12 of the best restaurants in Kansas City

Brian Corvers

Brian has been part of the Le Petit Chef team since day 1. As Vice President Marketing, he always initiates new projects to further develop and enrich the show.

In the heart of America, in the State of Missouri, Kansas City is a fun, vibrant, and cool place to visit. The BBQ capital of the world, with more than 100 BBQ restaurants, is also the home of Jazz music and the most fountains in the US. It’s loaded with arts and sports. An adventure to explore, for many reasons. We show off the best 12 restaurants in Kansas City. The exciting and modern, most populated city of Missouri.

Tip #1: Arthur Bryant’s BBQ Restaurant

Arthur Bryant is a BBQ legend and so is his restaurant, Arthur Bryant’s BBQ in Kansas City. It’s considered as one of the most famous BBQ places in the whole country. History in short: Arthur took over the BBQ restaurant from his brother Charlie and moved it to where it stands today, at 18th & Brooklyn.

The location started the restaurant’s real popularity. Famous visitors, including president Truman, Clinton and Obama, but also movie folks like Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and Jack Nickolson, were outing themselves as major Arthur Bryant’s BBQ fans.

Today new owners Chris Stuewe and Andrew Miller are still featuring the slow smoked meat, with a combination of hickory and oak woods and splashed with the secret recipe sauces of Arthur Bryant. The BBQ Sandwiches with all kinds of meat variations (beef, ham, pork, turkey), go well with Arthur´s fries or onion rings, baked beans and coleslaw.

Sauces and Rubs are available for purchase and of course, swag too. A Kansas City visit is only complete with a visit at Arthur Bryant’s famous BBQ spot!

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Tip #2: Parlor

Eat, drink, repeat is Parlor’s slogan, and it is easy to manage! The modern food hall, on three levels, is home to seven restaurants and two bars. There is a restaurant for pretty much every taste and cocktail and craft beers catering to all the needs.

Parlor is a collection of chefs with many culinary concepts, under one roof. The ‘living room’, in the heart of the Crossroads neighborhood, is greeting guests with a funky vibe, art, indoor and outdoor seating.

The big variety of Parlor restaurants makes food choices not necessarily easy. Creative nachos and wings by Deez Nachos, Indian Fusion by Elephant Wings, elevated Tex-Mex Classics by Ladybird Taqueria, Daring Fried Chicken by Mother Clucker, Authentic Mediterranean by Sidos – and so on. A mix of socializing, great food and drinks, make Parlor worth a visit.

Tip #3: Joe’s Kansas City BBQ

In a list of the best restaurants in Kansas City, one BBQ place is not enough. The second really famous BBQ spot in the BBQ capital of the United States, is Joe’s Kansas City BBQ. Born out of a gas station, owners Jeff and Joy Stehney started out small and operate in the meantime two more locations.

In 1990, they attended BBQ contests and were passionate about the smoke, smell, camaraderie and competition. After quite a ride, they opened the gas station restaurant in 1997.

Today, tourists and locals are crowding the place to try their famous BBQ sandwiches. The pulled pork house speciality, smoked turkey and ham, beef brisket and combo sandwich. Smokie Joe, the chopped smoked beef and pork in BBQ sauce and different varieties of speciality sandwiches.

One of their famous offerings, The Z-Man, a slow-smoked beef brisket, smoked provolone cheese, topped with crispy onion ring on a kaiser roll is a bestseller.

Tip #4: The Italian Sausage Company

The Italian Sausage Company is worth the 15-minute drive to Gladstone, North of Kansas City. The small family operated business is a gem. It includes an Italian sausage making facility, a mini Italian grocery store and a deli, with hot and cold sandwiches. The scratch kitchen uses recipes passed down generations.

Joe and Michelle Brancato offer way more than sandwiches. Deli meats, cheeses, olives, artisan breads and more. But their speciality is definitely the house-made Italian sausage. Making sausage has been a tradition in their family for over 30 years.

The sausage is made fresh weekly, by owner Joe Brancato Junior. The Brancato sandwiches are ‘Serious Sandwiches’, that’s how they call them. Some stuffed with their sausage, some with deli meats or meatballs.

Tip #5: Mildred’s

Once started as a Ma and Pa, Mildred’s has served the community since the mid 1990s. In the meantime it is one of Kansas City’s most beloved breakfast and brunch spots. Family owned and operated for 25 years, serving the community in two locations, one in the Crossroads Arts District and one on historic 9th Street.

Scratch baked goods, sandwiches and speciality coffees, let folks line up, not only on the weekends. Wraps and sandwiches, biscuit & gravy, quiche and bagel, is what guests enjoy for breakfast.

Lunch sandwiches like the Portobello Panini, with grilled marinated portobello, artichoke spread, roasted tomatoes, arugula and balsamic glaze is served, like many other sandwiches, on artisan bread. Bloody Milly, Mimosa or House Michelada, make every breakfast and brunch visit at Mildred’s a fun adventure.

