If you’re searching for an authentic Italian restaurant in Lawrence, The Basil Leaf Café brings together bold flavors, comforting classics, and a welcoming dining experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
With a 4.40-star rating, this top-rated Lawrence Italian restaurant is known for serving satisfying dishes that celebrate the heart of Italian cuisine, from rich pastas and savory sauces to fresh ingredients and carefully prepared meals.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed dinner, a special night out, or simply craving quality Italian food in Lawrence, The Basil Leaf Café offers a warm atmosphere and memorable flavors that make every visit worthwhile.
To experience one of the best Italian restaurants in Lawrence, KS, visit The Basil Leaf Café and enjoy a meal that feels both satisfying and special.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at The Basil Leaf Café
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Wheatfield's Rosemary Focaccia, side marinara
deep fried, served with Calabrian honey, almond butter, & parmesan crisps
deep fried, marinara
beef & pork, marinara, parmesan
crispy, golden mozzarella, large marinara
Served with garlic aioli
choice of select cured meats & pairings with crostini
select artisanal cheeses & pairings with crostini
lump crab meat, local veggies, Calabrian chili aioli
burrata, local arugula, basil, cherry tomatoes, balsamic drizzle
beer battered, chili maple drizzle, fresh herbs
side of Calabrian aioli
topped with fried onions & rouille
Pecorino Mozzarella, Pickled Shallots, Brandied Pear Butter, on M&M Sour Dough with choice of soup, salad, or fries
Finnochiona Salami, Smoked Provolone, Garlic Aioli, Olive Tapenade, Dressed Greens, on WheatFields Baguette, side Dijon
Fried chicken, parmesan, mozzarella, house marinara on Wheatfields Baguette with choice of soup, salad, or fries
Campo Lindo Farms Egg, Mozzarella, served on WheatFields Baguette with choice of soup, salad or fries + Paradise Bacon $5 / House-Made Sausage $5 / Grilled Chicken $5 / Steak $12
Beef & Pork Meatballs, House marinara, mozzarella on Wheatfields Baguette with choice of soup, salad, or fries
+ anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8/ salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
marinara, pasta, topped with shaved parmesan
pesto, mushrooms, tomato, onion, bell pepper, lemon + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
Calabrian Chilis, garlic, bell pepper, tomato, house marinara + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
orecchiette, creamy cheese blend, topped with house breadcrumbs + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
guanciale, spicy tomato sauce, parmesan
Pork Bolognese, parmesan
fried chicken layered with guanciale & emmental swiss, ricotta stuffed tortellini, emmental mornay, parmesan
layers of herbed ricotta, house marinara, Pork Bolognese, mozzarella, parmesan
little ear pasta, house-made Italian sausage, broccolini, fennel soubise, parmesan
white wine butter sauce, pickled fresnos, WheatFields crostini
local mixed greens, tomato, red onion, cucumber, radishes & choice of: balsamic vinaigrette / Italian vinaigrette / basil ranch / oil & vinegar + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
local mixed greens, tomato, red onion, cucumber, radishes & choice of: balsamic vinaigrette / Italian vinaigrette / basil ranch / oil & vinegar + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
local romaine, scratch Caesar dressing, parmesan, house made croutons + grilled chicken $4 / fried chicken $5 / shrimp $6 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
local romaine, scratch Caesar dressing, parmesan, house made croutons + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
local mixed greens, anjou pears, candied pecans, pickled shallots, goat cheese, blueberry vinaigrette soaked croutons, house made blueberry vinaigrette
local mixed greens, anjou pears, candied pecans, pickled shallots, goat cheese, blueberry vinaigrette soaked croutons, house made blueberry vinaigrette
WheatFields Rosemary Focaccia, side marinara
deep fried, topped with Calabrian Chilis, Creamy Brie, & Pistachios
beef & pork, marinara, parmesan
Select artisanal cheeses & pairings with crostini
select cured meats & pairings with crostini
lump crab meat, local veggies, Calabrian Aioli
side of garlic aioli
burrata, local arugula, basil, & cherry tomatoes, balsamic drizzle
side of Calabrian aioli
beer battered, chili maple drizzle, fresh herbs
topped with fried onions & rouille
Layers of herbed ricotta, Pork Bolognese, house marinara, mozzarella, parmesan
Campo Lindo Farms Roasted Chicken, cheese tortellini, parmesan
scratch alfredo sauce + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
parmesan basil pesto, tomato, bell pepper, lemon, parmesan + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
Calabrian chilis, garlic, bell pepper, onion, tomato, parmesan
guanciale, spicy tomato sauce, parmesan
orecchiette, creamy cheese blend, topped with breadcrumbs + anchovies $5 / grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
fried chicken layered with guanciale & emmental swiss, ricotta stuffed tortellini, emmental mornay, parmesan
spicy creamy tomato sauce, shrimp, grilled chicken, italian sausage, onion, bell pepper, shaved parmesan
marinara, spaghetti, fried chicken, tomato, mozzarella, shaved parmesan
Calabrian hummus, marinated zucchini, lavender beet chips, pistachios
Pork Bolognese, parmesan
Black Angus Sirloin, smoked parsnip puree, sauteed asparagus, shiitake mushrooms
PEI mussels, calamari, puttanesca, olive oil, lemon
Campo Lindo leg quarter, roastead root vegetable medley, shiitake demi-glace
local mixed greens, anjou pears, candied pecans, pickled shallots, goat cheese, blueberry vinaigrette soaked croutons, house made blueberry vinaigrette
little ear pasta, house-made Italian sausage, broccolini, fennel soubise, parmesan
white wine butter sauce, pickled fresnos, WheatFields crostini
Local Nerdy Cat Cold Brew & Amaro Montenegro soaked lady fingers, whipped mascarpone custard, cocoa powder, coffee syrup drizzle
New York Style + chocolate sauce $1 / caramel sauce $1 / blackberry sauce $1 / blueberry lemon sauce $1
