Soul food$$south-kcDaily 05:30-19:00
Niecie's Restaurant in Kansas City: soul food room. On Troost Avenue, Kansas City's historical Black main street. Soul food from Denise and Perry Ward.
Why locals love it: On Troost Avenue, Kansas City's historical Black main street. Soul food from Denise and Perry Ward since 1985 (current Troost address since 2009), deeply local.
Tip: Sunday gospel brunch is the event; the lunch buffet is the value.
American BBQ$$east-kc
L.C.'s Bar-B-Q on Blue Parkway in East Kansas City is an East Side dive that pitmasters quietly cite as the city's best smoke for the dollar, cash only.
Why locals love it: Tourist routes flow through Arthur Bryant's and Joe's KC; L.C.'s is the East Side dive that Kansas City pitmasters quietly cite as the city's best smoke for the dollar.
Tip: Cash and the time to wait; meat sells out by late afternoon.
Mediterranean$$longfellow
The Antler Room on Holmes Street in Kansas City Longfellow runs Persian, Mediterranean and East Asian small plates from Nick Goellner, Beard semifinalist.
Why locals love it: Sits in the residential Longfellow streets between Crossroads and the Plaza, not on any tourist route. Three-time James Beard semifinalist quietly serving Kansas City.
Tip: Reservations open online weeks out; book the chef's counter for the tasting.
Modern Australian$$downtown
Banksia Bakehouse in Kansas City: modern australian room. Kansas City's only Australian-style bakehouse, tucked into a downtown Main Street storefront..
Why locals love it: Kansas City's only Australian-style bakehouse, tucked into a downtown Main Street storefront.
Tip: Order the pork and fennel sausage roll plus a Lamington. Wed to Sat the kitchen runs to 21:00, longer than most KC bakeries.
Cafe$$river-marketMon 09:00-20:00, Wed-Sat 09:00-20:00, Sun 09:00-18:00
Vietnam Cafe in Kansas City: a pint-size pho counter on a quiet columbus park block, with the city's most-praised broth and a steady local lunch crowd.
Why locals love it: A pint-size pho counter on a quiet Columbus Park block, with the city's most-praised broth and a steady local lunch crowd. Easy to miss on a tourist itinerary.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. The pho is the move; the room seats maybe 30.
American BBQ$$columbus-park
Wolfepack BBQ is a american bbq room in Columbus Park. Arrive at opening; brisket and burnt ends sell out by mid-afternoon. Cash and card both fine.
Why locals love it: Tucked in historic Columbus Park, far off the BBQ tourist circuit; tin-ceiling room with Creekstone Farms brisket and Duroc ribs in an all-wood smoker.
Tip: Arrive at opening; brisket and burnt ends sell out by mid-afternoon. Cash and card both fine.