Rob Magee's Q39 on 39th Street in Kansas City applies a competition-circuit pitmaster's discipline to weeknight barbecue, with a full bar and table service.
Signature: Burnt ends, Pit Master Brisket sandwich, Mr. Burns sandwich
Order: Pit Master Brisket sandwich on a brioche bun and the burnt-ends plate to share.
Tip: Sun to Thu 11:00 to 21:00, Fri and Sat 11:00 to 23:00. Walk-ins and reservations both accepted; the brisket plate sells out late.
The Russell on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown is Amanda Lopez's all-day cafe and lunch counter, with house-baked biscuits and a strong veg programme.
Signature: Breakfast biscuits, Quiche, Sandwiches
Order: Egg-and-biscuit sandwich for breakfast, or the daily quiche with salad.
Tip: Open Tue to Sat 7:00 to 14:00, Sun 8:00 to 14:00, closed Mondays. Strong gluten-free and vegan options.
The Russell on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown is Amanda Lopez's all-day cafe and lunch counter, with house-baked biscuits and a strong vegetarian programme.
Signature: Egg biscuit sandwich, Quiche, Tomato soup
Order: Egg-and-biscuit sandwich for breakfast, or the daily quiche with salad.
Tip: Tue to Sat 7:00 to 14:00, Sun 8:00 to 14:00, closed Mondays. Gluten-free and vegan options strong.
Amanda Lopez's The Russell on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown is the all-day cafe and lunch counter, with house-baked biscuits and strong gluten-free options.
Signature drink: Drip coffee, biscuit sandwich
Tip: Tue to Sat 7:00 to 14:00, Sun 8:00 to 14:00. Egg-and-biscuit sandwich is the move at 8:00.
Monarch Coffee in Kansas City closed both retail locations in late 2024 but keeps the roasting programme alive, supplying cafes and selling beans through the website.
Tip: Order beans through monarchcoffeekc.com; the roastery still runs at the Broadway location.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Wholesale
Oddly Correct on Troost Avenue in Kansas City is the small-batch roaster pouring on its own counter. Single-origin pours and a tight pastry case anchor the room.
Tip: Espresso here is the city's best snapshot; the menu rotates with the roasting calendar.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
The Russell on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown serves house-baked biscuit sandwiches under $12 with strong vegan and gluten-free options.
Try: Egg biscuit sandwich
Tip: Closed Mondays. The egg-and-biscuit sandwich plus a coffee runs under $10.
The Russell on Main in Kansas City's Midtown is Amanda Lopez's all-day cafe with house-baked biscuits and brunch specials. Vegan and gluten-free options run strong.
Order: Egg-and-biscuit sandwich for breakfast or the daily quiche.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Saturday brunch is busy; arrive by 09:00 for the egg biscuit before lines form.
Tower Tavern on 31st Street in Kansas City's Martini Corner has run a gastropub bar with 20-plus screens, a covered patio and a long beer selection since 2007.
Tip: Patio runs warm-weather; trivia and game nights anchor the calendar.
Missie B's on Broadway in Kansas City's Midtown has been the city's longest-running gay bar since 1994, with three bar areas, a patio, drag shows and dance nights.
Tip: Drag shows nightly; the patio is the warm-weather move.
Hamburger Mary's on Broadway in Kansas City's Midtown pairs burgers, bingo and drag entertainment for nightly events. The downstairs Mary's Bar opens earlier than the dining room.
Tip: Drag bingo Wed nights; Saturday drag brunch is the move. Reservations recommended.
SideKicks Saloon on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown is the country-and-western LGBTQ bar, with line-dancing nights, karaoke and a long-running drag programme.
Tip: Line-dance lessons Tuesday nights; drag shows weekends.