14 Best Restaurants in Lawrence, Kansas

© 715 Restaurant

Located in a historic stone building on Massachusetts Street, 715 Restaurant is a charming Italian eatery that serves Tuscan-inspired fare made with locally sourced ingredients in an intimate and romantic setting. Interiors of the restaurant feature original stone walls, shiny black tables, sleek wooden chairs, and a fully-equipped bar that serves a wealth of libations, ranging from craft and draft beers, fine wines from around the world and classic cocktails. Seasonal menus boast traditional Italian fare such as house-made pasta and from-scratch sauces, fresh seafood, prime meats, chicken and veal, and organic salads and vegetarian options. 715 Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and weekend brunch.

715 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-856-7150

© The Roost

Named after a family farm in western Kansas, the Roost is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves casual American fare for breakfast and lunch. A popular neighborhood gathering spot, the breakfast, and lunch specialty restaurant serve a wide array of both sweet and savory breakfast choices, including French toast, corned beef hash, potato pancakes, and multi-egg omelets. Lunch dishes range from gourmet sandwiches, Reubens, and signature mac ‘n cheese to meatballs, roast chicken, and roasted portobello mushrooms. The full-service bar serves a range of globally-inspired wines, craft beers and classic cocktails crafted by hand, and the restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, daily.

920 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-843-1110

© J. Wilson's

J. Wilson’s is a modern American eatery that specializes in serving New Age American cuisine in a comfortable, intimate environment. Formerly known as Mariscos, J. Wilson's is decorated in soft tones of beige with wood and stone accents and serves a seasonal menu of market-driven, innovative dishes ranging from appetizers and hearty entrées to decadent desserts. Inspired by the bounty of the seasons, menus feature sustainable, locally sourced dishes with a modern twist such as Faroe Island Salmon, Shrimp and Catfish Creole, Bourbon Chicken, Spaghetti Squash Bake, and Almond-Crusted Trout. J. Wilson’s is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and weekend brunch.

4821 W 6th St Suite A, Lawrence, KS 66049, Phone: 785-312-9057

© Six Mile Chop House and Tavern

The Six Mile Chop House and Tavern is a locally-owned and operated steakhouse in the heart of West Lawrence that specializes in USDA prime steak, fresh seafood, and tavern-style burgers. The stylish eatery serves a comprehensive menu of traditional chophouse fare such as appetizers of chicken wings and fried calamari, entrées of perfectly seared steaks, fresh seafood, gourmet burgers, and crisp salads, and mouthwatering desserts. The full-service bar serves a wealth of libations, including 26 rotating draft beers, an extensive wine list of more than 150 renowned labels, and classic cocktails made with high-end spirits. The Six Mile Chop House and Tavern is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

4931 W 6th St, Lawrence, KS 66049, Phone: 785-856-6453

© Merchants Pub and Plate

Based in the historic bank building on Massachusetts Street that was once home to Teller’s, Merchants Pub & Plate is an elegant dining destination that has been serving refined cuisine and fine wines for the past 83 years. The beautifully appointed dining space features dramatic windows, tiled floors, and soft lighting, which creates an intimate ambiance, in which co-owners Chef T.K. Peterson and Chef de Cuisine Chris Rieke create and serve mouthwatering contemporary cuisine. Signature dishes include pulled-pork spring rolls, char-grilled short ribs, agnolotti stuffed with ricotta and spiced pumpkin, and braised rabbit cacciatore on asiago grits. The full-service bar serves a variety of drinks, including several rotating draft beers, an impressive wine list of renowned brands and local labels, and seasonal handcrafted cocktails made with high-end spirits. Merchants Pub & Plate is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

746 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-843-4111

© Mass Street Fish House & Raw Bar

Mass Street Fish House & Raw Bar specializes in serving the highest quality of fresh seafood, freshly shucked oysters, and catch-of-the-day fish. The stylish bi-level eatery exudes an intimate vibe with exposed-brick walls, long wood tables, and chairs, and a blackboard showcasing the daily specials such as lobster rolls, grilled fish plates, boutique oysters shucked fresh to order. The a la carte menu also features in-house smoked meats, gourmet burgers, and fresh salads, and the bar program serves a regularly rotating wine list that focuses on sustainable and natural wines, seasonally-inspired craft cocktails, and craft and draft beers. Mass Street Fish House & Raw Bar is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

719 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-856-1081

© InsideCreativeHouse/stock.adobe.com

Located in Locust Valley, the Basil Leaf Café Ristorante is a quaint neighborhood bar and eatery that serves fresh, made-from-scratch Italian cuisine in an unpretentious atmosphere. Owned by Vito Patronelli, the fine dining restaurant is based inside a shopping center on Long Island and has two separate dining rooms, catering for intimate dinners for two and group gatherings. Seasonal menus feature authentic Italian fare prepared with locally sourced ingredients, such as basil chicken cavatelli, tortellini cordon bleu, spaghetti and meatballs, and lemon chicken tenders. The full-service bar serves a variety of drinks, including several rotating draft beers, an impressive wine list of renowned brands and local labels, and seasonal handcrafted cocktails made with high-end spirits. The Basil Leaf Café Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

