The best restaurants in Lawrence

47 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 47 places · showing the latest additions first

Pokéloha

Restaurants

When you want something that tastes like summer in a bowl, Pokéloha delivers Hawaiian inspired poké bowls and sushi burritos built with…

937 Massachusetts St

When you want something that tastes like summer in a bowl, Pokéloha delivers Hawaiian inspired poké bowls and sushi burritos built with fresh daily, premium ingredients and clean, satisfying flavors. Treat yourself this week, then go feel oddly proud of your lunch choices.

From the Lawrence newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Locally owned Stanley James Smokehouse turns out wood‑fired, in‑house smoked ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, sausage, and burnt ends with…

1500 E 23rd St

Locally owned Stanley James Smokehouse turns out wood‑fired, in‑house smoked ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, sausage, and burnt ends with scratch-made sides, plus legit breakfast. Order by the pound, sandwich, or plate... perfect for an easy weeknight feast or game-day spread.

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When the dinner rut sets in, Island Grill Caribbean & American Restaurant brings bright island spice together with familiar American…

1017 NE Seward Ave (Topeka)

When the dinner rut sets in, Island Grill Caribbean & American Restaurant brings bright island spice together with familiar American comfort, delivering bold, satisfying plates that wake up your week. Treat yourself to something different tonight, then brag about it to your group chat tomorrow.

From the Topeka newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Cozy, clean sushi hot spot offering lunch specials, bento boxes and a kid-friendly menu.

711 W 23rd St #24

Cozy, clean sushi hot spot offering lunch specials, bento boxes and a kid-friendly menu.

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Milton's Café

Restaurants

Chill, storied nook with diverse breakfast & lunch fare, baked goods & coffee, plus outdoor seating.

901 New Hampshire St

Chill, storied nook with diverse breakfast & lunch fare, baked goods & coffee, plus outdoor seating.

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Global Cafe

Restaurants

Comfortable hangout plating southwestern and Latin-American staples like arepas, pancakes and burritos, along with coffee.

820 Massachusetts St

Comfortable hangout plating southwestern and Latin-American staples like arepas, pancakes and burritos, along with coffee.

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Upscale eatery for steaks (including hanger steak), plus wine and cocktails.

741 Massachusetts St

Upscale eatery for steaks (including hanger steak), plus wine and cocktails.

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Contemporary Italian cuisine served with wine & cocktails in warm, upscale environs.

712 Massachusetts St

Contemporary Italian cuisine served with wine & cocktails in warm, upscale environs.

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Casual Korean restaurant serving comfort food, including spicy pork, bibimbap, and fried chicken.

7 E 7th St

Casual Korean restaurant serving comfort food, including spicy pork, bibimbap, and fried chicken.

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Relaxed Japanese restaurant and sushi bar featuring sushi pizzas and a selection of rolls.

1606 W 23rd St

Relaxed Japanese restaurant and sushi bar featuring sushi pizzas and a selection of rolls.

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Zen Zero

Restaurants

A wide variety of Asian eats, from Thai to Nepalese, served against a bustling backdrop.

811 Massachusetts St

A wide variety of Asian eats, from Thai to Nepalese, served against a bustling backdrop.

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Quaint neighborhood bar & eatery offering sizable Italian plates in an unpretentious atmosphere.

801 Massachusetts St

Quaint neighborhood bar & eatery offering sizable Italian plates in an unpretentious atmosphere.

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Runza Restaurant

Restaurants

Fast-food chain known for namesake German sandwiches, plus burgers, onion rings & crinkle-cut fries.

2700 Iowa St

Fast-food chain known for namesake German sandwiches, plus burgers, onion rings & crinkle-cut fries.

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Wingstop

Restaurants

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

2233 Louisiana St Ste G

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

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Quaint restaurant plating creative dishes and cocktails from a fixed menu in a cozy farm setting.

214 N 800 Rd (Overbrook)

Quaint restaurant plating creative dishes and cocktails from a fixed menu in a cozy farm setting.

