I met an out of town friend in the city market, but we quickly realized that it was just to crowded to enjoy a Saturday brunch anywhere without a wait, so we hoped on the streetcar. Banksia is perfectly located at the Central Business stop making it very convenient. They are an odd combination of casual counter ordering, self serve water stations and cafeteria type seating and a few stools at a bar - sleek cafeteria if you will... but the price points reflect a more elevated experience. My friend had a salad with chicken and avocado that she enjoyed. I had a bowl with one biscuit and gravy. The sautéed onions in the gravy made it one of favorites ever! We also shared an English Muffin with vegamite just for the novelty and since we were at an Australian kitchen. We each had iced coffee beverages. A bit pricey for a casual meal but I would gladly return for a brunch or breakfast since the quality is there and great location. read more

Banksia - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I went with a group for a restaurant week because we just had to try the kangaroo. It was delicious as was everything else that we tried. I highly recommend that you step out of your comfort zone and try some new Australian foods. read more

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Grabbed brunch at Banksia. I'd never been to this location. We ordered at the counter and found a table. I love the little Australian tidbits around. I got the mushroom and beet toast and an espresso martini. The martini was delish- a classic and not too sweet. The toast was very good. There were lots of things I was considering on the menu, so if I went back, I'd probably try something else read more

Banksia - Ricotta Hotcakes - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

We went to Banksia for Christmas Eve dinner. Expected it to be packed as I had looked to change our reservation time and it said there were no reservations available but it was pretty empty. Realized it was due to lack of service staff, though service was fine so appreciate them limiting reservations to what staff could handle. Cocktail prices are extremely expensive so we opted for a bottle of wine instead. Decided to share small plates and an entree as we weren't very hungry. Do yourself a favor - order the Spanish Octopus ! It was divine!! We also enjoyed the Polpette Meatballs and Salt & Pepper Calamari. For the entree we enjoyed the seasonal pasta which was a pasta with champagne sauce and large shrimp. Dessert was the Australian Lamington-a must try! It was a very enjoyable meal. We'll be back! read more

Honestly disappointed. The food overall was pretty good, 8/10. Appetizers 8/10, entrees 9/10, desserts 6/10. But the service was terrible. We had reservations for 5 people at 7pm, didn't leave until 9:45pm. Very slow service, the wait staff not attentive, not very apologetic, just really disappointed in the overall experience. Overall ambiance was okay, a little loud, not overly warm and welcoming environment. It took 30+ minutes to get alcoholic drinks, but for one person in our party it took over an hour for their lemonade! It wasn't even a full house, not overly crowded. They didn't seem prepared for KC Restaurant Week. My chili prawn linguine was actually served with bucatini. Although the food was quite good, the overall experience left a bad taste in our mouths. Probably will not return. read more

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Great environment and lovely people. The breakfast burrito is outstanding! If I lived in Kansas City I would have it regularly. It is a stop each trip to town! read more

We decided to try this restaurant out because of the lamb on the menu. Unfortunately they ran out right before we got there . The restaurant is modern and clean. The service was excellent and very nice staff. My husband and I ordered the same sandwiches that come with mixed greens with vinaigrette. I asked for mine ion gluten free bread though since I have celiac. The food took quite a while for just sandwiches to come out. My husband liked his but both didn't have very much ham in them. They brought mine out with regular bread and I had to send it back. It came back out quickly but the bread was barely toasted so the gf bread fell apart instantly. Their mango tea was excellent. read more

Banksia - Smoked Black Forest Ham Sandwich on gluten free bread - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I miss the old location!! It was so charming and welcoming. New location is much bigger so that's a plus. read more

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This is a nice casual lunch spot, the food is okay and the service is fast! They have several gluten free and dairy free options which is a bonus. Prices are fair, the food is nothing to write home about but it's not bad either. I would definitley go back and try some of the other options on their menu. read more

Visited Banskia for the first time with a friend looking for something light to eat and possibly share. Between the two of us, that meant something gluten-free and vegan so we're quite the nightmare. Fortunately, it was not very busy at the time and the kitchen kindly modified one of the rotating dishes. The real standout, aside from the great service, were the espresso martinis - these will be bringing us back. read more

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We stayed at a hotel a couple blocks away and walked here for breakfast. They have a huge space and lots of outdoor seating. We ordered at the counter from the very friendly person and our food arrived quickly. I had the breakfast sandwich on an English muffin with avocado instead of meat and it was good. I also had an iced latte that was good. Nice place for a quick bite to eat. read more

Cute place. I love the walls with the plants on them. You order at the counter and then they bring the food to you. It wasn't very busy so it came pretty fast. I ordered a sugar-free vanilla latte and eggs Benedict. Both were very good. The eggs Benedict wasn't quite what I'm used to. It was a little different maybe because it's an Australian place. It came with arugula salad which was fresh and very good as well. Note to self: always put your finger on the top of the bottle when you shake it because I didn't do that and the hot sauce went everywhere. Oops read more

