Are you in search of a romantic date night restaurant in Kansas City?
From romantic candle-lit tables to contemporary stunners, the city is brimming with culinary delights that make for an idyllic date night.
So, what makes for a great date night restaurant?
As Kansas City locals who love a good date night, we opt for nice restaurants that are romantic with an intimate setting, offer a delectable menu, are known for excellent service, and boast a great cocktail and wine menu.
In this post, we share nineteen Kansas City restaurants worthy of a date night reservation – and we mean it when we say reservation. These local restaurants all book up pretty quickly.
Whether you’re trying to impress or celebrating a long-awaited anniversary, you’re sure to have a memorable evening at one of these local favorites!
Must Visit Date Night Restaurants in Kansas City
1. Lazia
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$$
Lazia is an upscale trattoria offering innovative Italian cuisine. Upon arrival, you’ll be treated to a taste of their house-made amaro.
The ambiance is warm and inviting with a lovely dining room complemented by the glow of candelabras.
Their menu features a wide range of elevated Italian dishes, including shareable main courses of meat and seafood entrees, handmade pastas, and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas.
We love their house-made focaccia – and the hand-pulled mozzarella is not only delectable, it is done tableside (dinner and a show!).
They are known for curated cocktails and a carefully curated wine list.
Menu highlights include the milk braised pork shoulder, tagliatelle, bucatini, and house-made sausage.
2. Tailleur
Neighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: European
Pricing: $$$
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.
Menu highlights include items include the pork shank, rack of lamb, roasted salmon, and french dip sandwich.
3. Westport Café
Neighborhood: Westport
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$$
An intimate dinner at Westport Cafe offers approachable, modern French fare served in a quaint bistro.
With velvet curtains, exposed brick, subway tiles, dimmed lighting, and flickering candles, the vibe is every bit romantic – ideal for a date night.
The menu changes seasonally. We recommend you order several of the small plates and share.
Don’t let an unfamiliarity with French cuisine deter you – on the menu are approachable dishes such as risotto, mussels, and oysters.
Their cocktail offerings are extensive and creative. We always opt for their house sparkling wine.
Menu highlights include mussels with coconut curry broth, lamb kefta, beignets, and scallops with black truffle risotto.
4. Le Fou Frog
Neighborhood: River Market
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$$ – $$$$
Le Fou Frog, established in 1996, has become a beloved fixture in Kansas City’s culinary scene. It’s a warm, enchanting bistro offering the best of French cuisine.
This award-winning restaurant is known for its eclectic yet intimate ambiance, featuring soft lighting, cozy tables, and an infectious joie de vivre!
Their menu – written on a chalkboard – embraces imaginative yet classically influenced French cuisine along with generous portions.
Menu highlights include their in-house baked bread, French onion soup, duck confit, lobster bisque, scallops, and lamb chops.
5. Novel
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$
Novel, a quaint restaurant known for its creative American cuisine, offers an idyllic setting for date nights.
The restaurant occupies a charming historic building, its interior bathed in the warm glow of pendant lights with rich wood tones, granite bar, and tile murals all working together to create an inviting environment.
Novel’s menu changes seasonally, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to incorporating fresh, local ingredients paired with contemporary cooking techniques.
Menu highlights include the duck agnolotti, house-made seasonal ravioli, and beef tartare.
6. Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$$$
Corvino offers two different culinary experiences: a supper club where sharing is the norm, and a tasting room for a more intimate, curated dining encounter.
The upscale, elegant New American fare is paired with live jazz music and dimmed lights to create an intimate, romantic ambiance. Their main space, the Supper Club, offers a wide variety of shareable plates based on seasonality.
For a more unique date night, consider their Tasting Room, which offers 10 courses for $150. It is a small, intimate dining experience complete with an open kitchen, and access to Chef Michael Corvino. Over roughly two and a half hours, you’ll embark on a culinary journey while the sommelier provides thoughtfully selected wine pairings that seamlessly complement the menu.
With several accolades from the James Beard Foundation, this one is a must visit.
Menu highlights include crispy pork ribs, whole fried chicken with chili butter, gnocchi bolognese, and seaweed donuts – it sounds strange, but just trust us on this one.
7. The Antler Room
Neighborhood: Midtown
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Pricing: $$$
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.