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Prize Package

Restaurants

Casual hamburger joint dishing up popular cheeseburgers and other comfort foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

1420 SE 6th St (Topeka)

Casual hamburger joint dishing up popular cheeseburgers and other comfort foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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Big Mill

Restaurants

Detroit-style pies, burgers, and other comfort eats offered in a casual setting with happy hour.

900 Mississippi St

Detroit-style pies, burgers, and other comfort eats offered in a casual setting with happy hour.

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Laid-back eatery offering smoked meats (including ribs) and traditional sides such as baked beans and fries.

2511 SE California Ave (Topeka)

Laid-back eatery offering smoked meats (including ribs) and traditional sides such as baked beans and fries.

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Neapolitan-style pies, American eats & cocktails are the draw at this modern pizzeria with a patio.

814 Massachusetts St

Neapolitan-style pies, American eats & cocktails are the draw at this modern pizzeria with a patio.

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Fast-food chain dishing up plate lunches and other Hawaiian comfort fare in a laid-back setting.

1501 W 23rd St

Fast-food chain dishing up plate lunches and other Hawaiian comfort fare in a laid-back setting.

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Casual restaurant serving small plates and quick bites including popular Korean fried chicken.

525 Wakarusa Dr Ste b

Casual restaurant serving small plates and quick bites including popular Korean fried chicken.

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Minsky's Pizza

Restaurants

Elevated pizzeria chain with lots of crust & topping options, plus spaghetti & cheesesteaks.

934 Massachusetts St

Elevated pizzeria chain with lots of crust & topping options, plus spaghetti & cheesesteaks.

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Sbarro Lawrence

Restaurants

Italian fast-food chain offering thin-crust pizza by the slice, plus pastas & salads.

Parking lot, 2100 W 25th St

Italian fast-food chain offering thin-crust pizza by the slice, plus pastas & salads.

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Set Em Up Jack's

Restaurants

Casual sports bar serving American fare ranging from burgers to fried chicken to chicken fried steak.

1800 E 23rd St Ste. G

Casual sports bar serving American fare ranging from burgers to fried chicken to chicken fried steak.

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Chick-in Waffle

Restaurants

Counter-service restaurant specializing in chicken and waffles, including Nashville hot chicken, plus fries and sandwiches.

1714 W 23rd St

Counter-service restaurant specializing in chicken and waffles, including Nashville hot chicken, plus fries and sandwiches.

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Classic & trendy pizzas, plus subs, beer & wine dished out in an old-school counter-serve joint.

837 Massachusetts St

Classic & trendy pizzas, plus subs, beer & wine dished out in an old-school counter-serve joint.

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The Roost

Restaurants

Contemporary breakfast/lunch cafe offering American fare, pastries & coffee drinks, plus a full bar.

920 Massachusetts St

Contemporary breakfast/lunch cafe offering American fare, pastries & coffee drinks, plus a full bar.

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The Mad Greek

Restaurants

Greek & Italian specialties, plus burgers, served in a bright cafe-style setting with a full bar.

907 Massachusetts St

Greek & Italian specialties, plus burgers, served in a bright cafe-style setting with a full bar.

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Gaia Sushi

Restaurants

Japanese restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat menu of sushi and small plates in a relaxed setting.

918 Massachusetts St

Japanese restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat menu of sushi and small plates in a relaxed setting.

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Pizza Shuttle

Restaurants

Long-running, no-frills counter-serve joint featuring creative pizzas & late-night delivery.

711 W 23rd St #19

Long-running, no-frills counter-serve joint featuring creative pizzas & late-night delivery.

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Casual restaurant and bar serving Mexican and other Latin American cuisine, plus margaritas.

1410 Kasold Dr a17

Casual restaurant and bar serving Mexican and other Latin American cuisine, plus margaritas.

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Traditional Vietnamese & an array of pho with an open kitchen & counter seating in a casual setting.

