The Top 15 Restaurants in Lawrence, Home to the University of Kansas

Despite being landlocked, Kansas doesn’t miss out on incredible seafood, thanks to restaurateur Laura Klein and her team. The menu offers globally inspired dishes like unagi-style ruby trout, ahi tuna nachos, and a classic French take on PEI mussels prepared with dry vermouth, leeks, and tarragon butter. Diners can select from East and West Coast oysters while enjoying a well-curated wine list. On sunny days, guests can relax on the patio overlooking the bustling Mass Street and enjoy happy hour specials like half orders of fish-and-chips or $2 oysters.

At Global Cafe, green chile is the star ingredient. Chef Rafael Gonzalez, originally from Spain and raised in Venezuela, along with his wife, Kate, makes an annual trip to New Mexico to collect around 1,500 pounds of Hatch green chiles for their daytime cafe. The green chile margarita offers a perfect balance of spicy and sweet, while the borrachos, a New Mexican dish made of corn tortillas stuffed with eggs and house-made chorizo, is generously covered in either green or red chile. The arepas, a Venezuelan corn patty filled with various ingredients, and Gonzalez’s 13-hour roast pork are also crowd favorites.

Enter this cozy basement bar, and you might feel like you've stumbled upon the trendiest cocktail spot in Brooklyn. The exceptional drinks rival those in major cities, all served with a touch of Kansas charm. The friendly staff at JBUG greets newcomers with a rundown of their seasonal and wildly imaginative menu. With a remarkable selection of some of the world’s most coveted spirits, particularly fine rums and agave-based liquors, this bar is a must-visit for any spirits enthusiast. Reservations are highly recommended.

Describing Ladybird as a local gem barely captures its essence. Few places embody the spirit of Lawrence quite like Meg Heriford’s charming diner, famed for its quirky decor and delectable pies. During the pandemic, Heriford temporarily closed the diner but launched a program to provide meals to locals in need until it was safe to reopen. In addition to classic diner fare, you’ll discover creative interpretations of popular dishes, like avocado toast, and during the colder months, enjoy Bowl and Roll Fridays, featuring the unexpected pairing of hearty chili and a cinnamon roll.

Lee Meisel, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota, gained expertise in the meat industry while growing up on his family farm and working at local butcher shops. After moving to Lawrence to pursue business studies at Haskell University, he and his partner, K, established Leeway Franks in 2015. This unpretentious Mytoury offers a range of sausages, burgers, and patty melts. The frankfurters and bratwurst are crafted next door at the butcher shop, utilizing a selection of locally sourced meats. Although tucked away from the busy downtown area, Leeway Franks is a hidden gem, renowned for its exceptional hot dogs and crispy tater tots.

Regan and chef Aaron Pillar, a husband-and-wife duo, initially launched Culinaria as a catering business in 2009, evolving it into a restaurant by 2017. Housed in a historic structure from the 1860s, Culinaria specializes in tapas-style dishes inspired by Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Signature offerings include fattoush, mujaddara, crispy fried artichokes, a variety of hummuses, and other vegetarian and vegan options. For those dining with a group or with a big appetite, the meze platter is a fantastic choice to sample chef Pillar's culinary expertise.

Nothing completes a day in downtown Lawrence quite like a stop at Sylas and Maddy’s, a beloved local ice cream shop since 1997. Unique flavors such as Rock Choc Jayhawk (a delightful blend of sweet cream ice cream with brownies and fudge) and Mahomes Magic (butter pecan ice cream loaded with chocolate flakes, coconut, and graham crackers) celebrate KU pride. Beyond their innovative ice cream creations, Sylas and Maddy’s also crafts fresh waffle cones from scratch every day.

Since opening in 1995, Wheatfields has been a staple of the Lawrence dining landscape, earning numerous national and regional awards for its wood-fired oven and slow-rising dough. Visit the downtown cafe in the morning for breakfast burritos and egg croissants, or swing by for lunch to choose from a variety of sandwiches, empanadas, quiche, and more. While the bread is the main attraction, don’t overlook the tempting pastries and sweets, including tiramisu, cinnamon rolls, eclairs, and a selection of cookies and cakes.

Since 2014, Chef TK and Emily Peterson have delighted diners with creative farm-to-table dishes at Merchants, emphasizing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The bar features 30 rotating taps of craft beers, including several from the region. Their signature cocktails, like the In a Pickle—a pickle- and pepper-infused vodka martini—showcase their innovative spirit. Menu favorites include Korean fried chicken, short rib gnocchi, and cheddar-chive biscuits with gravy, along with excellent vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Kansas was among the first states to implement Prohibition and one of the last to lift it. In the 1980s, on-premises alcohol sales were still banned outside of private clubs, but Free State Brewing founder Chuck Magerl fought to change this. A pioneer of the local food movement, he envisioned creating local beer with locally sourced wheat to be enjoyed at community restaurants. In 1989, Free State made history by opening its doors, and its popular brews are now widely available in stores across the region. The original location remains a lively spot to catch KU basketball games, serving delicious pub food and exceptional craft beers to a loyal local crowd.

Every college town needs an affordable late-night Mytoury, and Pizza Shuttle has served as the go-to spot for KU students since 1984. For just $9, hungry patrons can enjoy a 10-inch specialty pizza crafted with high-quality ingredients not found at chain restaurants. Open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends, Pizza Shuttle offers both delivery and dine-in options.

In a city known for its impressive cocktails, the Bourgeois Pig has been a trailblazer since 1993, crafting unique drink experiences. With its charming European ambiance, the Pig features an intimate indoor area and a lovely patio for enjoying the scene. On weekends, it transitions into a coffee shop at 11 a.m., serving locally roasted coffee from Repetition Coffee. As the day unfolds, patrons can savor inventive cocktails like the Swipe Right (Marfa grapefruit liqueur, ancho verde, lemon, Peychaud’s bitters) and creative twists on classics, such as a spicy strawberry margarita made with strawberry-infused tequila, dry Curacao, and lime.

While Lawrence is home to numerous beloved local bars, Eighth Street Taproom stands out as a true icon. Locals often boast about the origins of the Horsefeather, a whiskey-ginger drink crafted at this dive bar in the 1990s, leading to friendly rivalries with Missourians. The bar features free pool until 9 p.m., and on weekends, its basement transforms into a lively venue for bands, DJs, and dancing.

Limestone specializes in wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas crafted from high-quality ingredients with a touch of creativity. The classic margherita, adorned with mozzarella and drizzled with basil oil, remains a crowd favorite, but every pie is a delight. The Moroccan pizza features house-made chermoula lamb sausage, while the Spud combines thinly sliced potatoes, crème fraîche, bacon, and rosemary. The menu also boasts equally enticing options, including goat cheese croquettes, fire-roasted shishito peppers, and salted caramel budino, all worth a try.

Since 1989, Munchers Bakery has delighted both students and locals with its delectable sweet treats. Specializing in doughnuts, cakes, and cookies, this shop operates 24/7 to satisfy those late-night or early-morning cravings. While everything is delightful, the cream cheese doughnuts stand out: light, sweet dough filled with a layer of tangy cream cheese and topped with either vanilla or strawberry glaze.