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10 Best Casual Restaurants in Kansas City

10 Best Casual Restaurants in Kansas City

The 10 best casual restaurants in Kansas City include Q39 Midtown, The Westside Local, Brown and Loe, The Brick, Toast to Toast Kansas City Downtown, Union on the Hill Restaurant, Garozzo's Ristorante, The Wise Guy, The Farmhouse, and Room 39. Casual dining in Kansas City, Missouri, is defined by its world-famous barbecue tradition and strong farm-to-table movement, with the city's status as a barbecue capital celebrated at the massive American Royal World Series of Barbecue competition.

Kansas City's casual restaurants are found in distinct neighborhoods like the historic River Market, the Crossroads Arts District, and the Westside. The kinds of casual restaurants on the list include high-end barbecue joints, farm-to-table bistros, classic Italian-American eateries, and no-frills neighborhood pubs. A meal at a casual restaurant in Kansas City costs between $15 and $60 per person.

The best casual restaurants in Kansas City are known for perfecting local specialties like the championship-level burnt ends and unique Italian-American dishes. Q39 Midtown stands out as the best overall for its competition-quality barbecue, its lively and modern restaurant setting, and its creative craft cocktails. The Wise Guy serves some of the best food in the city with its authentic New York-style pizza by the slice. The Farmhouse offers a more relaxed, farm-to-table dinner experience.

The top casual restaurants in Kansas City are listed below.

10 Best Casual Restaurants in Kansas City are listed below.

1 Q39
2 The Westside Local
3 The Brick
4 Garozzo's Ristorante
5 The Farmhouse
6 Brown and Loe
7 Toast to Toast Kansas City Downtown
8 Union on the Hill Restaurant
9 The Wise Guy
10 Room 39

What Makes Casual Restaurants in Kansas City Famous?

Casual restaurants in Kansas City, Missouri, are famous for their world-class barbecue and their strong farm-to-table movement. Kansas City is a global barbecue capital, and its casual dining scene is anchored by legendary establishments and modern spots like Q39 that bring a competitive quality to a restaurant setting. This barbecue tradition is a massive driver of food tourism. The city is also surrounded by rich farmland, and a number of acclaimed restaurants, including The Farmhouse and The Westside Local, have built their identities around using seasonal ingredients sourced from local Missouri and Kansas farms. This focus on both historic food traditions and local agriculture is a key feature.

What Type of Casual Restaurant is Commonly Found in Kansas City?

Kansas City's casual dining is characterized by its world-famous barbecue joints and its many chef-driven, farm-to-table bistros. These different kinds of Kansas City restaurants make up the city's well-known food offerings.

Barbecue Restaurants: This includes everything from historic, no-frills counters to modern, upscale barbecue restaurants. Q39 is a primary example of the modern style.
Farm-to-Table Bistros: These are establishments that create their menus based on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms in Missouri and Kansas. The Farmhouse, The Westside Local, and Room 39 are key examples.
Neighborhood Taverns and Pubs: This category includes casual, often historic, spots that serve as community hubs with simple food and drinks. The Brick is a classic example.
Classic Italian-American Restaurants: These are old-school, family-owned restaurants that serve red-sauce Italian comfort food. Garozzo's Ristorante is the most prominent example.
Modern American Bistros: These are stylish, contemporary dining rooms that serve updated versions of American dishes. Brown and Loe fits this description.

Does Kansas City Have an Authentic Casual Restaurant?

Yes, Kansas City has casual restaurants that are genuine representations of a particular food tradition. Garozzo's Ristorante is an authentic Italian-American restaurant, famous for popularizing the Chicken Spiedini in Kansas City and maintaining an old-school, red-sauce joint atmosphere for over 30 years. The Brick is a genuine neighborhood dive bar and music venue, serving as an unpretentious cultural hub for the Crossroads Arts District. Q39 is an authentic competition-style barbecue restaurant, founded by a champion pitmaster who applies award-winning techniques to a full-service dining experience.

Do Casual Restaurants in Kansas City Offer Easy Online Reservations?

Yes, many casual restaurants in Kansas City offer easy online reservations, particularly the more upscale and popular spots. Farm-to-table bistros like The Westside Local, The Farmhouse, and Room 39 all use online booking platforms like OpenTable. Q39, which is almost always busy, strongly recommends reservations made through its website. Classic spots like Garozzo's also accept online reservations. Simpler, more casual places like The Brick and The Wise Guy operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

What are the Signature Dishes of the Best Casual Restaurants in Kansas City?

Kansas City's best casual restaurants are identified by signature dishes that range from world-famous barbecue to unique local creations. The following list describes some of the most notable food in Kansas City.

Burnt Ends: Crispy, flavorful pieces of meat cut from the "point" half of a smoked brisket. This is the most famous Kansas City barbecue specialty, and a main feature at Q39.
Chicken Spiedini: Skewers of marinated chicken breast, rolled in breadcrumbs, grilled, and served with a lemon butter sauce. This is the signature dish invented and popularized by Garozzo's Ristorante.
The Summit Burger: An upscale burger made with locally sourced beef, served on a brioche bun with high-quality toppings. This is a signature item at The Westside Local.
Short Rib Fried Rice: A rich and savory fried rice dish made with tender, slow-cooked beef short rib. This is a famous creation at Le Thai.
Farm-to-Table Comfort Food: Dishes like fried chicken and waffles or seasonal pot pies made with ingredients sourced directly from local farms. These are the specialties at The Farmhouse.

What is the Average Meal Price at Casual Restaurants in Kansas City?

The cost for a meal at a casual restaurant in Kansas City is between $15 and $60 per person. A single meal at a casual pub or slice shop like The Brick or The Wise Guy costs between $10 and $25. A group meal for two to four people at a sit-down restaurant such as The Westside Local or Garozzo's is between $70 and $150. A meal at a budget-friendly spot like The Brick costs $10 to $20 per person. A full dinner with drinks at an upscale-casual restaurant like Q39 or Brown and Loe costs $40 to $70 per person.

Are There Vegan Options in Casual Restaurants in Kansas City?

Yes, vegan options are available at casual restaurants in Kansas City, such as The Westside Local, The Farmhouse, and Q39. The Westside Local has a dedicated vegetarian section on its menu, with items like a black bean burger that can be prepared vegan. The Farmhouse's seasonal, farm-driven menu always includes creative vegetable-based dishes that can be made vegan. Even the barbecue-focused Q39 offers a smoked jackfruit sandwich as a vegetarian and vegan option.

Do Casual Restaurants in Kansas City Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Yes, casual restaurants in Kansas City offer many gluten-free options at places like Q39, The Westside Local, and Garozzo's Ristorante. Q39 serves all of its smoked meats without sauce for a gluten-free meal and has other gluten-free items clearly marked on its menu. The Westside Local and Room 39 both offer grilled entrees and salads that are naturally gluten-free. Garozzo's Ristorante offers its famous Chicken Spiedini in a gluten-free version.