Favorite Restaurants & Bars - Shawnee, KS

When we lived just a few blocks from downtown Shawnee, Kansas, we enjoyed getting to know the neighborhood one bite and sip at a time. From creative bars and cozy restaurants, we slowly discovered the spots we loved most, the places we returned to again and again. Many of our favorites listed below sit along the same block, making them ideal for a fun evening spent hopping from place to place.

(Each location shared will include a rating out of 10 that has been calculated and provided by Beli based on my tastes and preferences. Follow me on Beli @karseno for more restaurant inspiration!)

1 - Wild Child Libations

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $$

Rating: 10.0

Known for their award-winning cocktails, also including non-alcoholic options, Wild Child makes an exciting destination for a night out. To add to the experience, sit at the bar if you can. Each cocktail is a work of art and it’s enchanting to watch the bartenders create these drinks from scratch. 

2 - Hank’s Garage & Grill

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $

Rating: 9.7

Hank’s Garage & Grill opened in March 2025 and quickly became a staple for the locals. On a nice day they will open up the garage doors and their patio will be packed with groups of friends and family playing cornhole or watching a game on the large tvs. They have a fairly small menu, but after trying just about everything I can confidently say it is all delicious! If you’re looking for a new foodie experience, be sure to try the SPAM fries served with banana ketchup. 

3 - Tiki Taco

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $

Rating: 9.7

The newest restaurant to the food scene in Shawnee is Tiki Taco, opening up their fifth location along Johnson Drive in Downtown Shawnee. Tiki Taco was one of the restaurants I frequented most while living in the KC area, and it never disappointed. My favorite item on their menu is the Nachos with chicken, extra queso, and rice added on top. 

4 - McClain’s Market

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $$

Rating: 8.7

McClain’s is a local bakery that can be found across the Kansas City area. Along with their array of pastries and desserts made fresh daily, they also serve breakfast and lunch. One of our favorite times to stop by their drive-thru for breakfast was Sunday mornings to fuel up before noon kickoff of the NFL games. We loved their burritos, both the Pepperjack Burrito and Smothered Burrito would hit the spot.

5 - Pegah’s Family Restaurant

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $

Rating: 8.2

A classic diner style restaurant, Pegah’s is a great spot for brunch. They serve all the breakfast staples you expect to see, each of them being equally tasty. If you are planning to visit on a Saturday or Sunday morning, be prepared for a wait as it can get really busy on the weekends.

6 - Friction Beer

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $

Rating: 7.7

Friction Beer serves up their unique craft beer in an atmosphere made for staying awhile and enjoying the company of friends. They do not have food on the menu, but they do allow customers to bring food in and often invite a food truck to park out front to provide additional dinner options. 

7 - Grandstand Burgers

Location: Corner of Antioch Road & Merriam Drive

Price Range: $

Rating: 7.3

You wouldn’t think that some of the best burgers in the area could come from such a small and easy to miss building, but they do! Technically located within the bounds of Overland Park, Grandstand Burgers still made this list since it is only a few minutes from Downtown Shawnee. 

8 - District Pour House

Location: Downtown Shawnee

Price Range: $$

Rating: 7.3

Originally located on the Missouri side of KC in Waldo, District offers a distinctive selection of infused liquors alongside their food menu. From our first visit, we were obsessed with their Risotto Balls appetizer and made a point to order them each time we returned. 

Bonus - Twisted Sugar

Location: Shawnee Station

Price Range: $

We only discovered Twisted Sugar a year ago and I wish we would’ve known about it sooner! Their gourmet cookies are the best I’ve had with some of the most creative flavors. My go-tos include the Banana Cream and Oatmeal Cookie Butter cookies.