Kansas City has a fantastic restaurant scene, and even more good things are on the horizon. Here’s a sneak peek at new restaurants and concepts coming to the area in 2026.
Disco Burger Bringing Smashburgers to Brookside
Disco Burger is a popular spot in Kansas City’s River Market, operating as a food truck parked outside the Varsity Club. Their specialty is smashburgers, but they also offer patty melts, all-beef Disco Dogs, and vegetarian and vegan burgers and dogs. This summer, they’ll be opening a brick-and-mortar location in Brookside with an expanded menu.
Paris Baguette Expanding to Downtown Kansas City
A French-inspired bakery and cafe from South Korea, currently has two KC metro locations, both in Overland Park. Later this year (hopefully in June), they plan to open a new location downtown in the Power & Light District. The bakery features everything from cakes and doughnuts to breads and just about every flaky pastry you can imagine, both sweet and savory. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, tea and coffee round out the menu.
Cornflower Baked Goods Debuts in Leawood
Another bakery is set to join the KC market this year: Cornflower Baked Goods. Pastry chef Megan Garrelts, who spent more than a decade at Rye, is opening a new neighborhood bakery next door to Rye Leawood. Expect pies, cakes and pastries alongside grab-and-go sandwiches, Onyx coffee and specialty dessert sauces.
Boulevard Yard Adds a New Outdoor Gathering Space This Summer
This summer, Boulevard Brewing Co., a beloved KC brewery, will debut Boulevard Yard, a new second-story outdoor bar and patio space. With epic skyline views, comfortable outdoor seating and multiple large-screen TVs, it should be a great spot for watch parties.
Kata Nori Expands Hand-Roll Sushi to Overland Park
Kata Nori, KC’s only hand-roll sushi restaurant, is expanding from its Crossroads location to a second location in Overland Park. According to their website, seafood is flown in fresh from Japan weekly and prepared to order. Each hand roll is served immediately to preserve its freshness. In addition to hand rolls, they also offer crudos, sashimi and various small plates. The Crossroads location features only a sushi bar for dining, but the new Overland Park location will include a dining room as well. They’re hoping to open in June, just ahead of the World Cup.
CASA Bringing a Fresh Take on Mexican Cuisine to Prairie Village
Filling the former Salty Iguana space in Prairie Village will be CASA, a Mexican-inspired concept with a health-minded approach. Founded by the creative force behind Billie’s Grocery, CASA’s menu will also feature Asian and Mediterranean influences. In addition to the restaurant and bar, the building will include a private event space.
Vertice Italian Set to Open on the Country Club Plaza
Vertice (pronounced ver-tee-chay) Italian will open on the Plaza in 2026. Behind this new restaurant and cocktail lounge is Summit Hospitality Group, the team responsible for Summit Grill, Pearl Tavern, Third Street Social and more. Based on the success of those restaurants, it’s easy to imagine Vertice becoming another local favorite — especially with a menu featuring handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and a carefully curated wine list.
Dear Donna Aims to Become a Columbus Park Favorite
Dear Donna is a new comfort food concept that recently opened in the former Happy Gillis space in Columbus Park. For now, they’re offering breakfast and lunch 10:00-3:00, with items like pimento cheese with crackers, a Dutch baby with fried chicken and a fried fish sandwich. They also offer sundries and grab-and-go items. Ultimately, the owners hope it will become a neighborhood hangout, much like its predecessor.
Italian Sausage Company Expanding to River Market
The Italian Sausage Company opened in Gladstone just over four years ago and has developed a cult following thanks to its hearty, double-fisted sandwiches. Now they’re planning a new location in the River Market — a two-story space that will serve as their central catering hub and feature a walk-up deli. Customers will find the same sandwiches from the Gladstone menu, along with East Coast-style breakfast items and drinks from an espresso bar.
Current State Coffee Roasters Coming to Downtown Shawnee
Adding to an already vibrant Downtown Shawnee will be Current State Coffee Roasters, a new coffee shop designed to resemble a 1970s ski lodge. They’ll offer an array of pastries and beverages, including single-origin, in-house roasted coffee. The plan is to open later this year. In the meantime, you can try their coffee at Billie’s Grocery.
Be Happy Pie Company Opening in Gladstone
A franchise that began in Indiana in 2015, is opening a location in Gladstone — its fourth location overall. Along with roughly 40 flavors of pie, pie bites and “scrappies” (pie dough scraps), they’ll offer chicken pot pie, taco pie, quiche and other treats.
Tiki Taco Continues Kansas City Expansion
Tiki Taco currently has five KC-area locations and is rapidly expanding. New locations are planned for Liberty in May, the Crossroads in June or July, and Metro North Crossing in the Northland in August or September. Creative taco flavors like Korean beef, sweet chili shrimp, Thai fried chicken and avocado share the menu with traditional crunchy and soft tacos, burritos (many with curly fries inside!), tiki bowls, street corn, chips and queso and more.
Telia Bar & Kitchen Bringing Three Concepts Under One Roof
In Downtown Overland Park, a new three-story concept called Telia Bar & Kitchen will take over the space formerly occupied by Buffalo State Pizza (which relocated just down the street). Plans include a main-floor American restaurant serving brunch, lunch and dinner; a rooftop bar; and a basement speakeasy called Night Owl, which will have its own separate entrance. The owner, who is also the founder of Scratch Gourmet Kitchen in Prairie Village, hopes to open by fall.
Lorellie’s Handcrafted Caramels and Chocolates Opens Storefront
For more than a decade, Brandi Robertson has been perfecting her caramel and chocolate, and since 2022, she’s been selling them at Painted Tree Boutiques. But very soon, she will be opening Lorellie’s Handcrafted Caramels and Chocolates, a storefront location in Overland Park. Her offerings will include all kinds of caramels, peppermint patties, Peanut Butter Bombs, cookies, ganache truffles and more. Tentative hours are 11:00-7:00 Tuesday through Saturday. Robertson will also continue to sell from her booth at Painted Tree.
With so many exciting openings on the way, it’s clear that Kansas City’s food scene isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From bakeries and coffee shops to sushi bars and burger joints, 2026 is shaping up to be another delicious year in KC.