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Kansas City is well known for their delicious barbecue, but Kansas City, MO is not just a culinary one trick pony. Kansas City, MO offers dozens of unique and high quality cuisines that will impress and delight. Here are my picks for the best food in Kansas City. In this round-up, I cover the best food in Kansas City for every meal so that you have a good idea of where to eat on your weekend getaway!

If you are heading to Kansas City for a getaway, check out this related post that covers fun things to do in Kansas City for adults.

>>> Fun Things To Do in Kansas City for Adults <<<

Coffee

Made in KC Café & Taproom - $$-$$$

Made in KC Café & Taproom is an adorable spot for local goods, gifts, apparel, and coffee.

A great spot for grabbing coffee and a souvenir, Made in KC has several locations that serve coffee. I visited the River Market Trolley Café location - it’s inside a 73-year-old streetcar. They’re open at night for those that need to stay up late. Popular menu items include the Cereal Milk Steamer and the Honey Lavender Latte.

Messenger Coffee Co. - $$-$$$

Messenger Coffee Co. is a great spot to get some work done and to get some beautiful city views from their rooftop.

Farm Direct certified, this coffee company is committed to discovering new coffee bean farmers from around the world…from places like Ethiopia and Guatemala. If you’re at the Crossroads location, try a heavenly baked item from Ibis Bakery, which is also located inside the 3-story building.

Breakfast

The Farmhouse - $$-$$$

The Farmhouse is a farm-to-table restaurant in the River Market serving fresh food from local farmers in Missouri and Kansas. Brunch is served Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Reservations are recommended for Saturday and Sunday brunch.

Their menu changes frequently but one of their staple menu items is the giant homemade cinnamon roll. It comes out warm and gooey and it’s perfect for splitting at the table.

Don’t forget to order a mimosa tower - you’ll go through it faster than you’d think!!

PARLOR - $$-$$$

PARLOR is Kansas City, MO’s first modern food hall. A collection of seven eateries inside Parlor’s 3-story building, offering a variety of cuisines including Filipino, Korean, American, and Mexican. There are two bars on site as well.

PARLOR creates a comfortable space to unwind and relax in - they have a lounge, a library, a den, and a 2nd story garden patio that’s covered, insulated, and heated.

Though open during the week, PARLOR’s party brunch is going to be your time to visit for breakfast. On Sundays, PARLOR offers bottomless mimosas, bloody mary’s, and beermosas from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. DJ Maxx Gruv plays upbeat music on the upstairs garden patio. Select kitchens offer brunch specials.

Lunch

King G. - $$-$$$

Decked in green and gold, King G. brings a modern take on a classic neighborhood bar and deli.

The deli has 15 items on the menu with a full list of unique deli sandwiches, such as Tamago Sando and the All Grown Up PB&J. Fan favorites include the Pastrami on Rye and the Italian Muffuletta. Meats and breads are locally sourced from Blackhole Bakery. I tried the Turkey and Swiss heated - a solid choice that did not disappoint.

The “G” in King G. is a reference to King Gambrinus, who was known in folklore as a symbol of beer, brewing, and joy.

Jack Stack Barbecue - $$-$$$

Jack Stack Barbecue was started in 1957; today it’s in its fourth generation of family-ownership. They are the largest hickory wood-fired cookery in the United States, and they offer the most extensive barbecue menu in Kansas City, from beef burnt ends to lamb ribs.

Though their barbecue is wonderful (they feature 11+ hickory-smoked meats on the menu), I’m personally more of a sides kind of girl. So my favorite dish was actually the cheesy corn bake. It’s a casserole dish filled with smoked ham and cheese.

Don’t leave without having a Mom’s Carrot Cake Cupcake - they are made from scratch daily with homemade cream cheese frosting. You wouldn’t think a barbecue could ace dessert, but they are phenomenal!!

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Happy Hour

Swordfish Tom’s - $$

Swordfish Tom's offers the authentic Kansas City speakeasy experience. Unmarked and in a back alley, Swordfish Tom’s is located in a basement a few blocks from Union Station. They don’t accept reservations or take phone calls, so you’ll just have to show up to see if you can get in. The space is dimly lit and intimate, only allowing a maximum of 30 people inside.

Upon arrival, you have to check to see what color the lantern is showing. If it’s green, you can knock three times and be allowed in, however if it’s red, that indicates that the speakeasy is at capacity.

There’s a small waiting area, however we were lucky enough to not have to wait; our group of 3 arrived around 5:00 PM on a Friday. Swordfish Tom’s exclusive focuses on craft cocktails. I was having trouble deciding, so I was able to tell the bartender the flavor profile I like, and she was able to create a cocktail that I loved.

