A Culinary Walk Through KC

Barbecue may be Kansas City’s signature food, but the dining scene here embodies the city’s many cultural influences, ranging from indigenous cuisines and home-style cooking, to a wide range of fusion foods. With a number of unique and distinctive neighborhoods, diners can take a culinary trip around KC.

River Market

The River Market is best known for the fresh produce it sells at its farmers market—the City Market—but the area also has a diverse dining selection. Restaurants range from fine French cuisine at Le Fou Frog to traditional Ethiopian cuisine at Blue Nile Café to Succotash, offering home-cooked fare with local and organic ingredients.

Downtown

Downtown Kansas City has more than 200 restaurants and nearly every genre of food imaginable. Try a blend of soul food and Caribbean cuisine at the Mango Room. For authentic Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere, stop by Cupini’s. The new Kansas City Power & Light District is home to a diverse mix of restaurants and nightlife, from an authentic Irish pub to a locally owned gourmet burger joint.

Crossroads Arts District

Several eclectic eateries have sprung from the Crossroads Arts District, including Grinders Pizza, a laid-back restaurant with New York-style pizzas and Philly cheesesteaks, complete with a concert venue in back. Just to the south, three irresistible upscale restaurants at the Freight House include Lidia Bastianich’s famous Italian eatery, Lidia’s.

Westside

Just west of the Crossroads, you’ll find the Westside, a neighborhood with a strong Hispanic community. Southwest Boulevard, which runs through the district, is home to several of the city’s most popular Mexican restaurants.  Locals flock to Manny’s Restaurante Mexicano, where you might find a mariachi band in the evening. La Bodega serves great tapas, while Taqueria Mexico melds authentic Mexican with the mainstream.

Crown Center

Crown Center is home to more than 30 fun and fine dining establishments, including the American Restaurant, run by award-winning chef Celina Tio. Other names include Morton’s of Chicago, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Crayola Café and Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant, which delivers meals by train. In nearby Union Station, enjoy elegant dining in a casual atmosphere at Pierpont’s or breakfast and lunch favorites at Harvey House Diner.

Westport/39^th Street West

Westport and 39th Street West offer a vast selection of restaurants from around the world. Californos is a European-style bistro with California-eclectic cuisine. Or try the innovative international cuisine by renowned husband-and-wife team Colby and Megan Garrelts, at Bluestem. Take in a wide area of ethnic flavors along 39^th Street West, including the world flavors at Pangea Café & Market.

Country Club Plaza

The beautiful Spanish architecture of the Country Club Plaza immediately sets the tone for the classy, upscale dining you’ll experience at 30 area restaurants. Options range from fresh seafood offered at McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood to cosmopolitan-Mexican cuisine at Mi Cocina. Enjoy fine dining at Starker’s Reserve, or dine in the courtyard at Cheesecake Factory.

Around Town

World-class dining also surrounds Kansas City. From Brookside to Prairie Village, Zona Rosa to The Legends at Village West, you’ll find that the area’s diverse dining landscape offers taste sensations for every appetite and budget. Plus, you’re always sure to find a barbecue restaurant nearby.

Bon appetit!