These great restaurants in St. Louis demonstrate that the city’s food scene is at a crossroads between America’s north, south, east and west. These top dining spots allow you to taste your way across America in one city. You’ll find some distinctly St. Louis flavours on the menu as well.

Fall-off-the-bone St. Louis ribs might be the most famous dish from this part of the country, but the city’s also known for many other dishes. Pork steaks, fried ravioli and St. Louis-style pizza are local favourites. St. Louis is also home to a thriving foodie culture, which explores influences from across the nation and beyond. Taste your way across the Mississippi River and into America’s heartland with these selections below.

  • 1

    Vicia

    Fine New American with a focus on vegetable dishes

    Vicia
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Group
    • Luxury

    Vicia is an upscale American restaurant in St. Louis that has a menu focusing on vegetable dishes and locally sourced ingredients. It’s fine dining, American style – meaning it’s more about the food than fancy decor.

    The menu changes often, but you can expect dishes like celery root risotto, beef fat beets and sweet potato mousse among its highlights. Vicia’s chef has garnered numerous awards and was nominated for “best chef in America Midwest” by the James Beard Foundation in 2019. You’ll spend a pretty penny here, yet it’s well worth it.

    Location: 4260 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 5 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +1 314-553-9239

    Map
  • 2

    Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill

    Italian cuisine and old-school vibes

    Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Group
    • Luxury

    Charlie Gittos’ On The Hill is a longstanding Italian restaurant in St. Louis that serves rich red-sauce dishes. Heaping plates of spaghetti and meatballs, fried ravioli, and chicken parmesan covered with thick mozzarella are among its classic offerings.

    The big portions here go with its big personality – white tablecloths and dim lights that seem to come right out of a classic noir flick, and there’s always laughter in the air. Order a bottle of wine and make a night out of Charlie’s. Don’t forget to try the tiramisu made with real mascarpone.

    Location: 5226 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 314-772-8898

    Map
  • 3

    Broadway Oyster Bar

    A New Orleans-themed bar and restaurant with live music

    Broadway Oyster Bar
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Broadway Oyster Bar offers St. Louis residents and visitors a little New Orleans flair. The menu is stuffed with oysters, crawfish, mussels and po'boy sandwiches. The ocean might be far away, but you’d never guess it. The seafood here is fresh and served with a zesty kick.

    Jazz aficionados will also love this New Orleans haunt for its live music. Come and grab a beer or a craft cocktail and enjoy a blend of New Orleans, St. Louis and Chicago sounds multiple days a week.

    Location: 736 S Broadway St, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 3 am

    Phone: +1 314-621-8811

    Map
  • 4

    Carmine’s Steak House

    An upscale steakhouse for the best of USA beef

    Carmine’s Steak House
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Group
    • Luxury

    Carmine’s Steakhouse celebrates the origins of St. Louis as a cattle driver's city by serving up the best steaks on this side of the Mississippi. Carmine’s has been the home of aged beef and chops in the city for nearly 100 years. At this restaurant, meat isn’t just a meal – it’s a St. Louis tradition.

    Order the Filet Carmine if it’s your first visit. This filet mignon is served on a bed of brie and puff pastry and topped with raspberry demiglace and shrimp – it’s an unforgettable flavour combination you won’t find elsewhere. Complete the experience with a bottle from the ever-changing wine list.

    Location: 20 S 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA

    Open: Monday–Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm, Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 314-241-1631

    Map
  • 5

    Sugarfire Smoke House

    A legendary St. Louis BBQ joint

    Sugarfire Smoke House
    • Families
    • Food
    • Group

    Sugarfire Smoke House is a restaurant version of the classic St. Louis roadside smokehouse. It’s where you can enjoy tender St. Louis-style ribs dripping with fat and signature sauce. Sugarfire also serves stacked sandwiches piled high with house brisket, bacon and fried chicken.

    Thirsty? Indulge in a distinctly American treat: an extra-thick milkshake. Sugarfire shakes are available in the classic version or spiked with your favourite spirits. Sugarfire is also famous for its fresh-baked pies. You may need to loosen your belt when you leave this smokehouse.

