When those Kansas City winters make the weather outside oh so very frightful, us locals go in search of the warmest, coziest place we can find.
As midtown locals for over a decade, we’ve had plenty of time to scope out the best hideaways for those frigid winter evenings. We’re sharing the best of the best in this guide to coziest places in Kansas City.
What makes for a cozy vibe? Think dimmed lights, intimate seating, flickering candles, warming dishes – you know the scene.
So, let’s get into it before the winter weather gets any colder – here are the coziest bars and restaurants in Kansas City.
Kansas City’s Coziest Cocktail Bars
Whether you’re in search of a pre or post dinner drink, these spots can serve up an excellent craft cocktail alongside a romantic ambiance.
J. Rieger’s Hey! Hey! Club
Neighborhood: East Bottoms
Pricing: $$
Best For: locally crafted spirits
J. Rieger & Co. is a historic distillery that holds a prominent place in Kansas City’s distilling history. Their extensive craft cocktail list is made with their spirits that are distilled onsite: Bourbon Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Dry Gin, Caffé Amaro, and Wheat Vodka.
In their speakeasy-style Hey! Hey! Club, visitors can sip on craft cocktails surrounded by velvet booths, leather couches, and a swanky yet cozy ambiance.
And the best part – there’s a fireplace!
Swordfish Tom’s
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $$
Best For: craft cocktails, speakeasy vibes
Must-visit speakeasy – if you can find it, that is. You’ll need to locate the nondescript door in an alleyway and follow the stairs to the basement. At the next door, you’ll see either a red or green light. If red, there’s no vacancy and you’ll have to wait. If green, knock and be patient.
This pre-Prohibition-inspired cocktail bar is open 4:00pm – 1:30am and features a romantic dimly-lit, intimate ambiance with exposed brick and an original boiler situated in the center of the small room. They’re cash only, but have an ATM on-site.
The owner is celebrated regionally for inventive cocktails, but if you aren’t feeling anything on the menu, they’re able to make you a custom cocktail, using their made in-house tonics and shrubs.
Afterword Tavern & Shelves
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $$
Best For: book lovers, solo night out, board games
A haven for book lovers and connoisseurs of fine drinks, Afterword serves as both a bookstore and a bar. Patrons can peruse a selection of current and past-loved titles while sipping on a handcrafted cocktail or local brew.
The space boasts wooden bookshelves with cozy seating areas perfect for conversation or solo reading. Support your local bookstore, especially if they serve great drinks!
Mean Mule Distillery
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $$
Best For: tequila aficionados, southwestern vibes
Mean Mule is known for being the only American Agave Spirit distiller in the Midwest. Agave spirits are similar to tequila due to the use of organic blue weber agave sourced from Jalisco.
Their tasting room is quaint and features an earthy southwestern vibe, complete with dim lights, amber candles, and cactus plants dispersed throughout the space. The staff is always welcoming and knowledgeable, being more than willing to walk you through their inventive craft cocktail offerings.
They reimagine classic cocktails using their agave spirits, such as the “Agroni,” a twist on the Negroni made with their agave gin, and margaritas served on tap. They also experiment with traditionally whiskey-based cocktails, using their Heritage American Agave Spirit to offer a unique take on these classics.
Monarch Bar
Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
Pricing: $$$
Best For: upscale cocktails, inventive offerings
This high-end, well-appointed cocktail bar elevates the bar scene with its exquisite design, exceptional service, and a meticulously curated beverage program.
Attention to detail is the hallmark of The Monarch Bar, from the custom-designed interiors – marble bar, butterfly chandelier, velvet seating – that exude elegance and sophistication, to the innovative cocktail menu featuring both classics and contemporary creations.
In 2019, The Monarch Bar was recognized as a James Beard semifinalist for the Outstanding Bar Program, a testament to its emphasis on quality and exceptional customer experience.
Ca Va
Neighborhood: Westport
Pricing: $$
Best For: bubbly, desserts
We’re biased on this one – Ca Va is a personal favorite. We recommend you end your Kansas City date night with bubbly at Ca Va.
This quaint champagne bar offers a tranquil, candlelit setting perfect for sharing a toast with your date. They have excellent desserts as well.
Green Lady Lounge
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Pricing: $$
Best For: jazz music, speakeasy vibes
If sultry jazz tunes and velvety cocktails are your kind of evening, then you need to visit Green Lady Lounge. This iconic jazz club in the Crossroads Arts District is a nod to the classic jazz clubs of yesteryears that Kansas City is known for.
Red velvet curtains, plush seating, and dimmed lighting set the stage for an array of live jazz performances every night. If the upstairs is too loud, try the basement level. There is typically a cash cover charge.
Kansas City’s Coziest Restaurants
When the winter weather sets in, we crave warming dishes from these cozy favorites.
Golden Ox
Neighborhood: West Bottoms
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Pricing: $$$
What makes the Golden Ox neat is its history and the feeling that you’ve been taken back in time. It’s truly a legendary institution.
Located in the historic Stockyards District, The Golden Ox has been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s dining scene since it first opened its doors in 1949.
