St. Louis
BBQ ribs, crispy snouts and concrete ice cream, this city on the mighty Mississippi will keep you busy eating and drinking.
St. Louis
BBQ ribs, crispy snouts and concrete ice cream, this city on the mighty Mississippi will keep you busy eating and drinking.
WHAT: A city with no county, one of only 41 in the US.
WHERE: Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
NICKNAME: The Gateway City.
LOCAL EATS: BBQ ribs and crispy snouts calls “snoots.”
LOCAL SWEETS: The concrete at Ted Drewes.
LOCAL DRINKS: Craft Beer.
BRING HOME: Locally-made charcuterie from Salume Beddu.
MORNING | Coffee
Espresso at Kaldi's Coffee (Photograph courtesy of Kaldi's Coffee) | Sump Coffee (Photograph courtesy of Sump)
Kaldi’s Coffee
This roaster and coffee shop has several locations and more in Columbia and Kansas City.
"Kaldi’s is a good roaster with a lot of single origin beans and they sell them at the grocery stores, so I drink it at home too. They love to talk about their coffee with you. They're also a micro-bakery."
- Chef Josh Galliano of The Libertine
700 DeMun Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105 | T: 314.727.9955
187 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, MO 63105 | T: 314.726.2900
120 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122 | T: 314.821.0087
270 N. Skinker Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63130 | T: 314.862.4447
17211 Chesterfield Airport Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005 | T: 636.536.6624
kaldiscoffee.com
Sump Coffee
Artisanal beans and exacting brewing methods, French press, siphon filter, cloth drip filter, Chemex, and Kyoto or cold-drip ice coffee.
"I love Sump. They've changed the coffee game forever in the Lou, it's amazing."
- Chef Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Cafe
"This is my favorite coffee and it is so phenomenal because the owner Scott is a perfectionist. He’ll tell you the whole process and it’s not smoke and mirrors. He wants you to be engaged, know what you’re drinking, why you’re drinking it and why he bought that coffee bean from this small roaster. He’s so damn passionate about what he does and it’s infectious."
- Chef Josh Galliano of The Libertine
3700 S Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118
T: 917.412.5670 | www.sumpcoffee.com
MORNING | Breakfast
Photograph courtesy of Winslow's Home
General Store | Winslow’s Home
They call themselves a New American General Store with a restaurant, grocery, a 500 bottle wine room, and gift shop all in one. The produce comes from their own farm in Augusta, MO.
"This is a good place for a mixture of things, but especially brunch and early breakfast. They have really good fried chicken. It’s very relaxed and I tend to look for places that are not just kid friendly, but the kids can be entertained." - Chef Josh Galliano of The Libertine
7213 Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63130 | T: 314.725.7559 | www.winslowshome.com
Coffee Shop | Half & Half
A hearty breakfast with your choice of espresso, pour-over, or cold-brew coffee.
"I love coming here for breakfast." - Chef Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Cafe
8133 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105 | T: 314.725.0719 | halfandhalfstl.com
LATE MORNING SHOPPING | Culinary Stores
Knives at Bertarelli Cutlery | Photograph courtesy of Bertarelli Cutlery
Salami | Salume Beddu
"Our local salumi shop that quietly makes delicious salumi utilizing the pigs in our backyards. Come here for their charcuterie, this is a pork lover's paradise." - Chef Kevin Nashan
"One of the best salami shops in town.” - Chef Josh Galliano
3467 Hampton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139 | T: 314.353.3100 | www.salumebeddu.com
Olive Oils | Extra Virgin, An Olive Ovation
Chef Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Cafe recommends this specialty foods store for their wide range of olive oils, vinegars, gourmet items, cookbooks, aprons, soaps, kitchen items and glassware.
8829 Ladue Road, Ladue, MO 63124 | T: 314.727.6464 | extravirginoo.com
Knives | Bertarelli Cutlery
Focused on knives and sharpening them since 1967. For both the home cook and professional chef.
"I stop in here for all the fun cooking tools." - Chef Kevin Nashan
1927 Marconi Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 | T: 314.664.4005 | bertarellicutlery.com
Cooking Tools | Kitchen Conservatory
Culinary store that sells over 6,000 kitchen tools, ingredients, cutlery and gifts.
"Great for cooking tools." - Chef Kevin Nashan
8021 Clayton Road, Clayton, MO 63117 | T: 314.862.2665 | www.kitchenconservatory.com
LUNCH
Sandwiches | Gioia’s Deli
An Italian deli with lots of sandwich options, hot and cold. You pick the bread, next the cheese, the filler, garnish, condiment and the side dish.
"Order the hot homemade salumi de testa sammy." - Chef Kevin Nashan
1934 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis 63110 | T: 314.776.9410 | www.gioiasdeli.com
Chinese | Old St. Louis Chop Suey
"Come here for the St. Paul Sandwich. It’s egg foo young on white bread with pickles. They also do a Hot Braised Chicken, which is kind of like sweet and sour chicken. It's sticky good Chinese-American food." - Chef Josh Galliano
4600 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63116 | T: 314.481.2641
Tacos | Mi Tierra
Many consider this the best taqueria in St. Louis. It's a bodega with a butcher that also serves authentic tacos, burritos, fajitas, salsa, guacamole and menudo.
"It's located in the back of a little Mexican grocery store -- you'd never know it was here. The tamales and chorizo tacos are delicious." - Chef Kevin Nashan
3121 Collinsville Road, East St Louis, IL 62201 | T: 618.271.8168
BBQ
Pappy’s Smokehouse
Memphis-style barbecue that is always top of chefs’ lists of where to eat.
