Guidebook for Kansas City
Restaurants & Coffeeshops
Best walking-distance coffeeshop! Has great sandwiches, wraps, quiche and soups aside from the usual pastries, specialty coffees, teas and smoothies.
40 locals recommend
Filling Station Coffee - Midtown
2980 McGee TrafficwayBest walking-distance coffeeshop! Has great sandwiches, wraps, quiche and soups aside from the usual pastries, specialty coffees, teas and smoothies.
Great neighborhood organic breakfast and lunch place, also featuring a little groceries section.
46 locals recommend
You Say Tomato
2801 Holmes StGreat neighborhood organic breakfast and lunch place, also featuring a little groceries section.
Mexican food with a Cinco-de-Mayo atmosphere: during nice weather the front 'windows' which are actually garage doors come up for a 'sitting-on-the-sidewalk' feeling.
13 locals recommend
Sol Cantina
408 E 31st StMexican food with a Cinco-de-Mayo atmosphere: during nice weather the front 'windows' which are actually garage doors come up for a 'sitting-on-the-sidewalk' feeling.
The best breakfast in town in my opinion. Very eclectic atmosphere ("Is that a monkey sitting at the bar?"), gets very crowded for Sunday Brunch.
73 locals recommend
Succotash
2601 Holmes StThe best breakfast in town in my opinion. Very eclectic atmosphere ("Is that a monkey sitting at the bar?"), gets very crowded for Sunday Brunch.
Reputed to be the best fried fish within walking distance. Casual bordering on fast-food.
7 locals recommend
Lutfi's Fried Fish
3037 Main StReputed to be the best fried fish within walking distance. Casual bordering on fast-food.
Since KC is known for its BBQ, and I'm vegetarian, I had to mention it without ever having sat foot in it. From what I hear, grimy but very good...
118 locals recommend
Gates Bar-B-Q
3205 Main StSince KC is known for its BBQ, and I'm vegetarian, I had to mention it without ever having sat foot in it. From what I hear, grimy but very good...
Only open in the morning until they sell out of donuts. These are KC's own, best donuts!
17 locals recommend
LaMar's Donuts and Coffee
3395 Main StOnly open in the morning until they sell out of donuts. These are KC's own, best donuts!
Kitty's is the best secret tip from meat-eaters on a budget: no atmosphere, but dirt-cheap, extremely good food - check out their reviews!
7 locals recommend
Kitty's Cafe
810 1/2 E 31st StKitty's is the best secret tip from meat-eaters on a budget: no atmosphere, but dirt-cheap, extremely good food - check out their reviews!
Excellent coffee, very nice setting. They are a roasting company.
28 locals recommend
Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters
Excellent coffee, very nice setting. They are a roasting company.
Teocali
2512 Holmes StDelicious Mexican Food with an awesome terrace on top.
Our favorite brewery/restaurant. They have delicious food at reasonable pricing, classy setting, and a nice patio right in the middle of all the Westport action for beautiful days.
21 locals recommend
McCoy's Public House
Our favorite brewery/restaurant. They have delicious food at reasonable pricing, classy setting, and a nice patio right in the middle of all the Westport action for beautiful days.
One of the best Thai restaurants in KC, just don't go for the Pad Thai on Tuesdays (it's buy one get one free, but they must be preparing them in the morning or something).
Thai Place
4130 Pennsylvania AveOne of the best Thai restaurants in KC, just don't go for the Pad Thai on Tuesdays (it's buy one get one free, but they must be preparing them in the morning or something).
Has been around forever and is still as delicious as it was twenty years ago, among the best middle-eastern restaurants.
21 locals recommend
Jerusalem Cafe
515 Westport RdHas been around forever and is still as delicious as it was twenty years ago, among the best middle-eastern restaurants.
Good Indian buffet that includes the garlic nann, chai and mango lassi. Service is spotty.
12 locals recommend
Moti Mahal II
4113 Pennsylvania AveGood Indian buffet that includes the garlic nann, chai and mango lassi. Service is spotty.
d'Bronx
3904 Bell StBest pizza in town, hands down!
This Mongolian grill has been my favorite for twenty years now...
11 locals recommend
Sahara Sheesha Lounge
3906 Bell StThis Mongolian grill has been my favorite for twenty years now...
Excellent Asian fusion cuisine, among the most delicious offerings are the eggplant pockets, the China Moon (a shrimp pie), and the crispy tofu, as well as their Vegan Delight entree soup.
47 locals recommend
Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings
1803 W 39th StExcellent Asian fusion cuisine, among the most delicious offerings are the eggplant pockets, the China Moon (a shrimp pie), and the crispy tofu, as well as their Vegan Delight entree soup.
