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39 Best Restaurants in Kansas City

crab cake gourmet in a kansas city retaurant

Set out on a culinary travel through the heart of Kansas City with our direct to the city’s Best Restaurants, where a tapestry of different flavors and top-notch dining experiences awaits. From iconic establishments steeped in history to contemporary eateries pushing the boundaries of innovation, Kansas City’s restaurant scene is a dynamic mosaic of gastronomic delights. Each restaurant on our curated list is a testament to the city’s commitment to culinary excellence, offering a rich array of dishes crafted from the finest ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned food enthusiast or a curious palate ready to explore, join us in savoring the top dining destinations that define Kansas City as a regional epicenter for gastronomic pleasures. Get ready to indulge in an exquisite array of flavors that showcase the city’s vibrant and evolving culinary landscape.


Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room

1830 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-832-4564
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Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room Kansas City
Source: Instagram

In downtown Kansas City is the Corvino Supper Club and Tasting Room. It’s less than a mile from Legoland. Thrillist named Corvino one of the best new restaurants opening in 2017. It’s a posh eatery perfect for date night or a night out with friends, and it’s decorated beautifully with black accents and modern features. Corvino has two restaurants in one. You can dine in their standard dining room, the Supper Club, or book a ten-course tasting in the Tasting Room. The menu is American with seasonal and international twists. I sat in the Supper Club and ordered their crispy pork ribs and oysters, which were absolutely delicious. 


The Antler Room

2506 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-605-1967
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The Antler Room Kansas City
Source: Instagram

You’ll find the Antler Room on Holmes Street, less than a ten-minute walk from the Crown Center Ice Terrace. The restaurant is in a large brick building with black garage doors. There are wooden accents on the walls, candles lit on the tables, and dim lighting throughout. The Antler Room serves predominantly Mediterranean food that’s inspired by seasonal ingredients. They have several meat dishes that are paired with perfectly cooked veggies. I went with their Icelandic Lamb, Beef & Pork Georgian Dumplings, chives, and chili oil. It was hard, but I saved room for their gingerbread panna cotta. 


The Restaurant at 1900

1900 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Mission Woods, KS 66205
913-730-1900
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The Restaurant at 1900 Kansas City
Source: Instagram

The Restaurant at 1900 is in the 1900 building, right on the Kansas and Missouri state line. It’s a stunning restaurant that has a minimalist design. There are various shades of gray throughout but as neutral as the color is, it’s still an exciting and chic place to grab a bite to eat. The bar is fully stocked, and there’s a beautiful mirror behind it. The menu at The Restaurant 1900 is upscale American cuisine that draws inspiration from cooking around the world. They serve lunch and dinner here, and I stopped in for lunch. I love having soup at lunchtime, so I tried their cauliflower and potato leek soup and paired it with their pork belly BLT. 


Q39 Kansas City BBQ Restaurant

1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-255-3753
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Q39 Kansas City BBQ Restaurant Kansas City
Source: Instagram

If you’re looking for some delicious Kansas City Barbeque, you need to head to the Roanoke neighborhood. Q39 is on 39th Street, a large, casual spot for a delightful barbeque. It’s your typical barbeque joint with wood tables, TVs, and plenty of space for people to spread out and enjoy a great meal. The menu at Q39 has everything you could ever want in a barbeque joint. There are even menu options for those who may not enjoy traditional barbeques like salads, soups, and bar food. If you love barbeque food, you have to try their combination plate. You get two types of meat, I chose the brisket and spare ribs, and my two sides were baked beans and potato salad. 


Happy Gillis

549 Gillis St, Kansas City, MO 64106
816-471-3663
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Happy Gillis Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Less than a mile from Belvidere Park is Happy Gills. This little restaurant is on the corner and is what you may call a local spot. The outside is unassuming, while the inside is your typical breakfast joint. There are tiled walls, wood floors, and pictures of Kansas City lining the walls. Happy Gills serves delicious cafe-style food and is an excellent place for breakfast or lunch. They have a handful of seasonal dishes, but their classic options are always a hit with locals and visitors alike. I couldn’t resist trying their biscuits and gravy. The best part is while they have traditional sausage gravy, you can get mushroom gravy if you’re a vegetarian. 


