The Campground

1531 Genessee St, Kansas City
(816) 612-3434

Recent Reviews

Gabriel King

RUN, do not walk, to this establishment. Let me tell you something... If you come to KC and don't eat here, you are doing yourself an INJUSTICE!!! I thought the Smash Burger was the best thing I had ever put in my mouth and then I tried the S'mores and TRANSCENDED from my body. Moody country rustic vibe beautifully and successfully done. The service was personable and not overdone and every cocktail tasted like it was hand rafted specifically for me. I will fly back here for this restaurant alone. This place looks like something you would see on Instagram and be like, "I'm visiting that city just to go there."Parking: Several spots immediately next to and around the building.Wheelchair accessibility: There is a ramp to get into the restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Double Smash Burger, S’Mores

Laurie Mullan

Went there for a special occasion. It was not busy, yet we were basically ignored for 10 minutes. Our server seemed inconvenienced that we were there. Offered no suggestions even though we said it was our first time there. Venison tartare was great, but could not find any hint of smoke or trout in the smoked trout. Left after appetizers and went elsewhere. Decor seemed nice, although it was so dark in there you couldn't really see.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

Ben Moore

Best service and atmosphere in the city in my

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Phoenix Cartwright

Hands down, the best restaurant in Kansas City. Warm atmosphere, excellent service, and the most perfect, new-American dishes. And the cocktails? Thoughtful and expertly crafted. I love the staff’s candor and how much heart the owners put into creating and maintaining this space.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Carrots, Fries with Fried Egg Aioli, Double Smash Burger, Catfish

Jeff Keller

My wife and I went there last night. We absolutely loved everything about it. I ordered the Red Trout and it was incredible. Cooked perfectly with the tastiest sauce I have had in a long time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Double Smash Burger

Arie Polycarpou

Enjoyable environment with a large drink menu and some solid food offerings.---My significant other and I came here on a Sunday night in November while visiting from out of town. We had originally planned to get a full dinner, but after a heavy lunch we decided to go lighter on the food and grab a couple cocktails.The establishment is in the midst of a revived warehouse district. The ambiance inside was dark and charming, with candles at each table and plants and outdoorsy art surrounding us. It wasn't super busy when we first arrived, but was quite packed by the end of the night.We were seated at a table by the window. The service was OK - a bit slow and waiter was a bit curt, but not concerning or outright rude. We each had two cocktails throughout the night, and then split 2 appetizers and an entree.For the cocktails, I had the Orange Negroni and the Desert Paloma, while my significant other went for the Old Fashioned and the Grief Motif. The Negroni and Old Fashioned were solid - as we expected and not especially extraordinary. I enjoyed my Desert Paloma - the tequila and mixes blended well together and were refreshing. The Grief Motif was interesting - I did not hate it, but the mix of ingredients was interesting and certainly didn't remind me of the perfect Fall/Winter drink that it was to be described.The appetizers we went with were the Brussel Sprouts and the Apple/Kohlrabi. The Sprouts were especially Brussel-y but well prepped, and the Apple Dish was simple yet pleasant and enjoyable.For the entree, we went with the Butternut Squash as neither of us were that hungry. While the Squash itself was good, the Kale was overwhelming for me and made the dish taste more 'earthy' than I was looking for. My significant other liked this more than I did, however.Overall this was a solid experience, even if I felt some of the food and drink offerings didn't always consistently excel. We left with a T-Shirt as well, so certainly are fans of our time here. I would definitely like to come back during warmer weather to sit outside and get the more true 'campground' experience, and also try the rave-reviewed burger when my appetite allows for it.Parking: A small free lot by restaurant, but lots of street parking that is paid during weekdays and free on Sunday

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

Cheryl R.

My burger was amazing. Sitting around the campfire and talking with friends was so relaxing. I didn't want the night to be end. My mezcalarita was just right after adding an extra shot of mezcal to tamper the sweetness. Will definitely return.

Kelli Goforth

I have been wanting to try this place out for awhile. I picked it for our super club night. I thought it was amazing. I ordered the smash burger and fries. It was delicious. I don’t think this place is for everyone. There is a couple of people in our supper club that are picky eaters. I don’t mean discerning, I mean they like chicken nuggets. Lol. Not sure why they want to be in a supper club. But they even liked the smash burger and fries. The cocktails are inventive. I’m a vodka girl and I enjoyed my cocktail. The Olives were delicious too. To cold to sit outside but in the summer this place would be a nice hangout. Service was good and friendly. My only complaint is if you are inside in the evening it’s very dimly lit. I’m sure for ambiance. But for the old people it is a little hard to see. ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Burger

Carrie H.

