Best of KC 2025 was the 2025 edition of The Pitch’s Best of KC, Kansas City’s largest readers’ poll: 2,419 published placings across 446 categories in 11 groups, producing 377 distinct winners.1 Every winner that year is listed below. Runners-up, finalists and the full vote tallies are on The Pitch’s own results portal.
The ballot
| Group | Categories | Placings |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Entertainment | 47 | 274 |
| Barbecue | 13 | 76 |
| CBD/Hemp/THC | 11 | 67 |
| Drink | 51 | 293 |
| Food | 90 | 494 |
| Goods & Services | 79 | 425 |
| Health & Fitness | 28 | 147 |
| People & Places | 43 | 233 |
| Shopping | 47 | 234 |
| Sports & Rec | 13 | 59 |
| Weddings | 24 | 117 |
| Total | 446 | 2,419 |
1 category published more than one first-place entry — the poll recorded a tie.
Vote leaders
The ten highest single-category vote totals of 2025.
| # | Votes | Entity | Category | Placing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,333 | The Peanut | Best Chicken Wings | Winner |
| 2 | 1,140 | The Peanut | Best Bar Food | Winner |
| 3 | 1,119 | Betty Rae’s | Best Ice Cream | Winner |
| 4 | 1,110 | Kim Overocker - Elements Aesthetics | Best Injector | Winner |
| 5 | 1,055 | LaMar’s Donuts | Best Donuts | Winner |
| 6 | 996 | McLain’s Bakery | Best Bakery (Sweets) | Winner |
| 7 | 930 | Fritz’s | Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant | Winner |
| 8 | 890 | Garozzo’s | Best Italian Restaurant | Winner |
| 9 | 885 | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ | Best French Fries | Winner |
| 10 | 869 | Town Topic | Best Late Night Eats | Winner |
Won more than once
| # | Wins | Placings | Entity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 8 | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | Nelson-Atkins Museum |
| 3 | 4 | 5 | River Market Antiques |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | Stag & Bird Photography |
| 5 | 3 | 10 | Q39 |
| 6 | 3 | 7 | Baba’s Pantry |
| 7 | 3 | 4 | Green Lady Lounge |
| 8 | 3 | 4 | Missie B’s |
| 9 | 3 | 4 | Mean Mule Distilling Co. |
| 10 | 3 | 4 | Pet Resource Center of Kansas City |
What changed on the ballot
- 18 categories new in 2025: Best Bowl (Acai) · Best Budtender · Best Business Consultant/Business Coach · Best Cannabis Event · Best Cigar Shop/Cigar Lounge · Best Facials · Best Food Popup or Standalone Food Truck · Best Girls’ Night Out Destination · Best Home Inspection Company/Home Inspector · Best Local Bus Tour or Walking Tour · Best Local Packaged Snack · Best Local TV Personality · Best Locally Made Soap/Scent · Best Place to Buy a Plant (Plant Boutiques) · Best Place to Dine Alone · Best Place to Play Pinball · Best Pre-Roll (Brand and Strain) · Best Tiki Bar.
- 60 categories that ran in 2024 did not return. Among them: Best Bed & Breakfast · Best Blow Out · Best Break Out Room · Best Bridesmaids Dress Shop · Best Budtender [First Name and Dispensary Name] · Best Clinical Trials/Pharmaceutical Research · Best Clothing Store (Non-Gendered) · Best Dermatologist · Best Driving Range · Best Drunk Food · Best Fashion Event · Best Food Popup — and 48 more.
