Top 10 Restaurants in the Crossroads Arts District
The Crossroads Arts District is the beating heart of Kansas City's creative and culinary scene. Located just south of Downtown and north of Crown Center, it is a highly walkable neighborhood filled with repurposed brick warehouses, art galleries, boutique shops, and some of the most innovative restaurants in the Midwest. If you want a break from barbecue and sports bars, the Crossroads is your destination.
Pasta in a Historic Freight House
Owned by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, Lidia's is located in a stunning, renovated historic freight house just north of Union Station. The massive, blown-glass chandeliers are beautiful. You must order the daily pasta trio, where waiters bring endless rounds of three different freshly made pastas directly to your table.
Live Music and Late Night Burgers
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room offers a fantastic, dark, moody atmosphere with live jazz or acoustic music playing nightly. While they offer high-end tasting menus, their bar menu is famous. Order the late-night cheeseburger and the seaweed donuts with trout roe.
A KC Institution
Manny's Mexican Restaurant is a massive, family-owned institution in the Crossroads. They have been serving fantastic, massive portions of Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food for decades. The atmosphere is loud, the margaritas are excellent, and the Monterey Jack cheese dip is mandatory.
Authentic Austrian Cuisine
Also located in the historic Freight House building, Grünauer serves incredibly authentic Austrian and Central European cuisine. Enjoy massive, perfectly fried Wiener Schnitzel, heavy goulash, and excellent imported German and Austrian draft beers in a beautiful, wood-paneled dining room.
Chef Michael Smith's Playground
Extra Virgin offers an incredible menu of Mediterranean-inspired tapas. Sit at the massive bar, order a pitcher of sangria, and share plates of roasted bone marrow, duck tongue tacos, and crispy falafel. It is loud, fun, and perfect for groups.
World Cup 2026 Kansas City Tips
Kansas City is spread out and lacks a comprehensive, city-wide rail system. You will likely need to rent a car or rely heavily on rideshares. Arrowhead Stadium is located at the Truman Sports Complex, which is a significant drive from the downtown hotel districts. Always plan for massive traffic delays on Interstate 70 when traveling to the stadium on matchdays, and embrace the local tailgating culture!