616 W 9th St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-856-0459

© Nestor/stock.adobe.com

The Mad Greek is a long-standing, family-owned, and operated restaurant that has been serving traditional Greek food to the neighborhood for the past two decades. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and original family recipes, the restaurant serves a wealth of authentic Greek and Italian dishes. Greek signature dishes include Santorini-style shrimp, beef or chicken souvlaki, moussaka, paidakia (lamb chops), and Theo’s kotopoulo lemonata, while Italian specialties include cannelloni Florentine, shrimp fettucini alfredo, gnocchi carbonara, and chicken provolone. The cuisine is accompanied by an impressive list of fine wines, craft beers and classic cocktails crafted by hand. The Mad Greek also has a food truck that serves a limited menu of Greek and Italian dishes to take away, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

907 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-843-2441

© Nagoya Japanese Cuisine

Nagoya Japanese Cuisine is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that serves fresh handmade sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki in a stylish and sophisticated dining space. The restaurant serves a menu of Japanese cuisine such as an array of hibachi, sushi, sashimi, rolls, tempura, teppanyaki, soup, salad, seasonal tempura, California rolls, and other fresh seafood dishes for dinner. Diners can watch the expert sushi chefs preparing specialty rolls at the open sushi bar, and a range of drinks from sake to classic cocktails are available. Nagoya Japanese Cuisine is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

711 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046, Phone: 785-843-1111

© Culinaria Mediterranean Kitchen

Culinaria Mediterranean Kitchen takes diners on a culinary journey through the Mediterranean with a menu of cuisine inspired by the tastes and flavors of Israel, Sicily, and Spain. Committed to providing delightful dining experiences, husband-and-wife team and owners Regan and Aaron Pillar produce food artistry that blends old-country Mediterranean style food made with locally grown seasonal produce and meats with innovative and creative flair. The restaurant features a rustic, inviting façade, and a cozy dining room features vibrant works from local artists on the walls, ceramic floor tiles, natural wood tables and chairs, and lush tropical plants. Culinaria’s full-service bar serves a wide selection of featured wines for pairing with each dish from the menu du jour, craft and draft beers, and classic cocktails.

512 E 9th St, Lawrence, KS 66049, Phone: 785-766-8591

© Free State Brewing Co

In 1989, Free State Brewing Company in Lawrence opened as the first legal brewery in the state of Kansas in more than one hundred years. There are several different areas at this brew pub to enjoy a bite to eat and a pint or two of beer across the two levels of the building. Appealing to a range of customers, Free State Brewing Company offers a food menu with a wide variety of dishes that complement their craft beers. Providing beers for nearly all tastes, brews produced here include pale ales, amber ales, IPAs, lagers, oatmeal stout, and even sours.

636 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-843-4555

© The Burger Stand at The Casbah

Situated in downtown Lawrence on the historic Massachusetts Street, The Burger Stand at The Casbah serves gourmet burgers, hot dogs, and surprisingly several different vegetarian options. The menu also includes an array of options for fries, such as cajun fries, truffle fries, duck fat fries, sweet potato fries, poutine fries, and of course, regular fries. Other sides available include pickle chips, hot chicken mac and cheese, and beer-battered onion rings, and there’s also a sauce bar. The bar menu at The Burger Stand features American classic cocktails and over 30 craft beers available on tap and more than 100 bottles.

803 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-856-0543

© Oriental Bistro & Grill

Oriental Bistro & Grill is a Pan-Asian restaurant that specializes in serving Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Japanese cuisine in a tranquil setting. The restaurant features contemporary décor, comfortable seating and dim lighting for a peaceful and romantic ambiance and serves a variety of signature Asian dishes such as starters of chicken lettuce wraps, crab Rangoon, and egg rolls, and entrées of Korean bibimbap, Pad Thai, Mongolian beef, and yakisoba. Bento boxes are available for take-away, as well as fresh, handmade sushi, and combination platters, and lunch specials, and the bar serves a range of an impressive list of fine wines, craft beers and classic cocktails crafted by hand. Oriental Bistro & Grill is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

1511 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046, Phone: 785-841-8881

© Minsky's Pizza

Minsky's Pizza serves gourmet, Zagat award-winning pizzas to the community of Lawrence, Kansas. This pizza spot has been a favorite neighborhood pizzeria for more than 45 years and has been voted many times as “Kansas City’s Best Pizza.” The pizzas here start with the dough rolled by hand and layered with a generous amount of high quality meats, aromatic herbs, and fresh-cut vegetables. Pizzas are then topped with “100% Wisconsin” mozzarella cheese before they are “baked to perfection.” In addition to the regular pizza menu, Minsky's Pizza also offers customers a gluten-free menu, as well as a full bar.

934 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-856-5252