Guidebook for St. Louis | The food, the neighborhoods, guest favorites

Jim
Guidebook for St. Louis | The food, the neighborhoods, guest favorites

Food Scene

These are some of my local favorites and recommendations I've received from prior guests, but do ask around while you're here. St. Louis is full of great places to eat and things to see and do.
Great Bosnian fusion food and it's right on the corner. Note: this place has opened up as a Karen's Diner. Be sure you read up on this experience before deciding if it's for you.
Lemmons
5800 Gravois Ave
Great Bosnian fusion food and it's right on the corner. Note: this place has opened up as a Karen's Diner. Be sure you read up on this experience before deciding if it's for you.
German cuisine in the amazing Bevo Mill, the neighborhood's namesake. There's a beer garden and live music. If the windmill is going, they're open.
7 locals recommend
Das Bevo
4749 Gravois Ave
7 locals recommend
German cuisine in the amazing Bevo Mill, the neighborhood's namesake. There's a beer garden and live music. If the windmill is going, they're open.
Excellent BBQ nearby.
8 locals recommend
Smoking Barrels BBQ
5641 S Kingshighway Blvd
8 locals recommend
Excellent BBQ nearby.
Great breakfast spot. The building is kitschy-cool and the price is right.
25 locals recommend
Uncle Bill's Pancakes
3427 S Kingshighway Blvd
25 locals recommend
Great breakfast spot. The building is kitschy-cool and the price is right.
Excellent food and a great atmosphere. The bakery items are as worthy of your time as the food! Be sure to take something sweet to go.
48 locals recommend
Russell's on Macklind
5400 Murdoch Ave
48 locals recommend
Excellent food and a great atmosphere. The bakery items are as worthy of your time as the food! Be sure to take something sweet to go.
Great pizza and Italian food.
17 locals recommend
Onesto Pizza & Trattoria
5401 Finkman St
17 locals recommend
Great pizza and Italian food.
Amazing Italian food on the hill, which is home to many great restaurant choices. Closed on Sundays.
28 locals recommend
Cunetto House of Pasta
5453 Magnolia Ave
28 locals recommend
Amazing Italian food on the hill, which is home to many great restaurant choices. Closed on Sundays.
Small restaurant, good burgers.
The Haven
6625 Morgan Ford Rd
Small restaurant, good burgers.
This place makes its own root beer and this location actually has the bottling assembly line set up and on display. If you go during the day you can see it in action.
48 locals recommend
Fitz's
6605 Delmar Blvd
48 locals recommend
This place makes its own root beer and this location actually has the bottling assembly line set up and on display. If you go during the day you can see it in action.
Great coffee.
55 locals recommend
Sump Coffee
3700 S Jefferson Ave
55 locals recommend
Great coffee.
Cute place on Cherokee Street, home to several vintage and antique shops.
114 locals recommend
The Mud House
2101 Cherokee St
114 locals recommend
Cute place on Cherokee Street, home to several vintage and antique shops.
Great food, tasty cocktails and a back patio. It's considered by some to be South City's living room.
50 locals recommend
The Royale Food & Spirits
3132 South Kingshighway Boulevard
50 locals recommend
Great food, tasty cocktails and a back patio. It's considered by some to be South City's living room.
Excellent tacos, and you really should check out historic Soulard.
73 locals recommend
Mission Taco Joint - Historic Soulard
908 Lafayette Ave
73 locals recommend
Excellent tacos, and you really should check out historic Soulard.
The empanadas are amazing, and it's in one of the best historic neighborhoods in St. Louis. Grab lunch and take yourself on a walking tour of Lafayette Square!
9 locals recommend
Mayo Ketchup
2001 Park Ave
9 locals recommend
The empanadas are amazing, and it's in one of the best historic neighborhoods in St. Louis. Grab lunch and take yourself on a walking tour of Lafayette Square!
Some of the best ice cream in St. Louis with flavors you have to try. My place is closer to the Macklind location, but they also have a shop in Lafayette Square if you visit that neighborhood on your trip.
54 locals recommend
Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery
1637 S 18th St
54 locals recommend
Some of the best ice cream in St. Louis with flavors you have to try. My place is closer to the Macklind location, but they also have a shop in Lafayette Square if you visit that neighborhood on your trip.
Excellent BBQ place nearby.
95 locals recommend
Salt + Smoke
6525 Delmar Blvd