Menu highlights include the smoked whitefish tartine, Georgian soup dumplings, winter squash tortellini, and seared duck breast.
8. Rockhill Grille
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$
Rockhill Grille features a sophisticated, airy space serving elevated, modern American dishes with an exceptional cocktail game.
With candle-lit tables, green leather chairs, and artsy chandeliers, there is an intimate, romantic ambiance. When we dine in, we opt to sit on the second floor next to a window for a great view of Crossroads.
They have a great selection of small plates for sharing or appetizers.
Menu highlights include the bruschetta, prime rib sandwich, brussels sprout salad, pig wings, and deviled eggs.
9. Farina
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$$$
Farina brings an innovative take on Italian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and a culinary approach that respects tradition while embracing innovation.
Well known, James Beard award-winning Chef Michael Smith drives the menu, ensuring that each dish is thoughtfully curated. The open-concept kitchen allows diners to see the culinary action.
Farina’s menu showcases a fusion of Italian and Mediterranean flavors. Each plate is artfully presented, and the attention to detail extends to their wine list, which features exceptional vintages from Italy and beyond.
The restaurant also features an oyster bar and a raw bar with shellfish and fish flown in daily.
The ambiance is modern, sleek, and upscale with contemporary art.
The menu changes seasonally, with the exception of the Four Kings of Rome: Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, Rigatoni all’Amatriciana, Tagliatelle Bolognese and Bucatini Carbonara.
10. Bacaro Primo
Neighborhood: Brookside
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$$
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.
Their reservations book up quickly, but they always set aside a handful of tables for walk-ins.
Menu highlights include the handmade pastas, hearth baked focaccia, and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
11. Aixois
Neighborhood: Brookside
Cuisine: French
Pricing: $$$
Known for warm hospitality, Aixois is a classic French bistro with a charming, traditional appeal.
The bistro’s intimate, relaxed dining room is coupled with a carefully curated wine list, featuring a wide range of French vintages, ensuring a complete and immersive French dining experience.
For a truly Parisian experience without leaving Kansas City, Aixois promises a delightful culinary journey.
Menu highlights include quiche lorraine, salmon sandwich, mussels roquefort, and onion soup.
12. The Majestic Restaurant and Jazz Club
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Pricing: $$$$
The Majestic Restaurant, offering old-world charm in downtown Kansas City, carries the rich history and tradition of the city within its walls.
This vintage steakhouse, set in the historic Fitzpatrick Saloon Building dating back to 1909, offers a blend of old-world charm and modern luxury.
Famous for its dry-aged steaks, which are a testament to Kansas City’s reputation as the cattle capital of the United States, The Majestic never fails to impress its guests with its fine dining experience.
As evening descends, the restaurant transforms into a vibrant jazz club, echoing the tunes that made the city famous.
This modern speakeasy stands as a homage to the Prohibition era, when the original saloon was converted into a hidden bar.
Menu highlights include dry aged ribeye, creme brulee, seafood etouffee, scallops, and onion soup.
13. Stock Hill
Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Pricing: $$$$
At Stock Hill, the essence of a traditional steakhouse is reimagined for the modern age.
Located in the former Kansas City Board of Trade building, Stock Hill presents a convergence of nostalgia and novelty.
Renowned for its innovative interpretations of steakhouse favorites, every dish is the result of exceptional craftsmanship and a passion for culinary excellence.
The culinary team meticulously sources the finest cuts from Midwestern ranches, ensuring each bite is a unique encounter with the region’s rich flavors.
Recognized as one of the 31 Best Steakhouses in America by Thrillist and a recipient of a Four-Diamond rating by the AAA, Stock Hill is more than just a steakhouse – it’s a gastronomic gem.
The handcrafted cocktails and artisanal sides complement the dining experience, as does the exceptional Midwestern hospitality.
Menu highlights include the wagyu ribeye, gruyere spaetzle, dry aged steak, roasted mushrooms, and smoked carrots.
14. Affäre
Neighborhood: Crossroads Arts District
Cuisine: German
Pricing: $$$
Affäre presents a remarkable blend of traditional German cuisine and contemporary culinary artistry.
The family-owned restaurant was founded in 2012, spearheaded by owner Martin’s passion for all-natural, farm-fresh, seasonal foods and game meats.
