26 cuisines represented in our Kansas City guide. Click through to the entry to see editor picks, what to order and how to book. Want a wider lens? All cuisines in this country or global cuisines index.

26 cuisines, most places first

Cafe19 restaurantsThe Kansas City cafe scene blends third-wave coffee roasting with all-day kitchens. American BBQ16 restaurants Cocktail bar12 restaurantsKansas City's bar scene runs from speakeasy-style cocktail rooms to homegrown distilleries and breweries. Bakery9 restaurantsKansas City's bakeries run from rustic European bread to laminated pastry and old-world Italian counters. Street food9 restaurantsKansas City's street food lives at taco trucks, market stalls and counter joints scattered across the city. Brunch8 restaurantsBrunch in Kansas City is a weekend ritual that spans neighborhood cafes, bakeries and bigger dining rooms. Wine bar8 restaurantsKansas City's wine bars range from focused natural-wine rooms to restaurant programs with serious lists. Brewery7 restaurants Burgers5 restaurantsKansas City takes its griddle burgers seriously, from greasy-spoon counters to flea-market grills. Italian5 restaurantsItalian cooking in Kansas City traces back to the Columbus Park and River Market neighborhoods where the city's Italian community settled. New American5 restaurantsNew American cooking in Kansas City means seasonal, ingredient-led menus that draw on the region's farms and the chef's own range. Steakhouse5 restaurantsSitting in central cattle country, Kansas City has a deep steakhouse pedigree built on dry-aged beef and clubby dining rooms. Mediterranean4 restaurantsMediterranean cooking in Kansas City favors olive oil, wood fire and shared plates. American diner3 restaurantsThe Kansas City diner is a counter-and-booth institution built on griddle burgers, malts and all-day breakfast. Fried chicken3 restaurantsPan-fried, skillet-style chicken is a Kansas City Sunday-dinner tradition. Soul food3 restaurantsSoul food in Kansas City carries the city's Black culinary heritage of smothered, fried and slow-cooked Southern dishes. Chinese2 restaurantsChinese dining in Kansas City has long centered on dim sum and Cantonese-American cooking. French fine dining2 restaurantsFrench fine dining in Kansas City is defined by one long-running standard-bearer. Middle Eastern2 restaurantsMiddle Eastern food in Kansas City is best found at small, owner-run kitchens. Tasting menu2 restaurantsThe multi-course tasting menu is a small, ambitious corner of Kansas City dining. American1 restaurant British gastropub1 restaurantThe gastropub style, a proper kitchen paired with a serious beer list, has a small but solid footprint in Kansas City. French bistro1 restaurantThe bistro tradition, short menu, daily specials and a Gallic accent, has a quiet home in Kansas City. Modern Australian1 restaurantAustralian-style cafe cooking, all-day brunch, flat whites and a relaxed table, is a newer arrival in Kansas City.