Kansas City, MO
For Italian in Kansas City, the local food press points to Garozzo's Ristorante Downtown, Lidia’s, and Farina. Picks from Kansas City Magazine and KCUR, updated June 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Kansas City Magazine and KCUR. Updated June 2026.
Garozzo's Ristorante Downtown · Columbus Park
Best of KC 2024 reader winner for Best Italian. Columbus Park tavern since 1989 and the originator of KC's signature Chicken Spiedini.
Lidia’s · Crossroads
KCUR critics' pick. Lidia Bastianich's KC flagship in a converted railroad house by David Rockwell, known for the tableside Pasta Trio with unlimited seconds.
Farina · Crossroads
KC Magazine Top 30 and KCUR pick. James Beard winner Michael Smith's modern Italian with house-made pasta in a Tuscan-Umbrian room.
Jasper's Italian Restaurant · Watts Mill
KC's longest-running Italian room (1954) under the Mirabile family. Tableside fresh-mozzarella service and Zagat / Travel + Leisure / USA Today best-Italian recognitions.
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