Gluten Free! + chocolate sauce $1 / caramel sauce $1 / blackberry sauce $1 / blueberry lemon sauce $1
Vanilla Gelato + chocolate sauce $1 / caramel sauce $1 / blackberry sauce $1 / blueberry lemon sauce $1 *contains coconut/treenuts
Vanilla Gelato + chocolate sauce $1 / caramel sauce $1 / blackberry sauce $1 / strawberry sauce $1 / blueberry lemon sauce $1
house made, flavors may vary
flavor of the day
Z's Divine Espresso, Vanilla Bean Gelato
with fries & side of ketchup
marinara, pasta, garlic bread + grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
scratch alfredo, garlic bread + grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
creamy cheese blend, orecchiette, garlic bread + grilled chicken $5 / fried chicken $6 / shrimp $7 / scallops $8 / salmon $9 / lobster $10 / steak $12
Choice of Spaghetti, Penne, Linguine, Fettuccine, Cavatappi, or GF Fusilli
Hear from our valued guests
Attended a Wagner Family Wine pairing event at Basil Leaf Cafe Thursday evening. I’ve never been to one before and it was a fun time. The wine was great and paired perfectly with each course. The food was delicious and the serving sizes were generous. It was a delightful evening!!
Tiffany was amazing. She came into work early to help out and we were blessed to have her. From the walk up and greeting to the staff and their friendliness, we are impressed. So often we hear about customer service, this place sets the bar high. There was a great selection of food that fit every dietary restriction. When changing a dish for the diet restriction, the flavor was maintained. House made dishes and modifications welcomed. Definitely recommend for lunch or dinner, but make sure you get the cold brew coffee..
Waiter Josh very friendly and accommodating. I had heard it was a good place before I came. On main street.Met woman from Overland Park on sidewalk before I went in. She had been there and liked it. I am from Kamdas City. Menu is interesting and I had grilled cheese and soup of the day. Both were very tasty and not your norm. Above and beyond.My son had meatball sandwich and fries and he said it was very good.
First time in the new location - Grace welcomed us to stay and dine at the bar while we waited for our table. Normally, prefer to eat at a table, however Grace was so pleasant that we stayed and had our meal. Wonderful time with my family! I recommend the pesto penne with grilled chicken!
Came in for a quick lunch on a Saturday needing to be in and out in 30 minutes. They were great at getting us out on time without feeling rushed! The food was delicious. The Italian sandwich was so good! The drink menu looked so interesting, I was sorry I didn't have time to try one. We will be back!
lovely spot! my tortellini alla vodka was fantastic and chloe was an excellent server. our food was taking a bit long, but she worked hard to keep us updated and it was very appreciated. they were able to immediately seat our party of six and i loved our view from the window. they also had a great selection of mocktails. oh and the caesar salad was fantastic, the dressing was so bright and delicious.
Grace and Claire were so wonderful. We sat at the bar and Grace did an excellent job with our cocktails and food service. Claire was not our server but it was great to interact with other wait staff in the restaurant. We will definitely be back to visit!
While in town for work, I met up with a friend who recommended this spot, and I’m really glad she did. From the moment we sat down, the atmosphere felt comfortable and welcoming, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. The setting had a nice balance of energy and charm, which made the whole visit feel enjoyable from start to finish. Our server was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The food was absolutely delicious and clearly prepared with care. Every dish we tried was flavorful and satisfying, and the overall experience left us extremely impressed. Between the excellent service, the inviting atmosphere, and the outstanding cuisine, it was a dining experience we couldn’t have been happier with.
I cannot describe in text form how impressed I was with Grace. We sat at the bar a year ago and she left such an impression we were committed to return. As we arrived and asked if Grace was working, we were met with an exuberant “Yes” and we knew it would be a great evening. As we sat at the bar and requested drink advice, she steered us directly into her concoction of the evening. We were completely satisfied and ordered several rounds to our enjoyment. Such a wonderful smile to accompany our delightful evening, the perfect conclusion of a day in downtown Lawrence. The time between visits will be shorter directly due to the presence of Grace. A Huge Thank You!
This was my second trip here. The food is pretty good. I had the tortellini ala vodka and a Caesar salad. Both were done very well. I also had a pineapple Italian cream soda but I wasn't super fond of that. It's a little pricey imo for the caliber of the food they serve. All in all it's a decent place to dine. Be advised that it's best to have a reservation on Friday and Saturday nights as it can get pretty busy.
Common questions about The Basil Leaf Café
The Basil Leaf Café is located at 801 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States, Lawrence, KS, United States.
You can reach The Basil Leaf Café by calling +1 785-856-0459.
The Basil Leaf Café has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 1045 customer reviews.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following highlights: Fast service, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Live music, Serves local specialty, Sport.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Happy-hour food, Small plates, Spirits, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wine.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Quiet, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, Tourists, University students.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following parking: Free parking lot, Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
The Basil Leaf Café features the following pets: Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
