8 Restaurants You Must Try in Wichita and What to Order

From locally owned bistros to industrial chic eateries, serving up fresh farm-to-table cuisine to mouthwatering comfort food, Wichita’s food scene has something for everyone. 

Here are a few of the best restaurants in Wichita to grab a memorable meal. I even share a suggestion of what to order from each!

Learn about other fun and interesting things you can do in the city with my 4-Day Wichita Travel Itinerary. We recommend all our favorite things to see and do including outdoor activities, museums, shops, and more.

ICT 316 Mural in downtown Wichita.
If you would like more foodie inspiration, look up #ICTdining

1. Hummus and Shish Kabobs at Bella Luna Cafe 

Our lunch at Bella Luna Cafe was hands down one of our favorite meals of the trip.

The inside of Bella Luna Cafe, one of the best places to eat in Wichita.
I waited to take a picture till a few of the tables emptied out at Bella Luna Cafe because otherwise, it’s a little intrusive!

Thankfully, we listened to the waitress when she recommended starting with the hummus appetizer. 

After placing our order, I looked around the full dining room and spotted at least ten other tables with the hummus plate so I knew we made the right decision.

It is fresh, creamy, and oozing with flavor! Served with crisp seasoned pita and homemade fried pita chips, the hummus is a do-not-miss at Bella Luna! 

Hummus appetizer at Bella Luna Cafe, best restaurant Wichita KS.
If you are looking for the best restaurants in West Wichita – Bella Luna Cafe also has a restaurant on Maize Road.

Another favorite is the tender grilled chicken shish kabobs with fresh veggies and rice pilaf served with an utterly amazing Mediterranean sauce. 

Chicken Kabobs at Bella Luna Cafe, one of the best restaurants in Wichita Kansas.
The chicken kabobs at Bella Luna Cafe in Wichita are Delicious with a capital D!

2. Pop Tarts and Coffee Cake at HomeGrown

Next up on my best restaurants in Wichita list is HomeGrown, a daytime eatery with a wholesome and cheery vibe.

HomeGrown is one of the fun places to eat in Wichita, KS.
From our kitchen homemade for you. We love the ambiance at HomeGrown. Even the light fixtures are meant to be in the shape of honeycombs – how cool!

The owners behind this popular breakfast and lunch spot know the importance of community involvement and have a strong commitment to locally-grown ingredients. 

HomeGrown is one of the fun places to eat in Wichita, KS.
Cultivate Kindness is HomeGrown’s motto! Restaurants Wichita KS
Bee Kind sign at HomeGrown Wichita - Restaurant Wichita Kansas
Bee kind!

The restaurant serves up fluffy cage-free egg omelets with rosemary potatoes and your choice of bread – many of which come from local bakeries. 

Veggie Omelet at HomeGrown Wichita.
The omelets at HomeGrown are huge and served with fresh local bread like the English muffin I chose!

Order yourself a locally roasted coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice before crushing a homemade pop tart (the seasonal flavor when we visited was Nutella and let me tell you I had a hard time sharing the promised other half!) and a square of coffee cake that comes with a warm buttermilk caramel sauce that will leave you never wanting coffee cake any other way.

Did you know Route 66 runs through Kansas? It’s only for 13 miles but you can read here about what Route 66 adventures you’ll find from Springfield through Kansas to Tulsa.

Coffee cake and a Nutella pop tart at HomeGrown Wichita.
Coffee cake and a Nutella pop tart at HomeGrown Wichita.

3. Bacon Crack at Nortons Brewery

I laughed out loud when someone recommended the “Bacon Crack” at Nortons Brewing Company, thinking it was their own take on the appetizer.

Nortons Brewing Company Tshirts and glowing sign.

Inside Nortons Brewing Company.
Indoor dining at Nortons Brewing Company.

But sure enough, there it was on the menu – “This is the stuff you heard about! Thick, hand-cut, candied bacon with maple syrup, honey and brown sugar glaze, then seasoned with cracked black pepper and cayenne. Served with brown sugar honey cream cheese.” 

Consider yourself warned. It’s crack, alright. 

Tip: Order your app extra crispy, if you like your bacon more on the crunchy side. 

Bacon crack appetizer at Nortons Brewing Company, one of the fun places to eat in Wichita, KS.
Bacon crack appetizer at Nortons Brewing Company.
The outdoor patio at Nortons Brewing Company, one of the best breweries in Wichita.
Nortons is one of the best breweries in Wichita. If it wasn’t so windy the day we visited, we would have been out on the patio!

4. Spinach Artichoke Dip and Thai Bowl at The Kitchen 

If you enjoy over-the-top friendly service and gastronomical delights, head over to The Kitchen, a seasonally inspired relaxed eatery.

The outside patio at The Kitchen, one of the best restaurants in Wichita.
The Kitchen has a nice outdoor patio as well.

Start with the creamy and perfectly baked spinach and artichoke dip served with homemade tortilla chips lightly dusted with seasoning.

