What’s your favorite restaurant patio in metro St. Louis? —Suzanne M., St. Louis
There may be a hundred patios across the metro area worth lingering on, but few are as captivating as the one at Ben Poremba’s Esca in the Delmar Maker District. The restaurant takes its name from escalivada, a Catalan dish, but it could just as easily be short for ‘escape,’ as the entire restaurant is transportive. (We discuss its allure on Arch Eats‘ Sexiest Restaurants podcast episode.) While the dining room works in any season, the patio—with its fluttering, grape-leaf walls—captures late-summer magic like nowhere else.
We asked local restaurateurs to name a few of their fair-weather escapes.
Rachelle L’Ecuyer, Pierce Creek: My favorite patio is Sasha’s on DeMun. It’s the perfect place to meet a friend for a lovely glass of wine from their extensive and well-curated wine list. There’s always a delightful buzz of activity but you can still have a good conversation. Barrio (their sister restaurant) has the same ambience with more of a neighborhood feel and a shorter wine list.
Qui Tran, Mai Lee, Nudo House: “I don’t get out much these days, but Edera in the CWE definitely has one of the best patios in all of St Louis. It’s nestled back there, with multiple ways to get in and out, and just has so much character.”
Brant Baldanza, OG Hospitality Group: “Between rain and 150 F degrees outside, you have to take advantage of the only two nights of the year to enjoy some patio weather in the Lou, and my wife and I go to Café Napoli in Clayton. It’s the hottest corner in Clayton to run into friends, plus I get to see my mentor Tony [Pietoso] still running the floor or his sons, who are great friends as well… The only downside: It usually keeps me up past my regular bedtime of 9:30 p.m.”
Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s: “Russell’s in South City, Frisco Barroom in Webster, and Clementine’s in DeMun. I’m suggesting our own because it’s centrally located, has great views of DeMun, is close to the children’s park, and transports you to another place (i.e. France).”
Natasha Kwan, Frida’s, Diego’s Cantina, Station No. 3, Bonito Bar: “OMG, my two places are secrets, but I will share because it’s you, George! Rearn Thai in Clayton always has a breeze. Additionally, if it’s raining, one of their tables is covered by an awning. And the Hampton Inn in Clayton has gorgeous flowers and a fireplace when it’s chilly. Soft sofas and being pet-friendly are also a big win in my book.”
Natasha Bahrami, The Gin Room, Salve Osteria: “The Gin Room patio is a secret garden hidden off of the South Grand corridor. It’s a hidden gem surrounded by grape vines and ivy that makes every night a magical affair. Sasha’s on DeMun is great to see and be seen. 33 Wine Bar has a hidden gem wine garden in the back that few people know about. There’s great wine selection and private gorgeous patio away from the busy street. And Square One Brewery in Lafayette square has an enclosed patio with a fountain and feels like you are surrounded by calm, despite being in the middle of the city. Plus, great food!”
Joe Smugala, Carnivore, El Milagro Azteca, GastroPit-STL, Collina Eatery, Marconi Mercato: “My go-to is Milo’s to watch or play bocce and eat some great wings and drink a cold beer. But I’m also partial to El Milagro Azteca‘s large patio, with umbrellas for shade and a fireplace surrounded by casual lounge seating.”
Gerard Craft, Niche Food Group: I always love the patio at Peacemaker in Benton Park. It’s part nostalgia for me because it’s the original niche, but also Benton Park is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in STL and sitting on that patio surrounded by the beautiful homes creates such a good feeling.”
Frank Romano, The Parkmoor, Madrina: “You know I always love the patio at Robust. But my favorite is The Back Porch at Diamond Mineral Springs in Grant Fork, Illinois (near Highland). It’s probably the best patio (porch, technically) for a Sunday getaway dinner date. The drive is relaxing, and once you arrive and are seated, you are surrounded by woods, nature, and greenery. The menu is old-school: You can get baked chicken, filet and lobster, or country fried steak. Until just a few years ago, the menu said ‘cash or check only.’”
Members of SLM‘s dining team weighed in as well:
Collin Preciado: “I’ve got two little boys, so my patio dining habits often focus on what will keep them distracted and happy. Both of my kids love trains, so we tend to go to 4 Hands + Peacemaker in Kirkwood or Hwy 61 Roadhouse, so they can watch the trains go by. I’ll even check the train schedule ahead of time, so we can make sure we see one. We’ll also go to Rockwell Beer Garden when I want to drink a beer on a playground without it being weird.”