Banksia - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Made my first trip to Banksia's new location on 12th street! Place your order at the bar, and they will give you a number and bring your food to your table. The new space feels much larger so there seems to be more seating! This should be helpful on the weekends if this location is as busy as the last! Highly recommend ordering some sweet pastries and sausage rolls to enjoy while you wait for the rest of your food. My favorite is still the lamb and harissa roll! The corn and zucchini fritters make an absolutely delicious breakfast. Super balanced plate, and it tastes delicious! The homemade bread using on the mushroom and beet toast is so tasty and sturdy under the delicious toppings. I appreciate how many vegetarian options they have. Street parking or paid garages/lots in this area of downtown, but Banksia is located exactly at the Metro Center streetcar stop, so it's very accessible from anywhere downtown. read more

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Not sure what to think of this place (downtown location). The counter servers are pleasant. The menu is interesting though kind of pricey. The first time I came (not during Restaurant Week, this was about a month ago), I got Eggs Benedict with gluten-free toast. It was a very generous portion of ham and eggs on the bread, with, um, unusual hollandaise. But tasty. The second time I came (prior to Restaurant Week), I got the corn and zucchini fritters, which were not hot when they arrived and the texture was gummy. Not appealing at all. They were topped with a hard fried egg that was really unattractive (it looked like it was stomped on) - who wants an egg cooked liked that when there are SO many other options (and why not give the diner a choice)? The avocado and grilled (?) tomatoes didn't add much. The only thing that saved the dish was some delicious crispy bacon. The first time I got a perfectly decent coffee, but the second time I got a chai latte that tested like slightly spiced milk. Yuck. And no, I don't own a business, I just SUPPORT local businesses with my hard-earned money, and share my actual experiences on this site, which is designed for that purpose. There are MANY other local establishments offering GF options, I'll be trying some of those next time. read more

Banksia - Corn and zucchini fritters topped with a cruelly abused egg and accompanied by some very nice crispy bacon. - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Wow! First time here and we were amazed. Came for Kansas City Restaurant week. They have a kangaroo tenderloin. That was a first. And delicious. So tender full of flavor. Lamb chops were up next. This babies melted in your mouth and was served so an awesome spicy chickpea cous cous and sweet potato mix. I finished with the Pavlova. So far, they have the best I've ever had. I'll be back to try their brunch menu. read more

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This place was very unassuming from the street, but when you get inside it is large and modern. We went for breakfast, you order at the counter and they bring it to your table. We got a vanilla latte and an americano, both very good. I had their lamb and harissa sausage roll. Lots of flavor! My fiancé had the breakfast sandwich with bacon on a croissant. It was huge! We'll definitely be back the next time we're in KC. read more

Banksia - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I really enjoyed the food and ambiance. Everything we ordered was incredible. I appreciated how many things they could make gluten free and my son is still raving about the ricotta pancakes. We showed up early on a Sunday morning and it wasn't super busy yet. The service was quick and accommodating for our family. Highly recommend read more

I came here on a Friday evening and had several of their happy hour specials! Everything tasted incredible and with ordering multiple plates it was easily shared amongst three people. The place had a good ambiance and the service was excellent! Our waitress was very kind and offered suggestions. The owner came around and chatted with us, too! Super cool place. They have two parking garages they validate tickets for; both just around the corner from the bistro. read more

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The avocado toast was delicious-there are lots of gluten free options which is what hubby needs. It's a good vibe with great service from the team and music selection was everything. I'll be back for dinner. read more

Stopped in here for lunch with a friend. There are a lot of options. Staff were great with suggestions and describing what stuff was. The lunch sizes were HUGE, I was barely able to eat it all. read more

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Loved the old location in the Library District, so we were excited to try the new space at 12th and Main. Impressed with the expanded seating and bar. But what was improved in space was left lacking in product. Cinnamon roll was cold and hard and even after a warm up was still a hockey puck. Overnight oats had so much yogurt, every bite tasted sour. Breakfast sandwich was a huge disappointment. The bread was burned and hard on the edges. It was supposed to come with spinach, which meant 6 leaves. You order at the counter and food is brought to your table. Staff was kind and when they asked if everything was ok, offered a pastry replacement for the sad cinnamon roll. Definitely tried to make up for the disappointing roll. Would have given this location 3 stars had it not been for the staff. Will give it another chance for lunch sometime and hope the disappointment is contained with breakfast selections. read more

