Where to Eat in Kansas City During the World Cup
Kansas City is getting ready to welcome soccer fans from around the world, and if you are coming here for the World Cup, you are in for a better food city than many first-time visitors expect. Yes, you should absolutely make time for barbecue while you are here. But Kansas City is also full of neighborhood restaurants, immigrant-owned kitchens, chef-driven dining rooms, casual lunch counters, cocktail spots, bakeries, seafood restaurants, and local favorites that show off the city far beyond burnt ends and ribs.
This guide started as our own running list of places to try when we are deciding where to go out to eat. It includes longtime Kansas City favorites, newer restaurants we have been meaning to visit, special-occasion spots, casual neighborhood gems, and restaurants serving food from all over the world. We cleaned up the list for visitors, removed duplicates and places that were clearly closed, and organized the remaining restaurants by area so you can find something near your hotel, match-day plans, or sightseeing route.
How to Use This Kansas City Restaurant Guide
The sections below are divided by geography rather than ranking. If you are staying downtown, start with River Market, Downtown, Crossroads, Westside, and West Bottoms. If you are spending time around Westport, the Plaza, Brookside, or Waldo, those neighborhoods have their own sections. If you have a car, Kansas City, Kansas, Johnson County, the Northland, and the east and south metro areas are all worth exploring for excellent meals.
Each restaurant listing includes a short description of the general style of food. When we were able to verify full details, the listing also includes a website, phone number, and Google Map link. For the rest, we included a prominent Google Map link so you can quickly check the current listing, hours, and route before heading out.
A Quick Note for World Cup Visitors
World Cup weeks will be busy, so reservations will matter more than usual. Popular restaurants, patios, rooftops, and group-friendly spots will fill up quickly, especially around match days and fan events. Call ahead when you can, confirm hours before you go, and give yourself more travel time than you normally would.
Most of all, do not be afraid to get out into the neighborhoods. Kansas City is easy to navigate by car or rideshare, and many of the best meals are outside the most obvious tourist corridors. Use this list as a starting point, pick a neighborhood, and enjoy eating your way through KC.
Kansas City Restaurants by Area
River Market, City Market & Columbus Park
Blue Nile
Style: Ethiopian
A local ethiopian spot to consider while exploring River Market, City Market & Columbus Park.
Brown & Loe
Style: American bistro
An American bistro in the City Market serving comfort food, brunch, and approachable neighborhood fare.
Address: 429 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Garozzos
Style: Italian-American
An old-school Italian-American Kansas City classic known for pasta, red sauce, and chicken spiedini.
Address: 526 Harrison St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Le Fou Frog
Style: French
A romantic, lively French bistro known for classic French plates, steak, seafood, and celebration dinners.
Address: 400 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Taste of Brazil
Style: Brazilian
A casual City Market Brazilian restaurant serving family recipes, Brazilian sandwiches, plates, snacks, and desserts.
Address: 21 E 3rd St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Tikka House
Style: Indian
A local indian spot to consider while exploring River Market, City Market & Columbus Park.
Tings Filipino Bistro
Style: Filipino
A local filipino spot to consider while exploring River Market, City Market & Columbus Park.
Vietnam Cafe
Style: Vietnamese
A local vietnamese spot to consider while exploring River Market, City Market & Columbus Park.
Wolfepack BBQ
Style: Barbecue and burgers
A Columbus Park barbecue spot with smoked meats, burgers, and a neighborhood feel close to the River Market.
Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District
Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue
Style: Historic Kansas City barbecue
A legendary Kansas City barbecue restaurant with deep local history, famous sauce, and a no-frills, classic KC feel.
Address: 1727 Brooklyn Ave, Kansas City, MO 64127
Banksia
Style: Australian café
A local australian café spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
Dot Boss at Hotel Indigo
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
P.S. speakeasy in Hotel Phillips
Style: Cocktail bar
A local cocktail bar spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
Sea Capitan
Style: Mexican
A local mexican spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
Soiree
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
The Majestic
Style: Wine bar / restaurant
A local wine bar / restaurant spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
The Savoy
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
The Stillwell
Style: Rooftop bar
A local rooftop bar spot to consider while exploring Downtown, Power & Light & Hotel District.
The Town Company
Style: Upscale Midwestern American
An upscale downtown restaurant inside Hotel Kansas City with hearth-driven Midwestern cooking.
