The City Market has gone through so many phases of Kansas City history. It was considered the first main port on the Missouri River and at one point even one of KC’s Downtowns. It has its fair share history with the both a bit of Italian and Irish trouble makers including Kansas City Mafia and their River Quay Era. Columbus Park just east of the City Market will still hold the painted colors of our history on their walls. And that’s only the second chapter of iconic history in the City Market with the Steamboat Arabia Museum boasting the origins of the area with the largest pre-civil war collection to date. Now the CM Area is a buzzing Farmer’s Market that fills its lots on the weekend with products from all over the Midwestern region.
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Shop – 412 Delaware St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Betty Rae’s claim to fame is their fresh in-house made ice cream with flavor varieties from the classic Strawberry to the Burndt Ends and Baked Beans Ice Cream. Are you surprised? Kansas City will fit in bbq anywhere. With a line out the door on a regular basis, Betty Rae’s keeps up with the sweet treat date night ambiance. Though if you have the time to drive across town, you can find the originator of Betty Rae’s flavors with their Ice Cream Maker’s own spot, High Hopes Ice Cream on Troost.
Bloom Bakery – in the City Market
This farm fresh bakery lives in the horse shoe of the City Market and wafts the smell of fresh bread out into the streets daily! They take their open kitchen view to an entertaining level with their twisting of french loaves right in front of you, or the glow of the display case filled with sweet and savory pastries. Their consignment of farm fresh jams Bloom Bakery carries merits a display case of its own. This is a carb-lovers little oasis.
City Diner – 301 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
The City Diner is as classic as a breakfast American diner can get. Down to the mediocre food and service; It is part of the aesthetic. It absolutely fits the bill for a post SuperBowl Parade Breakfast. Perfect for a hangover breakfast!
Enzo -20 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
This fusion of Mediterranean and Italian sits on the entry gate of the City Market with a hip patio and cocktail menu to match. The portions are well-plated and balanced and with their seasonal updates to their menu maintaining a refreshing experience. Enzo’s upscale casual is fitting for a Saturday brunch or dinner. The service is a 50/50 hit or miss.
Ca Phe – 916 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
This charming Asian American coffee shop is excellent in all facets. Ca Phe is a small space in Columbus Park with artisanal coffee drinks and locally made food options. Their vibe is artistic and comfortable and with all their healthy alternative coffee options like mushroom coffee and matcha. Ca Phe keeps it hip and hot like a good cup of coffee!
Garuzzo’s – 526 Harrison St, Kansas City, MO 64106
This Italian joint is like being a real part of the Italian family. The service is a bit grumpy like a grandmother that has slaved over lasagna all day for you. The food itself is a bit heavy on the olive oil and Sysco breads but the ambiance delivers such a nostalgia of Little Italy that bringing the family in still serves a classic Parmesano-sprinkled good time.
Harry’s Country Club – 112 E Missouri Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106
Harry’s is Kansas City’s bar for bartenders; a locale that lends itself to the service industry itself with it’s proper drinks and delicious kitchen keeps it fan favorite for locals on both sides of the bar. They have an extensive shelf of whiskeys, bourbons and many other spirits to keep you hanging around into the wee late hours. Harry’s kitchen often open till ten or eleven is always a hit. They have a consistent quality that comes out hot and fresh, from their Salmon dinner to the American classic mac and cheese and more. Harry’s is always a hit with it proper flavors and always grounded great service.
Blue Line Hockey Bar– 529 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106
The last relic of Kansas City Hockey! BlueLine Hockey bar is the ultimate sports dive. The owners Steve and Letty carry a long standing tradition of sports fandom and savory appropriately a cut above bar food to pair with the long line of taps and cocktails. The BlueLine is a three am bar with a hodge-podge of customers and characters you will find pouring onto the sidewalk vibrant with laughter, life and inebriation. Try their Penalty box street tacos, often featured on TKC’s Tacos n’ Margarita’s Tour.
RiverBluff Brewing -201 Main St Ste 101, Kansas City, MO 64105
River Bluff is a friendly brewery appropriately named as it’s second location sits just across the parking lot from the Town of Kansas Bridge and the lovelock port. RiverBluff has already won two national awards and has a consistent reputation of having an excellent selection of interesting yet like-able beers. The service is always down to earth and neighborly. The large taproom has long-table seating and and a contemporary clean space to watch the games on their various large-screen tv’s, in case you decide not trek the hill down to the CPKC Current Stadium. Riverbluff’s original locale is active in a town just North of KC named St. Joseph.
Caldwell Burgers -Located inside RiverBluff Brewing
Closed as of March 2025.
Farmhouse -300 Delaware St, Kansas City, MO 64105
This farm to market favorite brings the grounded aspect of homegrown food to the breakfast and brunch table. Farmhouse chefs takes creative spins on brunch classics like their house-made bloody with a beer and bacon option, their Palmberg omelette or their Cowboy Butter Ribeye. Farmhouse is exactly what it sounds like. A farmhouse in the city. The cityscape and wood ambiance combine well for a sassy and savory brunch. Like many good packages, this small place absolutely is better planned with a reservation. The service is slightly callous but passable if you’re not asking for warm and fuzzy; Could be considered ” too trendy attitude”.
Pho Ngyuen -500 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
Pho Ngyuen is an understated spot in the City Market holding a great set of Pho and Vietnamese cuisine. The service is quiet and not extended at all, providing just the bare minimum for “good service” however, the broth of the pho and very textbook crab ragoons make up for it. A great lunch spot for that lighter and a guilt-free meal.
Opera House -500 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106
The Opera House! Whether you’re in store for coffee, a pastry, lunch, a drink, or dinner, you will find it at Opera House. It IS the one stop shop for food and drinks. This jack of all trades sits on the corner greeting the City Market Entry Gate and it’s best trait might be the smoothies. It’s fresh. Every thing else is your everyday nothing incredible but nothing bad either. Just a good food and drink emporium and it’s full name holds. Occasionally hosting shows on its grand stage, the red carpet curtain holds the stage most days, and with the wood benches and booths complimenting the beautiful crown molding interior, it’s a perfect work-lunch or friend date spot.
Wolfepack BBQ -910 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Wolfepack BBQ is a young barbecue joint in barbecue years, but this new kid made impressive flavors from it’s infancy as a pop-up kitchen just North on the Nine in Callsign Brewery. After graduating from a food truck, Wolfepack now located in Columbus Park, has begun the seasoning on their new store front open to the public; Already growingly a local and TKC BBQ favorite.
Anthony’s Italian Restaurant and Lounge -701 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
Anthony’s, though nestled in the corner of downtown, overlooks the adjacent City Market. Walking into Anthony’s feels like walking into a mild scene of the Soprano’s. The host often fits the stereotype of a strong-willed, large man in a suit, wearing enough jewelry and rings to know a right-hook would hurt. The friendly mobster feel lets you forgive the 70’s modest ambiance. The food itself is delicious and the service is on point and enjoyable but not invasive. Priced at what you expected for a superior Italian KC experience and well worth it.