Waldo Thai

8431 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114
816-605-1188
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Waldo Thai Kansas City
Source: Instagram

For some of the best Thai food in Kansas City, you need to visit Waldo Thai. This Thai spot is only a two-minute drive from Sunnyside Park in the West Waldo neighborhood. Waldo Thai is a casual restaurant where you can feast on authentic Thai cuisine surrounded by beautiful Asian decor. Waldo Thai has dozens of authentic Thai dishes on its menu and an excellent selection of tasty cocktails to pair with your meal. I usually order pad Thai at Thai restaurants, but I decided to go with their Moo Grob. Its crispy pork belly, Thai chili, and wok-tossed gailan with jasmine rice. The green garlic beans are a perfect side dish. 


Fox + Pearl

2143 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-437-7001
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Fox + Pearl Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Fox and Pearl are in the heart of downtown Kansas City. It’s a country restaurant that is still chic. It’s set in a building from 1907 that helps give the restaurant its rustic yet beautiful atmosphere. It boasts neutral tones throughout, and my and other people’s favorite place to sit is on the patio outside. You’ll be near the smoker and all the firewood they use. Fox and Pearl serve authentic Kansas City barbeque. They follow midwestern tradition and do their best to source all their meat and ingredients from local farmers. Everything on their menu sounds delicious, but some of their most popular items are their pulled pork tacos and brisket burritos. Don’t forget to order a side of cheesy polenta.


Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio

830 Kansas Ave, Kansas City, KS 66105
913-281-6433
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Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio is only six and a half miles from downtown Kansas City. This restaurant is unassuming and is also a store where you can buy ingredients to cook at home. When you walk in, it looks mainly like a store, but you’ll find a food counter serving some of the best food in the city. They serve classic Mexican cuisine and ingredients in the store like homemade tortillas, burritos, tacos, and more. As a big fan of Mexican cuisine, it wasn’t easy for me to choose what to order since everything smelled and looked amazing. I let the man working the counter choose for me, and I ended up with some of the best chicken tacos I’ve ever had. 

See also  15 Best Private Dining Rooms in Kansas City

Gram & Dun

600 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64112
816-389-2900
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Gram & Dun Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Gram and Dun is a posh bar and restaurant on the water downtown. Other restaurants and bars surround it, so it’s a lively joint that makes for a great night out. The inside of the restaurant is spacious and features modern decor. The dim lighting at night makes for an intimate dining experience. The menu is what some would call elevated American cuisine. They serve lunch, brunch, dinner, and plenty of handcrafted cocktails. I happened to stumble upon Gram and Dun for dinner, and I’m glad I did. They have sushi, tacos, traditional American plates, and more. I went with the lobster ravioli and their smoking Dun signature cocktail. 


Rye Plaza

4646 Mill Creek Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64112
816-541-3382
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Rye Plaza Kansas City
Source: Instagram

On the south end of Mill Creek Park is Rye Plaza. This farm-to-table restaurant features modern farmhouse decor and is a popular place to eat when in Kansas City. There are deep blue colors, light wood accents, and one of the most welcoming atmospheres in Kansas City. Rye Plaza has plenty of hanger steak dishes, veggies, and seasonal options. I stopped in for lunch after exploring the park, and the server recommended several dishes like pan-roasted salmon, deviled eggs, and seared hanger steak. I won’t lie. I ordered all three and couldn’t be happier.


Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que

3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103
913-722-3366
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Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is a staple in the Kansas City area. They have three locations, but their main one is the one on West 47th Avenue. It’s in the Westwood area of Kansas City, Kansas, and is the original restaurant’s site in a gas station. It’s been around since 1996 and is beloved by visitors and locals. The menu at Joe’s has plenty of barbeque sandwiches, specialty sandwiches, and various dinner plates. Some of the most popular items are their ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and burnt dinner. I went with a classic pulled pork sandwich and a side of their baked potato salad and creamy coleslaw. 


Garozzo’s

526 Harrison St, Kansas City, MO 64106
816-221-2455
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Garozzo's Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Garozzo’s is only a minute away from Columbus Square Park in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. This place is a warm and friendly Italian restaurant used to celebrate life’s milestones or simply for a tasty meal you don’t need to cook. The best way to describe the atmosphere is the same feeling you get when you go home for Sunday dinner. This Italian restaurant focuses on creating authentic Italian dishes that feel like home cooking. They have plenty of pasta dishes, chicken, seafood, and antipasto appetizers. I loved their garlic dip to start and their manicotti. They have an excellent wine selection you’ll want to check out.


