14 Best Restaurants in Lawrence, Kansas

By VI Staff on April 29, 2020

15 Best Romantic Restaurants in Lawrence

When it comes to romance, Lawrence, Kansas has several excellent restaurants and places to celebrate love. The city is home to a number of interesting attractions that can be explored together during the day such as the Spencer Museum of Art, which boasts an impressive collection of contemporary and indigenous art; the KU Natural History Museum featuring dinosaur fossils, live insects and a honeybee colony; and the sprawling Baker Wetlands in the southern part of the city, which is home to hundreds of bird species. Here are some of the city’s top romantic restaurants for celebrating love.

1.715 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

2.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

3.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

4.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

5.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

6.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

7.The Basil Leaf Cafe Ristorante

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

8.The Mad Greek

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

9.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

10.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

11.Paisanos Ristorante

For a traditional Italian dining experience, head to Paisanos Ristorante in Topeka. The locally-owned, family-friendly restaurant is renowned for serving authentic Italian cuisine and casual wines in a pleasant setting, boasting intimate wooden dining booths, and walls adorned with old photos, creating a romantic ambiance. Seasonal menus feature platters of antipasto of fried zucchini spears, toasted ravioli, minestrone, Sicilian meatball, and Italian sausage, followed by entrées of artichoke and spinach ravioli, wood-fired pizzas, 15-layer lasagna, penne Rosso pasta and sausage, and tortellini. Paisanos offers a nightly special on different food and drinks, and a full-service bar serves fine wines from around the world and craft beers.

2112 W 25th St, Lawrence, KS 66047, Phone: 785-838-3500

12.On the Hill

On the Hill is a small, Italian restaurant that takes dining experiences to the next level with a menu of authentic Italian cuisine imbued with traditional flavors. Located on the first floor of The Oread Hotel, the cozy 24-seat Italian restaurant is decorated with authentic Italian pieces, ranging from old pots and pans hanging on the walls to original shutters from a house in Tuscany. Food and beverage director of the Oread Hotel, Jake Crane, presents a variety of sublime dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, which are accompanied by an extensive list of fine wines with more than 160 labels from around the world, including organic wines. On the Hill is open for dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.

1200 Oread Ave, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-830-3998

13.Bon Bon

Set in an old limestone building on Pennsylvania Avenue, Bon Bon is an eclectic and unique restaurant in the heart of the city that serves creative cuisine in a fun-filled, quirky environment. Owned by Codi and Simon Bates, the bright and vibrant restaurant offers a menu of dishes inspired by the couple’s travels with tastes and flavors from around the world. Signature dishes range from starters of sweet-potato-and-poblano samosas, takoyaki (Japanese octopus fritters), French chicken rillette, and queso dip, and entrées of tabbouleh, pork schnitzel, hot chicken sandwiches, and tater-tot goulash. Bon Bon is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

804 Pennsylvania St, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-856-2275

14.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