Home Grown

HomeGrown, with three Wichita locations, serves made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, thus dubbing itself “the daytime eatery.” The downtown location sits next to Naftzger Park and features a patio. The same Homegrown company also owns Peace, Love & Pie next door. They are passionate about building community and committed to locally sourced food and creative dishes, making it one of the best restaurants in Wichita.

The Atmosphere

The bright white environment makes HomeGrown Wichita a popular spot for locals and visitors, offering delightful dishes in a welcoming atmosphere. Bright natural light fills the room during the day. The ultra-contemporary decor includes butcher block-topped tables, and white subway-tiled walls, creating an inviting space.

The Menu

The menu declares that sprinkles are for winners! But, of course, this just adds to the fun. A popular menu item with sprinkles is the housemade tart, think pop-tart style, offered in cinnamon and brown sugar flavor and a daily seasonal favorite.

While the breakfast burrito is a favorite, made with eggs, cheese, potatoes, and a choice of meat, you might also want to try one of their Benedicts in one of several flavors. Other breakfast favorites include buttermilk pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy.

For lunch, the restaurant offers a variety of sandwiches and salads, as well as a daily soup special. In addition, the restaurant offers a selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options.

HomeGrown Wichita also offers a variety of beverages, including locally roasted coffee, fresh-squeezed juices, and specialty cocktails.

Piper’s Pro Planning: HomeGrown can be very busy. You can go to their website and join a waitlist to avoid long lines at the door. Of course, during the week, they shouldn’t be as busy as a weekend day, but you never know.

Doo-Dah Diner

Doo-Dah Diner serves southern-style comfort food for breakfast and lunch in a retro-diner atmosphere. Even though they’re downtown, they have a small parking lot. They have a whimsical, laid-back space sure to brighten your day.

The Atmosphere at One of the Best Restaurants in Wichita

The interior of the Do-Dah Diner is inviting, with bright colors and plenty of vintage decor. The blue and yellow walls, accented with red and green, have vintage tin signs, antique knick-knacks, and old-fashioned photographs decorating the walls. The tables and chairs are simple but stylish, with red vinyl booths lining the walls.

The overall atmosphere at the Do-Dah Diner is cozy and relaxed, with a down-home, southern charm. The restaurant can get busy, particularly on the weekends, but it never feels crowded or chaotic. There’s a sense of community among the customers and staff, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists.

The Menu

The menu at the Do-Dah Diner features classic Southern comfort food with a few unique twists. Some popular dishes include Chicken Fried Steak, Biscuits and Gravy, and Shrimp and Grits. I recommend the bread pudding, which is not your ordinary bread pudding. Instead, they add love, housemade caramel, dough, and whipped cream.

The portions are generous, with reasonable prices. If you’re looking for Southern flavors in the heart of the Midwest, this is the place to go.

Piper’s Pro Planning: Sometimes, the line can be long, but they have call-ahead seating on 316-265-7011.

Public

Public sits next to the Brickyard, Old Town’s outdoor music venue, featuring farm-to-table unique eats crafted by well-known chef Josh Rathbun. It has become a popular destination for foodies looking for a high-end dining experience in Wichita.

The Atmosphere

The restaurant offers an upscale dining experience in a historic building. They’ve renovated the restaurant in a former brickyard to create a contemporary and modern space. The restaurant features an open kitchen, exposed brick walls, and sleek furnishings, creating a chic and fashionable ambiance.

The Menu

The menu at Public features a variety of contemporary American cuisine, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. In addition, the restaurant offers a variety of small plates, like prairie bison sliders, mushroom or pork bao, and fried Brussels sprouts. They also have salads, Wichita-style pizza, burgers, and an extensive wine and cocktail list.

The restaurant’s standout entrée dishes include Korean fried chicken and beef short ribs.

Piper’s Pro Planning: I encourage you to reserve online, especially if you prefer indoors or on the patio. If they don’t offer time slots available for your desired time, call them at 316-263-4044.

Alzavino Wine Tavern

Located in the Delano District of downtown Wichita, Alzavino Wine Tavern features a wine bar with over 95 options of bottle selections. In addition, they have sixteen offerings in a self-serve machine for you to try in one-ounce, three-ounce, or six-ounce pours. In addition, customers can purchase wine by the glass, bottle, or flight. I hadn’t seen an automated self-serve system before, which made choosing the wine a fun experience. If someone in your group doesn’t enjoy wine, they also have a beer selection.

