Wichita's food scene is serving up another reason to visit.

From German favorites and creative American cuisine to neighborhood pizza spots and rising culinary talent, Wichita restaurants and hospitality professionals earned statewide recognition at the 2026 Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association (KRHA) awards.

Presented in October, the annual awards honored outstanding restaurants, chefs and hospitality professionals across Kansas. This year's Wichita area winners included Prost, First Mile Kitchen, Lotte and Kan-Grow Hydro Farm, adding to the city's growing culinary reputation.

Here's who's making headlines, and where to get a taste of what makes Wichita's dining scene stand out.

A pretzel and meats are served on a board at Prost

Meet Wichita's 2026 restaurant award winners

Prost: Restaurateurs of the Year

Big German flavors. Even bigger reasons to raise a glass.

Austin and Manu English, owners of Prost, earned the 2026 Restaurateur of the Year award.

Known for its authentic German food and lively atmosphere, Prost has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike. In 2025, the restaurant moved into a much larger space in downtown Wichita, complete with an expansive beer hall and outdoor beer garden.

Whether you're craving schnitzel, gathering friends for German beer or looking for a memorable meal downtown, Prost brings a taste of Germany to the Air Capital of the World.

Lotte: ProStart Mentor of the Year

Great food is worth celebrating. So are the people helping shape what's next.

Josh Rathbun, owner of Wichita restaurant Lotte, was honored as the 2026 ProStart Mentor of the Year.

ProStart is a career and technical education program that introduces high school students to the restaurant and hospitality industries. The award recognizes Rathbun's role in helping aspiring culinary professionals develop their skills and explore careers in the industry.

It's recognition that goes beyond what's on the menu, highlighting the people helping build the future of Wichita's food scene.

Lit candles illuminate a table full of food at First Mile Kitchen in Wichita

​First Mile Kitchen: Chef of the Year

Good food has a way of getting people's attention. Chef Nick Korbee has Kansas' attention.

Nick Korbee of First Mile Kitchen was named the 2026 Chef of the Year.

Located at Bradley Fair, First Mile Kitchen opened in January 2022 and has helped bring a fresh perspective to Wichita's dining scene with its ingredient-driven approach to contemporary American cuisine.

For visitors looking to explore Wichita's culinary creativity, First Mile Kitchen is one more reason to build a restaurant stop into the itinerary.

Kan-Grow Hydro Farm: Allied Partner of the Year

Great dining experiences don't always start in the kitchen.

Jimmy Vo of Wichita-based Kan-Grow Hydro Farm received the 2026 Allied Partner of the Year award, recognizing the important role industry partners play in supporting Kansas restaurants and hospitality businesses.

More Wichita restaurants earn statewide nominations

The awards also recognized several other Wichita businesses, including two restaurants worth adding to your dining itinerary.

A man and woman smile while she feeds him a slice of pizza on the patio at Ziggy's Pizza.

Ziggy's Pizza: Restaurateur of the Year nominee

Pizza with personality? Wichita has that covered.

Brothers Jamie and Ryan Verbeckmoes, owners of Ziggy's Pizza, were finalists for Restaurateur of the Year.

What started in Wichita's Clifton Square in 2012 has grown into a local pizza favorite with four Wichita-area locations and a newer restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas.

For visitors exploring Wichita's neighborhoods, Ziggy's offers a casual stop for pizza, drinks and time with friends or family.

Mamacita's: Hot New Concept nominee

Looking for something different? Put Mamacita's on your radar.

Located at Cleveland Corner near First and Cleveland in Wichita, Mamacita's earned a nomination for Hot New Concept. The restaurant brings Mexican-inspired flavors to the local dining scene, with dishes such as taquitos en consomé giving adventurous eaters something to get excited about.

A server presents food to a table at The Belmont

Come hungry. Wichita can handle that.

The 2026 Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Awards are another reminder that Wichita's food scene has plenty to offer, from locally owned neighborhood favorites to creative chefs earning recognition across the state.

And Wichita's culinary recognition doesn't stop at the state line. The city has also earned national attention from the prestigious James Beard Foundation, with Georges French Bistro named an Outstanding Restaurant semifinalist in 2025 and FioRito Ristorante's Jordan and Jason Rickard recognized as Best Chef: Midwest semifinalists in 2026. Meet Wichita's James Beard-recognized culinary talent.

The award winners are just the beginning. Build a weekend around Wichita's restaurants, explore its distinct neighborhoods and discover the local flavors that make the city worth a return trip.

Ready to see what's cooking? Explore Wichita restaurants and dining and start planning your next meal and things to do in the Air Capital of the World.