Lenexa Public Market — Restaurant in Lenexa

We have never eaten at the public market but have always wanted to. We decided to go on the spur of the moment after coming back into town from spending the day at union station. Upon arriving we were so excited to see the different options that might appeal to both our children and to my husband and I. We went to Topped and I was really excited to see the unique flavors and I asked the person working if they had gf options. He was a little flustered but answered my question. He then said, not to rush you but we ARE closing in 10 minutes. I said oh!! I didn't realize that and I told my husband I guess we need to go somewhere else. The worker said, no you can still order just know that we all close in 10 minutes. They won't kick you out but technically we close in 10 minutes.. we thought well ok we will go ahead and order then. I was trying to hurry and order off the screen and i saw the thai flavor that i wanted so i went into options but didn't see how to make it gf. I asked once more for assistance from the worker who was growing in frustration and he came around from the counter to help me and said well here is your problem... as PREVIOUSLY STATED you can't do the large in gf. I didn't understand the options on the screen but i thanked him for his help despite his rudeness. He then went around and muttered something to the other worker and the guy responded " that's cold"! Then the one who had helped me continued to mutter about well then don't come in 10 minutes before close... i honestly thought about just walking away and not completing the transaction due to the rudeness. I was just really shocked. Despite better judgement i paid because my husband was already helping my daughter get burgers at another vendor. I proceeded to find a table, get a high chair, seat my toddler and i saw that our pizzas were ready so I went to get them... i came back to the table and didn't even get a chance to unpack the food before we were told that we had to leave and couldn't eat inside. I said it's too cold to eat outside and they said I'm sorry but you must leave we are closing. I just was absolutely stunned at the huge conflicting information provided by the establishment. I was so upset and trying to figure out what we were going to do. We just took everything outside..including my crying toddler who was starving and didn't understand why we couldn't eat the food we just sat down to enjoy. We sat outside for short while before giving up. It was just TOO cold! There is absolutely NO way I would've spent $50 on food to just eat outside in the winter with my toddler before deciding to leave. The lack of clear information between vendors and whoever comes around and kicks people out is not acceptable! I would really like to say that I will return but the event was so upsetting I just don't believe we will be back. My suggestion would be to have clear information among management and vendors... do not allow dine in orders past a certain time if the common area will not be open past the closing of vendors. Do not tell people you can eat past closing if that is not the...

This review is for the Public Market as a whole, not any one restaurant.

I should establish that I have been VERY regularly attending the market since early 2019.

I DO love each individual restaurant here at the public market. There's just been some upsetting over-arching themes ever since the new manager took control of the place.

The tone with all the employees of the restaurants seems considerably less relaxed. Employees and owners seem overall less happy with their situation.

Apparently rent was significantly increased, and there has been a lot of pressure to open for longer hours and more days.

The new manager wants the anchor locations to be open for breakfast lunch and dinner, and six days a week. This schedule simply does not fit the menu of some restaurants, and requires owners hire much more staff that they may not even be able to afford nor properly train.

As I have gathered, both Butterfields and Red Kitchen had to move out due to these constraints -- and Sohaila's Kitchen wanted to upgrade to an anchor location but was unwilling to meet requirements.

To add, Butterfields' attempts to keep up with the deep hours impacted their food as well -- a focus on quantity over quality. Something I never left a review about, but noticed over time. I never blamed Katie for this, anyway.

The "official" reasons for those two locations departing is more optimistic, but listening around the Market it's clear that said optimism is just PR.

Additionally, the original purpose of the Market was to give fresher businesses a chance to grow. But now two locations (Cosmo Burger and the up-coming Cardboard Cafe) are expansions of existing businesses.

I adore Cosmo, I don't want it to go away -- but I felt it should have been a one-off to have a pre-existing business take a spot here in the market. Repeating this with Cardboard Cafe has me nervous of eventual homogeneity.

Lastly, with Cardboard Cafe opening, that will now make three alcohol-heavy shops in the Market. I don't have anything against alcohol itself, but its strong presence changes the atmosphere of the Market from being more diverse and family friendly, to being more like a pub where food is almost secondary.

I have heard that the sale of alcohol is quite necessary for the anchor locations to meet the aforementioned raised rent, which is upsetting as well.

The Public Market is not the same as it was with the prior manager. If it were just a normal business I might not be as bothered, but this is a location that consumes Lenexa tax dollars to maintain. I am very critical of how they're now being spent.

Tessa, if you read this, do not take it personally. Nor should you interrogate the employees at the market. It was not any one person -- I've pieced this all together over the past year in various ways. You had some very large shoes to fill, I get it. I beg you to course-correct,...

The Lenexa Public Market in Lenexa, Kansas, is a foodie’s paradise and a total blast to visit! Tucked into the Lenexa City Center at 8750 Penrose Lane, this 11,000-square-foot indoor food hall is open year-round, buzzing with a rotating crew of local merchants who bring the freshest eats and coolest handcrafted goodies. I swung by and got hit with a wave of awesome—think savory tamales from Red Kitchen, drool-worthy dumplings at Chewology, and BBQ from Mad Man’s that’ll make your taste buds dance. It’s not just about the food (though that’s a huge win); you can sip a coffee from The Roasterie, grab a sweet treat from Foo’s Fabulous Café, or just kick back by the patio fire pits with a card game from their stash—pure family-friendly fun!

This place is a vibe that keeps on giving. Open Monday through Thursday from 6 AM to 9 PM, Friday till 10 PM, Saturday from 7 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday from 7 AM to 7 PM (merchant hours vary, so check ahead), it’s got a laid-back yet lively feel with eclectic seating—couches, barstools, picnic tables, you name it. I loved wandering the stalls, snagging local finds like baked goods and gifts, and soaking in the community spirit. It’s a launchpad for small businesses too—some vendors stick around, others pop up for a quick stint, keeping it fresh and exciting. Plus, it’s tied into the city’s Vision 2020 plan, so you’re basically supporting a big dream while chowing down.

Getting there’s a breeze—free parking in the garage off Winchester or 88th Street, just a hop from I-35 or I-435, about 30 minutes southwest of Kansas City. Prices are fair, with eats ranging from budget bites to splurge-worthy plates, and the whole setup screams Kansas hospitality with a modern twist. Whether you’re a local or just cruising through (maybe after hitting Pratt or Lawrence), Lenexa Public Market is a must-stop for a tasty, fun-filled hangout. I’m already plotting my next trip—those burritos Food & Wine raved about are...