Beloved Kansas City cafe is closing after 13 ‘unforgettable’ years

Kansas City’s Cafe Gratitude, a vegan cafe in the Crossroads, is closing after 13 years.

The cafe announced on social media Thursday that it’s planning on shutting down at 333 Southwest Blvd. on April 27.

“While we’ve been finding our footing again after a challenging winter, a number of signs have pointed us toward closing,” the restaurant’s post said. “It hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s one we’re making with love, trust, and deep gratitude for all we’ve experienced.”

Ownership could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday. The building is listed for sale online.

A number of fans responded to the cafe’s post on social media, offering words of support.

“So sad. Your food blessed me,” wrote one fan.

“We will miss you SO MUCH! Truly a gem in our city,” wrote another.

Cafe Gratitude’s 100% organic, plant-based menu includes the I Am Magical veggie burger (house-made veggie burger, served on a toasted whole-grain bun with creamy pumpkin seed cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, onion, and dill pickles), I Am Sensational spaghetti squash Alfredo (spaghetti squash noodles, fresh spinach and marinated mushrooms tossed together in a cashew Alfredo sauce), and the I Am Scrumptious turmeric French toast (turmeric buckwheat battered sourdough French toast topped with bananas and cinnamon, served with maple syrup).

There are few other vegan/plant-based restaurants in the barbecue-loving metro. Two are Gigi’s Vegan and Wellness Cafe at 1103 Westport Road and Whole Harvest Kitchen at 4853 W. 119th St. in Leawood.

This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM.

Jenna Thompson

The Kansas City Star

Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.