Farina is a chef-driven modern Italian restaurant at 19 W. 19th Street, at the corner of 19th and Baltimore in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Smith, it draws diners for hand-crafted Italian cooking shaped by Midwestern seasons, a serious wine focus, and a polished but relaxed dining room suited to date night, pre-performance dinner, and a lingering meal in the city center.
What to Expect at Farina
Farina approaches Italy as a changing regional itinerary rather than a fixed red-sauce menu. The kitchen turns to Rome and Venice in spring, Calabria, Basilicata, and Sicily in summer, Tuscany and Umbria in fall, and Lombardy and Piedmont in winter. That seasonal framework guides a menu of classic Italian recipes, some kept close to tradition and others reworked through Smith’s precise, ingredient-led style. Expect dinner to center on carefully made pasta, composed entrées, antipasti, and preparations that let the season set the tone.
The atmosphere is warm and intimate rather than formal, with the kind of considered service that works equally well for a full dinner or a bottle of wine and a few courses. Farina’s wine program is integral to the experience: its wine dinners are notable special events and commonly fill quickly. Groups can book the dedicated wine room, where a floor-to-ceiling wine wall, separate entrance, lobby space, and audio-visual capability create a more self-contained setting than the main dining room.
- Seasonal Italian regions: The menu’s culinary focus moves through distinct Italian regions over the year, from springtime Rome and Venice to wintertime Lombardy and Piedmont.
- Chef Michael Smith: The James Beard Award-winning Kansas City chef brings a disciplined, contemporary approach to recognizable Italian dishes.
- Hand-crafted cooking: Farina specializes in Italian food made with close attention to classic technique, seasonal ingredients, pasta, and composed dinner plates.
- Wine dinners: Special wine-focused dinners are a Farina signature and frequently sell out, making early booking worthwhile.
- Private wine room: The wine-wall room seats up to 24 guests for dinner, accommodates larger cocktail gatherings, and has a private entrance and AV equipment.
Farina at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 19 W. 19th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Crossroads Arts District, at 19th and Baltimore |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday–Thursday 5–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 5–10 p.m.; closed Sunday–Monday and major holidays |
| Admission / Price Range | No admission; $$$ dinner restaurant. Menu and wine selections are priced individually. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours for dinner |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | KC Streetcar: 19th & Main stop, about one block west; metered curb spaces and paid lots/garages are available around the Crossroads. |
| Official Website & Phone | farinakc.com · (816) 768-6600 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead for Friday and Saturday, particularly for dining times between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.; special wine dinners merit booking as soon as dates are announced. An early Tuesday-through-Thursday seating is the easiest option for a quieter meal and attentive pacing. The 19th & Main KC Streetcar stop puts Farina about a block east of Main Street, while drivers should allow time to find metered street parking or a paid Crossroads lot before their reservation.
Farina is located at street level at the 19th and Baltimore corner. Guests using wheelchairs, arriving with strollers, or needing particular table or restroom accommodations should call before reserving so the team can prepare the best approach. Pair dinner with the independent galleries and murals of the Crossroads, a performance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts roughly 10 minutes away on foot, or a walk toward the Power & Light District. Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial are also within an approximately 15-minute walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Farina open, and what is the best time to go?
Farina serves dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.; it is closed Sunday and Monday. An early weekday reservation is best for a more unhurried Crossroads dinner, while weekends have the fullest energy.
Do I need a reservation, and how expensive is Farina?
Reservations are strongly advised for prime Friday and Saturday times and for the restaurant’s popular wine dinners. Farina is a $$$ restaurant, with individually priced seasonal food and wine; consult the official menu for the current selection before booking.
How much time should I allow for dinner at Farina?
Plan on 90 minutes to two and a half hours for a multi-course dinner with wine. Allow extra time if you are dining before a Kauffman Center performance, attending a wine dinner, or arranging a private group meal.
Is Farina suitable for accessibility needs and families?
The street-level location makes arrival straightforward, but guests needing wheelchair-friendly seating or specific restroom access should contact Farina at (816) 768-6600 before their visit. The setting is polished casual, so smart-casual attire fits naturally; families are welcome, though the dinner-led format is best for children comfortable with a longer sit-down meal.
When planning your Kansas City travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Kansas City, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Fontaine, Ambassador Hotel Kansas City, Autograph Collection, Clay & Fire, and Affäre (0.1 km away).
