Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Kansas City, Missouri

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Kansas City, Missouri? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Conductor Club

4.9

4.9 (413)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

E. Kansas City

About the restaurant

Tucked away in a hidden corner of historic Union Station, the Conductor Club is a unique rotating themed cocktail bar. We feature a specialty cocktails, small bites from Pierpont's kitchen and lots of fun.

*All guests must be 21+ years old. Reservations are exclusively through OpenTable. Kitchen is open until 9pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends.

Top review

Jorjana

Dined 7 days ago

The baked pimento cheese was delicious! Drinks - I Suggest We All Hold on… TIGHTLY!, Milk & Cookies for Santa, The Northern Lights, Here We've Only Got One Rule, Latitude 66°30', and All Aboard. Cocktails were very good and well presented.

Extra Virgin - Kansas City

4.8

4.8 (1966)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Kansas City

About the restaurant

James Beard Award Winning Chef Michael Smith's latest culinary creation is Extra Virgin, located in Kansas City's historic Crossroad's Art's District. Open to rave reviews in December 2008, Extra Virgin serves Mediterranean Tapas and has an extensive wine list and full cocktail menu. We offer patio dining for 50 people & private dining for 30 people.

Top review

Adriana

Dined 5 days ago

Ben was a perfect server. Our party delayed and unfortunately not all could make it but the service was perfect. A wonderful reunion of friendship was celebrated! I've lived away from KC for some time now and this was a treat to be served for such a long time homecoming. Extra virgin was a delight and so accommodating. Thank you yo all staff but special shout out to Ben and Jason!

Discover more

Popular dish

Chickpea Fries

Popular dish

Grilled Bread & Ricotta

Noka

4.8

4.8 (77)

$50 and over

American

Kansas City

About the restaurant

The dining experience at Noka is about inviting guests to immerse within the familiar, while our senses simultaneously transport us somewhere new. Primitive yet modern, our dining space offers many different avenues—whether you’re looking for an intimate experience near the bar, a hands-on culinary view into our live-fire kitchen at the Chef’s Counter, or feel like dipping out of your comfort zone at one of our communal-style tables, there truly is a little something for everyone. So venture in soon, we look forward to hosting you.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

The sushi was really delicious! I had the fried rice, California crunch roll, and spiced brownie. Everything was wonderful and tasted delicious. They have a great drink menu and loved the drink of the day the bartender made. The staff was attentive and the inside of the restaurant was so nice on the inside. There is parking just to the side of the building, and my only issue was having a hard time finding the door at the beginning as it blends in well with the outside wall. But look for the menu if you're coming for the first time!

Discover more

Experience

HALF-OFF SUSHI!

Experience

TUESDAY - HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY

The Savoy at 21c

4.7

4.7 (1053)

$31 to $50

American

Kansas City

About the restaurant

Located inside the 21c Museum Hotel, The Savoy is a creative effort to honor our rich history while also looking to the future. As we focus on a progressive style of Midwest hospitality, we aim to use classic techniques with contemporary touches in our kitchen. Our food is thoughtful, yet approachable as we pride ourselves on welcoming all guests from all walks of life.

Our focus on seasonal ingredients from local farmers gives us deep ties in our community and allows us to use the highest quality products for our dishes. Our evolving and interesting cocktail and wine lists reproduce this idea of using products from local distilleries and family-owned vineyards to give our guests classic yet progressive options to enhance your dining experience.

Come as you are, for a special occasion or just a casual night out in the historic district of Kansas City, we look forward to welcoming you to our space.

Top review

kelly

Dined 1 day ago

Our server was wonderful. First time for all of us. Burger was outstanding. We will be back

Lazia

4.7

4.7 (1142)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Crossroads / Freight District / Boulevard

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Crossroads, where Kansas City comes together. An evening at Lazia begins at the hearth with a complimentary house amaro blend as the sound of hip hop's greatest legends fill the room. The menu is both familiar and surprising in its selection of Italian favorites. It offers a collection of Cicchetti and Antipasti to start your meal; an expertly prepared and seasonal selection of handmade, fresh pastas; a satisfying collection of Secondi; and few moments of surprise & delight!

Named for another Crossroads O.G. and pal of Pendergast, Johnny Lazia, our dinner-only restaurant sits at the Crossroads of Italian culinary inspiration and the farms and fields of the Heartland in the Midwest.

We are currently open 7 days a week from 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Valet Parking for Lazia guests is $9, but street parking is also available.

Lazia is happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions.

