Guidebook for Kansas City

Stephen
Guidebook for Kansas City

Coffee Shops!

Neighborhood coffee bar, with top notch locally roasted espresso (Post Coffee Co. in Lees Summit is their parent company). House made syrups for their sodas and snow cones. Oh yeah! And I make their chai!
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Goat Hill Coffee & Soda
811 W 17th St
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Neighborhood coffee bar, with top notch locally roasted espresso (Post Coffee Co. in Lees Summit is their parent company). House made syrups for their sodas and snow cones. Oh yeah! And I make their chai!
In the industrial West Bottoms district, this coffeehouse is a destination for bikers and antique shoppers. Oh yeah! And I make their chai!
15 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Blip Roasters
1301 Woodswether Rd
15 (рекомендации местных жителей)
In the industrial West Bottoms district, this coffeehouse is a destination for bikers and antique shoppers. Oh yeah! And I make their chai!
Amazing Latin-influenced coffeehouse featuring espresso and Yerba Mate drinks, plus pastries, empanadas and other treats. A gem!
Cafe Corazon
Amazing Latin-influenced coffeehouse featuring espresso and Yerba Mate drinks, plus pastries, empanadas and other treats. A gem!
Legendary coffeehouse in Westport. Their landlord allowed a Starbucks to move in next door back in the 90s, which inspired Broadway to begin roasting their own beans, and a few years later, that Starbucks was the first in the country to surrender and close! Broadway Cafe still has one of the best shots in the city, in a city with more and more great coffee. My go to: iced soy honey latte. Okay!
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Broadway Cafe
4106 Broadway Blvd
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Legendary coffeehouse in Westport. Their landlord allowed a Starbucks to move in next door back in the 90s, which inspired Broadway to begin roasting their own beans, and a few years later, that Starbucks was the first in the country to surrender and close! Broadway Cafe still has one of the best shots in the city, in a city with more and more great coffee. My go to: iced soy honey latte. Okay!
Possibly the best espresso pulled in the city by co-owner/barista Jim. Excellent selection of vinyl for the browser or collector. A sweet little spot for the citizen in the know!
Sister Anne's
901 E 31st St
Possibly the best espresso pulled in the city by co-owner/barista Jim. Excellent selection of vinyl for the browser or collector. A sweet little spot for the citizen in the know!
Newer Crossroads location of a long-time local coffee bar and breakfast/lunch spot. Great covered patio with a fire pit for those days you can’t bear to sit inside. Just a 10 minute walk from the Brick Barn!
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mildred's Coffeehouse
1901 Wyandotte St
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Newer Crossroads location of a long-time local coffee bar and breakfast/lunch spot. Great covered patio with a fire pit for those days you can’t bear to sit inside. Just a 10 minute walk from the Brick Barn!
Mulit-level fancy urban coffeehouse and bakery, with some excellent fare and a rooftop deck for lounging.
75 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Messenger Coffee Co. + Ibis Bakery
1624 Grand Blvd
75 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mulit-level fancy urban coffeehouse and bakery, with some excellent fare and a rooftop deck for lounging.
Christopher Elbow is a treasure trove of glimmering confectionary gems awaiting your discovery. This world class purveyor of chocolates is conveniently located just a few blocks away in the Crossroads, near 18th and McGee. Highly recommended for chocolate lovers.
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Christopher Elbow Chocolates
1819 McGee St
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Christopher Elbow is a treasure trove of glimmering confectionary gems awaiting your discovery. This world class purveyor of chocolates is conveniently located just a few blocks away in the Crossroads, near 18th and McGee. Highly recommended for chocolate lovers.