The Atmosphere

The restaurant’s decor is rustic and cozy, with brick walls, wood beams, and exposed pipes. The dim lighting creates a warm and intimate atmosphere.

The Menu

In addition to wine, Alzavino also offers an appetizer and dessert menu such as charcuterie boards, fruit and cheese plates, and hummus. If you have a sweet tooth, they have a chocolate-focused board that would be fun to pair with a cabernet sauvignon.

If you need something to do between dining at all of these restaurants, check out this post on The Best Things to Do in Wichita, Kansas.

Vora Restaurant European

Vora Restaurant European, located on the east end of the Douglas Design District, is a contemporary American restaurant featuring a menu created by their Milan-born chef. The menu is influenced mainly by France and Italy, but they also have German, Greek, and Spanish dishes.

The restaurant’s name is the Hindi word for “leader” or “pioneer,” and its globally-inspired menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients.

Vora is a must-visit destination for foodies in Wichita who appreciate innovative cuisine made with high-quality ingredients. In addition, the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and supporting local farmers and producers makes it a responsible and ethical dining choice.

The Atmosphere

Vora’s interior is modern and sleek, with a minimalist design highlighting the artfully plated dishes. The dining room features an open kitchen where guests can watch the chefs at work and a bar area serving craft cocktails and local beers.

The Menu

The menu at Vora changes frequently, with dishes that reflect the seasons and availability of ingredients. One standout dish from the menu includes a slow braised short rib mixed with ground beef and housemade sausage. Then they add mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and marinara to pappardelle noodles. Another is the Mussels Provencal, steamed mussels in a white wine sauce with tomatoes, onions, herbs,  and saffron served with housemade fries and herbed dijon aioli.

I highly recommend the four-layer chocolate cake with warm chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings. This cake is NOT just another chocolate cake. It was a standout!

In addition to dinner service, Vora also offers brunch on the weekends. The brunch menu incorporates sweet and savory options, such as sourdough waffles with whipped ricotta, honeycomb butter, and mushroom and goat cheese omelet.

Piper’s Pro Planning: If you dine at Vora, you can make reservations online at Open Table.

Doma

Doma is one of Wichita’s newest, trendiest eateries, and already one of the best restaurants in Wichita. It offers small bites in one of the first shared plate concepts in the area. With over 20 years of restaurant experience, classically French-trained Chef Joseph Castillo worked in high-end culinary destinations in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix. Add to that time working in modern American steakhouses, and his Mexican roots produce bold Latin flavors.

The Atmosphere

The main dining room features views of the open kitchen and sits alongside a fully stocked bar beside an expansive lounge that stretches the length of the building. The cocktail lounge features comfortable couches and lounge furniture complimented by eye-catching murals accenting the 25-foot ceilings accented with wood trusses. The communal seating allows gatherings from 2 to 20.  In addition, an expansive outside patio outside the cocktail lounge provides a gathering space featuring fire pits, yard games, and TVs showing local sporting events. 

The Menu

While I’m not a huge fan of cauliflower, but I must say the Cauliflower Manchurian was exceptional. It is tempura fried cauliflower florets tossed in a savory sweet soy chili sauce.

The Anchor

The Anchor, situated in the Douglas Design District, is a popular restaurant and bar with Wichita locals. The restaurant is famous for its delicious burgers, made from fresh, locally sourced beef and served with a variety of toppings and sauces.

In addition to burgers, The Anchor also offers a range of other classic American dishes, such as sandwiches, salads, and appetizers. In addition, the restaurant has a full bar that serves a wide selection of beers, cocktails, and other beverages.

The Anchor is a popular destination in Wichita for its great food, drinks, and atmosphere. It is a must-visit for a fun and casual dining experience in the city.

The Atmosphere

The Anchor is a spacious and inviting establishment with a laid-back atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal or drinks with friends or family. The interior of The Anchor is decorated with a mix of modern and vintage elements, giving it a unique and eclectic feel. The restaurant also has a large outdoor patio area where you can dine or have cocktails al fresco.

The Menu

Meatloaf is a Midwest favorite, and The Anchor has a tasty one. They serve an all-beef meatloaf, served open-face with bacon onion jam, garlic mashed potatoes, and Texas toast.

Piper’s Pro Planning: Arrive early, especially on weekends. The restaurant can be busy during peak hours so you may find a wait for a table.

For more information on exploring Kansas:

• The Kansas City Taco Trail: 7 Must-Try Taquerias
• Lucas, Kansas: The Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas
• The 12 Days of Kansas

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