KC is all about local.
Kansas City may be bang for its 200 - plus fountain , barbecue , and malarkey , but there is so much more to research on a trip to Missouri ’s largest urban center . Here you ’ll discover a buzzing biotic community of homegrown chefs , local Creator , and down - to - earth Midwesterners that make the metropolis what it is .
KC is all about local . It ’s the heartbeat that nourish the city — and ultimately , what you will want to come back for . Whether it ’s picking up a lip unguent made with locally - source dearest , tasting six KC food for thought offering in one spot at a three - story food hall , or doing a DIY mural tour of some of the metropolis ’s street artists , this is how you do the Midwest right .
Satisfy your barbecue cravings at Chef J BBQ
Every week , Kansas Citians mountain from near and far to experience the magic ofChef J BBQ , located inside haunted sign The Beast ( yes , really ) in Kansas City ’s historic West Bottoms dominion . While relatively new to the view ( it open up in early 2020 ) , it ’s one of Kansas City ’s most blab out - about barbecue joints , offering Texas - style ’ discriminative stimulus . The medley of sauce also contrast Kansas City ’s cherubic , molasses - based portmanteau word : make indisputable you try the South Carolina - stylus icteric Indian mustard and North Carolina - style acetum - based sauces . On the weekend , lines form an hour prior to scuttle and for good grounds — Chef J , aka Justin Easterwood , is all about barbeque done right : uncomplicated rubs and meats falsify over real hickory wood , hand - slice to order . While you may find cult classics like brisket , draw porc , and rib , farsighted - time supporter always take reward of Chef J ’s unequaled offerings including star sign - made sausages , sandwiches , and surprisingly , desserts .
Support hyper-local brands at Shop Local KC
Shop Local KCis a brick - and - mortar that evolved from the Strawberry Swing , an indie craft fair founded by Katie Mabry van Dieren in 2011 . Its tagline , “ Keepin it 100 % KC , ” in effect explain this hub for all things local — it draw a bead on to promote rest home - develop brands while also drawing sentience to the often overlook Midtown Kansas City . Visitors of the shop and itsonline marketplacecan find out a chip of everything from Messner Bee Farm lip balm made with local beeswax and honey toDuplika jewelrycrafted with real preserved botanicals .
Explore six locally-grown eateries under one roof at Parlor
If you lie with to be presented with options , head to this three - level chef collective found in the heart of Kansas City ’s Crossroads Arts District . Parloris an eclectic mix of Kansas City ’s diverse culinary endowment featuring everything from American to Korean cuisine , all made by local chefs . Grab a deglutition at one of its two bars and train yourself for a gastronomic dream . Its longest - standing concepts , Mother Clucker — serving up Nashville hot chicken — and Sura Eats — serve Korean comfort intellectual nourishment — are trusted to please any roof of the mouth .
Imbibe at J. Rieger & Co. Distillery’s adult playground
J. Rieger & Co.has been a menage name in Kansas City since the 1880s . With its new manufacture still — make whisky , gin , vodka , and even amaro — visitors and Kansas Citians alike can be wowed by tasty libation , good fourth dimension , and a custom - engineered 40 - foot slide . The grand 60,000 - square - foot adult playland located in the East Bottoms also admit three unique food and beverage concepts . Its most sought - after blank , Electric Park Garden Bar , sport an opened - air patio and an adjoining atrium that serves as an extension of the distillery ’s tasting room . Soak up the sun while you banquet on its “ Electric fries ” and classic concessions like a smash-up burger or pulled pork sandwich . Pair with the Rambler , Electric Park Garden ’s version of a nose candy cone cell , which is a combination of the J. Rieger & Co. spirit of your option , juice from a medley of Chuck Berry , and a gamboge genial . If you have time for a history lesson , be certain to peruse its 3,000 - straightforward - foot exhibit recounting the mark it has made in Kansas City .
Fuel your trip with Cafe Cà Phȇ
Kansas City ’s first ( and only ) Vietnamese coffee workshop promptly clear notoriety after hit the streets in a vivacious , dragon - paint truck . While its founder , Jackie Nguyen , is not a KC native , she won the affectionateness of the Mass with her love for the city and unequalled java . Her imaginative coffee drinks like the Hella Good Latte made with ube , and Dragon Latte , which incorporates matcha , put a novel twirl on classic Vietnamese nip . In summation to its standout burnt umber , Cafe Cà Phȇhas become a ethnical centerpiece in Kansas City seen at the forefront of events , festival , and heathenish celebrations . This mobile operation will soon be taking solution in Columbus Park , with a brick - and - trench mortar fix set to open up later this springtime or summer .
