Ten new restaurants shaping Kansas City

Kansas City's dining scene is growing fast, and bold new spots are leading the way. Waldo Thai is delivering authentic Northern Thai flavors, while Q39 barbecue is expanding again in Lee's Summit. Shuffleboard-themed Larks and Sonoran-style taco shop Tako Tako add playful new bites to the West Bottoms and State Line Road.

Meanwhile, Prima Facie in Parkville gives the Northland a cozy yet upscale spot, and Urban Restaurant on Troost serves creative twists on shrimp and grits and fried grouper. Each place brings fresh ideas and energy to the local food landscape.

Waldo Thai offers the khan toke yai, a platter that lets customers try 10 Lanna dishes, with food and flavors executive chef Pam Liberda grew up with in Northern Thailand. They aren’t often featured at American Thai restaurants.

NO. 1: KEEP YOUR AMERICANIZED PAD THAI. I GO TO THIS KC RESTAURANT FOR AUTHENTIC THAI FEASTS

Our friends visiting from California were surprised to find pungent and authentic Asian flavors at a restaurant in the Midwest. I keep going back for more. | Published June 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Andrea Klick

Q39 is planning to open a location in Lee’s Summit.

NO. 2: KANSAS CITY BARBECUE RESTAURANT WILL EXPAND AGAIN WITH A 4TH LOCATION. HERE’S WHERE

This new barbecue location will offer options for dining in, carryout and “large-scale catering,” plus a large outdoor seating area. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Fancy Falafels plate at Meddys: five falafel patties served with salad, hummus, pita and soup. By David Hudnall

NO. 3: GROWING KANSAS RESTAURANT CHAIN OPENS 3RD KC AREA SPOT THIS WEEK. A 4TH IS COMING SOON

This restaurant’s new Johnson County location opens Wednesday and will be much bigger than others in the area. | Published July 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The prize wall at a Chuck E. Cheese in Texas. The chain has opened a new Kansas City location at 8809 State Line Road. By Gareth Patterson

NO. 4: NOW OPEN IN KANSAS CITY: A PIZZA PLACE, A SHUFFLEBOARD BAR AND A NEW TACO CHAIN

Recent openings offer new options for a night out. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The crab cakes at Prima Facie. By David Hudnall

NO. 5: IS THIS NEW KC AREA RESTAURANT JUST WHAT MY HOMETOWN NEEDED? I TRIED IT TO FIND OUT

The new bistro recently opened its doors in Parkville, a historic town 15 minutes from downtown Kansas City. | Published December 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Noelle Alviz-Gransee

Chef Justin Clark preparing a dish at Urban on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Located at Armour Road and Troost Avenue, Urban is a full service restaurant from Chef Clark, a spinoff of his first restaurant, Urban Café. By Dominick Williams

NO. 6: FOOD AT THIS KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT TASTES SO GOOD I WAS TEMPTED TO DRINK THE SAUCE

The revamped Urban Restaurant at East Armour Boulevard and Troost Avenue serves up a great atmosphere and the best darn shrimp and grits, with a twist. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mará Rose Williams

Five Four Restaurant and Drafthouse is getting a new space in Lee’s Summit and Lenexa.

NO. 7: OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT RESTAURANT COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY, LEE’S SUMMIT. ANOTHER CLOSING

The new restaurant will have two golf bays, two pickleball courts, yard games and outdoor seating. | Published January 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The dining room at the soon-to-open Toastique is bright and clean and features seating for 26. By Denise Neil

NO. 8: HEALTH CAFE CHAIN LOOKS TO OPEN FIRST KC AREA SPOT IN JOHNSON COUNTY

It sells lattes, cold-pressed juice, avocado toast and more. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A great combo at HomeGrown: the West Coast Wake Up omelet, paired with the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, at right. But you can’t go wrong if you swap in the coffee cake with caramel sauce, top. By Emily Curiel

NO. 9: POPULAR BREAKFAST SPOT, BAR & GRILL EXPAND TO NEW JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT

The site was once a Kmart. Now it’s home to two new restaurants. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

All In One Eatery will open two spots in Kansas City later this summer.

NO. 10: ‘ALL-IN-ONE’ RESTAURANT COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY APPLEBEE’S & KC SHOPPING CENTER

It will serve sushi, cocktails and more in a former Applebee’s, as well as this Northland spot. | Published April 16, 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.