Baba’s Pantry made Bon Appetit’s list of the 50 best new restaurants in the country

Kansas City’s own Baba’s Pantry was named one of America’s best new restaurants by Bon Appetit Magazine.

The Palestinian cafe and deli is one of 50 restaurants across the country included on the list for pushing the food industry to new heights and offering a refreshing take on dining in 2022.

“Everything on the menu feels personal,” Bon Appetit’s article reads. “Featuring velvet smooth hummus, impossibly crisp falafel, and a wide array of homemade sauces and seasonings, Baba’s Pantry is a delicious expression of what it means to feel at home.”

Palestinian-born owner and chef Yahia Kamal said it’s wonderful that Baba’s Pantry made the national list for both his restaurant and for the city as a whole.

“We are glad we are in Kansas City because Kansas City is a really rich city in food and culture,” he told The Star.

The list includes restaurants from each major region in the country and some of the best items to order. Baba’s Pantry is the only restaurant from Kansas City, and one of only six restaurants in the Midwest to make the list.

Kamal opened Baba’s Pantry in July 2021 at 1019 E. 63rd St., west of Troost Avenue in Brookside.

For those who haven’t been yet, he said he recommends the signature hummus, falafel or chicken shawarma.

Baba’s Pantry favorites also include homemade kebabs, fresh lemonade and a carryout deli with a variety of olives, salads, pickled vegetables, desserts and more.

Kamal said he wasn’t entirely surprised by how successful his restaurant has been in the last year, because he has been working in the industry and serving up quality food for quite some time. He previously owned two other restaurants in Kansas City and ran a Mediterranean cuisine counter at Cosentino’s Downtown Market.

“I believe in my food,” he said.

This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 1:25 PM.