Guidebook for St. Louis
Food Scene
A dinner and drinks hotspot in the lovely, tree-lined neighborhood of DeMun. Great spot if you like supremely delicious and understated Italian food. Located just a couple of miles from where you are now. Reservations are recommended which must be placed over the phone. Bar seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and intended for full-dining until the last hour of service. Anna and I like to pop in for a full meal at the bar, where we share a couple appetizers (try the fried cauliflower if available!) and a wood-fired pizza. Great cocktails, wine and beer selection. Closed Sundays.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Louie
706 De Mun AveA dinner and drinks hotspot in the lovely, tree-lined neighborhood of DeMun. Great spot if you like supremely delicious and understated Italian food. Located just a couple of miles from where you are now. Reservations are recommended which must be placed over the phone. Bar seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and intended for full-dining until the last hour of service. Anna and I like to pop in for a full meal at the bar, where we share a couple appetizers (try the fried cauliflower if available!) and a wood-fired pizza. Great cocktails, wine and beer selection. Closed Sundays.
Close your eyes, take a bite and you’re suddenly transported to a seafood shack somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard- Maine? Connecticut? On offer here are seafood boils, lobster rolls, killer raw bar, sandwiches and sides by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Kevin Nashan. Nothing “fancy” here just supremely fresh and delicious seafood and all it's accoutrements. Gotta try the fried green tomatoes appetizer and one of their boozy slushies. No reservations taken, but they are on the NoWait App.
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab
1831 Sidney StClose your eyes, take a bite and you’re suddenly transported to a seafood shack somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard- Maine? Connecticut? On offer here are seafood boils, lobster rolls, killer raw bar, sandwiches and sides by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Kevin Nashan. Nothing “fancy” here just supremely fresh and delicious seafood and all it's accoutrements. Gotta try the fried green tomatoes appetizer and one of their boozy slushies. No reservations taken, but they are on the NoWait App.
One of our favorites. This is casual, family-friendly Italian dining from James Beard Award-winning Chef Gerard Craft. Handmade-pastas, gelato and wood-fired pizzas all shine here. We recommend the risotto balls as an appetizer, they are incredible. No reservations taken, but they are on the NoWait App.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pastaria
7734 Forsyth BlvdOne of our favorites. This is casual, family-friendly Italian dining from James Beard Award-winning Chef Gerard Craft. Handmade-pastas, gelato and wood-fired pizzas all shine here. We recommend the risotto balls as an appetizer, they are incredible. No reservations taken, but they are on the NoWait App.
Smashed burgers, hand-cut fries, hand-dipped milkshakes are the highlights here. The Hi-Pointe Drive-In is fun, funky and family friendly. Check out their Instagram post each day for the often insane, always delicious special. If you get nothing else, get a shake. Make an evening of it and check out the locally-owned and operated Hi-Pointe movie theater next door for the latest in arthouse film. Bonus is that it is just a “stone’s throw” from where you’re staying.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hi-Pointe Drive-In
1033 McCausland AveSmashed burgers, hand-cut fries, hand-dipped milkshakes are the highlights here. The Hi-Pointe Drive-In is fun, funky and family friendly. Check out their Instagram post each day for the often insane, always delicious special. If you get nothing else, get a shake. Make an evening of it and check out the locally-owned and operated Hi-Pointe movie theater next door for the latest in arthouse film. Bonus is that it is just a “stone’s throw” from where you’re staying.
This is a no-frills pizza joint located in a tucked away corner of the city, just a short 3 minute drive from your accommodations. No fancy toppings, no salads, just pizza. The pies are hand-tossed and topped generously. They also cut them in 16 pieces rather than the usual 8, which is a quirk that always puts a smile on my face. Cash only, BYOB, closed Wednesdays.
Pizza-A-Go-Go
6703 Scanlan AveThis is a no-frills pizza joint located in a tucked away corner of the city, just a short 3 minute drive from your accommodations. No fancy toppings, no salads, just pizza. The pies are hand-tossed and topped generously. They also cut them in 16 pieces rather than the usual 8, which is a quirk that always puts a smile on my face. Cash only, BYOB, closed Wednesdays.
Acero brands itself as “Midwestern Italian” meaning traditional Italian cuisine prepared with local and regional ingredients. If you love classic Italian food, Acero has got it. Wonderful wine list and a charcuterie plate that’s the best in the city. Reservations recommended.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Acero
7266 Manchester RdAcero brands itself as “Midwestern Italian” meaning traditional Italian cuisine prepared with local and regional ingredients. If you love classic Italian food, Acero has got it. Wonderful wine list and a charcuterie plate that’s the best in the city. Reservations recommended.
Part of the St. Louis BBQ boom that has taken the city by storm over the last decade or so, Salt and Smoke delivers excellent BBQ in a more refined setting, though still family friendly. Their brisket (I order it “fatty” rather than “lean,” is the best in the city). Inventive sides and a gargantuan whiskey menu round out it's offerings.
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salt + Smoke
6525 Delmar BlvdPart of the St. Louis BBQ boom that has taken the city by storm over the last decade or so, Salt and Smoke delivers excellent BBQ in a more refined setting, though still family friendly. Their brisket (I order it “fatty” rather than “lean,” is the best in the city). Inventive sides and a gargantuan whiskey menu round out it's offerings.
