Wichita Restaurants You Should Be Dining At
Known as the “air capital of the world,” Wichita is Kansas’ largest city and one of the nation’s most essential aircraft producers.
Plus, with an air quality index far above the national average and practically no air pollution, Wichita’s clear blue skies host more than airplanes. There’s also a hot air balloon festival every spring.
There are many other family-friendly activities to enjoy in Wichita, including a visit to the enormous Sedgwick County Zoo or the wildlife exhibit inside Central Riverside Park.
If you want to learn about Kansas history as a pioneering outpost, you can head to the Old Cowtown Museum for an interactive tour of 19th-century life.
Wichita also spawned the wildly popular Pizza Hut and White Castle chains. Fast food isn’t the only dining option in Wichita, so if you’re looking for a formal dinner or a family-friendly neighborhood haunt, Wichita’s restaurant scene has it all.
During my most recent trip to Kansas, I searched for the best restaurants in Wichita and found numerous delicious options, from steakhouses to Mexican food.
Best Restaurants in Wichita
- Sabor Latin Bar & Grille
- Newport Grill
- Chester’s Chophouse and Wine Bar
- Doo-Dah Diner
- Bella Vita Bistro
- Cafe Bel Ami
- Redrock Canyon Grill
- Larkspur Bistro and Bar
- Kobe Steak House of Japan
- Georges French Bistro
- Dempsey’s Burger Pub
- Ziggy’s Pizza East
- Old Mill Tasty Shop
- Bite Me BBQ
- Bonefish Grill
- El Mexico Cafe
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
- Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant
- River City Brewery Company
- Mediterranean Grill
- Meddys
- B&C Barbeque
- Bella Luna Café
Read on to explore my list of excellent restaurants in Wichita that offer a variety of different cuisines and dining experiences.
Sabor Latin Bar & Grille
309 North Mead Street, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-201-4880
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Located in the heart of Old Town Square, Sabor Latin Bar and Grill is a casual and festive restaurant specializing in Latin American cuisines from South America along with tropical-themed cocktails.
They have a great happy hour six days a week from 3-6 pm, plus half-off margaritas and sangria on Sundays.
You can get most cocktails by the glass or as a pitcher, so Sabor expects you to come for a good time with friends.
Their menu features traditional culinary specialties from Venezuela to Mexico to Argentina.
I loved their Salvadorian Pupusas, corn cakes stuffed with roasted pork, peppers, onions, queso Blanco, and shredded cabbage then topped with black bean mousse and orange poblano sauce.
Newport Grill
1900 N Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-636-9555
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One of the more picturesque restaurants on my list, Newport Grill, is a fine-dining steakhouse and seafood restaurant located right on the water of a lovely lake in Chisholm Creek’s Bradley Fair shopping center.
Founder Paul Khoury and Executive Chef Kevin Derks collaborated to create a welcoming and luxurious fine dining experience with contemporary creative takes on steak, seafood, chicken, and pork dishes.
You can stop in for a happy hour, hand-crafted martini, and discounted small plates on the weekdays and stay for a decadent multi-course meal in the main dining room or on the beautiful patio overlooking the lake.
I recommend the Pacific Mahi Mahi with black garlic gnudi caramelized shallot cream, tomatoes, and peas.
Chester’s Chophouse & Wine Bar
1550 N Webb Rd, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-201-1300
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Overlooking the beautiful Beach Lake in Eastborough, Chester’s Chophouse and Wine Bar is a fine-dining traditional steakhouse with a 1000-bottle wine cellar that has won the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Chester’s ample space has different rooms, lounges, and patios to accommodate happy hours, private parties, and intimate romantic dinners.
The seafood arrives fresh daily, and Chester’s offers the best quality of USDA Prime cuts of beef.
The menu offers a multi-course meal using flavors from around the world. I especially loved their take on Poutine, with prime steak, gravy, Wisconsin cheddar curds, and hand-cut steak fries.
Doo-Dah Diner
206 E Kellogg St, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-265-7011
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Doo-Dah Diner is a popular, family-friendly breakfast and lunch diner in South Central Wichita, a whimsical and colorful old-school diner space with vibrant tablecloths and a classic soda fountain counter.
Their hearty breakfasts and lunches are the height of American comfort food, served with characteristic Midwestern cheer.
They offer the best versions of every American comfort food from meatloaf to corned beef hash to chicken fried steak, and everything is delicious and served in heaping portions.
I went for their made-from-scratch biscuits smothered in sausage gravy, which was as comforting and filling as could be.
