"James Beard chef Michael Smith's Crossroads Italian — hand-rolled pasta and a serious oyster bar at 19th and Baltimore, Kansas City."
About Farina
Farina is the Italian restaurant from James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Smith, in the Crossroads Arts District at 19th and Baltimore in Kansas City. The name is the Italian word for flour, and the kitchen treats that as a mission statement: hand-rolled fresh pasta made in house, served alongside a serious oyster bar. It is a chef-driven Italian room rather than a red-sauce trattoria, and one of the city's benchmark pasta tables.
For Kansas City's other notable kitchens, compare Smith's Mediterranean sibling Extra Virgin, the pasta at Zero Zero or the French cooking at Le Fou Frog.
The Kitchen
Chef Michael Smith builds the menu around pasta made by hand in the restaurant — ribbons, strands, tubes and filled shapes rolled and cut daily — which is the reason to come. The oyster bar is the other anchor, with a rotating selection shucked to order and a raw-bar list that gives the room a coastal counterpoint to the carte. Seasonal antipasti, house pastas and a short list of mains round out a focused menu, paired with an Italian-leaning wine list. Cooking is precise and ingredient-led; expect upper-mid pricing for a chef-driven pasta dinner rather than a casual bowl.
The Room
The room fits its Crossroads address: an exposed-brick, design-district space with an open feel, the oyster bar as a focal point and warm, low lighting after dark. It is lively without being loud, comfortable for a date at a two-top or a small group at the bar, and the service is informed and unfussy. The neighbourhood — galleries, bars and First Fridays — makes it an easy anchor for an evening out rather than a destination unto itself, and the pace suits both a quick pre-event dinner and a longer, wine-led meal.
Best for First Date
Warm light, an oyster bar and genuinely good pasta make Farina an easy first date in the Crossroads. The chef-driven cooking also suits a relaxed anniversary dinner or a midday business lunch in the design district.
Not for
Not for diners after red-sauce comfort or a quick cheap bite — Farina is a chef-driven, hand-made-pasta Italian with an oyster bar, priced for an occasion.
Frequently Asked
What is Farina known for?
Farina is James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Smith's Italian restaurant in Kansas City's Crossroads Arts District, known for hand-rolled fresh pasta made in house daily and a serious oyster bar. The name is the Italian word for flour.
Who is the chef at Farina?
Michael Smith, a James Beard Award-winning Kansas City chef who also runs the Mediterranean restaurant Extra Virgin nearby. He built Farina around house-made pasta and a raw bar.
What should I order at Farina?
Start at the oyster bar, then order the hand-made pasta — it is the reason the restaurant exists and changes with the season. Pair with something from the Italian-leaning wine list for the full chef-driven experience.
Where is Farina located?
In the Crossroads Arts District at 19th and Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri, an exposed-brick design-district space surrounded by galleries and bars. For nearby options, see our Kansas City dining guide.
Is Farina good for a date?
Yes — warm low lighting, an oyster bar and well-made pasta make it a strong first-date or anniversary table. It is lively but not loud, and comfortable for a two-top or a seat at the bar.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Farina
Popular Crossroads room; book ahead for weekends and First Fridays.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address19th & Baltimore, Crossroads, Kansas City
NeighbourhoodCrossroads Arts District (19th & Baltimore)
CuisineItalian
PriceHouse pasta & oyster bar; upper-mid range
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingExposed-brick dining room & oyster bar
ReservationRecommended