Address: 1228 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105
Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center
Affare
Style: Modern German
A modern German restaurant in the Crossroads with seasonal farm-to-table cooking, wine, cocktails, and a courtyard.
Address: 1911 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Anjin
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Anton's
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Farina Ristorante & Oyster Bar
Style: Italian, seafood, and oyster bar
An upscale Crossroads restaurant for Italian cooking, oysters, seafood, handmade pastas, wine, and special-occasion dinners.
Address: 1901 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108
Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
Style: Kansas City barbecue
A polished, full-service barbecue restaurant that works especially well for groups, reservations, and visitors who want a sit-down KC barbecue experience.
Address: 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Ground Control
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Grünauer
Style: Austrian
A Freight House favorite for Austrian and Central European cooking, schnitzel, beer, and a warm gasthaus feel.
Address: 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Hey Hey Club
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Jims Alley Bar
Style: Italian beef sandwiches
A local italian beef sandwiches spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Kata Nori Hand Roll Bar
Style: Japanese hand rolls
A local japanese hand rolls spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Lazia
Style: Italian
A local italian spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Lilico's Taverna
Style: Spanish tapas
A local spanish tapas spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Lula Southern Cookhouse
Style: Southern
A local southern spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Noka
Style: Japanese
A local japanese spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Novel
Style: Contemporary American
A contemporary American restaurant in the East Crossroads with seasonal tasting menus and polished service.
Address: 1927 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Percheron Rooftop Bar
Style: Rooftop bar
A local rooftop bar spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Pierpont’s at Union Station
Style: Fine dining, steakhouse, and seafood
A grand Union Station restaurant for steaks, seafood, cocktails, and special-occasion dining in one of Kansas City’s most iconic buildings.
Address: 30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Sura Eats
Style: Korean
A local korean spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Sushi Kodawari
Style: Japanese omakase
A local japanese omakase spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
The Belfry
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Union on the Hill
Style: Oysters / seafood
A local oysters / seafood spot to consider while exploring Crossroads, Freight House & Crown Center.
Westside, West Bottoms & Southwest Boulevard
Clay & Fire
Style: Turkish / Middle Eastern
A local turkish / middle eastern spot to consider while exploring Westside, West Bottoms & Southwest Boulevard.
Fox and Pearl
Style: Wood-fired American
A wood-fired American restaurant that blends seasonal cooking with Kansas City’s love of smoke and fire.
Address: 2143 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Incline on 9th
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Westside, West Bottoms & Southwest Boulevard.
La Bodega
Style: Spanish tapas
A festive Spanish tapas restaurant that is especially good for groups, sangria, paella, and shareable plates.
Address: 703 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Tacos El Gallo
Style: Mexican street tacos
A casual Southwest Boulevard Mexican spot for tacos, tortas, burritos, and a quick, flavorful meal close to downtown.
Address: 806 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
The Campground
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Westside, West Bottoms & Southwest Boulevard.
The Ship
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Westside, West Bottoms & Southwest Boulevard.
The Westside Local
Style: Farm-to-table American
A neighborhood farm-to-table American restaurant with sandwiches, seasonal plates, beer, cocktails, and patio energy.
Address: 1663 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Zero Zero
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Westside, West Bottoms & Southwest Boulevard.
Midtown, 39th Street & Troost
Baba's Pantry
Style: Palestinian café
A Palestinian café and deli known for hummus, falafel, shawarma, salads, dips, and bright casual meals.
Address: 1019 E 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64110
Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches
Style: Sandwiches
A local sandwiches spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Brewer's Kitchen
Style: Burgers
A local burgers spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Cupini's
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Gael's Public House
Style: Irish
A local irish spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
iPho Tower
Style: Vietnamese
A local vietnamese spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Kari's on 39th
Style: Middle Eastern
A local middle eastern spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Mesob
Style: Ethiopian and Caribbean
A flavorful Ethiopian and Caribbean restaurant with stews, curries, seafood, jerk flavors, and vegetarian-friendly dishes.
Address: 3601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
New York Butcher Shop
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Nour's
Style: Algerian
A local algerian spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Q39 Restaurant
Style: Chef-driven Kansas City barbecue
A modern Kansas City barbecue restaurant known for competition-style smoked meats, brisket, burnt ends, ribs, sandwiches, and a polished dining room.
