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Try these 9 new Kansas City brunch spots that blend tradition, innovation, and community

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City’s brunch scene thrives on a blend of tradition, creativity, and local connections.

At Blue Bird Bistro, rotating pancakes feature seasonal ingredients like apples or sweet potatoes while sourcing directly from nearby farms. Los Alamos Cocina serves up Mexican classics like green chili ribs, letting daily ingredients guide their soulful menu.

Clay & Fire offers a comforting Georgian chirbuli stew and bakes fresh flatbreads in a wood oven, mixing international flavors with Kansas City sources.

At Lawrence’s 1900 Barker, croissants are meticulously crafted over three days using milk from a regional dairy, making each pastry a true community effort. These spots show how KC brunches bring together inventive recipes, time-honored techniques, and neighborhood partnerships.

The Belfry’s chicken and biscuit features a buttermilk-marinated chicken thigh dipped in seasoned flour on top of a buttermilk biscuit, with honey sriracha and an egg. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 1: CHICKEN & BISCUIT WITH A CRAFT BEER: A PERFECT PAIRING AT THIS KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT

There it was, with a sign on the side saying “Beer,” and an arrow pointing to the front door. That was enough to get me through the door. | Published February 7, 2023 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Sunrise on 39th’s Philly steak sandwich.

NO. 2: COUNTRY FRIED CHICKEN, BREAKFAST BURRITOS: MEXICAN/AMERICAN BRUNCH CAFE OPENING IN KC

The all-day brunch menu will include omelets, frittatas, skillets, breakfast enchiladas, veggie burritos, chilaquiles, country fried chicken and pancakes. | Published May 3, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

A favorite brunch order at Clay & Fire: chirbuli with handmade bread. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 3: AT THIS KC RESTAURANT, A BRUNCH DISH FROM A FAR-OFF LAND MAKES ME FEEL SO AT HOME

Onion, garlic, tomato, walnut, coriander, butter and basil, topped with poached eggs and served with bread fresh from the flames: It’s Star reporter Anna Spoerre’s go-to brunch order. | Published May 30, 2023 | Read Full Story by Anna Spoerre

Bananas, a peanut butter drizzle, whipped cream and granola coat the Banana Monster Waffles at AR’s Breakfast & Brunch. By Zachary Linhares

NO. 4: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY SPOT OFFERS BREAKFAST/BRUNCH DURING THE DAY, LOUNGE SOME EVENINGS

The owner’s recommended must-try items are his waffle with horchata maple syrup and his chilaquiles. | Published June 23, 2023 | Read Full Story by Joyce Smith

The best croissant at 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe is made with prosciutto cotto ham, white cheddar cheese and everything bagel spice, with sesame seeds, garlic, roasted onion and poppy seeds. By Emily Curiel

NO. 5: FLAKY, BUTTERY CROISSANT AND COFFEE: MY PERFECT MORNING MEAL AT HOMEY LAWRENCE BAKERY

I stop by this bakery when I’m in the rush. And when I can hang out all day. | Published October 3, 2023 | Read Full Story by Katie Bernard

The Market Wrap is filled with sweet potato quinoa falafel, spring mix, tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber dressing, red onions and hummus inside a whole wheat tortilla. By Emily Curiel

NO. 6: I LOVE EVERYTHING AT THIS GROWING KC CAFE AND BAKERY. HERE’S THE DISH I ORDER THE MOST

Get something savory, like this incredible wrap. AND get something sweet, like a cookie, a house-made doughnut or blueberry danish. You can’t go wrong. | Published November 21, 2023 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Breakfast at Los Alamos Cocina: pork ribs bathed in a green sauce, topped with eggs, rice and beans. By Emily Curiel

NO. 7: RIBS FOR BREAKFAST? ABSOLUTELY, AT THIS MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN KANSAS CITY. SO TENDER

This KC market turned restaurant knows just how to make a great Mexican breakfast, heavy on the nostalgia. | Published December 19, 2023 | Read Full Story by Lisa Lopez

Stuffed with Buttonwood Farms’ sweet potatoes and housemade, organic granola, Fancy Cakes are a breakfast staple at Blue Bird Bistro in Kansas City. By Nick Wagner

NO. 8: PANCAKES WITH APPLES? SWEET POTATOES? KC BISTRO MENU IS ALWAYS CHANGING, ALWAYS SUPERB

This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’re there for the pancakes.  | Published January 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alison Booth

Eagles and Chiefs themed king cakes at Willa Jean in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 9: A HANGOVER CURE, A RELATIONSHIP SAVER AND A CHIEFS DELICACY, ALL IN ONE NOLA SPOT

A reporter in New Orleans sends a shout-out to this restaurant for helping to sooth some pre-Super Bowl stress. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

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.