95 locals recommend
Excellent BBQ place nearby.
Great outdoor seating. Mediterranean.
8 locals recommend
Cafe Nova
5611 S Kingshighway Blvd
8 locals recommend
Great outdoor seating. Mediterranean.
Excellent coffee, lots of gooey butter cake flavors (try one!). There are several locations throughout St. Louis, you won't be disappointed.
38 locals recommend
Park Avenue Coffee
1919 Park Ave
38 locals recommend
Excellent coffee, lots of gooey butter cake flavors (try one!). There are several locations throughout St. Louis, you won't be disappointed.
Great atmosphere for coffee nearby on South Kingshighway.
Pipers Tea & Coffee
3701 South Kingshighway Boulevard
Great atmosphere for coffee nearby on South Kingshighway.
If you're checking out South Grand, this place is great.
24 locals recommend
Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant
3210 S Grand Blvd
24 locals recommend
If you're checking out South Grand, this place is great.
Some of the best Thai food in the city.
39 locals recommend
King and I Restaurant
8039 S Grand Blvd
39 locals recommend
Some of the best Thai food in the city.
Good Mexican food with great patio dining.
8 locals recommend
La Catrina
5220 Hampton Ave
8 locals recommend
Good Mexican food with great patio dining.
Food emporium. "16 kitchens and 6 shops" It's worth checking out.
38 locals recommend
City Foundry STL
3730 Foundry Way
38 locals recommend
Food emporium. "16 kitchens and 6 shops" It's worth checking out.
Neighborhood spot. Great outdoor seating on a nice night.
7 locals recommend
Pizzeria Tivoli
5861 S Kingshighway Blvd
7 locals recommend
Neighborhood spot. Great outdoor seating on a nice night.
Amazing space--the dining room is in an old wire factory!
24 locals recommend
SqWires Restaurant & Annex
1415 S 18th St
24 locals recommend
Amazing space--the dining room is in an old wire factory!
It's a local favorite and for good reason. Don't be put off if there's a line, it moves quickly and it's worth it.
139 locals recommend
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
4224 S Grand Blvd
139 locals recommend
It's a local favorite and for good reason. Don't be put off if there's a line, it moves quickly and it's worth it.
Vegan and delicious.
44 locals recommend
SweetArt
2203 S 39th St
44 locals recommend
Vegan and delicious.
Excellent food in Benton Park.
90 locals recommend
Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge
1811 Pestalozzi Street
90 locals recommend
Excellent food in Benton Park.
Great atmosphere and a great choice for dinner in Lafayette Square.
30 locals recommend
Polite Society Restaurant and Bar
1923 Park Ave
30 locals recommend
Great atmosphere and a great choice for dinner in Lafayette Square.
Great breakfast and lunch spot very close by.
hatch'd STL
Great breakfast and lunch spot very close by.
Another good breakfast / brunch spot. This one is downtown in the historic Garment District/Loft District. The restaurant itself is in an old hat factory.
Rooster
Another good breakfast / brunch spot. This one is downtown in the historic Garment District/Loft District. The restaurant itself is in an old hat factory.
Some of the closest-to-real-NYC-style pizza I've had in St. Louis. The pies are huge, but on point.
33 locals recommend
Pizza Head
3196 S Grand Blvd
33 locals recommend
Some of the closest-to-real-NYC-style pizza I've had in St. Louis. The pies are huge, but on point.
Excellent food, you won't be disappointed.
12 locals recommend
Guido's Pizzeria & Tapas
5046 Shaw Ave
12 locals recommend
Excellent food, you won't be disappointed.
A favorite of the locals. There will be a wait, but they'll pour your coffee while you have a seat until your table is ready.
41 locals recommend
Southwest Diner
6803 Southwest Ave
41 locals recommend
A favorite of the locals. There will be a wait, but they'll pour your coffee while you have a seat until your table is ready.
My go-to for Indian food in South City.
9 locals recommend
Himalayan Yeti
3515 S Kingshighway Blvd
9 locals recommend
My go-to for Indian food in South City.
Great deep dish in the Central West End neighborhood.
32 locals recommend
Pi Pizzeria - Central West End
400 N Euclid Ave
32 locals recommend
Great deep dish in the Central West End neighborhood.
Charming coffee spot in the historic Soulard neighborhood.
7 locals recommend
Protagonist Cafe
1700 S 9th St
7 locals recommend
Charming coffee spot in the historic Soulard neighborhood.
Excellent BBQ in historic Soulard.
72 locals recommend
Bogart's Smokehouse
1627 S 9th St
72 locals recommend
Excellent BBQ in historic Soulard.