Address: 1000 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Room 39
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Sabor Centroamericano
Style: Honduran / Central American
A local honduran / central american spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Sankofa Cafe
Style: Jamaican
A local jamaican spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Tailleur
Style: Wine bar / restaurant
A local wine bar / restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
The Antler Room
Style: Creative American small plates
A chef-driven restaurant for creative American small plates, natural wine, and a relaxed but special dinner.
Address: 2506 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108
The Pressed Penny
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
The Russell
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Urban
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Midtown, 39th Street & Troost.
Westport
Beer Kitchen
Style: Gastropub and American comfort food
A Westport gastropub with burgers, comfort food, brunch, beer, and cocktails that works well for casual groups.
Address: 435 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Brix Latin American Cuisine
Style: Latin American
A local latin american spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Chewology Gyoza bar
Style: Japanese dumplings
A local japanese dumplings spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Laney's Get Down
Style: Fried chicken
A local fried chicken spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Le Champion
Style: Coffee shop / wine lounge
A local coffee shop / wine lounge spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Sama Zama
Style: Japanese
A local japanese spot to consider while exploring Westport.
The Peacock
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Wah Gwan
Style: Jamaican
A local jamaican spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Westport Cafe and Bar
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Westport.
Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo
Bacaro Primo
Style: Italian-inspired restaurant and wine bar
A Brookside restaurant and wine-focused spot with Italian-inspired dishes, seafood, small plates, and a polished neighborhood feel.
Chaz on the Plaza
Style: French-influenced American
A refined Plaza-area restaurant with French-influenced American cooking, live music, wine, cocktails, and a hotel dining-room feel.
Address: 325 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64112
Cru Bistro & Bottles
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Earls Premier
Style: Oysters / seafood
A local oysters / seafood spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Gyu-Kaku (chain)
Style: Japanese barbecue
A local japanese barbecue spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Heirloom
Style: Breakfast / lunch
A local breakfast / lunch spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Hemma Hemma
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
JJ’s
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
KC Fry Bros
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Plate
Style: Italian
A modern Italian restaurant known for house-made pastas, wine, and a polished neighborhood dining room.
Address: 701 E 63rd St Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64110
Plaza Provisions Food Hall in Cascade Hotel
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Prime Social
Style: Seafood
A local seafood spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Style: Museum restaurant and contemporary American
A convenient lunch or brunch option inside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, especially useful for visitors pairing food with museum time.
Address: 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Stock Hill
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Taco Tako
Style: Sonoran Mexican
A local sonoran mexican spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
The Meatball Bar
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
The Mixx
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Country Club Plaza, Brookside & Waldo.
Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County
Ay Jalisco
Style: Mexican
A Kansas City, Kansas Mexican restaurant to consider while exploring Strawberry Hill, downtown KCK, or the west side of the metro.
Christy's Tasty Queen
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County.
Cortadito
Style: Cuban
A local cuban spot to consider while exploring Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County.
El Pollo Rey
Style: Mexican grilled chicken
A casual Kansas City, Kansas institution for smoky Sinaloa-style grilled chicken, tortillas, beans, rice, salsa, and onions.
Address: 901 Kansas Ave, Kansas City, KS 66105
El Pulgarcito
Style: Local restaurant
A local local restaurant spot to consider while exploring Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County.
El Salvadoreno
Style: Salvadoran
A local salvadoran spot to consider while exploring Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County.
El Tipico Guate Mix
Style: Guatemalan
A local guatemalan spot to consider while exploring Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County.
GG's Birria Barbacoa Cafe
Style: Mexican birria
A local mexican birria spot to consider while exploring Kansas City, Kansas & Wyandotte County.
Jarocho KCK
Style: Mexican seafood
A Mexican seafood restaurant known for coastal flavors, ceviche, tacos, and Veracruz-inspired cooking.
Address: 719 Kansas Ave, Kansas City, KS 66105
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Style: Kansas City barbecue
An essential Kansas City barbecue stop known for ribs, brisket, burnt ends, Z-Man sandwiches, and the original gas-station location in KCK.
Address: 3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103
Jones Bar-B-Q
Style: Barbecue
A small family-run Kansas City, Kansas barbecue spot with national recognition and a very local feel.
Address: 6706 Kaw Dr, Kansas City, KS 66111
KC Cajun
Style: Cajun and Creole
A Cajun and Creole option that adds gumbo, po’
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