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Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: The Town Company

‘Trés chic’ is the first thought when it comes to The Town Company, the fine dining restaurant in the four star Hotel Kansas City. The kitchen of the fancy and stylish restaurant is led by chef Johnny Leach, teamed up with his wife Helen Jo Leach, who is responsible for the dessert section.

Midwestern cuisine with produce from local farmers and ranchers, prepared over open fire. No matter if meat or vegetables, the oak burn is the heart of the dining experience.

The dining menu rotates several times during the year, featuring seasonal ingredients. The dessert menu is short, but of beauty and uniqueness. Sweet potato sticky toffee pudding, Yoli Masa Sundae, Coffee cake roll with chocolate, malt and eggplant, are definitely not everyday sweet tooth menu finds. A Brunch is available as well.

Tip #7: Town Topic

Similar name, totally different topic. No fine dining experience, but the most iconic burgers in town. Town Topic is a traditional piece of Kansas City’s foodie culture, celebrating making burgers for over 85 years.

1937 was the year when Claude Sparks opened the little diner and served hamburgers for 5 cents each. In the heart of Downtown, in the Crossroads Arts District, you can’t miss the old-fashioned diner, because it’s open 24 hours a day.

Besides the all traditional burgers, Town Topic is serving Coney’s, hotdogs with chili and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches. The breakfast makes the real diner experience authentic and is served with toast and fresh hash browns.

The Truckstop Omelet with four eggs, hash-browns, meat & cheese scrambled, is a perfect start into the day. Early morning 5 am – 10.30 am freshly baked biscuits with homemade gravy are a customer’s favorite.

Tip #8: The Peanut

The Peanut is a Kansas City landmark. It’s the oldest bar and grill in the city and was the one with the first liquor license.It’s worth a visit! If not for some alcoholics, then at least for a burger or their famous Reuben. Everything started in the early 30’s as a speakeasy and transmitted in a legitimate bar.

In the 40’s and 50’s, The Peanut became a BBQ restaurant and later a run-down joint, which got safed, years later, by Rich and Melinda Kenny. The couple opened two additional locations and licensed the name. Rich Kenny passed away, but Melina Kenny still continues to run the Peanut empire.

Today the Peanut locations on Main Street and Downtown serve all the American Comfort Food folks are looking for: Chili dogs, Burgers, Pork Tenderloin sandwiches, cheese fries, onion rings and BBQ Beef Brisket.

A Sunday Brunch, every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm (Main Street 10 am – 12 pm), covers all the breakfast needs, like French Toast, Eggs Benedict and Scrambled Eggs.

Tip #9: Fox and Pearl

A cozy atmosphere and good food – every restaurant wants to combine these, yet only a few succeed. At Fox and Pearl, the chef not only uses a fire stove but also enjoys using a smoker to create breathtaking tastes and flavors.

High-quality and seasonal ingredients are the most important in executing the menu. The chef draws his inspiration from French cuisine and combines it with regional, traditional influences – resulting in a creation of the highest class. Let yourself be amazed and enjoy a special dinner.

Tip #10: Succotash

Crowded, hip and delicious – this is Succotash, in the Longfellow Heights community of Kansas City. The very beloved brunch spot, established 2001, has been featured in quite a few TV shows. The quirky, little spot with personality, has its own fresh juice bar and calls itself a community-based neighborhood staple.

Leaning on the artsy walls and deciding about your personalized burrito, omelet or scramble, is amongst the best ideas for a real Succotash breakfast. The sweet tooth will be satisfied by the big fluffy buttermilk pancakes, the Vegan Shortstack Platter or the Modern Elvis. But don’t forget to order the ‘Cake & A Smile’, a buttermilk pancake with two sunny side up eggs and a bacon smile.

Breakfast sandwiches served with homefries, the tomato bisque and the biscuits and gravy, can only be topped by the famous eight layer rainbow cake.

Tip #11: Kata Nori

An innovative sushi restaurant, not an ordinary one, that is Kata Nori! The chefs specialize in handmade sushi rolls, prepared right before the guests’ eyes. Each roll is served individually, so it can be eaten immediately. This means no long waits and instant enjoyment.

The passion for Japanese culinary art is reflected in every dish, and the reviews leave nothing to be desired: fresh ingredients, creativity, and the welcoming atmosphere are highly praised.

The modern interior transports you to another world, so it promises not only a culinary experience but also a visual one! As is well known: we eat with our eyes.

Tip #12: Farina

Every city needs a good Italian restaurant, and in Kansas City, that is Farina. The chef places great emphasis on a modern interpretation of classic Italian delicacies – magic happens here!

Depending on the season, the menu changes and delights both the eyes and the palate, for example with a tiramisu with chocolate and hazelnuts – it warms the heart! The quality of the ingredients is consistently praised by guests and critics.

In addition to the chef and his menu, the wine selection is award-winning. The cocktail menu leaves nothing to be desired either – here, every evening can only be a success.

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!