The Russell is a cafe restaurant in Midtown, Kansas City.
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 dishes: Egg biscuit sandwich, Quiche, Tomato soup
Must 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.
Address: 3141 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111
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.
Westport Cafe in Kansas City is the casual Paris-style bistro on Westport Road, with weekend brunch from 10:30 to 16:00 and a French menu rotating through bistro classics.
Signature: Chicken hash brunch, Brioche French toast, Steak frites
Order: Chicken hash or brioche French toast at brunch, with the complimentary brunch cocktail.
Tip: Weekend brunch books up; weekday dinner is the quieter seat. Half price wine night runs midweek.
Beer Kitchen in Westport is Kansas City's original gastropub, with a 100% American beer burger stuffed with burnt ends and lathered in house-made BBQ sauce.
Signature: Beer burger with burnt ends, Boozy mac, Brussels sprouts
Order: The beer burger stuffed with burnt ends, plus a flight from the rotating draft list.
Tip: Weekend brunch 9:00 to 14:00. Kitchen runs to 22:00 weeknights, 23:00 weekends.
Winstead's on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City opened in 1940 as the Streamline Moderne drive-in that defined the city's steakburger. The Plaza location is the original.
Signature: Steakburger, Frosty malt, Onion rings
Order: Double steakburger with cheese, a side of onion rings and a Frosty malt.
Tip: Curb service still runs in the parking lot. The Plaza counter is open lunch through late dinner daily.
