Carollo's Italian Grocery and Deli on 3rd Street in Kansas City's City Market has run since 1989, with Mike Carollo serving specialty subs and imported Italian goods.
Signature dishes: Romano sandwich, Original Philly steak, Italian sub
Must order: The Romano sandwich on house bread, with a side of imported olives from the case.
Tip: Open daily 10:00 to 17:30. Counter sandwiches go fast at lunch; pick up groceries while you wait.
Address: 9 E 3rd St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Westport Flea Market Bar and Grill on Westport Road in Kansas City serves a 10-ounce burger that the Food Network's Meat and Potatoes named the city's best, with a condiment bar.
Signature: 10oz burger, Onion rings, Steak fries
Order: 10-ounce burger built at the condiment bar, with a side of onion rings.
Tip: Cash and card; the bar takes walk-ins. Loud, vintage, no reservations.
Bo Lings on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City has run dim sum and pan-regional Chinese cooking since 1981, with weekend cart service and four metro locations.
Signature: Dim sum, Mongolian beef, Steamed dumplings
Order: Dim sum on a Sunday morning from the rolling carts; cheung fun and shumai are the anchors.
Tip: Dim sum runs weekends 10:30 to 14:30. Zona Rosa outpost serves the same menu without lines.
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.
Char Bar in Kansas City's Westport pairs Mitch Benjamin's award-winning smoke programme with the city's largest dog-friendly patio plus cornhole, ping-pong and a fire pit.
Signature: Burnt ends, Hot chicken, Charred cauliflower
Order: Burnt ends on the patio, with a Boulevard draft.
Tip: Weekend brunch 10:00 to 14:00. The beer garden stays open later than the kitchen.
You Say Tomato in Kansas City's Brookside corridor is a quirky neighbourhood cafe with daily specials, veg-friendly options and a slow-paced breakfast counter.
Signature: Breakfast sandwich, Quiche, Tomato soup
Order: The breakfast sandwich with the daily soup or quiche.
Tip: Wed to Sat 8:00 to 14:00, closed Mon, Tue, Sun. Walk-in only, expect a wait on weekends.
Mildred's in Kansas City has run breakfast, brunch and lunch since 1994, with the Standard Breakfast Sandwich the city's most-ordered counter item at the Crossroads flagship.
Signature: Standard breakfast sandwich, Quiche, Avocado toast
Order: The Standard Breakfast Sandwich: egg, cheddar, bacon on a butter-toasted brioche.
Tip: South Plaza shop at 5060 Main is the newest in 2025. Daily 7:00 to 14:00 in the Crossroads.
