Eat & Drink

Need a night out? Here are 10 romantic restaurants for date night in Kansas City

Stories by Kansas City Star team, with AI summarization

September 25, 2024 11:08 AM

The Grünauer family opened Grünauer in the Freight House in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District in 2010 after years of operating a restaurant in Vienna. David Bickley / GRÜNAUER GRÜNAUER

Kansas City offers several romantic restaurants perfect for date nights. From a night out with intricate cocktails to classic cuisine with beautiful ambiance, options abound. Renowned spots such as Piropos and Pierpont’s exemplify upscale, intimate dining experiences. For those seeking a more casual yet charming setting, The Wise Guy provides Italian fare with a nod to historical charm and comfortable surroundings.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Piropos’ grilled ribeye ($51) is expertly cooked and well-seasoned. It’s served with asparagus and baked potato. Yvette Walker ywalker@kcstar.com

No. 1: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce had a date at this KC restaurant. I tried it and loved it

You might expect Travis Kelce to order a big plate of beef. But that’s not what he got with Taylor Swift this time. | Published Feb. 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Yvette Walker

Filet Pierpont, topped with blue cheese cream and malted figs, comes with roasted garlic whipped potatoes and baby green beans at Pierpont’s in Union Station. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

No. 2: A steak, a cocktail, an elegant space. Inside KC restaurant with a ‘higher standard’

This one-of-a-kind Kansas City restaurant is celebrating its 25th year. Every time I visit, it has been special. | Published April 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

A Chicago-style tavern pizza at The Wise Guy. Roy Inman Special to The Star

No. 3: ‘Pizza, pasta, martinis, cocktails’: Italian tavern now open in historic KC building

The previous occupant closed during the pandemic. This new place just opened. | Published April 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Green Dirt on Oak, a highly anticipated restaurant, began serving customers Wednesday. Reed Hoffmann Special to the Star

No. 4: Rooftop views, charcuterie boards: Much-anticipated Kansas City restaurant is now open

The restaurant is celebrating its opening, as well as the failure of the stadiums sales tax. | Published April 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Vita’s drinks menu prioritizes wines and vermouths. Nick Wagner nwagner@kcstar.com

No. 5: He made his name in Kansas City as a wine retailer. Now check out his new wine bar

The wine list, as one might imagine, is deep, and the cocktails center around wine-based drinks, gin and Italizn aperitivos. The menu is Mediterranean tinged. | Published Jan. 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Aixois opened in Leawood’s Park Place and is meant to be a “replica” of the restaurant in Crestwood. Jenna Thompson jthompson@kcstar.com

No. 6: KC French restaurant opens a spot in Johnson County. ‘We’ve had a lot of excitement’

Johnson Countians won’t have to drive as far to eat at this French bistro. | Published June 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Belly Vang, owner of Entity Lounge, serves cocktails like the Water Lily, which has gin, dry curacao, creme de violette and is topped with a slice of lemon. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

No. 7: Spirits and espresso: Inside Johnson County’s glitzy new cocktail lounge, coffee shop

“To me, it turned out just like it should be,” the owner said. | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The dining room at Affäre in the Crossroads. The restaurant was nominated Tuesday as a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

No. 8: 7 Kansas City area chefs and restaurants are up for James Beard Awards. Here’s the list

This coveted recognition is known as the Oscars of the restaurant industry. | Published Jan. 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

No. 9: These are the most beautiful restaurants in Kansas and Missouri, national ranking says

A restaurant near downtown Kansas City took the honors in Missouri for its unique ceiling design. | Published May 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

Bree and Travis Gensler have opened The Sentinel Room at 208 W. Lexington Ave. on Independence Square. David Hudnall dhudnall@kcstar.com

No. 10: ‘Like a cigar bar without the cigars’: New KC area cocktail bar spotlights the whiskey

This new whiskey lounge stocks about 100 bottles of the stuff: bourbon, rye, scotch, Irish whiskey and more. | Published April 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.