The restaurant is celebrated for its modern and minimalist aesthetics, echoing the elegance and sophistication of modern Germany. The ambiance includes dramatic lighting and contemporary art.
They take pride in their dedication to local Kansas City farmers and small wineries, ensuring the delivery of the freshest and finest products to their customers.
The menu rotates seasonally in line with the farm-to-table approach.
The restaurant also offers a curated selection of beers, cocktails, and wines designed to complement their dishes, serving a dining experience that is both comfortable and refined.
Menu highlights include the venison, scallops, and poutine.
15. Fox and Pearl
Neighborhood: Westside
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$$
Fox and Pearl is known for its rustic yet refined approach to Midwestern fare, focusing on wood-fired cooking and whole-animal butchery.
It is a country-chic eatery located in a 1907 historic drugstore with a lovely outdoor terrace.
James Beard recognized Chef Vaughn Good combines a live fire hearth, smoker, and preservation techniques to create irresistible flavors.
Collaborating with local farmers, he crafts seasonal menus blending French culinary expertise with regional comfort foods.
Menu highlights include the pork chop, duck, brisket, and pot pie.
16. Ragazza
Neighborhood: Westport
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$
This intimate, charming Italian eatery is renowned for its authentic cuisine, expertly crafted from the freshest ingredients.
Ragazza offers a taste of Italy right in the heart of the city and the award-winning wine list offers the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
The cozy setting, complete with a fireplace and bar, enriches the dining experience, making Ragazza the ideal destination for a romantic date night.
Menu highlights include the eggplant parmesan, chicken piccata, and spaghetti and meatballs. Also worth mentioning is their Sunday Sauce Everyday dish – a six-hour sauce with local Scimeca’s sausage.
17. Osteria Il Centro
Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
Cuisine: Italian
Pricing: $$
Since their beginnings in 1995, Il Centro has captured the ambiance of a traditional Italian neighborhood trattoria.
This quaint local favorite offers dim lighting and rustic decor.
The menu showcases classic Italian dishes: eggplant parmesan, hearty lasagna, orecchiette carbonara, cannelloni, among many others.
You should not leave without ordering dessert – we recommend the tiramisu or the raspberry gelato coated in dark chocolate.
Their extensive wine list has received numerous awards, and their tenured staff is exceptional. Rated at the top for Italian Restaurant in Kansas City by Zagat, this locally-owned neighborhood favorite is a must visit.
Menu highlights include chicken pesto tortellini, chicken marsala, sausage and red pepper pasta, and foccacia.
18. Earl’s Premiere
Neighborhood: Brookside
Cuisine: Seafood
Pricing: $$$
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.
Menu highlights include the clam chowder, crab cakes, and, of course, oysters.
19. The Town Company
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: New American
Pricing: $$$ – $$$$
The Town Company is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience that celebrates the fusion of traditional and modern culinary arts.
Spearheaded by Johnny Leach, a highly respected, James Beard recognized chef known for his creative approach, the establishment is a hub of gastronomic innovation.
Leach presents a menu that’s as dynamic as it is delicious, with offerings that change with the seasons to highlight the freshest local ingredients.
The unique blend of familiar flavors and innovative twists, meticulous technique, and heartfelt hospitality make The Town Company an unforgettable destination in Kansas City’s culinary scene.
Menu highlights include the pork chop, smoked carrot dip, potato dumplings, and trout croquettes.
Cheers!
There you have it – local suggestions for romantic date night restaurants in Kansas City. If you found this post helpful, you may also want to read our suggestions for date night itineraries.
Make an evening out of it, and get a downtown hotel room! We love the modern, romantic Crossroads Hotel – located right in the heart of downtown’s Crossroads Arts District with a great lobby bar, XR, that’s perfect for a nightcap.
Situated in a historic building that has been meticulously renovated, this boutique hotel offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern aesthetics.
The Crossroads Hotel is beautifully appointed – walking into the lobby, you’ll stop to take in the stunning industrial-chic design with high ceilings and concrete floors.
The rooms are styled with subtle nods to the city’s past, yet equipped with all contemporary amenities.
From Crossroads Hotel, you’ll be within walking distance from the art galleries and several great eateries.
