Westport Cafe — Restaurant in Kansas City

My wife and I moved to Kansas City from Washington, DC, a city with exceptional dining. Over the past year, we’ve explored many restaurants across KC, and Westport Café is now one of our absolute favorites. It easily stands above the finest bistros in America. I dare say in Paris, too.

Dining here felt especially personal for me. My father was French, from Lyon, just like Westport’s executive chef. He opened the first Vietnamese restaurant in DC in 1971, serving presidents, dignitaries, and diplomats. Hospitality was his art form, and walking into Westport Café brought back memories of him. The bistro’s warm, unpretentious elegance, the glowing bar, the buzz of conversation, the thoughtful details felt both nostalgic and new. I know my father would have loved it here.

The food was outstanding. You must try the truffle focaccia. The steak frites was perfectly executed: tender, flavorful, and accompanied by crisp, classic shoestring golden fries. The grouper, a MUST! The coconut curry mussels were a standout (ask for additional bread for the luxurious broth!), unexpected, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. The desserts were exceptional, featuring classic French technique and just the right creative twist.

What I especially appreciated was that this isn’t strict, classical French fare, and that should be celebrated. The chef is confident enough in his foundation to blend in international nuances that elevate the dishes in surprising and delightful ways. It’s French cuisine that honors tradition without being confined by it.

The service was just as memorable. Meghan, the General Manager, offered impeccable front-of-house hospitality. She was warm, inviting, polished, and genuine. Also, throughout the meal, she was attentive. We felt welcomed immediately. She is a GM to be studied by other establishments.

And John, our server, was extraordinary. His encyclopedic knowledge of the menu, ingredients, and even the chef’s story made the entire experience feel curated and intimate.

As someone who grew up and worked front of the house of an award-winning restaurant, these two lead with confidence and precision. The restaurant is lucky to have them.

Westport Café is a gem. It’s the kind of place that lingers with you, in memory and feeling. We are already looking forward to our next visit. We will be back for their Tuesday night steak and frites special, to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or any occasion that requires a beautiful atmosphere, joy, and...

A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Westport – An Unforgettable Evening at Westport Café

On a bustling Saturday evening in Westport, we discovered a true hidden gem—Westport Café. While we typically celebrate special occasions at a different French restaurant, after meeting Chef-Owner Romain Monnoyeur, I was intrigued to check out his place. And I’m so glad we did.

From the moment we stepped inside, the cozy yet lively ambiance made us feel right at home. Our evening started with an incredible amuse-bouche—a beautifully pan-seared scallop alongside freshly harvested white asparagus and a creative twist on focaccia with a strawberry-infused topping. This unexpected combination set the stage for what would be an exceptional meal.

We then indulged in the PEI mussels, which were bathed in a unique broth of coconut, curry, fennel, and cilantro—a bold choice for a modern French restaurant, but it worked beautifully. The flavors were complex yet balanced, and we appreciated the large spoon our server thoughtfully provided to enjoy every last drop of the delicious broth.

Next came the seared scallops with black truffle risotto, finished with a citrus vinegar drizzle, tableside. This dish was pure decadence—rich, creamy, and bursting with umami. For the main course, I had the steak frites with maître d’hôtel butter and Béarnaise sauce. The house-cut fries, served with traditional mayonnaise and ketchup, were absolutely killer. The steak itself was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, exactly as it should be.

To complement the meal, I enjoyed a glass of Bordeaux, while my wife opted for a martini—which she raved about.

For dessert, we shared a piece of house-made banana cake, topped with caramelized bananas and what I believe was a scoop of gelato. To make the evening even more special, the staff added a candle for my wife to blow out, which was a thoughtful touch.

Both Chef Romain and his business partner Kevin took the time to visit our table, making us feel like truly welcomed guests. Their passion for hospitality was evident in every detail. Our table, located near the bar area, provided a perfect vantage point to take in the entire restaurant and the vibrant energy of Westport outside.

Stepping out of the house for a night like this was exactly what we needed. Westport Café exceeded our expectations with its warm atmosphere, impeccable service, and inventive, flavor-packed dishes. We will definitely be back.

⭐ Highly...

I want to start by saying, I really appreciate good service. I am not the easiest to please, however I have to say the service was exceptional. I saw consistent and considerate service throughout my meal from all staff to all tables. I have worked in every level of dining and now that I travel through out the US for business that also require client dinners, I often find that bad service can make the most delicious meal an ordeal rather than an experience.

My server David provided exquisite service, and considered every aspect of my meal. I came in alone, I listened to my book because I forgot to bring the paper copy and was greeted promptly. I expressed that I had an intolerance to alcohol, and I am always happy to make concessions that don’t inconvenience the kitchen. I am pretty familiar with French cuisine and know that many things can contain alcohol. I appreciate that they were willing to accommodate me, as french cuisine is one of my favorites. I ordered steak frites+au poivre and added scallops, finished with a soufflé. All delicious and made to accommodate my request. Additionally, the mise en place was perfect from being sure I had everything I needed to enjoy my food prior to it arrival, making sure I never had an empty glass, to replacing my napkin when I stepped away from the table momentarily. Lastly, he was considerate through out my meal. After expressing that I have an intolerance to alcohol but that I really missed having a cocktail with my meals, since it can really elevate the experience of the meal as a whole. I didn’t see any Mocktails listed, nor was I really looking since often I don’t find them comparable to the real thing. However, he was thoughtful enough to hear that I missed having that experience and offered an option they could provide, which I took him up on. The whole experience was one of the best I’ve had since I can last remember.

Needless to say if this is their standard of service, I will be returning and will look forward to bringing clients...