Kansas City has been home for the past four years, but family has lived here for decades. We have explored KC as visitors and residents. My family loves to gather around the table often and that includes local spots across the city.
Map
Sections
6
Brunch
BBQ
KC Repeats
KC Taco Trail
Dinner, Date Night, or Evening Out
Coffee Recs
Brunch
Brunch is one of my favorite past-times, and I am on a mission to find all of the best. Let me know if you have any questions because I take this list very seriously.
Sweet and savory, you must get one of each every visit.
Seven Swans Creperie KC
Farm fresh, local ingredients ensure a fresh meal and changing menu.
Welcome to The Farmhouse KC - Kansas City
Brunch, coffee, pastries, multiple locations.
McLain's Bakery
Great breakfast or lunch options around every corner of Kansas City.
The Big Biscuit | Breakfast & Lunch Restaurant
Farm-to-table experience with breakfast, brunch, and dinner options.
The Westside Local
Organic, vegetarian restaurant with unique recipes.
blue bird bistro - A Kansas City Restaurant
Weekly specials and Jalapeno Fried Chicken
Red Door Woodfired Grill | Best Kansas City Restaurant for ...
Restaurant celebrating mid-west recipes using local Kansas and Missouri flavors. Several locations across the city.
Rye Plaza Home
Local owned, quaint and casual.
Breakfast Menu - Ginger Sue's
Gastropub serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch in historic Westport.
Beer Kitchen | Kansas City's Original Gastropub
The breakfast sandwich is the go-to and if you see zucchini bread in the pastry case—GET MORE THAN ONE!!
Mildred's
Coffee place with the best pastries and artisan breads. There are seasonal brunch options and 4 floors to stay awhile.
Messenger Coffee Company - Fresh roasted artisan coffee in ...
Breakfast and brunch options at the River Market, then you can visit the farmers market after.
Opera House CAFE | Coffee Shop & Cafe Kansas City
The pictures don’t do this brunch place justice. It has a great vibe with really good food.
Homesteader | Kansas City, MO
One of the coolest restaurants in Kansas City in the heart of Union Station. The weekend buffet brunch is a must.
Casual Dining in Union Station - Harvey's Restaurant at Union ...
Do not be fooled by the name of this place. It is a KC must. Great food, beautiful ambience.
Billie's Grocery | Organic Whole Eats and Treats, Workshops ...
This place has the best names for their dishes, so creative and memorable. We describe it as “the place with the weird food name” when we want to go here as a family. The food is delicious.
The Shack | Shack Breakfast & Lunch
Popular eatery, many locations across the metro.
HomeGrown Kansas City Menu | The Best Brunch & Lunch in ...
Unique combos with traditional breakfast foods.
Succotash
BBQ
Kansas City is known for BBQ, but you can't just go to any place with bbq in the name. These are the go-to spots.
KC BBQ using scratch-kitchen and wood-fire grills in 2 locations
Q39: Kansas City BBQ Restaurants & BBQ Catering Services
Kansas City staple for BBQ with several locations across the city.
Jack Stack BBQ: Kansas City Style BBQ Restaurant ...
BBQ in a gas station, guaranteed line around the block everyday so plan ahead
Joe's Kansas City BBQ - World Famous Barbecue
Don't expect anything fancy in the atmosphere but definitely great BBQ.
LC's Bar-B-Q
This restaurant is one of the reasons why KC is famous for barbeque.
Arthur Bryant's - Kansas City, MO
Most think its a sauce only, but the sauce originated in a KC restaurant. One of my favorites because of the vinegar based sauce.
Gates BBQ | Barbecue sauces and rubs from the Kansas City ...
KC Repeats
KC restaurants that we go back to again and again.
Serving traditional Italian food for over 20 years in KC. You have to order their signature dish, Chicken Spiedini.
Garozzo's | Homey Italian tavern in Kansas and Missouri
Everyone knows this great KC staple. It has an eclectic atmosphere and vast menu.
54th Street | Family Restaurant in St. Louis, Kansas City, San ...
Several locations across the city. Amazing food and drink options, with great outdoor atmosphere. Note: no pickles are on the menu, just pickle ball.
Kansas City - Chicken N Pickle
This bar and grill is known for their giant wings with their homemade wing sauce. I cannot believe there is no pictures of these famous wings.
HOME - The Original Peanut
Eclectic restaurant with traditional Thai food. The chicken wings are a must order, trust me!
Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop: Home
If you love Thai food, make sure you come here. Arriving early is a must unless you don’t mind waiting. It’s a small location with limited seating. Every dish is amazing and authentic.
Baramee Thai Bistro
KC Taco Trail
The KC Taco Trail is actually a thing, Google it. You can register and win prizes. This list will include some of the Taco Trail locations and a few of my favorites. I lived in Texas for 12+ years, so not all Kansas City Mexican restaurants are great...
Local spot with weekly specials
Rapidos Mexican Restaurant | Mexican Restaurant in Platte ...
Tex-Mex flavor in Kansas City.
K Macho's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina - Overland Park, KS
Dinner, Date Night, or Evening Out
These places have great food and vibes.
Really cool location, fun date night. Amazing Italian food.
Lidia’s
Great food all day, every day but this small, locally run Thai spot has a great outdoor space and vibe.
Baramee Thai Bistro
Italian like NYC does it, you will feel like you have transported to Little Italy in this location. The food is amazing. Make sure you order the chicken spiedini.
Garozzo's Downtown
Every location has its own charm, make sure to order the wings. They are amazing.
Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop: Home
Best location for date night, before or after dinner you can check out Union Station or walk to Crown Center. Plus, great food!
Pierpont's at Union Station
Coffee Recs
Here are a list of coffee recommendations from my brother who is a coffee snob. If you want great coffee, this list is for you.
Seating inside and out, plus pastries that are unique and so good.
B I S O U
The number one choice for coffee in KC, several locations. This is the coolest one with 4 floors.
Messenger Coffee
This coffee shop has a few locations across down, on in the Nelson-Atkins Museum and the other just steps away from the city farmer's market.
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters
A few locations but all a great coffee shop, known for their breakfast sandwiches and do not skip on the zucchini bread if available.