Top review

Jodi

Dined 1 day ago

Mozzarella is a must- unique and fun and so good! Exceptional service and wonderful food and ambiance!

Discover more

Popular dish

Hand-Pulled Mozzarella

Popular dish

Lasagna

Tom's Town Distilling Co.

4.7

4.7 (285)

$31 to $50

Distillery

Kansas City

About the restaurant

Inspired by Kansas City’s legendary political figure, Tom Pendergast, Tom's Town Distilling Co. blends history and innovation in every glass. Our tasting room reimagines classic prohibition cocktails with a contemporary twist, featuring our award-winning spirits: Double Oaked Bourbon, Pendergast’s Royal Gold Bourbon, Double Grain Vodka, Botanical Gin, Barreled Gin, and Straight Rye Whiskey. Every cocktail, crafted by our expert mixologist, JT, is a bold, creative expression of flavor.

Join us in our inviting tasting room or explore our seasonal, revolving speakeasy downstairs for a truly unique experience. Walk-ins are welcome for both spaces if available, but reservations are encouraged. Scroll down to 'Experiences' if you would like to book our speakeasy.

If you’re interested in bringing a larger group but don’t need a private room, contact us at 816-308-2131. We cannot split checks by item, but multiple cards are accepted. Must be 21+ to enter the Tasting Room.

Top review

Casey

Dined 2 days ago

So fun, such great decorations for Christmas. Yummy drinks and server was very knowledgeable!

Discover more

Experience

Tinsel Town 2024

Pinstripes - Overland Park

4.6

4.6 (484)

$30 and under

American

Kansas City

About the restaurant

Pinstripes: Where Sophisticated Fun Meets Exquisite Dining. With over 30,000 square feet of entertainment space, indulge in scratch-made Italian-American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust wine list. Enjoy our weekday happy hour from 3-6pm, or don't miss our famous bottomless brunch buffet on weekends. Experience modern bowling and bocce with full-service dining and entertainment options. Perfect for corporate gatherings, celebrations, or family events, our versatile spaces accommodate parties of 20 to 1000 guests. Book your unforgettable experience today!

Top review

Jim

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Excellent service would do it again Food was excellent

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Westwood

4.6

4.6 (310)

$30 and under

Sushi

Kansas City

About the restaurant

Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi. Our sushi and grill menus allow you to explore your sushi favorites in new and unexpected ways. We like to say that sushi is for sharing, and our menu encourages it. Order a spread of all your maki, nigiri and sashimi favs from the sushi bar, and throw in a few orders of starters from the grill. We'll stagger your plates so you can savor it all bite-by-bite, and maximize the sushi experience you've been craving all week. If you're not sure where to start, tour the menu during Happy Hour, where all our guest favorites — from our sushi, grill and drink menus — are available at an amazing value. We offer Happy Hour every day of the week at Blue Sushi Sake Grill!

Top review

Derrie

Dined 1 day ago

Our server seemed a bit annoyed by us. Otherwise, everything was delightful as usual.

True Food Kitchen - Kansas City

4.6

4.6 (1317)

$30 and under

American

Plaza / Brookside

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in Kansas City for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located in Kansas City at Country Club Plaza, off of Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Street, near Club Pilates. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Mike

Dined 3 days ago

We come here because they don’t cook in seed oil, and the food always tastes great. I had the meatloaf. It was a recommendation of the waiter and that was one on my list to get. It was the perfect portion for me (6’5, 200 lbs). Carrots, mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. Very good flavor. My wife had the Sustainable Salmon over rice pilaf. I had the rest of hers since she could not eat it all. She was very happy with the meal. A glass of a red blend from Italy capped it off for both of us. We will be back soon, thank you True Food!

Discover more

Popular dish

Chicken Sausage

Triune

4.5

4.5 (67)

$31 to $50

American

Kansas City

About the restaurant

Experience fine casual dining in the Kansas City's Westside at its best with TRIUNE, where we emphasize small plates, dinner, brunch, and an invigorating cocktail program. TRIUNE is a true dining destination that engages all your senses: smell, sound, sight, touch, and taste. Our commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of the dining experience, with a focus on creating lasting memories for each guest who walks through our doors.

Top review

Lindsay

Dined 7 days ago

From the moment we walked in everyone was so kind and welcoming! Dinner was incredible. Everything we had was delicious but I’d go back again tomorrow for the bread plate and the burrata. Can’t wait to go back!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Kansas City, Missouri

Explore more Diners' Choice lists