Popular Small-Plates Dining Spots in Kansas City
Chefs around the city have transformed the way Kansas Citians eat, opting for smaller, more shareable portions that allow diners to sample a wide range of flavors and cultural influences either with friends, family, significant others or all to themselves.
From hip whiskey joints to upscale date-night dining, discover some of the most popular small-plates spots in Kansas City.
Casual Bites
Not every dinner needs to be special to enjoy small plates fare.
- BLVD Tavern: Embedded in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District, BLVD Tavern is a casual hang that offers unique takes on comfort food classics, such as crab cakes and cheese curds.
International Fare
Expand your horizons beyond your comfort zone for delicious, globally inspired dishes.
- La Bodega: This Leawood- and Southwest Boulevard-based Spanish restaurant features a menu full of hot and cold tapas—arguably the most extensive list of small-plates options in the city.
- The Antler Room: Elegant dishes pair Mediterranean and East Asian delicacies with Midwestern roots with amazing results, all complemented by artful cocktails and a warm atmosphere.
- Extra Virgin: Mediterranean offerings shine at Extra Virgin—helmed by James Beard-winning Chef Michael Smith—thanks to a diverse array of options, including cured meats, flavorful cheeses, fresh vegetables and oysters.
- Muni: Head to Delaware Street in the River Market area for a culinary journey, drawing inspiration from non-traditional Thai-Mexican cuisine.
Date Night
Save these spots for romantic dinners out on the town.
- Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room: A sleek setting and smooth live jazz meet wildly creative cuisine in this Crossroads hotspot.
- Freshwater: Daily menu changes with highlights such as whitefish mousse and striped bass crudo emphasize just how fresh the offerings are at this Midtown restaurant.