The Crossroads Arts District has had its fair share of history all its own. It’s been the home of the Kansas City Star, KC’s main newspaper. The warehouses of the Crossroads began with single merchant goods that then were traded down at the train yards. Latter used for Hollywood’s film equipment and the post production of movie films; Today the Crossroads are lofts, art galleries, and a wide assortment of dining, drink and entertainment which we have cherry-picked for you.
Dining
Kobe Q – 1531 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Kobe Q is a delectable Korean BBQ restaurant. Popular for their Bim Bim Bap and dry rub chicken wings makes them a popular stop with the locals. The ambiance is charming and chill with relaxed but polite service.
Tannin’s Wine Bar & Kitchen -1526 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64108
There are some truly delicious and high quality dishes coming out of Tannin’s Kitchen. This restaurant is a perfect example of casual luxury. It’s fancy enough for a romantic dinner but still homely enough for the every day regular. Aside from one slightly extra proud bartendar, the service here has always been accommodating and pleasant. Pro-Tip: Table seating is recommended
Pizza Shuttle -1801 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108
Probably one of the most creative pizza places in town. Pizza Shuttle’s menu has eccentric toppings like Cheeseburger or Crab Ragoon pizza. The wings here are what Pizza Hut always wanted to be. This late night spot is sure to satisfy all the midnight cravings.
Mildred’s Food + Drink -1901 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO 64108
If you’re familiar with First Watch, you’d enjoy Mildred’s. It is the local version luncheonette. They have your fancy salads with feta or goat cheese, your veggie burritos and a sandwich selection to appease all your networking lunches. Mildred’s has recently expanded with another location in the downtown area off of 9th and Baltimore.
Lula’s Southern Cookhouse -1617 Main St Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64108
Lula’s came onto the scene and won over several hearts on southern home cooking. Though It is “southern food” not soul food. So order precariously as comparing mac and cheese with your grandma over your shoulder is a lot of pressure. The drinks are excellent and the environment is perfect for a fun dinner date or great family brunch.
Pokesan -1513 Grand Blvd 2nd Floor, Kansas City, MO 64108
Poke bowls! Who doesn’t love a deconstructed sushi bowl? This place is your dive version of a poke restaurant. Pokesan sits on the second floor coming from a slim door and entryway, but the flavors fills more than the house worth. The kimchi is spot on and the build your owns allows. It almost reminds us of a MidWestern local Yoshinoya, but better of course.
Extra Virgin -1900 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108
This restaurant is technically local however Michael Smith is a nationally award winning Chef. His “multiple” Beards award winning restaurants and career shine through his menu here at Extra Virgin. His style for share-ables keeps a great vibrant ambiance and exciting opportunity to try more of the menu with more friends you bring to the table. Of course, every restaurant has it’s off day, and seems Extra Virgin can have one more than occasionally, but when it’s spot on- it on!
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant – 207 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant is the perfect place for gringos to go put on a sombrero and live out their stereotypical, culturally inappropriate dreams. The food is mildly a step above taco bell but the service and ambiance is why people come here. Manny’s has that charm of humble and fun with each visit we have had; Truly kind service. Manny’s has been a staple to KC for almost fifty years and just like the PTA Moms have a place, as does Manny’s beloved Mexican restaurant in KC.
Town Topic -2021 Broadway Blvd & 1900 W Baltimore Ave
Ohhh Town Topic. This burger stand has been here probably longer than Kansas City itself. Before Covid, it had already reach the milestone of being open 24/7/365 for 75+ years. You sure can go in there any time of day and get a good ‘ol greasy breakfast or malt shake, but- The true hoppin’ hours of this place are midnight to four am as this is gonna be where the Crossroads goes to save its liver. The line can circle the parking lot, and some may even consider it a hang spot regardless of the food.
Second and newest location is not 24 hours.
Cafe Gratitude -333 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Cafe Grat is probably one of the most popular vegan restaurants in KC. It’s quite tasty and follows the adage of its name with a menu full of affirmations and a concerned server that just wants to shower you with love and light. It’s most certainly a great version of what it is. Great recommendation for your vegan and crunchy friends. Their ginger hot drink is warm hearth in a cup. CLOSED -2025
Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop -2030 Central St, Kansas City, MO 64108
This shop gives justice to its name. It has a trendy plant-filled atmosphere and big bowls of delicious soups and crispy appetizer’s. The owner’s “yâa”, meaning Grandmother in Thai, -Her traditions are the foundation of their menu. Their mission seems to bring a little bit of Bangkok to the Midwest. It’s a delightful place. We highly recommend the classics like the crab rangoons and and various spring rolls. Popularity bounces between the Coconut Chicken and Shrimp Soup and their pad thais but it seems you really cant go wrong with a bit of Lulu’s. The service is perfect for chatty brunch as it’s non-invasive but polite.
Jackstack FreightHouse – 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO 64108
There are six Jackstack’s throughout areas of KC and outer; plus their machine of a catering company that seems to facilitate projects nationwide as well.
However, Jackstack is different at each location due to their smokers and Pitmasters of said smokers.
Tour Kansas City currently prefers the bark of the Plaza Jackstack. The freight house is large and often runs a bit spotty in the food and mostly service. Every restaurant that begins its chains wants consistency through out them but the freight house is known for a place that you can bring a large group to have a good time. Kudos to places with large spaces. It does take quite an undertaking to run the large ship they are. The freight house also has an extended banquet patio room in addition to its outdoor patios; Quite the floor plan. Great for large family dinners and lively conversations.
