Barbecue shmarbecue.
Kansas City may not be known for its vegan dining, but it should be!
There are a plethora of vegan restaurants, as well as veg-friendly places worthy of a visit.
Kansas City is one of the Midwest's best-kept secrets. You get the benefits of big city living with the easy pace of a smaller town.
This vibrant area is flush with outstanding veg-friendly and vegan restaurants.
Here’s a rundown of some of my favorite vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants in the KC.
Some are on the Missouri side. Others are in Kansas.
Then continue scrolling to hear about what else to see & do between meals, as well as options beyond the Kansas City borders.
In this post:
The Fix
The Fix is a vegan restaurant known for comfort food.
In this location's former life it was a Midtown drug store.
Now they're whipping up sandwiches, burgers, bowls, tacos, and burritos.
Plus, on the weekends you can get pancakes or biscuits & gravy.
The biscuit breakfast sandwich is INCREDIBLE.
It's filled with Impossible sausage, melty cheese, and Just Egg, perfectly fried around the edges.
On the side, fried potatoes.
This vegan fried chicken is smothered in vegan gravy.
It’s a regular occurrence on the specials menu. They call it chicken-fried chicken.
It comes with a dollop of fluffy mashed potatoes, and green beans that taste just like Mom's.
For a gluten-free option, try the street tacos.
Three corn tortillas are packed with your choice of Beyond Meat or portobello mushrooms.
They’re finished with grilled onions, pico de gallo, and cilantro.
On the side is flavorful Mexican rice.
For appetizers, they offer jalapeno poppers.
They are clearly made in house & massive. They almost remind me of chile rellenos, because of their size.
However, the filling is oddly lumpy and bland. I’d pass on these next time.
Mud Pie Vegan Bakery
Mud Pie is a vegan bakery with ready-to-go cakes, grab-and-go lunches, and pre-bottled drinks sold in reusable and recyclable glass jars. (They used to have a full espresso bar, but not anymore.)
Mud Pie has moved around over the years. At one time there were even two locations. Now their single location is in Mission, Kansas.
Their menu items vary, but expect things like cinnamon rolls, savory kolaches, jalapeno cheddar or cranberry orange scones, muffins, or cupcakes.
On Saturdays and Sundays they have fried donuts!
Café Gratitude
Kansas City has a lot of vegan comfort foods, sandwiches, and fried food.
But if you have a hankering for something on the healthy side, check out Café Gratitude.
They have filling, substantive food that is simple without being boring.
Cafe Gratitude is a vegan restaurant, except for the honey used in some drinks. But it’s easy to skip those.
They're also one of the few vegetarian restaurants in town that offers wine. (Most of the others are more casual.)
You may know Café Gratitude from their other locations in California. Expect a similar vibe with dishes that double as mantras.
So instead of asking for lentil curry, you can request it by its given name, "I am humble."
This curry bowl is made with spicy & smooth lentils, spinach, and roasted sweet potatoes. It's served over brown rice.
It's finished with a drizzle of sweet tamarind sauce and coconut mint chutney.
Other favorites:
- I am Terrific: Raw pad Thai with kelp noodles, kale, carrots, cucumbers, herbs, and almonds
- I am Strong: Sweet potato tacos
- I am Grateful (Community Bowl): Black bean & rice bowl with kale and tahini sauce
Don't leave without dessert.
The options change. But expect things like this dense and creamy blueberry meringue or strawberry cheesecake.
(For a taste of Cafe Gratitude at home, I have two recipes inspired by drinks there – celery cucumber juice & peach rooibos.)
Meshuggah Bagels
Meshuggah Bagels is a chain with the kind of high-quality bagels you’d expect in New York City.
With every chewy bite, you’ll wonder if you’ve been transported to the East Coast.
They have locations in the Power & Light District, Midtown, Overland Park, and Liberty.
All of the bagels at Meshuggah are vegan – including the bialys.
Options include plain, everything, poppy seed, sesame seed, onion, garlic, salt, rye, whole wheat, cinnamon raisin, bialy, and chocolate chip.
To top your bagel, they have vegan plain cream cheese.
For more of a bagel sandwich situation, add sliced tomato, capers, and/or red onion.
If you’re looking for coffee to go with your bagel, I’d search elsewhere. Their only non-dairy creamer option is powdered.
Mesob Restaurant
If you’re craving Ethiopian food, Kansas City has a wealth of delicious options – including Mesob.
