Best of KC 2026: A Jaunt in the Westside

Clay and Fire // Photo by Sarah Sipple

Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we think make 2026 KC life feel like a winner. We’ll be publishing these online throughout June and July.

Up the hill from the Kauffman Center, atop Kansas City’s western bluff, you can immerse yourself in the Westside neighborhood for a mountain-town feel.

Streets share a unique fill of houses, new and old, for a picturesque saunter any time of day. Take your fill of the city view, and fill your stomach with a wide range of restaurants. 

Los Alamos Cocina, a 25-year-old staple for Mexican food, invites passersby from the corner of Summit and W. 17th St. Blue Bird Bistro and Chez Elle Creperie offer a down-to-earth ambiance, while Clay and Fire dishes hearty Middle Eastern fare with a warm, homey vibe (check out the upstairs bathroom goldfish tub). The Westside Local heaps big portions that make it worth the price. And the small but ever-popular Zero Zero Handmade Pasta puts its double-digit name behind a small storefront, making it 100% likely you’ll need a reservation far in advance. A tip: day-of reservations for the patio may be available as long as space and weather permit. 

If you’re in the mood for a little treat, Goat Hill Coffee & Soda is a small community hub that satiates caffeine cravings through mid-afternoon, and across the street, you can treat yourself to a new plant at rOOTS KC. Gift shops like Westside Storey tout Kansas City merch, and whimsical and sassy gifts at Fetch help you snag a forgotten present in the midst of it all. A handful of hair salons and a tattoo shop round out the area for self-beautification needs.

You can breakfast, lunch, dinner, preen, gift, and whatever else you please—all within reach of the same block.