A little over a hundred restaurants and food trucks opened in 2022. For the casual diner, that’s a lot to keep track of. Fortunately, I’m here to help guide you to the very best of what has arrived this year. I’ve visited every single opening since January (and gained quite a bit of weight). Out of the ~100 visits, I handpicked 35 (technically 36 because I forgot one post publishing) of the dining options in town that I think readers would enjoy, not necessarily just the ones I loved. I tried to cover the gamut of different genres of food spanning different parts of town.
If you love dining out and trying new things, this is a must read for you. The beauty of this list is it’s not some lazy effort put together from Yelp data or gathered from googling names of places by someone who hasn’t stepped foot in most of the places they write about. These are all personal recommendations made by someone who took the time to visit every option out there. Enjoy.
Wichita’s Best New Restaurants of 2022
First Mile Kitchen – 2141 N Bradley Fair Pkwy
The restaurant offers seasonal cooking from the live-fire hearth with many local ingredients. Since they opened, a second location was added called First Mile Cantine at 320 S. Market.
Doma – 7703 E. Douglas
It’s all about small plates with a hit vibe at one of the best places in town to share a meal with people.
Station 8 BBQ – 1100 E. 3rd St.
I’m not sure any new restaurant this year has gained a bigger following over the past year than Station 8 BBQ who sells out nearly every day they are open.
Tacos Y Gorditas Torres – 901 E. Harry
While taco and gordita restaurants can feel like a dime a dozen in town, this one is still worth a visit.
Douglas Social – 2518 E. Douglas
If you want a no frills bar where you can just sit back and socialize with friends and loved ones, Douglas Social is for you.
El Puerto – 808 W. 25th St.
Arguably the best corner in Wichita for Mexican food is 25th and Arkansas. El Puerto offers some much needed seafood options to that area.
The Nelson’s Kitchen – 6829 E. Kellogg Dr.
One of the best wings in town is the Valerie’s sweet heat wings at The Nelson’s Kitchen.
The Artichoke Food Truck – Food Truck
One of Wichita’s favorite spots for a sandwich and a drink added a food truck in 2022.
Magnolia Cafe – 2424 N Woodlawn
Southern inspired breakfast and lunch where you are sure to never leave hungry.
Big Arbor – 4311 W. Central
Traveling around town looking for all the burgers in Wichita, Big Arbor would like to be in the mix to see what you think of theirs.
Hook & Reel – 353 S. Rock Road
Another option for seafood boils opened in Wichita when Hook & Reel took over the former Logan’s space outside of Towne East Square.
FioRito Ristorante – 3134 E. Douglas
Contemporary Italian has arrived with the opening of FioRito Ristorante at Douglas and Hillside.
M.K.M. Authentic Thai Cuisine – Food Truck
Love that Wichita has another Thai food truck in town. Hopefully this one will be out all over town more in 2023.
Botanic at Grow – 320 S. Market
Inside the new hip plant shop Grow is a cool little bar called Botanic to get some delicious cocktails as you shop.
Backyard Kitchen – 1201 S. Water
Delicious BBQ in the most unassuming of places; this is the true definition of a hidden gem.
Bchic Bar & Grill – 6600 W. Central
This latest addition to the local dining scene added something the city’s been missing for a while: African cuisine.
Metro Grill – 801 E. Douglas
The original creator of Metro Grill returned to Wichita and brought with him many of the classic sandwiches.
Bocatto – 321 N. Mead
Italian food arrived in downtown Wichita with the opening of Bocatto: Eatery and Pasta.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux – 2661 N. Maize Road
For a chain, Walk-On’s has done a fantastic job offering delicious meals combined with a fun environment to enjoy a game on their many televisions.
Maple Street Pizza Company – 12111 W. Maple
Wood-fired pizza in an area of town that has been in need of more dining options.
Taqueria Tex-Mex – 1337 N. Ridge Road
The west side of town a.k.a anything west of Ridge Road doesn’t have many food trucks that have a regularly show up, but Taqueria Tex-Mex has become sort of a mainstay at 13th and Ridge Road.
Tutor’s Pizza – 524 S. Seneca
Pizza and games are the name of the game at Tutor’s Pizza.
Good Company Taps & Spirits – 2721 E. Central
This cool drinking hole is located inside Revolutsia and connected to a barbershop. Plus another great option to get LMNO Pizza.
Las Vaquitas Mexican Food – 128 E. Madison Ave.
Derby got itself another Mexican option that does it a little different from what’s currently offered there.
Pho King ICT – 4857 E. Harry
The restaurant with what may be the name of the year offers create your own bowls of pho.
First Man Brewery – 437 E. Madison
The city of Derby continued to grow and expand their food and drink options with its first brewery, First Man Brewery.
El Capitan Seafood & Grill – 410 N. Hillside
Mexican seafood options are a rarity in east Wichita, but El Capitan changed that with their extensive seafood offerings.
Tiger Rice Japanese Kitchen – 1735 W. 21st St.
Quick-style Japanese food on the go has seen its growth in Wichita, and one of the best options in town is Tiger Rice Japanese Kitchen.
Fonda La Chona – 1210 W. Pawnee
Taqueria La Chona opened their second restaurant at 1210 W. Pawnee with Fonda La Chona who has added many new items to the menu including a rare dish in Wichita; green spaghetti.
Kim’s Noodles Bar & Grill – 10919 E. Harry
Easily my new favorite spot for pho in Wichita is Kim’s Noodles Bar & Grill
Tor Brewing – 222 S. Commerce
Wichita’s local brewery scene continues to grow for the better. Add Tor Brewing to the list of excellent stops on your next local brewery tour in the downtown area.
Mochinut – 343 S. Greenwich
Mochi donuts and Korean hot dogs? Sign everyone up.
Paris Baguette – 9780 E. 21st St.
The French-inspired bakery offers barista drinks, cakes, pastries and sandwiches.
Bronx Pizza + Pints – 2140 W. 21st St.
Bronx offers personal sized pizza and a thick Sicilian-style pizzas that have a unique flavor you just may love.
Coffee Daze – 3236 E. Douglas
College Hill got one of the coolest new coffee shops in town with the opening of Coffee Daze.
Miya Izakaya – 3030 N. Penstemon
Korean fried chicken automatically adds them to this list.
Any restaurants listed or not that stick out as your favorite? Leave us a note in the comments below!
Happy Dining,
Eddy
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Sadly tried going to BChic but they seem to be closed for good.
They were open on NYE
Sesame on Maize Rd near the New Market Target serves the best Lebanese food in town. I cried from nostalgia when I first tasted it, the flavors are so authentic.