Where to eat in Kansas City after your Hospital Birth
As a busy birth doula in Kansas City, I can assure you that I know two things (besides birth) very well. First, I can tell you where there is a good coffee shop within any five-mile radius in the city, and second I know where to eat near all of the KC hospitals that I serve. The way to my heart has always been through my stomach, so when it comes to food (and birth support 😉) you can trust me!
The first meal after your KC birth, make it worth it!
There will be so many beautiful moments at your birth. Like, overcoming the fear of the unknown, hearing that first cry, and looking your child in the eyes and wondering how they were able to fit inside your body. But there is one moment that sometimes gets overlooked—your first real meal after delivery.
Most likely, you will have sustained the last 12-24 hours on clear liquids, and small bites of easily digestible foods, like almond butter or crackers. So one of the great things about your first meal after delivery is that regardless of what it is, be it a turkey sandwich from the nourishment room or a crinkled Clif Bar, it's going to taste amazing. Your palate is cleansed, your stomach primed, and your cells depleted so long that your body will rejoice at the flood of calories!
The hospital cafeteria is often the place most families turn to for their first meal, as it's convenient, but unless you are delivering at KU Medical Center (whose cafeteria is open 24hrs) the hospital cafeteria may be closed when you deliver. I want you to know, that with a little thought, and not too much planning, you could have a first meal, that will equal the effort you just exerted.
*And a side note: if the restaurant doesn't deliver - this is the perfect job for one of your friends or family members who are aching to see your baby. Prearrange your preferred meal choice, and let them know when you deliver! By the time they can come in to see you and the baby, that meal is ready to pick up and walk through the door with them!
Here are this doula’s recommended options for some fantastic Kansas City Dining!
Best restaurants near your hospital:
KU Medical Center (my favorite hospital is near my favorite restaurants!)
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que - voted best BBQ in KC and my personal favorite
Bob Wasabi Kitchen - my favorite sushi in KC, and I grew up in Hawaii!
Taqueria Mexico #4 - one of my favorite Mexican restaurants (molcajete is amazing)
Blue Koi Noodles & Dumplings - featured on the food network (my husband swears by the Fire Bird, but warning it is HOT)
Mud Pie Vegan Bakery- the best chai tea latte in the city hands down
Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Hot Basil Thai Cusine - the best Thai tea and pad Thai in town!
Kung Fu Tea- next door to Hot Basil and is delicious
Hawaiian Bros -because duh (Honolulu chicken with an extra scoop of mac salad, trust me)
Korma Sutra - Amazing authentic Indian food (my favorite in the city!)
Sama Zama - best ramen and calamari in town hands down
PotPie- chicken pot pie is comfort in a bowl
Jerusalem Cafe- falafel is life
Insomnia Cookies - deliver hot cookies to you!!!
Papa Keno's Pizzeria - my family’s favorite pizza by the slice
Cascone's - old school Italian (lasagna and lobster ravioli, so good!)
Hawaiian Bros - seriously just trust the island girl (Honolulu chicken with an extra scoop of mac salad… and also spam musubi)
Kind Food LLC - great plant-based menu
Ixtapa Mexican Cuisine - authentic Mexican, not Tex-Mex, yummy Arroz con Pollo, and all taco options!!!
LC's Hamburgers Etc. - old-school hamburgers and onion rings
Broken Rice & Pho Restaurant - their sliced pork with broken rice is summertime comfort food for me
GoCha Tea & Beverages - next door to Broken Rice, and their matcha and firecracker drinks are delicious!
Waldo Pizza - a local favorite and they deliver to the hospital!
Thai Spice - sesame chicken is bomb!!
Ginger Sue’s - delicious breakfast and lunch menu
Burg and Barrel - because after all of that hard work you NEED a great burger.
Black Dog Coffeehouse - best coffee bread and pastries around
Lanexa Public Market (10 min drive but worth it!) Full of small fresh-made restaurants Chewology is my favorite! (Hand-made gyoza and fresh ramen). Kate Smith Soirée (best macarons I have EVER had). Red Kitchen Tamales has delicious burritos.
Olathe Medical Center- The Birth Place
Mod Pizza - create your own pizza
Strips Chicken - a local family-owned fresh-made fast food. Chicken strips are AMAZING!
Bonito Michoacan- best authentic street tacos in KC. and the place my Mexico native husband craves.
Boru Ramen - sweet potato fries with kimchi… WHAT!?
McLain’s Bakery - because all birthdays should include cake
South of Summit Taqueria & Taquilla - everyone needs more tacos in their lives!
Neighborhood Cafe - delicious comfort food
Delivery Service: If you are not in the mood to leave the hospital there are always Uber Eats and Grub Hub in Kansas City to bring it to you!
When congratulations are in order, treat yourself to something yummy. You more than deserve it!!!