St. Louis Restaurants

Boathouse Forest Park

6101 Government Drive, St Louis, Missouri 63110

Mentions

This iconic gathering place for lunch, dinner, and brunch overlooks Forest Park’s Post-Dispatch Lake. Kids can feed the fish and ducks, and the sprawling patio is pet-friendly.

$, $$, American, Best Restaurants, Central West End, Changing Station, Coloring Books, High Chairs/Boosters, Kid Friendly, Kids' Menu, Outdoor Seating, Reservable Room

Winslow's Home

7213 Delmar Boulevard, St Louis, Missouri 63130

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Winslow’s Home offers locally sourced food and home goods. Much of the menu features organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs grown on Winslow’s Farm.

$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, American, Best Restaurants, Kid Friendly, Outdoor Seating, The Loop

Schneithorst's

1600 S. Lindbergh, St Louis, Missouri

Mentions

American

Duke's BBQ

100 Ash Street, Wentzville, Missouri

Mentions

$$, Barbecue

Scape

48 Maryland Plaza, St Louis, Missouri 63108

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Among the reasons to visit: candlelight, starched linens, a tucked-away courtyard patio, impeccable service, great drinks, and seasonal cuisine, including English pea risotto and wild-caught striped bass.

$$$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Central West End, New American

Farotto's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

9525 Manchester Road, St Louis, Missouri 63119

St. Louis–style pizza is served alongside fish, chicken, and pasta, but the real secret here is a spectacular meatball sandwich. (Get it on the garlic cheese bread.)

$$, Best Restaurants, Dining Guide 2015, Italian, Pizza, Reservations Accepted

Fitz's American Grill & Bottling Works

6605 Delmar Boulevard, St Louis, Missouri 63130

Known for its root beer and bottling line, Fitz’s offers a full menu of classic American food.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Dining Guide 2015, The Loop

Jilly's Cupcake Bar

8509 Delmar Boulevard, Ladue, Missouri 63124

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Yes, Jilly’s has some of the best gourmet cupcakes around. But the menu also offers cake, ice cream, and a full lunch menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches.

$, American, Bakery, Best Restaurants, Cafe/Coffee Shop, Dining Guide 2015, Metro East, University City

Kingside Diner

4651 Maryland Ave., St Louis, Missouri 63108

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Looking for a restaurant with a great short stack? Check. How about a kale salad? Check. Whatever your order, ask for a seat on the upstairs patio. The view from this chess-themed throwback is fit for king, queen, or bishop.

$, $$, American, Best Restaurants, Central West End, Dining Guide 2015

The Original Pancake House

17000 Chesterfield Airport Road, Chesterfield, Missouri 63005

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Even weekday mornings are packed. The reason: fluffy flapjacks, golden clouds of hash browns, sunrises of eggs. It’s a whole morning of happiness on a plate.

$, $$, American, Best Restaurants, Birthday Dessert, Changing Station, Chesterfield, Dining Guide 2015, Far West County, Games, High Chairs/Boosters, Kids' Menu, Ladue, Reservable Room

Pastaria

7734 Forsyth, Clayton, Missouri 63105

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

A wide selection of house-made organic pastas account for the bulk of the menu at this family-focused Italian dining hall. Wood-fired pizzas and veggie-centric apps make up the rest.

$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Best Restaurants, Birthday Dessert, Clayton, Coloring Books, Desserts/Pastries, Games, High Chairs/Boosters, Italian, Kids' Menu, Pizza, Reservable Room, Retail

Rock & Brews

17258 Chesterfield Airport Road, St Louis, Missouri 63005

The local outpost of KISS rockers Gene Simmons’ and Paul Stanley’s 300-seat comfort food and craft beer emporium conjures a family-friendly music event, with concert lighting and rock music videos.

$$, Best Restaurants, Birthday Dessert, Birthday Singing, Changing Station, Chesterfield, Coloring Books, Far West County, Games, High Chairs/Boosters, Kids' Menu, Reservable Room

The Slider House

9528 Manchester Rd., St Louis, Missouri 63119

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Though the classic burgers are fine, there are also surprises in such creative variations as a Nashville fried chicken slider and the Texican.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Burgers, Rock Hill

Milque Toast Bar

2312 South Jefferson, St Louis, Missouri 63104

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Breads, stews, topped toasts, and open-faced sandwiches pair nicely with several local dairy and flavored grain milks. MTB is teeny-tiny, but there’s a charming patio in the back.

