If you love dining out, then this post is for you. Below we’ve featured 10 of the best places to eat in Topeka, Kansas.
1. Pal Indian Cuisine
Pal Indian Cuisine is one of the best places in Kansas to grab some authentic Indian eats. They service a wide range of delicious food with several exceptional vegan and vegetarian options to accompany the many tender meat-and-curry-based dishes. Pal Indian Cuisine is open from 11-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and is closed on Sundays.
The menu at Pal Indian Cuisine is simple and chock-full of heavily spiced and perfectly slow-cooked meat, veggie, and rice dishes. Classic Indian appetizers like pakora, Tikki, and samosas are ever-present, and the tandoori grill serves up flame-kissed chicken and beef all day. Whether you’re vegan or carnivore, a curry or kebab type, there’s something at Pal for everyone.
Head to Pal Indian Cuisine’s contact page to reach out.
2. Lonnie Q’s BBQ
Lonnie Q’s BBQ is a classic Kansas BBQ joint in all the right ways. They’ve established a reputation for friendly service reminiscent of the neighborhood block BBQ, served by owner Lonnie Weaver. While they’re only open for a few hours each day, it’s because each meal is created daily from scratch. Lonnie Q’s BBQ is available from 11-1 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, from 11-1 and 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Fridays, and closed Saturday-Monday.
Lonnie Q’s menu is straightforward, but that simplicity comes from love; each plate is handcrafted daily to ensure the utmost quality. The ribs fall off the bone, the sandwiches are created with the juiciest, most tender meat you’ll ever experience, and the sides are designed with an equal degree of love and affection, ensuring each bite is, simply put, the best it can be.
Go to Lonnie Q’s BBQ’s contact page to get in touch.
3. Jong’s Thai Kitchen
Jong’s Thai Kitchen is one of Topeka’s premier Thai restaurants. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation as the best Thai in Topeka (if not in Kansas), and it’s pretty well deserved. Each meal is served with fresh, local ingredients and crafted daily to bring out the best southeastern Asian flavors possible. Jong’s is open from 11-2:30 p.m. and from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, from 4-8 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed Sunday-Monday.
Those familiar with Thai cuisine will immediately know the menu here. Curries, soups, wok-fried dishes, and noodle plates are the mainstays here. You’ll find both vegetarian and carnivore options here, and each meal is made with the best ingredients. Those with a sweet tooth will love to hear that Jong’s has an excellent seasonal dessert menu created in-house – so give them a try!
Head to Jong’s Thai Kitchen’s Facebook page to reach out.
4. Chuckburger
Chuckburger is an incredibly simple concept that’s earned some well-deserved success in Topeka over recent years. What (shockingly) began as an English burger joint has made its way to the States in drive-thru form – and they’ve created quite the buzz. Chuckburger is open from 10-3 p.m. on Mondays, from 10-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and is closed Saturday-Sunday.
The menu at Chuckburger is pretty straightforward – after all, it’s in the name, right? Burgers, fries, onion rings, and little else are available here, though there are plenty of choices nonetheless. Countless creative burgers fill the menu, ensuring that whether you want a basic burger or something genuinely new and innovative, you’ll get it at Chuckburger.
Swing by Chuckburger’s Facebook page to learn more.
5. 7.8.5 Kitchen
785 Kitchen is yet another of a recently growing trend – virtual kitchens. For the uninformed, these are to-go and delivery only; there’s no brick-and-mortar shop, and no dine-in. This allows them to serve soul food for incredibly reasonable prices and deliver it to your doorstep. Sounds pretty good, right? 785 Kitchen is open from Tuesday-Sunday from 11:30-7 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.
Now, first things first – a significant draw of virtual kitchens for the staff is the creativity, meaning the menu is apt to change quite regularly. Their current menu, though, is classic southern soul food – oxtail, po’boys, alfredo, and loads of sides. And speaking of sides, the deep-fried okra, collard greens, cornbread, and red beans and rice are mainstays that are not to be ignored, either.
Head to 785 Kitchen’s Facebook page to grab a plate.
6. Los Mandiles Rojos
While there are many Latin American restaurants in Topeka, very few have captured the flavor and experience of Mexico like Los Mandiles Rojos. They’re a simple restaurant with a beautiful vision – serve top-notch, authentic Mexican fare for a price that won’t break the bank. Los Mandiles Rojos is open from 11-7 p.m. on Mondays, from 11-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and is closed on Sundays.
The food on offer at Los Mandiles Rojos is quite simple. You’ll find all of the usual suspects: burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and more, each loaded with incredibly tender and perfectly spiced meat, fresh produce, and mouthwatering sauces. Ultimately, Los Mandiles Rojos is your best bet to get a taste of Mexico in little ol’ Topeka.
Go to Los Mandiles Rojos’ Facebook page for more information.
7. The Wheel Barrel
I’m about to say three words that will change your life forever – grilled cheese restaurant. That’s right – The Wheel Barrel found a way to evoke your favorite childhood meal while serving it in an adult-centric, gorgeous building alongside your favorite brew or craft cocktail. The Wheel Barrel is open from 11-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and is closed Saturday-Monday.
The menu at The Wheel Barrel is unlike any other restaurant you’ll see. While the appetizers consist of familiar gastropub fare like soft pretzels, fries, and chips, the entrees are the true standout. A gourmet assortment of grilled cheese sandwiches with various kinds of cheese, proteins, and veggie toppings is just waiting to grace your tastebuds – so get going!
Go to The Wheel Barrel’s contact page to reach out.
8. The White Linen
The White Linen is a drastically different affair to most others on this list. They’re an authentic French fine dining experience. The Linen offers a handful of shareable tapas in a prix fixe, reservation-preferred, and highly refined setting with a dress code. The White Linen is open from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and is closed on Sundays.
The White Linen serves a seasonal five-course meal. Customers that are new to prix fixe may be confused – but this is the way. You select from one of up to three options per course and take what you’re given. Wagyu, roasted quail, ceviche, and housemade lobster ravioli fried in duck fat are some of the highlights, though these will undoubtedly change as the fall season rolls about.
Swing by The White Linen’s reservation page to grab yourself a table.
9. A-Hann Thai
A-Hann Thai is a unique entry in this list for more reasons than you’d think. While Thai fare is severely limited in the Midwest, A-Hann has found a way to get creative while still delivering Thai fare’s most essential building blocks. A-Hann is open from 11-2:30 and 5-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 5-9 p.m. on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays.
A-Hann serves several Thai classics alongside fresh new concepts that breathe new life into old Thai favorites. Whether you’re there for garden or spring rolls, potstickers, or a hearty curry or noodle dish, A-Hann has you covered. Give them a try the next time you want that fresh Thai spice served with innovative takes and new flavors that are sure to surprise you.
Go to A-Hann Thai’s contact page to reach out.
10. Chez Yasu
The last entry on our list, Chez Yasu, is one of the only other fine dining establishments in Topeka. They serve incredibly refined French and European meals in an upscale, reservation-only setting that evokes true comfort and class. Chez Yasu is open by reservation only from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and is closed Sunday-Monday.
Chez Yasu’s offerings are quite limited, though not out of a lack of attention. They serve an incredibly restricted menu to ensure each bite is earth-shatteringly delicious. Escargots, crab cakes, and several seafood bites make up the appetizer menu. For the main course, one can select the soup du jour, a small salad, or one of several entrees consisting of seafood, chicken, duck, lamb, or (beef) steak.
Go to Chez Yasu’s Facebook page to call for reservations.