Bella Vita Bistro
120 N West St #2, Wichita, KS 67203
Phone: 316-941-4500
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Bella Vita Bistro is a charming and romantic family-owned bistro specializing in a fusion of Northern Italian and French cuisine.
Bella Vita is a beloved Orchard Breeze neighborhood eatery and top choice for a romantic date night.
The head Chef Adrian is also a sommelier, offering a great wine list and menu with wine and food pairing suggestions.
The menu at Bella Vita has a wealth of hot antipasti, oven-baked pasta, soup, salads, fresh pasta, and meat-centric entrees.
I recommend the Vodka tortellini with prosciutto, oven-roasted tomato, and shallots in a Vodka cream sauce. For the main dish, the duck confit with an apple glaze was decadent and delicious.
Cafe Bel Ami
229 E William St, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-267-3433
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Owned and operated by Executive Chef Nabil Bacha, Café Bel Ami is a long-standing downtown French Mediterranean bistro serving Wichita for over 20 years.
Café Bel Ami’s proximity to Century II and the Orpheum Theater makes it a favorite restaurant for pre or post-show dinners in a business-casual yet romantic candle-lit dining space.
The menu has a unique mix of French and Middle Eastern Mediterranean dishes. I recommend starting with the scalloped bouchée, a flaky, buttery pastry filled with scallops with a garlic cream sauce.
Their Bel Ami Trio features a beef medallion, chicken breast, and jumbo shrimp with a flavorful peppercorn sauce for the main dish.
Redrock Canyon Grill
1844 N Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-636-1844
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Located inside the Bradley Fair shopping center, Redrock Canyon Grill is a bustling Southwestern grill and bar with a wild-west horseshoe lounge and an open kitchen.
The menu revolves around a wood-fired hearth which customers can observe expert chefs grilling and roasting their meal over open flames.
Red Rock Grill’s signature dish is the wood-fired rotisserie chicken, which you can enjoy as a plate or shredded in enchiladas, chopped salads, and more.
I loved the Thai Steak and Noodle Salad with marinated tenderloin, avocado, mango, Fresno chilies, peanuts, and fresh mint.
Larkspur Bistro and Bar
904 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-262-5275
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Larkspur Bistro and Bar is an Old Town staple for high-end, creative continental cuisine in a comfortable and friendly setting.
They offer the artistic plating and high-quality steak and seafood you would find at a fine-dining establishment in a charming and casual atmosphere.
Their patio idyllic wooden outdoor patio is an excellent spot for summer dining, while the inside lounge has live music emanating from their glorious grand piano.
Larkspur’s menu takes inspiration from Mediterranean cooking in French, Italian, and Spanish traditions and classic American steaks.
I recommend their Kansas City Strip, a 12 oz strip steak with aged bleu cheese, red wine demi, buttermilk mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.
Kobe Steak House of Japan
8760 W 21st St, Wichita, KS 67205
Phone: 316-558-3331
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Kobe Steak House of Japan is Wichita’s favorite Teppanyaki dining restaurant, where families can experience a theatrical, interactive, and authentic Japanese cooking tradition.
Kobe Steak House is a modern, family-friendly Japanese grill located in the Maize neighborhood.
Families sit around a grill and watch their chef prepare sizzling cuts of the finest meats and hibachi vegetables in a mesmerizing display of culinary artistry.
I recommend ordering the hibachi steak and ahi tuna steak, seared on the grill to your liking.
They have combination specialties like filet and lobster or chicken and shrimp that can feed two people.
Georges French Bistro
4618 E Central Ave #50, Wichita, KS 67208
Phone: 316-831-1325
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Owned and operated by George Youssef, Georges French Bistro is an upscale yet inviting European dining experience in the cutest Old-world European café in Crown Heights.
The fantastic and beautifully plated French dishes, coupled with the enchanting atmosphere, have won Georges French Bistro accolades in the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and the Best of Wichita Award.
The classic French bistro menu has everything from escargot to Duck L’Orange. I highly recommend starting with a compelling charcuterie board for the table.
My favorite entrée is the Lyonnaise-style Pork, a schnitzel pork loin topped with citrus vinaigrette and arugula served with mustard sauce and truffle fries.
Dempsey’s Burger Pub
3700 E Douglas Ave #78, Wichita, KS 67208
Phone: 316-425-3831
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With locations in Lawrence, Wichita East, and Clifton Square, Dempsey’s Burger Pub is a trendy, casual brewpub and burger joint with elevated takes on America’s favorite meal.
Dempsey’s uses the finest cuts of Angus beef from the local Creekstone farms, freshly baked bread from a local bakery, and imaginative topping combinations to create their incredible burgers.