$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Best Restaurants, Games, High Chairs/Boosters, South City

Milque Toast Bar

2312 South Jefferson, St Louis, Missouri 63104

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

The 15-seat café features inventive toasts, melts, bread puddings, daily soups, weekend specials, and flavored nut milks.

$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Best Restaurants, South City

McArthur's Bakery Café

158 Long Road, St Louis, Missouri 63005

Besides serving up renowned muffins, cookies, and cakes, the new-and-improved Kirkwood location offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and half-and-half options in a café setting.

Bakery, Cafe/Coffee Shop, Changing Station, Chesterfield, Desserts/Pastries, Games, High Chairs/Boosters, Kids' Menu, Kirkwood, Reservable Room, Retail, South City

Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria

9568 Manchester Rd., St Louis, Missouri 63119

With modern interiors, sprawling patios, and fresh ingredients, both Katie’s locations are invariably hip—and family-friendly. The kid’s menu includes 7-inch pizzas and generous portions of pasta.

$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Best Restaurants, Birthday Dessert, Changing Station, Far West County, High Chairs/Boosters, Italian, Kids' Menu, Pizza, Rock Hill, Town and Country

Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria

9568 Manchester Rd., St Louis, Missouri 63119

Mentions

The kitchen’s obsessed with assembling pizzas topped with fresh ingredients like figs and dandelion greens.

$$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, Best Restaurants, Far West County, Italian, Pizza, Rock Hill, Town and Country

Hodak's Restaurant

2100 Gravois Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63104

Winner, winner: Hodak’s is required eating for anyone who enjoys a fried chicken dinner.

$$, American Southern, Best Restaurants, South City

Hodak's Restaurant

2100 Gravois Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63104

This chicken lover’s paradise provides a kid-friendly dining atmosphere and expands kids’ horizons beyond whatever part of the chicken a “nugget” might be. Hot dogs, burgers, and grilled cheese can also be found on the kids’ menu.

$, $$, American Southern, Best Restaurants, Birthday Dessert, Birthday Singing, Changing Station, Coloring Books, Games, High Chairs/Boosters, Kids' Menu, South City

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

7434 Manchester Rd, St Louis, Missouri 63143

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

This popular chicken house from Memphis offers spicing that varies a little from day to day, as well as country-style sides.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Maplewood

The Fountain On Locust

3037 Locust, St Louis, Missouri 63103

Mentions

With a four-wall mural, eccentricities such as the World’s Smallest Hot Fudge Sundae, and award-winning bathrooms, this is a must for the young and young at heart.

$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, American, Best Restaurants, Midtown

Five Star Burgers

8125 Maryland Ave, St Louis, Missouri 63105

Former Harvest owner Steve Gontram’s family-friendly burger outpost whips up meat-eating perfection with creative toppings, alongside a stellar selection of craft beer and wine.

$, $$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, American, Best Restaurants, Clayton, Creve Coeur, Dining Guide 2015, Far West County

El Burro Loco

313 N. Euclid Ave., St Louis, Missouri 63108

Hark back to the days when such places as Chi-Chi’s and Casa Gallardo introduced Mexican food to the mass market, with fajitas, chimichangas, and other then-exotic menu offerings.

$$, Best Restaurants, Central West End, Dining Guide 2015, Mexican

Dewey's Pizza

124 North Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

This gourmet pizza chain serves inventive specialty pizzas, as well as seasonal offerings. Rotating craft beers are on tap, and the wine list includes Dewey’s own line from Novy Family Wines.

$, $$, Best Restaurants, Far West County, Kirkwood, Metro East, Pizza, University City, Webster Groves

Crushed Red

8007 Maryland Ave., Clayton, Missouri 63105

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Individual pizzas are built to order, along with tasty chopped salads. The atmosphere is informal, happy, and convivial; the ingredients are flawless and delicious.

