The 15 Best Restaurants in Kansas City, MO, Ranked

By Eric Barton | Dec. 31, 2024

Technically, the reason I moved to Kansas City years ago was for a job as an editor at The Pitch. But really, my unofficial career, my obsession, became barbecue—burnt ends, racks of ribs, pork shoulders, and endless debates about where to find them. Gate’s over Bryant’s, if you ask me, and Jack’s Stack if you’re entertaining out-of-towners.

But nowadays, having moved away from that charming house in Waldo, visiting Kansas City means more than barbecue. The Paris of the Midwest is a city with a food scene that’s very much on fire at the moment, helmed by chefs who came up on the coasts and moved back home or rose up here with an eye for making Kansas City’s food scene great. Which they did.

So which spot should you visit tonight? Here are 15 great Kansas City restaurants—and only one of them is a barbecue spot.

Antler Room

1. The Antler Room

Tucked into the Hospital Hill neighborhood, The Antler Room is a cozy restaurant is a global journey in disguise. Co-chefs Nick and Leslie Goellner take you from Turkish manti dumplings to Filipino pancit canton in a single sitting. The drinks menu is equally globe-trotting, with a wine list that’s refreshingly unpretentious.

2. Fox and Pearl

Chef Vaughn Good’s red brick place on the West Side is where you know the kitchen’s on fire (although not literally, I hope). At Fox and Pearl, it’s Midwestern comfort food, barbecue, and whatever else Good wants to cook, kissed by flames and smoked. This dish pictured here, the cassoulet, is indicative of his cooking: confit duck leg, Toulouse sausage, white beans, bacon, ham, and herbed bread crumbs: good ingredients that shine through a combination of textures and technique.

3. Corvino Supper Club

Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room is decidedly two restaurants in one. In the Supper Club, there’s live jazz and a bar menu that’s almost too fun (the fried chicken and burger are better than they have any right to be). The Tasting Room, meanwhile, serves a 10-course meal where the black cod in miso beurre blanc will make you wonder why you’ve been tolerating boring fish your whole life.

4. Farina

James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Smith reinvents Italian cuisine at Farina with dishes like saffron-infused risotto topped with delicate lobster. The modern, minimalist interior ensures all the drama stays on the plate. Pro tip: Don’t skip the handmade pastas.

5. Waldo Thai Place

Returning to my old stomping grounds, Waldo Thai Place is where Chef Pam Liberda’s khao soi balances heat, crunch, and creaminess in every bite. The cozy, vibrant space is a testament to Waldo’s culinary glow-up.

6. The Campground

Dark and moody, this West Bottoms bar-restaurant hybrid is where you go to feel mysterious. The Campground’s small plates, like the grilled octopus, are as dramatic as the decor. Pro tip: end the night here with a cocktail called “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” It’s worth it.

The 12 Best Restaurants in Kansas City, Kansas

7. Lidia’s Kansas City

Housed in a converted Crossroads Arts District freight house, Lidia’s is where Italian cuisine meets Midwestern hospitality, thanks to chef Lidia Bastianich. I’ll admit to overeating far too often on the pasta trio, which rotates daily and is served tableside. The rustic yet elegant space, with exposed beams and warm lighting, makes every meal feel celebratory. Pro tip: Don’t skip the tiramisu; it’s as classic as Lidia herself.

8. Clay & Fire

Housed in a 120-year-old Westside mansion, Clay & Fire blends Mediterranean flavors with Kansas City swagger. The lamb kebabs, served with pillowy pita and tangy labneh, are the kind of dish you’ll think about weeks later. The cozy vibe makes every meal feel intimate.

9. Parlor

Part food hall, part social club, Parlor showcases seven rotating chefs under one roof. From vegan ramen to Nashville hot chicken, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure dinner spot. Grab a cocktail at the central bar, then let the indecision begin.

10. The Russell

Open-fire cooking meets Kansas City soul at The Russell, a downtown spot where almost every dish spends time over open flames. The wood-fired sweet potato with charred marshmallow butter sounds simple until you taste it. The airy, rustic interior is just as inviting as the menu.

11. Heirloom Bakery & Hearth

Brookside locals know Heirloom isn’t just a bakery; it’s a religion. From savory galettes to pies that would make your grandmother jealous, everything here is baked with love—and local ingredients. The quiche of the day is always a good idea.

12. Baramee Thai Bistro

The panang curry at Baramee in the River Market is a warm, spicy hug in a bowl. It’s rich, perfectly balanced, and makes you question why you ever settled for mediocre Thai food. Chef Natcha Hanko’s family recipes add a depth that’s rare in restaurants aiming to please everyone.

13. Blvd Tavern

Blvd Tavern, Chef Derek Nacey’s gastropub in the Crossroads, is a love letter to comfort food with a twist. Think mac and cheese elevated with smoked gouda or a Reuben with house-cured pastrami. Boulevard beer flows freely, naturally—it’s KC, after all.

14. Brown & Loe

Set in a former River Market bank, Brown & Loe feels like a time machine with great fried chicken sandwiches. The spicy aioli on that sandwich is just the right kind of kick, and the cocktails are swanky without trying too hard.

15. BB’s Lawnside BBQ

It’s hard to talk about Kansas City’s food without throwing a nod to BB’s, where barbecue and blues have danced together for over 30 years. The ribs are smoky perfection, the burnt ends are a testament to why KC rules the barbecue world, and the jambalaya—yes, jambalaya—proves that pitmasters can have range. Add live music almost every night, and you’ve got a spot where the sauce is as soulful as the tunes.