The 10 Best Pasta Restaurants in Kansas City

Kansas City may have built its national reputation on burnt ends, but ask anyone who actually lives here and you'll get an entirely different answer to "where should I eat tonight?" From James Beard-winning chefs to a 25 year old neighborhood spot that still doesn't take reservations, KC's Italian scene rivals cities twice its size. Here's where to find the best pasta in town, organized by the neighborhoods that make each one worth the drive.

1. Farina — Crossroads Arts District

Chef Michael Smith's James Beard Award still gets top billing, but the real draw is the pasta program: every noodle is rolled, cut, and filled by hand each afternoon. Expect standouts like squid ink radiatori with Jonah crab and cacio e pepe done exactly right, plus a full oyster bar if the table wants to split starters.

Address: 1901 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108

2. Lidia's Kansas City — Crossroads / Freight House District

Lidia Bastianich opened this Kansas City outpost in a restored 19th-century freight house back in 1998, and the signature move hasn't changed: a tableside pasta trio, refilled as many times as you'd like. It's the kind of old-school hospitality that made this a KC institution long before "farm to table" was a buzzword.

Address: 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO 64108

3. Garozzo's Downtown — Columbus Park

This is where Chicken Spiedini was invented — a KC menu staple you'll now find copied across the metro, but never quite duplicated. Garozzo's has anchored Columbus Park (KC's original "Little Italy") since 1989, and the wall of celebrity photos inside tells you everything about its staying power.

Address: 526 Harrison St, Kansas City, MO 64106

4. Zero Zero Handmade Pasta — Westside / Crossroads

What started as a pandemic-era pasta delivery side project has become one of the hardest reservations in the city. Zero Zero mills its own flour a mile from the restaurant and seats just a dozen guests, so every plate feels personal. The lumache alla norcina and butternut squash agnolotti are the ones to know.

Address: 1702 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64108

5. Lazia — Crossroads Arts District

Tucked inside the Crossroads Hotel and named for 1920s KC figure Johnny Lazia, this is modern Italian with a bit of theater, think tableside hand-pulled mozzarella and a mafaldine alla vodka that regulars order on repeat. Dinner only, and reservations move fast on weekends.

Address: 2101 Central St, Kansas City, MO 64108

6. Osteria Il Centro — South Plaza

A South Plaza fixture since 1995 and a longtime Zagat pick for best Italian in Kansas City, Osteria Il Centro is proof that some neighborhood spots never need to chase trends. The 1,000 plus bottle wine list is the real flex here. Just know they don't take reservations except on major holidays, so plan for a short wait on weekends.

Address: 5101 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64112

7. Bella Napoli — Brookside

Part Italian deli and market, part trattoria, Bella Napoli has been a Brookside anchor since 2001. Come for handmade gnocchi and Neapolitan-style pizza, then swing by the attached market for imported pasta, olive oil, and wine to bring the trip home with you.

Address: 6229 Brookside Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64113

8. Plate Italiano Moderno — Leawood

Founder Christian Joseph rebuilt this concept from the ground up after a 2017 fire, and the Leawood location in Park Place is where that resilience really shines: a 100% scratch kitchen turning out handmade pasta and fresh-baked bread daily. It's a favorite for date nights and client dinners alike right in the heart of the Leawood market.

Address: 11655 Ash St, Leawood, KS 66211

9. Cupini's — Westport

Family-run by Franco and Eddie Cupini since 2003, this counter-order deli style spot proves you don't need white tablecloths for unforgettable pasta. The six layer lasagna earned a Diners, Drive Ins and Dives feature for good reason, and the prices keep it a true neighborhood regular.

Address: 1809 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111

10. Bacaro Primo — Crestwood Shops

From the team behind Brookside's Earl's Premier, Bacaro Primo brings an Italian-American menu built around Midwestern seasonality think a rotating salumi bar, rigatoni guanciale, and a wine list that rewards a little exploration. It's polished without being precious, and ideal for a lowkey celebration.

Address: 323 E 55th St, Kansas City, MO 64113

Which Neighborhood Is Calling Your Name?

Notice a pattern? Nearly every great pasta spot in Kansas City sits inside a neighborhood with just as much personality. Crossroads, Brookside, Westport, Leawood. If exploring KC's food scene has you thinking about where you'd actually want to live, we'd love to help you find the neighborhood that fits.

Have a favorite KC pasta spot we missed? Tag us! we're always looking for the next great reservation.