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Union Station’s Guide to the Best Places to Eat in Downtown Kansas City
As the premier local guide to all things Kansas City, Union Station, and its team have put together this handy blog of all the best places to eat in downtown Kansas City. From historical landmarks to the trendiest new spots, we can help find the perfect place for your big day or night out—including two located right here at Union Station!
Sure, most people know about Kansas City’s world-famous barbecue scene, but that’s merely scratching the surface of all the great dining options throughout the area. With thousands of different restaurants, cafes, diners, and other eating establishments, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—especially if you’re spending time downtown. Read on to learn more.
Dining Options at Union Station
Visitors at Union Station have the option of choosing from two distinct dining options with two distinct vibes—Pierpont’s and Harvey’s.
Harvey’s at Union Station
Located right in the heart of our historic Grand Hall, Harvey’s is a modern, open-air restaurant with several gorgeous views of the interior of Union Station—most notably a patio located on the roof of the establishment. Harvey’s specializes in creating delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch options from scratch ingredients, making it perfect for both early risers and the lunch break crowd.
In fact, that’s essentially how Harvey’s got its start! Union Station is fortunate enough to have over 30 unique tenants located within our building. One of these tenants, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, wanted a place on-site to meet for breakfast or lunch. But beyond serving just tenants, this vision also included giving families and out-of-town visitors a place to fill up in-between exhibits.
Mary Carol Garrity, founder of Nell Hill’s home furnishings stores in Briarcliff Village and Atchison, Kan., helped with the decor: coral color on the ceiling to lighten it up, and black-and-white drapes to soften up the acoustics. Harvey’s also features old photos of celebrities who came through the station, and Kansas City landmarks.
Pierpont’s at Union Station
Pierpont’s at Union Station is a great option for those looking to take part in an elegant night out. Called the “culinary jewel” of Kansas City, Pierpont’s is a three-story fine dining restaurant steeped in history—maintaining much of the same look as the original building back in 1914. In fact, 60% of the restaurant is historical space and still possesses both its original women’s and children’s waiting rooms, as well as its women’s smoking lounge.
More than just a unique atmosphere, however, both Kansas City natives and out-of-town visitors alike will enjoy Pierpont’s delicious, innovative menu selection along with first-class service.
Visitors can select from options such as fresh seafood and prime steaks, along with unique seasonal options and pastries made by the area’s finest pastry chefs. And if you enjoy savoring your meal with a hand-crafted cocktail or glass of wine, you’re in luck! Pierpont’s offers a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list along with a 20-foot bar for patrons to wet their whistles.
The rest of our favorite eats in downtown Kansas City.
Don’t get us wrong, there are so many great dining options throughout the Kansas City metro area. We would almost have enough words to write a book if we listed every restaurant we enjoyed! But given Union Station’s downtown location, we wanted to give special attention to some of the best places to eat in downtown Kansas city
Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch Spots
Mildred’s
Originally founded in downtown Overland Park in the mid-1990s, Mildred’s has grown from its “mom-and-pop shop” origins into one of the best spots for breakfast, lunch, or brunch in all of downtown KC. In fact, this local cafe has grown so popular that it now offers two downtown locations! But don’t worry, you’ll still feel the family atmosphere permeate all throughout the building.
Mildred’s offers an extensive menu of cafe favorites and scratch-made baked goods, including specialty coffee and an espresso bar. For a great selection of great food and coffee, you can’t go wrong!
Succotash
One of the more unique spots in the Kansas City restaurant scene, Succotash is known for its creative menu, big portions, and its hip, quirky vibe. Whether you’re looking for something big and sweet (such as the buttermilk pancakes) or something a bit more savory (like a breakfast sandwich or a Monte/Maggie Cristo), you’re sure to get a great meal that leaves you feeling full and happy.
The Farmhouse
The Farmhouse didn’t just get its name for its down-home menu options. This premier brunch spot works closely with local farmers throughout the area and even lists who they work with on their site! In fact, they bring in their locally-sourced ingredients just hours before opening their doors to the brunch crowd. This means that the menu is constantly changing and evolving. But no need to worry, the quality is A-plus every single time.
Tribe Street Kitchen
Tribe Street Kitchen brings a unique twist to traditional brunch favorites—specializing in taking dishes from different regions around the world and giving them a personal touch! From traditional burgers and bavarian nuggets to fried potstickers, quesadillas, and more, there’s a little something for everyone to like at Tribe (including an extensive drink menu).
Best Spots for Dinner & Drinks
Harry’s Country Club
Harry’s Country Club has been called the “crown jewel of the River Market” and there’s a good reason for that. One of the best places to eat (or drink) in Downtown Kansas City, going to Harry’s is like stepping back into a time machine to the 1950s. Here, you’ll enjoy one of the best happy hours in all of KC and a food menu filled with comfort classics like pork tenderloin and buffalo chicken mac n cheese.
Taps on Main
Looking for a perfect place for dinner, drinks, and the big game? You’ll want to check out Taps on Main located on, well, Main Street Kansas City. What makes Taps unique is its self-serve model when it comes to beer. With an enormous tap wall filled with different, rotating options, you can pick whatever beer you like and pour as little (or as much) as you want!
