St. Louis is known for making ravioli by accident when a cook dropped pasta into a deep fryer instead of boiling water. That story is an example of the local food scene in St. Louis: it is old school, a little unpredictable and does not care about pleasing outside critics. I think St. Louis really shows that.
You can see that personality in every one of the twelve places listed below. The choices range from restaurants that have been open longer, than your grandparents to a single walk‑up stand that sells only frozen custard and attracts huge crowds each night.
Tip #1: Charlie Gitto's on the Hill
Charlie Gitto's sits right in The Hill, the historic Italian neighborhood that shaped the city's Italian food identity. The kitchen claims to be the birthplace of toasted ravioli, and regardless of who invented it first, their version remains one of the finest in town.
Beyond the fried pasta, the kitchen serves classic steaks and pasta dishes. The dining room runs a bit dressier than most casual spots around town, making it a great choice when you want a proper sit down dinner.
Monday to Thursday: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Friday to Saturday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Sunday: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
5226 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Tip #2: Rooster
Rooster operates downtown on Washington Avenue, built around two main attractions: sweet or savory crepes and a massive brunch crowd that arrives no matter the weather. Savory options come packed with ingredients like ham and gruyère, while sweet versions lean toward fresh fruit and Nutella.
The kitchen serves breakfast and lunch daily. Weekend mornings get particularly busy, so waiting a few minutes for a table is pretty standard.
Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
1025 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
5 reasons for Le Petit Chef
Discover how the world's smallest chef turns your dinner into an unforgettable experience you'll rave about for years to come.
Tip #3: Pappy's Smokehouse
Pappy's Smokehouse is the kind of barbecue destination people build entire trips around. Their ribs get a dry rub in the Memphis style, so you do not even need sauce, and a long queue out the front door is standard practice even on a Tuesday. They frequently run out of meat early, so stopping by during lunch hours is your safest bet.
The setup is casual counter service, moving people through quickly once you get inside.
Monday, Wednesday, Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Thursday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Closed Tuesday
3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Tip #4: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Ted Drewes has been serving frozen custard along historic Route 66 since the 1930s. The Chippewa Street location still sees lines wrapping around toward the sidewalk most evenings, even through the winter months. Make sure to order a concrete, which is custard blended so thick that staff flip the cup upside down to prove it stays put.
There is no real indoor seating here. It is strictly a walk up window where you order and eat outside.
Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109
Tip #5: Gioia's Deli
Gioia's Deli has been slicing hot salami and ham on The Hill since 1918. Sandwiches are still made with thick cut meats on freshly baked bread without any unnecessary fluff. That straightforward approach keeps it among the most popular sandwich counters in St. Louis.
Plan to arrive before late afternoon. The shop closes up by 4 PM and they routinely run out of popular items toward the end of the shift.
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed Sunday
1934 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Tip #6: Farmhaus
Farmhaus runs a tight seasonal menu focused on Midwestern and Gulf Coast ingredients. Whatever happens to be at peak quality that week dictates what the kitchen cooks. It is one of the more refined culinary operations in the city, but the room maintains an unpretentious vibe.
Operating hours are fairly limited and shift across the week, so checking their schedule or booking a table ahead of time is smart.
Monday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Wednesday to Saturday: 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Closed Sunday and Tuesday
3257 Ivanhoe Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139
Tip #7: Union Loafers
Union Loafers began strictly as a bread bakery, and house baked bread remains the foundation of everything on the menu. Sandwiches and pizzas all start on loaves baked fresh each morning. They serve cafe style lunches during the daytime before turning to wood fired pizza in the evening.
Doors are closed on Mondays. The retail bakery side often sells out of popular loaves early in the day, so coming in the morning is ideal if you are buying bread.
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Closed Monday
1629 Tower Grove Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Tip #8: Balkan Treat Box
Balkan Treat Box started out as a mobile food truck before opening one of the most celebrated brick and mortar spots in the region. The kitchen specializes in authentic burek, cevapi, and doner, making everything completely from scratch. That level of quality brought in national press, which keeps the Webster Groves dining room full.
They now open every day of the week, which was not always the case, though verifying hours before heading out is still a good idea.
Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
8103 Big Bend Blvd, Webster Groves, MO 63119
Tip #9: Trattoria Marcella
Trattoria Marcella offers Italian dining without relying on basic red sauce clichés or checked tablecloths. The kitchen presents a modern take on classic regional dishes, earning a loyal local following over many years. Regulars frequently order the braised osso buco.
They serve dinner exclusively and stay closed on Sunday and Monday, making this a Tuesday through Saturday dining spot.
Tuesday to Saturday: 5:00 PM until close. Closed Sunday and Monday
3600 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63109
Tip #10: Vicia
Vicia is a vegetable forward restaurant located near Forest Park, constructing its daily menu around whatever local farmers harvest each week. While fish and meats do feature on the menu, seasonal vegetables clearly take center stage.
Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday only. As one of the premier dining rooms in St. Louis, reserving a table well in advance is highly recommended.
Tuesday to Saturday: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
4260 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Tip #11: Annie Gunn's
Annie Gunn's is located out in Chesterfield, connected to a working smokehouse and butcher shop. High quality steaks are the main draw that brings diners across town. It is ideal for a classic splurge meal, complete with an expansive wine list and an unhurried atmosphere.
The restaurant closes on Mondays, while running open service straight through from lunch to dinner the rest of the week.
Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Closed Monday
16806 Chesterfield Airport Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Tip #12: Mai Lee
Mai Lee has been serving authentic Vietnamese food in the Brentwood neighborhood for decades. It is almost always the first recommendation locals give when asked for Vietnamese dining in St. Louis. Salt and pepper calamari alongside an extensive list of traditional noodle soups dominate the order sheets.
They only accept reservations for groups of eight or larger, so smaller parties can simply walk in.
Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Closed Monday
8396 Musick Memorial Dr, Brentwood, MO 63144