Taj Palace
1706 W 39th StIndian restaurant with lunch buffet during the week.
Ha, it's actually requiring me to put something, anything: it's a Starbucks, duh!
48 locals recommend
Starbucks
1701 W 39th StHa, it's actually requiring me to put something, anything: it's a Starbucks, duh!
Starbucks
1701 W 39th StJust another Starbucks (they do have the GHz Fiber)...
Very homey-feeling coffee shop with vegan baked goods. They have a room just for toddlers.
53 locals recommend
Mud Pie Vegan Bakery & Coffeehouse
1615 W 39th StVery homey-feeling coffee shop with vegan baked goods. They have a room just for toddlers.
A very venerated coffeehouse and roaster, good place to sit on the sidewalk on a nice day.
37 locals recommend
Broadway Cafe
4106 Broadway BlvdA very venerated coffeehouse and roaster, good place to sit on the sidewalk on a nice day.
Aladdin Cafe
3903 Wyoming StVery good middle-eastern food with nice outside seating area.
Controversy or not, it's still the freshest, cheapest way of getting a burrito...
46 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
1713 W 39th StControversy or not, it's still the freshest, cheapest way of getting a burrito...
This is a coffee shop for purists, and don't expect decaf or free refills here. I would say only recommended for true connoisseurs...
46 locals recommend
Oddly Correct Coffee Bar
4141 Troost AvenueThis is a coffee shop for purists, and don't expect decaf or free refills here. I would say only recommended for true connoisseurs...
One of the coffeeshops closest to our guest house, Mother Earth features organic fair-trade coffee and always has plenty of space to stretch out.
7 locals recommend
Mother Earth Coffee Hyde Park
3504 Gillham RdOne of the coffeeshops closest to our guest house, Mother Earth features organic fair-trade coffee and always has plenty of space to stretch out.
I haven't checked it out myself yet, but everyone on our neighboorhood FB page has been raving about it. Online it scored a 4.7 out of 5 with 45 reviews. Urban Cafe serves breakfast and lunch from 6:30am to 3:30pm.
11 locals recommend
Urban Cafe KC
5500 Troost AvenueI haven't checked it out myself yet, but everyone on our neighboorhood FB page has been raving about it. Online it scored a 4.7 out of 5 with 45 reviews. Urban Cafe serves breakfast and lunch from 6:30am to 3:30pm.
Ollie's Local
3044 Gillham RdCafe Europa offers breakfast and lunch, as well as bakery items.
6 locals recommend
Cafe Europa Union Hill
2976 Gillham RdCafe Europa offers breakfast and lunch, as well as bakery items.
Ruby Jean's Kitchen & Juicery
3000 Troost AveGreat restaurant within walking distance. Definitely try the beer bread as something unusual that not every restaurant has. New place in a historic setting has a very cozy feel.
Brewer's Kitchen
3107 Gillham RdGreat restaurant within walking distance. Definitely try the beer bread as something unusual that not every restaurant has. New place in a historic setting has a very cozy feel.
A very unique concept: pay according to your ability. With its location on Troost, the historic dividing line between white and black Kansas City, the idea is to bring different economic classes together in harmony while feeding everyone.
Thelma’s Kitchen
3501 Troost AveA very unique concept: pay according to your ability. With its location on Troost, the historic dividing line between white and black Kansas City, the idea is to bring different economic classes together in harmony while feeding everyone.
Sister Anne's
901 E 31st StCoffeeshop and record store: what concept is more hip than that?
Drinks & Nightlife
Food, happy-hour specials, and a really classy setting, what more could you want?
14 locals recommend
Tower Tavern
401 E 31st StFood, happy-hour specials, and a really classy setting, what more could you want?
Sidestreet Bar and Grill
413 E 33rd StGay hole-in-the-wall watering destination.
Restaurant or bar, their happy hour is extra-long (3pm to almost 7pm). Nice setting.
7 locals recommend
Barrel 31
400 E 31st StRestaurant or bar, their happy hour is extra-long (3pm to almost 7pm). Nice setting.
Bar with reeaally good food. Long Happy Hour (3 to 7pm, and after 10pm), and excellent Sunday Brunch choices.
8 locals recommend
The Drop
409 E 31st StBar with reeaally good food. Long Happy Hour (3 to 7pm, and after 10pm), and excellent Sunday Brunch choices.
One of the longest-running alternative stages in town, Davey's is a hole-in-the wall bar with an almost-daily lineup of live music.
Davey's Uptown Rambler's Club
3402 Main StOne of the longest-running alternative stages in town, Davey's is a hole-in-the wall bar with an almost-daily lineup of live music.
One of the classiest bars in town, it has been around forever. Good food as well.