Vietnam Cafe

522 Campbell St, Kansas City, MO 64106
816-472-4888
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Vietnam Cafe Kansas City
Source: Instagram

If you’re looking for one of the best Asian restaurants in town, you need to check out Vietnam Cafe. This fantastic Vietnamese restaurant is in downtown Kansas City, on Campbell Street. From the outside, it’s an unassuming restaurant, but the inside is casual and beautiful, decorated with Asian decor. Vietnam Cafe serves authentic Vietnamese and Asian cuisine. They have salads, appetizers, soups, rice and noodle dishes, and everything in between. The woman I was sitting next to in the restaurant recommended that I try their stir-fried noodles, so that’s what I did. I went with their chicken, shrimp, and beef fried noodles and veggies. 


Pigwich

20 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
816-200-1639
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Pigwich Kansas City
Source: Instagram

In the city market of downtown Kansas City is Pigwich. This casual eatery has outdoor seating, which is a favorite for people when the weather is nice. It’s a great place to pop into after exploring downtown or the city market. This joint has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Pigwich is a smaller restaurant that features a rotating selection of meat sandwiches. These vary from cheeseburgers, deli sandwiches, and more. I love that they have their choices listed on a chalkboard. I didn’t have a chance to eat here, but their cornflake fried chicken looked appetizing when I passed by. 


Westport Cafe

419 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-931-4740
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Westport Cafe Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Named after the road it sits on, Westport Cafe is in the Old Westport neighborhood of Kansas City. This posh cafe and cocktail bar is a staple in the community and an excellent place for a lovely evening out. There’s a beautiful wooden bar, velvet curtains, and a classy black and white checkered floor. Westport Cafe serves American and French cuisine for lunch, dinner, and late-night bites. If you love appetizers, you’ll love their grilled oysters. I ordered the lamb ragu for my entree, and I couldn’t resist looking at their cocktail menu. I decided to try a classic and went with their French 75.


Novel Restaurant

1927 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-221-0785
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Novel Restaurant Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Novel Restaurant is only a two-minute drive from Crown Center. The restaurant is covered in wood from floor to ceiling in the bar area, but the rest of the restaurant features elegant concrete floors. While the restaurant was upscale, it was still a very welcoming atmosphere. The cuisine at Novel Restaurant is classic American with an innovative twist. The chefs enjoy experimenting with new flavors to create truly unique dishes for patrons. There are pasta dishes, salads, and more. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the lobster ramen that the man next to me had, so I had to try it. 


Jack Stack Barbecue

Multiple locations
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Jack Stack Barbecue Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Barbeque is famous in Kansas City, and Jack Stack Barbecue is so popular that you’ll find several locations. There’s one downtown and one just south of downtown near the West Plaza neighborhood. While they serve traditional barbeque food, the atmosphere is slightly posher than traditional barbeque joints. The menu at Jack Stacks is extensive and has a little bit of something for everyone. I dined here with friends, and we decided to share the soaked salmon dip to start. We shared that and a few beers before ordering our entrees. I ordered the pulled pork mac and cheese, but my friends’ dishes, barbeque chicken, and burnt ends looked great too. 


Stock Hill

4800 Main St Ste G-001, Kansas City, MO 64112
816-895-8400
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Stock Hill Kansas City
Source: Instagram

One of the best steakhouses in the city, Stock Hill, is less than a mile from the University of Missouri Kansas City campus. Stock Hill is an elegant restaurant with staff that makes you feel like the most critical person in the room. The tables are lined with white tablecloths, and the lighting is dim, making it more intimate. Stock Hill’s menu perfectly resembles a classic steakhouse. There’s plenty of steak, other meat dishes, seafood, and desserts to choose from. One of their most ordered appetizers is the lamb and Wagyu meatballs. I ordered a filet mignon with their compound butter as my entree. You won’t want to forget about their wine and cocktail selection.

See also  11 Best Rooftop Bars in Kansas City

Mesob Restaurant & Rum Bar

3601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-442-7311
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Mesob Restaurant & Rum Bar Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Midtown has plenty of delicious restaurants to choose from, but Mesob Restaurant and Rum Bar is one you’ll need to add to your list. From the outside, Mesob is unassuming, but once you’re inside, you’re greeted by some great staff and a warm environment. Mesob Restaurant and Rum Bar serves Ethiopian, Caribbean, and Eritrean cuisine. If you’ve never had this type of food, this is the best place to sample it. To start your dining experience, you need to order their Caribbean fritters. Their seafood paella was my favorite. You won’t want to leave here without looking at their rum selection. 