Winners
377 distinct winners; 130 have an entry elsewhere in this Wiki or the Registry and are linked. Vote counts are as the poll published them.2
Arts & Entertainment
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Art Exhibit | A Match Made in Heaven: Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (78) |
| Best Art Festival | Plaza Art Fair (216) |
| Best Art Gallery | InterUrban ArtHouse (150) |
| Best Blues Venue | Knuckleheads (201) |
| Best Burlesque Troupe | VAMP Kansas City (95) |
| Best Club DJ | SirQueen (107) |
| Best Comedy Club | The Bird Comedy Theater (218) |
| Best Cultural Event | KC Pride (270) |
| Best Dance Crew | Quixotic (273) |
| Best Drag Artist | Burly Esque (358) |
| Best Drag Show | Drag Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s (347) |
| Best Filmmaker | number9ine (109) |
| Best Fundraising Event | Big Slick Celebrity Weekend (383) |
| Best House/Cover Band | The M80s (310) |
| Best Improv/Sketch Troupe | The Bird Comedy Theater Players (234) |
| Best Jazz Artist | Lonnie McFadden (173) |
| Best Jazz Band | Back Alley Brass Band (175) |
| Best Jazz Venue | Green Lady Lounge (447) |
| Best Karaoke | Missie B’s, hosted by Bridgett (294) |
| Best Live Music Venue (Kansas) | Azura Amphitheater (262) |
| Best Live Music Venue (Missouri) | Knuckleheads (363) |
| Best Local Actor | Katie Gilchrist (227) |
| Best Local Artist | Amanda Davis - Mandolin Artworks (79) |
| Best Local Band | Vibralux (178) |
| Best Local Craft Artist | Gamer Girl Jewelry (122) |
| Best Local Event | Boulevardia (297) |
| Best Local Podcast | Kansas City Revival (165) |
| Best Local Stand-Up Comic | Cassie Duncan (180) |
| Best Movie Theater | Screenland Armour (710) |
| Best Museum | Nelson-Atkins Museum (768) |
| Best Music Studio | Castle Studios (111) |
| Best Musician | Calvin Arsenia (203) |
| Best New Local Album | midtown girl - honeybee (195) |
| Best Nightclub | Missie B’s (545) |
| Best Open Mic | The Bird Comedy Theater (192) |
| Best Outdoor Venue | Starlight Theatre (856) |
| Best Painting Party | Art by JonnieRae (246) |
| Best Photographer (Artistic) | Roy Inman (136) |
| Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party | The Storybook Forest (123) |
| Best Place to Shake Your Booty | Missie B’s (403) |
| Best Play | Heart of America Shakespeare Festival: Love’s Labour’s Lost (242) |
| Best Poet/Spoken Word Artist | Christina Santiago (132) |
| Best Song by a Local Band | ”Fumbling” - Danielle Ate the Sandwich (174) |
| Best Theater Company | The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City (214) |
| Best Tribute Band | The Yachties (238) |
| Best Trivia Night | Intelligence Check Trivia (341) |
| Best Vocalist | Danielle Ate the Sandwich (206) |
Barbecue
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Barbecue | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (413) |
| Best Barbecue Sandwich | Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (658) |
| Best Barbecue Side Dish | French Fries at Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (377) |
| Best Brisket | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (264) |
| Best Burnt Ends | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (332) |
| Best Craft Barbecue | Q39 (413) |
| Best Mixed Plate | Q39 (288) |
| Best Old School Barbecue | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (340) |
| Best Pulled Pork | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (424) |
| Best Ribs | Jack Stack BBQ (301) |
| Best Rub | Q39 (219) |
| Best Sauce | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (392) |
| Best Sausage | Slap’s BBQ (197) |
CBD/Hemp/THC
