Guidebook for Kansas City
Food Scene
Novel
1927 McGee StLocal gem in the West Side (within walking distance).
Voltaire
1617 Genessee StClassy restaurant and bar in the historic West Bottoms.
Great ambiance and gourmet food. A beer garden shaded by grape vines. My favorite place in town to eat mussels.
78 locals recommend
The Westside Local
1663 Summit StGreat ambiance and gourmet food. A beer garden shaded by grape vines. My favorite place in town to eat mussels.
The Rieger
1924 Main StExcellent gourmet food and bar in a restored historic hotel building.
Just across the street. Sometimes all you want is a bar stool and eggs and hash browns or a greasy burger with fried onion rings.
41 locals recommend
Town Topic Hamburgers Broadway
2021 Broadway BlvdJust across the street. Sometimes all you want is a bar stool and eggs and hash browns or a greasy burger with fried onion rings.
Local roaster that kicked off the coffee culture here a couple decades ago. Their tours are fun (see web page) and their on-site cafe is a treat.
91 locals recommend
The Roasterie Cafe
1204 W 27th StLocal roaster that kicked off the coffee culture here a couple decades ago. Their tours are fun (see web page) and their on-site cafe is a treat.
Anton's
1610 Main StLocally sourced steak, agroponic tilapia and over 40 rotating taps.
Delicious locally sourced food in a made-over gas station. A breakfast favorite.
12 locals recommend
Genessee Royale Bistro
1531 Genessee StDelicious locally sourced food in a made-over gas station. A breakfast favorite.
American-style bar and restaurant fronting the city's best outdoor music venue. Catch a show out back if you can.
59 locals recommend
Grinders Pizza
417 E 18th StAmerican-style bar and restaurant fronting the city's best outdoor music venue. Catch a show out back if you can.
La Bodega
703 Southwest BlvdGourmet Mexican fusion food with one of the city's best happy hours.
Some of the best pour overs, presses and espresso you'll find in the city, crafted with consistently high standards. All in the soaring marble setting of historic Union Station.
8 locals recommend
Parisi Café - Union Station
30 W Pershing RdSome of the best pour overs, presses and espresso you'll find in the city, crafted with consistently high standards. All in the soaring marble setting of historic Union Station.
Locally roasters with a knack for interior decorating. Whether you're looking for espresso, brewed coffee, or a pour over, you'll find it here, complete with hipster ambiance.
28 locals recommend
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters
Locally roasters with a knack for interior decorating. Whether you're looking for espresso, brewed coffee, or a pour over, you'll find it here, complete with hipster ambiance.
Complete with a wall of wine and tequila and a feisty owner-manager, the Mexican food here simmers for hours and never disappoints.
19 locals recommend
Los Alamos Cocina
1667 Summit StComplete with a wall of wine and tequila and a feisty owner-manager, the Mexican food here simmers for hours and never disappoints.
Tucked away in the West Side, great ambience all around but I love it for breakfast.
33 locals recommend
blue bird bistro
1700 Summit StTucked away in the West Side, great ambience all around but I love it for breakfast.
The Jacobson
2050 Central StGorgeous outdoor deck, gourmet food, great cocktails.
Some of the best spicy Thai fusion food you'll ever taste in your life. Try the "Drunken Noodles."
39 locals recommend
Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop
2030 Central StSome of the best spicy Thai fusion food you'll ever taste in your life. Try the "Drunken Noodles."
The Belfry
1532 Grand BlvdSwank atmosphere, good food and lots of taps. A local favorite.
FuD
Homebase for vegans and raw "super-food" lovers.
Recognized by multiple national pubs and presidents as one of America's best bbq joints. If you can't get the burnt ends, try the Z-man. (There may be a wait.)
344 locals recommend
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
3002 W 47th AveRecognized by multiple national pubs and presidents as one of America's best bbq joints. If you can't get the burnt ends, try the Z-man. (There may be a wait.)
Arthur Bryant's Barbeque
1727 Brooklyn AveAnother of KC's bbq notables, in my top 3.
Combine the ambience of a gorgeous restored freight house with world-class bbq and you've got magic.
126 locals recommend
Jack Stack Barbecue - Freight House
101 W 22nd StCombine the ambience of a gorgeous restored freight house with world-class bbq and you've got magic.
An up-and-comer on the KC bbq scene, this one's making quite a splash. Tons of craft beer in addition to the meat.
102 locals recommend
Char Bar
4050 Pennsylvania AveAn up-and-comer on the KC bbq scene, this one's making quite a splash. Tons of craft beer in addition to the meat.
Another relative newcomer to our bbq scene, this pioneering, award-winning joint is already being hailed as "can't miss."
257 locals recommend
Q39 - Midtown
1000 W 39th StAnother relative newcomer to our bbq scene, this pioneering, award-winning joint is already being hailed as "can't miss."
Nearby neighborhood dive with long hours, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and...snacks.
13 locals recommend
YJ's Snack Bar
1746 Washington StNearby neighborhood dive with long hours, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and...snacks.
Sylvia's Deli
1746 Washington StNice assortment of sandwiches and daily specials at the top of the block.
My coffee supplier, and a great local nano-roaster in the historic West Bottoms; you should drop by for a coffee or cappuccino and say hi.
