As someone who loves trying new places, finding hidden gems, and staying loyal to my local faves I am excited to share with you my Kansas City Local favorites for 2017! I have always wanted to do this, and I thought my 10th year in KC was the perfect time to start.
All of the places on this list are local; no chains. I would like to note that NO part of this is sponsored. For some categories there may be only 1 favorite, and for others I have listed a few. They are in no particular order.
Enjoy!!!
FOOD:
at Monarch Bar shot by Ruthie Stark Photography
Best Restaurant: Antler Room, Cafe Provence, Ragazza, Story
Best Patio: Aixois, Story, JJ’s, Gram and Dun, Char Bar , The Monarch Bar
Best Brunch: Genessee Royale Bistro, Rye, Port Fonda
Best Restaurant that keeps both the parents and kids happy (great food and great kids menu): Story, Rye, North Italia ,Port Fonda
Best Restaurant for Date Night: Cafe Provence, Antler Room, Novel
Best “big night out” Meal: Story, Bluestem
Best Cozy Winter Spot: Osteria Il Centro, Le Fou Frog, Ragazza, Shio Ramen
Best Grab and Go Food: Unbakery and Juicery, The French Market, T.Loft
Best Healthy Food: Enjoy Pure Food, Unbakery and Juicery
Best Salad: The Mixx, Cafe Europa, Summit Grill
Best Sushi: Jun’s
At Goat Hill Coffee shot by Ruthie Stark Photography
Best Coffee: Kaldi’s, Goat Hill, Monarch Coffee, Messenger Coffee Co.
Best Burger: Hogshead, Summit Grill
Best Sweets: Dolce Bakery, Heirloom Bakery
Monarch Bar shot by Ruthie Stark Photography
Best Place for a cocktail: The Monarch Bar, Bluestem, CaVa Champagne Bar, SOT
Best Hidden Gems: Shio Ramen, Happy Gillis, Speak Sandwiches, Snack Shack on Santa Fe
FASHION // HOME
Best Women’s Clothing: Anaphora,, Dear Society, Finefolk, Halls, Standard Style
Best Shoes and Bags: Halls, Standard Style
Best Kids Clothing & Shoes: The Little House
Best Swimwear: Nani Nalu Swimwear Boutique
Best Mens Store: Baldwin, Halls, Ulah
Best store for Dressy Occasions: Halls
Best Store for Gifts: Coveted Home, Hand and Land, Made in KC, Pink Antlers Studio, RSVP in the Village, Standard Style
Hand and Land image via Made in KC Explorer
Best Store for Natural items: Hand and Land, Within Apothecary
Best Home Store: Coveted Home, Golden & Pine, J’adore, O’Home, Nell Hills
Doves Jewelry at Glitters shot by Ruthie Stark Photography
Best Jewelry: Glitters Fine Jewelry, Tivol
Best Local Designers: Ampersand Design Studio, Amina Marie Millinery, Baldwin, Object Enthusiast, Jennifer Janesko, Sierra Winter Jewelry
Baldwin shot by Ruthie Stark Photography
Best Hidden Gems: Coco, Do Good Co., Houndstooth for Men, Varnish + Vine,
BEAUTY
Hair by Colby at Lumine Salon shot by Ruthie Stark Photography
Best Hair Salon: Lumine Salon, Bespoke Salon, Hudson & Hawk for guys
Best Eyebrows: Heidi at Wax and Honey
Best Spraytan: Hoopla Studio ask for Bobbi
Best Manicure and Pedicure: Hoopla Studio, Lovely Nails

Best Makeup Artist: Gina Holmberg, Beth Nelson, Jami Roth
Beth Nelson of B.Beauty working her magic
Best Facial: Nikki at Bare Medspa
Best Laser: Forever Young BBL or Halo Aestheticare
Best Botox: Mandy at Bare Medspa
LIFESTYLE:
Best workout: ok, ok I may be a tiny bit biased; but nothing beats Health House.
Best Parks to go with Kids: Loose Park (spray park is a hidden gem), Valley Park in Grandview, and Roe Park
Best Free Activity with kids: Ride the streetcar, pack up a picnic and hang in Loose Park, Kauffman Gardens, The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, Liberty Memorial
Best Paid activity with Kids: Science City (and their new outdoor area is amazing!), Seeing the Nutcracker at Kauffman Center, Skyzone Trampoline Park, Deanna Rose Farm, Johnson Farm in the fall, Ice Skating at Park Place, The Toy & Miniature Museum
Unique to KC: Antique shopping in the West Bottoms, First Fridays, Plaza Art Fair