Citizens and tourists know that Kansas City is known for many things, from its awesome thrift stores to the various activities for kids. There are also various incredible restaurants in the city. We’ve already told you about the most expensive restaurants in the city limits, but now it’s time to tell you about the overall best places to eat in Kansas City. These restaurants span a variety of categories and they all offer some of the best food you’ll ever taste. This list is in no particular order. We just want to tell you about some fantastic places to go, so check them out the next time you’re in the area.
Town Company
1228 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105
This is one of the fanciest restaurants in the city, and it’s located in the Hotel Kansas City, which just recently opened. The incredible dishes are managed by chef Johnny Leach, who has led many other amazing restaurants in the country. The menu here is very expensive and includes everything from octopus crispy rice and halibut & grilled shrimp to pork shank, duck, and more. However, keep in mind that their menu rotates throughout the year, so research ahead of time. No matter what, count on eating something delicious.
Fox and Pearl
2143 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Go here if you’re looking for an upscale restaurant that is accessible and has a dish for everyone. There are many tasty dinner options, including tasty entrees, like butternut squash ravioli, rabbit pot pie, and grilled hanger steak. If you’re just looking for a smaller snack, they have grilled chicken wings, duck meatballs, and many other options. For dessert, you can try their classic chocolate orange babka, apple crumble, or their flavorful ice cream.
The Italian Sausage Company
7315 N Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118
As the name suggests, this amazing Kansas City restaurant offers amazing Italian meats and tasty cheeses. There’s also an incredible selection of sandwiches, including some made with prosciutto, turkey, salami, and more. There are also many tasty hot sandwiches. It’s worth at least one visit for lunch or dinner.
The Campground
1531 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO 64102
For something completely different, visit The Campground, which is a restaurant and cocktail bar that serves great drinks and meals foraged from animals and fish of the area. Tasty entrees here include Alaskan habitat, pork collar, and their spaghetti, among others. There are also some world-famous cocktails, including the white negroni that’s made with Chicago gin and the Huntsman, which has Palo Santo local vodka, and more.
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room
1830 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Another one of the best places to eat in Kansas City is the Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room. It’s a restaurant that’s been around for a few years but it keeps surprising patrons every day. This is a classy affair where you can get a meal, listen to great music, and be transported to another place. The Corvino Supper Club is a more costly option, but there are tons of great items on the menu, including steak tartare, cheeseburger, and poached salmon. They also sell incredible desserts, that range from rice pudding to affogato, which is an unforgettable cajeta ice cream.
Golden Ox
1600 Genessee St #110, Kansas City, MO 64102
This is the must-try restaurant if you love a good steak and a hearty meal. Their menu includes just about every type of steak, from marinated skirt steak to prime sirloin to delicate tenderloin. You can pair those amazing meats with many different sauces, including their signature Ox steak sauce, chimichurri, bearnaise, and more. They also offer an amazing selection of seafood, ranging from oysters on the half-shell to oysters Rockefeller.
Antler Room
2506 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108
This is a fantastic restaurant that specializes in food that’s made from locally sourced ingredients. There are a ton of great dishes here, from the braised lamb dishes to the pork cheek ravioli. They also have desserts for everyone, with their gluten-free Scandinavian rice pudding and vegetarian chocolate tart options. Stop by if you get a chance. The Antler Room is a great restaurant that’s run by husband and wife Leslie Newsam Goellner and Nick Goellner.
Mildred's
1901 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108
908 Baltimore Ave. Suite 103, Kansas City, Missouri, 64105
Mildred's is like a local competitor to Starbucks. It’s an amazing family-owned cafe that serves unique coffee drinks and tasty breakfast options. It’s so good that there are two locations from which to choose. For the past 25 years, Mildred's has been serving great food, including their famous Standard Sandwich that’s loaded with steamed eggs, bacon, cheese, and more. There’s also a standard and a vegetarian breakfast wrap that’s delectable. As for the coffee, they have many different flavors. You can get it with regular caffeine or get it spiked with alcohol for $5 extra.
Novel
1927 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108
This is a fantastic restaurant that has many amazing dishes that actually change with the seasons. They offer housemade pasta, steaks, ramen dishes, chestnut ravioli, and more. There are also several amazing desserts at Novel, ranging from pistachio pie and chocolate mousse to pineapple carrot and pumpkin cake. All of these dishes are made better due to the fact that they use locally sourced ingredients. Stay for a drink at the full-service granite bar.
Town Topic
2021 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Go to Town Topic for some of the best burgers and fries in the city. This is a great little restaurant that’s been around for the last 75 years. In the beginning, they were selling burgers for five cents, and they still have great prices all these years later. In 2024, the menu includes breakfast options like eggs and omelets. For lunch, they have single, double, and triple patty burgers plus BLTs, grilled cheese, and more. They even have a huge selection of desserts. You can go and enjoy a slice of pie, a sundae, or a rootbeer float.