1524 W 23rd St

Traditional Vietnamese & an array of pho with an open kitchen & counter seating in a casual setting.

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Culinaria

Restaurants

Relaxed restaurant featuring made-from-scratch, Mediterranean-inspired cooking, a full bar and an outdoor patio.

512 E 9th St

Relaxed restaurant featuring made-from-scratch, Mediterranean-inspired cooking, a full bar and an outdoor patio.

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Burgers By Biggs

Restaurants

Low-key burger joint featuring house-ground beef and chicken patties, plus a kids' menu.

1520 Wakarusa Dr Ste a

Low-key burger joint featuring house-ground beef and chicken patties, plus a kids' menu.

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Relaxed spot offering gourmet burgers & hot dogs, funky sides & a full bar in an industrial setting.

803 Massachusetts St

Relaxed spot offering gourmet burgers & hot dogs, funky sides & a full bar in an industrial setting.

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Biemer's BBQ

Restaurants

Basic counter-serve restaurant plating brisket, ribs & pulled-pork sandwiches, plus local beer.

2120 W 9th St

Basic counter-serve restaurant plating brisket, ribs & pulled-pork sandwiches, plus local beer.

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Toppers Pizza

Restaurants

Chain restaurant making pizza with unusual toppings, plus wings, offered at counter or via delivery.

1100 Mississippi St

Chain restaurant making pizza with unusual toppings, plus wings, offered at counter or via delivery.

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715 Restaurant

Restaurants

Tuscan cuisine made with ingredients sourced from Kansas farms & served in date-worthy digs.

715 Massachusetts St

Tuscan cuisine made with ingredients sourced from Kansas farms & served in date-worthy digs.

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Barbecue platters & sandwiches plus all the fixings served in a bright quick-serve establishment.

10512 S Ridgeview Rd (Olathe)

Barbecue platters & sandwiches plus all the fixings served in a bright quick-serve establishment.

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Whataburger

Restaurants

Circa-1950 fast-food chain for counter-serve burgers, some stacked with multiple patties.

707 W 23rd St

Circa-1950 fast-food chain for counter-serve burgers, some stacked with multiple patties.

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Slim Chickens

Restaurants

Counter-serve chain specializing in chicken dishes, plus Southern sides & desserts served in jars.

701 Wakarusa Dr

Counter-serve chain specializing in chicken dishes, plus Southern sides & desserts served in jars.

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Counter-serve BBQ chain serving ribs, brisket & pulled pork in a low-key atmosphere.

Parking lot, 1516 W 23rd St #200

Counter-serve BBQ chain serving ribs, brisket & pulled pork in a low-key atmosphere.

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Rudy's Pizzeria

Restaurants

Rustic quick-serve hideaway specializing in multiple styles of gourmet pizzas by the pie or slice.

704 Massachusetts St

Rustic quick-serve hideaway specializing in multiple styles of gourmet pizzas by the pie or slice.

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The Big Biscuit

Restaurants

Casual, family-friendly outlet known for biscuits and gravy but also serving a wide variety of pancakes.

4821 W 6th St

Casual, family-friendly outlet known for biscuits and gravy but also serving a wide variety of pancakes.

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A stylish seafood specialist serving oysters, cocktails & more for lunch, dinner & weekend brunch.

719 Massachusetts St

A stylish seafood specialist serving oysters, cocktails & more for lunch, dinner & weekend brunch.

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Farm-to-table eatery serving prix fixe menus of locally raised ingredients and gourmet cocktails, along with 3- to 8-course options.

292 N 2100 Rd (Lecompton)

Farm-to-table eatery serving prix fixe menus of locally raised ingredients and gourmet cocktails, along with 3- to 8-course options.

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Bigg's BBQ

Restaurants

Family-friendly outpost known for Kansas City-style BBQ, plus a bar & many TVs for sports viewing.

2429 Iowa St

Family-friendly outpost known for Kansas City-style BBQ, plus a bar & many TVs for sports viewing.

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