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Where to Eat in St. Louis

Categories Favorites, Lifestyle

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:

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. 🙂

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.

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
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
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
Dos Reyes

Ice Cream

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

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
Gioia's

Plant-Forward

When you're trying to get a bit more vegetable goodness in your life, try out some of these.

Lulu's