Kansas City Restaurant Week 2025 starts next week. Here’s what you need to know
.jpg "Pierpont’s is among the restaurants participating in KC Restaurant Week 2025, which runs from Jan. 10 through 19.")
The holidays are over, winter storms are looming, and it’ll be months before Kansas Citians lay eyes on the green shoots of spring.
That is the bad news. The good news is that, for the 16th straight year, Kansas City Restaurant Week is here to help locals cope with these cold, dark January days.
This year’s event from the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association and Visit KC is shaping up to be KCRW’s biggest yet, with more than 230 restaurants across the metro participating. Here’s what to know.
What is Kansas City Restaurant Week?
It’s a 10-day event designed to increase traffic to local restaurants during what is typically a slow month, and to encourage diners to try restaurants where they might not otherwise eat. Restaurants usually create “prix fixe” menus that offer multiple courses, allowing diners to try a variety of dishes at a discounted price point.
Do you have to pay a fee or join a group to participate?
No. You can just show up to the restaurant and order.
When is it?
It starts Friday, Jan. 10, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 19.
Which restaurants are participating?
The full list is at kcrestaurantweek.com/restaurants. You can search by cuisine, neighborhood and menu type (brunch, lunch, dinner).
Do you have to dine in to get the Restaurant Week deals?
Not necessarily. Some restaurants are offering delivery and carryout. You can search for those on the site as well, under “Service Options.”
.jpg "Meat Mitch - Pilsen Photo Co-op (9).jpg")
How do you find out what a restaurant is serving during Restaurant Week?
In theory, just go to either the KC Restaurant Week website or download the KC Restaurant Week app on the App Store or Google Play. In practice, not every restaurant has posted its menu on the site yet (though many have).
If you’re thinking about going to a restaurant on the list and the menu isn’t posted there yet, call or email the restaurant to ask what they’re serving, or check their social media pages to see if they’ve shared any information there.
How much are the meals?
It depends. Lunches are typically $20 and dinners are generally in the $40-55 range. Here are a few examples:
▪ Aqua Penny’s in Leawood (11652 Ash St.) has a three-course lunch menu for $40 that includes an option of shrimp cocktail, homemade focaccia, and lobster rangoons for the first course; a Caesar salad, mixed green field salad, gumbo, or hot & sour soup for the second course; and a 6-ounce steak frites, fish sandwich, blackened Cajun salmon, mango catfish, or stir-fry for the third course. Its dinner menu is $55 and includes most of the same items, plus oysters, spring rolls and housemade desserts.
▪ Zero Zero Handmade Pasta (1702 Summit St.) is offering a four-course dinner menu for $40 that includes focaccia served with whipped ricotta, olives and Calabrian chili crunch; a Caesar salad or pomodoro meatballs; radiatori alla vodka (vegetarian), lumache alla Norcina, pork agnolotti in demi-glace, or lasagna in pomodoro; and tiramisu or basque cheesecake for dessert. A three-course lunch menu is $20. Everything is available for delivery or carryout.
▪ Novel (1927 McGee St.) has a three-course $55 dinner menu with beef sirloin tartare, butternut squash soup, Brussels sprout salad, or lobster ravioli for the first course; seared diver scallops, Faroe Island salmon, duroc pork chop or KC strip for the second course; and a pistachio pie bar, cotton cheesecake or a flourless chocolate cake for dessert.
Do you have to tip?
Yes! This can be a grueling 10 days for restaurant staff. Be generous; you’re already getting a good deal.
Does this benefit a charity?
Yes. Participating restaurants pledge 10% of Restaurant Week menu sales to three charities: the Greater KC Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the Visit KC Foundation (which teamed up to start KC Restaurant Week in 2010) and a rotating community recipient. This year’s is House of Hope, which distributes groceries across Missouri and Kansas. Last year’s recipient, Kanbe’s Markets, received $101,000 from KC Restaurant Week.
This story was originally published January 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