Char Bar

4050 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-389-8600
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Char Bar Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Char Bar is in the Westport neighborhood, on Pennsylvania Avenue. This restaurant is often called the playground of meats in the city because it’s a fun environment, and there’s tons of meat to sample. Not only can you eat delicious food, but they also have corn holes and other games you can play. There are more than enough smoked meat dishes to go around at Char Bar. Some of their most popular menu items are cheesy hush puppies, the black Angus brisket, ribs, and burnt ends mac and cheese. If you want to sample more than one of their smoked meats, the meat platter is the way to go.


La Bodega

703 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-472-8272
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La Bodega Kansas City
Source: Instagram

La Bodega is in downtown Kansas City only minutes from the National WWI Museum and Monument. The restaurant is in a beautiful brick building on Southwest Boulevard and a place locals and visitors alike love to spend time at and enjoy a good drink and even better food. The menu features tapas and plenty of Spanish dishes. If you’re just going for a quick bite and a drink, you have to order from their Spanish meats and cheese section. It makes the perfect snack with a happy hour drink. They have chilled and hot tapas, so you’ll want to mix and match. The ham croquetas and elote were my favorites. 


Town Topic Hamburgers

Multiple locations
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Town Topic Hamburgers Kansas City
Source: Instagram

When you can’t get the thought of a delicious hamburger out of your head, you have to try Town Topic Hamburgers. There are two locations in Kansas City; both are downtown. These classic burger joints have been a staple in the city for 75 years and are open 24 hours a day. This inviting spot is the perfect place to eat regardless of the time. Even though this is a hamburger restaurant, they offer breakfast food, other sandwiches, and chili. Their chili looked fabulous, so I tried their chili cheese fries. I didn’t have time to order anything else, but people love their patty melt on rye and a double cheeseburger. 


The Town Company

1228 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105
816-895-0381
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The Town Company Kansas City
Source: Instagram

The Town Company is a chic restaurant inside the Hotel Kansas City. This upscale restaurant features white linen tablecloths and elegant decorations. The lighting is beautiful, and there are blue accents throughout the restaurant. The menu at this posh restaurant is the perfect combination of classic American dishes but with a modern and upscale take. The Town Company is the ideal place to treat yourself to a nice dinner. I chose to order the lamb skewers. I had room for dessert, so I had to try their peach sorbet. 


Farina

1901 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-768-6600
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Farina Kansas City
Source: Instagram

You’ll find Farina about half of a mile from Washington Square Park. This modern Italian restaurant has bright white walls, light wood floors, and neutral accents throughout the space. While the restaurant itself is modern, you’ll feel like you’re about to take a tour of Italy when you see the food and drinks they serve. Farina has several appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, and other Italian specialties. I love grilled octopus, so I was thrilled to see it on their menu. They prepared it well, and it took everything in me not to fill up on it before my entree arrived. I did end up ordering their potato gnocchi with braised rabbit and leeks. 


Affäre

1911 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-298-6182
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Affäre Kansas City
Source: Instagram

One of the best things about Kansas City is that they have a lot of different cultures that come together. Affare is a delicious German restaurant on Main Street downtown. The space is contemporary with many blacks and other dark features, but the atmosphere is still welcoming and calm. While the cuisine at Affare is German, they incorporate many seasonal ingredients into traditional dishes. The Aufschnittplatte is a German charcuterie board and a great thing to order while you sip a glass of wine and decide what to eat. The brat trio was my favorite because I could try different brats with sauerkraut and red cabbage. 


Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

700 W 47th St Ste 115, Kansas City, MO 64112
816-531-2537
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Eddie V's Prime Seafood Kansas City
Source: Instagram

I usually don’t suggest chain restaurants when traveling, but Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is delicious regardless of what city you’re in. This upscale seafood restaurant is downtown and right near Bush Creek which runs through the middle of town. While the menu at Eddie V’s focuses mainly on seafood, there are plenty of non-seafood dishes if you don’t want fish. I love ordering their seafood tower when I dine with others, including oysters, Maine lobster, shrimp, and scallops. Another favorite of mine is the Norwegian salmon. 