Stepping into The Golden Ox is like taking a step back in time to a bygone era of classic American steakhouses. The ambiance features a timeless elegance with its rich wood paneling, comfortable leather booths, and vintage décor.
Known for serving some of the finest cuts of meat in the city, The Golden Ox sources high-quality, locally raised beef, ensuring each steak is perfectly cooked. In addition to steaks, they serve seafood and hearty sides.
Manu highlights include the flat iron steak, risotto, and hearty sides.
Lazia
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$ – $$$
Lazia is an upscale trattoria offering innovative Italian cuisine. Upon arrival, you’ll be treated to a taste of their house-made amaro. The ambiance is warm and inviting with a lovely dining room complemented by the glow of candelabras.
Their menu features a wide range of elevated Italian dishes, including shareable main courses of meat and seafood entrees, handmade pastas, and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. Also notable is their inventive cocktail menu.
We love their house-made focaccia – and the hand-pulled mozzarella is not only delectable, it is done tableside (dinner and a show!). They are known for creative cocktails and a carefully curated wine list.
Westport Café
Neighborhood: Westport
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$
An intimate dinner at Westport Cafe offers approachable, modern French fare served in a quaint bistro.
With velvet curtains, exposed brick, subway tiles, dimmed lighting, and flickering candles, the vibe is every bit romantic – ideal for a romantic date night.
The menu changes seasonally. We recommend you order several of the small plates and share. Don’t let an unfamiliarity with French cuisine deter you – on the menu are approachable dishes such as risotto, mussels, and oysters.
Their cocktail offerings are extensive and creative. We always opt for the sparkling wine. Notable menu items are the steak frites and beet salad.
Le Fou Frog
Neighborhood: Rivermarket
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$$ – $$$$
Le Fou Frog, established in 1996, has become a beloved fixture in Kansas City’s culinary scene. It’s a warm, enchanting bistro offering the best of French cuisine.
This award-winning restaurant is known for its intimate ambience, featuring soft lighting, cozy tables, and an infectious joie de vivre!
Their menu – written on a chalkboard – embraces imaginative yet classically influenced French cuisine along with generous portions. Notable menu items are the lobster bisque, ribeye, and lamb chops.
Tailleur
Neighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: European
Pricing: $$$
At Tailleur, industrial chic meets intimate elegance, with beautiful pendant lighting setting a romantic scene. The space pays homage to its rich history with high ceilings, open dining spaces, antique decor, and equestrian embellishments.
They offer a blend of European and American cuisines – what they call “European Comfort Food” – with an emphasis on seasonal produce.
If you arrive early for your reservation, stroll across the street to their cocktail bar and lounge, Cheval, which offers an intimate setting with delightful cocktails and fine wines. Notable Tailleur menu items include the pork shank, rack of lamb, roasted salmon, and french dip sandwich.
PotPie
Neighborhood: Westport
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$
PotPie has been a local favorite for over 15 years, known for its commitment to “good food, not fast food.” Is there anything that sounds better in the middle of winter than a warming, comforting pot pie?
The restaurant prides itself on a seasonal menu that changes twice a day within its intimate 40-seat setting.
PotPie’s menu always features two pot pies, a famous pan-roasted chicken, and other staples like mussels, scallops, fish, steak, pork, and the signature chocolate chip bread pudding. The intimate space features exposed brick, candlelit wooden tables, and a chalkboard menu.
Clay & Fire
Neighborhood: Westside
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Pricing: $$$
Offering a dining experience that weaves together history, culture, and culinary delights, Clay & Fire is something special.
Located in a turn-of-the-century home with steep granite steps and historic charm – including a clawfoot tub in the bathroom – the interior is every bit of cozy and intimate. This is partly because of the size – it’s rather small, so you’ll want a reservation.
Whether you sit on the main floor or make your way up the creaking stairs to the second floor, you’ll be surrounded by warm wood tones, colorful tiles, bright accents, and beautiful textiles.
Their farm-to-table menu is filled with authentic dishes melded from a variety of places: Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Lebanon. The dishes are beautifully presented, adding to the elevated experience.
The menu is mainly focused around mezze like charred eggplant spread, seasonal pickles, grilled halloumi, olive medley, and guajillo humus, among many others. The move here is to order several of the small plates and share so that you can get a taste of all the exquisite flavors.
In addition to mezze, they offer kebabs, woodfired chicken, and a highlight – Turkish pizza. It’s perfectly charred, just like the variety of flatbreads they offer, due to a large traditional clay oven.
At Clay & Fire, you’ll experience a welcoming, intimate ambiance with authentic food that showcases a fusion of flavors and culinary traditions. You’ll need to be patient – their kitchen takes care in creating the dishes. It’s not quick, but it’s more than worth the wait.
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$$$
Corvino offers two different culinary experiences: a supper club where sharing is the norm, and a tasting room for a more intimate, curated dining encounter.
The upscale, elegant New American fare is paired with live jazz music and dimmed lights to create an intimate, romantic ambiance. Their main space, the Supper Club, offers a wide variety of shareable plates based on seasonality. Notable dishes include the gnocchi bolognese and seaweed donuts – it sounds strange, but just trust us on this one.