29 locals recommend
Harry's Bar and Tables
501 Westport RdOne of the classiest bars in town, it has been around forever. Good food as well.
Noisy bar, located in the oldest building in Westport that used to be an outfitter for all wagon trains westbound on the Santa Fe trail.
40 locals recommend
Kelly's Westport Inn
500 Westport RdNoisy bar, located in the oldest building in Westport that used to be an outfitter for all wagon trains westbound on the Santa Fe trail.
Beer Kitchen
435 Westport RdGood food and beer, check out their Happy Hour 4-6 every day.
Shopping
Our favorite grocery store. Members only, and if you're a member you know what to find there...
21 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
241 Linwood BlvdOur favorite grocery store. Members only, and if you're a member you know what to find there...
Mall, movies, theatre, restaurants, exhibits, Legoland, Aquarium, Crown Center has everything covered that you could possibly need. Free parking most of the time, skywalk to Union Station.
234 locals recommend
Crown Center
2450 Grand BlvdMall, movies, theatre, restaurants, exhibits, Legoland, Aquarium, Crown Center has everything covered that you could possibly need. Free parking most of the time, skywalk to Union Station.
Sightseeing
The US' only museum dedicated exclusively to WWI is in a memorial to the "war to end all wars" dedicated in 1926. Excellent exhibits include a German tank with a french grenade still stuck in it.
400 locals recommend
National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial DrThe US' only museum dedicated exclusively to WWI is in a memorial to the "war to end all wars" dedicated in 1926. Excellent exhibits include a German tank with a french grenade still stuck in it.
Opened in 1914, Union Station is a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Science museum, Imax theatre, phenomenal exhibitions, and several restaurants make it an absolute must-see.
58 locals recommend
Union Station
Opened in 1914, Union Station is a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Science museum, Imax theatre, phenomenal exhibitions, and several restaurants make it an absolute must-see.
Catholic primary school in a former historic mansion. In the far southwest corner of the property is a grotto over a pool formed by a natural spring that used to be a rest stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
Notre Dame de Sion
3823 Locust StCatholic primary school in a former historic mansion. In the far southwest corner of the property is a grotto over a pool formed by a natural spring that used to be a rest stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
Excellent European painting collection and widely celebrated Asian art exhibits housed in a 1930's Beaux-Arts building, with a $100m extension celebrated by Time as world top 10 architectural marvel.
674 locals recommend
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak StExcellent European painting collection and widely celebrated Asian art exhibits housed in a 1930's Beaux-Arts building, with a $100m extension celebrated by Time as world top 10 architectural marvel.
Great modern-art museum with always changing new exhibitions.
138 locals recommend
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
4420 Warwick BlvdGreat modern-art museum with always changing new exhibitions.
A state-of-the-art building for the MO Conservation Dept. showcases environmental technologies and plant and animal species native to Missouri. It's located in an park with extensive trails.
12 locals recommend
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
4750 Troost AveA state-of-the-art building for the MO Conservation Dept. showcases environmental technologies and plant and animal species native to Missouri. It's located in an park with extensive trails.
Beautiful and compact botanical garden. It's located on a walking and biking trail that follows Brush Creek into the Plaza in a very idyllic setting.
63 locals recommend
The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
4800 Rockhill RdBeautiful and compact botanical garden. It's located on a walking and biking trail that follows Brush Creek into the Plaza in a very idyllic setting.
The famous 'Regionalist' painter's late-Victorian residence has been preserved nearly unchanged from the time of his death.
15 locals recommend
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
3616 Belleview AveThe famous 'Regionalist' painter's late-Victorian residence has been preserved nearly unchanged from the time of his death.
The 12-largest craft brewer in the US offers tours of their facility and has a nice tasting room and outside patio.
174 locals recommend
Boulevard Brewing Company
2501 Southwest BlvdThe 12-largest craft brewer in the US offers tours of their facility and has a nice tasting room and outside patio.
The Roasterie is now KC's largest coffee roaster and showcases their avant-garde facility with the latest environmental technology. You can easily spot the shiny silver plane 'soaring' over the place.
91 locals recommend
The Roasterie Cafe
1204 W 27th StThe Roasterie is now KC's largest coffee roaster and showcases their avant-garde facility with the latest environmental technology. You can easily spot the shiny silver plane 'soaring' over the place.
Everything Else
Tennis courts, ball fields, playground, skateboarding destination, soon to be joined by a spray park, and a historic Boy Scout memorial. In the north section of the park was KC's first golf course.
20 locals recommend
Gillham Park
3915 Gillham RdTennis courts, ball fields, playground, skateboarding destination, soon to be joined by a spray park, and a historic Boy Scout memorial. In the north section of the park was KC's first golf course.