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    The Roost

    4.2 (390 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Roost Photos

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    THE ROOST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Roost

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    The Kansan*
    Kacee T.

    I've been growing up going here as a morning brunch after the farmers market and the food never misses. It's always consistently solid and homey, the food and the ingredients are so fresh and you can really appreciate the local farm-to-table taste. Believe it or not my favorite thing here is just a slice of their in house sourdough made with their fresh strawberry jam AND whipped butter. This combination is so nostalgic and if you haven't tried a bite with all of these mixed together you are missing out. Their biscuits are not anything crazy, on the dryer crumbly side - but the gravy is sooooo savory and good it makes up for it. On the weekends they have a mushroom gravy and that's a lot lighter if you think the regular gravy is too rich! Free parking in the parking garage behind the restaurant!

    Tomato and avocado Benedict
    Erin G.

    To start, I love a brunch and I don't get to go get brunch enough--the Roost has showed me this. Some great brunch options, coffee galore, and a real home-town feel! We went on a Sunday, and because there was only 2 of us, there was only about a 15 minute wait. So be ready to wait if you have a larger group, or be sure to get there earlier than 11 am! When we got seated, we were told that if we wanted coffee, we could take a cup from their collection and choose our coffee for the day (lots of options from decaf, light roast to dark roast!). After sitting for just a few minutes, our server came around and got our order. Loved that the menu had such a wide array of options. My partner got a traditional type breakfast (eggs, sausage, potatoes--he loved it!), and I got one of their types of benedicts (tomato and avocado), which was good but I was hoping for a bit more flavor. I'm very impressed by their ambiance and the swag that they sell (go inclusivity!), so I am looking forward to my next brunch date to the Roost! Thanks everyone for a great experience!

    "The Kansan" with a potato cake
    Andy M.

    A classic breakfast restaurant with that diner feel. This place is generally bustling and a bit noisy at times but the food is and coffee are so worth it. They've got a fairly big menu for a breakfast joint with the usual suspects. They've also got some elevated dishes but when it comes to breakfast I like the classics and I think the Roost really suceeds at making those. I definitely recommend this place just make sure you go early or with a small party because Lawrence peeps seem to love this spot and come out often. My experience with the service has been great as well , no complaints on that front.

    Biscuits and gravy. Homemade jam, fresh fruit and a fried egg.
    Nicole H.

    My favorite restaurant when I am visiting my son at KU. Delicious baked goods, fresh ingredients. Options for bloody Mary's and mimosas. Be ready for a wait if you come in on a weekend morning.

    Roast Beef and Spinach ($15 as of 04/2025) was great.  Somewhat similar to Philly's roast pork and spinach sandwich, but much better.
    North C.

    This review is for late lunch for two on a weekday in early April. service: Samantha was fantastic. Super professional and engaging. Then again, everyone we talked to - hosts, other waitstaff, bartender, were all outstanding. bar: They have a handful of house cocktails - Bloody Mary's, coffee collaborations, and sparkling options. Also plenty of coffee choices and handful of beer in cans. food: My wife's sausage, egg, and cheddar Biscuit Sammy ($9) was excellent. My Roast Beef and Spinach ($15) was fantastic. This is somewhat similar to Philly's slightly famous roast pork and spinach sandwich, but infinitely better. Maybe it's the Roost's exceptional au jus. details: Don't miss their baked goods! Place was still plenty busy at 1pm on a Wednesday. I'd expect to wait on the weekend. It's at 920 Mass, so parking can be an adventure. Interior is warm, bright, and enjoyable - with zero televisions!

    Potato Cakes with GF Gluten-Free Toast
    Melissa C.

    My partner and I came to shop downtown and started with breakfast at Roost. The patio was comfortable, and service was quick. My partner and I both ordered potato cakes, which come with eggs and toast. They have GF toast, and the potato cakes also are gluten-free. The toast comes with apple butter or fresh jam. Both were great. We'll definitely stop in again when in the area.

    Biscuits & Gravy
    Kristen M.

    If I could give it 6 stars, I would! The ambiance, the food, the coffee. All outstanding. They have a self service coffee bar to make sure you are never waiting for a top off. I can't wait to go back!

    Jamel M.

    the roost is a fantastic option for breakfast. warning - it's busy. be prepared for a 20+ min wait. the staff will work quickly to get you in but brace yourself. the menu is standard. would recommend the kansan. you get a little bit of everything. if you're a little hungry, you can add a side biscuits & gravy. the drink options are plentiful. it's a not a great option for large groups (7+ people) but try at your own risk. it's a little snug throughout so be mindful of that.

    Sausage Patty

    I have been here 3 times The first time, I had phenomenal service, the food was phenomenal. 10/10. It was definitely a gem and thats why I chose to come a second time. That time around, the experience wasn't as good as the first but hey, nobody is perfect so whatever no big deal. I went a third time a few days ago and I will definitely not come back after this last time. Something like this is easy enough to make my decision that I will no longer support this establishment. They not only burnt my sausages patty but also forgot about my bacon and I ended up having to take them to go in s box because they didnt arrive in time for me to enjoy it with the rest of my food. The fact it reached multiple employees before getting to me and they all thought this was okay is insane. I was told they were in the zone back there and pushing orders fast which isnt a valid excuse to burn my food and still serve it to me. Im deeply disappointed in The Roost and will more than likely disregard it as a option to eat from moving forward.

    Tomato & Avocado Benny*  Pecan Wood-Smoked Bacon
    Colleen L.