Cafe Gratitude Kansas City

333 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-474-5683
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Cafe Gratitude Kansas City Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Cafe Gratitude is less than five minutes away from Union Station in the heart of Kansas City. This sustainable and vegetarian restaurant is unique and worth trying whether you’re a vegetarian or not. It’s set in a brick building and is incredibly casual. You can dine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This restaurant offers all your favorite comfort foods but vegetarian. They also have an excellent selection of tasty juices. I loved their veggie cheeseburger. It assembled a legitimate cheeseburger and was satisfying. I also ordered their rejuvenated juice which is a cold-pressed green juice. 


The Capital Grille

4760 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
816-531-8345
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The Capital Grille Kansas City
Source: Instagram

The Capital Grille in Kansas City is near the Crown Shopping Plaza. This spot is a popular area for tourists since several restaurants and stores are within walking distance to visit. This posh restaurant is a great place to celebrate with friends or impress a date. Something great about this restaurant is that the menu has a little bit of something for everyone. There are seafood, steak, chicken, and vegetarian options on the menu. I love their lobster and crab cakes as appetizers. As for an entree, their porcini rubbed rib eye is fabulous. Plus, their wine selection has something for every dish. 


The Rockhill Grille

2000 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-389-5800
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The Rockhill Grille Kansas City
Source: Instagram

The Rockhill Grille is on Grand Boulevard, only two minutes away from the Skywalk Memorial. The restaurant has vintage accents but is overall modern, with large garage door-style windows, a tiled bar, and teal velvet chairs throughout the space. This stylish restaurant is what some would call Instagram-worthy. The cuisine at The Rockhill Grille serves upscale American cuisine and beautifully crafted cocktails. The menu isn’t as extensive as some other Kansas City restaurants, but it’s still spectacular. The duck confit and calamari were to die for. 

See also  16 Best Brunch in Kansas City

801 Chophouse

71 E 14th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
816-994-8800
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801 Chophouse Kansas City
Source: Instagram

You’ll find 801 Chophouse in the Power and Light District of Kansas City. This spot is a vintage, the 1920s, style restaurant with a bright neon sign outside and 1920s decor on the inside. It’s filled with romantic lighting, leather booths and is the perfect date night spot in the city. 801 Chophouse is an upscale steakhouse. There are dozens of steaks, seafood, salads, and other dishes on their menu. Their lobster corn dogs are the perfect snack while you sip wine and decide on your entree. I loved the prime roast rib, but there are several other cuts if you don’t like prime rib. 


Wrap It Up Tex Mex Grill

104 W 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
816-889-9727
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Wrap It Up Tex Mex Grill Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Wrap It Up Tex Mex Grill is five minutes from the Berkley Riverfront Park. This Tex Mex restaurant is low-key and the perfect place for a casual bite to eat while you’re exploring Kansas City. The restaurant is bright white with greenery throughout. Not only do they serve all your favorite Tex Mex lunch and dinner dishes, but they’re open for breakfast too. They serve burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas. I love burrito bowls, so I decided to try their chorizo burrito bowl with rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, and other delicious toppings.


The Fix!

600 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO 64109
816-800-5000
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https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci0JlfmrzY2/
Source: Instagram

The Fix is the best if you’re looking for an entirely plant-based restaurant in Kansas City. Located on East 31st, south of Crown Center Plaza, even meat-eaters will love the chefs’ creativity at this restaurant. It’s a low-key place to eat, and there’s minimal seating. This makes it the perfect and quiet spot to catch up with friends. The Fix has traditional American dishes you love but made with plant-based ingredients. There are burgers, wraps, tacos, nachos, and so much more. Even though I’m not a vegetarian, I wanted to give it an honest try, and their avocado BLT was my favorite. The good news is if you want a traditional burger, they can make that for you.


ClusterTruck – Kansas City

518 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
816-605-6670
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ClusterTruck - Kansas City
Source: Instagram

ClusterTruck is a delivery-only restaurant on Grand Boulevard, just south of the Missouri River. The restaurant is in a small brick building, and even though you can’t walk inside or eat at the space, just by ordering the food, you can feel how passionate the chefs and owners are about their craft. The cuisine at ClusterTruck is unique. They offer various burgers, pad Thai, and some other Asian-inspired dishes. If you’re looking for something light, their spicy chickpea wrap is the way to go. For something a little more hearty, the Alpine pit burger is sure to satisfy you. They also have spring rolls and other small plates. 