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Budtender | Greg at Sunrise Dispensary (810) |
| Best CBD Store | American Shaman (232) |
| Best Cannabis Event | Greenlight Underground (279) |
| Best Concentrate/Dab Brand | Illicit (291) |
| Best Dispensary | NatureMed Dispensaries (411) |
| Best Edibles Brand (Cannabis) | Elevate Cannabis (243) |
| Best Flower | Illicit (263) |
| Best Medical Marijuana Clinic | Elevate Holistics (486) |
| Best Place to Buy Delta Products | The Hub Smoke Shop (146) |
| Best Pre-Roll (Brand and Strain) | Swade Cannabis Dispensary (289) |
| Best Vape Cartridge Brand | Elevate Cannabis (296) |
Drink
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best 3 am Bar | Green Lady Lounge (356) |
| Best Bar | Drastic Measures (222) |
| Best Bar (Lawrence) | John Brown’s Underground (156) |
| Best Bar Staff | Fern Bar (200) |
| Best Bar to Meet People | King G (225) |
| Best Bartender [First Name and Bar] | Darcy at Corvino (238) |
| Best Beer Taps Selection | International Tap House (171) |
| Best Bloody Mary | The Farmhouse (137) |
| Best Boba/Bubble Tea | Dragonfly Tea Zone (154) |
| Best Brew Pub | Brewery Emperial (222) |
| Best Cheap Drinks | Hillsiders (169) |
| Best Cocktails | Mean Mule Distilling Co. (215) |
| Best Coffee Shop Food/Snacks | Mildred’s (370) |
| Best Coffeehouse | Cafe Cà Phê (324) |
| Best Dive Bar | Hi-Dive Lounge (221) |
| Best French 75 | Westport Cafe (261) |
| Best Happy Hour (Drink) | La Bodega (262) |
| Best Horsefeather | J. Rieger & Co. (346) |
| Best Hotel Bar | Percheron Rooftop Bar at Crossroads Hotel (276) |
| Best Irish Bar | Kelly’s Westport Inn (382) |
| Best LGBTQ+ Bar | Missie B’s (372) |
| Best Local Beer (IPA) | Rad AF - City Barrel Brewing Company (193) |
| Best Local Beer (Lager) | Dunkel - KC Bier Co. (430) |
| Best Local Beer (Sour) | Life of the Party - Vine Street Brewing (148) |
| Best Local Beer (Stout) | Chocolate Milk Stout - Border Brewing Company (145) |
| Best Local Coffee Roaster | The Roasterie (272) |
| Best Local Distillery | J. Rieger & Co. (451) |
| Best Local Winery | KC Wine Co (289) |
| Best Locally Made Kombucha | Lucky Elixir (149) |
| Best Locally Owned Kansas Brewery | Free State Brewing Company (425) |
| Best Locally Owned Missouri Brewery | KC Bier Co. (503) |
| Best Manhattan | West Bottoms Whiskey Co. (195) |
| Best Margarita | Mean Mule Distilling Co. (329) |
| Best Martini | Green Lady Lounge (205) |
| Best Milkshake | Cosmo Burger (229) |
| Best Mojito | Mean Mule Distilling Co. (237) |
| Best Negroni | The Campground (140) |
| Best Neighborhood Bar | Jim’s Alley Bar (270) |
| Best New Bar | Sagebrush (192) |
| Best New Brewery | Strawberry Hill Brewing Company (349) |
| Best Old Fashioned | West Bottoms Whiskey Co. (253) |
| Best Patio | Char Bar (283) |
| Best Pop-Up Bar | Vignettes (188) |
| Best Rooftop Bar | Percheron Rooftop Bar (454) |
| Best Service Industry Night | Extra Virgin (206) |
| Best Sports Bar | Gaels Public House & Sports (306) |
| Best Tea Shop/Place to Buy Tea | Dragonfly Tea Zone (159) |
| Best Tiki Bar | The Blue Palm (454) |
| Best Upscale Bar | The Monarch Bar (266) |
| Best Whiskey Selection | Harry’s Country Club (305) |
| Best Wine Selection | Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen (257) |
Food
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Appetizers | Beer Kitchen (317) |
| Best Bagels | Meshuggah Bagels (813) |
| Best Bakery (Bread) | Ibis Bakery (476) |
| Best Bakery (Gluten Free) | Billie’s Grocery (575) |
| Best Bakery (Sweets) | McLain’s Bakery (996) |
| Best Bar Food | The Peanut (1,140) |
| Best Black-Owned Restaurant | Niecie’s Restaurant (436) |
