KCMO - recommendations by neighborhood/district
Neighborhoods
I got nothin for you. Power and Light, in my opinion, is just a gathering place for expensive national chains. If this is your jam, I'm pretty sure you'll figure it all out. In terms of nightlife, this is where you head if you want to have the just-turned-21 experience. Parking can be tough and you'll likely have to pay. You do have access to lightrail
397 Einheimische empfehlen
Power and Light District
I got nothin for you. Power and Light, in my opinion, is just a gathering place for expensive national chains. If this is your jam, I'm pretty sure you'll figure it all out. In terms of nightlife, this is where you head if you want to have the just-turned-21 experience. Parking can be tough and you'll likely have to pay. You do have access to lightrail
Sorry, I'm not your guide for this district. Another shopping area filled with day to day chain shops/restaurants. It has a pretty racist history followed by a bunch of other much minor complaints I have about it. If you have stuff going on here, I'm pretty sure you can navigate what you want out of it.
114 Einheimische empfehlen
Plaza Area
Sorry, I'm not your guide for this district. Another shopping area filled with day to day chain shops/restaurants. It has a pretty racist history followed by a bunch of other much minor complaints I have about it. If you have stuff going on here, I'm pretty sure you can navigate what you want out of it.
Brookside is a pretty residential neighborhood, but has a small shopping and restaurant district. Another one I don't really have much to recommend.
Brookside Boulevard
Brookside BoulevardBrookside is a pretty residential neighborhood, but has a small shopping and restaurant district. Another one I don't really have much to recommend.
River Market
Dive bars, poke, elevated food, pho and other Vietnamese tastiness, farmer's market, Asian grocery, and local butcher.
River Market is really close - 10-15 minutes away. It's the north end of the light rail, offers local eats, and is very walkable. The Market proper has a board game shop, spice havens, loose tea shop, flowers, and local farmers market on the weekends. Weekend mornings and early afternoons are packed. Parking isn't fun - head out early and wear your tennis shoes if you feel like navigating this during peak hours.
Excellent cuts of local meats, in-house creative meats (butter burgers, seasoned lamb, innovative sausages), and other local farmer-made goods (pickles, cheeses, etc). Hit this place for a burger while you're out and stock up the fridge with quality foods to spoil the family.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Local Pig
20 East 5th StreetExcellent cuts of local meats, in-house creative meats (butter burgers, seasoned lamb, innovative sausages), and other local farmer-made goods (pickles, cheeses, etc). Hit this place for a burger while you're out and stock up the fridge with quality foods to spoil the family.
Thousands of board games! And they're slinging drinks and foods! Ask the concierge to help you choose a game or go browse their extensive library. There are two floors of tables ready to host a large group or just the two of you.
(Technically not River Market? But just a block south)
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Pawn and Pint
613 Walnut StThousands of board games! And they're slinging drinks and foods! Ask the concierge to help you choose a game or go browse their extensive library. There are two floors of tables ready to host a large group or just the two of you.
(Technically not River Market? But just a block south)
Columbus Park (just next to River Market) has a strong Vietnamese immigrant presence. And they brought some tasty food! Great place for Sunday brunch, in my opinion. But they'll also door dash if you want to stay in the house. This place can get packed! Be prepared to wait in line outside.
55 Einheimische empfehlen
Vietnam Cafe
522 Campbell StColumbus Park (just next to River Market) has a strong Vietnamese immigrant presence. And they brought some tasty food! Great place for Sunday brunch, in my opinion. But they'll also door dash if you want to stay in the house. This place can get packed! Be prepared to wait in line outside.
Coffee shop, café, bar, and event venue?!? Yes please! I've even seen a burlesque show here. If you want to meet the needs of many, check this place out. Have a bloody mary while you wait on a sandwich or want to wait for the crowd to die down at the market.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Opera House Bakery
500 Walnut StCoffee shop, café, bar, and event venue?!? Yes please! I've even seen a burlesque show here. If you want to meet the needs of many, check this place out. Have a bloody mary while you wait on a sandwich or want to wait for the crowd to die down at the market.
Inside River Market mall, you'll find this gem. The coxinha is incredible and got me back into wanting chimichurri on everything. Caipirinhas are usually made by one of the most charismatic bartenders I've ever encountered. I've had such friendly, helpful service here and that's pretty impressive given how much traffic they get during markets. Limited hours!
