Looking for food and drink that’s a walkable distance from NCAA Tournament action? Here’s a guide:
You’re in Wichita for the NCAA Tournament, and you’re looking for a restaurant nearby to grab a meal.
Or, you’re a longtime Wichitan who rarely comes downtown, but you’ve decided to catch a game or two this weekend.
Either way, this list of Wichita restaurants that are within walking distance of basketball action at Intrust Bank Arena is something you’ll want to print-and-save.
A quick note about Solly & Jude’s, the Wichita sandwich restaurant that sits just across Waterman from the arena: It will be serving sliders and hot dogs from its patio today (Wednesday, March 19.) But it will be closed for private events Thursday though Saturday.
Lunch and/or dinner
Wasabi, 912 E. Douglas: This downtown staple offers everything one would expect from a sushi restaurant and also has hot sake and flaming sushi rolls. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 8:30 p.m. Sundays.
The Kitchen, 725 E. Douglas: This cozy eatery offers a selection of sandwiches, soups and appetizers plus bowls, salads and other homey entrees. It’s a good choice for lunch or dinner and also has a bar. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Old Mill Tasty Shop, 604 E. Douglas: This historic restaurant has an old-fashioned soda fountain that serves ice cream desserts, shakes and malts and is also has a lunch menu offering sandwiches, salads and blue plate specials. Give the famous chicken salad a try. It’s open from 1 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, when it also serves breakfast.
Bite Me BBQ, 132 N. St,. Francis: The closest barbecue place to Intrust Bank Arena is this longtime downtown restaurant. It’s a sit-down place serving all the meats plus fun drinks, including a loaded Bloody Mary. Hours are 11 am. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
River City Brewing Co., 150 N. Mosley: Wichita’s first modern craft brewery operates in the Old Town District and offers a big selection of its own beers plus pizzas and other pub food. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Public, 129 N. Rock Island: This popular gastropub is set up in an underground space in the Old Town entertainment district. It serves a menu of pizzas, sandwiches, tacos, salads and craft cocktails and is attached to an open-air bar called The Brickyard that is one of Wichita’s most popular destinations for live music when the weather is nice. The restaurant’s kitchen hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays though Saturdays. The bar stays open later.
Playa Azul Mexican Restaurant, 111 N. Washington: This downtown Mexican restaurant offers Tex-Mex specialties and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Gangnam Korean BBQ and Sushi, 210 N. Washington: This restaurant not only serves sushi but lets people create their own Korean barbecue dishes at hot plates built into the tables. It also has a full bar. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays; noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays.
Old Town Burritos, 251 N. Washington: This new restaurant serves burritos, wings, cocktails and beer. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Blue Fin Sake Bar & Sushi, 255 N. Washington: This sushi restaurant serves all the regulars plus has lots of different sake drinks served in an upscale atmosphere. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays; noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays.
Meddys, 120 N. Washington: Wichita is known for its Lebanese fare, and this restaurant — which has several locations around town — is known for its hummus, shawarma sandwiches and its bar serving craft cocktails. Its hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Breakfast, brunch and lunch
Homegrown, 645 E. Douglas: You might have to wait for a seat at this stylish restaurant, which specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch. But you’ll be rewarded with homemade pop tarts, several types of eggs Benedict and other breakfast specialties. It also has a bar that offers lots of breakfast cocktails. Its hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
The Beacon, 909 E. Douglas: This old-school diner serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Egg Cetera, 242 N. Mosley: This breakfast and lunch restaurant is in the heart of Old Town and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Doo-Dah Diner, 206 E. Kellogg: One of Wichita’s most popular breakfast destinations, this eatery specializes in big plates full of delightfully caloric breakfast dishes, including a popular crab cakes Benedict. Its hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
Breweries
Nortons Brewing Company, 125 N. St. Francis: This brewery, just a few blocks north of the arena, makes its own beer, has a menu of sandwiches, salads, burgers and appetizers, and also has a big outdoor beer garden with lots of seating. It’s open from 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; from 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.
Tor Brewing, 222 S. Commerce: This brew pub, just outside the northeast corner of Intrust Bank Arena, serves a selection of local craft beer and has become known for its smash burgers and fries. Its hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
The Leprechaun’s Lab, 930 E. Douglas: This tiny downtown brewery serves its own beers as well as cocktails. Its hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 3 to 11 p.m. Fridays; noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 to 7 p.m. Sundays.
The Depot, 711 E. Douglas: This restaurant, set up inside an old train depot, serves beer from a popular local bar and pizza from a popular local restaurant. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays; 10:30 a.m. to midnight Saturdays; and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Coffee
Greater Grounds Coffee & Co., 922 E. Douglas: This big coffee shop is in a cavernous space near the arena and has lots of seating. It serves a big menu of espresso drinks plus a menu of pastries, crepes and breakfast items. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Fine dining
Larkspur, 904 E. Douglas: If you’re looking for a more upscale meal, this longtime Old Town restaurant is a good choice. It serves high-end entrees like salmon and steak and also serves lunch. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays.
Lotte, 320 S. Market: This new upscale restaurant has become a Wichita favorite in a short amount of time. Its owner uses seasonally-inspired, local ingredients to create a frequently rotating fine-dining menu with house-made pastas and entrees that include choices like sucking pig, duck, scallops and more. Its hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 3 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, though the restaurant will open early at 3 p.m. this Thursday to welcome tournament crowds.
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Sports bars/nightlife
Emerson Biggins, 808 E. Douglas: Keep up with tournament action in other regions at this popular Old Town sports bar, which serves a menu of fried appetizers, burgers and more. Its hours are 11 a.m to midnight Mondays and Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Pumphouse, 825 E. Second St.: This popular Old Town bar is a nightlife destination that has lots of outdoor seating, is always showing sporting events and also has a big menu of bar food plus homemade bierocks — a Kansas specialty. Its hours are. 11 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays
Cocktails, wine and beer
Bubbles Champagne Bar, 523 E. Douglas: This fun bar is just a couple of blocks from the arena’s north-facing main entrance. It’s tucked inside a gift shop called The Workroom and has a big champagne menu, craft cocktails, beer, wine and some fun appetizers. It also serves coffee drinks and brunch items. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Cocoa Dolce, 235 N. St. Francis: A gourmet chocolate shop, this business also serves wine, craft beers, coffee, pastries and gelato. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and from noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Grow, 320 S. Market: This unique and stylish downtown business is a plant shop that doubles as a cocktail bar and coffee bar. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Mort’s, 923 E. First St: It doesn’t serve food (except for its famous free popcorn) but this Old Tow institution offers a huge martini menu, a selection of cigars and live music. Its hours are 3 p.m. to midnight Mondays; 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; noon to 1 am. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 11 p.m. Sundays.
Sweet treats
Insomnia Cookies, 701 E. Douglas: This chain cookie store delivers late into the night and also accepts walk-up customers in Union Station Plaza. It’s hours are 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; and noon to 1 a.m. Sundays.
Paradise Donuts, 612 E. Douglas: Doughnuts, both raised and cake, are available at this downtown doughnut shop. It’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.
Wichita Cheesecake Company, 801 E. Douglas: This shop specializes in cheesecakes, and customers can get them whole or by the slice. Its hours are 8 am. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM.
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