The 32 Must-Try Restaurants in Kansas City

Although it’s a bit of a drive from downtown, the Italian Sausage Company is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys spicy sausages or expertly made Italian deli sandwiches, whether cold or hot. Don't miss the No. 7, featuring an array of Italian meats and cheeses stacked high on a soft, seeded loaf, or the No. 22, which includes pastrami, salami, burrata, red-wine-infused olives, and local chile oil from J. Chang Kitchen. A new dine-in area was added in spring 2024.

Although coastal transplants, executive chef Johnny Leach and pastry chef Helen Jo Leach have quickly become local favorites. Nestled within the Hotel Kansas City, the Town Company offers a blend of glamour and warmth, featuring relaxed cocktails and wood-fired meals crafted from Midwestern ingredients. Even the dinner rolls are prepared with locally sourced Marion Milling flour made from heirloom Kansas wheat. Opt for a seat at the chef’s counter to witness the staff’s skillful cooking over a wood-burning hearth. Don’t forget to indulge in Helen Jo’s creative and exquisite desserts.

The Campground’s dining area features moody walls, lush greenery, and a copper bar, creating a rustic yet chic atmosphere (imagine summer camp reimagined by a Hollywood designer). With ample patio seating and a laid-back outdoor bar, the campsite vibe extends beyond the indoor space. While craft cocktails take center stage, the concise dinner menu can be just as enticing. Stop by for the city’s finest martini (served with potato chips); linger for the fried catfish and vegetable-centric appetizers.

Embrace the city's cattle town heritage at this meticulously restored 1949 steakhouse located in the historic Stockyards District. The Golden Ox proudly claims to be the birthplace of the Kansas City strip, but its menu is brimming with mid-century steakhouse favorites, including oysters Rockefeller, hefty porterhouses, and indulgent cocktails like the Pink Squirrel. If dessert cocktails aren’t your thing, enjoy a nightcap at the nearby Stockyards Brewery to soak up the Western charm a bit longer.

This bright retail shop in Kansas City’s historically Latino Westside has been renowned for its delicious nixtamalized corn tortillas and soft Sonoran-style flour tortillas long before receiving the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Bakery award in 2023. Enjoy a freshly pressed pork-fat flour tortilla while browsing a selection of zesty chiltepin salsas, refreshing aguas frescas, and ready-to-freeze tamales crafted from Yoli’s signature masa.

Describing this restaurant as “eclectic” captures its essence perfectly, blending influences from Istanbul, Kansas City, and Long Island within a quirky duplex in a historically Latino neighborhood of Kansas City. The menu, created by Turkish restaurateur Orcan Yigit and seasoned KC pizza chef Brent Gunnels, features an abundance of meze, basturma pide, and a bubbly, chewy grandma pizza that will delight diners.

Each morning, locals in the urban core gather at Mildred’s, a family-run cafe, to enjoy specialty coffee and the famed Standard Sandwich: a delicious combination of bacon and Swiss cheese, fluffy eggs (steamed using a dedicated espresso machine), and a zesty pepper-dijon mayo. If you miss the morning crowd, you can still indulge in biscuits and gravy or a vegan breakfast hash available all day. While Mildred’s operates two locations, the Wyandotte Street cafe offers a cozy atmosphere close to attractions in the Crossroads Arts District.

This sleek dining space in the Crossroads is a modern black box where the vibrant colors of seasonal dishes—like summer squash with preserved groundcherries and nasturtium—really pop. However, the husband-and-wife team, Michael and Christina Corvino, foster a laid-back atmosphere with live music and a menu featuring fried chicken, seaweed donuts, and rigatoni Bolognese.

Create a delightful multicourse meal of small plates that highlight local ingredients in this chic dining space located in the eastern Crossroads Arts District. Be sure to try the house-made pastas (ramen is a must if available) and the sophisticated desserts. The menu adapts with the seasons, yet the duck agnolotti remains a beloved staple.

A must-do in Kansas City is capping off a bar crawl at Town Topic, where you can indulge in a crispy-edged smashburger and Tots. This iconic American diner has been satisfying the city's night owls for 75 years, offering diner-style breakfasts, chili dogs, and chocolate malts around the clock. Cure your hangover with a Haystack, a classic bacon-and-egg sandwich topped with cheesy hashbrowns.

No journey along the Kansas City, Kansas, Taco Trail is complete without a stop at Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio, a lively local grocery with an excellent lunch counter. Treat yourself to tacos al pastor by the pair, and customize them to your liking at the vibrant salsa bar.

If you’re a fan of hearty, colorful salads, The Russell is the place to be, with wood-fired meats and vegetables artfully arranged. For a quick lunch, order online, but don’t overlook the pastry case: the oatmeal cream pie is a must-try.

As soon as you enter one of the city’s longest-running barbecue joints, expect a hearty, synchronized greeting: “Hi, may I help you?” Take your time deciding, but you can't go wrong with the Nooner—a bun stacked high with both thin-sliced brisket and chopped burnt ends. Gates has several locations, but the one on Brooklyn Avenue consistently delivers barbecue in a charmingly retro setting.