| Best Bowl (Acai) | Ruby Jean’s Juicery (414) |
| Best Bowl of Soup | Vietnam Cafe (628) |
| Best Breakfast | The Big Biscuit (537) |
| Best Brunch | The Farmhouse (653) |
| Best Buffet | Cinzetti’s (579) |
| Best Burger | Tay’s Burger Shack (477) |
| Best Burrito | Pancho’s Mexican Food (488) |
| Best Butcher | Local Pig (451) |
| Best Caribbean Food | Island Spice (222) |
| Best Catering | Brancato’s Catering (375) |
| Best Charcuterie Board | Green Dirt on Oak (409) |
| Best Cheap Eats | Town Topic (834) |
| Best Chef | Penny Mufuka Bamboo Penny’s (360) |
| Best Chicken (Baked or Grilled) | El Pollo Rey (478) |
| Best Chicken Sandwich | Red Door Woodfired Grill (493) |
| Best Chicken Strips/Tenders | Go-Chicken-Go (616) |
| Best Chicken Wings | The Peanut (1,333) |
| Best Chili | Dixon’s Famous Chili (519) |
| Best Chinese Restaurant | Bo Lings (596) |
| Best Chocolate Shop | Christopher Elbow Chocolates (722) |
| Best Cinnamon Rolls | The Corner Cafe (670) |
| Best Deli | Marco Polo’s Italian Market (314) |
| Best Dessert Menu | Jasper’s (382) |
| Best Donuts | LaMar’s Donuts (1,055) |
| Best Ethiopian Food | Blue Nile (633) |
| Best Falafel | Jerusalem Cafe (560) |
| Best Family Restaurant | Baba’s Pantry (466) |
| Best Food Popup or Standalone Food Truck | TC’s Fully Loaded (200) |
| Best French Fries | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (885) |
| Best French Restaurant | Le Fou Frog (457) |
| Best Fried Chicken | Stroud’s Oak Ridge Manor (606) |
| Best Gluten-Free Options (Restaurant) | Billie’s Grocery (682) |
| Best Greek Restaurant | JERUSALEM CAFE (530) |
| Best Gyro | Jerusalem Cafe (562) |
| Best Happy Hour (Food) | Blue Sushi Sake Grill (487) |
| Best Hot Dog (Restaurants/Food Trucks) | Wiener Kitchen (197) |
| Best Hotel Restaurant | The Savoy (340) |
| Best Ice Cream | Betty Rae’s (1,119) |
| Best Indian Restaurant | Taj Mahal (601) |
| Best Italian Restaurant | Garozzo’s (890) |
| Best Italian Sausage | Scimeca’s Italian Sausage Co. (866) |
| Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant | Fritz’s (930) |
| Best Korean | Kobi-Q (292) |
| Best Late Night Eats | Town Topic (869) |
| Best Local Packaged Snack | Guys Green Onion Potato Chips (593) |
| Best Locally Made Sauce/Salsa/Condiment (Non-BBQ) | Margarita’s salsa (646) |
| Best Lunch | Baba’s Pantry (471) |
| Best Meal Kit/Prepared Foods | French Market (359) |
| Best Mediterranean Restaurant | Baba’s Pantry (570) |
| Best Mexican Restaurant | Taco Naco (378) |
| Best Nachos | Rudy’s Tenampa Taqueria (360) |
| Best New Restaurant | Hank’s Garage and Grill (373) |
| Best Outdoor Dining | Char Bar (545) |
| Best Pho | Vietnam Cafe (683) |
| Best Pie | The Upper Crust (490) |
| Best Pizza (Multiple Locations) | Minsky’s Pizza (705) |
| Best Pizza (Single Location) | Artego Pizza (275) |
| Best Place to Dine Alone | Westport Cafe (425) |
| Best Poké | Freestyle Poké (206) |
| Best Pork Tenderloin | Kitty’s Cafe (499) |
| Best Pretzel | KC Bier Co. (436) |
| Best Queso | Jose Pepper’s (439) |
| Best Ramen | KC Craft Ramen (557) |
| Best Restaurant | Red Door Woodfired Grill (431) |
| Best Restaurant (Lawrence) | Free State Brewing Company (359) |
| Best Restaurant Server [First Name and Restaurant] | NaNa at Jazz a Louisiana Kitchen (231) |
| Best Reuben | Breit’s Stein and Deli (223) |
| Best Romantic Restaurant | Le Fou Frog (355) |
| Best Salad | The Mixx (599) |
| Best Sandwich Shop | Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches (437) |
| Best Seafood Restaurant | Earl’s Premier (451) |
| Best Serving Staff | The Antler Room (210) |