Mesob Restaurant features both Ethiopian and Caribbean fare. The restaurant has a date night vibe.
(Although, TV’s in restaurants aren’t my favorite. Sit away from the bar area if you get distracted by them.)
The vegetarian platter comes with yellow split peas, red lentils, cabbage & carrots, collard greens, and a green salad with tomatoes.
All of the wots are wonderfully layered in flavor. The cabbage is so tender, it falls apart in your mouth while you eat.
One platter is a good serving size for two people.
Other vegan Ethiopian options include portobello mushroom tibs, shiro with blended chickpeas, and asmara pasta in a portobello mushroom ragout.
I’m also curious to try their vegan paella on a future visit. It’s made with black mushroom rice, saffron broth, and a variety of veggies.
Things to do & see
If you're in town for a weekend getaway, here are some of my favorite things to do in the Kansas City area between meals.
City Market
City Market is a daily farmers market that is especially bustling on weekends.
Nearby Blue Nile Cafe also has tasty vegan Ethiopian options!
First Fridays
The first Friday of the month there's a gallery walk in the Crossroads Arts District.
See a variety of artwork on display in the galleries. Then enjoy impromptu live music and dancing in the streets.
There's a real party vibe.
Downtown antiquing
On the first Friday weekend of the month, meander to West Bottoms to check out eclectic antiques in dilapidated buildings.
I especially like Good Ju Ju.
Country Club Plaza
Catch up on your shopping at Country Club Plaza.
This 15 city blocks long plaza is dotted with fountains, sculptures, and designer shops.
While there a lot of chain stores, they also have some local haunts as well.
Most of all it's nice to be outside & do some window shopping.
Iron District
Dine outdoors at the Iron District in North Kansas City.
It's a collection of colorful shipping containers that work as makeshift kitchens.
You can grab a meal from any of the restaurants and dine at picnic tables. Pick up a beer or cocktail. And afterwards, do some shopping.
Some nights they have live music, which lends to the festive vibes.
Cool off with a cocktail from Tiki Huna. I am not a fan of sweet drinks. So I recommend a gin & lime cocktail with a Topo Chico mixer for fizz.
More of a beer fan? You can find craft beers at Tap Shack.
Central Soyfoods
This isn't a tourist spot. But I do like to pick up some locally made tofu from Central Soyfoods whenever I'm in the area.
They make it in a variety of flavors like plain, hot fiesta, and garlic herb. I especially like the hickory smoked variety.
You can find it at Whole Foods & other natural grocery stores.
Nelson-Atkins Museum
Take in the art at this illustrious (and free) museum, which houses 42,000 pieces of art.
And even if you don't visit the interior gallery, it's still worth wandering around their grounds and posing with the oversized shuttlecocks.
It looks like giants just ended their game of badminton.
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
T/M has a variety of dollhouses and miniatures on display, as well as decades' worth of toys to admire.
If you like little things, you’ll love perusing the collection here.
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
Located in nearby Independence, Missouri, this presidential library is worthy of a visit.
This museum give a fascinating peek into the life of our nation’s 33rd president. It’s also a window into the times that he lived in.
It’s very interactive with a mixture of video and audio components, in addition to the usual placards on the wall.
Children will be equally engaged as well as adults.
I was especially intrigued by the selection of letters that he wrote to his wife.
He was an avid letter writer. And they shared over 200 letters in the course of their relationship.
There are definitely sobering, sad, and troubling elements in the exhibits that elucidate the times, and are given with context.
President Truman and his wife, Bess, are interred on the grounds there.
Parkville, Missouri
Parkville is about twenty minutes from downtown Kansas City.
If you want to stay somewhere quiet with only the sounds of trains to lull you to sleep, it's ideal for a low-key getaway.
Their charming Main Street feels like a walk back in time.
- Grab a soy latte at Parkville Coffee
- Walk by the Missouri River
- Take in the mini farmers market on Saturdays
- You can even see waterfalls
Content updated December 30, 2024. Since the original publishing date, some restaurants have been removed due to closure – including Mattie’s, Pirate’s Bone, Landoplenty, Kind Food, Wines by Jennifer, FUD in Parkville, Missouri. Originally posted June 4, 2015.
Shell
What a fun trip! We love visiting Kansas City, and will be there again in a couple of weeks. They have so many great vegan options.
Cadry Nelson
How fun! I hope you have a great time!
