Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Note: Please see the following pages for a more comprehensive look at each neighborhood: Soulard | Benton Park | Lafayette Square
Wine Bar. It’s dim, comfy, relaxed, like a neighborhood pub—with a staggeringly expansive wine list and a selection of beer that isn’t much smaller. There are no full meals, but you’ll find high-end charcuterie boards that are well-matched to the wine. 1913 Park, 314-231-9463. $$
Mexican. Three generations of Arzolas have served Tex-Mex for 30 years, and now Eddie Arzola has relocated to a new site in Benton Park, with a comfy patio and expanded tequila menu. Signature fajitas are marinated for 72 hours, and two kinds of salsa (smoky-sweet red and spicy roasted verde) accompany chile-dusted tortilla chips. 2739 McNair, 314-226-9672. $$
Café. Located upstairs from its prior digs, it’s still a shrine for chocolate lovers. 1915 Park, 314-241-8100. $$
American. From octopus to togarashi-dusted fries, the menu is focused on unusual combinations of texture and tastes. Windows offer skyline views, and the building-length patio is among the most enjoyable in town. 1419 Carroll, 314-380-3086. $$$
Café. Booze smoothies start the day, and though sandwiches and soups are fine later, breakfast pizzas and burritos make this place special. 2901 Salena, 314-771-7200. $
American. This blues-loving joint is a destination for exceptional sandwiches, including a massive muffaletta. 2438 McNair, 314-773-8225. $
Barbecue. Tales of life-changing meals of brisket, smoked turkey, and baked beans are only slight exaggerations here. 1627 S. Ninth, 314- 621-3107. $$
American. Tasha Smith’s Southern-flecked cooking first landed raves as a side gig, then a teeny storefront, where her jalapeño-bacon jam drew more fans. Now, she’s partnered with Bluewood Brewing, and customers can enjoy the signature sliders (beef, turkey, salmon), but there are more sandwiches, sides, and salads. Don’t pass up the lemon cheesecake. 1821 Cherokee, 314-899-5959. $$
Café. Located in the former Soulard Gyro space, this cozy café is inspired by the South Florida corner bodegas known for their Cuban coffee, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and desserts, such as pastelitos. 2022 S. 12th, 314-405-8178. $$
Pizza. Vito La Fata’s pizzeria boasts a locally inspired ceiling mural and a gas-fired pizza oven that cranks out hand-tossed pies, Sicilian pizza, and panini. 1900 Arsenal, 314-343-0294. $$
American. There are no black birds on the menu. But if you’re looking for burgers, sandwiches, and mac n’ cheeses, along with cleverly named cocktails, this place is a prime choice in Soulard. 1931 S. 12th, 314-934-1400. $$
Café. The imaginative menu includes several Benedicts, hashes, breakfast tacos, and even sopes. There’s a full bar, too, if more than fresh orange and grapefruit juice is required. 2200 Gravois, 314-202-8244. $$
Italian. The Lafayette Square fave serves such inventive dishes as wild boar ravioli and braised rabbit. 1111 Mississippi, 314-241-999. $$$
Pizza. Located next door to iTap, Epic makes wood-fired pies in the heart of Soulard. 1711 S. Ninth, 314-436-3742. $
American. Already popular for its innovative food, Frazer’s should be better known for its outstanding cocktails. 1811 Pestalozzi, 314-773-8646. $$$
Coffee Shop. The former Soulard Coffee Garden is now home to Goshen Coffee, serving the third wave specialty coffee roaster’s unique blends and “flavors with feels,” along with limited breakfast fare: burritos, overnight oats, avocado or goat cheese toast, and more. Pastries include sour cream coffeecake with brown sugar cinnamon swirl. 910 Geyer, 618-650-9086. $
Steakhouse. The edible bacon candle’s a hint: This is a different kind of steakhouse—and the bourbon list is impressive. 2101 Chouteau, 314-241-2333. $$$
Café. You can actually have a cow here—the restaurant sells its own beef. Breakfast and lunch are also worthwhile, and the rustic setting, with a fireplace and patio, is charming. 2742 Lafayette, 314-261-0305. $
Bar & Grill. It’s boisterously happy—and not just because of that beer menu that’s longer than a Stephen King novel. It’s suitably pub-ish, with old brick and dark wood. See website for details. $$
Central American. Chicharrones are the draw at the Lafayette Square restaurant, but other Latin American specialties are similarly alluring. 2001 Park, 314-696-2699. $$
Bar & Grill. Chunky Guinness stew. Live maudlin music. Corned beef and cabbage. Yeah, it’s Irish and a pub. What distinguishes the Soulard spot is a huge outdoor garden and traditional Irish music. 1200 Russell, 314-776-8309. $$
