As someone who lives in St. Louis and visits Kansas City several times per year, I always make it…read moremy mission to stop by Cafe Gratitude for a meal while I'm in town! I tried Cafe Gratitude for the first time a few years ago, and I haven't stopped thinking about this place since. They provide more than just food... it's a whole EXPERIENCE.
I've always been very warmly greeted at the front entrance. Sometimes while visiting, I've had a short wait. Other times are more empty, such as when there's a Chiefs game. All of the employees are extremely kind, personable, and welcoming. Service has truly never lacked for me here.
You will notice right away that every menu item is an affirmation. At the top of the menu, it says, "I Am..." and each drink, appetizer, and entree is a positive word. As your food is delivered, they tell you your affirmation. For example, if I ordered the Warm Hearted bowl, they would say, "You are Warm Hearted." Even the water pitchers at each table have affirmative words on them. It's the little things like this that make Cafe Gratitude so special! Also, as you're placing your order, your server will leave your table with a "question of the day" that you can reflect upon and discuss with others. My partner and I love these prompts while we're waiting on our food. There's also a deck of special cards at each table that have additional questions for reflection!
I try to order a different menu item every time I visit, so I've enjoyed a little bit of everything at this point. For appetizers, you have to try the Plentiful (chili). While I've never had anything here that I didn't love, my top favorite entrees would have to be Terrific (raw pad thai bowl), Warm Hearted (Italian polenta and squash noodles), and Whole (macrobiotic bowl). I also love Grateful, also known as their community bowl. If you need financial assistance with this bowl, you may pay a sliding scale of $3-11. If you want to contribute to someone else, you can pick an amount and set it aside for someone in need. I wish more businesses did this!
During my most recent visit, I decided to try Transformed (tacos), which include sweet potatoes, black beans, guacamole-style hummus, pico de gallo, and cashew nacho cheese on organic corn tacos. They were delicious, but I'll probably stick to my bowls next time! It came with a side salad that wasn't anything super special but still full of flavor.
The walls of the restaurant are covered in local art that rotates regularly and is available for purchase. The space itself is very cute and cozy. I read more about Cafe Gratitude's story on their website, and much of the interior is upcycled. For example, many of the light fixtures are made of old wine and vodka bottles. At the host stand, they have Cafe Gratitude postcards that you can write a message on, and they'll mail them out for you.
The flavors of everything here is unmatched. Such unique combinations that my heart so happy. I always leave here feeling so fulfilled.