The Basil Leaf Café

801 Massachusetts St, Lawrence
(785) 856-0459

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Shrimp Fettuccine with Shrimp Garlic Shallot Chardonnay and Parsley
Ceasar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Basil Chicken Cavatelli
Tortellini Cordon Bleu
Lemon Chicken Tenders
Pesto Chicken Penne
Nerdy Cat Tiramisu
Fettuccine Alfredo
Chicken Parmesan

Menu

Appetizers
Fried Calamari
Flour dusted calamari deep fried. Served with marinara and basil ranch.
Arancini
Pork sausage, Arborio, peppers, onion, garlic, panko-coated and fried, served with marinara and alfredo.
Bruschetta
Basil tomato compote, mozzarella, Parmesan and balsamic.
Meatballs
Hand crafted meatballs, with marinara and alfredo.

Salads
Side Salad
Tomato, peppers, onion, carrot, croutons, sunflower seeds and Italian vinaigrette.
House Salad
Tomato, peppers, onion, carrot, croutons, sunflower seeds and Italian vinaigrette.
Caesar Salad
Parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing.
Caprese Salad
Fresh mozzarella, peppers, onion, cherry tomato and balsamic vinaigrette.

Pastas
Spaghettini & Meatballs Pasta
Ground chuck and pork meatballs, garlic, shallot, burgundy, basil butter and pesto.
Cajun Penne Pasta
Andouille, shrimp, chicken, peppers, onion and tomato.
7-Layer Lasagna Pasta
Ground chuck, five cheese blend, with marinara and alfredo sauce.
Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta
Served with shrimp, garlic, shallot, chardonnay and parsley.
Penne Abruzzi Pasta
Ground chuck and pork meatballs, bacon, peppers, onion, tomato, marinara and alfredo sauce.
Basil Chicken Cavatelli Pasta
Basil butter, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, scallions and peppers.
Arrabbiata Pasta
Spaghetti, peppers, onions, scallions, tomatoes, chardonnay, basil, marinara and alfredo sauce.
Tortellini Cordon Bleu Pasta
Panko-fried chicken scaloppini, bacon, mushroom, scallions and alfredo sauce.
Mac & Cheese Pasta
Cavatelli noodle, garlic, shallot and chardonnay.
Chicken Carbonara Pasta
Egg yolk sauce, with mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, spaghetti and garlic.
Deconstructed Lasagne Pasta
Stuffed tortellini, chopped meatballs, marinara, onion, tomato, garlic, mushrooms and calabrese peppers.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Garlic butter white wine sauce, spinach, garlic, calabrese peppers, tomato and mushrooms.

Entrees
Lemon Chicken Tenders
Marinated & served with banana pepper cream, fried golden-risotto, and brussel sprouts.
Pan Seared Salmon
Grilled asparagus and risotto.
Basil Leaf Sirloin
9 oz strip steak with mushrooms, truffle cream, grilled asparagus, served with a loaded baked potato.

Desserts
Tiramisu
Featured Dessert
Gelato

Photos

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Photo credit: foursquare
Photo credit: tripadvisor
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Photo credit: google
+64 photos
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Recent Reviews

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!
February 2026
Food is great - really great vibe inside - we sat at bar and had a great customer experience from Grace. Great personality - great recommendations- and great service from drinks to apps to dinner to desert.
February 2026
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.
January 2026

More Reviews

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The Basil Leaf Café

801 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 856-0459