15 locals recommend
Blip Roasters
1301 Woodswether RdMy coffee supplier, and a great local nano-roaster in the historic West Bottoms; you should drop by for a coffee or cappuccino and say hi.
City Market
20 E 5th StLots of fresh produce and a variety of food vendors.
Arts & Culture
One of the pioneer galleries in the district, home to prestigious rotating displays.
15 locals recommend
Leedy-Voulkos Art Center
2012 Baltimore AveOne of the pioneer galleries in the district, home to prestigious rotating displays.
Concerts, NCAA hoops, Disney on Ice, you name it. About a fifteen minute walk if you're in the mood.
113 locals recommend
Sprint Center
1407 Grand BlvdConcerts, NCAA hoops, Disney on Ice, you name it. About a fifteen minute walk if you're in the mood.
Ingenuously repurposed warehouse houses multiple local studios. A great place to spot up and coming artists.
The Bauer
115 W 18th StIngenuously repurposed warehouse houses multiple local studios. A great place to spot up and coming artists.
Sightseeing
Constantly-photographed views of downtown from above the memorial and an award-winning museum inside.
400 locals recommend
National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial DrConstantly-photographed views of downtown from above the memorial and an award-winning museum inside.
Not only a great local winery (try the Drover Red), their tap room is also a well-kept secret for hard to find limited release beers.
22 locals recommend
Amigoni Urban Winery
1505 Genessee StNot only a great local winery (try the Drover Red), their tap room is also a well-kept secret for hard to find limited release beers.
The sheer scale of the brick buildings in the former stock yards makes this area intriguing.
79 locals recommend
West Bottoms
The sheer scale of the brick buildings in the former stock yards makes this area intriguing.
Shopping
This expertly curated, bargain-priced liquor store is where I go to get my cocktail ingredients and craft beers.
22 locals recommend
Gomer's Midtown
3838 Broadway BlvdThis expertly curated, bargain-priced liquor store is where I go to get my cocktail ingredients and craft beers.
Locally sourced meat, beer, wine, produce and dry goods. Breakfast, dinner and boutique grocer.
20 locals recommend
The Foundry
Locally sourced meat, beer, wine, produce and dry goods. Breakfast, dinner and boutique grocer.
Tom's Town Distilling Co.
1701 Main StBuy gin or whiskey made right here in KC.
Cellar Rat Wine Merchants
1701 Baltimore AveExpertly curated wine, liquor and beer.
Archival Designs
805 E 31st StOne of my favorite tucked-away galleries, gorgeous, affordable ceramics.
Drinks & Nightlife
Named the #3 craft brewery in the world by USA Today, their brewery tours and tastings are second to none. Check their site to book (free) or just show up on a Saturday morning to finagle your way in.
174 locals recommend
Boulevard Brewing Company
2501 Southwest BlvdNamed the #3 craft brewery in the world by USA Today, their brewery tours and tastings are second to none. Check their site to book (free) or just show up on a Saturday morning to finagle your way in.
Beloved local dive with delicious burgers they've been making for over 40 years. Bands most nights.
16 locals recommend
The Brick
1727 McGee StBeloved local dive with delicious burgers they've been making for over 40 years. Bands most nights.
Julep
4141 Pennsylvania AveCraft cocktail bar owned and operated by one of KC's whiskey whiz kids.
One of the Crossroads' newer microbreweries. Try a flight of beers—outside food is welcome. (Check their hours before you show up.)
11 locals recommend
Border Brewing Company
512 E 18th StOne of the Crossroads' newer microbreweries. Try a flight of beers—outside food is welcome. (Check their hours before you show up.)
My favorite new small-batch brewery in the Crossroads. Don't miss their coffee ales made in collaboration with Thou Mayest.
19 locals recommend
Torn Label Brewing Co.
1708 Campbell StMy favorite new small-batch brewery in the Crossroads. Don't miss their coffee ales made in collaboration with Thou Mayest.
Czar Bar
1531 Grand BlvdFun place to catch up & coming bands and a good bar too.
Superb jazz, exquisite atmosphere and great drinks selection? Look no further.
150 locals recommend
Green Lady Lounge
1809 Grand BlvdSuperb jazz, exquisite atmosphere and great drinks selection? Look no further.
High tone venue in the Power & Light District draws some of the nation's biggest indie acts.
22 locals recommend
Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
1228 Main StHigh tone venue in the Power & Light District draws some of the nation's biggest indie acts.
Another good aspiring microbrewery in the Crossroads.
11 locals recommend
Double Shift Brewing Company
412 E 18th StAnother good aspiring microbrewery in the Crossroads.
Essentials
Grocery store with free parking (validation required) in the heart of downtown. They've got everything you'll need if you feel like cooking.
119 locals recommend
Cosentino's Market
10 E 13th StGrocery store with free parking (validation required) in the heart of downtown. They've got everything you'll need if you feel like cooking.
Royal Liquors
801 Southwest BlvdGood place to get necessaries and...liquor.
Entertainment & Activities
If you like college hoops, you owe this to yourself. All the history you tradition you could hope for along with shooting areas, games, and a full court.
28 locals recommend
The College Basketball Experience
1401 Grand BlvdIf you like college hoops, you owe this to yourself. All the history you tradition you could hope for along with shooting areas, games, and a full court.
Up Down
101 Southwest BlvdLots of draft beer, lots of screens, 50+ arcade games.