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Welcome to Novel Restaurant

Located on 1927 Mcgee St Kansas City, MO, Novel Restaurant is a gem in the New American cuisine scene. With a cozy, intimate atmosphere and a full bar, it's the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. Their menu, while limited for vegetarians, offers a variety of delicious dishes that will leave your taste buds satisfied. The restaurant also caters to families with kids, has Wi-Fi for those who need to stay connected, and even allows dogs on the outdoor seating area. Overall, Novel Restaurant provides a unique dining experience that is sure to impress.

Novel Restaurant: Reviews & Ratings

letmesleep 2.
letmesleep 2.

Our dinner was amazing. The flavors were complex--in flavor but also texture and color. The ambiance was comfortable but classy. The service was also top notch and made our dinner an enjoyable meal. I got the pork chop which came with a side of pork belly. Both were juicy and flavorful. Will definitely go back next time we're in town!

D V.
D V.

First time at the new location and the overall experience was as good if not better than I remembered from the original one. Impeccable service is warm and approachable while still giving space for unhurried conversation. Every item on the menu from the bread service with the whipped hummus to the butternut squash to midcourse pastas to larger entrées to the pistachio dessert is refined elevated, and yet still approachable. Portions are smaller and pricing is appropriate but can add up especially you if you get multiple amazing cocktails, and drinks. Still one of the best in KC.

Amanda C.
Amanda C.

Sat at the bar since we had no reservations for a Saturday night. Super cute and aesthetic decor, great for a girls night or date night! Staff were kind and attentive. Ordered the octopus app, lobster ravioli, and scallops. They were all good but wished the portions were a bit larger. The octopus had a few pieces of meat but it was mostly potatoes, and not much lobster in the ravioli. Scallops were my favorite part and they were perfectly cooked. For dessert we got the pistachio pie and pineapple upsidedown carrot cake. These both were amazing and a great way to end the meal! I thought the pie would feel heavy but it was very light. Same for the carrot cake - the cream cheese sherbet was a wonderful tart and refreshing contrast to the sweet cake. Personally I would totally come back for just the dessert!

Grace T.
Grace T.

Okay, Novel is EXPENSIVE. Haha, it's probably overpriced for what it is. But, I will say that I had a really good experience. Here's what I ordered ($59 before tax+tip): 1. Bread Service (chocolate cherry bread with cultured butter) -- I love bread in general, but I was actually more impressed with the cultured butter. If I was splurging, I would order this again. 2. Spanish Octopus (w/ black bean aioli) -- This was super tasty! The octopus was cooked PERFECTLY, and you guys, that's hard to do! 3. Lobster Ravioli -- I was pretty underwhelmed at first. The sorghum (some might mistake it for tiny popcorn) seemed too hard for the overall texture of the dish. The more I ate it, the more it grew on me. It was definitely a more subtle dish, because once you took your time with the sauce and sorghum, all the flavors complemented each other. Would I order it again? Hm... For $26, I'm not sure. 4. Pistachio Cream Pie -- I'd never had pistachio cream pie before, but this definitely reminded me of the artificial pistachio flavor you'd find in ice cream. It was quite nostalgic somehow, so I'm not saying the flavor was a bad thing. I thought it was actually pretty good. Would I order it again? Hm... I'd probably try a different dessert next time just to try out their other options, but I would eat it if it was ordered by the table to share. What was most outstanding was not the food, but the service. The waitstaff we had were phenomenal! Professional, kind, personable, and attentive. They honestly made this review go from a 4-star review to a 5-star review. Quick tips: Make a reservation! For parking, they do have a tiny, off-street lot, but you'll most likely have to find street parking. Portions are smaller than your typical chain-restaurant, but typical for fine-dining.

Laura W.
Laura W.

Nick the server is worth coming for on his own-- the entire menu's deliciousness is just a bonus! This new American restaurant has an open dining room & beautiful, open, clean kitchen. I've eaten here solo at the bar up to a table for 6, and the food and experience are 100% just as amazing in both cases. Items rotate seasonally, so you may not get exactly the same offerings every time. Historical favorites for me - curry coconut margarita, seasonal squash soup, Brussels sprout salad, crispy farm egg, hamachi crudo, gnoccheti, and literally every pasta they've ever served. The ramen variety with yuzu was my favorite so far. And permanent menu resident is 100% delicious and worth a try- the duck neck agnolotti. Enjoy!