Discover your new favorite Black-owned products at The Black Pantry
Buying Black has become a lot easier thanks to Brian Roberts , owner ofThe Black Pantry — Kansas City ’s first name and address for all things Black - owned . His commission is to elevate mordant part and he does so by cautiously curating local and internal - possess Black brand . Whether you ’re see for a new best-loved spicy sauce or a hired man - poured candle , odds are Roberts has just the thing for you . regain The Black Pantry in Kansas City ’s Martini Corner inside a shared space with Made in Kansas City , another shopping destination for all things local .
Dance the night away at Nighthawk
If you want to bust a move , there ’s no secure billet to go thanNighthawk . There are no reservation required , cover boot , or primp codification . Simply come as you are to this basement cake located beneath the ballroom of the historic Hotel Kansas City , which sport DJs and alive music across various genres from salsa to western fusion ( plus a consortium table ) . Once you break a sudor , swinging by the cake to sip on their housemade carbonated water known as “ Night Claws ” and munch on their dim-witted menu of cake snacks , basket , and our personal favorite , fancy crustal plate — elevate dishes like baked ziti and chile ribs that are available as day-to-day special from 7 - 10 necropsy .
Savor the flavors of Northern Thai cuisine at Waldo Thai
While Kansas City is well - known for its barbecue , we are home to global flavors , too , including hometown favoriteWaldo Thai . This local staple led by Pam Liberda , a indigen of Northern Thailand , feature unquestionable dishes from her puerility spent cooking alongside her female parent . lease us underscore the authenticity : dish names are heel in Thai and there are no substitutions countenance , providing patrons the chance to fully see the repast as intended . see ordering a few dish from the “ Lanna Cuisine ” section and enjoying them family - style for an authentic Northern Thai dinner . It may be severe to choose with six delicious options , but theThum Kanoon , a flavorful shredded jackfruit , andGaeng Hung Lei , a tender , rich pork paunch curry , are both sure to please .
The cherry on top ? An exceptional bar program led by Darrel Loo , who require inspiration from Liberda ’s culinary fare to make unique and enticing cocktails . Sip on the Mekong River for something familiar but mysterious : it ’s made with pandan and cucumber infused vodka , gingerroot , galangal , birdlime and soda urine .
Wind down with jazz at Green Lady Lounge
No visit to Kansas City is consummate without barbecue — and jazz . The writing style ’s birthplace may be in New Orleans , but KC served as one of the critical cradles for its ontogenesis . While there are several terminus to get your malarky fix , including Mutual Musicians Foundation and The Phoenix , theGreen Lady Loungeis a pleasant surprisal . As you introduce through the unassuming exterior , you ’ll be delighted to determine a dimly lit , relax standard pressure . It ’s almost as if fourth dimension has stand still in this windowless locus and your only vocation is to enjoy in lively jazz euphony . And it ’s not just any live music , either — all melodic phrase at The Green Lady Lounge are original composition of local Kansas City player . The couch is also open until 3 am , seven days a week , which make it an ideal point for a nightcap .
Sit back and sip at Drastic Measures
Drastic Measureshas involve Kansas City ’s cocktail prospect to new heights , the name an ode to their inventive creations plus a exact and meticulous approach . The mixology organise , Jay Sanders and Jill Cockson ( the latter a James Beard Award nominee ) , have ushered in a new geezerhood of libation in this modern , reimagined legal community . In true speakeasy fashion , the business district Shawnee cocktail sofa is marked by a door doorknocker that ’ll grant you entering if the lobby lighter is immature ( mean welcoming more guest ) . Visitors take note , there ’s no wine or beer on the menu , simply expertly craft cocktail impressive in both flavor and demonstration ( we further you to swan on the ’ gram ) , all made with premium spirits .
Browse Kansas City’s art scene on a DIY mural tour
Kansas City is adorned with an eclectic mixture ofmurals . To research the study of local creatives all you have to do is hop in your railcar , pay attention , and organise to be wowed by display both big and small . Artists of all backgrounds have bless Kansas City with everything from creations boast our metropolis ’s pridefulness to art as societal comment — numbering in thehundreds . Here are seven standouts to help kickstart your self - manoeuvre tour :
Courtesy of Visit KC
Courtesy of Visit KC
Courtesy of Visit KC
Courtesy of Visit KC
Courtesy of Visit KC
Courtesy of Visit KC
Courtesy of Visit KC
