Local Delights: Top Spots for Dining and Drinking in Kansas City

While Kansas City is famed for its barbecue, limiting your visit to just burnt ends means missing the city’s ever-growing and diverse culinary scene—so make sure to save room for more.

Kansas City has been my haven since relocating here in 2022. Growing up in Kansas, about 200 miles away, I visited KC frequently as a child. After college, I lived in Europe for a year in Germany and spent ten years in London. Now that I’m back, it feels like I’ve arrived just as Kansas City is on the brink of something exciting.

It’s essential for visitors to understand Kansas City’s layout, as it spans two states: Missouri and Kansas. Downtown is on the Missouri side (KCMO), except when referring to downtown KCK (Kansas City, Kansas). The suburbs extend in all directions from the core, and although Kansas City was the first city in the U.S. to introduce free public transport in 2020, having a car is advisable for exploring if you’re pressed for time or venturing into the suburbs.

Eager to indulge? Here are my top recommendations for dining and drinking in Kansas City, covering both sides of the state line.

Breakfast (and Brunch)

As an early riser, I find it advantageous for visiting breakfast spots in Kansas City that close early or sell out fast. On Troost Ave, Blackhole Bakery is famous for its mochi donuts, available in an array of flavors—grapefruit rosemary, chili mango, birthday cake—that will tempt you to come back for more. The smoked salmon on roasted garlic bagels from Meshuggah Bagels on 39th St is quickly becoming a weekend favorite. Both places are cozy, with Meshuggah offering limited seating (Blackhole is takeout only), so grab your order to enjoy at a nearby park.

It’s dangerously convenient for me to walk to Succotash from my apartment, which I often do on Friday mornings before the weekend rush. When I want to treat myself, I indulge in the Burrito of Love: scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese wrapped in a buttermilk pancake. Even Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, adores this spot—he claims Succotash’s French toast is 'magical.'

The Midwest is known for its abundance of wheat and meat, making biscuits and gravy a reliable indicator of a restaurant's breakfast quality. Happy Gillis in the Columbus Park area is a strong contender for the city’s best. District Biskuits in North Kansas City also offers B&G, but its light, flaky biscuits truly shine in their sandwiches. The Cure, a generously sized biscuit packed with soft scrambled eggs, American cheese, and bacon jam, is a perfect remedy for any craving.

Coffee

As someone who works from home, by 1 PM I’m eager to find a coffee shop to change up my scenery for the afternoon. My go-to spots include Blip, a coffee roaster that also features motorcycle merchandise in a spacious industrial setting in the West Bottoms district; Post Coffee Company, a charming spot on Broadway with pressed-tin ceilings and delightful drinks; and Rochester Brewing & Roasting Company, which expertly bridges the gap between hard work and relaxation with both cold brews and beers.

Kansas City's vibrant coffee scene reflects the city's multicultural heritage. Café Corazón in the Crossroads district serves up flavors from Latin America, offering delights like yerba mate, horchata lattes, and my favorite, the Mocha Azteca, crafted with rich Oaxacan chocolate. Cafe Cà Phê holds the title of the city’s first Vietnamese coffee shop, embracing an inclusive spirit. One of its standout drinks is the Hella Good, which features Vietnamese espresso, ube (purple yam) syrup, and oat milk. I was also charmed by the lovely latte art on my Dirty Thai-Ger, a delicious blend of espresso and Thai iced tea.

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Lunch

While sandwiches may not seem like the most exciting lunch option, Kansas City boasts several spots that redefine the concept of sliced bread. If you’re skeptical about a sandwich being life-changing, you haven’t tried Bay Boy, located near the historic Country Club Plaza, a shopping area inspired by the architecture of Seville, Spain. The Bandit, a roast beef creation topped with raspberry jam, might sound unconventional, but one bite will convince you of its perfection. Just off the main drag is M&M Bakery, which operates only on weekdays and serves the incredible Hook ‘Em Up sandwich, a towering combination of pepper beef and turkey ham on a fluffy onion roll.

At Baba’s Pantry, a Palestinian-American deli that was named one of the best new restaurants in the U.S. by Bon Appetit in 2022, pita bread takes the place of traditional rolls. This spot serves falafel and chicken shawarma that are unmatched in the city. For a delightful treat, visit on Fridays at 5pm for kunafa, a classic Palestinian dessert made from thinly shredded pastry, sweet cheese, and syrup.

Barbecue

It's no surprise that the most frequently asked question about Kansas City cuisine revolves around the best barbecue spot. However, if you ask four locals, you'll likely receive seven or eight different answers, and all of them would be valid. Much of KC's renowned barbecue legacy can be traced back to Henry Perry, a Black pitmaster who opened his barbecue restaurant in the early 1900s. Though Perry's establishment is no longer operating, he mentored a generation of pitmasters who continued his traditions at popular joints like Gates Bar-B-Q and Arthur Bryant’s.

While Kansas City barbecue has rich historical roots, it continues to innovate with a new wave of pitmasters putting their own spin on classic recipes. The Z-Man sandwich from Joe’s Kansas City Barbecue—featuring sliced brisket, smoked provolone cheese, and onion rings on a Kaiser roll—has achieved legendary status, particularly when enjoyed at its original gas station location. Over in KCK, Slap's BBQ lives up to its name (an acronym for 'Squeal Like a Pig'). Don't miss the burnt ends here—these charred, fatty pieces of brisket are a Kansas City original and a must-try.

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Dinner

For an indulgent dinner near downtown, Corvino is my top pick. Its dimly lit dining room sets the mood for a romantic evening or a festive gathering with friends. The menu frequently changes, but don't miss the seaweed donuts topped with trout roe and cream as a starter. While reservations are advisable, you might get lucky and find a table during quieter times. If you're dining with a group (or just have a hearty appetite), check out the Antler Room and sample as many small plates as you can. The offerings rotate often and may include dishes like fresh pasta, potato gyoza, or grilled octopus.

Since its opening in April, I've already visited Green Dirt on Oak twice. This farm-to-table establishment prides itself on sourcing ingredients from its own land and herd in Weston, Missouri, located about 30 miles northwest of Kansas City. Their charcuterie boards are truly masterpieces.

For a budget-friendly and no-reservation option, explore KCK’s Taco Trail. You may not be able to visit all 60 taquerias in the area, so make sure to hit Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio, a taco bar nestled inside a grocery store, and try the al pastor tacos at El Camino Real.

Bars

In the early 1900s, Kansas City earned the nickname 'Paris of the Plains' for its grand boulevards, stunning public fountains, and its lively nightlife that thrived even during Prohibition, largely due to the influence of Tom Pendergast, a corrupt political figure who dominated the city from 1925. His legacy is evident in many contemporary drinking spots, from Swordfish Tom’s, an acclaimed cocktail bar tucked away in a basement boiler room, to Tom's Town, where you can glimpse the copper distilling vats through the bar’s windows, both situated in the Crossroads district.

Sip on a piece of history at J Rieger & Co in the East Bottoms, which had to shut down during Prohibition but was revived nearly a century later by the founder’s great-great-great-grandson. Rieger’s old fashioned is one of my favorite cocktails in the area, and they also serve a drink called Pendergast, featuring whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine herbal liqueur, and Angostura bitters.