Food and drink spots at KCI worth arriving early for
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Some of these places are worth the walk. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
The Kansas City International Airport has a lot of local flavor — literally. So we're highlighting our favorite spots to wait for flights.
Why it matters: We're pretty proud of KCI, we can't lie.
- No wonder it's ranked among the country's top airports, according to Travel Awaits in 2023 and Travel + Leisure in 2024.
- Plus, KCI's new guest pass allows non-travelers to experience the airport's offerings, too.
The City Market
The big picture: Once you glide down the moving sidewalks into Concourse B, you'll be transported into a replica of KC's historic City Market.
- You'll find the staples in the food hall: Taste of Brazil, Pigwich and City Market Coffee, just to name a few.
If you go: Don't expect exact copies of these popular spots — think of them more like an homage to the River Market's diverse scene.
- Menus are limited as well.
💭 Abbey's thought bubble: I'm a City Market dweller because it's my favorite part of town, so walking through this section of the airport feels like I'm doing my morning routine twice in one day.
- I start with a cold brew in the mornings with two Aussie bites. Being able to repeat it at KCI makes me feel right at home.
Local breweries
The big picture: Some of Kansas City's most iconic brands are on tap at KCI, meaning there's no shortage of delicious local brews to keep cool before takeoff.
- Martin City is in Concourse A, just past the Made in KC Market.
- Boulevard and Stockyards are in Concourse B.
If you go: Each brewery has a food menu with items such as salads, pizzas and sandwiches. Stockyards is connected to the KCI BBQ Experience, which is currently hosting Oak Grove competition winner O.G. Bandits.
- If you're lucky, Boulevard will have one of my favorites, Joker's Wit, on tap.
💭 Travis' thought bubble: One of my favorite things to do before boarding is share an airport beer with my wife. KCI's security is a snap, so we always end up with extra time for ourselves.
- But if you're running low on time, I recommend grabbing a seat at the bar for speedier service.