6 Must-Try Lenexa Restaurants | The Best Restaurants In Lenexa, Kansas

Lenexa, Kansas is a suburb within the greater Kansas City metro area, and is known as the spinach capital of the world dating back to its farming roots in the 1930s and 194os.

Current day, it’s suburban to the core, but if you dig a little deeper beyond the fast-food chains, you can discover some locally-owned restaurants with delicious eats. From friendly pubs to a recently built public market, there’s a spot for all tastes, and we’ll cover most of them in this salute to Lenexa restaurants.

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6 Best Lenexa Restaurants

Lenexa Public Market

8750 Penrose Lane // (913) 477-7516

Start at the Lenexa Public Market, which was established in 2017 and is home to a variety of restaurants, coffee stands, and boutiques.

The interior is modern, with exposed concrete and bright red chairs throughout. There’s seating both upstairs and downstairs and on a weeknight visit, the upstairs was empty. It gives you a bird’s eye view that provides great people watching while you munch on the variety of food available.

I chose Topp’d, a pizza and salad place for my first trip. You can choose your toppings and sauce or order off the menu. I went for the classic Margherita and was pleased with the fresh ingredients.

My pizza included melty mozzarella, basil, and garlic on a thin and crispy crust. Each pizza is made to order and only takes five minutes to heat in the wood-fired oven.

Depending on your appetite, you can choose from large or small. On Tuesdays, all small pizzas are $4.99; a great deal to give you a chance to try out some different options. A really great place to go for pizza in Lenexa.

If you’re in the mood for something with spice, check out Sohaila’s Kitchen. Offering authentic Pakistani and Indian food, it’s a pleasant change from burgers and fries.

Sohaila’s offers daily specials ranging from veggie curry to butter chicken. Entrées are served over rice, but you also get a side of naan.

The butter chicken sauce was not overly spicy but full of flavor. The chicken itself was cooked perfectly; so tender and juicy that I could easily cut it with a fork. The portions were generous and well worth the $8.95 price tag.

The Public Market offers classes to locals as the upstairs serves as an event space. During the summer, there’s a farmer’s market on the weekends and occasionally live music from local musicians.

It’s great to know there’s a local venue offering resources to locals, as well as some of the best food in Lenexa.

To find locally-owned options, great food, and entertainment, I can’t wait to visit the Public Market again and try some more of the great Lenexa restaurants there.

SPIN! Pizza

9474 Renner Blvd // (913) 438-7746

Spin Pizza offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a unique range of pizza and salads.

The interior is inviting, with ceiling lighting made from bike gears and a mural lining wall to wall with Italian phrases and bicyclists (hence the name Spin Pizza). Order at the counter and the pizza will be brought straight to your table.

My favorite option is the mini mia, which is a personal pizza and salad of your choice. I recommend the roasted potato pizza; it includes thinly sliced roasted potato, bacon, and goat cheese.

The pizza isn’t loaded down with sauce and the wood-fired oven provides a crispy crust. For my salad, I chose spinach and goat cheese. With a fair amount of candied pecans and a sweet vinaigrette, it paired perfectly with the roasted potato pizza.

For the kids, they offer a choice of pizza or mac and cheese. The highlight is the small scoop of gelato. From triple chocolate to peanut butter cups, you’re guaranteed to have happy campers.

Complemented by fast service with a friendly staff, Spin Pizza is a great local option in Lenexa. For great pizza in Lenexa, this place will make your head “Spin”.

Brewbakers Pub

482 Renner Blvd // (913) 322-2739

On busy weekdays, Brewbakers is where the locals go to enjoy food and company in a casual setting.

Filled with TVs, it’s a sports lover’s dream and a great place to catch the game. Colored Christmas lights hanging across the ceiling and exposed brick give it a lived-in feel.

I was not disappointed by the pork tenderloin sandwich- a breaded tenderloin with a lemon vinaigrette dressing on a brioche bun. It fills the plate and I had leftovers for later. With crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes, it is a treat for sure.

Offering mainly pub food, sandwiches, and burgers, this Lenexa restaurant truly knows the definition of comfort food. I chose waffle fries for the side, which were fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside.

The staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is delivered made to order. Brewbakers runs daily specials, so it’s worth stopping and joining friends to watch the latest sports game whatever the season.

For a perfect blend of casual and comfort, try this great Lenexa restaurant.

Silo Modern Farmhouse

17501 West 87th St. Pkwy // (913) 278-0910

For more upscale fare with farm-fresh ingredients, head to the Silo Modern Farmhouse located on the Canyon Farms Golf Course.

With floor-to-ceiling windows providing a beautiful Kansas view, I was ready to settle in and see what was offered. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner menus Tuesday- Sunday, along with a weekend brunch.

I chose to go during lunchtime and was impressed with the options. Sandwiches range from $12-$14, while the entrees top out at closer to the $20 range. The menu is focused on local, seasonal ingredients.