Mexican. The specialties are house-made corn tortillas and authentic Mexican street food reminiscent of the offerings in San Francisco’s Mission District. Carne asada fries and brisket birria are also notable. And Mission Taco is a great spot for a handcrafted cocktail. See website for details. $
Cajun/Creole. There’s a sprawling patio at this Soulard staple. For Sunday brunch, consider the decadent bread pudding French toast. And for dinner? Try a great gumbo with braised chicken and house-made cornbread. 816 Geyer, 314-241-6200. $$$
American. From Gin Joint to iconic diner staples, veteran restaurateur Nadine Soaib is serving made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch items after renovating beloved neighborhood joint Billie’s Fine Food Diner. Breakfast is served all day, with a Truck Stop Breakfast Sandwich and Southside Slinger among the options. 1802 S. Broadway, 314-802-8021. $$
The Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Company
Seafood. A lobster shack fell in love with a crab house and produced this rustic local favorite. Crab boils, lobster, mussels, clams—it’s a taste of the coast transplanted into a historic Midwestern space. 1831 Sidney, 314-772-8858. $$
Pizza. No meat is served at this Soulard pizzeria dishing up wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pies, but the vegan sausage is a savory treat that even non-vegetarians will love. 1928 S. 12th, 314-449-1111. $$
American. The drink menu is stunningly extravagant, but don’t overlook the food, from nibbles to full meals. 1000 Mississippi, 314-696-2603. $$
American. At this wonderful little brick-wall joint that’s heavy on the folksy, you’ll feel compelled to come in for a cocktail and stay for bistro steak or confit chicken wings. 1923 Park, 314-325-2553. $$$
American. The Champagne list is encyclopedic; there are also cocktails and mixed drinks with an effervescent theme. 1915 Park, 314-241-8100. $$$
Pizza. Many of the ingredients are local and you can supervise your own pizza construction. Calzones, hot sandwiches, and salads won’t disappoint. And the beer selection is endless. 2017 Chouteau, 314-241-7799. $$. PW Pizza is temporarily closed due to a fire.
American. Legions of local fans consistently rate James Beard Award–winning chef/owner Kevin Nashan’s Benton Park mainstay among St. Louis’ finest. 2000 Sidney, 314-771-5777. $$$$
Square One Brewery and Distillery
Bar & Grill. Flights of spirits are distilled in-house, and craft beers are brewed on site. For pub staples like pot roast sandwiches and fish and (homemade) chips, the first distillery brewpub in Missouri is a solid choice. 1727 Park, 314-231-2537. $$
American. SqWires, housed in a converted wire factory, boasts a fireplace, live music, a menu bouncing from bacon-wrapped dates to chicken pot pie, and the world’s most extensive bloody mary bar during a deluxe brunch. 1415 S. 18th, 314-865-3522. $$$
Wine Bar/American. It’s really dedicated to the art of ‘sippin,’ featuring a menu of organic wines with minimal preservatives and distinctive flavors. Add some draft beers, cocktails, and a piano, and you’ve got the fixin’s for an entertaining evening. 2926 Cherokee. $$
Gastropub. The restaurant’s comfort food is mostly plant-based, with some fish and poultry, so it’s a flexitarian adventure. Vegan potato skins, flatbreads, barramundi sandwich, house-made burgers and burnt ends, with made-to-order potato chips, dairy-free soft-serve, and fresh juice cocktails are served in a converted 1937 filling station with a dog-friendly patio. 1956 Utah, 314-925-8883. $
Steakhouse. Portions way past “generous” are standard at this longtime favorite steakhouse. The ribeyes, buttery prime rib, and suitcase-size baked potatoes are legendary. It’s renowned for low prices on protein. See website for details. $$
Italian. Dawn Wilson’s little bit of everything shop includes freshly made pasta and sauces, a weekend dine-in and takeout menu, event space, off-site catering, and cooking classes, as well as gourmet foods, kitchenware, and even European-inspired antiques. 1916 Park, 314-827-6150. $$
Wine Bar. Sharing a building with Hamilton’s Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar, the latest endeavor from Paul and Wendy Hamilton has a retro aviation feel that’s reminiscent of the airport lounges of yesteryear, including comfy leather chairs, tables cobbled from old suitcases, and clocks showing different wine time zones, instead of cities. The food offerings consist of two dozen small to medium wine-friendly dishes, many of them sharable. The wine menu includes seven flights, bottles, and wines by the glass, with 80 choices in all. 2101 Chouteau, 314-242-9463. $$
South American. Traditional feijoada is gloriously indulgent. Other offerings, such as shrimp empanadas, offer a taste of Brazil. The ambience is low-key Carnival. 2900 Missouri, 314-771-7457. $$