A husband and wife team- he Nepalese, she Korean- run this little hole-in-the-wall that dishes Nepalese, Indian and Korean dishes. They serve dinner but we always go for the lunch buffet. Great for vegetarians and diners with certain food sensitivities (gluten and lactose).
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Everest Cafe & Bar
4145 Manchester AveA husband and wife team- he Nepalese, she Korean- run this little hole-in-the-wall that dishes Nepalese, Indian and Korean dishes. They serve dinner but we always go for the lunch buffet. Great for vegetarians and diners with certain food sensitivities (gluten and lactose).
Since 2005, The Royale has served up great cocktails and locally sourced cuisine in its “Southside hipster” digs. Local politicians, media personalities, musicians and writers are often seen imbibing here. Local DJs spin records most nights. A great courtyard when the weather is nice, arguably even better around one of its fire pits when its cold out.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Royale Food & Spirits
3132 South Kingshighway BoulevardSince 2005, The Royale has served up great cocktails and locally sourced cuisine in its “Southside hipster” digs. Local politicians, media personalities, musicians and writers are often seen imbibing here. Local DJs spin records most nights. A great courtyard when the weather is nice, arguably even better around one of its fire pits when its cold out.
Only the best diner in St.Louis and it's located right downstairs.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Southwest Diner
6803 Southwest AveOnly the best diner in St.Louis and it's located right downstairs.
Drinks & Nightlife
Local microbrewery making classic styles of mostly session style ales and lagers. Great food, too. No TVs, no hard liquor, cash only, makes for a, well, civil experience.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Civil Life Brewing Co.
3714 Holt AveLocal microbrewery making classic styles of mostly session style ales and lagers. Great food, too. No TVs, no hard liquor, cash only, makes for a, well, civil experience.
Launched in 1991, The St. Louis Brewery, brewers of Schlafly Brand Beer, were the trailblazers in St. Louis’ brewing renaissance. Their dry-hopped APA is tops. Plus, they are right down the street. Food is just OK.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Schlafly Bottleworks
7260 Southwest AveLaunched in 1991, The St. Louis Brewery, brewers of Schlafly Brand Beer, were the trailblazers in St. Louis’ brewing renaissance. Their dry-hopped APA is tops. Plus, they are right down the street. Food is just OK.
Known and just “McGurk’s” by the locals, this Irish Pub has pretty good food, pours a proper pint and often has authentic Irish Music performances. Wonderful patio in the warmer months. Located in Soulard, one of the oldest neighborhoods in St. Louis that is home to dozens of bars and restaurants and great, French Quarter-like architecture.
83 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden
1200 Russell BoulevardKnown and just “McGurk’s” by the locals, this Irish Pub has pretty good food, pours a proper pint and often has authentic Irish Music performances. Wonderful patio in the warmer months. Located in Soulard, one of the oldest neighborhoods in St. Louis that is home to dozens of bars and restaurants and great, French Quarter-like architecture.
Entertainment & Activities
FREE! One of the premier zoos in the world is just a couple of miles away and did we mention its free? Make sure you try out the Railroad, kids love it.
579 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Izoo yase-Saint Louis
1 Government DrFREE! One of the premier zoos in the world is just a couple of miles away and did we mention its free? Make sure you try out the Railroad, kids love it.
Paddleboats
Lakeside dining
beautiful scenery
81 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Boathouse Forest Park
6101 Government DrPaddleboats
Lakeside dining
beautiful scenery
AMC Esquire 7
6706 Clayton RdHi-Pointe Theatre
1005 McCausland AveArts & Culture
Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell BlvdIziko lezobuciko ze-Saint Louis
1 Fine Arts DrContemporary Art Museum St. Louis
3750 Washington BlvdThe Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
130 Edgar RdMunicipal Theatre Association
1 Theatre DrSightseeing
Free tour of the flagship brewery for the largest brewing conglomerate in the world. Learn how the beer is brewed, see the famous Clydesdales, and enjoy free beer at the end of the tour.
202 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery
1200 Lynch StFree tour of the flagship brewery for the largest brewing conglomerate in the world. Learn how the beer is brewed, see the famous Clydesdales, and enjoy free beer at the end of the tour.
Parks & Nature
Gateway Arch Museum
Take the Great River Road that snakes along the Mississippi. Check out little shops, bars and restaurants. Raging Rivers Water Park is also in Grafton.
Eagle Watching is also very popular with locals and tourists alike. See majestic bald eagles from December through February as they migrate South for the winter.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Grafton
Take the Great River Road that snakes along the Mississippi. Check out little shops, bars and restaurants. Raging Rivers Water Park is also in Grafton.
Eagle Watching is also very popular with locals and tourists alike. See majestic bald eagles from December through February as they migrate South for the winter.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Shopping
Treasure Aisles Antique Mall
2317 S Big Bend BlvdBig Bend Antique Gallery
2337 S Big Bend BlvdThe Green Shag Market
5733 Manchester AveIKEA
1 Ikea WayCherokee Street
Cherokee Street