Trezo Mare Restaurant & Lounge

4105 N Mulberry Dr, Kansas City, MO 64116
816-505-3200
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Trezo Mare Restaurant & Lounge Kansas City
Source: Instagram

You’ll find Trezo Mare Restaurant and Lounge a little off the beaten path. It’s north of downtown in Briarcliff West. This posh Italian restaurant is perfect for a special occasion in your life. There are velvet booths in various colors, white linen tablecloths, and chairs that resemble the type of chairs you see at outdoor cafes in Italy. Trezo Mare serves authentic Italian food and the wine, beer, and libations to go with it. There’s nothing better than starting your meal at an Italian restaurant than with bruschetta. After that and a nice glass of red or white wine, their chicken picatta is one of their best entrees. 


Seasons 52

340 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64112
816-531-0052
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Seasons 52 Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Seasons 52 is a chain restaurant, but it’s still worth mentioning when it comes to great places to eat in Kansas City. You’ll find Seasons 52 in Country Club Plaza near other restaurants and stores. The restaurant is warm and intimate with deep wood features, black accents, and dim lighting. The menu at Seasons 52 is what some would call New American. Their dishes are classic but with an elegant touch. There are flatbreads, soups, salads, chicken entrees, seafood, and steak. I loved their crab polenta as a side dish, and for something more substantial, the cedar plank roasted salmon was top-notch. 


Café Provence

3936 W 69th Terrace, Prairie Village, KS 66208
913-384-5998
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Café Provence Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Cafe Provence is next to the Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village, Kansas. While it’s further away from the city center, it’s well worth visiting. They’ve been open since 2001 and have become a favorite amongst those in the city. They serve French cuisine in a comfortable and more casual setting than traditional French cuisine. They serve lunch, dinner, and on Tuesdays, they have a fixed menu and price. Their top dishes include pan-sear chicken breast, escargot, and potato gratin. 


Clay and Fire

815 W 17 St, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-569-5533
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Clay and Fire Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Another fantastic downtown Kansas City restaurant is Clay and Fire. The restaurant has wood floors, beautiful tiling, and plenty of room to sit inside or outside. It’s a casual eatery, and the staff makes you feel welcome from the minute you walk through the doors. Clay and Fire’s cuisine is inspired by the flavors and culture of the Near East. This inspiration includes dishes from Turkey, the Middle East, and other Southwestern Asian countries. They’re open for brunch and dinner, but if you ask me, you can’t go wrong with a kebab plate. It’s your choice of kebab served with Persian rice. 


ABC Cafe

10001 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS 66212
913-859-0089
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ABC Cafe Kansas City
Source: Instagram

ABC Cafe is 15 minutes south of downtown Kansas City in Overland Park. While it’s in a shopping plaza and rather unassuming, this Chinese restaurant is one of the best in the area. It’s the perfect place to eat when you want something low-key but delicious. You’ll find all your favorite Chinese dishes on the menu and dim sum. I can’t order from a Chinese restaurant without ordering crab rangoons. They were crispy and cooked to perfection. Their veggie fried rice and honey garlic pork chop were the best choices. 


PotPie

904 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-561-2702
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PotPie Kansas City
Source: Instagram

Just south of Midtown in Westport is PotPie. While this is a bistro, it’s a more casual restaurant than the upscale ones you’ll see throughout the city. This unpretentious restaurant is warm, cozy, and is perfect for dinner any night of the week. PotPie’s menu focuses on comfort food. There are warm seafood dishes and, of course, pot pies. They offer a vegetarian option, chicken, and a beef and mushroom pot pie. I asked my server which one they recommended, and they suggested the chicken. It didn’t disappoint. 

Why Trust Us?

When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 5 credible sites and blogs, including Eater.com and Timeout.com. 

We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible. 

Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 5 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-kansas-city
https://www.timeout.com/kansas-city/restaurants/best-restaurants-kansas-city
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/91121/trendy-restaurants-in-kansas-city
https://www.opentable.com/metro/kansas-city-restaurants
https://kansascitymag.com/food/40-best-restaurants-in-kansas-city/

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.