Where to Eat in St. Louis

Here's a current list of my favorite St. Louis restaurants to help you answer the age-old question: where should I eat?

Best St. Louis Restaurants

If you're reading this, you've probably asked the question: where should I eat in St. Louis? If you did, and we weren't talking in person, I probably sent you a link to this post.

Why? Because it's a common question! It's so common, in fact, that I ask it to myself at least a few times a week.

Because of this, I've decided to compile some STL faves and sort them into categories that make sense to me. For each of these restaurants, I've either been to them (and therefore give my official seal of approval) or had them recommended by someone whose food instincts I trust.

Here's how these are sorted:

Asian Cuisines
Burgers
Brunches
Cocktails/Drinks
Coffee/Tea
Fancier
Mexican & Tacos
Ice Cream
Sandwiches
Plant-Forward

Is this a weird way to organize them? Maybe. But it's how the note on my phone is organized, so I'm just passing a bit of that genius on to you.

Note: These are MY OPINIONS. We might have different taste buds and preferences. 🙂

Woman with wrap and fries in booth at restaurant

Asian Cuisines

St. Louis has a great and growing selection of restaurants representing cuisines from a variety of Asian countries (and often fusions between them).

Pan Asia: A large Asian supermarket that has a China Bistro Cafe in the back
Corner 17: A family-owned restaurant known for noodle & bubble tea
Menya Rui: Word on the street this is the best ramen in St. Louis! Get there when it opens because they're only open until they sell out
Chiang Mai: Authentic northern Thai cuisine
Lona's LiL Eats: Chinese & Thai cuisines with vegan & vegetarian options
Seoul Taco: An Asian Fusion restaurant and a food truck with Korean-Mexican Street Fare

Burgers / Meat

Between BBQ, burgers, and southern-style comfort kitchens, there's no shortage of delicious meat to be had in STL.

Mac's Local Eats: A local, pasture raised, unconventional, whole animal protein and seasonal produce restaurant
Hi-Pointe Drive-In: A burger joint that focuses on burger and fries
Grace Meat + 3: Southern American fare and votes the best fried chicken in Missouri!
Salt & Smoke: St. Louis-style BBQ

Food from Salt and Smoke barbeque — Salt + Smoke

Brunches and Breakfasts

You might be able to tell by the abundance of options here that I am a fan of brunch. Well, if the secret's out, I might as well share my favorite spots with you!

Egg: Makes traditional dishes with modern twists! Known for their chakchouka, hashes, and their daily special
Rooster: Crepes, pancakes, scrambles, and slingers made with locally sourced ingredients
Russell's Cafe: Farm-to-table weekend brunches are exceptional; The food is amazing and there's an inviting neighborhood atmosphere
Juniper: New Southern food and cocktails rooted in the traditional dishes and spirits of the region
- Order the chicken biscuit breakfast sandwich for brunch!
Winslow's Table: One stop shop for local food, great drinks, and unique gifts; Counter service, indoor and outdoor seating available; perfect place to pick up a pastry and coffee!
City Coffeehouse & Creperie: St. Louis’ original crêperie; European style coffeehouse serves breakfast, lunch and brunch items;
Half & Half: Serves made-from-scratch brunch classics & amazing coffee
Nathaniel Reid Bakery: Artisanal pastries
- Get at least one chocolate croissant
Songbird: A community-focused restaurant serving locally-sourced breakfast and lunch, prepared to order
Southwest Diner: Basic American eats share the menu with tacos & custom burritos at this Southwest-inspired diner
Hatch'd STL: Breakfast and lunch spot in South City with brunch classics and a rotating menu
Bagel Union: The best bagels you can find in St. Louis
Union Loafers: Bread shop, pizza, and lunch

Recipe from Egg restaurant in St Louis — Egg

Cocktails/Drinks

There's no reason to suffer from thirst here.

Yellowbelly: A bright, modern bar and restaurant with the feel of a relaxing, seaside getaway; An extensive cocktail list with amazing food
Polite Society: A restaurant, bar in the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood with a warm environment of thoughtful service, exceptional food, drink and company
Perennial Brewery: A philosophy to brew beer with the adventurous craft beer drinker in mind—focusing on hand-crafted, small batches of beer
Rockwell Beer Co. A brewery and a second location that's an outdoor beer garden in Francis Park
Retreat Gastropub: A modern American pub with a rustic touch providing a high standard for food and beer with a distinctive approach on craft cocktails
The Golden Hoosier: A neighborhood bar with vintage taxidermy and a Prohibition-era Art Deco bar; Serves burgers, classic cocktails with a twist, and has a heated, dog-friendly patio
Press STL: Stuffed and smashed pizzas with draft cocktails
The Royale Food & Spirits: A neighborhood bar that serves food, drinks, and has a beautiful courtyard

Coffee/Tea

However you like to get your caffeine, I've got you covered.

