Some restaurants are built for dinner. Others are built for brunch. This one falls firmly in the second camp.
Set in Kansas City, MO, Spokes has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
If you only order one thing, make it the shakshuka — a bubbling cast-iron pan of tomatoes, peppers, and softly poached eggs, served with warm pita for sopping.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Spokes. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin
- Smoked salmon plate with cream cheese, capers, red onion, and a toasted bagel
- Shakshuka with feta, herbs, and warm pita
- Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
- Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
- Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
- Single-origin pour-over coffee from a local roaster
- Two eggs any style with thick-cut bacon and crispy hash
There's a small patio out back that fills up the moment the weather turns, and a wait list that moves faster than it looks.
Avocado toast at a place like this is not a meme — it's smashed in front of you, seasoned with flaky salt, lime, and chili crisp, and built on a slab of grilled sourdough.
Vegetarians and vegans are well taken care of — at least three plant-forward mains anchor the menu, not just an afterthought side of fruit.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Kansas City, Spokes is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Save room for one of the pastries on the way out — they bake everything in-house, and the morning buns are legendary among regulars.
Tips from the regulars
- Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
- Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Spokes.
- Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
- Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
- Coffee is taken seriously here. If you only know diner drip, ask the barista for a recommendation.
Hours
Specific opening hours rotate seasonally — call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays. Most weekend brunch service runs from late morning through early afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Spokes open for brunch?
Specific hours rotate seasonally, but Spokes typically opens for brunch service in the morning and serves through early afternoon. Call ahead on holidays.
Does Spokes take reservations?
Most brunch spots in Kansas City are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is Spokes kid-friendly?
Yes — Spokes welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does Spokes serve?
It's classified under coffee_shop — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Kansas City.
Is there outdoor seating at Spokes?
Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.
Location
Located at 2160 West 39th Avenue. Coordinates: 39.0575, -94.6114. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.