I started with a whipped goat cheese appetizer served with crostini and locally made honey. The fresh cheese on the crostini with some fresh greens hit the spot and I know it will be a repeat. Be sure to check out their impressive charcuterie plate as well.

For my entrée, I went with the Silo Boston wedge salad. Served with bleu cheese dressing, bacon and tomatoes, it fills the plate. If you’re looking for something heartier, try the Buttermilk Fried Chicken sandwich, which comes with a house-made herb biscuit, coleslaw, and tomato-bacon jam. The chicken is perfectly cooked, and the house-made biscuit is baked to perfection.

Save room for dessert, as the specialty is a 32-layer chocolate cake with layers of chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, and a cherry chocolate sauce. The portion is large, so share it with friends or take it home for later. Their apple pie also looked delicious!

With a relaxing and sophisticated atmosphere without being stuffy and a farmhouse fresh menu, I will be returning to the Silo Modern Farmhouse to further explore the menu for more examples of fine dining in Lenexa.

Blackdog Coffee House

12815 W 87th Street Pkwy // (913) 495-5515

I was pleasantly surprised the moment I walked into Blackdog Coffee House. It had an energetic vibe with most tables full in the sprawling space covering two storefronts in Lenexa during the noon lunch rush.

Industrial metal chairs and wooden tables provide a welcoming space to relax with a laptop or hold a meeting with friends. The staff is kind and welcoming and happy to help guide you through the varied menu.

Comprised of Blackdog Coffee and the Ibis bakery, the separate concepts combine to provide coffee and drinks with artisan bread and bakery treats.

Open from 6 am- 9 pm, the Coffee House offers a breakfast and lunch menu.

Blackdog coffee serves Messenger Coffee- a Kansas City favorite. Offering drip coffee, specialty lattes, and a variety of tea, you’re sure to get your caffeine fix satisfied.

Bakery goods are baked fresh daily and I was spoiled with all the choices upon arrival. In the age-old battle of savory vs. sweet, I recommend taking a friend and sharing bites.

I chose a goat cheese bear claw that could have been found in the patisseries of Paris. The bear claw had layers and layers of thin and flaky pastry with just the right amount of goat cheese filling in the middle.

If sweet is more your style, choose the cherry chocolate cookie – full of chocolate chunks and real cherries. The cookie had plenty of filling and a soft chewy texture.

I look forward to returning to the Blackdog Coffeehouse for a gourmet drink and freshly baked bread very soon! File this one under “Must try Lenexa KS restaurants.”

Ignite Wood Fired Grill

8721 Ryckert St // (913) 955-3473

I was fortunate enough to visit Ignite Fire Grill in Lenexa, Kansas during restaurant week. This is a time in KC when many restaurants offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus.

I was happy to choose Ignite as they kept their usual menu options rather than offering something specific I wouldn’t be able to return for. I chose to go during lunch, and recommend reserving a table as they have quite a lunch rush due to the many companies and offices near its location.

The interiors are modern, and I was surprised by how large the facility was. There are plenty of tables and booths and with the high ceilings, you don’t feel crowded.

The staff was friendly and walked me through the menu and the various options. I chose a pick-two special of a salad and half sandwich and with the numerous options, I’ll be back to try more.

For my salad, I chose the apple salad which included fresh Granny Smith apples, mixed greens, goat cheese, almonds and raisins with an apple vinaigrette. The salad tasted fresh and the crunch of almonds with cheese and apples was the perfect start to a delicious meal.

My second choice was the turkey sandwich with perfectly toasted sourdough bread, thinly sliced roasted turkey, Dijon mustard, pear slices, and gorgonzola cheese. The sandwich was a great portion and I tucked it right away. I was pleased with the variety of flavors with none of them overpowering but perfectly blended.

For dessert, it was a peach cobbler served with vanilla ice cream. Tasting as delicious as my grandma would make, it was a sweet treat to end the meal properly. The cobbler had just the right amount of peaches and was served warm, so it melted in my mouth.

The service was great that day. Even though every table was full by noon, staff were quick to provide drinks and take orders. They maintained a kind and friendly demeanor although obviously very busy! There’s more to uncover on the menu and I’m sure I’ll be back to one of the best Lenexa restaurants.

Visiting Lenexa was a pleasant surprise, and I was thrilled to uncover so many Lenexa restaurants so close to home. The next time you find yourself in the greater Kansas City area, I encourage you to check out Lenexa too. You’ll find a friendly community with some fantastic locally-owned restaurants to satisfy your appetite!

Which of these Lenexa restaurants do you most want to try? Let me know in the comments section below!

Erin Jones

Erin Jones works in the corporate world, but her true passion is exploring. Whether it is navigating across cities in America or Europe there are no vacation hours left behind at year-end. You can find Erin’s latest travels on her blog Adventures of Erin.