Kansas City’s restaurant scene continues to expand as new bars, coffee shops and eateries join the dining landscape.
With tropical smoothies, Mexican sushi, gourmet toast, honey nougat lattes and more on the menu, these local businesses are showcasing just how innovative KC’s culinary pros are. Here are 13 new restaurants and bars worth exploring this summer.
Martin City Tavern & Terrace
Local brewery Martin City Brewing Companyhas expanded to the Crossroads Arts District.
Martin City Crossroads Tavern & Terrace opened its doors in June, making this its seventh location in the Kansas City area. The new spot features Martin City’s signature wood stone oven pizzas, an expanded food menu, house-brewed beers and craft cocktails, plus a rooftop terrace right in the heart of the city.
Sandlot Social
Take a swing at this new family-friendly “eatertainment” venue that opened in June near Oak Park Mall in Lenexa, Kansas.
Sandlot Social features 10 baseball simulators that use HitTrax batting cage technology. Players can just practice their swing, hit targets or play a game in their favorite college or MLB stadium.
But the fun isn’t limited to baseball. Guests will find corn hole, foosball, putt-putt and darts, plus a full menu of favorite bar fare, dirty sodas, beer and cocktails.
Press’d Cafe
Soak up the sun with a tropical drink in hand at Press’d Cafe, a new eatery that opened in June in KC’s River Market neighborhood.
Guests will find refreshing smoothies, juices, tea, coffee, cocktails, mocktails and sandwiches on the menu. Several of the beverages are inspired by the owners’ trips to Hawaii.
Enjoy your order on the cafe’s large patio for optimal summer vibes.
KCulichi Sushi
This popular food truck has planted roots with a brick-and-mortar location, newly opened in May on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas.
Forget what you know about traditional sushi. KCulichi Sushi serves up Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi rolls, with both baked and fried options. They come with beef, bacon or chicken inside and melted cheese on top.
Need your meal on the go? KCulichi Sushi also has a drive-thru for quick, convenient service.
Current State Coffee Roasting
A new coffee shop is adding to the excitement in Downtown Shawnee.
Current State Coffee Roasting opened in June, offering house-roasted coffee and pastries from local bakeries. Customers can also buy Current State’s roasted coffee by the pound to brew at home.
But with natural light, earthy tones and ample seating in this 1930s brick building, there are plenty of reasons to stick around for a cup or two.
Apparition Coffee
Apparition Coffee, a heavy metal-inspired coffee shop, opened its doors in June in KC’s Waldo neighborhood.
Its menu features drip coffee, espresso, lattes, tea, matcha, pastries and burritos. Guests will find subtle references to heavy metal on the menu, in the decor and playing quietly through the shop’s speakers.
King’s Indian Kitchen
Head to Kansas City’s Northland near Liberty, Missouri, where you’ll find the new King’s Indian Kitchen, which made its debut in June.
The new restaurant specifically serves food from the Punjab region of India, including favorites like butter chicken and chole bhature.
Toastique
A gourmet toast and juice franchise opened its first Kansas City-area location in June. Toastique’s new location can be found in south Overland Park near the Corbin Park shopping center.
Guests can enjoy cold-press juices, smoothies, gourment toast, acai bowls, coffee, tea and more for plenty of options throughout the day.
Artifact Coffee & Goods
Creatives and coffee lovers will appreciate this new cafe in Downtown KC. Artifact Coffee & Goods opened in June in the Garment District.
Artifact serves a selection of hot and cold drinks, including espresso, lattes, cold brew, matcha and teas, and all the drinks are made with house-made syrups. Pastries offered at the shop are sourced from local bakeries.
Artifact also highlights goods from local artists and businesses, offering the perfect excuse to grab a cup of joe and a new piece of art or merch.
Bar Phoebe
A new rooftop bar opened in KC’s East Crossroads district in June. Bar Phoebe sits atop the Holtman building, a century-old property that’s finding new life. It pairs perfectly with Bar Phoebe’s vintage aesthetic.
The menu features Midwest favorites like wings, hotdogs, walking tacos and more, plus a full bar menu. Guests can enjoy skyline views and live music every weekend.
Big Grove Brewery
Big Grove Brewery opened its first location in the Kansas City area in May with room for hundreds of guests to enjoy a brew together.
The 12,000-square-foot brewery and taproom in Prairie Village, Kansas, can seat roughly 700 people, and then there’s the large patio with fire pits, corn hole, TVs and more.
Big Grove features an extensive beer list, plus cocktails, seltzers and non-alcoholic options. As for food, customers will find everything from wings and sandwiches to poke bowls and spring rolls.
Uncle Jim’s Pool Hall
An upscale pool hall is coming to Kansas City’s Westport district this summer.
Uncle Jim’s Pool Hall, which plans to open in July, will have eight pool tables, eight dart boards and space for over 500 guests. Pool and darts will be first come, first served — and free — to play. Uncle Jim’s will start with just a bar menu when it opens but plans to add a food menu in the spring.
The new pool hall will be part of a group of bars known as the Horseshoe. Guests can hop to other bars in the Horseshoe, including Westport Landing and Jungalow, without showing ID again and keep their drink in hand. More concepts for the Horseshoe are in the works.
Cornflower Baked Goods
James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef Megan Garrelts plans to open Cornflower Baked Goods this summer at Mission Farms in Leawood.
Her shop will feature some breads but will primarily focus on pastries and desserts, including pies, cakes and cinnamon rolls. Cornflower will also offer canned wine, cocktails, cold brews and an espresso bar. A few rotating sandwiches will also be on the menu.
Cornflower will be located across the street from Garrelts’ other restaurant concept Rye, which serves Midwestern favorites.
