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9 essential brunch plates you must try in Kansas City

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City brunch offers a rich mix of comfort food, global flavors, and creative flair. At Happy Gillis, the mushroom biscuits and gravy or the breakfast sandwich with cheesy eggs and aioli make a classic, welcoming start. HomeGrown stands out with its West Coast Wake Up omelet, full of bacon, two cheeses and avocado, complemented by Cinnamon Swirl French Toast.

If you crave something sweet, head to Hemma Hemma for decadent cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese frosting, or try their smoked salmon toast for a savory bite. For a taste of something different, Clay & Fire’s chirbuli delivers a Georgian tomato, walnut and poached egg stew, served with fresh flatbread straight from the wood-fire oven.

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.

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

A vanilla cupcake with Chiefs-themed cream cheese frosting at Emily Kate’s, a gluten free bakery at 3008 S. 44th St., Kansas City, Kansas. “There’s some real science in this that I won’t be able to get into,” said kitchen trainer Michaela Sewalson. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 2: I’M SAD I CAN’T EAT GLUTEN. BUT THIS KANSAS CITY-AREA BAKERY BRINGS ME SWEET JOY

Try the Chiefs-themed cupcake. “People get emotional. It’s crazy that what we do can mean so much.” | Published February 21, 2023 | Read Full Story by Matti Gellman

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

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

The Clean crepe at Seven Swans Creperie is filled with lavender lemon curd and topped with blueberries, candied lemons, fresh mint and whipped cream. By Zachary Linhares

NO. 4: THIS KANSAS CITY BRUNCH SPOT SERVES SO MANY DELICIOUS CREPES. BUT THIS IS MY FAVORITE

After celebrating two birthdays in a row at this restaurant, Star reporter Natalie Wallington returns for a bright, flavorful brunch in beautiful surroundings. | Published June 27, 2023 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

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.

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

A great Happy Gillis combo breakfast: The half-sandwich includes thick-cut bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and aioli on Farm to Market Grains Galore toast. Pair it with a half-order of mushroom biscuits and gravy. By Emily Curiel

NO. 6: MY BIGGEST MISTAKE SINCE MOVING TO KANSAS CITY? NOT TRYING THIS BRUNCH PLACE SOONER

I love everything at this KC restaurant. But this has been my go-to order from the start. | Published May 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chandler Boese

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. 7: AT BRUNCH I WANT SAVORY AND SWEET. THIS GROWING RESTAURANT IN KC GIVES THE BEST OF BOTH

This omelet stuffed with gooey cheese, mmmm bacon and veggies, paired with French toast that radiates cinnamon: my perfect brunch. | Published June 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sharon Hoffmann

The Cinnamon Roll $6, at Hemma Hemma, 7122 Wornall Rd, Kansas City.

NO. 8: DONNA KELCE PROMISED I’D LOVE THE CINNAMON ROLLS FROM THIS KC BRUNCH SPOT. SHE WAS RIGHT

This Waldo restaurant serves some of the best cinnamon rolls I’ve had in Kansas City. | Published September 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

Emilie’s French Teas offers a tea party experience for six to 12 people. Each person can pick a different flavor of tea, from black to green, matcha oolong, white, rooibos and honeybush, and tisanes varieties. By Judy-Anne Goldman

NO. 9: MY EXPECTATIONS WERE HIGH FOR FANCY TEA PARTY AT KC SHOP. IT DIDN’T DISAPPOINT

Beauty comes in both the physical space and the fantastic treats at this hidden gem in Waldo. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Yvette Walker

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.