Kansas City's dining scene has matured significantly beyond barbecue, though barbecue remains the baseline expectation. The Crossroads Arts District and Westport hold the highest concentration of independent restaurants. The River Market neighborhood has excellent cheap international options — Vietnamese, Ethiopian, and Mexican — that are among the best value meals in the city.
Barbecue is the essential experience: Arthur Bryant's, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Jack Stack, and Gates are the most respected names, each with a distinct character and loyal partisans. Go to at least one. Beyond barbecue, the city has a strong brunch culture — Westport and the Plaza area have the most options — and a craft beer scene anchored by Boulevard Brewing Company.
The Country Club Plaza restaurants skew upscale and tourist-oriented; the better independent restaurants are in the Crossroads, Westport, and Brookside neighborhoods.