Drinks & Nightlife

These are a few of my favorites. This is a huge beer town, so make sure you explore the local brews while you're here.
Bar and grill on the next block.
Pepper's Bar & Grill
5452 Gravois Ave
Bar and grill on the next block.
Great food and live music. Grab dinner and explore the Delmar Loop neighborhood.
73 locals recommend
Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar Blvd
73 locals recommend
Great food and live music. Grab dinner and explore the Delmar Loop neighborhood.
Funky place full of mosaics in Benton Park.
86 locals recommend
Venice Café
1903 Pestalozzi St
86 locals recommend
Funky place full of mosaics in Benton Park.
Wine bar nearby.
7 locals recommend
Novella Wine Bar
5510 S Kingshighway Blvd
7 locals recommend
Wine bar nearby.
Wine bar in the Shaw neighborhood.
66 locals recommend
Sasha's on Shaw
4069 Shaw Blvd
66 locals recommend
Wine bar in the Shaw neighborhood.
Tasty beers and one of the best patios in the city.
46 locals recommend
Square One Brewery & Distillery
1727 Park Ave
46 locals recommend
Tasty beers and one of the best patios in the city.
Great food, craft cocktails, and an amazing patio space in Lafayette Square neighborhood.
35 locals recommend
Planter's House
1000 Mississippi Ave
35 locals recommend
Great food, craft cocktails, and an amazing patio space in Lafayette Square neighborhood.
It's a venue. It's the largest bar in the city. It's an historic building.
Armory STL
It's a venue. It's the largest bar in the city. It's an historic building.

Arts & Culture

There's so much to see and do here. Be sure to pick up a local visitor's guide to see what's happening while you're in town.
Amazing church full of mosaics.
101 locals recommend
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
4431 Lindell Blvd
101 locals recommend
Amazing church full of mosaics.
It's a world-class fine arts museum and it's free.
431 locals recommend
Saint Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Dr
431 locals recommend
It's a world-class fine arts museum and it's free.
Unique museum for kids of any age. Head here after brunch at Rooster or any of the other great places on Washington Avenue.
639 locals recommend
City Museum
750 N 16th St
639 locals recommend
Unique museum for kids of any age. Head here after brunch at Rooster or any of the other great places on Washington Avenue.
Interactive science museum with planetarium.
183 locals recommend
Saint Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Ave
183 locals recommend
Interactive science museum with planetarium.
Another of Forest Park's free museums.
195 locals recommend
Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd
195 locals recommend
Another of Forest Park's free museums.
You're probably not planning a weekend at the library, however...if you're an architecture buff and find yourself downtown, this is one of the most beautiful public libraries in the country.
23 locals recommend
St Louis Public Library
1301 Olive St
23 locals recommend
You're probably not planning a weekend at the library, however...if you're an architecture buff and find yourself downtown, this is one of the most beautiful public libraries in the country.
Grand old theatre from the golden age of movie palaces. See what's going on and take in a show!
173 locals recommend
The Fabulous fox
527 N Grand Blvd
173 locals recommend
Grand old theatre from the golden age of movie palaces. See what's going on and take in a show!
Home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
45 locals recommend
Powell Hall
718 N Grand Blvd
45 locals recommend
Home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Also in Forest park.
40 locals recommend
Municipal Theatre Association
1 Theatre Dr
40 locals recommend
America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Also in Forest park.