Finally tried Banksia before a show at the Kaufman. we went there around 6 PM since our show started at 7:30. It was pretty empty in there, with a few stragglers at the bar from happy hour. There's not a hose stand, but somebody came over and seated us pretty quickly. And they got our drink started, which really was just water and a Coke. But then service went a little sideways. I think they had three people working total, including the bar, waiting tables, and in the back. So service was not quite what we hoped for, but everyone was very nice. I was wanting something light for dinner so I got the vegetable tartlet and my fiancé got fish and chips. Kitchen was a little slow, but when the food came out, it was delicious. And we decided to end with a Pavlova because well you have to try the national desert for Australia, right? That was truly delicious in the highlight of the night for me. The space itself is very attractively decorated, but there's not one single soft surface anywhere so the acoustics were pretty bad. Just glad we weren't sitting very close to the bar. I wouldn't say I'm in a rush to go back there, but I thought it was pretty good. I also thought the prices were extremely reasonable for a nicer dinner out in the city on a Friday night. So while I wouldn't put this on my list of favorite restaurants, I would definitely recommend it if you need something to eat before a show and you don't necessarily want to spend a huge amount or wait a long time for a table. read more

Banksia - Vegetable tartlet - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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We were able to get a last-minute table during a busy event weekend Service was the best we had in Kansas City. They went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. The fish and chips were great. Especially the chips which were cooked to perfection. They have an eclectic menu with something for everyone. Will definitely check out if you're in the area. read more

First off, the signage (or lack of) is not good. What a shame because more people need to know about Banksia. But follow Google maps and you will find this hidden gem! I had the pleasure of devouring an order of Corn & Zucchini Fritters , which were accompanied by an egg, bacon, avocado, tomatoes and refried beans. The entire dish was delectable! The fritters had a heavy garlic flavor with a nice amount of cayenne pepper. The refried beans were reminiscent of a macrobiotic meal (@Casa De Luz in Austin). Not to mention their Coffee was hot, fresh and tasty. read more

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The service was terrible. I ordered a shepherds pie and a green tea. The pie was very good however, I never got my green tea because the person who was supposed to make my drink never did. He actually made other people's drinks besides mine and I sat there and I waited patiently and it never came out so I just left so that was $3.50 wasted I will never go back. He actually instructed me to go wait at a table instead of at the counter for my tea. This guy was a nut. read more

Cute location, the staff is very friendly, and the baked goods are to die for. The non-baked goods items on the menu are hit or miss for me. It's not the quality of the food or how it prepared. It's just sometimes the ingredients don't seem to fit together. This could just be my particular tastebuds that's in error. I think everyone should try it I think it's really fancy. read more

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The Kangaroo loin appetizer was very good. I ordered the Wagyu steak then the server came back and said that they had a large party coming in and they were all going to have the Wagyu, so I was out of luck. I ended up ordering the Chile linguini with prawns and struggled to find any prawns in it. I ordered an Old Fashioned when we arrived with a local whiskey, Riegers, that was a high rye, so it worked well for an Old Fashioned. The server came back later and asked if I had the Riegers, which I did, then a few minutes later brought me another one that I did not order. It seemed kind of like she was just padding the check, but oh well. All in all, it went downhill after the appetizers. Live and learn... read more

Service was quick and friendly!! Staff very nice and polite. Food was great!! Veggie Sandwich has very thin sliced veggies makes it easy to eat without falling apart Breakfast burrito stuffed full! We took home half of each. I'll be back for the baked goods! read more

Wanted a quick bite to eat and a coffee so I came here based off the yelp reviews...pretty solid choice! I got an iced coffee and a breakfast burrito which were both very good. The iced coffee was smooth and had a great flavor to it and the breakfast burrito was a large portion with lots of "stuffings" inside of it (eggs, potatoes, spinach, bacon, tomatoes, and maybe something else). The guys working there were friendly and inside was clean with a great vibe. I would for sure come back here! read more

Absolutely delicious fritters. Girlfriend had the breakfast sandwich and the biscuit was fantastic. Liked the vegemite on sour dough (was something similar). Would absolutely come again, sad we are on vacation. Seriously good!! read more

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The risotto pancakes were outstanding. Sunday morning had many tables open. The guy taking our order was very helpful

I had to update my review because I had a really off experience yesterday, and I hope it was just a one-time deal. Because I am used to ordering anything in the pastry case- including the gluten-free orange poppyseed cake - and it being incredible and decadent. However, yesterday the orange poppyseed cake had a very bitter astringent flavor to it like maybe the pith of the orange/too much of the rind was used when zesting the orange or maybe it was something else but, it was throughout the whole cake. I will try the cake out again here soon, and hopefully, this problem isn't presenting itself again I still highly recommend this Australian bakery and cannot wait until they move into the larger location where the downtown Plow Boys used to be, so do not let this review discourage you from visiting! read more

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Absolutely love this Banksia location at 12th and Main. Clean and open space, yummy pastries, delicious drinks, and friendly staff. Much more space than their old location on 9th Street. read more