Kansas City opens its favorite menus to FIFA Fan Fest

Some of Kansas City’s best-known restaurateurs have opened at the 2026 FIFA Fan Fest atop Liberty Memorial — offering teasers of local diners’ favorites and tapping into the diverse palates of visitors from across the globe.

Malisa Monyakula, Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“We’re approaching this opportunity with both enthusiasm and long-term thinking,” said Malisa Monyakula, founder of Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop. “While we’re excited about the immediate impact of Fan Fest, we’re equally focused on how these connections can strengthen our business and community well beyond the tournament.”

About 20 local restaurants were selected to join the Fan Fest — a sprawling setting for watching matches, dining and concerts on the south lawn of the National World War 1 Museum’s grounds.

Fans headed through the 65-foot, heart-shaped gateway will be greeted with the sights and smells of Kansas City. It’s an opportunity too good for Lulu’s to pass up, Monyakula said.

“Being in the center of the fan experience gives us the chance to connect with people from all over the world at a moment when they’re excited, engaged, and looking to experience the local culture,” she explained. “The visibility is certainly valuable, but the biggest upside is the opportunity to create memorable experiences and build lasting relationships with new customers who may discover Lulu’s for the first time during FIFA festivities.”

The Honest Coconut and Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop host their “Coconut Caravan” popup June 6 during First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District. The event — featuring drinks in hand-branded, cut-to-order, raw coconuts from Thailand and Vietnam — captures the creativity and community-driven energy that defines Lulu’s, said founder Malisa Monyakula, whose childhood nickname was “Lulu.” The restaurant has a limited, fan favorite menu for the FIFA Fan Fest; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Founded by Monyakula in 1997 in Lawrence, Kansas, Lulu’s later relocated to Kansas City — now operating restaurants in the Crossroads Arts District, Westwood, and Overland Park — where the brand built a following around its Thai comfort food.

“I’ve had amazing people working with me since the beginning; people continue to gravitate toward helping me with my vision,” Monyakula told Startland News in 2024. “Nobody’s working for me, we’re working together.”

Lulu’s Fan Fest menu features Chicken Pad Thai, Spicy Beef Jantaboon, and Vegetable Fried Rice, along withMonyakula’s signature hand-folded crab rangoons made with real crab. For dessert, they’re serving Lulu’s popular Apple Pie Eggrolls.

“We wanted to create a menu that showcases some of the dishes our customers know and love while giving visitors a true taste of the Lulu’s experience,” said Monyakula.

Joining the Fan Fest is an extension of the restaurant’s goal to bring people together through memorable experiences, quality products, and a spirit of discovery, she added.

Families and early festival-goers sample food and entertainment at the FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty Memorial; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

In addition to Lulu’s, Kansas City restaurants at FIFA Fan Fest include:

Kansas City BBQ

• Arthur Bryant’s — Historic local spot known for pit-smoked barbecue and iconic burnt ends
• Char Bar — Kansas City smoked meats, BBQ favorites and craft local drinks
• Jack Stack Barbecue — Hickory-smoked meats and classic KC barbecue served with family hospitality
• Kansas City Rib Company — Slow-smoked ribs and pulled pork packed with bold KC barbecue flavor

Vendor signage lines a foodie village within the FIFA Fan Festival; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Classics

• Lottie Fried Chicken Sandwich Co — Flavor-packed fried chicken sandwiches with Italian Peppadew aioli
• Riverhouse and Rock Island Eats — Elevated American bites, share plates and craft cocktails
• Blended Vibes Catering — Slow-smoked BBQ, jerk chicken and comfort food favorites made fresh daily
• SAUCED. — Smashburgers, Cajun chicken sandwiches and wings loaded with SAUCE
• The Good Part — Family-owned food truck serving elevated comfort food with bold flavors
• Rye — Known for fried chicken, house-made pies and elevated regional classics
• Lutfis Fried Fish — Golden, crispy fried fish with Lutfi’s signature seasoned batter
• Guy’s Deli — Pizza By The Slice and deli favorites served fast and full of flavor

Kansas City soccer fans preview the grounds of the FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty Memorial; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Global flavors

• 1889 Pizza Napoletana — Husband-and-wife pizzaiolos serving authetnic wood-fired pizza pies
• Scimeca’s Italian Sausage — A Kansas City favorite since 1935
• Taco Naco — Award-winning street tacos, quesabirria, burritos and fresh guacamole
• Argentina Inc. Empanadas — Authentic Argentine empanadas ft. their signature KC BBQ flavor, desserts and coffee

Sweets and sweets

• Donutology — Warm mini donuts, fan-favorite flavors and creative sweet treats
• Mocha Point Coffee — Handcrafted Yemeni coffee, Adeni chai and signature pistachio drinks
• Betty Rae’s Ice Cream — Award-winning handcrafted ice cream serving more than 26 unique flavors