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.
The contributions of Kansas Department of Wildlife, volunteers, and supporters make Maxwell Wildlife Refuge what it is today, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography.
Keeping warm with a lap blanket, we listened to volunteer tour guide, Les, inform us about native grasses and wildlife.
The looks on the kids’ faces was precious as each one became captivated by the narrative.
Parents snapped photos and chatted amongst themselves between bites of cupcakes and cookies. Afterward, Santa gifted a holiday-themed goodie bag to each child.
My take-home gift? I purchased postcards featuring photography taken by volunteers. Elk stood statuesque at sunset. Bison graze on prairie grasses under illuminated Kansas clouds.
I couldn’t resist taking my photo with Santa, who was eager to meet me. Perhaps I was the only adult who snapped a photo with the jolly ol’ guy? I felt like a kid again hoping for his approval and excited to tell him my Christmas wish.
You can also 
When visiting Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, consider exploring nearby towns to grab a meal and see the sites.
Veteran campsites use banners to identify their location, making it easy for friends to find them and join their jam circle. The more years a group has camped at the festival, it seemed the larger their banner and gathering site.
Most food truck items started at $5 and went up. I suggest bringing $20 per person to enjoy a full meal with a drink.
PRO TIP: Don’t assume all food truck vendors accept credit cards, although most do. ATMs are available.
Colorful tapestries hang from booth walls. Tie-die shirts, dresses, and many hats hang from clothing racks. Shoppers leisurely wind their way in and out of booths.
If it’s a band’s merchandise you’re after, you’ll find it available in a designated area after each band’s show. Musicians often remind fans where to find them when they wrap a set.
This mini grocery market of sorts is just the thing campers and festival-goers need to stay fueled during a weekend. Besides, you never know when you may want to share a whole fruit pie, right?
Second, the festival is well-managed and a safe place to hang out. Staff and volunteers do an excellent job of keeping attendees comfortable and happy to the best of their ability. Attendees take pride in the festival by keeping the fairgrounds clean.
Thirdly, you’ll be surprised to see people getting work done on laptops and phones. Our cell phone signal, typically strong elsewhere, wasn’t strong at the fairground – except at The Wi-Fi Café.
Lastly, bringing collapsible chairs is advisable as standing to watch shows isn’t appreciated (blocks the view!), and typical band sessions last 45 minutes.
We appreciated the 
Do you need a bicycle or golf cart to navigate the fairgrounds? Not necessarily, but you should be prepared to increase your step count if walking to and from campsites. Ask about Festi-Cab, a golf cart ride for a minimal fee.
You’ll want to buy the latest festival T-shirt to wear with pride to next year’s celebration. We noticed dozens of audience members wearing them.
STAYING INFORMED
EXPLORING WINFIELD
Didn’t get to join the jam? Save next year’s celebration date, September 18 through 22, 2024, for the 
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The north-central community of over 45,000 people has much to be proud of. Daytrippers will be impressed by the downtown area’s thoughtful design and unique businesses with something for every kind of traveler.
THE BATH PUB
The staff can also help you recreate a scent from an item you bring into the store, like an old perfume bottle or candle.
The fun continues throughout the store. Visitors are encouraged to take a photo in the store window’s bathtub. Children accompanying parents will enjoy the kids-only area that encourages artful play.
The smell of new books welcomes you as you walk through oversized wood doors into the store. The store’s shelves are organized by category while stacks of the latest titles are arranged upon dark wood tables.
But you’ll find more than books at Red Fern Booksellers. I was impressed to discover hand-made gift wrap, stationary for sale, puzzles, stickers, and handcrafted greeting cards. My visit ended perfectly when a butterfly greeted me as I exited the store, a delightful experience.
Whether you’re in the mood to create a seasonal gift for your home or a complete dishware set, On The Pot provides all the supplies you need to finish the project.
Be sure to check out their inventory of Julie’s Stickers, a collection of whimsical drawings and sayings, to add to your purchase. The owners are in the process of creating five downtown Salina stickers to sell as well.
PRO TIP: Traveling with family? Groups of 10 or more can book the studio for a reduced rate on studio fees with a 
From outfits with vibrant colors to unique Cansuelas handbags, the store lives up to its motto, “Be a Little Eccentric.” Shoppers searching for day-to-day closet staples will also find what they’re looking for.
The clothing and shoes inventory is constantly rotating for the seasons, and shoppers are guaranteed to find sizes available from XS to XL.
Beautifully upholstered chairs sit adjacent to elegant lamps and candleholders. Ornate plates adorn tabletops. Framed artwork, figurines, blankets, and garden urns reveal the shop’s distinctly different inventory. Body products and greeting cards near the register make a fabulous gift for a friend.
PRO TIP: Browse Baron Mushmouse’s clothing racks for Bohemian-style blouses, dresses, and dark denim jeans.
Every well-equipped kitchen needs decorative towels and cookbooks with a pantry stocked with dip mixes and jarred condiments. You’ll find it all and more at The Market Shop.
PRO TIP: Wind your way through the store’s thematic displays for scented candles and home decor. The rear of the store is a clothing paradise for fashion-forward women.
A new outfit isn’t complete without matching accessories. Blushe Boutique’s selection of hats, jewelry, and shoes makes shopping for a last-minute dinner date a breeze.
PRO TIP: Because the store stocks seasonal clothing, check the clearance racks in the rear of the store for mega deals.
Locally-made furniture, art, and pottery are the focus of the shop’s inventory, and Flipping Fabulous carries most of the supplies one needs for at-home projects. You’ll discover the most extensive stock of Redesign with Prima in the world and Melange One Paints.
