Kansas City, Missouri was my go-to city for many years when I lived in Kansas. In 2.5 years, I learned how to navigate KCMO like it was my hometown. It will always hold a special spot in my heart because it’s the city that inspired me to solo travel. It’s also the place that motivated me to explore vegetarian and vegan spots, and I was pleasantly surprised by the plant based food scene.
KCMO is filled with fantastic restaurants and cafes, and I put together a list of the most impressive plant based places that you must try! Please keep in mind that I frequented these places, so they each earned their spot on the list! So here’s my handpicked list of awesome vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and I hope you get the chance to try them all next time you’re in Kansas City.
1. Succotash
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m obsessed with this place. Succotash has (hands down and without a single doubt) the BEST breakfast I’ve ever had. I will honestly drool while thinking about this place, so let’s continue.
First of all, the eggs benedict is out of this world. (They use their homemade beer bread instead of English muffins.) The vegan pancakes could literally make me cry tears of joy. The coffee is from my all time favorite coffee shop, Oddly Correct. And the pastries… they’re too delicious to describe using words. So I’ll just add some photos as evidence.
Basically, if you’re going to eat anywhere in Kansas City… I beg you to try this place.
Succotash gives me ‘cute, vintage diner’ vibes. The bottomless coffee, blue bar stools, and art covered walls create a perfect brunch spot! Seriously, it’s so adorable! The menu has everything you could dream of for the ultimate breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and everything in between! The best part of all? There’s lots of options for vegetarians, and the vegan pancakes are to die for! (Just try it and leave me a comment with your praises.)
Location: 2601 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108
(Parking is extremely easy because this location is in a residential area. If you have time to kill while you’re waiting for a table, check out Bob or Shop next door. It’s a salon with a vintage-feeling store connected to it.)
Messenger is one of those modern and trendy coffee shops that might seem typical at first. But the coffee and made from scratch pastries earn it a solid second place on the list. I got coffee at this place every time I went to Kansas City. I lived two hours away and STILL managed to get enough rewards for a free coffee.
The overall vibe, aroma, coffee/pastry selection, and menu, make this place a must try!
There are several locations, but my favorite is the downtown location at:
1624 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64108
To start, it’s in a historic brick building, with black and white tile and giant windows. The first floor hosts a massive bakery space, where they make bread, pizza (on the weekends), and delicious pastries from scratch. So yes, it smells amazing at all times. They also have a breakfast menu, if you’ve in the mood for some eggs or avocado toast. And the coffee is phenomenal. You’ll probably end up buying a bag of beans to take home.
The second floor is the roastery, where they roast their own coffee beans. There’s ample seating at the bar, or in one of the many comfy chairs by the giant windows.
Finally, the third floor is a deck with amazing city views. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer day reading a book or meeting with friends. This is one of the few coffee shops where the location and decor are equally as amazing as the food and coffee.
You may recognize this spot if you watched season 4 of Queer Eye. Bluestem Bistro is my (second) favorite brunch spot in Kansas City, and it hits the spot every. single. time. The brick walls and vintage feel make for a cozy space to enjoy a meal, and the staff is always super friendly. It’s the perfect date spot because it’s intimate and has a local feel.
They also take pride in using seasonal and local ingredients, especially in their famous fancy cake pancakes (pictured below). You’ll also want to try their handcrafted brunch cocktails!
(There’s awesome Kansas City souvenir shop called Westside Storey across the street! If you end up having to wait for your table, you can also grab a coffee at Goat Hill Coffee & Soda. It’s located on W 17th Street, right behind Blue Bird Bistro!)
Cafe Gratitude is a vegetarian restaurant, with locations in several cities. It’s the perfect spot for the vegetarian or vegan in your life. The food is very fresh, and nourishing with whole foods as the main ingredient! Everything on the menu is vegan, and most of their menu items are gluten free.
I’ve eaten here numerous times (alone and with friends), and I was obsessed every time. They have wholesome dinner bowls, salads, burgers and lasagna, to mac n’ cheese. When you eat here, you just feel good because the ingredients are so fresh! Their dishes are everything I wish I could whip up in my own kitchen, and their salads are my favorite. Don’t forget dessert!
(Parking can be tricky in this area because it’s downtown and mainly offers street parking!)
Mudpie is a vegan bakery and coffee house. They have an impressive selection of vegan pastries and baked goods, along with some amazing breakfast/lunch sandwiches! Just make sure to get there early because they sell out quick! (The espresso chip muffin is my personal favorite.)
Mudpie is located in a house, so the atmosphere is cozy and separted by different rooms. This means there’s plenty of options for seating. There’s also a patio, which is great for the summer.
Overall, the atmosphere is low-key and inviting, which makes for the perfect spot to get work done on your laptop.
(Parking is easy because they have a parking lot. If needed, you can park across the street in the neighborhood. This area is walkable to a cute thrift store called Donna’s Dress Shop and a used bookstore called Prospero’s Books.)
Have you ever tried Ethiopian food? Not only is this place vegan/vegetarian friendly, but it’s the best meal I’ve had in a long time! Located in the historic City Market, Blue Nile is absolutely unforgettable. Every bite is dreamy, and you can taste all the fresh spices and ingredients.
They also have a patio, where you can sit outdoors with friends and watch the street car pass by. It’s also a good lunch spot after visiting the farmers market at City Market. Make sure this place is at the top of your list! I recommend it if you’re wanting to try something new and tasty.
(Read location details in #8 below. Blue Nile is in City Market and walking distance to River Market Antiques, which was a favorite spot of mine!)
This American, neighbrohood restaurant is the perfect place for a dinner (or solo) date! The dimmed lighting and wooden floors create the perfect atmosphere for a super tasty meal. Although it’s not a vegetarian restaurant, the veggie burger is the best I’ve ever had. In fact, it’s so delicious that it’s one of the most popular menu items!
The presentation of each plate is lovely, and the local vibe gives you a true Kansas City experience. There’s also a dog-friendly patio, which is perfect for a summer dinner.
There’s endless food choices at City Market, but City Market Coffee easily made my ‘top 8’ list! Not only do they have freshly squeezed juices, but they also have amazing breakfast burritos and sandwiches! The tofu scramble burrito is my personal favorite, but there’s several other kinds as well. This makes it a great place for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters.
I’d recommend grabbing a coffee, pastry, and burrito before walking around City Market on a Saturday morning. I can’t think of a better way to begin the weekend. This place is a KC gem!
(Located in City Market, parking can be a bit tricky on the weekends. Be aware that you’ll spend extra time searching for a spot. However, the streetcar stops here. So you can always park somewhere else and ride the streetcar directly to City Market.)
