Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The White Linen

    4.2 (65 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM

    The White Linen Photos

    Business Info

    THE WHITE LINEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The White Linen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tortilini. It was honestly just OK but that's my fault for playing it safe.
    Natalie S.

    You guys, we drove from Kansas City because I read about this restaurant being a James beard award finalist. So we got my mom to watch the kiddos and headed to Topeka for my 40th birthday meal. WORTH.THE.DRIVE. They have a 5 course tasting menu. The building itself is beautiful and historic. We absolutely loved the ambiance. They had Christmas music playing- and I love Christmas so I was a fan. We each had a cocktail that we loved. Mine was called something Soirée. It has this sprig of rosemary clipped to the glass so that every time you take a drink you get this amazing aromatic experience. Our server was super nice. We loved the risotto dish and the dessert- those were my two favorite. My only complaint was he was the only server- they could have used two. The experience could have been At least 30-45 Minutes quicker as we arrived at 6:30 and headed home at 8:45. It seems all the tables had each course around the same time rather than each table setting the timing for our own meal. The food was worth it though so no big deal. It was around $200 pretip But we felt very much worth it. We had a great time and will be back for sure!

    Peach tomato and cheese starter
    Kristie N.

    First time dining here and was so looking forward to it. Took my mother there as her farewell to Topeka dinner. First off, for a restaurant named The White Linen there was no white linen other than a napkin. Had the 5 course tasting menu + wine pairing. It was obvious from the get go that our waiter didn't know the difference between broccoli and broccolini. The first three courses were good, creative and tasty. The main course, protein, was fine but not wow. I had lamb chops and they were a little under cooked for my taste, even as a Kansan. Dessert was the most disappointing. A peach cannoli with just a thin line of filling and a whole lot of vacant, tasteless shell. It was sad to end the dinner on such a disappointing note. It was far and above most of my Topeka dining experiences, but not as wonderful as I'd hoped.

    April's Menu
    Teresa H.

    Tonight my Aunts and I tried out The White Linen. Reservations are preferred, as there's a $25 deposit when you make that is applied towards your bill. The atmosphere was very quaint, it was not busy when we arrived for our 5:20 Reservation. We ordered our Wine and our Server Giovanni was Absolutely Amazing. He asked if it was our first time at TWL and then explained the menu to us. I ordered a glass of the Submission Pinot Noir which I thought was excellent, my Aunts ordered Moscato G explained our courses to us when he brought them out, tbe 3 of us ordered different entrees so we could have a taste of everyone's. The Duck Breast was delicious-1st time I had ever had duck. The Goat Cheese Ravioli was also delicious as well as the scallops w/bok choy. We all were pretty impressed with the meal and trying different things that we hadn't had before. G did ask if anyone had allergies, then when he brought out the Lovster Bisque(starter)he said he brought a butternut squash soup out for my Aunt who did have a shrimp allergy-so that was a nice bonus on asking about food allergies. If you're looking for an upscale dinner in Topeka, this is your place, located in downtown Topeka in a historic building.

    Duck Tacos
    Marilyn W.

    The first Tuesday of each month is usually Tapas Tuesday - love it!!! You can share several different amazing tapas and have a cocktail. This photo is of the Duck Banh Mi Tacos and a photo of this months's menu. Excellent food, service and atmosphere.

    Scallops and pork belly.
    Mike G.

    One of the worst dining experiences ever for us at the White Linen in Topeka. We have eaten at many restaurants around the world and this was terrible. Really don't mind paying a deposit to make a reservation, but instead of deducting it from your bill at the end, it becomes a separate refund, which of course I haven't received yet. The 5 course meal took 2 hours and 25 minutes from being seated to paying the check. They did not have the wine we chose from their wine list so we had a substitution instead. Bread is NOT included in their inclusive dinner cost. From $58 to $80 per person is the choices, depending on which of the 5 entrees you select. Each of the 5 courses are very very small portions. Things were so slow that after nearly 2 hours we asked that our desserts come out with the entree. I ordered the scallops. It consisted of TWO (2) sea scallops and TWO (2) one inch square pork belly bites, all for a price of $78. In a nutshell, DO NOT EAT here. The ambiance is terrible, the service is slow (regardless of whether it was the kitchen or the server), the food portions are very small for the price and the reservation deposit system needs attention. We will never be back!

