Located in the center of a metro area, the University of Missouri-Kansas City is unique in that it is not just an urban university, but that it also borders another state. The closest drive to our border state is a brief 10 minutes from our campus, located in Kansas City, Missouri, to enter Westwood, Kansas.
Kansas City is a metropolitan area featuring a population of around 2.25 million people across 14 counties–only separated by state lines, counties, and different zip codes. This puts all kind of cuisine and experiences at student’s fingertips.
One thing that will always ring true about Kansas City is that local businesses will be highlighted and celebrated—even at large, major events. We are seeing it now, during the World Cup, of which Kansas City has the honor of hosting 6 games. At the FIFA fan festival, located at the National World War I Museum & Memorial lawn, many local businesses—like Mocha Point Coffee, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, 1889 Pizza Napoletana, Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue, Taco Naco (just to name a few) and more—are vendors to the thousands in attendance at this major event June through July.
We even see it in our new international airport, opened in 2023, which features local restaurants and businesses like Meat Mitch and Messenger Coffee, alongside airport chain classics like Auntie Annes and Dunkin’.
Clearly, local business is a backbone in the sense of community throughout Kansas City, and we hope our students will seek out and try things unique to the Midwest and this area while they study here.
In an attempt to help them do so, we talked to our faculty and staff and compiled an extensive list of their favorite local places throughout the metro area. For places located on the Missouri side, see the 816 list. For places to visit on the Kansas side, see the 913 list. Regardless of the state you choose, nothing is more than a half an hour drive from campus (usually 20-25 minutes at most).
While this list features primarily food and treats, there is no lack of events, activities, exhibits, shows, sporting events, concerts, etc. happening across the city.
Make sure to click-on the list below to view the drop-down.
Most of these recommendations are accessible via the street car from campus or walking:
- André’s Confiserie Suisse
- Aixois (classic French bistro featuring pastries and full menu)
- Baramee Thai Bistro
- Betty Rae’s Ice Cream (multiple locations)
- Café Corazón (Latin American coffee and teas)
- multiple locations
- Carmen’s Cafe in Brookside (Italian)
- City Diner on Grand Blvd. (Classic American fare)
- Cupini’s in Westport (Italian)
- Eggtc. on Main St. (Breakfast)
- Flavor of Himalaya in Raytown (Indian cuisine)
- Friends Sushi & Bento Place on 39th St.
- Front Range Cafe (open-late coffee and drinks)
- next to Rainy Day Books in Fairway
- also a Brookside location
- Kobi Q (Korean-rooted menu)
- LaMars donuts (multiple locations)
- Nguyen Pho & Grill (River/City Market)
- Paris Banh Mi KC (for Vietnamese and bubble tea)
- Sayachi Sushi
- Vietnam Cafe (River Market)
- 1888 Coffee House
- On campus: Robot Cafe at the Miller-Nichols Library
Places to go:
- American Jazz Museum
- Crown Center (shopping, dining)
- Hallmark Visitors Center
- Kauffman Gardens (tranquil gardens)
- Kansas City Indian Center (hosts once-a-month culture nights)
- Nelson Atkins/Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (many events and classes throughout the year, admission is free to the Nelson museum)
- See our blog post on our visit to the museum!
- Prospero’s Books on 39th St. (a “vintage, cozy vibe”)
- Rainy Day Books
- River Market
- Highly recommend River Market Antiques!
- Union Station (features a planetarium, children’s interactive science museum, slime experience, shopping and dining)
- 1981 K-Chicken
- Black Dog Coffeehouse
- Cafe Vie (Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean food in one place)
- Campesino Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Carnicería y Tortillería San Antonio (Mexican grocery store with a food menu)
- Chosun Korean BBQ (two locations)
- El Camino Real (Mexican food, multiple locations)
- El Pollo Rey (No-frills wood-fired whole & half chickens)
- El Pulgarcito (Casual Salvadoran fare)
- Foggi Ice Cream
- Gocha in Mission (Bubble tea)
- Grounded Sole (Non-profit coffee shop)
- Hana’s Donuts
- Joe’s BBQ (Renowned and relaxed BBQ pit stop)
- K-Street Hot Dog (Korean-style corn dogs and deep-fried staples)
- KPot Korean BBQ and Hot Pot
- Las Palmas Restaurant (Central American & Mexican dishes)
- Leafy Korean Dessert Cafe in Overland Park (Serves bingsu and coffee/drinks)
- also has a photobooth!
- Los Morales Bakery (Cake shop and pastries/fresh breads)
- McLain’s (Bakery, cafe)
- Mocha Point Coffee (Yemeni coffee shop; open late)
- Outta the Blue Cafe
- Palancana (Ice cream shop with revered popsicles and desserts)
- Strang Hall in Overland Park (Industrial-chic food court)
- Sushi Karma
- Sushi UNI
- Urban Prairie Coffee
- Next door at Mission: Board Games you can play all kinds of board-games!
- Windmill KC (cafe)
Places to go:
- Cardboard Corner Cafe (Board-games cafe)
- Ceramic Cafe (ceramics painting)
- Creative Culture KC (DIY craft studio featuring milkshakes)
- Also has a Westport location!
- Monarch Books
- Monstera’s Books
- Museum at Prairiefire
- Overland Park Farmer’s Market, Lenexa Farmer’s Market
- Overland Park Arboretum
- Seven Stories (bookstore)
- The Book Club (bookstore)
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