Wichita Hotels Expand with New Restaurants, One from a National Chain

New Dining Options Arrive in Wichita

Wichita is set to welcome two new dining experiences as two local hotels prepare to open their latest culinary ventures. These developments mark a significant shift in the city's restaurant scene, offering fresh options for both locals and visitors.

Bar Louie Makes Its Debut at Airport Hilton

One of the most anticipated openings is at the new co-branded Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton located at 1523 S. Ridge Road near Eisenhower Airport. This hotel is nearly complete and is expected to open in September. The property will feature a new location of Bar Louie, a well-known Texas-based chain with around 43 locations across the country.

Bar Louie, which was founded in 1990, has faced its share of challenges, including declaring bankruptcy in 2020 and again earlier this year when it closed several underperforming restaurants. Despite these setbacks, the chain continues to expand, and its new Wichita location is set to open shortly before the hotel is ready for guests.

The menu at Bar Louie includes a variety of dishes such as burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and entrees like steak frites, citrus grilled salmon, fish and chips, and chicken tenders. The bar also offers an array of bar bites, including pretzels with cheese, chicken nachos, fried cheese curds, and black bean hummus.

In addition to the restaurant, the hotel will have an indoor pool, a fitness center, and over 6,000 square feet of meeting space. Each brand will have 80 rooms, with the Hilton Garden Inn operating along the north and west sides of the building, while the Homewood Suites rooms will be on the east and south sides. Hotel reservations are expected to be available later this month.

Craft Cocktails and Small Plates at the Marriott

Meanwhile, the Wichita Marriott at 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive is preparing to revitalize its old restaurant space. The hotel recently completed a $2 million first-floor renovation and is transforming the former Fireside Grille into a new cocktail lounge called Room 9100. The name pays homage to the hotel’s address, 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive.

According to Kate Rose, the director of food and beverage for the hotel, Room 9100 is expected to open in a couple of weeks. The lounge will serve craft cocktails, offer a full bar, and feature small plates created by new head chef Ben George. Some of the menu items include salmon lettuce wraps, a steak grazing board, and a unique take on chicken and waffles.

Fireside Grille, which opened in 2017, was previously located beyond the hotel's lobby restaurant, Greatroom Restaurant and Bar. However, when the hotel closed during the 2020 pandemic, Fireside Grille also shut down and never reopened. The space had been used for private events until the recent renovation.

During the remodel, the hotel decided to give the space a new identity. They added new furnishings and dim lighting to create a more inviting atmosphere. Room 9100 will have seating for around 30 people. Initially, the lounge will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays only, but the hotel plans to expand the hours as it gains popularity.

A New Era for Wichita’s Restaurants

These new developments reflect a growing trend in Wichita’s restaurant industry, where established names and new concepts are finding ways to adapt and thrive. From the arrival of Bar Louie to the transformation of Fireside Grille into a chic cocktail lounge, the city is poised for exciting changes in its dining landscape. Whether you're a local or a visitor, there's something new to look forward to in Wichita's evolving culinary scene.