The 10 Best Restaurants In Downtown Kansas City, Missouri

Downtown Kansas City skyline with Union Station in the foreground
Downtown Kansas City skyline with Union Station in the foreground | © Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Shay Lee

Take a trip to Kansas City, Missouri, a city with a vibrant cultural scene famous for its jazz heritage. Downtown Kansas City is a melting pot of different cultures and home to a rich and diverse dining scene. We list 10 of the best restaurants in the area.

Garozzo’s Ristorante

Restaurant, Italian

In 1989, Michael Garozzo founded Garozzo’s Ristorante and the Italian restaurant soon became known for its signature dish, the Chicken Spiedini. Many restaurants have tried to copy it but none of the copies are better than the original.

La Bodega

Restaurant, Spanish

La Bodega is famous for its sociable and tasty tapas and celebrates authentic Spanish culture throughout the restaurant, with fresco paintings on the walls and Spanish tiles decorating the floor. The restaurant also offers a beautiful patio, easy parking, and friendly staff.

Vietnam Café

Restaurant, Vietnamese, Asian, Vegetarian

Before working at Vietnam Café, owner Thanh Son did not know anything about running a restaurant. He didn’t know how to cook or the ins and outs of a restaurant business. In 1992, he immigrated to America and became a simple cook for a fast food Chinese restaurant. In 2001, he and his wife, Huong Lam, bought the restaurant and changed the name to Vietnam Café. The original owner taught him how to cook, and Son believed he could satisfy customers’ needs. He was rights. Currently, the restaurant has no problem attracting large crowds of customers no matter the weather, and according to The Pitch Magazine, the restaurant has the ‘Best Vietnamese Food’ in town. Son uses the best quality ingredients in each dish.

Jack Stack Barbecue

Restaurant, American, Gluten-free

Russ Fiorella opened Jack Stack Barbecue in 1957 as a traditional storefront barbecue with a selection of six items. His son Jack established another branch in a different area. To continue the legacy of the restaurant, Jack and his wife Delores started cooking quality meat over hickory wood and created the most extensive barbecue menu in the country. Currently, the menu includes options such as certified Angus beef steak, fresh seafood, award-winning lamb, hickory pit beans, and cheesy corn bake.

Seva Cuisine of India

Restaurant, Indian

Seva Cuisine of India serves up the cuisine of Northern India with a menu that honors centuries of India’s cooking traditions. All ingredients are fresh, flavorful, and wholesome; the vegetables are locally grown and the meat is the finest in town. The spice of the dishes ranges from mild and medium to spicy hot, diners can let the staff know the level of spice preferred. Seva’s entrees may be great, but the wine selection is superb, and features the best local wines in Kansas City.

Lidia’s Restaurant

Restaurant, Italian

Inside Lidias Restaurant, Kansas City
Courtesy of Lidia's Restaurant
Although famous for owning four restaurants, writing cookbooks, and producing Emmy award-winning cookery shows, Lidia Bastianich’s eponymous Lidia’s Restaurant is her joy, and it wouldn’t exist without her team. With Executive Chef Dan Swinney’s help, the restaurant has become one of the top culinary destinations in the Midwest. He and Chef Cody Hogan make the most of the beautiful flavors and culture of Italy.

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill

Restaurant, Asian, Chinese

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill is the oldest and one of the best restaurants in the city. This is the place where locals and tourists can experience original, old country Chinese traditions. The master chef creates clay-pot simmered favorites in the kitchen and since the restaurant is a buffet, patrons can enjoy unlimited soup, crab rangoon, specialty drinks and cocktails. The barbecue spread is amazing too.
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article