Drink
Cafe Corazon -110 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
This coffee shop has a unique blend of family roots coming from Argentina and Mexico and they have created two shops that exemplify that perfectly. This location is the second in the series of this sweet cafe with its delicious bites of food including tamales and empanadas. But of course this place is in the drink category for their savory and sweet coffees and hot beverages. They deliver a supreme version of Yerba Maté as well as hot blends of Horchata. Careful though, both shops, including their Original Westport location stay busy, small and filled with first date couples. Great merch as well if you need a coffee and a set of KC special earrings, mugs or shirts on your way.
Messenger Coffee – 1624 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
This is not a quiet, but a unique coffee shop. Mostly bc it’s not just one but three! Ibis Bakery, the Roasterie and Messenger Coffee came together to form this super cafe. It has the abundance of all three businesses in their partnership as FairWave Holdings. This place stays busy so be ready for a line and plenty of bustle. Though the workspace and ambiance is contemporary and light feel free to pop in on their hum-drum days for a good laid back environment.
Mercury Room Bar -1800 Walnut St Suite 1400, Kansas City, MO 64108
Oh it’s schmancy! The Mercury Room is just that. And before going, without live music, food or any real entertainment, it almost seems unreasonable to charge $20 minimum for a reservation and PER cocktail- to start. But somehow Mercury Room does it. This tiny little upscale bar does have a dress code and you’ll want to abude for the iconic photos you can take with their view. The twinkling lights above and the small cozy space make it easy to fill with laughter and the bar is actually the best seat. The bartendars are absolutely going to dislocate a should shaking up your drink like a Flamenco dancer. All the drinks are of course specialty, come in a unique style whether it be a granite mug or smoking on a slab of marble, you will find justification for all the swagger coming out of Mercury Room. The funny thing is- the most memorable and enjoyed note on our visit was the palate cleanser. More please!
Swordfish Tom’s – 210 West 19th Terrace Kansas City, MO 64108
Enter thru the Alleyway, it’s safe. This speakeasy was just another masterpiece by local bar owner, Jill Cocckson. Her genius talents show up in the sexy and sinfully delicious cocktails. You may need a reservation or expect a wait. A definite must visit for all visitors and locals alike.
KC Wineworks: Closed
Please visit their instagram page for local orders of their Missouri Wines.
Casual Animal Brewing -1725 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Casual Animal is the exact blends of their Denver and California owners. The fresh and cool laid back environment permits dogs, trees and local merchants or musical acts. And you may find any of them indoors here. Their beers have a unique palate that may not be for everyone, but their board games and comfy couches make up for it.
Border Brewing – 512 E 18 St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Border is the boys next doors. Real friendly guys with real friendly beers. This no frills bar has interesting flavors like strawberry blonde ales voted a local favorite. They also have a lima fresca for those corona-esque lovers.
Lifted Spirits– 1734 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Lifted is a an appropriate name. This light and rather sunny distillery has a neighbor and friend disposition in both service and menu. Often playing storybook and seasonal themes, you are bound to find a tasty cocktail here and enjoy the humble patio and ambiance.
City Barrell– 1740 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108
This is way more than a brewery. Holding down it’s place in the brewery world with their wildly popular RADAF Hazy IPA beer, they have focused more on the culinary and restaurant side with high end bar food at this location. Follow their page for their changing business decisions.
Entertainment
RecordBar – 1520 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
This medium size concert venue knows how to pick their talents. They are known for hosting all sorts of music and genres of entertainment. This place doesn’t do anything special for drinks or comfort, but they pick bands that will make it worth the time spent. You’ll always leave feeling great from the Recordbar.
Green Lady Lounge: 1809 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Green Lady Lounge is an unparalleled destination for jazz enthusiasts, offering a truly captivating experience with its moody, red-draped setting and consistently excellent music. While the ambiance and performances are undeniably alluring, it’s worth noting a few practical considerations: seating can be limited during popular hours, so arriving for an early show is advisable. The cocktails are straightforward, typical of a concert venue, and service can be less attentive due to the central bar’s design, which can become crowded during peak times. Regardless, the exceptional music remains the highlight and makes it a worthwhile visit if planned right.
UpDown (Not to be confused with Uptown) -101 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
This 21+ arcade bar is everyone’s favorite patio. This bar is known for it’s stand up arcade games like pac-man, group mario cart, and roller ball games. They even have Killer Queen Bee, a ten person arcade game that creates a great crowd stir when played in it’s full. Killer Queen Bee is one of two in existence. The two patios at Updown are spacious enough for the large crowds and small parties to coexist well, and the giant connect four and jengas are always an alternative. The movie and music combo is typically pop culture or vintage of, and on a good point. The pizzas and walking tacos here are a often satisfying pair with their local selection of beers. Updown fits at the beginning, end or middle of your night across the Crossroads.
Chartreause– 1627 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Another Jill Cocckson creation. This “saloon” themed bar has three coveted pool tables as they are regulation tables with almost immaculate care. The cocktails here are one hundred percent handmade, down to their mixers. And the flavors are memorable in their own. The service is delightful and humble but don’t cross the line bc this bar doesn’t not tolerate any brawling or poor behavior. It’s a classy saloon.
Grinders 417 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
This pizza parlor and bar has grown over the years with its extended dining neighbor, patio and concert space. The clean, grunge-backyard aesthetic is all over their dining rooms, patio and concert space; Less was more but with a beer bottle-caps nostalgia. This jeans and screen t-shirt place is a neighborhood hang by weekday and excellent concert host by weekend.