Isn’t it nice when someone else does the cooking for you? If you’re seeking a place to dine in Wichita, Kansas, that serves health-conscious menu items made with fresh ingredients, this list of restaurants checks all the boxes.
I’m a native Wichitan who has dined at each of these locally owned eateries, and I can vouch for their menu selections, customer service, and overall value.
10 Places to Dine in Wichita, Kansas, If You’re Seeking Healthier Menu Options
Meddys
Fans of Mediterranean cuisine rave about Meddys (4 Locations) for its menu of entrees prepared fresh daily. Their shawarmas, filled with marinated meats with tomato onion relish, try to steal the show, but platters like the Fancy Falafel served with a salad of your choice, creamy hummus, and Spanish eggplant steal the show.
One may not expect a fast-casual restaurant kitchen to produce healthy selections, including Grilled Citrus Salmon and Tabbouleh Salad, but they’d be surprised.
The Kitchen
Are you craving a protein bowl or a mega-sized signature salad? The Kitchen (725 E. Douglas), known for chef-prepared lunch and dinner entrees, delivers flavor-forward meals focusing on creativity.
The owner/chef Natasha Gandi-Rue is the real deal. She won Food Network’s Grocery Games, proving she can curate ingredients and produce award-winning dishes. Customize your salad or order one of six signature salads. “Good-for-you-delicious” Buddha Bowls, like the Thai bowl, arrive at the table heaped high with chicken and vegetables.
Tanya’s Soup Kitchen
The soup, salad, or sandwich combo doesn’t get much better than at Tanya’s Soup Kitchen (1725 E. Douglas). Each recipe is handcrafted in-house using only the freshest ingredients available. Plus, the chalkboard near the register features a list of four seasonal soups, which are available as a flight of 4.5-ounce servings.
Ten signature sandwiches are equally loved by vegetarians and carnivores alike. Delilah’s Light Lunch, prepared with sliced chicken breast, apricot relish, sharp cheddar and romaine and served between a onion kaiser roll, is top-notch.
Sunflour Collective & Cafe
Sunflour Collective & Cafe’s (6120 W. Central) focus is to serve health-focused and plant-forward using whole foods and in-season ingredients. Expect the unexpected on the menu. Balsamic Fig Salad, Pistachio Basil Pesto Grilled Cheese, and Cheesy Spinach sandwich are menu favorites that you won’t find served elsewhere in the city.
Order appropriately so you leave room for a scrumptious 4″ ExtraOrdinary Cheesecake prepared gluten-free but full of flavor.
HomeGrown
If someone asks me if I want to dine for breakfast, only one restaurant that comes to mind, HomeGrown (3 locations). Perfectly ripe fruit, vegetables, and organic eggs are used in early-morning classic dishes like Salsa Verde Pork & Egg, The Ironman, and West Coast Wake Up.
For lunch, diners can choose from a short list of Sammies served on optional gluten-free bread, or Power BLT salad or bowl of soup.
Las Delicias ICT
Not every meal needs to be a big, hearty one, and that’s why I like visiting Las Delicias ICT (1052 N. Waco) when I’m craving lighter fare. Employees stand over cutting boards, slicing watermelon, cucumber, and jicama to add to Mexican Fruit Cups drizzled with sweet but tangy Chamoy sauce.
If you’re seeking a small lunch entree, order an open-faced tostada or shrimp ceviche cup and pair it with a glass of freshly made aqua fresca.
Oak & Pie
This might sound odd, but I don’t visit Oak & Pie (2244 N. Greenwich) for their pizza. For me, it’s all about the salads served in unexpectedly large portions with ingredients like candied pistachios, red wine vinaigrette, and hard salami.
Most pizza joints serve a Caesar salad or a basic garden salad, but you find far better on the menu at Oak & Pie. If you need help deciding which one to choose, order the Farmer’s Market Salad or an extra-large House Salad layered with unique ingredients.
Public
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve dined at Public (129 N. Rock Island), a farm-to-table restaurant in the basement of a historic Old Town district building.
The chef uses regionally sustainable ingredients to create sought-after charcuterie boards, Prairie Bison Sliders, hearty salads, and homemade pizzas (gluten-free crust available). The Spicy Cauliflower, a starter appetizer, is a flavor punch that delivers serious spice. Ask the server about the day’s specials or plan your visit around a season, which often inspires the chef to make limited-time-only dishes.
Bella Luna
Mediterranean cuisine is known for its use of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, legumes, produce, and spices. Bella Luna‘s (2 locations) menu features a robust list of Greek and Lebanese traditional entrees. Chicken Schawarma or Grilled Portobello Sandwich are ideal lunchtime choices.