Food Scene

Kansas City has some amazing food, so we hope you have an adventurous palate. I am putting coffee shops in a separate category, because I love them and we have a lot of good ones! The first few entries are right around the corner at 17th & Jefferson, then they spread out across the city. Bon Appetit!
Right next door to the studio is this exciting tortillaria, with autumn pop-ups most Saturdays at noon, always something special served up! Check out their Facebook page to see what’s going on during your visit.
Yoli Tortilleria - Retail
1668 Jefferson St
Right next door to the studio is this exciting tortillaria, with autumn pop-ups most Saturdays at noon, always something special served up! Check out their Facebook page to see what’s going on during your visit.
Los Alamos Cocina y Market - a somewhat spare little neighborhood bodega has a surprisingly good buffet style restaurant serving up authentic Mexican style breakfast and lunch. Great tamales. Great salsa verde!
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Los Alamos Cocina
1667 Summit St
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Los Alamos Cocina y Market - a somewhat spare little neighborhood bodega has a surprisingly good buffet style restaurant serving up authentic Mexican style breakfast and lunch. Great tamales. Great salsa verde!
Neighborhood gastropub focusing on local and seasonal fare, intriguing original cocktails, excellent beers and wines, and a wonderful covered outdoor patio to enjoy it in when the weather is favorable.
78 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Westside Local
1663 Summit St
78 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Neighborhood gastropub focusing on local and seasonal fare, intriguing original cocktails, excellent beers and wines, and a wonderful covered outdoor patio to enjoy it in when the weather is favorable.
Coffee and crepes, sweet or savory, open for breakfast and lunch.
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chez Elle Crêperie and Coffeehouse
1713 Summit St
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Coffee and crepes, sweet or savory, open for breakfast and lunch.
A farm to table restaurant supporting organic and local farms. Eclectic menu and open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Closes at 2pm Sundays.)
33 (рекомендации местных жителей)
blue bird bistro
1700 Summit St
33 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A farm to table restaurant supporting organic and local farms. Eclectic menu and open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Closes at 2pm Sundays.)
New addition to the WestSide North End neighborhood. Open early, with a charming tree-shaded patio overlooking the garden across 17th street. Coffee, pastries, and Eastern Mediterranean fare.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Clay & Fire
815 W 17 St
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
New addition to the WestSide North End neighborhood. Open early, with a charming tree-shaded patio overlooking the garden across 17th street. Coffee, pastries, and Eastern Mediterranean fare.
Walk one block east to Washington St and one block south to 18th St to find the sweetest little crepe shop in the realm. Started as a local food truck, this plucky little business found its dream home and made it their own. Sweet and savory treats. Full coffee bar. Check online for limited hours.
Seven Swans Creperie
1746 Washington St
Walk one block east to Washington St and one block south to 18th St to find the sweetest little crepe shop in the realm. Started as a local food truck, this plucky little business found its dream home and made it their own. Sweet and savory treats. Full coffee bar. Check online for limited hours.
A good neighborhood family Mexican restaurant. Pretty standard menu, with good food and a nice view of the Kauffman Center across Broadway.
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Los Tules
1656 Broadway Blvd
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A good neighborhood family Mexican restaurant. Pretty standard menu, with good food and a nice view of the Kauffman Center across Broadway.
Local venture from the folks who made Hank’s Charcuterie in Lawrence, KS. An intimate affair with food and drink, a few blocks south on Summit St.
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fox and Pearl
2143 Summit St
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Local venture from the folks who made Hank’s Charcuterie in Lawrence, KS. An intimate affair with food and drink, a few blocks south on Summit St.
Excellent Thai cuisine, extensive menu and friendly service just a few short blocks from the studio in the Crossroads.
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Baramee Thai Bistro
1810 Baltimore Ave
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Excellent Thai cuisine, extensive menu and friendly service just a few short blocks from the studio in the Crossroads.
Not to be confused with the local brewery, very good food and drink in this pub-like space.
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Blvd Tavern
320 Southwest Blvd
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Not to be confused with the local brewery, very good food and drink in this pub-like space.
Vegan menu with invention and flavor. Wonderful smoothies and shakes! One of the few places I’ll include on this list that isn’t strictly local, but pretty special anyway!
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cafe Gratitude Kansas City
333 Southwest Blvd
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Vegan menu with invention and flavor. Wonderful smoothies and shakes! One of the few places I’ll include on this list that isn’t strictly local, but pretty special anyway!
Wunderbar! Upscale Austrian fare in a beautifully repurposed freight house, which is shared by Lidia's and Fiorella's Jack Stack.
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grünauer
101 W 22nd St
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wunderbar! Upscale Austrian fare in a beautifully repurposed freight house, which is shared by Lidia's and Fiorella's Jack Stack.
Celeb Chef Lidia Bastianach’s local branch of her Northern Italian empire.
38 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lidia’s
101 W 22nd St
38 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Celeb Chef Lidia Bastianach’s local branch of her Northern Italian empire.
A local chain of fine dining barbecue. Their BBQ smoked salmon is outstanding!