Shopping

This is a great neighborhood next to Forest Park that's loaded with shops and restaurants. It's also a great place to take a stroll checking out the huge homes which line this neighborhood's streets.
160 locals recommend
Central West End
160 locals recommend
This is a great neighborhood next to Forest Park that's loaded with shops and restaurants. It's also a great place to take a stroll checking out the huge homes which line this neighborhood's streets.
Funky shops and lots of restaurants.
142 locals recommend
Delmar Loop
142 locals recommend
Funky shops and lots of restaurants.
Tons to see for treasure hunters.
51 locals recommend
Cherokee Antique Row
1900-2300 Cherokee St
51 locals recommend
Tons to see for treasure hunters.
Food vendors and plenty else to see in Tower Grove Park.
22 locals recommend
The Tower Grove Farmers' Market
Center Cross Drive
22 locals recommend
Food vendors and plenty else to see in Tower Grove Park.

Sightseeing

The iconic Gateway Arch and museum.
37 locals recommend
Gateway Arch National Park
20 N 4th St
37 locals recommend
The iconic Gateway Arch and museum.
This gorgeous train station was once one of the busiest in the country. Now it's home to a number of restaurants and attractions.
86 locals recommend
Union Station
86 locals recommend
This gorgeous train station was once one of the busiest in the country. Now it's home to a number of restaurants and attractions.
Did you know St. Louis is right across the river from a UNESCO world heritage site? History buffs take note!
59 locals recommend
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
59 locals recommend
Did you know St. Louis is right across the river from a UNESCO world heritage site? History buffs take note!
Great spot downtown.
77 locals recommend
Citygarden Sculpture Park
801 Market St
77 locals recommend
Great spot downtown.
Aquarium at Union Station.
142 locals recommend
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
201 S 18th St
142 locals recommend
Aquarium at Union Station.
One of the most gorgeous locations to grab a drink or just take in the building.
Grand Hall at Union Station
One of the most gorgeous locations to grab a drink or just take in the building.

Essentials

Pharmacy.
103 locals recommend
Walgreens
1530 Lafayette Ave
103 locals recommend
Pharmacy.
Groceries nearby.
6 locals recommend
Schnucks Gravois
7450 Hampton Ave
6 locals recommend
Groceries nearby.
Groceries.
ALDI
Groceries.

Parks & Nature

It's at the end of the block.
Christy Park
It's at the end of the block.
Loaded with activities and sights, including the St. Louis Art Museum (free), Missouri History Museum (free), and St. Louis Zoo (free).
517 locals recommend
Forest Park
5595 Grand Dr
517 locals recommend
Loaded with activities and sights, including the St. Louis Art Museum (free), Missouri History Museum (free), and St. Louis Zoo (free).
Art Deco greenhouse in Forest Park.
22 locals recommend
The Jewel Box
22 locals recommend
Art Deco greenhouse in Forest Park.
Tucked into the beautiful Shaw neighborhood on the north side of Tower Grove Park.
432 locals recommend
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd
432 locals recommend
Tucked into the beautiful Shaw neighborhood on the north side of Tower Grove Park.
Huge park not too far away with a number of activities (tennis, fishing, etc.)
30 locals recommend
Carondelet Park
3900 Holly Hills Blvd
30 locals recommend
Huge park not too far away with a number of activities (tennis, fishing, etc.)