The Annex: Located in Old Orchard and has indoor dining along with a heated and outdoor patio; intersects coffee, pastries, sandwiches, specialty foods, and cocktails
Comet Coffee: Great coffee and AMAZING pastries; Can introduce you to your first beautifully-roasted single origin coffee hand-brewed to order or pull a shot of espresso — you'll love whichever it is
Blueprint Coffee: A coffee bar and speciality roaster; uses precise roasting, brewing, and training methods to make you the perfect cup of coffee
Kaldi's Coffee: A speciality coffee roasting company
Maypop: This is a coffee AND garden shop that is the cutest! Visit for the coffee and stay for the plants — you'll love the vibe of this shop
The London Tea Room: A vintage English tearoom where you can experience a cup of tea or full on high tea experience
AO&Co: A neighborhood market + café serving specialty foods, espresso, sandwiches, wine, cheese, cigars, and gifts
Coffeestamp: Specialty coffee roasters with a stamp of being ethically sourced and provided; Also serves pastries, sandwiches, and empanadas
Sump Coffee: A bit of award-winning local coffee genius.

Fancier

These spots might require you to plan ahead for a reservation, but trust me—it'll be well worth it.

Little Fox: Modern neighborhood dining located in Fox Park; Inspired by Brooklyn bistros and our travels, we serve sophisticated but approachable dishes and drinks rooted in the local area
Bowood: Located in an urban garden center in Central West End; offers breakfast,
lunch, and dinner in a unique, neighborhood setting.
iNDO: Located in Tower Grove; James Beard award semi-finalist
Vicia: The menu is driven by the best of what's available at the moment and sourced from relationships with farmers, fishermen, and artisans in the Midwest region and beyond
The Lucky Accomplice: A modern American restaurant & bar with a boisterous and convivial atmosphere; The food is rooted in fun yet elevated, locally-driven fare
Frisco: An American Corner tavern and gathering space located in a preserved historic corner building in Webster Groves; Serves Rustic American favorites from Michigan to the Midwest
Olive and Oak: A fun, lively, and approachable restaurant and bar
Russel's: Seasonal farm-to-table dinner with a super cute patio and amazing food

Bowl from Russell's on Macklind — Russel's

Mediterranean / Middle Eastern

There are more Mediterranean options here in St. Louis, but these are a few recent favorites.

Balkan Treat Box: Casual restaurant (& food truck!) specializing in Balkan staples such as pide, lahmacun, döner & ćevapi
J's Pitaria: Hand-made, from-scratch Mediterranean food and artisan Somun bread, baked fresh daily in our stone brick oven
Olio: Relaxed, yet elegant Middle-terranean eatery; The food is rustic, bold, and comforting, with a strong emphasis on vegetables

Mexican & Tacos

When it's time for Mexican food... it's time for Mexican food.

La Catrina: Mexican restaurant with a great patio
Taco Buddha: Globally inspired tacos served in a location with neighborhood vibes; Also has a heated, covered, dog-friendly patio
Sunny's Cantina: Mexican American dining in Dogtown
El Jarocho: Mexican Grocery and Taqueria
Dos Reyes: Mexican restaurant in South City

Tacos from Dos Reyes mexican restaurant in St Louis — Dos Reyes

Ice Cream

It's dangerous that a couple of these are within walking distance of my house...

Clementine's Creamery: An ice cream shop that serves unique small-batch ice cream flavors, including alcoholic and vegan options
Ted Drewes: A St. Louis frozen custard staple
Ices Plain & Fancy: Serves high-quality ice cream, flash-churned to order using liquid nitrogen

Ice cream from Clementine's in St Louis MO — Clementine's

Sandwiches

Sometimes, you don't want to make it yourself.

Mom's Deli: A family owned and operated business since 1977; Amazing Deli sandwiches known for their Mom's Special
Gioia's Deli: St. Louis' Sandwich staple known for their homemade hot salami
Blues City Deli: St. Louis’ Finest Po-Boy’s and Muffuletta’s
LeGrand's Market: LeGrand’s Market & Catering provides a great selection of USDA Prime & Choice meats at our Butcher Counter, quality sliced meats and sandwiches made with Boar’s Head Brand products; family owned & operated since 1987
Al-Tarboush Deli: Lebanese deli in St. Louis
Nomad STL: Sandwiches and tasty eats in the heart of Dogtown