These exciting new spots are adding even more flavor to our beloved city, so let’s explore what Kansas City has to offer!

Kansas City’s restaurateurs and culinary visionaries have been busy introducing a delicious array of new restaurants, specialty food shops and lounges to the city. Consider the following your latest must-try list — and don’t skip any!

Triune

Breeze through Triune’s non-descript metal door (pro tip: it’s on the south end of the building) and enter an alluring atmosphere that’s equal parts lush, tropical lounge and cozy dining nook accented by comfy seating and a brick wall backdrop.

Triune’s name means the core of three things coming together to act as one. For example? The atmosphere, food and drinks unite to create a mouthwateringly memorable experience. Whether you stop in for brunch, dinner (or both!), you’ll be tempted by inventive takes on well-known global dishes: crabspingoon dip, a fusion of peppers, onion, mascarpone, rosemary breadcrumbs and charred lemon; or Spanish cioppino, made even more flavorful with a combination of tomato broth, sofrito and saffron rice. For brunch? We recommend a coin flip to decide between the French toast bread pudding or the B&G, featuring a savory gravy generously studded with chunks of sausage.

And then? There’s the cocktails, which, like the food menu, combine classics like Triune’s smoked old-fashioned with fresh takes like Miss Piggy’s Revenge, a bacon fat-washed vodka Bloody Mary. Low and no ABV options are available, too, like Feelin’ Spritzy, an NA sparkling rose combined with rosemary syrup and grapefruit. Patio seating is available during warmer months, giving you an incredible view of the downtown Kansas City skyline from Triune’s perch between the Crossroads and Westside neighborhoods.

1656 Washington St., Kansas City | www.TriuneKC.com | Insta: @triune.kc

Osteria Bianchi

Chef Josh Bianchi and Chef Kelly Bianchi brought their extensive culinary experience (most recently in Las Vegas) to their inviting Italian restaurant in Kansas City’s Northland, a homecoming for Chef Kelly, a Kansas City native.

You’ll find no shortage of Old World recipes on the menu at this modern take on a classic Italian neighborhood eatery tucked in a commercial shopping strip near the intersection of Barry and Flintlock roads in Liberty. Carbonara enthusiasts, give Osteria Bianchi’s recipe a try: the allure is in its simplicity, including expertly rendered guanciale that doesn’t chew; it melts. Or put your Nonna’s treasured sugo recipe to the test with meatballs al sugo, made even more indulgent with rich burrata and crispy polenta.

Arrive early so you can make a beeline for the eye-catching bar at the back of the restaurant, just one of many features that make the restaurant feel like a true neighborhood hangout. Chef Kelly oversees the bar and front of house, immediately making you feel welcome as you walk through the door and prepare to feast.

Fun fact? Once you’re finished, your check arrives with two housemade cookies, the perfect late-night snack or breakfast the following morning — preferably with a steaming Italian espresso.

9261 NE 83rd Terrace, Kansas City | www.OsteriaBianchi.com | Insta: @osteriabianchi

Blanc Champagne Bar

You’ve probably heard this advice before, but you shouldn’t save Champagne or sparkling wine just for special occasions. Blanc Champagne Bar’s motto, “where every visit is a celebration,” perfectly represents this YOLO mindset.

Tucked along a vibrant block of Main Street in Kansas City’s Midtown neighborhood (home to the soon-to-open KC Streetcar extension), Blanc Champagne Bar is the vision of Jordin Johnson, a marketing and hospitality pro who found herself enamored with Champagne and sparkling wine after a transformative 2022 trip to Europe.

Blanc’s extensive menu is a bubbles-lover’s dream, featuring a range of varietals, price points and global regions to showcase the incredible breadth and depth of sparkling styles.

The “celebrate the every day” theme extends to the food menu, too, making typically high-end food traditions more accessible. Our favorite: bubbles and a bump, a healthy dollop of Osetra caviar that you can enjoy on a single potato chip or directly on your hand! The caviar comes paired with a glass of Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc Champagne for a complete experience that’s a perfect way to celebrate a birthday, a professional milestone, or simply a day that ends in “y.”

With warmer weather here, don’t miss Blanc’s incredible rooftop patio, the Sun Club, so you can enjoy your bubbly bevs with sweeping city views. Cheers to that!

3835 Main St., Kansas City | www.BlancOnMain.com | Insta: @blancchampagnebar

Oil on Linen

Kansas City culinary enthusiasts will recognize the name behind the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art’s in-museum restaurant, Oil on Linen: Chef Ted Habiger, owner of Room 39 and the brains behind Kansas City’s first farm-to-table restaurant, Cafe Allegro, which closed in 2000.

