5 Best Restaurants in Lawrence KS
Updated 11 October 2026 · 33 restaurants in Lawrence KS considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists five restaurants in Lawrence, Kansas, covering barbecue and steak, Mediterranean plates, breakfast, a classic diner and bakery cafe fare. It is written for locals and visitors who want a starting point for where to eat. Businesses were ranked by weighted Google rating across the city, with a minimum of 300 reviews, and 35 qualifying businesses were considered. Hours, prices and menus change, so confirm details with each restaurant before you visit.
#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 and a turkey dish with strong flavor. Service is described as speedy. The site is listed as wheelchair accessible.
Best for: Barbecue, brisket and steak
- 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 is located inside a gas station, which they say should not put anyone off. They describe build-your-own plates and bowls, rice bowls and wraps, a hummus that stands out, several sauce choices and generous portions. One reviewer said nothing was labeled as spicy.
Best for: Quick build-your-own Levant plates
- 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, catering, a private dining room, vegetarian options and table service. Reviewers mention generous breakfast portions, a casual atmosphere and a menu with options for many tastes. Some say it suits large groups, while others found the hash delicious and the pancakes dry.
Best for: Breakfast and brunch for groups
- 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 quirky, nostalgic dining room and a menu with unusual flavor pairings, such as a veggie hash with herb yogurt drizzle. Many point to the pie, especially coconut cream. Weekend waits of 20 to 30 minutes are mentioned, though several say they were worth it.
Best for: Classic diner brunch and pie
- 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, in-store pickup, coffee, breakfast and both free and paid parking. Reviewers mention a wide range of fresh breads and baked goods, and say the bread freezes well. A few describe long waits for takeout during a busy holiday weekend.
Best for: Fresh bread and bakery lunch
- 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 33 restaurants in Lawrence KS with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by weighted Google rating across the city, 300 reviews minimum. 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 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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