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CafeBrookside
You Say Tomato on Holmes Street near Brookside in Kansas City is a 25-seat morning cafe open Wed to Sat with daily specials that change constantly.
Why locals goTiny neighborhood cafe near Brookside, open Wed to Sat mornings only. The daily specials change constantly, the room seats 25, the wait list is the experience.
TipClosed Mon, Tue, Sun. Arrive at 08:00 to skip the wait Word-of-mouth is the only marketing.
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CafeMidtown
Oddly Correct Coffee on Troost Avenue in midtown Kansas City is a small-batch roastery with precise espresso and house-made buttermilk biscuits, daily.
Why locals goSmall-batch roastery on Troost, the city's lesser-traveled corridor. Some of the most precise espresso in Kansas City, paired with house-made buttermilk biscuits.
TipMon-Fri 7:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 8:00-15:00. Bourbon vanilla latte is the move.
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Soul foodSouth Kc
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 goOn 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.
TipSunday gospel brunch is the event; the lunch buffet is the value.
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American BBQEast 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 goTourist 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.
TipCash and the time to wait; meat sells out by late afternoon.
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MediterraneanLongfellow
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 goSits in the residential Longfellow streets between Crossroads and the Plaza, not on any tourist route. Three-time James Beard semifinalist quietly serving Kansas City.
TipReservations open online weeks out; book the chef's counter for the tasting.
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Modern AustralianDowntown
Banksia Bakehouse in Kansas City: modern australian room. Kansas City's only Australian-style bakehouse, tucked into a downtown Main Street storefront..
Why locals goKansas City's only Australian-style bakehouse, tucked into a downtown Main Street storefront.
TipOrder the pork and fennel sausage roll plus a Lamington. Wed to Sat the kitchen runs to 21:00, longer than most KC bakeries.