$, Best Restaurants, Chesterfield, Dining Guide 2015, Far West County, Metro East, Pizza

Crushed Red

8007 Maryland Ave., Clayton, Missouri 63105

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Perhaps the notion of a fresh-chopped salad isn’t your child’s idea of nirvana, but the $5 cheese pizza will be. The kids will also cheer ordering at the counter and having the pizza served within minutes.

$, Changing Station, Chesterfield, Dining Guide 2015, Far West County, High Chairs/Boosters, Kids' Menu, Metro East, Outdoor Seating, Pizza

Crown Candy Kitchen

1401 Saint Louis Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63106

Mentions

PHOTO BY ASHLEY GIESEKING

A corner shop to take you back to the good old days, Crown Candy is a St. Louis treasure, known for its chocolate candy, classic sandwiches, and serves-two milkshakes and malts. Don’t leave without buying some molasses puffs or heavenly hash.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Dining Guide 2015, High Chairs/Boosters, Kid Friendly, North City, Reservations Accepted

Colleen's Cookies

7337 Forsyth Blvd, St Louis, Missouri 63105

Kids of all ages will love the plethora of creative cookies and sweets—and now savory tarts, scones, and soups—in the “spot under the dot.”

$, American, Best Restaurants, Birthday Dessert, Birthday Singing, Changing Station, Dining Guide 2015, High Chairs/Boosters, University City

Carl's Drive-In

9033 Manchester Road, St Louis, Missouri 63144

Mentions

Nothing screams hamburger stand louder than Carl’s, and no kid can refuse a flat-grilled cheeseburger and a homemade root beer in a frozen mug. Finish with a Ronnie’s Rocky Mountain, an XL version of the Drumstick.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Brentwood, Dining Guide 2015

Cafe Manhattan

505 South Hanley Road, Clayton, Missouri

Kids of all ages will love the ’50s diner memorabilia. If it’s classic you want, order a burger with fries and a milkshake. Or go St. Louis classic with a thin-crust pizza and toasted ravs. There’s penny candy, too.

$, $$, American, Coloring Books, High Chairs/Boosters, Kids' Menu

Blueberry Hill

6504 Delmar Boulevard, St Louis, Missouri 63130

96509-100GREATESTMUSICIANSLAUNCHPARTYbyPeterWochniak-8257.jpg

Photograph by Peter Wochniak

This Loop landmark is known for its pop culture memorabilia and darts tournaments. But it’s also a destination for hearty bar food, all-day breakfast, and a late-night menu. Live music is featured in the downstairs Duck Room.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Dining Guide 2015, Outdoor Seating, The Loop

Baileys' Range

920 Olive St., St Louis, Missouri 63101

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

If beef patties aren’t sufficient for your fix at the city’s most extravagant burger bar, consider alternatives like bison, pork, or lamb.

$, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, American, Best Restaurants, Dining Guide 2015, Downtown, Outdoor Seating

Hendel's

599 Saint Denis Street, Florissant, Missouri 63031

Mentions

This family-owned restaurant is housed in a historic brick building with a covered porch and ivy-draped brick courtyard.

$$, American, Best Restaurants, North County

Crispy Edge

4168 Juniata, St Louis, Missouri 63116

Mentions

$$, Asian

Turn

3224 Locust, St Louis, Missouri 63103

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

Among the best breakfast places around, Turn serves such surprises as corncake arepas with chorizo and eggs. The “biscuit flight” with housemade jams is also phenomenal. The airy, comfortable place features groovy record album décor.

$$, American, Best Restaurants, Grand Center, Midtown

Cantina Laredo

7710 Forsyth, Clayton, Missouri 631015

Mentions

Spacious, sleek, and relatively quiet, Cantina Laredo's metro-area outpost feels quite at home in Clayton. Grab a seat by the outdoor fireplace and start with a handmade marg and some tableside guac. Warning: The chips & salsa are highly addictive.

$$, Best Restaurants, Clayton, Dining Guide 2015, Mexican

India Palace

12322 Dorsett, Bridgeton, Missouri 63043

The menu offers some of the best Indian cuisine around. The lamb vindaloo and chicken tikka masala are outstanding.

$$, Best Restaurants, Indian, North County, Reservations Accepted

The Pasta House Co.

