Lawrence's Best Restaurants: A Local's Guide

Lawrence may be small, but you it is not difficult to find good food in this town. Wander down Lawrence’s famous Mass Street and you will find a wealth of options depending on what you are looking for. As former Lawrence locals, this city holds a special place in our hearts and our stomachs. We often find ourselves venturing back to haunt our favorite restaurants and trying out new spots as downtown evolves. Below you will find some of our favorite spots whether you are looking for a casual, quick bite or a nice date night out.

The Burger Stand at the Casbah
When it first came to be, the Burger Stand at the Casbah operated as a ghost kitchen out of Dempsey’s Pub just a block northwest of its current location. The following The Burger Stand amassed quickly resulted in a search for a new, larger home. For the last 16 or so years, The Burger Stand has been serving up creative burgers at a reasonable price at its current location on Mass St. Beyond burgers, the restaurant offers up a few fantastic options for vegetarians, gourmet hot dogs, shakes and an array of dipping sauces for their varied fry and onion ring options.
715
If you are looking for date night vibes, you won’t get any better than 715 in downtown Lawrence. The space is romantic with dim lighting and intimate seating. Focusing on Italian fare, you will find traditional pastas, hearty entrees and seasonal dishes. 715 also has a great happy hour menu filled with delicious appetizers and drinks at a reduced price.
Dempsey’s
Dempsey’s was never just a spot to get a good burger. First and foremost, this is an Irish Pub. The space is spacious with plenty of TV’s to catch a soccer game or simply relax and down a few pints of Guinness. That said, the loss of The Burger Stand resulted in Dempsey’s launching their own menu of similar burger offerings as well as more traditional pub fare like Fish and Chips. It’s a unique enough menu to have found its own success in the time since The Burger Stand found a new kitchen.
Limestone Pizza + Kitchen
When Limestone opened it quickly became our favorite pizza in the city. We often come back to Lawrence just for this pizza. Limestone focuses on Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, but you won’t find just classic pepperoni pizza on this menu (although you can get that too). Their unique styles and flavors are what make this place so special. We recommend the Bianco e Nocci, the L.A., or the Farmer. This place gets busy, so make sure to secure a reservation.

Terrebone Po’ Boys
Until Q39 opened up in 2026, you were more likely to find a great New Orleans style po’boy in Lawrence than you were to find great Kansas City barbecue in Lawrence. If you are in Lawrence and craving a big of a decadent lunch, you’d be best served to give Terrebone a visit. The menu has many options you might find in New Orleans and is likely the only spot in Lawrence where you’ll find Alligator on the menu.
Basil Leaf Cafe
Basil Leaf has been around for quite some time, but people who have lived in Lawrence a long time know that it got its start operating out of a gas station. You definitely wouldn’t expect a gas station to serve delicious pastas, but alas that is how it got its start. Its popularity allowed it to grow and move into a bigger space on 9th street and then eventually moved to its current home on Mass Street. Here you will find hearty, comforting plates of pasta with some innovative spins on some classic pasta dishes.

Rudy’s
Rudy’s pizza is difficult to describe but if I had to, I’d say it’s basic pizzeria pizza but better. The price is right, you can buy by the slice or get a whole pie, and you have the option to get thin crust pizza (sort of a cross between tavern style and St. Louis style) or their thicker original crust.
Zen Zero
This laid-back Asian restaurant on Mass Street is a local favorite. Featuring dishes from Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, Japan, and Tibet there is truly a dish for everyone. You will be welcomed with a fresh bowl of Prawn crackers to start, friendly staff, and a menu full of a variety of noodles and curry dishes. Try the Singapore Noodles or Phad Kee Mao.
Encore Asian Bistro
Another Asian food staple, Encore Asian Bistro satisfies those looking for the best of Americanized favorites like General Tso’s chicken, Broccoli Beef, Szechwan Chicken, etc. While casual in nature, this could also be a good date spot as well.
Culinaria
This Mediterranean restaurant is a newer spot located in East Lawrence. The vibe here is fun and inviting and also have some nice outdoor seating. Culinaria features traditional Mediterranean fare plus their own unique dishes. This place is a great eatery to pick some appetizers to share or make it an ultimate dining experience with one of Culinaria’s food/drink tasting menus.