Jessica
This is our date night place and they never disappoint! I just wish it was possible to find their recipes. I even bought their cookbook and the recipes they serve are not in it 🙁
Cadry
Oh, that’s disappointing that they would create a cookbook but then not include what’s actually served at their restaurant. But how lucky to have Cafe Gratitude available as your date night place!
Susan
Looks like a great start to your trip! Road trips can be fun when there are vegan places along the way. 🙂
Cadry
Yes, it makes road trips a lot more exciting when you know there are delicious stops along the way.
Liz Ardell
I live in KC now, and the vegan choices here are wonderful! Next time, you’ll need to try Waldo Pizza – they have their own vegan menu with vegan mock meat choices (their taco pizza is great with chorizo), be sure to ask for the “Ardell blend” of the vegan cheeses for the traditional pizzas. Its all 3 varieties of vegan cheese they have available blended together on the pizza.
And you can get Fud Sandwiches to go at One More Cup coffee café.
And don’t forget Eden Alley, the very first vegetarian and vegan place in KC. Its on the Plaza, can’t believe that you missed that one with your staying on the plaza. Their Tofu Ruelke sandwich is outstanding!
Cadry
Thanks for the great suggestions, Liz! I will definitely try the taco pizza at Waldo Pizza the next time I’m there. Taco pizza is one of my all-time favorite foods, but finding a vegan version in restaurants is nearly impossible. I will add that to my “musts.”
I went to Eden Alley on a different trip to Kansas City, and I was underwhelmed by it. Perhaps I didn’t order the right thing. I will remember the Tofu Ruelke for next time.
Reba
I live in KC and have eaten at Eden Alley several times. I want to like it, but you are correct. It is always underwhelming, much to my disappointment.
Cadry
I’m sorry to hear that, Reba, but thanks for your candor. Luckily, there are plenty of other vegan options in KC.
Veganopoulous
that eggy sandwich looks fantastic, I also have a packet of Vegg in the back of the pantry I should dig out!
Cadry
Yes, the next time I want a quick sandwich, I’m going to turn my eggy tofu into a sandwich with pickles. I often forget about the Vegg in my pantry too. Luckily, it keeps!
Caitlin
ugh i love your travel recaps SO MUCH. ALL THE FOOD. i really hope cafe gratitude opens a location in philly. everything always looks so amazing. and i totally want a kolache.
Cadry
I am so happy to hear that, Caitlin! I love doing travel posts, but I often worry that people will be less interested if it’s a place they may or may not visit. That would be terrific if Cafe Gratitude keeps expanding. I think their style of food would really appeal to you.
Little Vegan Bear
Yay road trips! Particularly when you can find decent food along the way! When we did a year-long trip around the country, the best I could look forward to at some stops would be an icy pole (not that I don’t love em!). That may be a small serve of nachos but they have certainly packed it high!
Cadry
Yes, road trips are a lot more fun when there are tasty treats along the way. This is the first time I’ve ever heard someone call a popsicle an icy pole. I like that!
KZ
yum! I have had FUD on my radar for a long time! I don’t anticipate getting to Kansas City anytime soon but if I ever do, that will be my first stop. I can’t wait to hear more about your VVC trip! I have been living vicariously through all my vegan Instagram friends! I really wish I could have gone 🙁
Cadry
I wish you could have gone too! I am bummed that it’s the last one, but I’m hopeful that someone else will pick up the charge and start another vegan bloggers’ conference.
Stephanie Meehan
I live very near KCMO and I love going there and eating up all their delicious vegan food! Glad you enjoyed your visit!
Cadry
Oh, how lucky for you, Stephanie! I would love to get to KC more often.
Bianca
FRIED TACOS?! ZOMG! I need to get to KC! I’ve also always wanted to try Cafe Gratitude. I was supposed to go to Kansas City for Amber & Matt’s wedding (Almost Vegan blog), but I ended up not being able to go. 🙁 Soooo, what if you just go ahead and marry Usher (David won’t mind!) and have the wedding in KC and invite me. K?
Cadry
That’s too bad you were unable to go to Amber’s wedding. I remember looking at the pictures she posted on her blog, and it looked like a really unique and beautiful event. I promise that I won’t marry Usher without you! Maybe FUD can cater it. 😉
Nikki
My home! Also my brother is one of the bakers at Mud Pie, so I just got really excited and proud reading your post! I love living here!
Cadry
Oh, that’s terrific, Nikki! I’m so glad to hear that you love living there. David and I have toyed with the idea of moving to Kansas City many times.