| Best Small Plates | La Bodega (607) |
| Best Smoothie/Juice Bar | Ruby Jean’s Juicery (658) |
| Best Soul Food | Niecie’s Restaurant (428) |
| Best Steakhouse | J. Gilbert’s (393) |
| Best Sushi | Blue Sushi Sake Grill (535) |
| Best Tacos | Tiki Taco (342) |
| Best Take Out | Longboards (511) |
| Best Thai Restaurant | Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop (467) |
| Best Tots | Cosmo Burger (430) |
| Best Vegan Options | The Fix (189) |
| Best Vegetarian Options | Baba’s Pantry (335) |
Goods & Services
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Accounting Firm | S. Paige Sander CPA, LLC (116) |
| Best Ad/Marketing Agency | Square Peg Marketing & Branding (136) |
| Best Adult Club | Shady Lady (337) |
| Best Aesthetician/Esthetician | Char Higgins (Horizon Med Spa) (280) |
| Best Apartment Community | Three Light Luxury Apartments (181) |
| Best Auction House | This & That KC (187) |
| Best Auto Service/Repair | KC AutoWorx (213) |
| Best Bank (Commercial) | Commerce Bank (327) |
| Best Bank (Consumer) | Central Bank (353) |
| Best Barber | Morgan Lapin (179) |
| Best Barbershop | The Barberette (173) |
| Best Body Piercing | Supernatural Body Piercing (305) |
| Best Boudoir Photographer | Stag & Bird Photography (148) |
| Best Brows | Hannah Hawkins at Brow Girl LLC (180) |
| Best Business Consultant/Business Coach | Bobby Kerr (373) |
| Best Car Wash | GO Car Wash (356) |
| Best Child Care Center | Primrose School at KU Medical Center (219) |
| Best Cleaning Service | Groovy Organic Cleaning (96) |
| Best Computer/IT Services | Akins PC Repair (144) |
| Best Contractor | Schloegel Design Remodel (135) |
| Best Coworking Space | Spark Kansas City (146) |
| Best Credit Union | CommunityAmerica Credit Union (729) |
| Best Custom Blinds/Window Treatments | Budget Blinds (121) |
| Best Custom Countertops | Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication (187) |
| Best Customer Service | Pet Resource Center of Kansas City (409) |
| Best Dog Training | Camp Bow Wow (181) |
| Best Electrician | Hannah the Electrician (137) |
| Best Employment Agency | Staffing Kansas City (102) |
| Best Financial Planning | Creative Planning (270) |
| Best Group Therapy | MOCSA (305) |
| Best Gutter Cleaning | The Gutter Guys (107) |
| Best Hair Colorist | Paige Gower - Paige Paints Hair (230) |
| Best Hair Removal | Mirabile MD (272) |
| Best Hair Salon | The Hair Salon & Co. (182) |
| Best Hair Stylist | Shelby Ayres Stylist & Educator (146) |
| Best Handyman | Schloegel Handyman Services (137) |
| Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company | Midwest Heating, Cooling & Plumbing (197) |
| Best Home Inspection Company/Home Inspector | Urban KC Inspections (103) |
| Best Hotel | Loews Kansas City Hotel (344) |
| Best Injector | Kim Overocker - Elements Aesthetics (1,110) |
| Best Insurance Agent [Name/Agency] | Nick Mortallaro - State Farm (100) |
| Best Interior Designer | Nest Interiors (94) |
| Best Kitchen & Bath Remodeler | Schloegel Design Remodel (113) |
| Best Landscaper | Next to Nature Landscape (109) |
| Best Lashes | Kristin Sandborn at Amazingly Ageless Medspa (84) |
| Best Laundromat | Wash House (95) |
| Best Law Firm/Lawyer | DM Injury Law (219) |
| Best Library Branch: KS | Central Resource Library (319) |
| Best Library Branch: MO | Kansas City Public Library - Central Library (449) |
| Best Loan Officer | Derek McGowan - McGowan Mortgages (576) |
| Best Local Farm | Messner Bee Farm (541) |
| Best Local Moving Company | Metro Wide Movers (298) |
| Best Makeup Artist | Glam & Glow with Kalsie Jo LLC (139) |
| Best Mobile Spray Tan | Glow Kansas City (107) |
