Stopping through Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and looking for the best food options?
This new airport terminal was opened in January 2024, and the planners carefully selected food options that were reflective of the local culture.
We’re biased, but we truly believe that MCI has some of the best local restaurant offerings of any airport in the country. These restaurants aren’t just for tourists – they’re places loved and frequented by locals.
This means that you don’t even need to leave the airport to experience some of the best food from Kansas City!
And there are several breweries represented, which is neat considering that Kansas City is known for its craft beers.
The Kansas City airport is set up as one terminal, so visitors are able to choose from all the restaurant offerings.
In this guide, us KC locals are sharing our suggestions on which restaurants are the best to visit in the new airport.
9 Best KC Airport Restaurants
If you’re stopping through MCI, these are the best dining options!
1. Meat Mitch
Cuisine: Barbecue
Hours: 10:30am – 8:00pm
Near Gate A10
*Kids menu available
You can’t pass through Kansas City without trying our barbecue, and Meat Mitch is a local award-winning favorite.
This dine-in location features a backyard feel and includes several of their most popular dishes, like the 16-hour smoked brisket, burnt ends (a Kansas City classic), brisket smash burger, smokehouse sandwiches, smoked fried chicken salad, pork ribs – and much more.
And, of course, don’t skip on the sides – pit beans, potato salad, and seasoned fries, among others.
In a rush? Order a sandwich for takeaway.
2. Brown and Loe
Cuisine: New American
Hours: Lunch and Dinner
Near Gate B51
We love Brown and Loe’s City Market location, and their airport restaurant offers a similar type of elevated experience.
We recommend this option for dine-in rather than takeout. It’s ideal for those long layovers.
They offer a variety of dishes with French and Italian influences – suggestions include the grilled salmon, meatloaf with bacon green beans, nashville hot chicken sandwich, and smoked gouda mac.
3. Stockyards Brewing Company
Cuisine: Barbecue
Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm
Near Gate B54
Stockyard Brewing Company’s downtown location is where the second largest stockyards in the country once existed.
They strive to honor that history with incredible specialty barbecue.
Their airport location features large windows overlooking the airfield and serves up their locally loved dishes like the brisket burnt ends, pulled pork nachos, smoked chicken, smokehouse bacon burger, and brisket sandwich, among others.
And while you’re there, be sure to try a craft beer!
4. Martin City Brewing Company
Cuisine: Brew Pub
Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm
Near Gate A12
Martin City Brewery is a beloved local craft brewery with several taprooms around town.
Their Kansas City Airport location serves up their popular brews alongside their popular sandwiches served with truffle parmesan chips, chicken wings, burgers, and numerous handtossed personal pizzas.
They serve up breakfast pizzas and omelettes for the early morning crowd.
5. Boulevard Brewing Beer Hall
Cuisine: Brew Pub
Hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm
City Market Food Hall, Near Gate B57
If you’re familiar with midwest craft beer, you’ve certainly heard of local Boulevard Beer Company. They’ve been serving up some of Kansas City’s favorite brews since the 80’s.
Their beer hall and taproom downtown is replicated at the airport and offers their artisan beers alongside hand-tossed pizzas, sandwiches, and salads.
6. Soiree Steak & Seafood House
Cuisine: Cajun
Hours: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Near Gate A12
Did you know Kansas City has a historic jazz district? Soiree Steak and Seafood’s original location is in the 18th and Vine District.
You can experience the legend of jazz music and culture in Kansas City by dining here – the restaurant has a rotating exhibit of memorabilia, artifacts, video, and audio from the American Jazz Museum, along with a performance stage for live in-house music performances.
You can order signature cajun dishes like shrimp and grits, chicken fried chicken, red beans and rice, and seafood mac and cheese, among others.
They have several breakfast options as well, such as chicken and waffles and omelettes.
7. Bloom Baking Company
Cuisine: Sandwiches, Salads
Hours: 6am – 10pm
Made of KC Food Hall
Bloom’s original location is in historic City Market, and it is one that us locals frequently visit on the weekends.
Their airport location offers breakfast items such as sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee. For the later hours of the day, they serve salads and sandwiches.
8. Buffalo State Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza
Hours: Lunch and Dinner
City Market Food Hall
If you’re craving a ridiculously large slice of pizza, we recommend Buffalo State.
They have a variety of specialty options, which include local ingredients like Scimeca sausage, or you can customize your own slice.
Plus they have several local and regional craft beers on tap.
9. Bo Lings
Cuisine: Chinese
Hours: Lunch and Dinner
Two Locations: Made of KC Food Hall and City Market Food Hall
Bo Lings has been a longtime Kansas City culinary institution with several locations across the city.
Their airport locations offer their signature dan-dan noodles, chicken dumplings, crispy beef and mushrooms, and an option to customize your own protein and vegetable bowl.
Thanks for Supporting Local!
We hope the next time you stop through Kansas City, you make your own to our downtown and midtown neighborhoods.
Until then, enjoy our local cuisine through the airport food offerings!