What’s new in KC food & drink: November 2026

Openings

Tilly’s in Trimble

If you’ve never traveled 25 miles north of the city to Trimble, Missouri, now you have a reason. Chef and master butcher Chad Tillman recently opened Tilly’s Rise and Shine, a breakfast and lunch restaurant (101 US-169, Trimble, MO).

Tillman previously opened Norcini, a pizza, sandwich and charcuterie restaurant inside Strang Hall, where he showcased his nose-to-tail butchering expertise. The chef keeps things casual at his new restaurant, which he officially opened last month with his wife, Lauren.

Located along US-169, across the highway from Paradise Locker Meats, Tilly’s caters to early risers and truck drivers with ham and egg breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches ranging from French dips to Italian subs, coffee and dirty sodas.

Tilly’s is open daily from 4:30 am to 3 pm.

Tiki Taco Continues Sweeping KC

Kansas City-based fast-casual restaurant Tiki Taco continues to expand across the metro.

The local Cali-inspired chain known for its street tacos, burritos and bowls opened its seventh location in the Crossroads last month (412 E. 18th St., KCMO). According to a press release, three more locations are currently in the works.

Donutology Sets up Shop at Crown Center

Donutology, the donut shop known for dirty sodas and small-batch experimental flavors, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a move to Crown Center (2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 121, KCMO).

The shop formerly operated in Westport and now occupies the space previously home to Einstein Bros. Bagels in Crown Center. As at its former location, customers can watch their donuts being made on-site.

Two New Brews in North Kansas City

North Kansas City is getting more caffeinated with the opening of two new coffee shops: one with a mission and the other with competition-level coffee.

Latte Life opened in mid-October off Armour Road under the local nonprofit Life Unlimited (318 Armour Road, North KC). The coffee shop will employ adults with disabilities, training them as baristas while helping them build job skills. The menu features standard cafe fare, with pastries and coffee beans supplied by recently opened Provis Coffee Roasters and Northlandia Coffee Roasting Co.

Provis Coffee Roasters opened in late September in a two-story, 200-seat space (2914 Buchanan St., North KC). The cafe aims to elevate both its atmosphere—with dark walls, leather chairs and a fireplace—and its coffee program. Owners Ronni Kurtz and Josh Brown offer pour-overs made with beans sourced from competition-level farmers in Ethiopia and Colombia. The menu also includes familiar espresso-based drinks, from lattes and drip coffee to Americanos.

Green Lady Lounge Plans December Return

After a rooftop HVAC fire caused water damage to the building, one of Kansas City’s favorite jazz spots, Green Lady Lounge, has been closed for repairs (1809 Grand Blvd., KCMO). After months of waiting, the venue has finally announced plans to reopen in December.

In a social media post, the jazz club said it hopes to welcome guests back by Dec. 1, adding, “we look forward to seeing you before the end of the year.”

Closings

Midtown Costco Closes, With a Business-Centered Future

Let’s pour one out for Midtown’s Costco—as we knew it, that is.

Much to the disappointment of city officials and Midtown residents, the store officially closed Oct. 1 to begin its transformation into a Costco Business Center, with plans to reopen in spring 2027 (241 Linwood Blvd., KCMO). The revamped store will primarily cater to local businesses, offering products and services geared toward commercial customers. Shoppers will still be able to find fresh and frozen produce, along with pharmacy services.

Le Champion Closes, Izakaya Moves In

Le Champion, a small-plates restaurant in the heart of Westport, had big shoes to fill when it opened in the former French bistro Ca Va space (4149 Pennsylvania Ave., KCMO). The restaurant and cafe, helmed by Amante Domingo of The Russell and Noka, has closed after just over a year in business.

Taking its place is Blurred Bar, an izakaya-style bar specializing in ramen. Owners Gerald Pittman and Bryan Hilgemann plan to outfit the space with anime references and will receive guidance from Domingo as they launch their first restaurant. 

Blurred Bard is expected to open on Halloween.

Other News

Erin McDowell Brings Cookbook Tour to KC

With the late-September release of her fourth cookbook, Bake Anything, Lawrence native Erin Jeanne McDowell is hitting the road for a book tour. The book explores two ideas: foundational baking recipes and the many ways they can be adapted. One of today’s most influential baking educators, McDowell has built a following through food media, including her former role as resident baker at Food52 and her work as a columnist for NYT Cooking. Bake Anything reflects her teaching style, encouraging readers to understand the techniques behind baking so they can develop their own creativity.

McDowell will wrap up her tour with two metro-area stops: André’s Confiserie Suisse on Nov. 19 and The Raven in Lawrence on Nov. 28. Event details have yet to be announced, so keep an eye on her Instagram, @emcdowell, or her website, erinjeannemcdowell.com, for updates.

Dear Donna Adds Dinner Service

At the corner of Gillis and Pacific streets in Columbus Park, chefs Johnny and Helen Jo Leach made a splash when they announced they would take over the beloved Happy Gillis (549 Gillis St., KCMO). Their new restaurant, Dear Donna, has since settled into its breakfast and lunch service well, earning a positive review from me in July. Now, the restaurant is expanding its hours to include dinner.

Dear Donna currently serves dinner Thursday through Saturday until 9 pm. The menu keeps things casual but delicious, with options like half a chicken with fried potatoes, a bone-in pork chop and garganelli with zucchini. Whatever you order, don’t skip one of Helen Jo’s desserts.

Cafe Trio Becomes Louie’s Reserve

The W. VinZant Restaurant Group continues to make headlines with its takeover of longtime Kansas City establishments, including Bo Lings, Waldo Pizza and, most recently, Cafe Trio.

The group acquired the beloved Country Club Plaza restaurant last year and rebranded it in August as Louie’s Reserve Restaurant & Wine (4558 Main St., KCMO). According to a press release, the new concept is intended to be “the next generation of Louie’s Wine Dive,” the group’s first restaurant. Louie’s Reserve will feature a full bar, wine boards and a made-from-scratch food menu.

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