For a more unique date night, consider their Tasting Room, which offers 10 courses for $150. It is a small, intimate dining experience complete with an open kitchen, and access to Chef Michael Corvino. Over roughly two and a half hours, you’ll embark on a culinary journey while the sommelier provides thoughtfully selected wine pairings that seamlessly complement the menu.
With several accolades from the James Beard Foundation, this one is a must visit.
The Antler Room
Neighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Pricing: $$$
The Antler Room has been recognized for their unique culinary approach by the James Beard Foundation. The chef’s culinary philosophy marries innovation with tradition, resulting in a menu that both surprises and comforts.
With an unwavering commitment to quality, they sources local ingredients, allowing the natural flavors to take center stage on the plate. The dishes are a symphony of textures, colors, and aromas, are designed to engage all your senses, promising an unforgettable dining experience.
The dining experience involves creative Mediterranean cuisine presented in elevated small plates to share.
Rockhill Grille
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$
Rockhill Grille is a sophisticated, airy space serving elevated, modern American dishes. Notable dishes are the bruschetta, prime rib sandwich, brussel sprout salad, pig wings, and deviled eggs. Their cocktail game is exceptional as well.
With candle-lit tables, green leather chairs, and artsy chandeliers, the ambiance is intimate and romantic. When we dine in, we opt to sit on the second floor next to a window for a great view of Crossroads.
Bacaro Primo
Neighborhood: Brookside
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$$
Walking through Bacaro’s front door is akin to stepping into an enchanting Venetian wine bar.
A warm, intimate setting is created by the tastefully dim lighting, while the modern, yet quaint dining room further enhances the overall dining experience.
At the heart of Bacaro Primo’s offerings is a rotating menu of seasonal dishes.
The dynamic wine list and refined cocktail offerings complement the menu, creating a rounded, immersive, and satisfying culinary journey. Notable dishes are the handmade pastas, hearth baked focaccia, and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Their reservations book up quickly, but they always set aside a handful of tables for walk-ins.
Earl’s Premiere
Neighborhood: Brookside
Cuisine: Seafood
Pricing: $$$
Earl’s Premiere is an American seafood restaurant that promises an authentic New England experience right in the heart of Kansas City.
Known for its fresh oysters flown directly from Maine Oyster Co., the restaurant boasts a small yet exceptional menu.
The ambiance at Earl’s Premiere is reminiscent of a cozy, coastal eatery, offering a comfortable yet sophisticated dining experience. The establishment’s bar program is as impressive as its food, featuring a dynamic wine list that perfectly complements the seafood-centric menu.
Rated highly for their excellent service and fresh, flavorful dishes, the restaurant consistently delivers a memorable dining experience. Notable dishes are the clam chowder, crab cakes, and, of course, oysters.
Aixois
Neighborhood: Brookside
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$$
Known for warm hospitality, Aixois is a classic French bistro with a charming, traditional appeal. The bistro’s intimate, relaxed dining room is coupled with a carefully curated wine list, featuring a wide range of French vintages, ensuring a complete and immersive French dining experience. Notable dishes are the mussels. and hanger steak.
For a truly Parisian experience without leaving Kansas City, Aixois promises a delightful culinary journey.
Stock Hill
Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Pricing: $$$$
At Stock Hill, the essence of a traditional steakhouse is reimagined for the modern age. Located in the former Kansas City Board of Trade building, Stock Hill presents a convergence of nostalgia and novelty.
Renowned for its innovative interpretations of steakhouse favorites, every dish is the result of exceptional craftsmanship and a passion for culinary excellence.
The culinary team meticulously sources the finest cuts from Midwestern ranches, ensuring each bite is a unique encounter with the region’s rich flavors.
Recognized as one of the 31 Best Steakhouses in America by Thrillist and a recipient of a Four-Diamond rating by the AAA, Stock Hill is more than just a steakhouse – it’s a gastronomic gem.
The handcrafted cocktails and artisanal sides complement the dining experience, as does the exceptional Midwestern hospitality. Notable dishes are the wagyu ribeye, gruyere spaetzle, dry aged steak, roasted mushrooms, and smoked carrots.
Fox And Pearl
Neighborhood: Westside
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$$
Fox and Pearl is known for its rustic yet refined approach to Midwestern fare, focusing on wood-fired cooking and whole-animal butchery. It is a country-chic eatery located in a 1907 historic drugstore with a lovely outdoor terrace.
James Beard recognized Chef Vaughn Good combines a live fire hearth, smoker, and preservation techniques to create irresistible flavors. Collaborating with local farmers, he crafts seasonal menus blending French culinary expertise with regional comfort foods.
Stay Cozy, Kansas City!
Kansas City’s cozy spots, from cocktail bars to intimate restaurants, offer a diverse array of ambiances and culinary delights, perfect for those chilly winter days and nights.
So, bundle up and explore these havens of warmth and taste, where the chilly weather outside is just an excuse to indulge in the city’s best hidden and beloved gems.