My Personal Picks
Where I Actually Eat in Wichita
I've lived here my whole life, and these are the places I take my own family and the people I help move here. It's not a list of every restaurant in town. It's my list, split up by meal, with my favorite spot in every suburb.
If you only try one place
Station 8 BBQ
This is my pick. It's only open for lunch a few days a week, and they sell out, so get there about 15 minutes before they open. The line forms early. If they have Texas Twinkies that day, order them.
Get directions ↗Wichita, Meal by Meal
Tap any name to pull it up on Google Maps.
Breakfast
- Larcher's MarketTop pick
My top pick for breakfast, and it's great for lunch too.
A classic Wichita staple. Expect a line on weekends.
Fresh, local, and worth the wait.
Relaxed and consistent. Go to the West Central location.
Old-school diner food done right.
Lunch
A local favorite for Mediterranean.
A solid all-day option. Works for lunch or dinner.
Great food and local beer.
An Old Town staple.
The best Mexican food in the city, in my opinion.
Dinner
- Georges French BistroTop pick
Upscale and consistently excellent.
Farm-to-table downtown. One of the best meals in Kansas.
Elegant Italian.
The best seafood in Wichita.
German-inspired, with a great atmosphere.
My Favorite Spot in Every Suburb
Each suburb has its own local favorites. Here's my pick in each one, plus a few more worth knowing.
Andover →
Caleb's pick
Point Nine TrailsideA seasonal menu, a great patio, and live music, right on the trail. It's one of the best-rated spots in town.
A neighborhood bistro with a menu you won't find anywhere else.
Casual Mexican with tableside guac and solid margaritas.
Maize →
Caleb's pick
MOXI JunctionThe hidden gem of Maize. A coffee shop, bakery, and art gallery that most people outside the area have never heard of.
Fun atmosphere and a big menu.
For more choices, most Maize locals head a few minutes south to West Central Avenue in northwest Wichita.
Derby →
Caleb's pick
Las Vaquitas Mexican FoodFamily-owned and always one of Derby's top-rated spots. They're known for all-you-can-eat tacos.
Big portions, incredible queso, and great street tacos.
A brunch favorite. Get the breakfast Fryders or the biscuits and gravy.
A step up from your usual Mexican spot.
Bel Aire →
Caleb's pick
Jumbo's Beef N BrewThe go-to casual spot near Bel Aire. Good food, and it's the kind of place the neighborhood actually uses.
Some of the best Italian food in the area.
A well-reviewed local spot a short drive from Bel Aire.
Most of Bel Aire's dining is just outside town on North Woodlawn, only a few minutes away.
Valley Center →
Caleb's pick
Big Larry's BurgersMy hometown favorite. It's exactly what a local burger joint should be. The real deal.
The local gathering spot.
Solid local Mexican.
Goddard →
Caleb's pick
The Rusted Bean Coffee Co.My go-to in Goddard. Cozy, locally owned, and great coffee. It's the kind of spot that makes a small town feel like home.
On the west edge of Wichita, close to Goddard. A step above typical bar food.
Popular local pizza. Great for families.
Good food, plus sand volleyball, pickleball, and cornhole.
Haysville →
Caleb's pick
Excaret Mexico Bar & GrillGreat margaritas and great service. Locals keep coming back for a reason.
Cash only, with huge portions. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Surprisingly great sushi right here in Haysville.
A local diner staple.
A Few Things Locals Know
- →Old Town has the most restaurants, bars, and live music packed into one walkable area. If you're visiting, plan at least one evening there. Pair it with a walk to the Keeper of the Plains at dusk. More ideas are on my things to do in Wichita page.
- →Smaller suburbs like Maize and Bel Aire have a handful of local spots, and most people drive a few minutes into Wichita for more choices. If eating out a lot matters to you, it's worth thinking about when you pick a suburb.
- →New places open all the time. I track the big openings on my What's New in Wichita page, and the smaller ones in my weekly newsletter.
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