You can choose between Wagyu and Black Angus burgers with various options for vegans as well.
They also offer a gourmet variety of fries and dipping sauces, featuring sweet potato fries, truffle fries, duck fat fries, and more.
It’s hard to choose just one burger, but I went with the Bacon Mushroom Swiss Black Angus burger on a pretzel bun with garlic aioli.
Ziggy’s Pizza East
12115 E 21st St N #105, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-779-8181
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Teetering between the Eastborough and Prairie Village neighborhoods, Ziggy’s Pizza East is a neighborhood favorite for local craft brews and great pizza.
They pride themselves on making everything from scratch using family recipes for their dough, sauces, and cheese blends.
They also have a full bar and a great outdoor patio to enjoy a cocktail or brew al fresco for lunch, happy hour, and dinner.
The pizza at Ziggy’s is a unique rectangular pie with a thick, chewy crust cut into giant square slices reminiscent of a classic Sicilian.
The menu at Ziggy’s features other pub fares like sandwiches, nachos, and baked pretzels.
Old Mill Tasty Shop
604 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-264-6500
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Established in Downtown Wichita in 1932, Old Mill Tasty Shop is Wichita’s original soda fountain, offering classic diner and deli food in the original soda fountain interior replete with marble bars, leather bar stools, and white tiled floors.
It’s an authentic time-capsule experience at Old Mill Tasty Shop, and the food lives up to its name.
They’re open for lunch daily, offering a variety of classic deli, BBQ, and club sandwiches as well as salads, entrees, and of course, ice cream in all its forms.
Whether you want an ice cream float, a banana split, a malt, or a dipped cone, Old Mill Tasty offers the best selection.
Bite Me BBQ
132 St Francis, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-729-2904
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Another beloved downtown haunt, Bite Me BBQ is an award-winning Kansas City-style Barbecue joint and cocktail bar in a bustling, family-friendly atmosphere with speakeasy vibes.
According to Kansas Magazine, their smoked ribs rank among the best in the state. Their full bar has 18 micro-brewed beers on tap from local artisanal breweries, and their signature Bite Me Bloody Mary is a meal in and of itself.
The menu is massive at Bite Me, with everything from BBQ sandwiches, fry baskets, BBQ platters, and even Mexican food centered around their smoked meats.
I had to see what the hype was on their spareribs, so I opted for the rib dinner featuring their 16-hour smoked ribs with a side of coleslaw and potato salad.
Bonefish Grill
10250 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-315-0299
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Located in East Wichita, a few blocks from Beach Lake, Bonefish Grill is a national chain of family-friendly yet refined American grill featuring steak and seafood along with craft cocktails for a reasonable price.
They have an incredible daily happy hour from 4 – 6 pm, and their excellent service and fresh food have won a diner’s choice vote for Top US Restaurant from TripAdvisor.
Bonefish Grill originated in California, and you can see it in their fresh, bright California-inspired fish dishes like the Ahi Tuna Poke, tempura crunch sashimi tuna, or the Baja fish tacos.
I loved their wood-fired grill selection of fresh fish and steaks, namely the rainbow trout.
El Mexico Cafe
2544 S Seneca St, Wichita, KS 67217
Phone: 316-558-8220
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El Mexico Café is a long-standing South-Central Mexican food restaurant family-owned and operated for over 45 years as a Wichita favorite for vibrant, authentic Mexican dishes and cocktails.
They are consistently voted best Margarita and tacos in town, but everything is made to order using original family recipes.
Their freshly fried chips and made-to-order guacamole or chili con queso are a great way to start the meal.
I recommend trying a combo platter so you can try a sample of their signature recipes like crispy tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas, all smothered with chili con carne and served with rice and pinto beans.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
10096 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: 316-616-0969
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Firebird’s Wood Fired Grill is a classic American steakhouse with traditional steaks, scratch-made accompaniments, and an elegant, upscale atmosphere that won’t break the bank.
Firebird’s is in a sizeable multiroom dining space with a great patio in the Waterfront Shopping Centre, just east of Beach Lake.
They have a great Happy Hour on weekdays from 4-7 pm with a great selection of elevated bar fare and drink specials.
Chef Cody Jackson makes a creative and bold menu that fuses high-quality wood-fired meat and seafood with regional American comfort foods.
Take, for instance, the lobster spinach queso with baby spinach, tomatoes, and pepper jack cheese, served with tortilla chips.
