By Jenny Vergara
As local chefs have let us into their world by constructing open kitchens, food-lovers are looking to book the culinary equivalent of “dinner-and-a-show” with front row kitchen seats at the coveted chef’s table or chef’s counter, which many local restaurants in Kansas City now offer.
Whether you are looking to enjoy a multi-course, prix fixe, fine-dining feast or have a more casual conversation with a chef as she or he makes your dinner, consider snagging a seat at any of these local Kansas City chef table experiences.
Jarocho South
Image via Facebook.com/jarochosouth
Owner and Executive Chef Carlos Falcon’s second seafood-driven restaurant, Jarocho South, allowed for a shiny new chef’s counter with 10 seats situated right in front of his busy kitchen. It is the perfect location for you to book an chef’s choice dining experience with this talented, chef originally hailing from Veracruz, Mexico. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance with drink pairings available upon request.
Rye
Although the entire dining room could be considered a chef’s table experience, Chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts have a built-in chef’s counter at Rye. Room for six at the gorgeous copper bar grants you a set, four-course menu of the chef’s choosing, starting with appetizers and a cocktail demonstration. Due to limited space and popular appeal, the experience needs to be booked in advance.
Table Ocho
Image via Facebook.com/tableocho.kc
Craig Adcock and his wife, Teresa, owners of Table Ocho, have transformed their commercial kitchen—which makes Jude Rum Cakes by day—into a group dining experience at night. Table Ocho is about serving quality cuisine with excellent wine to no more than eight people at a time. With various dinner themes to choose from, guests simply purchase seats online (sold first come, first served) to enjoy the five-course dinners. Diners can purchase wine bottles from the restaurant’s unique wine list or bring their own wine for an additional corkage fee.
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room

Chef Michael and Christina Corvino’s sultry new Supper Club in the Crossroads Arts District has proved a fantastic space for the couple, drawing crowds interested in their delicious and affordable shared plate menu and live music. However, it is the private 18-seat Tasting Room that is their true showcase. The intimate space is separated from the Supper Club, but enjoys full views of the open kitchen where Corvino and his team plate each dish right in front of diners. Sommelier Ross Jackson chooses interesting drink pairings, or you may select from their curated wine list. Plan on a 2.5-hour experience when dining in The Tasting Room.
Brewery Emperial

Brewery Emperial is a 65-seat brewery and restaurant that offers a rotating selection of six beers from master brewer Keith Thompson. Meanwhile, Chef Ted Habiger in turn offers a tasty menu from the kitchen, which touts a custom-built, wood-fired grill and a handsome chef’s tasting bar where you can sit and watch the kitchen in action. Order any of the grilled menu items and watch as the kitchen tames the flames for meals such as the grilled Caesar salad or the popular wood-fired half chicken served on a board with tortillas, limes and salsa.
The Ship
Photo Credit: Chris Mullins
In 2017, Bob Asher and Josh Mobley, co-captains of the groovy nautical themed bar called The Ship, set sail on their voyage into the world of food service. The popular West Bottoms bar features a brand-new galley kitchen and chef’s counter located at the front, facing Union Avenue, so guests can now enter through the front door and enjoy lunch or dinner. Meet the captain of the kitchen: friend, local musician and chef Ernie Locke. The menu is tasty and casual, but it is the personal touch of chatting with the chef and other guests will keep you coming back.
Raytown Live
Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Outdoor Concert Series
City of Lenexa, Kansas
Outdoor Concert Series
City of Lenexa, Kansas
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Wade Bowen
Kansas City Power & Light District
Downtown Days
Downtown Lee's Summit
Big Slick Celebrity Weekend
Children's Mercy
Downtown Days
Downtown Lee's Summit
Big Slick Celebrity Weekend
Children's Mercy
Downtown Days
Downtown Lee's Summit
Outdoor Concert Series
City of Lenexa, Kansas
Luke Combs World Tour
Arrowhead Events
Raytown Live
Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Outdoor Concert Series
City of Lenexa, Kansas
Kauffman Center Presents Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kauffman Center Presents Nickel Creek with Special Guest Gaby Moreno
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kauffman Center Presents Pat Metheny: Side-Eye
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Priscilla Block
Kansas City Power & Light District
Phase Fest 2023
Visit Kansas City Kansas
Phase Fest
Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Club
Boulevardia
Crown Center
Tacos and Tequila 2023
Visit Kansas City Kansas
Tacos & Tequila Festival
Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Club
Boulevardia
Crown Center
Outdoor Concert Series
City of Lenexa, Kansas
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The Wounded World: W.E.B. Du Bois & WWI
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Tyler Hubbard
Kansas City Power & Light District
June Fourth Friday Art Walk
Downtown Lee's Summit
Aaron Watson at PBR Big Sky
PBR Big Sky Bar
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Taps at the Tower 2023
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Jammin on the Green: Betse and Clarke String Band
Shawnee Town 1929
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Hailey Whitters
Kansas City Power & Light District
Cooper Alan at PBR Big Sky
PBR Big Sky Bar
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Randy Rogers Band
Kansas City Power & Light District
Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Night 1
Arrowhead Events
WeekEnder 2022
Crown Center
Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Night 2
Arrowhead Events
Raytown Live
Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Kip Moore
Kansas City Power & Light District
WeekEnder 2022
Crown Center
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
Kansas City Power & Light District
Kauffman Center Presents Dave Koz & Friends: Summer Horns
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Granger Smith
Kansas City Power & Light District
WeekEnder 2022
Crown Center
Jammin on the Green: Grand Marquis
Shawnee Town 1929
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Brothers Osborne
Kansas City Power & Light District
July Fourth Friday Art Walk
Downtown Lee's Summit
WeekEnder 2022
Crown Center
Michael Franti & Superhead
Kansas City Power & Light District
Ed Sheeran Tour
Arrowhead Events
Innovation Festival
Crown Center
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Justin Moore
Kansas City Power & Light District
Raytown Live
Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Dylan Scott
Kansas City Power & Light District
Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks
Arrowhead Events
Jammin on the Green: AnnaLee and the Lucky So and Sos
Shawnee Town 1929
August Fourth Friday Art Walk
Downtown Lee's Summit
Kansas City Irish Fest
Crown Center
Kansas City Irish Fest
Crown Center
Kansas City Irish Fest
Crown Center
Raytown Live
Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
Jammin’ on the Green: Hot Club KC
Shawnee Town 1929