Kansas City’s best barbecue? Coffee? Cinnamon rolls? Here’s what travel magazines say
Condé Nast Traveler’s new feature, “Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Kansas City,” wants to give visitors the goods on our artsy neighborhoods, coffee shops and “all the barbecue, jazz and cinnamon rolls you could ever need.”
While Kansas City straddles the state line, it says tourists will mostly be sticking to the Missouri side.
First up is the Country Club Plaza with “tons” of high-end brand names. But Condé Nast might want to take a look at the Plaza’s directory, which lists just a few, including Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors and Tivol. Earlier this year, Tiffany & Co. left but quickly returned, and Nordstrom says it still plans to open in fall 2023.
Near the Plaza, the publication recommends stops at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
In the 18th and Vine District, visitors should head to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, before a night at the Green Lady Lounge in the Crossroads for “arguably the best place to catch live jazz in the city, with red velvet walls and a basement dimly lit by golden chandeliers. It feels more like a 1920s speakeasy than a modern bar in a buzzing city.”
In midtown, there’s Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille for drag bingo (the listing should say it’s on Thursday nights and late afternoon Saturdays) with proceeds benefiting local charities. Condé Nast Traveler also recommends the 45-minute Boulevard Brewing Co. tour (ending in free beer).
Four coffee shops are on its list: Westport’s Oddly Correct (for solid pour-overs), midtown’s Monarch Coffee (for espresso cream sodas), Messenger Coffee Co. — now on the Plaza as well as the flagship Crossroads spot and one coming to Overland Park — and The Roasterie, “one of Kansas City’s OG roasters.”
And of course barbecue is on the menu, but just two places: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que for “smoky ribs, crispy fries, and signature dishes like the Z-Man sandwich,” and “relative newcomer to the BBQ scene, Q39” for chipotle sausage, burnt ends, brisket poutine and pork belly BLTs.”
Other Condé Nast recommended stops
▪ For more upscale restaurants, it says to try Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room in the Crossroads, and The Stilwell in downtown’s Loews Kansas City hotel.
▪ Two Kansas City, Kansas, eateries: El Pollo Rey “only serves one thing — chicken — but they do it really, really well,” and El Camino Real, “serving up cheap, but delicious, tacos on homemade corn tortillas: the al pastor tacos are a favorite.”
▪ As for cinnamon rolls, The Corner Cafe is “usually regarded as having the best in town, although Dolce Bakery, Rye and Donutology are strong contenders.”
While Condé Nast says all listings featured in the story are independently selected by its editors, if readers book something through its retail links, it may earn an affiliate commission.
Travel + Leisure also recently picked Kansas City as one of its 10 “Best Places to Travel in June.”
“This vibrant city is known for its jazz heritage, barbecue, steaks, fountains, and professional sports teams,” Travel + Leisure says.
Among its recommendations are Swope Park and J. Rieger & Co.
Other places on the list include Savannah, Georgia; Bermuda; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Naples, Florida.
This story was originally published May 20, 2021 at 5:00 AM.