The smell of wood burning in fire pits makes me think of camping and creates the perfect outside atmosphere for this restaurant. An outdoor bar serves a few small plates to enjoy while waiting for a table or just for a bit of stop-by. If we lived here, we would be regulars around the campfires. Walking inside, the camping ambiance continues with dark colors and greenery. Whoever keeps their plants alive is talented, as they have a beautiful variety. Reservations are recommended. We wanted to try this place out last time we were in town, but there were no available spots, so we made reservations as soon as we knew we were coming back. It is a small dining room with a bar on the far wall. There is also a patio dining area. When you use the restroom, you can peek into the kitchen as the line is in the hallway. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The extensive cocktail menu made it different to pick what to start with, so he asked what we might be eating and told me to start with the Neon Cactus and then have the White Negroni with my meal. They were both delicious, and I was so glad he guided me on when to drink them. My husband began with the house Negroni and drank the Gimlet with his meal. We started our meal with the french fries. They are perfectly crispy and salty. There is a creamy dip that accompanies them that we thoroughly enjoyed. For our meals, we split the mushroom tagliatelle with mustard greens, spring onions, and almonds and the Alaskan halibut with radish, pine nut, caper, and turnips. Both entrees were delectable. We wished we had saved a fry or two to soak up the sauces in our bowls. We will definitely be back when we return to KC.

David Mathewson

Great food, better staff, good prices and AWESOME food!! Drinks are really unique too!!

Avinash V.

OK, so this was not one of the places that we thought that we would go and enjoy a food tonight however, it was a special night for me and my wife. This place is very aesthetic in look with amazing interiors. The moment you get in, you'll feel like you're in some small cave with a beautiful decoration, there is a personal touch with the host being a co-owner of this restaurant bar table and we met this amazing bartender name Jake. He was fantastic with suggestions of food and drinks. Very friendly squad amazing food perfect place for a nice date I must visit local eatery, and cocktail bar in Kansas City.

Sarah G.

Okay so it's been a hot minute since I've reviewed the Campground and well, it's definitely time because since my initial visit, I've been back two times and both times I've been blown away. First of all I highly encourage anyone wanting to come here to dine in to make a reservation. It's a small place and while I could see you getting table service walking in on maybe a Wednesday night, I've always had a reservation for a weekend evening. Let's start with the ambiance. I really think it can't be beat in KC. It is a blend of hipster decor mixed with romantic broodiness, and a dash of elegance. Oh, and a bit of rustic cabin fare. That might not make a lot of sense unless you've been, but trust me. It's a bit unique, but it's perfect for a date. Even more perfect if you visit on a dark and cold night. There is something warm and romantic about the space that I just think lends itself to a late evening dinner. Some things to keep in mind here though, while I love this place it isn't ideal for small children or large groups - so to fully enjoy it I highly recommend going in a group of four or less and keeping it 21+. Now, onto the cocktails and the meal. The cocktails are great. There isn't much else to say. I've had by now probably three or four different ones on their rotating menu and I always am happy and think they're worth the premium fee they charge. My husband I think would agree as he loved his drink as well. The food is also really amazing. Recently The Campground got some buzz regarding their cheeseburger and while I haven't had it, my husband did and he said it was amongst the best he's had. I treated myself to a smoked pork chop and holy cow was this thing good. I surprised myself and ate the whole thing because it really was just that amazing. I'd return just for this meal alone. They rotate their menu seasonally, so I won't expect to find the same things next time I return, but any place that knocks it out of the park on all fronts deserves five stars and this is it for me. I can't wait for my next visit!

Heather Jacobs

The vibes are reeeeaaalll here. Love the moody dark interior, the patio is awesome to sit outside and still get the vibes, and love the fire pits in the front. The drinks are also really unique and fun. 10/10 favorite cocktail bar

Atmosphere: 5

Brion U.

Went there on a Saturday night a while back. Neat little place. Very trendy. Had a nice gin martini, a smash burger, and a fabulous s'mores style dessert. The menu is very small and two items were duck. Nope. Spendy too. Beer menu was short as well. Service was exceptional. Expanded my horizons with a Fernet. Try it!

Stephany F

The food was creative, delicious and very well executed! However, wish the service was warmer and showcased the food more.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

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