Grünauer brings Austrian and Central European cooking to the Freight House in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. Since 2010, the restaurant has drawn diners with classic Viennese technique, family recipes, and a European beer and wine list in a dark-wood-and-brick space.
The kitchen is grounded in tradition. Wiener schnitzel, pounded thin and fried golden, anchors the menu alongside goulash, käsespätzle, and sausages with sauerkraut. Desserts follow Viennese café custom, with apple strudel and tortes. Local ingredients appear in seasonal specials. The bar pours Austrian and German drafts, Grüner Veltliner and other Central European wines, and cocktails. Exposed brick and heavy timber recall the building’s rail-freight past, and the warm lighting suits a long dinner for two. More than 5,600 reviews on OpenTable often praise the weekend brunch and the professional, welcoming service.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinners, weekend brunch, and evenings before performances at the nearby Kauffman Center or events at Union Station. Expect the dining room to fill up fast during the holiday season. Early weekday dinners are the quietest option. The Freight House sits a short walk from Union Station, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and the free KC Streetcar. The streetcar removes the need to find parking in the Crossroads. Check current hours on the restaurant’s website before you visit.
