5 Best Restaurants in Downtown, Lawrence KS
Updated 11 October 2026 · 38 restaurants in Downtown, Lawrence KS considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants in Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, from a breakfast spot and bakery cafe to barbecue, Mediterranean plates and a classic diner. It is meant for anyone planning a meal while exploring the area. Businesses were ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one, from 41 qualifying businesses. Addresses and hours are as listed on Google, so confirm them with each restaurant before you go.
#1
Q39 - Lawrence
★ 4.8 (1,316 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Q39 - Lawrence is a restaurant at 639 New Hampshire St, rated 4.8 from 1,316 reviews. It is open every day, closing at 9 pm on most days and at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Reviewers mention brisket, burnt ends, wings and mac and cheese with pork belly, and many recommend the bread pudding for dessert. Others praise a rare steak as tender and juicy. Service is described as speedy, and the restaurant is not always packed. The site is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Best for: Barbecue and steak dinners
- Address
- 639 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#2
The Fresh Mediterranean Co
★ 4.8 (745 Google reviews)Mediterranean restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Fresh Mediterranean Co is a Mediterranean restaurant at 1000 W 23rd St, rated 4.8 from 745 reviews. It is open daily, from 10:30 am to 8:45 pm on most days and from 11 am to 7:30 pm on Sunday. Reviewers mention that it sits inside a gas station, which they say is no reason to skip it. They describe build-your-own plates and bowls, a hummus that stands out, several sauce choices and generous portions.
Best for: Fast Mediterranean bowls and wraps
- Address
- 1000 W 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10:30 am–8:45 pm; Mon 10:30 am–8:45 pm; Sat 10:30 am–8:45 pm; Sun 11 am–7:30 pm; Thu 10:30 am–8:45 pm; Tue 10:30 am–8:45 pm; Wed 10:30 am–8:45 pm
#3
The Big Biscuit
★ 4.7 (3,788 Google reviews)Breakfast restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Big Biscuit is a breakfast restaurant at 4821 W 6th St, rated 4.7 from 3,788 reviews. Google lists a price range of $10 to $20, with hours daily from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm. Attributes include dine-in, takeaway, delivery, great coffee, a private dining room and vegetarian options. Reviewers mention generous portions, a casual atmosphere and a menu with options for everyone. Some say it works well for large parties, and one found the hash especially good.
Best for: Breakfast with a crowd
- Address
- 4821 W 6th St, Lawrence, KS 66049, United States
- Hours
- daily 6:30 am–2:30 pm
#4
Ladybird Diner
★ 4.7 (1,870 Google reviews)Diner$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Ladybird Diner at 721 Massachusetts St is a diner rated 4.7 from 1,870 reviews. It is open Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm, and closed Monday and Tuesday. Reviewers describe a whimsical, nostalgic space with an unusual menu, including a country fried steak on cheesy grits. Many point to the pie selection. Some mention a wait of 20 to 30 minutes on a Sunday, which they say was worth it.
Best for: Diner brunch and dessert
- Address
- 721 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8 am–8 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–3 pm; Sun 8 am–3 pm; Thu 8 am–3 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 8 am–3 pm
#5
Wheatfields Bakery Cafe
★ 4.7 (1,560 Google reviews)Bakery and Cake Shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Wheatfields Bakery Cafe at 904 Vermont St is a bakery and cafe rated 4.7 from 1,560 reviews, with a listed price range of $10 to $20. It is open daily, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, 5 pm on Saturday and 4 pm on Sunday. Attributes include dine-in, takeaway, coffee, breakfast and free and paid parking. Reviewers mention a wide selection of baked goods and breads, and a lunch sandwich on grilled bread. A few describe long takeout waits on a holiday weekend.
Best for: Baked goods and a lunch stop
- Address
- 904 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7:30 am–5:30 pm; Mon 7:30 am–5:30 pm; Sat 7:30 am–5 pm; Sun 7:30 am–4 pm; Thu 7:30 am–5:30 pm; Tue 7:30 am–5:30 pm; Wed 7:30 am–5:30 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 38 restaurants in Downtown, Lawrence KS with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, The Big Biscuit opens at 6:30 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Q39 - Lawrence ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 1,316 reviews. The Fresh Mediterranean Co is second at 4.8 from 745 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Lawrence KS are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Q39 - Lawrence, at 10 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: The Big Biscuit $10–20; Ladybird Diner $10–20; Wheatfields Bakery Cafe $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for The Big Biscuit, Ladybird Diner and Wheatfields Bakery Cafe.
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