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Planning to enjoy a happy hour or a meal while dining in Wichita and want to know which appetizers locals crave the most? Here’s a list of excellent options to start your starter exploration of Wichita’s restaurants:

Ethnic Edibles

These must-try appetizers have heritage, culture and so much authentic flavor…

• Lumpia (pictured above) at Lola’s Bistro – among the fusion menu is this traditional Filipino spring roll filled with savory pork, shrimp and vegetables served with a sweet chili dipping sauce
• Queso Fundido at Molino’s Mexican Cuisine – a blend of Monterrey Jack and mozzarella cheese blended with Mexican chorizo and chopped poblano peppers and flambéd at your table then served with flour or corn tortillas
• Flammkuchen at Prost – this German style pizza (pronounced flam-KOOK-en) is a crispy thin flatbread topped with sour cream, bacon and caramelized onions, though they’ll make it vegetarian if you ask
• Stuffed Poblano at Redrock Canyon Grill – this pepper is a deep-fried wonder prepared with rotisserie chicken, chipotle sour cream, black bean salsa  and salsa verde
• Misto Salumi at Piatto Neapolitan Pizzeria – the authentic flavors of Italy come alive in the Heart of the Country with this dish consisting of smoked prosciutto, spicy salami, prosciutto di Parma, arugula, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and house baked baguette slices. 
• Creamy Corn Queso at Sabor Latin Bar and Grille – a creamy blend of white cheese and fresh sweet corn served with tri-color tortilla chips and warm flatbread
• Baba Ghanoush at Meddys (Northeast, Old Town, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest) – a smoky puree of fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic and salt garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and served with pita or fresh veggies
• Dip Trio at District Taqueria – dip the homemade chips in fresh salsa, guacamole and District’s unique take on queso: a blend of cream cheese, house salsa, peppers and garlic served cold
• Mozzarella Fritti at Bella Vita Bistro – an inventive take on a classic Italian dish, it’s prepared with house-made mozzarella lightly breaded and fried served with marinara

Shareable Starters

These apps are perfect for group dining…

• Disco Fries (pictured above) at The Kitchen – a play on poutine: crispy fries topped with skinless fried chicken breast, light gravy and fresh mozzarella
• Bacon Crack at Nortons Brewing Co. – bite-sized hunks of thick hand-cut candied bacon cooked with a maple syrup, brown sugar and honey glaze then seasoned with cracked black pepper and cayenne; served with a brown sugar honey cream cheese for dipping
• Fried Pickles at The Anchor – tangy, well-seasoned pickle chips served with tasty housemade ranch
• Roast Garlic, Spinach, Artichoke Dip at Larkspur Bistro and Bar – this fan-favorite is served with baked pita and grilled bread
• Blistered Shishito Peppers at The Hill Bar and Grill – this vegan dish features green shishito peppers blistered in sesame oil and drizzled with soy sauce
• Loaded Sweet Potato Tots at Monarch – they take one of their most popular sides and load them up with melted cheddar, diced bacon, green onions and, of course, a side of ranch
• Alma Fried Cheese Curds at Public – featuring Kansas’ Alma Creamery cheddar, these curds have a buttermilk batter and spicy ranch dipping sauce
• Spinach & Artichoke Dip at River City Brewing Co. – Wichita’s original brewpub serves up this comforting dish of spinach, artichoke hearts, roasted garlic and creamy melted cheese with homestyle tortilla chips, baguette slices and cucumbers
• Wood-fired Jalapeño Bites at Wichita Brewing Co. & Pizzeria West & East – fresh halved and seeded jalapeños filled with cream cheese, Italian sausage and sweet pepper bacon, then topped with more delicious sweet pepper bacon pieces and served with tasty, homemade ranch

Appetizers to Make a Meal

Maybe you don’t want to share, you just want the whole dish to yourself…

• Smoked Cream Cheese dip with a Bacon Onion Relish served with herbed bread (pictured above) at Dōma – the Latin and Asian influences shine through on the American small plates menu with a garlic confit, gochujang and scallion
• Calamari at Georges French Bistro – thick breaded strips with the perfect blend of olive oil, lemon juice and oregano, served with cocktail sauce and basil aioli
• Burrata at Vora Restaurant European – a plate featuring the soft flavorful burrata cheese topped with crushed pistachios and honey alongside salami, Capicola and served with grilled bread and a dish of pesto
• Scalloped Bouchée at Cafe Bel Ami – this popular prelude is prepared with sautéed scallops in a pastry shell and served with a garlic cream sauce
• Rock Shrimp Cigars at Newport Grill – spring rolls stuffed with shrimp, melted leeks, Fresno chili and daikon radish, served with pineapple mostarda
• Beer Cheese Dip at Dempsey’s Burger Pub - Clifton Square – this carb-forward appetizer offers a creamy combination of pepper jack cheese and Odell Brewing 90 Shilling beer served with pretzel sticks and fries cut in-house
• Hummus at Bella Luna Café - Northwest and Bella Lunch Café - Northeast – you’ll find hummus on many menus in Wichita and among the best is the hummus made fresh daily by owner and chef Matteo Tata, who bases his recipe on what his mother and grandmother taught him
• Flash Fried Oysters at Wine Dive – you won’t find this dish on many Wichita menus: flash fried oysters served on a crispy wonton with habanero aioli and a balsamic drizzle
• Scotch Eggs at PourHouse by Walnut River Brewing Company – two hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage, hand-breaded and then deep-fried before being sliced and served with a delicious mustard aioli

This is just a small selection of the amazing menus you’ll find at the more than 1,200 Wichita restaurants. Make sure you check out our extensive list the next time you’re dining out in Wichita!