Oh, and the food is pretty exceptional in its own right—featuring bar food classics such as wings and nachos, as well as grass-fed burgers and deli-fresh sandwiches!
Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen
Opened a little over a decade ago, Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen offers a comfortable and inviting atmosphere with a great location (just 2 blocks from the T-Mobile Center and 3 from the Kauffman Performing Arts Center). And you don’t have to be a wine snob to enjoy their vast selection, either! Tannin’s not only emphasizes pairing great food with great wine, but they especially enjoy helping guests seek out new flavors and experiences.
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant has been a staple in Downtown Kansas City for over 40 years, and generations of people have enjoyed this authentic taste of Mexico. This family-owned and operated restaurant located at the corner of 20th and Southwest Blvd offers an expansive menu of both traditional eats and house-made drinks.
Without a doubt, the most notable of these drinks is the signature “Manny’s Margarita”, which the restaurant boasts having poured over 1 million times over 4 decades!
Best Places For a Date Night
The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club
What’s more Kansas City than steak and jazz music? If you’re looking for a place that has mastered both, you’ll want to check out The Majestic. The restaurant and jazz club can trace its back to 1983 and has had several iterations during that time. However, what hasn’t changed is the phenomenal quality of steak along with live jazz music and over 275 whiskeys.
Lidia’s
Located just north of our very own historic Union Station is one of the best Italian restaurants in the entire city! Owned by Lidia Bastianich—an Emmy award-winning public television host and best-selling cookbook author—Lidia’s occupies a former railroad house and offers a daily, three-course pasta special in addition to a traditional Italian dinner, dessert, and wine menu
Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop
Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop has been around for about 25 years but is as grounded in tradition as any place you’ll find in Kansas City. Owner Malisa Monyakula’s grandmother, Khun Ya, instilled a deep passion for Thai cuisine within her family. With Lulu’s, the goal is to recreate the experience of gathering around a family table in Bangkok to enjoy traditional Thai cuisine. Kansas City natives and visitors alike will enjoy this little taste of Thailand!
La Bodega
La Bodega brings tapas, a beloved social tradition in Northern Spain involving eating and socializing, and brings it to life here in KC. Featuring a traditional Spanish menu with an exceptional drink selection, La Bodega is one of the best places to eat in downtown Kansas City and a great environment for friends, family, and lovers alike!
Affare
Affare is a modern restaurant that specializes in creating fantastic seasonal menus with a German twist. Much like The Farmhouse, Affare takes pride in working with local farmers to create a sophisticated, yet ever-evolving menu of fresh and fantastic foods. Even with its cosmopolitan feel, Affare is still a family-owned restaurant that wants all visitors to feel welcome as they enjoy a taste of Germany!
Places for History & Character
Milwaukee Delicatessen Company
This iteration of the Milwaukee Delicatessen Company may be newer, having opened less than 15 years ago, but its location is one of the most historic in all of Kansas City. The original building dates back to 1881, with the original Milwaukee Deli opening in the year 1900! More companies occupied the space in the years that followed, but the space eventually sat vacant from 1981 all the way through 2010.
The new iteration of the Milwaukee Delicatessen Company has gone to great lengths to revive the look of the building from the Prohibition era—giving diners the unique experience of stepping into a time capsule as they enjoy great food and amazing pizza!
Peanut Downtown
Another remnant of the Prohibition era, The Peanut stakes its claim as Kansas City’s oldest bar and grill and was even a speakeasy during the 1930s. Today, you probably know about The Peanut because of its famous wings and multiple locations throughout the Kansas City area. Step inside and enjoy all of the charm of a historic dive bar with the added bonus of great bar food!
Brown & Loe
Brown & Loe currently sits in what was formerly the Merchant’s Bank building—originally constructed in 1920. In fact, in the 1940s, the original Brown & Loe was a produce broker operating out of the second floor of the building!
You can still feel that tradition today thanks to the architectural details of the two-story establishment, which features a façade of plate glass and verde marble floors and walls. And perhaps most importantly, you can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of this bistro with fantastic, traditional American comfort dining.
The Savoy
Luminaries such as Harry Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and John D. Rockefeller have spent time in the building now known as The Savoy, and the restaurant has gone to great lengths to show their pride in that history. Today, the Savoy features a restored and reimagined space that includes both historical elements and modern touches. Here, you’ll enjoy a fantastic seasonal menu with dishes inspired by chefs from all over the world.
Make Union Station part of your next night out!
Whether you want to dine with us or experience more of the best places to eat in Downtown Kansas City, let Union Station be your guide to all things KC. As an iconic Kansas City landmark and source of civic celebration for over 100 years, we’re always thrilled to offer our insight to Kansas City locals and visitors alike about all the great things our city has to offer.
Visit us today and enjoy the many attractions our historic building has to offer! And when you’re done, feel free to stop over at Harvey’s or Pierpont’s to enjoy some of the best dining options in the Kansas City area.