    Location: 605 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101, USA

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 314-394-1720

    Map
  • 6

    Stacked STL

    Massive burgers with craft beers and cocktails

    Stacked STL
    • Business
    • Families
    • Food
    • Group

    Stacked STL is a must-visit in St. Louis if you want to try a quintessentially American burger. Their beef patties are hand-packed with care and sourced from grass-fed ground chuck. Stacked STL isn’t afraid to get weird with its toppings. The TriPPPy is made with bourbon maple bacon jam and pineapple chutney. And The Wet Nap comes topped with BBQ brisket and melty cheese sauce.

    If you’ve got a kind of burger in mind, you can even build your own. Not a fan of beef? Pork and veggie burgers are on the menu too, as well as chicken wings, wraps and salads. Wash it all down with a pint of St. Louis craft brew or a signature cocktail.

    Location: Stacked Burger Bar, 7637 Ivory St, St. Louis, MO 63111, USA

    Open: Monday from 11 am to 9 pm, Wednesday–Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 9.30 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Phone: +1 314-544-4900

    Map
  • 7

    The Fountain on Locust

    American soda fountains in a converted auto showroom

    The Fountain on Locust
    • Budget
    • Families
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    The Fountain on Locust in St. Louis is a classic American diner where the spirit of the 1950s is alive and well. This former auto showroom was converted into an American soda fountain with an upscale twist. Art deco murals and plenty of chrome give the restaurant its distinct personality. You may not see poodle skirts and leather jackets these days, but you can enjoy delicious milkshakes and ice cream sundaes as well as upscale sandwiches and salads.

    The Fountain has one of the most extensive cocktail menus in the city, making it a great place to spend the evening or get dessert. Adult sundaes combine the best of both worlds with ice cream and spirits.

    Location: 3037 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +1 314-535-7800

    Map
  • 8

    Anthonino’s Taverna

    Award-winning Greek and Italian food in St. Louis

    Anthonino’s Taverna
    • Budget
    • Families
    • Food
    • Group

    Anthonino’s Taverna is an award-winning Greek and Italian restaurant that’s famous for its toasted ravioli. Fried ravioli is a traditional St. Louis snack and Anthonino’s is one of the best spots in the city to try it.

    Besides the ravioli, Anthonino’s is also known for its stuffed gyro wraps and thick, STL-style pizza. This restaurant has nothing to prove, so you won’t find any fancy decorations or white tablecloths. But that hasn’t kept Anthoninio’s from racking up “best of” awards for years. Come as you are and enjoy delicious Mediterranean food cooked the St. Louis way, all in a family-friendly setting. 

    Location: 2225 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 314-773-4455

    Map
  • 9

    Sauce on the Side

    Crispy calzones and fresh salads in St. Louis

    Sauce on the Side
    • Budget
    • Families
    • Food
    • Group

    Sauce on the Side is a go-to for calzone – an Italian dish made by folding a pizza in half and baking it like a pasty. Everything at this calzoneria in St. Louis is made from scratch – the dough, the dressings and the desserts – which is why it’s become so popular for both quick lunches (calzones are perfect for eating on the go) and for dinners with drinks.

    Order a calzone stuffed with Italian ingredients like pepperoni and sausage, or choose an STL variation filled with pastrami, smoked gouda or mac ‘n cheese. Or, better still, you can build your own.

    Location: 411 N 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63101, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm

    Phone: +1 314-241-5667

    Map
  • 10

    Zia’s Restaurant

    For classic Italian dishes and wine

    Zia’s Restaurant
    • Food
    • Group
    • Nightlife

    Zia’s Restaurant is one of St. Louis’s favourite eateries for Italian cuisine. The menu here is inspired by northern Italy, so you’ll find plenty of beef, veal and pork dishes prepared with reduced wine sauces and fresh herbs. Of course, you’ll also find pasta varieties and an inspiring wine list.

    Locals love Zia’s because although the restaurant has upscale flair, the dishes are affordable. This is an ideal place to bring the family for a scratch-made meal that won’t break the bank.

    Location: 5256 Wilson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 314-776-0020

    Map
Benjamin Gorman | Contributing Writer