Where to Eat During the NAIA Championship

Where to Eat During the NAIA Championship

Barbecue may be Kansas City’s signature food, but the dining scene here embodies the city’s many cultural influences, ranging from indigenous cuisines and home-style cooking, to a wide range of fusion foods. There are a lot of great options for dining near Municipal Auditorium and more just a short distance away.

PLACES TO EAT NEAR MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM

POWER & LIGHT DISTRICT

This nightlife district isn’t just about bar bites. Discerning diners enjoy Bristol—a KC institution where the seafood is flown in daily—while The Mixx attracts health-conscious professionals looking for fast-casual soups, salads and sandwiches. Cleaver & Cork features farm-to-table fare and craft cocktails developed by Chef Alex Pope. Burger enthusiasts congregate at BRGR Kitchen + Bar for imaginative burger creations as big as they are delicious. No Other Pub, a Sporting Kansas City-themed eatery, bar and game parlor, dishes out street tacos and other shareable snacks for the city’s soccer fans.

Distance from NAIA Championship Activities: 2 blocks from Municipal AuditoriumStreetcar Stop: Power & Light (14th & Main)

RIVER MARKET

Foodies won’t have to walk far to uncover a plethora of palate-pleasing dishes in River Market. The Farmhouse sets the bar high with its farm-to-table, tip-to-tail comfort food done right. Belly up to the bar for happy hour at Harry’s Country Club and enjoy classic fare plus a cocktail. Get your fill at Burrito Brothers on the cheap, all while chowing down on menu items chockfull of fresh ingredients. Those in search of Vietnamese dishes need look no further than Pho KC, a delicious eatery that specializes in, you guessed it, pho. Dine in or carry out delicious Chinese cuisine from Bo Ling’s, a family-owned staple in the KC culinary scene. Cupcakes are always a must, and thankfully Baby Cakes has you covered. Its gourmet treats are perfect for special occasions—or for treating yourself.

Distance from NAIA Championship Activities: 1 mile north of Municipal AuditoriumStreetcar Stops: City Market (5th & Walnut), River Market North (3rd & Grand), River Market West (4th & Delaware)

CROSSROADS ARTS DISTRICT

Restaurant choices in the Crossroads make up an eclectic gallery all their own. History is served at delightfully reimagined venues like The Rieger Hotel and Grill Exchange and Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue. Not a carnivore? Café Gratitude is a must for veggie lovers thanks to its 100-percent organic vegan fare. Sample what’s cooking from celebrity chefs Lidia Bastianich (of Lidia’s Kansas City) and Michael Smith (of Extra Virgin). Take your taste buds on a world tour at Nara (casual Neo-Japanese sushi), Affäre (modern German plates) or Grünauer (Austrian-German cooking). Hit up Town Topic, a classic American diner that’s been open 24/7 since 1937, or grab a bite and a margarita at Manny's Restaurante Mexicano. Thirsty? Libations of the vine are paramount at Tannin Wine Bar + Kitchen while The Belfry constructs crowd-pleasing craft cocktails.

Distance from NAIA Championship Activities: 1/2 mile south of Municipal AuditoriumStreetcar Stops: Crossroads (19th & Main), Kauffman Center (16th & Main)

More Dining Options

801 Chophouse - Power & Light District

Region: Power & Light, Downtown