Local

Exploring 7 new Kansas City dining and nightlife spots recently announced

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City has recently been introduced to diverse culinary concepts, focusing on unique experiences and community engagement.

Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill will debut their upscale dining experience at the Lenexa City Center.

Meanwhile, Neat plans to present craft cocktails in the former Savoy space, emphasizing a philosophy of depth through simplicity. Jade Jaguar emerges as a new cocktail bar inspired by Mexico City, offering a communal hangout. Kansas City.

Robot servers, cooking at the table, and all-you-can-eat cuisine are available at this upcoming restaurant.

NO. 1: KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT TAKING OVER FORMER KANSAS CITY AREA APPLEBEE’S

A new barbecue restaurant is opening in the metro — this one with a twist. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

What was once farmland off of Interstate 435 in Lenexa is now a booming downtown, with a civic center, apartments, restaurants, retail, shops and offices. By Roy Inman

NO. 2: UPSCALE STEAKHOUSE WILL OPEN IN GROWING JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT

An upscale, Tennessee-based steakhouse is opening its first Kansas City area location. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Lenexa City Center area has several restaurants, including a project dubbed “restaurant row.” By Roy Inman©

NO. 3: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY CRAFT COCKTAIL BAR OPENING. ‘DEPTH THROUGH SIMPLICITY’

A new craft cocktail bar is on its way to Johnson County, taking over a former tea shop. | Published September 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Manny Gomez at Kohinoor on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. He’s the new owner Jade Jaguar. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: KANSAS CITY ITALIAN RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE, REOPEN AS MEXICO CITY-INSPIRED BAR

Hospitality group Exit Strategy is waving goodbye to its Renaissance-inspired Italian restaurant, Bar Medici, less than two years after it opened. | Published September 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Vertice Italian is coming to KC’s Country Club Plaza.

NO. 5: A NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT IS COMING TO KANSAS CITY’S COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA

Summit Hospitality — the group behind Summit Grill, Third Street Social and other local concepts — is launching a new Italian restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A Y2K-themed bar is now open in Johnson County. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 6: NEW Y2K-THEMED BAR IN JOHNSON COUNTY WANTS YOU ‘TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN’

If Lisa Frank were to visit the Kansas City area, Vibe Ultra Lounge in Overland Park might be her bar of choice. | Published September 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Cafe Gratitude is located along Southwest Boulevard. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 7: FORMER KANSAS CITY VEGAN CAFE WILL BECOME A JAZZ CLUB AND RESTAURANT

Former Kansas City vegan restaurant Cafe Gratitude is taking on a second, much different, life. | Published September 26, 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.