Want a restaurant-packed ten days in Kansas City with a side of goodwill? Kansas City Restaurant Week returns Jan. 9–18, 2026, with more than 250 restaurants across the metro offering fixed-price, multi-course menus — and a portion of proceeds going to local food-related charities.
This year’s event is the largest yet: more than 250 participants (including over 25 newcomers) are rolling out special menus ranging from barbecue and Southern comfort to Ethiopian and fine dining. Organizers are directing a share of the money to ReStart, the Visit KC Foundation and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association Educational Foundation — groups that connect closely with food and shelter services in the area.
What to expect when you go
Crowds. Creativity. Curated menus.
Restaurants prepare for a different rhythm during Restaurant Week. Some kitchens add staff, stock extra ingredients, and open additional service days. At small spots that don’t usually run three-course dinners, teams are adjusting to new plating, pacing and logistics. That means service may feel a touch slower than a typical weekday, and kitchens are juggling more complexity than usual.
Restaurants participating this year include local favorites and fresh faces: Lula Southern Cookhouse in the Crossroads, Black Garlic on Broadway, Zero Zero Handmade Pasta on Summit, The Town Company and new entrants like The Belfry Collective downtown. In Independence, Ophelia’s Inn and Restaurant is offering an exclusive four-course dinner for the week — a good example of how even smaller neighborhood kitchens use the event to showcase what they do.
Tips for getting the best meal — and being a good customer
- Make and keep reservations. Restaurants expect heavy traffic; a reservation lets staff plan. If your party size changes, call ahead. Last-minute no-shows can hurt a small business.
- Be patient. Extra courses and unfamiliar service flows can slow things down. Remember: hosts and servers are managing seating, timing and sometimes new staffers.
- Stick to the Restaurant Week menu (unless the restaurant invites substitutions). Those prix-fixe offerings are carefully designed for speed and balance; asking for many swaps can disrupt the kitchen.
- Communicate dietary needs early. Simple, reasonable substitutions are usually fine if requested before service begins.
- Don’t linger too long after paying. Quick table turnover helps other diners join the celebration — most places allow a short grace period after the check.
- Tip generously. Many restaurants rely on tips for staff wages, and servers are doing extra work during these busy nights. If in doubt, consider 20% or more for strong service.
- Be kind. If something isn’t right, speak calmly to the staff so they can address it. Anger directed at hosts or servers won’t speed anything up and can make a hard night harder.
- Lula Southern Cookhouse: Owners are calling in extra help and adjusting prep to accommodate multi-course dinners.
- Black Garlic: The Midtown spot — formerly Mesob — is participating and reminding diners to be mindful of table turnaround.
- Zero Zero Handmade Pasta: Back for its second year; this is the first year customers can dine inside their Westside location for Restaurant Week.
- The Belfry Collective: A newcomer looking to show off its cocktail and food program to a broader audience.
- Ophelia’s Inn and Restaurant (Independence): A four-course exclusive menu during the event.
Beyond the meal: how Restaurant Week helps the city
Kansas City Restaurant Week isn’t just about discounted tasting menus — it’s a fundraiser. Over its history the event has raised millions for local causes; this year’s charitable partners include ReStart, which serves thousands of meals annually to people experiencing homelessness. Dining out during Restaurant Week funnels support to the wider food ecosystem: suppliers, line cooks, servers and local nonprofits.
If you want to make logistics smoother, consider using technology to book and navigate. New tools promise easier reservation and mapping experiences — for example, recent developments in agentic booking technology aim to simplify appointments and reservations, and enhancements to Google Maps’ AI features can help you find and reach restaurants faster.
A few restaurants worth noting this year
If you’re browsing the full roster, scanning menus ahead of time helps you pick something you’ll enjoy and saves time at the table.
Restaurant Week can be a delicious way to explore the city and support dining workers and local causes. Plan ahead, tip well, and treat the people behind the pass with respect — you’ll likely walk out with new favorites and the satisfaction of having done a little good while eating well.