KC's Healthiest Lunch Spots
Life can get busy – but you don’t have to compromise sticking to your routine. Fuel your body while running the world with Wellness Editor and fellow busy bee Amy McDaniel’s favorite nourishing lunches in Kansas City.
Unbakery & Juicery. Photo by Amy McDaniel
Unbakery & Juicery | 634 East 63rd Street
Monday through Saturday, 7:00am-5:00pm
If you know me (or have even met me – Unbakery should probably be included in my elevator pitch), you know I spend most of my hours at Robin Krause’s creation of Unbakery and Juicery. Filled with natural Vitamin D, friendly faces, and some of the cleanest eats in town, this little spot is my go-to for lunch on the go. Caffeinate with a Matcha Latte with coconut milk and collagen for sustained energy, enjoy a raw, vegan, and paleo-friendly Pad Thai, and grab a spiced Aztec-Chocolate Bliss Ball on your way out – your 3pm back-at-work-self will thank you.
The Russell. Photo by Amy McDaniel
The Russell | 3141 Main Street
Monday through Saturday, 10:00am-3:00pm
A collaboration between chef Amante Domingo and culinary entrepreneur Heather White, The Russell on Main is where Kansas City returns to its rustic roots. Eating cleaner around Kansas City is easier with this spot’s focus on simple ingredients, house-made everything, and a bounty of fresh vegetables in every dish (the salads are the size of your head – and I eat each bite of the Miso Salmon every damn time).
Happy Gillis. Photo by Amy McDaniel
Happy Gillis Café and Hangout | 549 Gillis Street
Tuesday through Saturday 8:00am-3:00pm; Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm
Where do I even begin about Happy Gillis? Their dedication to supporting local, eating seasonally, and ingredient quality makes them one of my favorite breakfast, brunch, and lunch spots in town. I usually go for their avocado toast on freshly baked Ibis bread or a seasonal salad with a half of the (best) BLT (in town).
The Mixx. Photo by Anna Petrow
The Mixx | multiple locations
Plaza: 4855 Main Street; Daily 10:00am-9:00pm
Hawthorne: 11942 Roe; Monday through Saturday 10:00am-8:30pm, Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
Power and Light: 1347 Main Street; Monday through Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm
The Mixx has easily been an on-the-go staple of mine for many years – but things just got even better. Jo Marie, owner and KC culinary queen, recently added specialty menus to cater to Whole 30, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, and Gluten Free eaters. Plus, she eliminated all canola oil in her restaurants back in 2014 in favor of olive, sunflower and sesame oils– a huge deal in the restaurant business. Throw the Whole 30 and Paleo friendly Stone-Ground Mustard, Lemon Mint, or Tarragon Shallot dressings on anything, and I’ll eat it.
Cafe Gratitude. Photo by Amy McDaniel
Café Gratitude 333 Southwest Blvd
Monday-Friday 11 am- 10 pm; open at 10 am on weekends
When I first moved back to Kansas City, I was practicing veganism and living at 20th and Wyandotte in the Crossroads – as you can imagine, Café Gratitude around the corner quickly became like home. One hundred percent plant-based and organic, as well as locally supplied when available, this little spot makes my body and mind feel its absolute best. Plus, their “I Am Vibrant” Matcha Latte introduced me to the loving world of my morning matchas – and for that, I thank them.
Enjoy Pure Food + Drink. Photo by Amy McDaniel
Enjoy Pure Food + Drink | 10573 Mission Road
Monday through Friday, 7:00am-8:00pm; Saturday 8:00am-9:00pm; Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
My favorite part of out-south meetings? The opportunity to stop by Enjoy Pure Food. Nestled in Mission Farms, Enjoy offers clean, plant-rich, and highly-nutritious food and drink to keep you nourished throughout the day. They also try to use organic produce and wild-caught fish as often as possible – an important consideration for me while eating out. My go-to? A Greenzing cold press juice with cucumber, lemon, spinach, swiss chard, fennel, and ginger, and a Great Catch salmon bowl with their paleo citrus-ginger vinaigrette.
EVOLVE. Photo by Anna Petrow
Evolve Paleo | 322 Southwest Blvd
Monday through Friday 7:00am-9:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm; Sunday 10:00am-8:00pm
In a pinch, this spot is the perfect on-the-go lunch companion. Based in Paleo beliefs, Evolve also offers Whole 30, Keto, and other ready-to-grab meal options. The Blackened Chicken Salad with their homemade Paleo Ranch has to be my favorite.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean a prepped meal at your desk – unless you’re into that, some days I am! We’re lucky to have so many local Kansas City restaurants and chefs dedicated to ingredient quality, sustainability, and supporting local – and that’s the stuff that will really nourish you. Happy lunchin’, KC!
