Breakfast cafe$$crossroads
Mildred's in Kansas City has run breakfast, brunch and lunch since 1994, with the Standard Breakfast Sandwich the city's most-ordered counter item at the Crossroads flagship.
Signature: Standard breakfast sandwich, Quiche, Avocado toast
Order: The Standard Breakfast Sandwich: egg, cheddar, bacon on a butter-toasted brioche.
Tip: South Plaza shop at 5060 Main is the newest in 2025. Daily 7:00 to 14:00 in the Crossroads.
French bistro$$westport
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.
Gastropub$$westport
Beer Kitchen in Westport is Kansas City's original gastropub, with a 100% American beer burger stuffed with burnt ends and lathered in house-made BBQ sauce.
Signature: Beer burger with burnt ends, Boozy mac, Brussels sprouts
Order: The beer burger stuffed with burnt ends, plus a flight from the rotating draft list.
Tip: Weekend brunch 9:00 to 14:00. Kitchen runs to 22:00 weeknights, 23:00 weekends.
Diner$plaza
Winstead's on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City opened in 1940 as the Streamline Moderne drive-in that defined the city's steakburger. The Plaza location is the original.
Signature: Steakburger, Frosty malt, Onion rings
Order: Double steakburger with cheese, a side of onion rings and a Frosty malt.
Tip: Curb service still runs in the parking lot. The Plaza counter is open lunch through late dinner daily.
Diner$crossroads
Town Topic on Broadway in Kansas City's Crossroads has run a tiny stainless-steel diner since 1937, selling smashed burgers and hand-dipped malts at the counter.
Signature: Smashed burger, Chili, Hand-dipped malts
Order: Double cheeseburger with chili on the side, plus a vanilla malt.
Tip: Hours changed in May 2026 over safety concerns; the Broadway counter now closes at 20:00 rather than 24 hours. Cash works best.
American breakfast$$longfellow
Succotash near the Kansas City Longfellow neighbourhood serves a long-running breakfast and brunch menu with local and organic ingredients, vegan and vegetarian options.
Signature: Buttermilk pancakes, Stuffed French toast, Breakfast hash
Order: Stuffed French toast and a side of breakfast hash with eggs.
Tip: Mon 8:00 to 14:00, closed Tue and Wed, Thu to Sun 8:00 to 15:00. Walk-in only, expect a wait on weekends.