Baba’s Bakery

After seeing success at their Palestinian restaurant, the family behind Baba’s Pantry is expanding with a new concept. Baba’s Bakery, located right next door in the Brookside neighborhood, held a soft opening in December with an official opening in early January.

Guests will find plenty of unique treats like baklava, maamoul cookies, knafeh and “babanolis” – Baba’s Middle Eastern take on a cannoli.

Buenos Aires Restaurante

Explore the flavors of one of South America’s most populous countries at this new restaurant in downtown Shawnee, Kansas. Buenos Aires Restaurante opened in January, serving upscale Argentine cuisine like empanadas, milanesa, dulce de leche cheesecake, matilda cake and more.

Buenos Aires Restaurante is aiming to become “the place to be” with events like full English tea, tango performances and Spanish lessons. Guests can relax in velvet chairs as dancers spin about the dining room, surrounded by moody, red walls – creating an environment you won’t find anywhere else.

Cru Bistro & Bottles

A new farm-to-table bistro and bottle shop plans to open in January or February in the former Michael Forbes Bar & Grille space in Brookside. Cru Bistro & Bottles will feature a full bar, dining room and retail wine shop. The menu will feature upscale cuisine such as mustard-glazed Duroc pork chop with rainbow chard and beef tartare, plus an extensive wine list.

Gilda’s Bar de Tapas

Get ready to head to sunny Spain without ever leaving suburban Shawnee. Gilda’s Bar de Tapas will feature some of the most famous Spanish shareables – plus a few with an American twist – and a full bar of wine, sangria, cocktails and beer.     

The restaurant’s name even comes from a type of tapa; Gilda Pintxo tapas include anchovies, olives and peppers. The new restaurant plans to open in February.

Hank’s Garage & Grill

Also new to downtown Shawnee in 2025, a former auto repair shop is transforming into a neighborhood sports bar. The owner of Crossroads Art District favorites King G’s and Jim’s Alley Bar plans to open Hank’s Garage as early as February, serving up affordable food and drinks.

The new restaurant will include a large patio, outdoor bars made from shipping containers, plus high-top tables and multiple TVs inside for watching the big game – all while maintaining the garage’s character. The menu will include casual American classics like burgers with a few creative twists.   

Laney’s Get Down

Go back in time and get ready for a good time at Laney’s Get Down. This new ‘70s-themed restaurant is decked out in disco balls and vinyl records with a large stage for live music, perfect for a night out in Westport.

But the real focus is on the food – fried chicken, to be specific. Enjoy other Southern classics like mac and cheese, potato salad and peach cobbler for dinner or late-night revelry, plus brunch on the weekends.  

Le Champion

Enjoy a cup of java during the day and then a glass of red at night at this new Westport spot. Le Champion will be a combination coffee shop and wine lounge when it opens in January or February. During the day, guests can also enjoy pastries and quiche, and at night the food menu shifts to small plates.

The owner, who also owns KC restaurants Noka and The Russell, found inspiration in fashion designer Ralph Lauren’s upscale cafés called Ralph’s Coffee in New York. Guests can enjoy a bright and airy space with vintage touches.

Murmuration Eatery & Cocktail Bar

City Market Coffee Roasters is tearing down walls to make room for its new sister business, Murmuration Eatery & Cocktail Bar. This City Market hangout will feature elevated breakfast options, “walking food” like tornado fries, plus sit-down meals like sandwiches and salads. The two businesses will also offer a full bar, along with City Market Coffee’s existing menu.

When Murmuration opens in January, guests will find a marbled teal and salmon floor, uncovered beneath layers of paint, and a large mural of Missouri native birds flying together (a “murmuration,” after all, is just that).

Pho Noodle Go

Lee’s Summit has welcomed a new Vietnamese and Thai restaurant where two cultures shine together. The owner, who’s from Thailand, and his wife, who’s from Vietnam, are dishing up family recipes for pho, pad Thai, cashew nut chicken and more.

Pho Noodle Go is focused on authenticity – even if it means some dishes take a little more time or work. The pho’s beef broth, for example, is boiled for 24 hours.