Discover Kansas City's new culinary hotspots

Kansas City's dining scene expands in 2025 with diverse flavors. The latest restaurant openings span Mexican, Italian, and pan-Asian cuisines. This shows Kansas City's evolving culinary offerings with new updates.

A former Applebee's in Kansas City now hosts Añejo, a Mexican restaurant serving tacos, fajitas, and margaritas. Customers enjoy the vibrant decor and sports screens. The Applebee's closures across the metro led to new restaurant opportunities.

In Johnson County, Asian Pearl avoids closure under Jin Wang's ownership. The restaurant continues serving dishes from multiple Asian countries and will undergo renovations next year.

Summit Hospitality launches Vertice Italian in the Country Club Plaza. The new spot promises handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and curated beverages.

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Añejo sells Mexican street tacos and other dishes. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 1: FORMER KANSAS CITY AREA APPLEBEE’S REOPENS AS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

The site of a former Kansas City, Kansas, Applebee’s is serving customers again — this time as a different concept. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Asian Pearl is closing. But its exact closing timeline is unclear. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 2: JOHNSON COUNTY ASIAN RESTAURANT, ONCE CLOSING, WILL STAY OPEN

After announcing that it would close sometime within a year, Johnson County fusion restaurant Asian Pearl will remain open. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Vertice Italian is coming to KC’s Country Club Plaza.

NO. 3: A NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT IS COMING TO KANSAS CITY’S COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA

Summit Hospitality — the group behind Summit Grill, Third Street Social and other local concepts — is launching a new Italian restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Brass Monkey serves cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and international snacks. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 4: NEW ‘ECLECTIC’ SPEAKEASY OPENS IN KANSAS CITY WITH A MYSTERIOUS BACKSTORY

Kansas City’s newest speakeasy is born out of a fantastical myth and a true — though somewhat cryptic — history. | Published September 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

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