Drinking Coffee in Kansas City: Main Street Coffee House
We’ve revived the series that helped launch Explore–
we take our coffee seriously, over here!
Photos by Meredith Schneider
Main Street Coffee House is just off the main drag in historic Independence Square, in an unassuming, quaint, narrow storefront. After finding the last street parking spot on the block, I hopped over to grab my coffee.
There is a cute little sidewalk dining area set up, a hopeful sign as we head into our twelfth false spring of the year. The neon sign out front confirmed the shop was open for me, as did a small crowd gathered just inside.
I arrived just after 9:30, so I am sure people who work in the area were grabbing their morning cup within the first hour of work. As I thought, the shop cleared out pretty quickly from early diners and businesspeople, but a small crowd of older diners hung around chatting while I settled in to work on my laptop. It made for the a peaceful setting to post up for a bit!
As you walk in the door, you notice a host of greenery along the wall to your right. The plants almost look like they are growing out of the exposed brick wall. A multitude of living plants in a coffee shop is an incredibly inviting environment for diners!
Music plays from the speakers, but quietly enough that you don’t find yourself distracted by it. I couldn’t even truly make out what was playing the day I stopped by– aka, the perfect reading/working ambiance.
Main Street Coffee House sells a few items, including coffee mugs with cute little sayings on them, tins of tea, kettles, and other wares. Quartz + Pearl, a local apothecary, sells their products there, too. Items for sale are proudly displayed on a bookshelf across from the ordering counter. Rustic light up “coffee” signs and small trinkets are placed throughout to remind you that coffee is at the core of this community.
The walls are neutral colors, a great backdrop for the giant canvas prints of lattes that line two walls. On the back wall are two large framed chalkboards, displaying the brands of coffee and tea they carry, social media information, some fun facts, and the wi-fi password.
There are several low tables and high tops set up, so the space is perfect for dining together, studying, or working.
The traditional chalkboard menu is really beautifully crafted and legible, which isn’t always the case– much appreciated! The seasonal flavors are displayed on their own decorative board to the right of the main menu. They highlight “Cold Coffee,” “Non Coffee,” “Hot Coffee,” and “Espresso” beverages otherwise, and sell an array of bagels, muffins, and other breakfast pastries.
Their warm food menu is small, but mighty. While I’ve heard they rotate their offerings a bit, Main Street Coffee House is currently offering a breakfast sausage muffin, pesto grilled cheese, and classic grilled cheese.
I opted in for the seasonal “Sweet Treat” drink, a raspberry, pistachio, and brown butter latte. Since it was the first sixty degree day in a hot (frozen) minute, I opted for an iced version, and it was the perfect complement to the day. The raspberry is spectacular and sweet, but the aftertaste is a bit more bitter. Pistachio is heavily featured in their spring menu, and definitely worth a taste. I might try it hot next time I stop in.
There may have been something in the air the day that I visited — though I’m sure we owe it to the sun coming out — but the open front door made the space feel inviting. The entire coffee shop had a moment of problem-solving together to find out who owned one of the cars outside, and it really did remind me that you can find moments of community when you leave your house. Small town vibes with big city quality coffee– a gem on the square!