| Best Mortgage/Home Loan Provider | McGowan Mortgages (596) |
| Best Nail Salon | Luxe Nail Spa in Overland Park (164) |
| Best Party Bus/Limo Service | Showtime Transportation (135) |
| Best Pest Control | Blue Beetle Pest Control (225) |
| Best Pet Boarding/Daycare | Camp Bow Wow (227) |
| Best Pet Groomer | Camp Bow Wow (180) |
| Best Photo Booth Service | The Photo Bus (189) |
| Best Photographer (Business) | Stag & Bird Photography (164) |
| Best Place to Adopt a Pet | KC Pet Project (799) |
| Best Plumbing | Anthony Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric (268) |
| Best Property Management Company | Price Brothers Management Company (133) |
| Best Psychic/Tarot Readings | Dr. Matt Turner - Be Love Healing (88) |
| Best Real Estate Agent | Kristena Richey (242) |
| Best Real Estate Company (Commercial) | ReeceNichols (370) |
| Best Real Estate Team | The Richey Real Estate Group (307) |
| Best Roofer/Roofing Company | Christian Brothers Roofing (190) |
| Best Screen Printing | Moon Tees (198) |
| Best Solar Provider | Sun Solar (68) |
| Best Tailor/Alterations | Elizabeth’s Alterations (102) |
| Best Tanning Salon | Sun Tan City (191) |
| Best Tattoo Artist | Lindsay Cadillac (199) |
| Best Tattoo Studio | Dear You Tattoo (229) |
| Best Travel Agency | FlyOver Travel by Beach Happy (430) |
| Best Veterinarian | Pet Resource Center of Kansas City (472) |
| Best Window Cleaning | Fish Window Cleaning (150) |
Health & Fitness
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Acupuncture | Magnolia Wellness (33) |
| Best Chiropractor | KC Chiro (190) |
| Best Cosmetic Surgeon | Dr. Joseph Spaniol - Monarch Plastic Surgery (32) |
| Best Day Spa (Non-Medical) | Haven Wellness + Spa (126) |
| Best Dentist | LeBlanc & Associates Dentistry for Children (107) |
| Best Eye Clinic | Mission EyeCare (58) |
| Best Facials | RefineKC Aesthetics (544) |
| Best Fitness Class | Alpha Collective (177) |
| Best Gym | MC Crossfit (126) |
| Best Health Clinic | Planned Parenthood (256) |
| Best Hospital | The University of Kansas Health System (309) |
| Best IV Therapy | LUX Wellness (96) |
| Best Martial Arts | Low Kick Camp (97) |
| Best Massage Clinic | Haven Wellness + Spa (126) |
| Best Massage Therapist | Michael Short at Wild Yonder (160) |
| Best Medical Spa | RefineKC Aesthetics (558) |
| Best Mental Health Provider | The Counseling Collaborative (132) |
| Best Nutritionist | Denise Skinner at The Tasty Balance (83) |
| Best Orthodontist | Fry Orthodontics (113) |
| Best Pediatrician | Dr. Luke Engelman - Johnson County Pediatrics (104) |
| Best Personal Trainer | Nathan Martin - MC CrossFit (133) |
| Best Pharmacy | Phillips Family Pharmacy (100) |
| Best Physical Rehab Center | F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic (156) |
| Best Physician | Dr. James Mirabile (261) |
| Best Pilates | Club Pilates Lenexa (76) |
| Best Swimming Pool | Woodside (162) |
| Best Weight Loss Clinic/Counseling | Mirabile MD (262) |
| Best Yoga Studio | Megan’s Yoga Tribe (140) |
People & Places
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Attraction | Nelson-Atkins Museum (468) |
| Best Business that Could Only Exist in KC | Made in KC (469) |
| Best Community Garden | Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden (379) |
| Best Day Trip | Weston (443) |
| Best Dog Park | Shawnee Mission Dog Park (206) |
| Best Facebook Page | Mission Driven (303) |
| Best Girls’ Night Out Destination | Hamburger Mary’s (312) |
| Best Green Business | SOAP Refill Station (198) |
| Best Halloween Destination | Dark Forest at Powell Gardens (216) |
| Best Local Activist | Scott Poore (440) |