The spinach artichoke dip at The Kitchen is a must-eat!
The spinach artichoke dip at The Kitchen is SO good!

Tip: If you visit during the week between 4:30 and 6:30, appetizers are only $5.00 during happy hour and they also offer specials on drinks. 

For your main entree, try the Thai Bowl which comes with steamed rice, stir-fried zucchini, red cabbage, carrots, and red bell pepper topped with grilled chicken and a sweet-savory peanut sauce. 

Related: Top Things to do in Kansas City

Thai Bowl at The Kitchen, one of the best places to eat in Wichita, Kansas.
Thai Bowl at The Kitchen.

5. Sandwiches at The Monarch

Expect to find great service, reasonable prices, and a fun atmosphere at The Monarch in the historic Delano neighborhood. 

The outside of The Monarch, a blue painted brick building with an outdoor patio.
The Monarch has a nice-sized outdoor patio to enjoy when the weather is nice.

The Smoked Chicken Caprese sandwich with pesto, tomatoes and a generous portion of fresh mozzarella served on a pressed roll is exceptional.

Another winning choice is The Spicy Italian sandwich with mozzarella, giardiniera, red wine vinegar, and Italian spices.

A chicken caprese sandwich with sweet potato fries at The Monarch in the Historic Delano District.
Sweet potato fries are the bomb! @The Monarch in the historic Delano District.

It’s a toss-up on which side to order because the homemade barbecue potato chips and sweet potato fries are both tasty.

Pair your meal with a bourbon drink from the massive selection behind the bar. And if whiskey isn’t your thing, wash it down with a local beer or hand-crafted specialty cocktail.

The Bourbon selection at The Monarch in Wichita.
The big Bourbon selection at The Monarch in Wichita.

6. Coffee and Breakfast Sandwich at Il Primo Espresso Cafe

You’ll feel like you’ve been officially accepted as a local at Il Primo Espresso Cafe, Wichita’s first coffee house. 

A mural that says Il Primo is Wichita's oldest caffeine dealer and one of the best coffee shops in town.
Il Primo is Wichita’s oldest caffeine dealer.
Il Primo Espresso Caffe is Wichita's oldest coffee house and best coffee in the city.
Be ready to take time to look over the big drink menu – lots to choose from at Il Primo Espresso Cafe.

The staff and patrons are a friendly and welcoming bunch especially when they find out it’s your first time visiting.

Try a specialty drink – the coffee is excellent and they offer a number of unique creations – and a hearty breakfast sandwich to start your day.

We ordered sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches on fresh ciabatta and a warm buttery croissant. I promise Il Primo is a great place to grab a quick bite!

Breakfast sandwich and coffee at Il Primo in Wichita.
Il Primo Espresso Cafe was a favorite of ours for great breakfast sandwiches, deliciously strong coffee, and a nice ambiance.

7. Street Tacos at District Taqueria

Tucked away in a cool brick-lined dining room on Douglas Street, District Taqueria is the place to go for street tacos in Wichita. 

District Taqueria near Old Town Wichita, Kansas.
District Taqueria, one of the best restaurants in Wichita is near Old Town.

The urban taco joint serves up authentic Mexican eats like pork carnitas with cotija and pickled cactus-green chile salsa and brisket barbacoa with guacamole and pickled red onion. Yum!

Order a few different ones to try, and you will not be disappointed. 

Tip: Happy Hour is offered from 4 PM to 7 PM on Monday through Friday which includes $3.00 Mexican Drafts, $3.50 House Margaritas, and 1/2 priced well drinks.

Street tacos at District Taqueria, one of the best restaurants in Wichita Kansas.
If you’re like me and like cilantro, ask for a sprinkle on top when you order your street tacos District Taqueria.
Street taco at District Taqueria in Wichita.
Brisket barbacoa street taco at District Taqueria with cotija, guacamole, and pickled red onion.

8. Mac and Cheese at River City Brewing Co

What’s not to love at Wichita’s oldest brewpub? Located in Old Town, River City Brewery offers a fantastic selection of craft beer and an extensive food menu.

The red brick building of River City Brewery in Old Town. Wichita Restaurants

The flagship Emerald City Stout with hints of dark chocolate and espresso is a favorite and so is the homemade creamy mac n’ cheese. Top it with the buffalo fried chicken and you’ll find out what all the buzz is about.

If you’re looking for a lighter or healthier option the Chicken Caprese entree served with steamed broccoli is an outstanding choice. 

Mac and Cheese is one of the most popular dishes at River City Brewing Company, one of the best breweries in Wichita.
Mac and Cheese is one of the most popular dishes at River City Brewing Company, one of the best restaurants in Wichita. 

Wichita has so many great restaurants, we can’t wait to get back to discover more! 

Have any other favorites? What are your choices for the best restaurants in Wichita? Share with us in the comments below and we will try to get there next visit!

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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

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