Where to sit, sip and slow down in Kansas City.
Coffee shops, bakeries with seats and the places Kansas City lingers in over a cortado.
Messenger Coffee's three-story flagship on Grand Boulevard in Kansas City's Crossroads pairs an in-house roastery with Ibis Bakery downstairs and a rooftop terrace.
Signature drink: Filter coffee, single origin
Tip: Rooftop opens for sunset; the second floor is the work-friendly seat. Daily 7:00 to 17:00.
Thou Mayest at River Quay on Delaware in Kansas City's River Market acquired the former Quay Coffee in 2019 and pours Thou Mayest's own roasts on the corner.
Signature drink: Espresso, single origin
Tip: Bo Nelson's roastery is the Kansas City coffee-scene anchor; the River Quay shop is the weekend hub.
Jackie Nguyen's Cafe Ca Phe on 5th Street in Kansas City's Columbus Park is the city's first Vietnamese coffee shop, with Vietnamese-American specialty drinks and pastries.
Signature drink: Vietnamese iced coffee, ube latte
Tip: The Hella Good with ube is the signature; the cafe operates as a community hub on weekends.
PT's Coffee on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City's Crossroads pours the Topeka-based direct-trade roaster's beans, with a steady espresso programme and counter seating.
Signature drink: Direct-trade espresso, filter
Tip: Sister Power and Light location at 1310 Baltimore covers the downtown blocks.
Black Dog Coffeehouse in Lenexa has poured Messenger Coffee beans and Ibis Bakery toast since 2003, with a family-friendly counter and the suburb's farmers market on weekends.
Signature drink: Messenger filter coffee, Ibis toast
Tip: Live music nights and game nights are regulars on the calendar; free dog biscuits at the counter.
You Say Tomato in Kansas City's Brookside-Longfellow corner is a quirky neighbourhood cafe with daily specials and a strong veg-friendly menu. Sit-down breakfast counter.
Signature drink: Drip coffee, daily quiche
Tip: Wed to Sat 8:00 to 14:00, Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. The shop is small; arrive early on weekends.
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.
Mildred's Coffeehouse on Wyandotte in Kansas City's Crossroads has run breakfast, brunch and lunch since 1994. The Standard Breakfast Sandwich is the city's most-ordered.
Signature drink: Espresso, Standard breakfast sandwich
Tip: South Plaza outpost at 5060 Main and the 9th Street downtown shop carry the same menu.
Succotash on Holmes Street near Kansas City's Longfellow runs a long-standing breakfast and brunch counter with local and organic ingredients, plus vegan and gluten-free options.
Signature drink: Drip coffee, breakfast hash
Tip: Mon 8:00 to 14:00, closed Tue, Wed. Open Thu to Sun 8:00 to 15:00; brunch packs the room.
Heirloom Bakery and Hearth in Kansas City's Brookside is Scott and Kate Meinke's destination bakery and breakfast counter, with cheddar-herb biscuits and the city's best Pop-Tarts.
Signature drink: Drip coffee, biscuit sandwich
Tip: Tue to Fri 7:00 to 14:00, Sat 7:00 to 15:00, Sun 7:00 to 14:00. The line forms by mid-morning.
Messenger Coffee's South Plaza cafe in Kansas City brings the Grand Boulevard flagship's roasts to the Plaza corridor, paired with Ibis Bakery's daily breads.
Signature drink: Espresso, drip filter
Tip: Smaller and quieter than the Crossroads flagship; the patio works on weekday mornings.
McLain's on Gregory Boulevard in Kansas City's Waldo opened in 1945 and runs the city's longest-running independent bakery counter, with old-school cakes and pastries.
Signature drink: Drip coffee, cake doughnut
Tip: Sun and Mon 7:00 to 14:00, Tue to Sat 7:00 to 16:00. The kitchen closes at 14:00 daily.