restaurants

All eyes are on the World Cup games that will land in Kansas City in less than a month, but the self-described "Soccer City USA" also has its eyes on 2031, with a bid to host women's World Cup games.

Up and down the Independence Avenue corridor, the 131 mostly immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses are checking their websites and online reviews, spiffing up their social media profiles, and hiring staff — all in the hopes of getting new visitors for the World Cup.

Spanish is the first language used in many of the restaurants along Independence Avenue in Northeast Kansas City. The language fluency may be one of their biggest draws as visitors from Mexico, South and Central America come to town for World Cup games.

Historic Northeast Kansas City has undergone significant renovation featuring new shops and restaurants. But some small business owners don't think the city's promoting them — and World Cup visitors won't know they exist.

Cattle don’t roam the West Bottoms anymore, but Kansas City is still full of both old-school and modern restaurants serving up hearty steaks. Here’s where to find the best filet, wagyu, Kansas City strip and more.

An influx of visitors from countries where tipping isn’t a cultural norm could mean a pay cut for some Kansas City hospitality workers. Several restaurants are adding auto-gratuity to be safe, but many in hotspots like Westport and Power & Light are waiting to see what happens.

French food is all over Kansas City, and crepes are no exception. You can find the thin pancakes at cafes, bistros and breakfast spots around the metro — offering both traditional flavors and some more unusual combos.

Women make up 39% of restaurant owners and 20% of chefs nationwide, according to the National Restaurant Association. In Kansas City, these women restaurateurs are shaping the culinary landscape.

Council unanimously passed an ordinance Thursday that requires food trucks to operate no less than 300 feet from the nearest restaurant, a sixfold increase. Violations would be punishable by fines of up to $500 or jail time — and food truck operators say the restrictions could force them out of business.

The Iron District debuted in 2019, and now has six food operations, an ice cream shop, three retail vendors, three bars, and two heated containers for indoor seating.

Nick Goellner and Leslie Newsam Goellner opened their Japanese-style pub in July 2025, with an aim of introducing Midwest diners to new aspects of Japanese cuisine. Anjin is up for “Best New Restaurant” at the “Oscars of the food world” this June.

Even though it's no longer Prohibition, Kansas Citians can still find speakeasies tucked into alleys and hidden around the corner, just out of sight. These bars offer a great place for a strong drink and an intimate conversation.