Seafood Trio and Chicken Du Chateauround out the healthier menu options for dinner. Curry lovers will feel right at home with three protein options served over rice.
Newport Grill
What if you could indulge in a fabulous seafood meal while viewing a scenic waterfall from your patio table? Newport Grill (1900 N. Rock Rd), a fine dining restaurant, ships fresh seafood daily.
The appetizers are so good, especially when paired with Happy Hour cocktails, that you may need to remind yourself that the shining star is the dinner menu. Fresh catch entrees ranging from swordfish to trout are the base for delectable meals that are beautifully plated.
Skip the high-caloric meal when dining out in Wichita and instead choose a meal from one of these ten restaurant menus.
A few notable runner-up restaurants include locally owned Crafted, Green Acres (Deli), and The Wine Dive. Also, refer to my blog post, Get Your Greens On: Where to Find the Best Salads in Kansas if you’re on the hunt for big bowl salads that satisfy.
In 2015, Gress said, “If people at least understand what’s going on out there and how important it is, maybe they’ll come to appreciate it and want to protect it and maybe change their own behavior to improve the situation.” (Source: The Wichita Eagle)
In 1958, the budding entrepreneurs grew the company from a humble start-up business to one of the world’s biggest, most well-known restaurant companies. Today, the company’s net worth is worth over $810 billion.
Today, Chance Rides is the only one of the three businesses still in operation, producing roller coasters, rides, and park trains.
He laid out the trail between his trading post at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River to the Indian territory that extended northward to Abilene, Kansas. Cowboys pushed cattle herds through town and across the river near the Douglas Street Bridge.
Nicknamed “The Rave,” the 6-7 forward averaged 24.3 points in four seasons at WSU and helped lead the team to their first NCAA appearance in 1964.
The highly decorated leader earned the National Security Medal, the President’s Citizens Medal, National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (twice), and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal (three times).
Her tirades continued for years. Eventually, she was jailed many times before dying in Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 9, 1911.
I appreciate that Wichita Park and Recreation, in partnership with Byers, decided to beautify the city’s parks with artistic benches that beautify the surroundings and showcase Wichita’s history makers. Byer’s use of vibrant colors, the Wichita flag, and the city’s abbreviated name, ICT, make them symbolic.
I chose the Cinnamon Dolce Chai Tea Latte served over ice during my visit. I didn’t mind the short wait for my iced coffee because I was keen to sit in a tiny alcove of the café decorated with modern finishes and seating for two people. It provided a private space to enjoy my beverage while using free Wi-Fi to catch up on work.
I know I’m biased when I tell others there is always great dining and fun entertainment in Wichita, but it’s true.
It wasn’t easy narrowing down a list to only 100 things to do. I thought to myself, “Who would need this book?” I wrote it as a resource for visitors to Wichita, long-time residents, and newcomers. Actually, the book features more than 100 things to do, as I’ve also bonus lists and insider tips.
People love the book! It earned 1st place in the Kansas Professional Communicators’ 2023 Communications Contest in the Adult, Nonfiction category. The judge wrote, “What a delightful book. the one-page descriptions really work, and your voice sings as your love of the venues shines through.”
Follow 
Stay curious. 
The room’s amenities include a flatscreen TV, liquor pantry, coffee cart with snacks, and an Alexa personal assistant. For those who need to get work down during their stay, the in-room desk is large enough for a laptop and then some.
Italian music played as I dined on an appetizer board of chef-selected meats and cheeses. I particularly loved the Italian herb cheese and the fresh made-in-house peach jam. The board was large enough for two to three people to enjoy before ordering dinner with a bottle of wine.
After devouring my delicious meal, I followed the signs leading to the bottom level of the hotel. I was led into a candlelit foray with a mysterious wooden door. I had arrived at 
The speakeasy pays homage to the building’s history while providing guests ambiance they won’t find anywhere else in the city. According to Dockum, the rules for enjoying the bar are simple, “Be good to us and we’ll spoil you.” It was definitely my kind of tavern.
Street art is a bonus surprise for visitors to Wichita. 
Another indoor space to view art, much of which is usually the work of talented regional artists, is 
Hockey fans visiting the area must experience an action-packed 
If you’re interested in catching a local band at a smaller venue, consider walking to 
There is no shortage of attractions beyond the doors of the Ambassador. Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or a returning guest, the downtown area is the best place to experience what makes Wichita wonderful. Perhaps I’m a little biased since I’m a Wichitan, but I promise you’ll love your experience staying at 
Do you have questions about exploring Wichita’s downtown district? Want to learn more about the hotel? Drop a comment below. I’m always happy to give travel advice.