This place is a real hidden gem and worth the visit. The atmosphere feels vintage and authentic to the prohibition. There’s a large boiler on the right of the space upon entry.

Note that Swordfish Tom’s is CASH ONLY, but they do have an ATM inside if you need to pull some money out.

Percheron Rooftop Bar - $$

Percheron Rooftop Bar is the seasonal rooftop bar inside Crossroads Hotel. It offers beautiful 360-degree views of the city. From 8:00 PM to close, the rooftop is for ages 21 and up. The rooftop bar is styled like a beer garden with modern lounge sofas, community tables, and patio games.

The menu includes craft cocktails, rotating frozen drinks, craft beers, wines, and light bites. Check their website for the special event calendar; they sometimes host ticketed live music events.

Dinner

Lazia - $$$$

I LOVED my dining experience at Lazia, inside the industrial chic Crossroads Hotel. I tried 12 different dishes from their Italian menu, and I can honestly say that they were all cooked and seasoned to perfection. Just the bread alone was enough for me to come back!

The highlight of this meal had to be the hand-pulled mozzarella demonstration by Mozzarella Madam KC. She taught us how to prepare the perfect mozzarella cheese ball paired with a summer beet salad.

What made our dining experience even more special was that we dined in the very room that Tom Pendergast officed in.

Thomas J. Pendergast was the leader of a Kansas City political organization known as the “Pendergast Machine''. The Pendergast Machine controlled local government and the Democratic Party in Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri during the Progressive Era and the Great Depression. He was a bit of a mobster which is why Lazia plays “gangster rap” music.

I loved every detail and flavor of this restaurant from the amaro aperitif at the start to the Italian wedding cake cookie at the end.

Golden Ox - $$$$

Located inside the 1st floor of the historic Kansas City Livestock Exchange building, Golden Ox is a delicious spot for dinner with steak and seafood. This restaurant first opened in 1949 and catered to ranchers and farmers who brought their cattle to the stockyards. Much of the building’s historical integrity has been preserved, including lighting fixtures and flooring.

Our group shared a seafood-themed list of appetizers including Caesar salad with anchovies, escargot, mussels, and oysters Rockefeller. They were all heavenly but my favorite was probably the mussels.

Then, we all split the largest steak on the menu - The Drover. A giant 56-ounce Midwest Angus ribeye, bone-in and dry-aged to perfection. It says it serves 2 to 3 people, but we were able to split it among 4 women. All of the steaks are cut and aged in house. They are also cooked over flame to get a nice sear. We tried five of the steak sauces, including the Ox Signature Steak Sauce, the Chimichurri, the Bearnaise, the Port Wine Bordelaise, and the Green Peppercorn Demi Glace. My favorite was the peppercorn - no surprise there.

As for the sides, don’t pass on the Lobster Mac & Cheese!

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Dessert

Christopher Elbow Chocolates - $$-$$$

In between your bourbon and wine tastings in Kansas City, MO, stop at Christopher Elbow Chocolates, for some truly high-end sweet treats. Christopher Elbow is a nationally recognized chocolatier who specializes in creating hand-crafted gourmet chocolates, bonbons and confections.

He has a storefront in Kansas City and in San Francisco but they also ship nationally within the U.S.

They have 24 signature flavors as well as changing seasonal flavors that are really unique and different. Fan favorites include Fresh Lemon, Rosemary, and Fleur de Sel Salted Caramel. Not only do these chocolates taste incredible but they’re also interesting to look at with bright colors, shapes, and patterns.

We tried the Fleur de Sel inside the store - it was the original flavor developed by Christopher Elbow. After one bite, it was clear to see why these chocolates took off in popularity. I took home 4 chocolates - the Aztec Spice, the seasonal Strawberry Margarita, the Fresh Lemon, and the Rosemary.

Last year in 2021 they produced 2.7 million chocolates!

Frozen Gold - $$

Frozen Gold is a “gold mine” for desserts paired with an Insta-worthy setting. There are two locations - one in Kansas City, MO and the other in Colorado Springs, CO. Styled with bright magenta pink colors, the Frozen Gold store serves ice cream treats and pints to go. Vegan options are available.

Interesting ice cream cone creations include the Silly Rabbit, with vanilla soft serve, Trix cereal, and a rainbow cereal milk softcore center, and the PB Puffy, with chocolate soft serve, Reese’s puffs, and a peanut butter softcore center.