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Taste of Brazil Market
21 E 3rd StInside River Market mall, you'll find this gem. The coxinha is incredible and got me back into wanting chimichurri on everything. Caipirinhas are usually made by one of the most charismatic bartenders I've ever encountered. I've had such friendly, helpful service here and that's pretty impressive given how much traffic they get during markets. Limited hours!
Four floors of great and terrible stuff! Don't miss the clothing in the basement.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
River Market Antiques
115 W 5th StFour floors of great and terrible stuff! Don't miss the clothing in the basement.
Crossroads District
This is the up and coming 'hood in KC. There's a lot of mural street art, interesting restaurants, and expensive lofts. There are a strong handful of local breweries and distilleries in this district. Too many for me to list. First Fridays are spread across this area and you can find some fun local art if you're willing to navigate the crowds.
Must-go for KC vegans and vegetarians or you all around hippies. They do their food well and it is a nice place to settle in for a meal. They are very conscious about allergens and restrictions and are a pretty cheerful bunch.
488 Einheimische empfehlen
Cafe Gratitude
512 Rose AveMust-go for KC vegans and vegetarians or you all around hippies. They do their food well and it is a nice place to settle in for a meal. They are very conscious about allergens and restrictions and are a pretty cheerful bunch.
These folks can make a pasta. Some of the best pasta I've ever had. But they'll also offer delicious foods for the gluten free or other dietary restrictive folks. Excellent service, local notes. It's pricier, but well worth it.
42 Einheimische empfehlen
Novel
1927 McGee StThese folks can make a pasta. Some of the best pasta I've ever had. But they'll also offer delicious foods for the gluten free or other dietary restrictive folks. Excellent service, local notes. It's pricier, but well worth it.
Do you need a burger and tots 24 hours a day? Well, we've got you covered. Great smash burgers and well done fried potatoes. The menu is very akin to 50's diners including milkshakes and pie. Heading there after bar close might be a bit hectic, but you'll be happy once you're handed your paper bag of vittles. Don't expect to sit here - there's a couple of stools and it's rare to find the place empty.
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Town Topic Hamburgers Broadway
2021 Broadway BlvdDo you need a burger and tots 24 hours a day? Well, we've got you covered. Great smash burgers and well done fried potatoes. The menu is very akin to 50's diners including milkshakes and pie. Heading there after bar close might be a bit hectic, but you'll be happy once you're handed your paper bag of vittles. Don't expect to sit here - there's a couple of stools and it's rare to find the place empty.
Waldo
Great happy hour, friendly neighborhood feel, craft cocktails, beer collaborations, and the best smash burger in town (though listed separately as it's not the same as the bar). Sit down to the Nintendo games or get into a rousing game of Shuffleboard.
Dodson's Bar & Commons
7438 Wornall RdGreat happy hour, friendly neighborhood feel, craft cocktails, beer collaborations, and the best smash burger in town (though listed separately as it's not the same as the bar). Sit down to the Nintendo games or get into a rousing game of Shuffleboard.
Yum, yum, yum. Smash burger and tots. They'll do a vegan option for you. And they have gluten free buns! And it's just luxurious burger love. I highly recommend getting chilis on your burger.
Cosmo Burger
7438 Wornall RoadYum, yum, yum. Smash burger and tots. They'll do a vegan option for you. And they have gluten free buns! And it's just luxurious burger love. I highly recommend getting chilis on your burger.
This place has been so incredible for me. I love the staff, I love the food, I love that I am constantly surprised. The chef is an incredible woman who takes her role in the industry as one to be a great example for others.
Don't be a snob when going to Waldo Thai. Ask to sit at the bar and take the recommendations of the staff. I don't think they offer pad thai, but just don't - their rotating menu has incredible offerings of traditional foods thoughtfully created by Chef.
GREAT cocktails, excellent food. Go hungry.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Waldo Thai
8431 Wornall RoadThis place has been so incredible for me. I love the staff, I love the food, I love that I am constantly surprised. The chef is an incredible woman who takes her role in the industry as one to be a great example for others.
Don't be a snob when going to Waldo Thai. Ask to sit at the bar and take the recommendations of the staff. I don't think they offer pad thai, but just don't - their rotating menu has incredible offerings of traditional foods thoughtfully created by Chef.
GREAT cocktails, excellent food. Go hungry.