| Best Local Author | Vanessa Kramer (108) |
| Best Local Blog/Substack | People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann (161) |
| Best Local Bus Tour or Walking Tour | KC Gangster Tour (185) |
| Best Local Charity | Mission Driven (364) |
| Best Local Instagram | @RyanWesleyOfficial (110) |
| Best Local Investigative Reporter | Matt Flener (243) |
| Best Local Personality | Michael Mackie (375) |
| Best Local Politician | Sharice Davids (546) |
| Best Local Radio Personality | Dana Wright (289) |
| Best Local Radio Station | KMBZ 98.1 (389) |
| Best Local TV Personality | Matt Stewart (247) |
| Best Local TV Sports Anchor | Len Jennings (352) |
| Best Local TV Station | Kansas City PBS (368) |
| Best Local TV Weather Forecaster | Bryan Busby (503) |
| Best Local TikTok | @RyanWesleyOfficial (158) · @socialkansascity (158) |
| Best Local Twitter | @KrisKetzKMBC (272) |
| Best Neighborhood | Brookside (349) |
| Best Outdoor Event | KC PrideFest (479) |
| Best Park | Loose Park (497) |
| Best Place for a Cheap Date | Nelson-Atkins Museum (740) |
| Best Place for a First Date | Nelson-Atkins Museum (409) |
| Best Place for a Long Walk | Loose Park (361) |
| Best Place for a View of the City | National WWI Museum and Memorial (772) |
| Best Place to Geek Out | Science City at Union Station (418) |
| Best Place to Meet Singles | Volleyball Beach (108) |
| Best Place to Play Board Games | Cardboard Corner Cafe (195) |
| Best Place to Take Out of Town Guests | Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (550) |
| Best Place to Work (Over 50 Employees) | Children’s Mercy (285) |
| Best Place to Work (Under 50 Employees) | Pet Resource Center of Kansas City (342) |
| Best Place to Worship | Church of the Resurrection (210) |
| Best Shop Pet | Brutus at Three Dog Bakery - BluHawk (200) |
| Best Sports Talk Radio Host | Bob Fescoe (98) |
| Best YouTuber | Ryan Wesley (144) |
Shopping
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Accessories Store | Retro Vixen (139) |
| Best Adult Store | Cirilla’s (181) |
| Best Art Supply/Craft Store | ScrapsKC (258) |
| Best Bath and Body Shop | SOAP Refill Station (118) |
| Best Bicycle Shop | 816 Bicycle Collective (74) |
| Best Black-Owned Retail Store | The Black Pantry (110) |
| Best Bookstore | Under the Cover (270) |
| Best Boutique Store | Retro Vixen (209) |
| Best Candles | Effing Candle Co. (157) |
| Best Cigar Shop/Cigar Lounge | Sherri’s Executive Lounge (123) |
| Best Clothing Store (Men’s) | River Market Antiques (96) |
| Best Clothing Store (Women’s) | Donna’s Dress Shop (169) |
| Best Comic Book Store | A to Z Comics (79) |
| Best Consignment Store | Lulu’s Boutique (163) |
| Best Farmer’s Market | City Market (561) |
| Best Fashion Designer | Wasteland Society (98) |
| Best Florist | The Fiddly Fig (134) |
| Best Garden Store/Nursery | Family Tree Nursery (443) |
| Best Gift Store | Truly Madly Depot (127) |
| Best Grocery Store | Trader Joe’s (Ward Parkway) (343) |
| Best Home Furnishing Store (Local) | River Market Antiques (208) |
| Best Home Goods | River Market Antiques (253) |
| Best Jewelry Store | Meierotto Jewelers (234) |
| Best KC Pride Clothing | Made in KC (391) |
| Best Lingerie Store | Birdies (232) |
| Best Liquor Store | Gomer’s (346) |
| Best Local Maker | Unseamly Threads (100) |
| Best Locally Made Soap/Scent | Indigo Wild - Zum Bar Soap (325) |
| Best Metaphysical/Spiritual Store | Cats and Crystals KC (147) |
| Best Pet Supply Store | Brookside Barkery & Bath (290) |
| Best Place to Buy Eyeglasses | Vision Source (50) |
| Best Place to Buy a New Car | Hendrick Lexus (94) |