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant
Multiple locations
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Located in the Beach Lake Waterfront in a beautiful Hacienda-style dining space, Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant is a thriving national Tex-Mex Mexican food chain with locations in nine states.
The family-friendly and festive atmosphere is a great place to unwind over an award-winning margarita or refreshing Mexican lager and a heaping portion of your favorite Mexican dish.
Abuelo’s has an impressive Mexican and Tex Mex favorites menu using fresh, spicy ingredients.
I started with the bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with jalapenos and served with Cholula Queso fresco and a drizzle of chile con queso.
I loved their Angus Beef steak fire-grilled fajitas with all the fresh fix-ins, including made-to-order guacamole.
River City Brewery Company
150 N Mosley St, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-263-2739
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Established in 1993 in Old Town, River City Brewery Company is a brewery and gastropub in a historic two-story cobblestone building with exposed wood beams that date to 1909.
It’s a picturesque and iconic building to enjoy the age-old tradition of craft beer making in a laid-back pub atmosphere.
A wide selection of house-made brews, imported beer, and domestic classics accompany a comforting menu of American comfort foods from around the nation.
The beer menu features dozens of rotating tap brews, seasonal specials, and imported and domestic bottles.
The menu has everything from wings to pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. There’s an entire section for mac and cheese varieties.
My favorite dish here was the Lasagna Mac with creamy cheese sauce, Italian sausage, ricotta, large shell pasta, red sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
Mediterranean Grill
335 S Towne East Mall Dr, Wichita, KS 67207
Phone: 316-651-5599
This unassuming, humble Mediterranean Grill is Bonnie Brae’s hidden gem. The friendly service and authentic menu of classic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare make it a neighborhood favorite for dine-in and take-out.
Mediterranean food is a healthy, flavorful option that both meat lovers and vegetarians will love.
I love sharing the family-style mezze to start, then ordering an individual entrée. Their thorough Mediterranean Combo platter has all the best mezze to share with hummus, Baba ganouj, falafel, tabouli, olives, feta, artichokes, and roasted red pepper to eat with fresh hot pita. IF you’re still hungry after that smorgasbord, try their shawarma.
Meddys
Multiple locations
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Inside an enormous dining space in Wichita’s Greenwich Place Village, Meddys is a contemporary Mediterranean eatery and craft bar in a clean, industrial-chic area with a fun and vibrant atmosphere.
The food, service, and atmosphere at Meddys recently won TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.
You won’t find a better Happy Hour, either, with the cheapest draft beer, wines, and cocktails from 4- 7 pm on weekdays and all day on the weekends.
The food at Meddys is classic Middle Eastern Mediterranean with mezze, entrees, pita wraps, and a delicious selection of baklava for dessert.
I loved the Hummus Stacked Bowl with spiced lamb and sauteed veggies sprinkled with parsley over a thick layer of hummus and high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
B&C Barbeque
355 North Washington Street, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: 316-263-8815
B&C Barbeque is an Old Town Wichita barbecue buffet and bar in a massive, high-ceilinged warehouse with giant smokers out back.
Their Texas-style beef ribs are fall off the bone good, owing to owner Carey Maurer’s perfected 25-year-old method.
They serve a vast menu of barbeque platters, tacos, prime rib, and more from a buffet-style counter. There’s live music to boot.
They have a Prime Rib special on weekends with your choice of 12, 16, 24, or 32-ounce portions that come with two sides.
I recommend the combo platter with ribs and Texas-style smoked brisket with a side of okra and thick-cut french fries.
Bella Luna Café
Multiple locations
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With locations in Bradley Fair and New Market Square, Bella Luna Café is a locally owned Mediterranean and American fusion restaurant and cocktail bar with a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Owner and Head Chef Matteo Taha uses his Lebanese roots and American upbringing to inform his creative Mediterranean American menu.
The menu features Mediterranean appetizers, American steakhouse and seafood entrees, pasta, diner-style sandwiches, soups, and salads.
I loved their bright and garlicky hummus topped with parsley and pine nuts to start. I had the Kebab Trio for the main dish, with a beef skewer and mushroom sauce, and a chicken and shrimp skewer with peppercorn sauce.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a frosty craft beer and barbecue, a margarita and enchiladas, or a martini and a steak, Wichita restaurants run the culinary gamut while all are providing excellent and friendly service.
No matter how fancy or casual you want your dining experience to be, you’ll find the best restaurants in Wichita for any occasion on my list of locally and nationally acclaimed favorites.
If you prefer having meat for dinner. Check out this list of the best steakhouses in Wichita.
Did we leave something out of this list? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll check it out!
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