The Kemper’s previous restaurant, Cafe Sebastienne, cultivated a well-earned reputation under the direction of Chef Jennifer Maloney, who passed away in 2016. Chef Habiger opted to start fresh, combining his shared passions for food and art in an immersive way.

“The menu at Oil on Linen embodies Chef Habiger’s exploration of the aesthetics, influences and origins of each dish,” according to Oil on Linen’s website. “In harmony with the museum’s exhibition calendar, it evolves to create connections to the art on display.

An example? One of Oil on Linen’s first dishes was a quesadilla created in collaboration with a Kemper Museum featured artist, Mexico City-based Lucia Vidales. This version is stuffed with butternut squash puree, huitlacoche and queso Oaxaca.

More recently, the menu has evolved to showcase Stan Douglas’s Metronome. As detailed on the website, “the dishes explore geographic and sonic landscapes, with ingredients chosen as metaphors for movement, memory and connection.” Highlighted ingredients include farro, pickled mushrooms and chermoula, a North African marinade.

TL;DR? The inventive menu at Oil on Linen changes regularly, which means you should put this delightful spot in your regular dining out rotation. Brunch is available Wednesday through Sunday; dinner is currently Thursday only.

4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City | www.Oil-On-Linen.com | Insta: @oilonlinen.km

Mineral Lounge

The brains behind one of Kansas City’s favorite wine bar, Tannin, now have a second concept: a sophisticated yet comfortable cocktail lounge on Broadway within walking distance to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Here, Chef Brian Aaron developed a Spanish-inspired menu enhanced with local and seasonal ingredients. Hemme Brothers quark is drizzled with heartland honey, seasonal fruit compote and toasted Kansas pecans. The Spanish tinned fish is a delicious take on a charcuterie board with caperberries, peppadews, olives and crusty bread. Add an order of heirloom tomato bruschetta for the ultimate snack spread.

Kitchen facilities at Mineral Lounge are limited, which makes the menu more impressive. Our tip? Bring a few friends, order one of everything and pass the dishes around!

Of course Mineral Lounge is going to have an exemplary wine list; here, too, you’ll see Spanish and Greek influences, from refreshing cavas to spicy Greek reds (and wines from Slovenia, Lebanon, France and Italy). The cocktail menu is equally enticing. We recommend starting with the light and bubbly mandarin spritz. Or try the KC Ballet-inspired Gardens of Toledo — EVOO-washed gin, Bordiga extra-dry vermouth, fennel, citrus and green peppercorn. An NA cocktail, the Maserati, is also available.

Given Mineral Lounge’s proximity to the Kauffman Center, this is a great stop before or after a performance. Friday and Saturday hours go until midnight, perfect if you need a late-night snack after the show.

1700 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City | www.MineralKC.com | Insta: @mineralKC

Carne Diem Butcher

Part neighborhood market, part butcher shop and part specialty food store, Carne Diem Butcher is a delicious addition to the Northland’s Briarcliff neighborhood. The butcher counter is fully stocked with local meats like beef, lamb, pork and chicken so you can pick up fresh cuts for your evening meal.

Entertaining? Make a stop at Carne Diem to shop a curated cheese and deli counter for a charcuterie board that will make your guests rave (or you can pre-order an expertly assembled board). Carne Diem stocks wine and spirits, too, so you can pick up all of your entertaining essentials in one spot.

Co-owners and life partners Sarah and Louis have infused every part of Carne Diem with their culinary expertise, including butchery and pastry-making. That’s resulted in a popular takeout food menu that includes a rotating weekly special with staples like hot ham & cheese, cheeseburgers and bacon tender wraps (plus sides like shoestring fries and beer-battered onion rings). Order online at www.CarneDiemButcher.com and pick up on your way home. You’ll never be stuck on dinner ideas again!

4179 N. Mulberry Dr., Kansas City | www.CarneDiemButcher.com | Insta: @carnediembutcher

Songbird

Revel in the magic of expert mixology at Songbird, an intimate cocktail lounge tucked inside Corvino. Just as you expect inventive (and crazy delicious) food at Corvino, you’ll find a similar flavorful appeal on Songbird’s menu.

Cocktails are categorized by the four elements: earth (savory), fire (strong), air (bubbles) and water (NA/low ABV/trace). You’re greeted with a small glass of limoncello to sip as you peruse the selection. Don’t hesitate to ask the bartenders for recommendation and guidance — the range of ingredients might present as mildly intimidating, but the experience at Songbird is anything but.

Try some snacks to go along with your Stardust (Japanese whisky + soda), Satin Doll (Japanese gin, lavender, French blanc aperitif) or Golden Hour (suze, molasses, pomegranate, bubbles). Again, you can be adventurous (chicken-fried snails!) or go with something more familiar, like Corvino’s renowned burger or an order of deviled eggs served with spicy miso and pickled vegetables.