Amanda M.
Amanda M.

First, the space is lovely and welcoming. Love a good 360ish bar with seating. The food is special and prepared with care. Our favorites this go around were the beef tartare and scallops! The butter!! The desserts were a tad underwhelming but the cocktails hit the spot. Novel is a popular place for good reason. When all the reservations were snagged weeks in advance of restaurant week 2025, I knew I had to keep an eye on cancellations. Luckily we got one and added Novel to our RW tour. Glad we did!

Jake W.
Jake W.

Novel came highly regarded by friends and was good but just didn't feel worth the hype or value. The vibe is clean, bright, simple, standard expensive American. The service was great. Friendly, engaged, was willing to explain everything on the menu, frequently checking on us. Overall great service. The appetizers started off strong. The brussel sprout salad, fried sunchokes and crispy egg. The flavors were really flavorful, unique and balanced. Then we got the rest the ramen which Eaters insisted you needed to get if available and the gnocchetta. The server did say that the flavor was mild and changed recipe recently but honestly it was disappointing with how flavorless it was. The gnocchetta was good but nothing to write home about. The pistachio pie was good. Overall it was a bit lack luster for the price which is disappointing considering the friends and reviews.

Dustin E.
Dustin E.

What a lovely experience!!! My wife and I dined here early on a Wednesday at 5 pm. Nate, our server was excellent. The restaurant has a lovely modern bistro ambiance. Loved it! The tile work is special. We started with the honey butter squash soup, which was divine. The heirloom tomato salad with watermelon was just lovely. The ramen dish was interesting. A little small for the price, but nice. My wife had the Alaskan Halibut with a smoked cream sauce that was magical! My pork chop was charred and just perfect. It was accompanied by spetzel and spicy pork belly. Just wonderful! We were too full for dessert. We will absolutely be back!! 5 stars!!

Morgan J.
Morgan J.

PENROSE COFFEE COUNTER There's not a yelp account for Novel's new little coffee counter so I'm leaving one here. Cute little walk up coffee place with delicate little pastries and classic espresso/coffee drinks. Nice outside seating area for a little treat!

Olivia S.
Olivia S.

We had an absolutely lovely experience at Novel! The service is awesome! Our server was so helpful and knowledgeable with recommendations. Our meal was perfectly paced. We were celebrating our anniversary, and they gave us a card signed by the chef and our server! What a lovely touch. I can't say enough about how wonderful the service was! The drink menu is superb. They have tons of wine and cocktail options, and even a good mocktail list! The food was stunning. This is a great place to share several small plates and small pasta dishes if you're not into stunt meat entrees. The crispy egg appetizer was so intriguing (savory boba!!) and made me excited to come back for more. I am devastated that the pasta of the moment from our weekend won't be around for ever -- tender ricotta gnocchi with Green Dirt Farm cheese and lamb sausage. It was perfection! The duck agnolotti was also very sweet and savory and comforting. 2 appetizers, 2 pastas, and 2 desserts was a great big meal for 2. They have a small parking lot next to the restaurant, and it's very conveniently located by the Crossroads streetcar stop. It's also a relatively quiet part of crossroads if you need to search for street parking. This is a great date night spot! and a great fancy spot to share small plates with friends and family!

Location

Located in the heart of Kansas City, Novel Restaurant is a hidden gem for those seeking a unique dining experience. This New American - Wine Bar offers a variety of amenities, including reservations, takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating. With limited but delicious vegetarian options, Novel Restaurant caters to a diverse palate.

As a food reviewer, I was impressed by the intimate ambiance and moderate noise level, making it the perfect spot for a romantic date night or a gathering with friends. The dressy attire adds to the upscale feel of the restaurant, while the full bar and catering options ensure a memorable dining experience for all guests.

On my visit, I was delighted by the innovative dishes on the menu, each prepared with care and attention to detail. From the perfectly cooked main courses to the decadent desserts, Novel Restaurant truly exceeded my expectations. With street parking available and a welcoming atmosphere, I can see why Friday and Saturday nights are the best time to visit.

Overall, Novel Restaurant is a must-visit for those looking to indulge in a culinary adventure. The plastic-free packaging and reusable tableware showcase the restaurant's commitment to sustainability. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking for a new dining spot, Novel Restaurant is sure to impress.