Amy De La Hunt: “Hands down, it’s McGurk’s patio in Soulard. It has been a family favorite since my kiddos were small and we lived within walking distance. To my surprise and delight, when my 12-year-old nephew visited from Portland, Oregon, in late July, McGurk’s was the one place he requested we go because he had such fond memories of toasted ravioli on the patio during his St. Louis visit last summer.”
Denise Mueller: “I may be biased, but I have to say the rooftop patio experience that Alan [Richman, owner of Sasha’s] created during the expansion of Sasha’s on DeMun is one of my favorite places in the city. Facing due west, stunning sunsets are a daily treat, and it brings the most amazing vibe after a workday or with friends on a weekend. If I’m out and about, my favorite ‘outdoor dining room’ experience in the city right now is Esca. The designer hit it out of the park, with the patio on the correct side of the building to be cool and shady on hot days, with elegant fans. The whole building takes me to another country. For beautiful garden-vibe patios, 33 Wine Bar, The Royale (bonus for the fire pits!), The Gin Room, and Bishop’s Post all get high marks. For Euro-centric people-watching, it’s Scarlett’s Wine Bar, Brasserie by Niche, Akar, and Bistro La Floraison.”
Lynn Venhaus: “I am a big fan of the patio at Golden Hoosier, known as ‘The Campground.’ It has a comfy retro vibe, like you are on a family vacation or weekend getaway—a nice way to celebrate the seasons. It’s heated and dog friendly, too. They carry out the theme with rustic touches, like a fire pit where ‘tree stumps’ are placed in a circle around it, similar to a campfire. Picnic tables are named after Missouri rivers and shielded from the sun under ‘Pastor Dale’s Shelter.’”‘ It’s a little oasis in South City, and it seats 75. Another spot that makes you feel a world away is Basso on the Plaza at Westport, an L-shaped space that seats 50. The courtyard view is very attractive, and as Westport schedules more outdoor events, it’s a great spot to enjoy music, an outstanding crafted cocktail, and exceptional food. And Stellar Hog. Their spacious outdoor area is like hanging in someone’s backyard. It’s such a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere, and there’s live music, a window to order from, and a bathroom to use, too, so you never have to go inside, unless you want to.”
Dave Lowry: “Toss-up. To sit up at Grafton at The Loading Dock on an autumn day right on the bank of the Mississippi where the Illinois flows in, tucking into catfish nuggets and fries, a frosty only an arm’s length away, while barges churn past, eagles soar overhead, and the scenery’s like something from a George Caleb Bingham painting is one of the most perfect dining experiences of our clime. Alternately, find any open table on the sidewalk in the Delmar Loop, and plop yourself down to food that’s almost certainly going to be good and take in the parade of humans, dystopian fashion design dreams, Kafka-esque vignettes, and assorted ephemera that beggar the imagination. Best dining entertainment in town.”
Holly Fann: “You will likely see me this weekend with my handsome boy, Buddy the Boston terrier, sipping Industry Sours on the lovely Planter’s House patio. Or maybe I’ll decompress with STL’s most delicious martini sidewalk-side at Little Fox while taking in the soft sounds of a neighborhood enjoying the last few evenings of summer. But while a fantastic restaurant patio is its own singular joy, this is the last weekend to indulge in another of my favorite alfresco activities: poolside (preferably rooftop) lounging with snacks while sipping summery cocktails garnished with peeled, squeezed, smacked and ignited aromatics. Le Meridien in Clayton is my first choice. The restaurant and bar serve consistently delicious seasonal menus, and the poolside happy hours are not to be missed. The dog-friendly hotel also offers yappy hours and regularly donates to local dog shelters and charities, which both Buddy and I appreciate. We are blessed with numerous hotel rooftop bars (not necessarily with pools) offering quality food and cocktail menus. Moonrise Hotel and Angad Arts Hotel’s ART Bar are fantastic, and in the CWE, on the roof of the Aloft St. Louis Cortex of all places, is WXYZ Bar, with one of the city’s loveliest views. Lastly, few things beat a sunset on the roof at Ramsay’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant at the Four Seasons.“
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