| Best Place to Buy a Plant (Plant Boutiques) | Virgil’s Plant Shop (192) |
| Best Pop-Up Shop | Hula Hoop (95) |
| Best Record Store | Mills Record Company (191) |
| Best Retail Store (Lawrence) | 1313 Mockingbird Lane (117) |
| Best Shoe Store | The Running Well Store (153) |
| Best Shopping Center | Town Center Plaza & Crossing (276) |
| Best Skate Shop | Escapist Skateboarding (144) |
| Best Table Top Game Store | Mission: Board Games (168) |
| Best Thrift Store | Hillcrest Thrift Shop (305) |
| Best Toy Store | Brookside Toy & Science (272) |
| Best Vape Shop | KC Smoke & Vape (59) |
| Best Vintage Clothing Store | Donna’s Dress Shop (175) |
| Best Vintage Finds | River Market Antiques (370) |
| Best West Bottoms Vendor | Bella Patina (249) |
| Best Wine Shop | Total Wine & More (186) |
Sports & Rec
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Athlete | Patrick Mahomes (264) |
| Best Bowling Alley | Retro Bowl (77) |
| Best Casino | Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City (116) |
| Best Golf Course | Oakwood Country Club (45) |
| Best Local Family-Friendly Activity | Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (174) |
| Best Local Stadium/Arena | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (243) |
| Best Organized Footrace/Run | Girls on the Run (101) |
| Best Place To Get an Adrenaline Rush | Worlds of Fun (202) |
| Best Place to Play Pickleball | Chicken N Pickle (238) |
| Best Place to Play Pinball | Up-Down (164) |
| Best Place to Play Video Games/Arcade | Up-Down (228) |
| Best Place to Play Volleyball | Volleyball Beach (82) |
| Best Sports Team | Kansas City Chiefs (425) |
Weddings
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Bachelor Party Location | Sunset Ranch Wedding and Event Space (41) |
| Best Bachelorette Party Location | The Elms Hotel & Spa (142) |
| Best Couples Therapist | Tedoni Trauma-Informed Therapy, LLC (26) |
| Best Divorce Lawyer | Megan Noble - Fisher Law (68) |
| Best Engagement Photographer | Stag & Bird Photography (79) |
| Best Hotel for Your Wedding Night | Hotel Kansas City (98) |
| Best Local Wedding Caterer | Brancato’s Catering (117) |
| Best Place for Wedding Photos | Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (169) |
| Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner | Lidia’s (154) |
| Best Place to Get a Tux | Dan Dan The Wedding Man (66) |
| Best Place to Get a Wedding Cake | McLain’s Bakery (119) |
| Best Place to Get a Wedding Cake Alternative | Kate Smith Soirée (78) |
| Best Place to Get a Wedding Dress | True Society by Belle Vogue (133) |
| Best Wedding Band | Lost Wax (109) |
| Best Wedding DJ | Complete Weddings + Events (83) |
| Best Wedding Florist | Daylight Flora (125) |
| Best Wedding Hair Stylist | Lovely Beauty KC (85) |
| Best Wedding Jeweler | Meierotto Jewelers (165) |
| Best Wedding Makeup Artist | Lovely Beauty KC (91) |
| Best Wedding Photographer | Stag & Bird Photography (107) |
| Best Wedding Planner | Onyx Events & Design (104) |
| Best Wedding Reception Venue | The Guild (189) |
| Best Wedding Venue | The Guild (175) |
| Best Wedding Videographer | Her Third Eye Productions (97) |
Sources
Footnotes
-
The Pitch, Best of KC 2025 results portal —
PitchKC/pitch-best-of-kc-2025-results(accessed 2026-09-12) · Asserts: every category, placing, rank and vote count reproduced on this page. ↩ -
Harvested from that portal on 2026-09-12 and held in full at
05_Operations/Pitch-Best-Of-KC-Awards-2021-2025.csv; method, per-year portal slugs and coverage limits are recorded with the dataset. ↩
See also
On the record — ks.city/wiki/events/2025-best-of-kc · last revised 2026-09-12