Jarocho
719 Kansas Ave, Kansas City, KS 66105
Jarocho is a Veracruzano restaurant that serves unique dishes that you won’t see everywhere else. Their menu is huge and includes many different delicacies, including fire-grilled trout, seafood paella, blue crab, and more. This restaurant has won many awards for best seafood and best Mexican food.
Kitty’s Cafe
810 1/2 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO 64109
This isn’t the fanciest restaurant in the world, but this smaller diner serves great dishes that will make you feel like you’re at a five-star place. They serve many tasty burgers, awesome plate-sized cutlets, and amazing tempura-breaded tenderloin, among other great dishes. Check out their Instagram site if you want to see more of the goodness.
M & M Bakery & Delicatessen
1721 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO 64109
After visiting Kitty’s, check out another smaller local spot, M & M Bakery & Delicatessen. There are many tasty sandwiches, including a classic Reuben, a great tuna salad, and tasty veggie options. The bakery section has many awesome offerings, such as glazed donuts, apple fritters, and a baked cinnamon roll. No visit will be complete without also trying a slice of their favorite cherry cheesecake.
Waldo Thai
8431 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114
If exceptional Thai food is your thing, then stop by Waldo Thai, which is one of the best restaurants in that genre in Kansas City. The restaurant, which is led by chef Pam Liberda, is based on cuisine from northern Thailand, where the food is often more rustic than the curry that many are used to eating. This place is also great for vegans because many of the dishes suit that diet. If you’re there, consider trying the Yum Nua, Laab Moo Kua, or Tom Kha Gai soup.
Baba’s Pantry and Deli
1019 E 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64110
If instead, you’re interested in Middle Eastern food, then stop by Baba’s Pantry and Deli. You won’t find any imitations here. Only authentic food from that part of the world, which means plenty of falafel, shawarma, and kebabs. Plus, you’ll get some of the best hummus in the city and maybe even the state. Don’t forget to make room for some of Baba’s signature platters, which include his ganoush and special fries with Baba’s spice.
The Russell
3141 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111
This restaurant with a unique name is one of the best places to eat in Kansas City if you love tasty and hearty salads. There are various options, from a green pear and steak and greens salad to a grilled chicken bibb option, and more. There’s also their world-famous The Russell Burger, which is ½ pound of beef brisket, truffle aioli, gouda, and more. For dessert, try the oatmeal cream pie, banana muffin, or coconut macaroon. They’re all great.
Verbena
4901 Meadowbrook Pkwy, Prairie Village, KS 66207
Verbena is one of the best places to eat in Kansas City if you love amazing seafood. There are countless dishes here that you should try, including fried crab, raw oysters, lobster bisque, and many other classics. This is an upscale restaurant where you’ll spend some money, but you won’t regret it. The atmosphere is great as you can eat inside or under an amazing shaded patio where you can enjoy a meal while looking out at a great public park.
Gates Bar-B-Q
3205 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111
This is one of the best BBQ restaurants in the area, and they use the traditional BBQ formula. You can get all the usuals here, from sausage and chicken to delicious mutton. Plus, there are great sandwiches, like a double-decker with one sliced meat and a tasty bun with fries. Their potato salad should be a national treasure. They also offer a pasta salad that will have you coming back week after week.
Chewology
900 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Another of the best places to eat in Kansas City is Chewology, which is a contemporary Taiwanese restaurant that strives to use locally sourced ingredients. There’s a tasty dish in almost every category. Dumping options include pork & cabbage and xiao long bao. Noodle dishes include spicy peanut ramen and brisket chow mein. Finally, for dessert, try the fried bao bits.
Acre
6325 Lewis St., Parkville, MO 64152
This is a great restaurant that offers quintessential and modern Midwest cuisine, and like many other eateries on this list, they try to prepare the dishes with only locally sourced ingredients. There are many tasty options at this upscale restaurant, including awesome appetizers, like Wisconsin cheese curds and whipped goat cheese. For entrees, try the homemade ricotta cappelletti, pickled chicken, and Lake Michigan walleye almondine. Don’t leave without trying the dark chocolate cremeux for dessert.
Westport Cafe
419 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Finally, we have Westport Cafe, which is easily one of the best places to eat in Kansas City if you love delicious food that is prepared using classic French culinary style. They serve some really tasty dishes, including an unforgettable pan-seared duck breast and an amazing lamb kofta. You can even get a marinated brisket that may change your life. Stop by here at least once if you want to try a restaurant at the top of its game.
Conclusion
These are, hands down, the best places to eat in Kansas City. Regardless of the type of food you like to eat, there is an option on here that you must try. If you plan on visiting Kansas City or you call this fine place home, then add as many of these fine places to your bucket list as possible.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Ultima_Gaina.