    The Roost is a great little brunch spot in Lawrence. They have breakfast, lunch, coffee, cocktails, and pastry's. Sadly I didn't get to try any pastry's but I'm going to have to go back. Everything I tried was really good and there were so many options that I wanted to try. Tomato & Avocado Benny: was really good. The English muffin was nice and billowy. It had a great chew. Perfect poached eggs. Thick hollandaise. Plenty of avocado. The breakfast potatoes looked a little skimpy but it ended up being the perfect amount after I plowed through my Benny. Acapulco cocktail: rum, tequila, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice. It was a nice heavy hitting brunch cocktail. I would definitely drink this again.

    Single French toast and ham and cheese omelette with spinach and mushrooms.

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    1 month ago

    The atmosphere is great. The waitress's were quick and very nice and quick. The prices are great also.

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    2 years ago

    Wonderful staff, fresh food and perfect portions. A go to place at the top of my list!

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food, coffee and service. Unique ambiance. If ever in Lawrence again, I'd definitely return here!

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    1 year ago

    Servers are great. Best hot chai tea, and the homade jam is the best ever. Try the strawberry !

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    1 year ago

    Waitress was very attentive and helpful. Food was good with good portion size. Busy on a Sunday morning but we got in quickly.

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    The Oread Lawrence, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

    The Oread Lawrence, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

    3.1
    (93 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    We first stayed at the Oread Hotel on their grand opening many years ago. Whenever we come to…read moreLawrence, we have tried to stay at the Oread. It's always been a good stay. This trip so far has been the extreme opposite. We came to the hotel at 12:30 hoping to be able to check in a little early. We stood at the front desk for almost five minutes before a woman came out and said, "do you need something"? She asked our name and said, "we have nothing available right now". We had hoped to change clothes and freshen up before a meeting with University of Kansas officials and a subsequent dinner with them. There is no school going on at KU as commencement was the previous week. There were only six cars in the hotel garage. We have never been treated so rudely by a hotel's front desk personnel. I also asked when the room might be available and was told 4:00. She made no effort to look anything up or accommodate us in any way. Very disappointing.

    Something very strange is happening at this place. The staff all seem extremely confused about how…read moreto provide basic customer service. The room I stayed in had plaster and paint peeling off of the wall in the bathroom. It also just felt very sparse--no carpet, no rug. The bed was only half made. Other reviewers have mentioned odd noises at night, which I also experienced. The service at the restaurant is absolutely terrible. I waited about 50 minutes after ordering breakfast. My order included a cup of coffee. After about 25 minutes, the lone server came over and explained that she had many things to do before she'd get to the coffee order and could I just get some coffee from the lobby instead? What?? You're serving breakfast and you can't just pour me a cup of coffee?? I would never, ever go back to this hotel. It's truly terrible.

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    The Jayhawker

    The Jayhawker

    3.7
    (9 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Located inside the Eldridge Hotel on the corner of Mass and 7th in downtown Lawrence, the Jayhawker…read moreis a good place to enjoy dinner and drinks before, during, or after KU games. The decor throughout the restaurant makes a clear statement to all who come- this is a KU affair! The menu has selections that are on par with what you'd expect to find in Kansas- steak, pasta, and salads. I opted for the Chicken Caesar Salad-it was very good and just what was expected. I also ordered a spicy jalapeno margarita. I will refer to it as "spicy" because it really was not. They had a few specials for the evening as well. Everything sounded good! Our waitress was friendly and very prompt with our order, which was much appreciated. It was a good time. The last time someone in my party had been here was 54 years ago for his rehearsal dinner- hilarious!

    We stopped in at The Eldridge for a mid-day cocktail. The Eldridge is a Cool Historic Hotel. The…read moreJayhawker Bar is located right inside of The Eldridge. The Bartender Garrett greeted us right away and seated us at the bar top. My friend and I decided on a Bloody Mary, it was a little spicy but not heavy. Garrett was friendly and attentive, he engaged in small talk with us which was nice. We only stayed for one cocktail but I would definitely go back to try some other delicious cocktails that I saw on the menu.

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    Sunday Funday: Bloody Mary's!
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    "Spicy" jalapeño margarita
    Merchants Pub & Plate

    Merchants Pub & Plate

    4.1
    (486 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Delicious!! We got the burger, the Mac and cheese, the honey chicken sandwich's and some items from…read moretheir feature that were incredible!!! We had the best time- the service was great, staff was friendly. The best vibe I Swiss. We can't wait to go back! Such a hot spot in Lawrence!!

    Stopped by Merchants Pub & Plate while in Lawrence for an event and was excited to find a place…read morewith good gluten-free options. The restaurant itself is beautiful inside -- a cozy mix of rustic and modern that creates a really inviting atmosphere. Service started a little slow, though our waitress became more attentive once she came by. We mentioned it was our first visit, so I was a bit surprised there wasn't much guidance on the menu or any recommendations. At one point I asked about the two kinds of fries (I love fries!), and the explanation was simply that they were "fancy fries," without much detail on flavors or differences. We started with drinks and the Brussels sprouts appetizer. The sprouts were actually very good, with a nice balance in the sauce, and both the wine and sangria were refreshing. Unfortunately, dinner is where things went downhill. Our meals -- a steak and a gluten-free chicken sandwich -- took about 45 minutes to arrive, which felt long for relatively simple dishes. I had asked about the gluten-free bun since they can sometimes be dry, but didn't receive much insight beyond "it's gluten free," and sadly it was indeed very dry. The chicken itself lacked flavor, though the goat cheese cilantro sauce helped make it somewhat enjoyable. The fries looked homemade and delicious but arrived cold. The steak was cooked as requested, but it didn't have much flavor beyond the mushrooms on top. The broccoli side was tasty, and the potatoes were good, though it on a bed of Some kind of cheese sauce that wasn't quite to our liking. Overall, the space and gluten-free availability were promising, and the appetizers and drinks were enjoyable, but the food execution and service details didn't quite meet expectations for us this visit.

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    The Roost - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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