PRO TIP: Walk upstairs to admire custom-made gifts and home decor created by local and regional artists.
Thanks to ever-changing displays, you’re guaranteed to see something you want to purchase each time you visit.
PRO TIP: Plan to spend about half an hour inspecting the store to see everything it offers. If you bring a gal pal to shop, prepare to spend more time because so many of the finds are conversation-inducing.
The café offers patrons a place to sit back and relax with a book or meet as a small group.
PRO TIP: Check the 
The menu consists of “world regional” fare, which to my surprise, includes 15 types of sushi rolls as well as nigiri and sashimi platters.
The linen tablecloths, orchestral music playing in the background, and robust menu options deliver an unforgettable meal experience at Barolo Grille.
I stopped for a refreshing margarita only to discover it was already Happy Hour at 2:30 pm. The setting was relaxed, and I made conversation with the bartender between sips while sports played on the TVs. I look forward to returning for lunch and Horchata Bread Pudding.
I felt like a kid again, savoring every bite of Lemon Custard ice cream as a Dagney’s employee shaped homemade waffle cones behind the counter. The color-changing plastic spoon made the whole experience nostalgic.
Choosing my entree, Penne Carbonara with Chicken, wasn’t easy because the menu ranged from seafood dishes and steaks to wood-fired pizzas. I appreciated the pasta dish, topped with a raw egg yolk that I was encouraged to stir into the black pepper cream sauce before enjoying it.
While all the street art designs are worth discussing, the enormity of the Mural at the Mill (343 N. Santa Fe Ave.) by Guido van Helten begs visitors for a closer look. The Australian muralist’s work wraps around all sides.
There is a buzz of creative momentum in Salina’s downtown. You can feel it as you shop, eat, and admire the area’s art scene. I recommend spending the day exploring it like a local.
No. 7 Coffee House is a morning hangout where locals greet one another as they walk in and discuss the day’s events. They sip coffee with dining on maple pecan scones, muffins, and sausage quiche.
At lunchtime, locals gravitate to the coffee shop to market fresh sandwiches, salads, and wraps. The day I visited, the owner made homemade bierocks in the kitchen. Each day, the chalkboard displays a new menu special. Locals told me the Chicken Salad on Croissant sandwich is a must-have menu item.
Goff wants the mural’s vibrant colors to attract viewers who use it as an interactive backdrop to take selfies. I didn’t hesitate to take one with the sunflower’s petals in the background. The artist said she may not sign the mural because “it belongs to the town.”
Artist Majorie Hall Bicker painted a scene depicting moments in Wellington’s history around the corner from BeeHive Quilt Shop on 7th Street. Dedicated to the city in 2000, visiting the mural should be part of everyone’s visit to town.
PRO TIP: Keep your eyes peeled for ghost signs that appear faded on downtown buildings. The 120-year-old Jacob Engle Dry Goods sign at the corner of Washington Avenue and Lincoln Street was recently restored for Wellington’s 150th anniversary.
Another can’t-miss architectural wonder, The Pink House (114 S. Jefferson), is a sight for the eyes. Unlike any other residence in Wellington, the home is not open to visitors, but people often take photos with it in the background.
The park features picnic areas, playground equipment for the kiddos, a sand volleyball pit, and fishing areas. The well-maintained disc golf course includes concrete pads and wide fairways for beginner to moderately difficult play.
Outside, the historical tour continues with the Bronze Field Guns exhibit. The cannons were delivered upon the request of the Grand Army of the Republic James Post of Wellington in 1909. Delivered in 1915, they serve as a memorial.
PRO TIP: Visit the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to purchase branded merchandise, including ground coffee, t-shirts, holiday ornaments, and more.
Interestingly enough, the building itself is a historical treasure. Once known as Hatcher Hospital, Dr. A. R. Hatcher and his staff treated patients using state-of-the-art equipment in pristine conditions. The building was gifted to the Chisholm Trail Museum in 1965.
Of course, I was fascinated by the room designed to resemble a vintage soda fountain complete with a vinyl booth, ice cream dishes, and the “Let’s Sell Ice Cream” book once used at the Chief Drug Soda Fountain until 1986.
At age 85, Perry enthusiastically gives guided tours of the museum, pointing out items he curated or gifted to him, like the two-sided depot bench and original Santa Fe merchandise featuring the company mascot, Chico. A clock wall displays timepieces that were inspected for the correct time to ensure trains arrived on schedule.
Aside from the impressive collection, it’s possible that Perry’s love of all things railroad will rub off on you. Not only did I learn about railroad employees’ work, but I also had a better appreciation for the industry that helped develop so many Kansas towns, including Wellington.
At 
Besides beautiful apparel, Bay & Brielle Co.’s accessories are on par with the latest trends. A collection of seasonal shoes, hats, and colorful handbags make completing an outfit a cinch.
Most of the inventory caters to shoppers looking for a refined rustic or farmhouse deco style. A corner of the store even carries nursery decor and toys for parents or grandparents looking for something new. Shopping at Salty Creek Decor is an interior designer’s dream and is sure to inspire.
I tried something out of my comfort zone and sampled the highly recommended fresh pork rinds with pepper jack cheese and spinach queso, which I devoured. The rinds arrived at the table, crackling fresh from the fryer.
My server recommended that I save room for dessert, and even though I was full, I couldn’t turn down caramel churros with vanilla ice cream drizzled with honey and chocolate. 100% delicious.
Wellington is a wonderful place to spend a day exploring some of the top attractions in south-central Kansas. A short drive from Wichita, I was delighted to meet residents who made me feel welcome, and there were unlimited places to explore. I know you’ll fall in love with it, too.
