 signature flavors, homemade sauces and Southern-style catfish sandwiches, as well as salads and desserts.
Best for: wings or a catfish sandwich
- 10
New York Pizza & Deli
524 S Joplin Ave, Joplin, MO 64801
New York Pizza & Deli is listed among downtown Joplin’s places to eat. The downtown directory lists it at this address as a deli; further menu details were not confirmed in the source.
Best for: deli sandwiches
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