126 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Jack Stack Barbecue - Freight House
101 W 22nd St
126 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A local chain of fine dining barbecue. Their BBQ smoked salmon is outstanding!
Locally made Mexican ice creams, popsicles, snacks and smoothies!
Paletería Tropicana
830 Southwest Blvd
Locally made Mexican ice creams, popsicles, snacks and smoothies!
Authentic Mexican street tacos and other dishes in a clean and cozy little shopfront. Enchiladas mantadas. Tacos Birria. Aguas frescas. Y mas!
Tacos El Gallo
806 Southwest Boulevard
Authentic Mexican street tacos and other dishes in a clean and cozy little shopfront. Enchiladas mantadas. Tacos Birria. Aguas frescas. Y mas!
An elegant menu in a romantic setting. Chef-driven classics, and creative riffs on same, in a hotel that is also a modern art museum! Arrive early and wander the public spaces throughout this hotel for a modern cultural experience.
The Savoy at 21c
An elegant menu in a romantic setting. Chef-driven classics, and creative riffs on same, in a hotel that is also a modern art museum! Arrive early and wander the public spaces throughout this hotel for a modern cultural experience.
Airy and modern restaurant, coffee and juice bar, and bakery oriented toward well-being, inside a local architectural heirloom. Super creative and flavorful menu, an absolute gem in Kansas City.
17 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Billie's Grocery
3216 Gillham Plaza
17 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Airy and modern restaurant, coffee and juice bar, and bakery oriented toward well-being, inside a local architectural heirloom. Super creative and flavorful menu, an absolute gem in Kansas City.
Buffet lunch and sit-down dinners at this Ethiopian restaurant are flavorful and filling. Served with Ethiopian flatware: injera, a soft, spongey flatbread used to pick up delicious bits of spiced meats and vegetables. Meat or Veggie combo is a home run. Accompany with gingebel: pineapple ginger juice to assist with the digestion of this tasty adventure. A personal favorite!
13 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Blue Nile Cafe
20 E 5th St
13 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Buffet lunch and sit-down dinners at this Ethiopian restaurant are flavorful and filling. Served with Ethiopian flatware: injera, a soft, spongey flatbread used to pick up delicious bits of spiced meats and vegetables. Meat or Veggie combo is a home run. Accompany with gingebel: pineapple ginger juice to assist with the digestion of this tasty adventure. A personal favorite!
One of my favorite meals in town is their combo bun: #V4 on the menu: rice noodle salad with lemongrass pork, grilled shrimp and sliced eggroll. Pour on the sriracha and fish sauce. Heaven.
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nguyen Pho and Grill
500 Grand Blvd
6 (рекомендации местных жителей)
One of my favorite meals in town is their combo bun: #V4 on the menu: rice noodle salad with lemongrass pork, grilled shrimp and sliced eggroll. Pour on the sriracha and fish sauce. Heaven.
Locally made ice cream with a wonderful rotating menu of flavors created with the adventurous in mind. A local favorite. In the River Market, corner of 5th & Delaware.
46 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Betty Rae's Ice Cream
7140 Wornall Rd
46 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Locally made ice cream with a wonderful rotating menu of flavors created with the adventurous in mind. A local favorite. In the River Market, corner of 5th & Delaware.
More delicious home-style Vietnamese food at this busy and casual Columbus Park neighborhood eatery.
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Vietnam Cafe
522 Campbell St
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
More delicious home-style Vietnamese food at this busy and casual Columbus Park neighborhood eatery.
Local foodie favorite for inventive menu and crafty beverages.
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Antler Room
2506 Holmes St
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Local foodie favorite for inventive menu and crafty beverages.
Sweet little neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot known for great food in a quirky little spot!
45 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Happy Gillis
549 Gillis St
45 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sweet little neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot known for great food in a quirky little spot!
More BBQ from the other side of State Line. This casual indoor/outdoor venue started out selling various fruitwoods for other people's smokers, and practiced the art of BBQ during the downtime. Then they figured out they were pretty good at what they were doing and decided to share. Lucky us.
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Woodyard Bar-B-Que
3001 Merriam Ln
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
More BBQ from the other side of State Line. This casual indoor/outdoor venue started out selling various fruitwoods for other people's smokers, and practiced the art of BBQ during the downtime. Then they figured out they were pretty good at what they were doing and decided to share. Lucky us.
Formerly Oklahoma Joe's, this is a legendary BBQ restaurant still comfortably smoking up a little gas station in Kansas City, KS. It is extremely good food (the Z-Man, pulled pork sandwich with an onion ring topper is a classic). Expect a long line just about any time you go. But it does move along, and you'll get what you came for.
344 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
3002 W 47th Ave
344 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Formerly Oklahoma Joe's, this is a legendary BBQ restaurant still comfortably smoking up a little gas station in Kansas City, KS. It is extremely good food (the Z-Man, pulled pork sandwich with an onion ring topper is a classic). Expect a long line just about any time you go. But it does move along, and you'll get what you came for.
A bit of a drive, about 20 minutes or so, this is some authentic Cantonese food in Overland Park, KS. Dim sum all day. Open late on weekends, sometimes it is just the ticket.
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
ABC Cafe
10001 W 87th St
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A bit of a drive, about 20 minutes or so, this is some authentic Cantonese food in Overland Park, KS. Dim sum all day. Open late on weekends, sometimes it is just the ticket.

