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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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