Top 10 Best St. Louis Restaurants

St. Louis is famous for dishes like St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, and the Gerber sandwich. This St. Louis food selection makes the city a distinct stop for food tourism. What sets best food in St. Louis apart from other areas is its unique regional specialties, such as the St. Louis-style pizza with its thin crust and Provel cheese, and the aforementioned toasted ravioli (breaded and deep-fried ravioli). Cooking techniques associated with St. Louis include the specific grilling and saucing method for St. Louis-style ribs (often spare ribs, trimmed, then grilled and sauced). While not all ingredients originated solely in St. Louis, Provel cheese is a processed cheese product that is a key, if sometimes divisive, component of St. Louis-style pizza and some sandwiches. The city’s food offers a taste of Midwestern comfort and unique local creations.

The average cost of a meal in St. Louis can range from $15 to over $120 per person, varying with the establishment and type of dining. A single meal at a budget-friendly restaurant or a casual spot might cost between $15 and $30. For a group meal at a mid-range restaurant, individuals can expect to spend between $35 and $65 each. When considering a high-end or fine dining restaurant in St. Louis, the cost for one person can be $70 to $120 or more, especially for tasting menus or at highly acclaimed venues.

St. Louis has a wide array of popular fast-food restaurants offering quick and convenient meal options throughout the city, with establishments like McDonald's and Taco Bell being very prevalent. These spots are known for their recognizable brands and efficient service. Some of the most popular fast-food restaurants in St. Louis include:

• McDonald's: A global fast-food leader with numerous locations.
• Taco Bell: Offers Mexican-inspired fast food.
• Wendy's: Known for its square beef patties and Frosty desserts.
• Lion's Choice: A St. Louis-based chain famous for its real roast beef sandwiches.
• Burger King: Famous for its Whopper sandwich.
• Subway: Provides customizable submarine sandwiches.
• Jack in the Box: Offers a varied menu including burgers, tacos, and breakfast.
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers: Popular for its simple menu focused on chicken fingers.

St. Louis offers many excellent spots for dinner St. Louis residents and visitors enjoy, ranging from romantic and upscale to lively and contemporary. Establishments like Sidney Street Cafe and Vicia are considered among the best dinner restaurants St. Louis has for a special evening. These top-rated restaurants provide memorable experiences for a delightful dinner.

• Sidney Street Cafe: Offers an elegant and romantic atmosphere, perfect for anniversaries or special celebrations. Known for refined New American food with creative presentations.
• Vicia: Provides an upscale and modern dining experience with a focus on vegetable-forward tasting menus. Its minimalist decor and innovative food make for a sophisticated dinner.
• Brasserie by Niche: This Central West End spot has a lively, authentic Parisian brasserie atmosphere. It's known for classic French food and is great for an energetic dinner with friends or a date.
• Indo STL: Presents a stylish and contemporary setting with a vibrant feel. Known for its bold and flavorful Southeast Asian-inspired food, ideal for an exciting and flavorful dinner.
• Louie Restaurant STL: Offers a sophisticated yet relaxed neighborhood atmosphere in Clayton. Known for its wood-fired Italian food, including pizzas and pastas, suitable for a refined yet comfortable dinner.

St. Louis has many great places for a midday meal, with iconic delis like Gioia's Deli and popular spots such as Balkan Treat Box offering satisfying lunch St. Louis options. These St. Louis lunch spots are known for their delicious food and often, efficient service. Here are some top places for the best lunch in St. Louis:

• Gioia's Deli: Famous for its Hot Salami sandwich, this historic deli on The Hill is a quintessential St. Louis lunch experience. It’s ideal for a quick, hearty, and iconic local sandwich.
• Balkan Treat Box: Offers flavorful and unique Balkan street food like ćevapi and pide. Its fast-casual setup and incredibly tasty offerings make it a popular and quick lunch destination.
• Pappy's Smokehouse: While known for long lines, arriving early or during off-peak times can make Pappy's a great lunch spot for incredible Memphis-style barbecue ribs and sandwiches.
• The Gramophone: Located in The Grove, this spot is famous for its creative and generously portioned sandwiches in a casual, music-themed setting. It's great for a relaxed and filling lunch.
• Blues City Deli: Another beloved sandwich shop offering New Orleans-style po'boys and other classic deli sandwiches in a friendly, often blues-music-filled atmosphere. Ideal for a flavorful and casual lunch.