Pro tip? Songbird is small, so it’s not the best place for a large group outing. Instead, consider this cocktail hideaway the perfect spot for date night or catching up with a beloved friend. We’ll always be your plus one, by the way!

1830 Walnut, Kansas City | www.Corvino.com | Insta: @songbird.kc

Urban Restaurant

Isn’t it cool to see hometown multi-location culinary brands grow? RJ Culinary Group is a prime example, adding Urban Restaurant on Armour & Troost to a line-up that includes Urban Food Truck and Urban Cafe.

What’s remarkable about Urban — besides their menu, of course! — is their hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch — you can get it all in one place.

The sizable menu is packed with enticing updates on classic favorites: brown butter pancakes served with Webb City bacon, duck fat potatoes, shrimp and grits, oxtail bahn mi, sticky duck wings … we could keep going!

And then, there’s the cocktails, including bottomless mimosas at brunch (orange juice only), cold brew martinis (and a cold brew old-fashioned!), smoked Manhattans, Tokyo tequilas and so much more, plus draft beer and a short but thoughtful wine list.

So … who’s going to be the first person to post up at Urban Restaurant all day for a dining-out marathon? We want details!

3420 Troost Ave., Kansas City | www.UrbanOnTroost.com | Insta: @urbankansascity

The Wise Guy

Sure, there’s no shortage of Italian restaurants in and around Kansas City — but there’s always room for more, especially The Wise Guy, launched by Rockhill Restaurant Group co-owners Zach Marten and Bret Springs.

The self-described “Italian joint” is located inside the historic Rieger Hotel building, adding a gravitas to the Wise Guy’s casual, tavern-style atmosphere. You can easily imagine The Wise Guy on a bustling Brooklyn or Greenwich Village street, but it fits just as perfectly in the Crossroads.

Sure, you can go for a classic Italian entree like spaghetti and meatballs or four cheese ravioli, but the star at Wise Guy is the pizza. You may have already tried the pizza; Wise Guy started as a carryout window next to Rockhill Grille. An addictive crust that’s perfect parts chewy to crispy is piled high with toppings like prosciutto and mozzarella, sausage and giardiniera or the restaurant’s namesake, a blend of pepperoni, Italian sausage, meatball, Canadian bacon and bacon. You can also build your own pizza; and, during happy hour (2–6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday), all house pizzas are $15, a savings of $5 to $10 (or, in restaurant math, an extra drink!)

Speaking of, The Wise Guy has a drink menu befitting an Italian tavern, complete with cocktails, wine, beer and Italian cream sodas. Their espresso martini is said to be one of the best in the city; or try an Italian classic, the Aperol spritz (perfect for warmer weather).

1924 Main St., Kansas City | www.TheWiseGuyKC.com

Acosta’s Taqueria

Is there a better place in Kansas City for a taqueria than Southwest Boulevard? OK, yes, a few, but still — Southwest Boulevard is a taco lover’s must-see! And family-owned Acosta’s Taqueria has already been racking up fans who love the generous portions, the no-frills atmosphere and the affordable prices.

Among the menu highlights? Definitely the birria tacos and quesadillas, which are having a moment in Kansas City (and we’re just fine with that). An array of tacos — asada, pastor, pollo, chorizo and more — are priced at $2.50 each, so you can build the taco platter of your dreams.

The menu might be as stuffed as one of Acosta’s Taqueria’s generously sized burritos, including authentic favorites like tortas, machetes, sopas and huaraches, plus fajitas, nachos and a brilliant fusion: birria pizza. Wash down your meal with an icy margarita and you’ll be fueled for whatever adventures await!

906 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City | http://AcostasTaqueriaMO.com | Insta: @acostas_taqueriakcmo

Hank’s Garage and Grill

Downtown Shawnee continues to emerge as a culinary and cocktail hotspot. The newest addition is Hank’s Garage and Grill, the brainchild of Mike Flanagan, owner of Crossroads hot spots King G and Jim’s Alley Bar.

Occupying a former auto shop (hence the name), Hank’s serves up approachable dishes like Chicago-style hot dogs, shrimp po’boys and fettucine alfredo. The bar menu is equally low-key: canned and bottled beers, seltzers and a craft cocktail menu that includes Micheladas and mojitos.

The vibe at Hank’s is casual like its menu — the kind of place you want to settle in and stay awhile. The restaurant’s patio just got a greenspace addition so you can spend an afternoon playing yard games and drinking frosty beverages. Plus, you’re just a short stroll away from popular downtown Shawnee destinations like Wild Child, Friction Brewing, Drastic Measures and Gilda’s, a tapas bar slated to open later this year. Sounds like a downtown Shawnee bar and restaurant crawl is in order!

5801 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, Kan. | Insta: @hanksshawnee

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