This frosty weather has us anticipating and craving some hearty, comforting food and drinks all season long around Kansas City. And we want you to join us in the jolly holiday celebrations.
The KC metro area is sprinkled with Christmas pop-up bars and season-themed restaurants filled with delicious assortments of dishes and beverages that will have you dashing through the snow to get some.
Although they aren’t gift-wrapped goodies, below are some cozy favorites that are sure to bring joy to your spirits and warmth to your bellies.
‘Tis the Season for Country Club Plaza Dinners
The holiday lights shimmer all across the Plaza in one of Kansas City’s biggest signature events. Each strand highlights the unique architecture and the many restaurant options available in Kansas City’s prettiest district.
There are plenty of mouth-watering dishes for you to try before or after your holiday shopping:
1. Pasta Brio at Brio Italian Grille
This menu is full of platters that will have you packing up some leftovers. But the Pasta Brio may just have you licking the plate clean. The roasted red pepper cream sauce blends well with the mushrooms and spinach and is paired nicely with any of Brio’s red wines.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- Spaghetti Pomodoro
- Lobster Bisque
- Pasta Alla Vodka
- Sausage Carbonara Campanelle
- Warm chocolate cake
2. 14 oz. Dry Aged KC Strip at The Capital Grille
The highly flavorful, hand-cut New York strip is absolutely worth spending the extra money. Enjoy a flavorful pairing of creamed spinach and a fine glass of a Double Oaked & Rye Manhattan.
With an elegant atmosphere, valets waiting to take your car as soon as you pull up and an impressive menu of soups, salads and seafood, you will surely enjoy your time this holiday season.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- Steak Tartare
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail
- Nueske’s Cherrywood Smoked Bacon with Korean BBQ
- New England Clam Chowder
- Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese
3. Chicken Waffle at Gram & Dun
Breakfast for dinner, anyone? Drizzled with hot honey glaze and maple syrup, this fried chicken breast and waffle combo will have your mouth watering from the smell alone.
The dinner menu at Gram & Dun is so vast and classy you will have to come back to try something new next time.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- Burnt End Mac & Cheese
- Rigatoni Bolognese
- Hanger Steak
- Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
- Asian Pig Wings
Spirit(s) of the Holidays in Downtown Kansas City
From the River Market to Union Station, Downtown Kansas City is jam-packed with restaurants and bars that feature all different types of cuisines. Here are three nourishing dishes to try this holiday season:
4. Korean Ribeye at Yard House
The sweet soy ginger marinated 20oz bone-in ribeye is accompanied by chili garlic fries topped with green onions, parmesan and crispy garlic. Yum.
Boasting the “World’s Largest Selection of Draft Beer,” Yard House is the place to be to stay warm, eat unforgettable food and sip the best beers.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- Double-Decker BLT
- Korean BBQ Cheesesteak
- Shrimp Cobb Salad
- Fontina Vodka Penne
- Sesame Shrimp Noodles
5. Apple-bourbon Glazed Pork Chop at Society
The Crossroads is called the Arts District for a reason. Besides the unique and inspiring art and culture the Crossroads has, it also houses some fine dining experiences and dishes.
At Society, you can have fantastic pork chops served with roasted sweet potatoes and honey sage mushrooms. This pork chop dinner is just what you need to brave the cold weather outside. Pair this hearty meal with one of Society’s many creative cocktails, such as:
- Seasonal Old Fashioned
- Jupiter is Rising
- Oleander
Society also specializes in a tasty weekend brunch menu to enjoy those days off from work and delicious shareables to devour after a long day of work.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- Cinnamon Honey French Toast
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Margherita Flatbread
- 1 lb. Jumbo Wings
6. The Kansas City Grilled Cheese at Brick House
Just south of Crown Center Square stands Union Hill, where you will find a spacious patio restaurant: Brick House. You can enjoy a variety of grilled cheeses served with your choice of fries, tater tots, cole slaw or cottage cheese.
The Kansas City Grilled Cheese is loaded with burnt ends, cheddar cheese, pickles and BBQ sauce in-between two toasted Texas toasts.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- French Dip
- Queso Burger
- Fiesta Salad
- BrickHouseKC Mac and Cheese
- Big A** Breakfast Burrito
Holly, Jolly Time around Kansas City
The joy of the season spreads far beyond the KC metro area. There are restaurants around Kansas City that are ready to share a nice, warm meal with you. All you have to do is sit and wait for your steaming meal to come your way.
7. Soup Flights at Best Regards Bakery and Café
Yes, you saw that right. For those who just don’t know which comfort soup to have can now choose three soups from the six-soup selection. The soup flight comes with your choice of toasty bread.
The soups are made from scratch, and the menu changes every week, but you can be a part of “Soup A Palooza 2022” when you try some of Best Regards’ famous soups, such as:
- 20-Hour Chicken Noodle
- Oven Roasted San Marzano Tomato
- Chicken Gumbo
- BRB Chili
- Oven Roasted Potato
- Minestrone
- And more
8. Burnt End Chili at Woodyard Bar-B-Que
This cottage-style barbecue joint has just about every assortment of savory BBQ imaginable. It all starts and ends with the Burnt End Chili.
The three-bean chili packs a punch and is topped with a helping of burnt ends that can be purchased by the cup, the bowl or by the quart. You can accompany this flavorful dish with fresh-made sides, such as:
- Cheesy Corn
- Potato Salad
- Cornbread Muffins
- Baked Beans
- And more
9. Blue Crab Cake Po’ Boy at Mudbug Cajun Po’Boys
Served over lemon pepper slaw and Cajun dusted shrimp and finished with a caper and stone ground mustard remoulade, this is a Po’ Boy to top all Po’ Boys. The Louisiana Style restaurant loves serving up some delicious, flavor-packed dishes.
All sandwiches come with Provolone, tomato, and garlic butter sautéed crawfish and can be paired with steamy lemon garlic fries.
Other Hearty Dishes to Try:
- Chicken and Andouille Gumbo
- Seafood Jambalaya
- Classic Roast Beef Po’Boy