Sightseeing

An iconic Kansas City monument to "the war to end all wars", Liberty Memorial is situated in the midst of a wonderful park, with loops of walking/running trails, and some of the best views of the city. If it is nearing dusk, and you notice it is clear with scattered clouds, especially in the west, head up there for a spectacular sunset.
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Liberty Memorial
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
An iconic Kansas City monument to "the war to end all wars", Liberty Memorial is situated in the midst of a wonderful park, with loops of walking/running trails, and some of the best views of the city. If it is nearing dusk, and you notice it is clear with scattered clouds, especially in the west, head up there for a spectacular sunset.
Enormous early 20th century train station beautifully restored now houses our Post Office, the Science City interactive museum, an IMAX theater, various rotating traveling exhibits, restaurants, coffee and gift shops. Head to the very end of the Grand Hall to see the magical miniature train display. Union Station is the southernmost stop on the downtown streetcar line, and connects by skytunnel to the Crown Center shops and all the way to the Sheraton Hotel on McGee for an indoor hike around the area.
290 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kansas City Union Station
30 W Pershing Rd
290 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Enormous early 20th century train station beautifully restored now houses our Post Office, the Science City interactive museum, an IMAX theater, various rotating traveling exhibits, restaurants, coffee and gift shops. Head to the very end of the Grand Hall to see the magical miniature train display. Union Station is the southernmost stop on the downtown streetcar line, and connects by skytunnel to the Crown Center shops and all the way to the Sheraton Hotel on McGee for an indoor hike around the area.

Arts & Culture

An amazing collection of International art and crafts from a vast range of human eras housed in some impressive Neoclassical and Modern architecture. The surrounding sculpture garden is a joy to walk around on days that aren't too hot or cold! This art museum is free to the public apart from some special exhibitions.
674 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Художественный музей Нельсона-Аткинса
4525 Oak St
674 (рекомендации местных жителей)
An amazing collection of International art and crafts from a vast range of human eras housed in some impressive Neoclassical and Modern architecture. The surrounding sculpture garden is a joy to walk around on days that aren't too hot or cold! This art museum is free to the public apart from some special exhibitions.
A fascinating museum exhibiting the recovered cargo of a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, was lost for 132 years, and was rediscovered and unearthed in 1988.
80 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Arabia Steamboat Museum
400 Grand Blvd
80 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A fascinating museum exhibiting the recovered cargo of a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856, was lost for 132 years, and was rediscovered and unearthed in 1988.
Part of the contemporary art scene in Kansas City, this compact museum near the Nelson Atkins Museum and the Kansas City Art Institute campus features rotating exhibits and the wonderful Cafe Sebastienne for stylish dining and brunch surrounded by art. This museum is free to the public!
138 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
4420 Warwick Blvd
138 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Part of the contemporary art scene in Kansas City, this compact museum near the Nelson Atkins Museum and the Kansas City Art Institute campus features rotating exhibits and the wonderful Cafe Sebastienne for stylish dining and brunch surrounded by art. This museum is free to the public!
Live performance venue featuring classical music, dance, and more. Just a couple of blocks from the WestSide Brick Barn Studio!
166 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway Blvd
166 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Live performance venue featuring classical music, dance, and more. Just a couple of blocks from the WestSide Brick Barn Studio!
On the First Friday of each month, the crossroads becomes a bit of a scene. It started out when the few art galleries that brought the area back to life in the mid-1990s would have openings and parties for their artists. Now, there are street performers, food trucks, vendors, and more along with the art openings, restaurants and breweries, and the magic of having the city come alive when humans populate the sidewalks. Things are liveliest between 6pm-9pm. Best to walk from here, because traffic and parking can be a challenge.
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
First Fridays
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
On the First Friday of each month, the crossroads becomes a bit of a scene. It started out when the few art galleries that brought the area back to life in the mid-1990s would have openings and parties for their artists. Now, there are street performers, food trucks, vendors, and more along with the art openings, restaurants and breweries, and the magic of having the city come alive when humans populate the sidewalks. Things are liveliest between 6pm-9pm. Best to walk from here, because traffic and parking can be a challenge.