8213 Delmar Boulevard, St Louis, Missouri 63124

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

For four decades, this St. Louis pasta chain has been a go-to for favorite Italian dishes, such as pasta con broccoli, fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant Parmigiana, and toasted ravioli.

$$, Ballwin, Best Restaurants, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, Far West County, Italian, Kid Friendly, Metro East, North County, Outdoor Seating, St. Peters, University City

Del Pietro's

1059 S. Big Bend, St Louis, Missouri

Mentions

Reprising his parents’ iconic restaurant, which closed in 2011, chef Michael Del Pietro recreates such favorites as Spaghetti alla Angela

$$$, Best Restaurants, Italian, Richmond Heights

Fork & Stix

549 Rosedale, St Louis, Missouri 63112

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

This small side-street eatery serves up authentic northern Thai cuisine, specifically from the Cheng Mai region.

$, Best Restaurants, Dining Guide 2015, Thai, The Loop

Billie-Jean

7610 Wydown, St Louis, Missouri 63105

Mentions

Photo by Alise O'Brien

The culinary focus is American and Asian; the black walls and white accents conjure a 1940s New York supper club.

$$$, American, Asian, Best Restaurants, Clayton

Westport Social

910 Westport Plaza Dr., St Louis, Missouri 63146

Mentions

Photo by Kevin A. Roberts

The sprawling space houses live music, shuffleboard, foosball, giant kickball-pool, hoops, darts, ping-pong, giant TVs, sleek lounges, a full kitchen, and an even fuller bar. It’s an entertainment gathering spot for fun, long lunches.

$$, American, Best Restaurants, Burgers, Dinner, Far West County, Lunch, Maryland Heights, Outdoor Seating

Nudo House

11423 Olive, St Louis, Missouri 63141

Mentions

At Qui Tran’s long-awaited restaurant, you’ll find a happy fusion of the noodle dish’s classic version mixed with innovative riffs.

$$, Best Restaurants, Creve Coeur, Japanese

Wicked Greenz - Clayton

16 N. Central, St Louis, Missouri 63105

Mentions

A fast casual concept from fine dining chef Justin Haifley (formerly of The Tavern and Cucina Pazzo) features healthy grab-and-go meals, soups, and 13 inspired salads.

$, American, Best Restaurants, Clayton

L'Acadiane

1915 Park Avenue, St Louis, Missouri 63104

Mentions

Dave Bailey moved his storied Chocolate Bar to the second floor so guests could enjoy Cajun/ Creole fare downstairs at L’Acadiane before moseying upstairs for Chocolate Inebriation cake.

$$, Best Restaurants, Cajun & Creole, Lafayette Square, South City

Egg

2200 Gravois, St Louis, Missouri

Mentions

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.

$$, American, Benton Park, Best Restaurants, South City

Walnut Grill

386 Clarkson Clayton Center, St Louis, Missouri 63011

The first Missouri expansion of a mini-chain that began in Pittsburgh, this upscale-casual spot surprises with such unusual fusions as Thai pork mac and cheese.

$$$, American, Best New Restaurants 2015, Best Restaurants, Ellisville, Far West County

Tucker's Place

2117 South 12th Street, St Louis, Missouri 63105

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 justly renowned for amazingly low prices on protein.

$$, American, Best Restaurants, Far West County, Soulard, South County, Steakhouse

Tazé Mediterranean Street Food

626 Washington, St Louis, Missouri 63101

Start with a saffron rice bowl or a house-baked pita. Choose one: chicken or beef seared on skewers, gyro meat, grilled portobello, or flavorful falafel. Top it, sauce it, add a side of your choice, and choose from one of three hummus flavors.

$, Best Restaurants, Central West End, Downtown, Mediterranean

1600 S Brentwood, Suite 550, St. Louis, MO 63144
314-918-3000

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