    Menu and some of the courses
    Patrice T.

    Omg I loved this place. It was such a wonderful experience. I surprised my boyfriend for his birthday. We loved it. I highly recommend.

    Risotto with "chorizo" (was just sausage)

    Got a babysitter to travel from Manhattan to try this place out because I was very excited about a James Beard Semi Finalist being within an hour's drive. We had two over arching complaints that led to me taking two stars off- #1 many dishes were over salted, my scallops were so over salted I could not finish #2 The advertisement as "fine dining" is grossly overstated and set the expectations far too high. Let's talk about these individually- the crepes, the scallops, and the dipping butter with the steak all had a sauce that I believe was the same, just marketed in different ways (which is not something I would expect from a fine dining restaurant) and was over salted- very unfortunate that this sauce had to tarnish three separate dishes with its saltiness. The scallops and the steak both had salt sprinkled on top of them which just put the salt level over the top when paired with the butter sauce. Now let's talk about the "fine dining" advertisement. When I hear a restaurant being advertised as fine dining, I expect the highest trained waitstaff, an attention to detail with the place setting/ambiance, and a menu that accurately portrays what is being served. Our waitress fell short on many occasions- I declined the champagne (which was supposed to be offered as complimentary, like it was to other tables but not us) and was not offered to order a different drink. We had to ask for another drink from a different waitress later in the meal because our waitress took our empty glasses without asking us if we would like to order another. She also was not well informed about the menu- my husband ordered the ribeye and she came back to inform us after a few appetizers that they were out of the ribeye and offered to substitute a filet instead. However when it came to dessert, when describing the courses at the beginning of the meal, she said we would be receiving the stuffed squash blossoms. Without another word, she brought out a carrot cake for dessert. This should never ever happen in a fine dining establishment. I could get nit-picky about how the heirloom salad was served with cherry tomatoes instead of heirloom, or how the crepes were missing tarragon as advertised, or how the "chorizo" in the risotto was just sausage. The clam chowder as well as the scallops were both sandy. The kicker for me was that the "meunière" was definitely not a meunière as it was thick like a white gravy, it was over salted, and it was the same sauce as served with the crepes and the steak. Overall, the saving grace was the pork belly (delicious and perfectly cooked) and came out as advertised. While the heirloom salad was not an heirloom salad, it was delicious. Same with the risotto- was not chorizo but it was delicious. The fact that place is in Topeka definitely elevates it because it is superior to other restaurants in the area, but definitely did not live up to its James Beard Semifinalist nomination.

    a black plate with a desert on it
    Maya A.

    A hidden gem of Topeka. In an old bank building, this spot in Downtown Topeka provides some of the best food I've ever tasted. Their steak topples Gordon Ramsay's steak. Their menu changes monthly, so you need to try their new set menu at least once a month! Also - best black coffee for dessert.

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Corey H.
    576
    1026
    1395

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    5 stars all around. Our experience, service, food and drinks were absolutely amazing!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan W.
    45
    4
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maddie C.
    705
    32
    26

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Went on Hawaiian night, was very impressed. Great atmosphere. Will be returning again to try their more standard menu too

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert H.
    47
    113
    45

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maya A.
    368
    34
    59

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    My favorite restaurant in Topeka. If you have a special occasion--this is the place to go!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of The White Linen M.

    The White Linen M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim P.
    33
    85
    45

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ashley D.
    89
    149
    314

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jen S.
    92
    16
    2

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M J.
    0
    111
    113

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don S.
    64
    38
    21

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E P.
    2
    114
    18

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The White Linen

    You might also consider

    The White Linen - french - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...