Shopping

Little neighborhood boutique just around the corner, with products by local makers and designers. Take home a little Kansas City style!
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Westside Storey
1701 Summit St
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Little neighborhood boutique just around the corner, with products by local makers and designers. Take home a little Kansas City style!
An early 20th Century Shopping district designed to reflect shades of Seville, Spain, this outdoor mall features blocks of boutiques, restaurants, fountains and sculptures. At once trendy and charming, like any good tourist destination.
114 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Plaza Area
114 (рекомендации местных жителей)
An early 20th Century Shopping district designed to reflect shades of Seville, Spain, this outdoor mall features blocks of boutiques, restaurants, fountains and sculptures. At once trendy and charming, like any good tourist destination.
The largest farmers market in the area, with commercial vendors and restaurants along the edges open all week, and regional growers and resellers set up in the central stalls on Saturdays and Sundays during the growing seasons. A bustling urban scene that is one of my favorites in Kansas City.
226 (рекомендации местных жителей)
River Market
226 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The largest farmers market in the area, with commercial vendors and restaurants along the edges open all week, and regional growers and resellers set up in the central stalls on Saturdays and Sundays during the growing seasons. A bustling urban scene that is one of my favorites in Kansas City.

Essentials

Just blocks from the studio in the Crossroads, Cellar Rat has your wine and beverage needs covered. An impressive selection in a compact space.
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cellar Rat Wine Merchants
1701 Baltimore Ave
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Just blocks from the studio in the Crossroads, Cellar Rat has your wine and beverage needs covered. An impressive selection in a compact space.
Great neighborhood art supply store with a little bit of everything.
Artist & Craftsman Supply Kansas City
229 Southwest Blvd
Great neighborhood art supply store with a little bit of everything.
Conventional grocery store in downtown fancy clothes. A pretty good salad bar, and dine-in section, they'll answer most of your grocery needs.
119 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cosentino's Market
10 E 13th St
119 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Conventional grocery store in downtown fancy clothes. A pretty good salad bar, and dine-in section, they'll answer most of your grocery needs.
Locally owned natural food store for all your essential provisions!
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nature's Own Health Market
1020 Westport Rd
36 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Locally owned natural food store for all your essential provisions!
Near the City Market, this grocery store has a large selection of Asian products and ingredients from around the world. Sometimes it smells funny, but if you need some century duck eggs or jackfruit, this is your spot.
Chinatown Food Market
202 Grand Blvd
Near the City Market, this grocery store has a large selection of Asian products and ingredients from around the world. Sometimes it smells funny, but if you need some century duck eggs or jackfruit, this is your spot.
It is a bit of a drive, 20 minutes or so, but some folks appreciate the unique selection and fresh produce available at the Trader Joe's empire, so I'm just letting you know we have one in Kansas City. Actually, we have 2, as there is another further South in Overland Park, KS.
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Trader Joe's
8600 Ward Pkwy
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It is a bit of a drive, 20 minutes or so, but some folks appreciate the unique selection and fresh produce available at the Trader Joe's empire, so I'm just letting you know we have one in Kansas City. Actually, we have 2, as there is another further South in Overland Park, KS.

Entertainment & Activities

This board game pub is an unusual venue, has an astonishing variety of games, and a helpful staff that will help you identify exactly what you are wanting to play. They'll even hook you up with folks looking for others to play with. Food and drink and games. Roll the dice and give it a go!
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Pawn and Pint
613 Walnut St
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This board game pub is an unusual venue, has an astonishing variety of games, and a helpful staff that will help you identify exactly what you are wanting to play. They'll even hook you up with folks looking for others to play with. Food and drink and games. Roll the dice and give it a go!
A large zoo with some wonderful exhibits and specimens. Education and conservation focused.
214 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Зоопарк Канзас-Сити
6800 Zoo Dr
214 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A large zoo with some wonderful exhibits and specimens. Education and conservation focused.