St. Louis's food scene continues to grow, with new establishments frequently opening and adding fresh concepts. The best new restaurants in St. Louis that have opened or garnered significant attention from late 2023 into 2024/2025 are shown below:

• Sado: From Nick Bognar (the chef behind Indo), Sado is a contemporary sushi restaurant in The Hill neighborhood that has quickly gained acclaim since its opening.
• Press: Located in the Jefferson Avenue corridor, Press is a pizzeria and sandwich shop that has become a popular new spot for its wood-fired pizzas and unique sandwich creations.
• Telva at the Ridge: This newer spot in Webster Groves offers contemporary American food with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients in a comfortable setting.
• Bar Moro: A Spanish-influenced restaurant and bar in Clayton from Ben Poremba, offering tapas, conservas, and a lively atmosphere.
• New concepts in food halls/markets: St. Louis has seen development in market-style spaces like City Foundry STL, which often introduce new and interesting food vendors.

Please note: The restaurant landscape changes rapidly. For the most up-to-the-minute new openings, local St. Louis food blogs, Sauce Magazine, St. Louis Magazine, Feast Magazine, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's food section are excellent resources.

Yes, St. Louis has cool restaurants in St. Louis offering a unique experience such as Balkan Treat Box, The Venice Cafe, City Museum's food spots, and Olive + Oak (for its overall popular and unique neighborhood vibe). Balkan Treat Box provides a high-energy immersion into wood-fired Balkan street food, with open-flame cooking and vibrant, authentic dishes not commonly found elsewhere, making it one of the cool places to eat in St. Louis. The Venice Cafe is exceptionally unique due to its entirely mosaic-covered, incredibly eclectic, and artist-driven decor that creates a whimsical, almost surreal environment for enjoying drinks and often live music; it's a visual and atmospheric one-of-a-kind place. While City Museum is an attraction, its integrated food and drink spots offer a unique dining context within a fantastical, explorable art installation. Olive + Oak in Webster Groves, though more of a beloved neighborhood restaurant, offers a uniquely popular and consistently high-quality experience that combines exceptional food, service, and a vibrant social atmosphere that makes it a standout and uniquely sought-after destination. These unique restaurants in St. Louis provide memorable outings beyond just the meal.

St. Louis has vegan restaurants like SweetArt, Tree House Vegetarian Restaurant (with many vegan options), and Frida's, alongside many other establishments offering strong plant-based options. SweetArt is a family-owned bakeshop and cafe celebrated for its vegan baked goods, comfort food, and soulful dishes. Tree House Vegetarian Restaurant, while vegetarian, offers a significant and clearly marked selection of inventive vegan dishes, from small plates to entrees, in a comfortable setting. Frida's is a health-focused restaurant with a menu that is entirely vegetarian and heavily features vegan and gluten-free options, including burgers, bowls, and salads. Many other St. Louis restaurants are also increasing their vegan offerings, with clear menu labeling and dedicated plant-based sections reflecting a growing interest in vegan food.

St. Louis has gluten-free friendly restaurants like Prioritized Pastries (a dedicated gluten-free bakery with some cafe items), many contemporary American restaurants that are attentive to such needs, and establishments like Walnut Grill which offer dedicated gluten-sensitive menus. Prioritized Pastries provides a 100% gluten-free environment, specializing in baked goods but also offering items suitable for a light meal, ensuring no cross-contamination. Many upscale and New American restaurants in St. Louis, such as Vicia or Sidney Street Cafe (from the provided list), are skilled at accommodating gluten-free requests due to their focus on fresh, from-scratch cooking and can modify dishes accordingly. Walnut Grill, a contemporary casual chain with local presence, is noted for having a specific menu catering to gluten-sensitive diners with a good variety of choices.

St. Louis's most famous food styles are its unique regional barbecue and its historic Italian-American offerings, especially those found in The Hill neighborhood. Listed below are common and popular food styles in St. Louis food:

• Barbecue (St. Louis-style): St. Louis is famous for its distinct style of barbecue, characterized by spare ribs that are trimmed into a rectangular shape (St. Louis cut), grilled, and then heavily sauced with a sweet and tangy tomato-based barbecue sauce. This style is famous for its specific cut and saucing method, setting it apart from other regional barbecue.
• Italian-American (The Hill): The historic Italian-American neighborhood known as "The Hill" is the birthplace of St. Louis food specialties like toasted ravioli (breaded and deep-fried ravioli, served with marinara sauce) and St. Louis-style pizza (thin crust with Provel cheese). This food is famous for its unique local creations and deep community roots.
• American (Diner/Comfort Food): St. Louis has a strong tradition of diners and establishments serving classic American comfort food, including slingers (a hearty diner breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and meat, all covered in chili and cheese). This style is famous for its hearty, unpretentious, and satisfying nature.
• German: Due to significant German immigration in the 19th century, St. Louis has a German food heritage. While not as dominant as in the past, influences remain, and establishments serving German sausages, pretzels, and beers are still a part of the local food identity.
• Bosnian: St. Louis has the largest Bosnian population outside of Bosnia, leading to a vibrant offering of authentic Bosnian food. Dishes like ćevapi (grilled sausages), burek (savory pastries), and various stews are famous for their authentic flavors and represent an important part of the city's multicultural food scene.