At this refined venue, Chef Cherven Desauguste and co-owner Mehret Tesfamariam blend Caribbean and Ethiopian cuisines, complemented by an impressive rum selection. Savor the pan-fried conch drizzled with cilantro-lime pesto or the doro tibs served with berbere-spiced lentils atop a generous piece of injera. The cocktail menu features a delightful array of punches, sangrias, and tropical drinks. While Mesob recently opened a second location in Northland, the original Midtown restaurant retains a deeper, more soulful vibe.

A beloved spot in the neighborhood, Westport Cafe combines classic design elements like checkerboard tiles and red velvet curtains with a dynamic menu that honors yet expands upon French culinary traditions. While a croque-madame is a must-try, you can also indulge in a braised rabbit tamale or a cachaça cocktail enhanced with fresh Missouri corn.

In this vibrant Midtown Mytoury, Chef Katie Liu-Sung combines flavors from her Taiwanese heritage with Midwestern ingredients and styles. The dining area is lively and colorful, complemented by a creative cocktail menu filled with illustrations. Begin with the dressed eggs and soft gua bao (pork belly buns), then savor the Taiwanese beef noodle soup featuring beef shank, pickled mustard greens, and a spicy 'chile bomb.'

Anthony Bourdain famously recommended this iconic gas station barbecue joint in Kansas City as one of his “13 places to eat before you die.” Indulge in a slab of ribs or try the Z-Man, which consists of tender, thinly sliced brisket topped with smoked provolone, crispy onion rings, and the signature sweet-hot sauce that defines KC barbecue. Though seating is limited and lines can stretch outside during busy hours, locals often call ahead to pick up their orders and skip the wait.

While the massive whole Buffalo wings are the star attraction, this is Kansas City’s oldest continuously operating bar and grill, renowned for its affordable beer, classic dive bar vibe, and satisfying cheddar BLT.

This bright and modern restaurant boasts an “upscale yet playful” atmosphere, highlighted by quirky decor and a diverse menu. Chef Linda Duerr, hailing from New England, serves a delicious cold-water lobster roll but shines with her fresh pastas, showcasing seasonal produce and foraged herbs. The lively cocktails and vibrant desserts add to the relaxed, fun ambiance.

Enjoy an ube daiquiri or try the airy “street corn kakigori” at this lively bar adorned with caramel-colored booths and bright floral touches. The cocktails are uniquely crafted, showcased in creative glassware with elaborate garnishes. The wine selection by the glass and no-alcohol drinks are equally impressive (the non-alcoholic Negroni is remarkably convincing). Note that Wild Child doesn’t feature a back bar, so your choices are limited to the menu. For more options, check out Drastic Measures, the sister bar next door, which was nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Bar award in 2023.

Since its opening in 2022, Earl’s has quickly become a beloved spot in East Brookside. This restaurant boasts a relaxed atmosphere and a decor that blends the feel of a Maine oyster bar with elements reminiscent of a Revolutionary War museum. Grab a seat at the inviting zinc bar to indulge in a massive shrimp cocktail, enjoy a frozen gin and tonic, and engage with the shuckers as they serve up the freshest oysters in the area.

Sisters India Pernell and Arvelisha Woods have been enticing Kansas City meat lovers to sample their vegan comfort dishes since launching their first food truck in 2019. At their permanent spot in Brookside, both new and seasoned vegans can indulge in nachos topped with seitan and a sliced tofu 'brisket sandwich' in a bright yellow dining space adorned with floral touches and abundant natural light. Be sure to plan ahead for Sunday brunch to enjoy the smothered burrito or biscuits and gravy.

A fresh addition to the local barbecue landscape, Harp Barbecue has quickly made a name for itself thanks to founder Tyler Harp's thick-cut, juicy brisket and inventive homemade sausages, earning accolades both locally and nationally. After years of operating as a pop-up, Harp established a permanent spot at the end of 2022. The building’s simple red-and-white sign that reads 'barbecue' belies the quality of some of the finest smoked meats in the city.

At this laid-back Overland Park spot, Kansas City barbecue fuses with Thai culinary traditions. Pitmaster Teddy Liberda brings his experience from the family’s Thai restaurants, including the well-known Thai Diner in Lawrence. (His wife, Pam, manages the kitchen at Waldo Thai.) Locals rave about the butterscotch wings with fish sauce, but don’t miss the burnt ends smothered in a luxurious red curry or the aromatic Isaan Thai sausage infused with lemongrass and makrut lime.

Waldo Thai stands out in the area for its emphasis on Northern Thai, or Lanna cuisine, and its romantic ambiance. The restaurant offers a diverse menu of small plates that changes biweekly, allowing diners to explore many of chef Pam Liberda’s creations. If you choose from the regular menu, don’t miss the nam prik ong, a spicy chile dip served with crispy pork rinds, or the gaeng hung lei, a flavorful braised pork belly curry enriched with ginger and tamarind.