"For ribs. It is life changing." - Chef Gerard Craft
"They are doing really fantastic barbecue. They really helped to put St. Louis barbecue on the map. Their ribs are phenomenal. I personally enjoy their smoked turkey. It’s rubbed down overnight and then slowly smoked over a mixture of apple and cherry, sliced and served dry, Memphis style where it’s not sauced and you get to add it at the table. Nobody else is doing that. It’s killer food." - Chef Josh Galiano
"The ribs at Pappy's Smokehouse are a must try. This is one of my favorite restaurants because the food makes you want to give somebody a hug afterwards." - Chef Kevin Nashan
3106 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 | T: 314.535.4340 | www.pappyssmokehouse.com
AFTERNOON SWEET TREATS
Baked Goods | Pint Size Bakery & Coffee
Baked goods made daily from scratch with premium ingredients. They also serve Kaldi's brewed coffee and espresso drinks and if need be, are peanut-free.
"For scrumptious knee-slapping treats. Get the gooey butter cake and whoopee pies." - Chef Kevin Nashan
3825 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63109
T: 314.645.7142 | pintsizebakery.com
Tarts at Pint Size Bakery & Coffee | Photograph courtesy of Pint Size Bakery & Coffee
Donuts at Strange Donuts | Photograph courtesy of Strange Donuts
Donuts | Strange Donuts
From classic donuts to unique creations like chicken and waffle, pizza, hog burger, strange bacon, and gooey butter donut.
"They collaborate with restaurants all over the city to create weekly donuts inspired by favorite dishes of those restaurants." - Chef Kevin Nashan
2709 Sutton Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63143
T: 314.932.5851 | www.strangedonuts.tumblr.com
Milkshakes | Crown Candy Kitchen
Opened in 1913, this is a classic American soda fountain with shakes, malts, grilled cheese, BLT, and roast beef cheddar melt sandwiches.
"For an insane BLT and shake combo." - Chef Kevin Nashan
1401 St Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63106
T: 314.621.9650 | crowncandykitchen.net
BREWERY TOURS
Photograph courtesy of Perennial Artisan Ales
Perennial Artisan Ales Tasting Room
"One of the best breweries going. They make beer using seasonal ingredients. In the winter, they make a black walnut. They have a Berliner Weisse, which is a German light style beer, but they throw a locally-sourced peach. It’s really phenomenal. They also do a killer stout with Sump Coffee." - Chef Josh Galiano
8125 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63111
T: 314.631.7300 | www.perennialbeer.com
Four Hands Brewing
A local brewery with a portfolio that is American Craft, Traditional Belgian and French-style Farmhouse ales. You can visit their tasting room all week.
"They have this chocolate milk stout made with cocoa nibs which is just knock-your-socks-off good. Each year their beers are just a little bit different. They’re always striving for perfection." - Chef Josh Galliano
1220 S 8th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104
T: 314.436.1559 | 4handsbrewery.com
Growlers at Urban Chestnut Brewing Company | Photograph courtesy of Urban Chestnut Brewing Company
Urban Chestnut Brewing Company
Artisanal craft beer made in two different styles: Revolution (American craft) and Reverence (European traditional). They have an outdoor biergarten where they serve beer in German steins.
"One of the great microbreweries we have here." - Chef Kevin Nashan
3229 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
T: 314.222.0143 | urbanchestnut.com
DINNER
Vietnamese at Mai Lee | Photograph courtesy of Mai Lee
Mai Lee
Owner Lee Tran left Vietnam in 1980 and moved to St. Louis where she worked as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant. Five years later, she opened Mai Lee, but originally only served Chinese food. Slowly, she introduced Vietnamese dishes on her menu and today you'll find an extensive list of classic Vietnamese dishes and a few remaining Chinese ones. They are all cooked by her son, chef Qui Tran.
"Head here for 'The St. Paul Sammy' and the best darn pho ever. This is an everyday desire and the pho is really special." - Chef Kevin Nashan
"The food is phenomenal. I always order the Salt and Pepper Calamari without a doubt." - Chef Josh Galiano
8396 Musick Memorial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63144
T: 314.645.2835 | maileerestaurant.com
JAMES BEARD NOMINATED CHEFS' RESTAURANTS
Photograph courtesy of The Libertine | Photograph courtesy of Sidney Street Cafe
Sidney Street Cafe | Chef Kevin Nashan
Chef Kevin Nashan recommends his Rabbit & Waffles dish served with sorghum/mustard ice cream, and Pad Thai Sweetbreads.
"This is one of those blow-out restaurants, where from start to finish you’re well taken care of. As a chef, I'm always thinking 'I wish I would have thought of this first.' The menu changes often, so it’s definitely a difficult thing to say what to order here, but I recommend you save room for desserts because the pastry chef is the best in town.
2000 Sidney Street, St. Louis, MO 63104 | T: 314.771.5777 (Book a Table) | www.sidneystreetcafe.com
Niche | Chef Gerard Craft
A destination dining that is considered one of the top in the country. You can order à la carte or the tasting menu.
"For inspiring and delicious food." - Chef Kevin Nashan
7734 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton, MO | T: 314.773.7755 (Book a Table) | www.nichestlouis.com
The Libertine | Chef Josh Galiano
Josh calls his restaurant a neighborhood place, serving everything from hamburgers with caramelized onions and bacon to crispy pigtails.
7927 Forsyth Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63105 | T: 314.862.2999 | www.libertinestl.com
AFTER DINNER TREAT
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Serving frozen custard since 1931. It's is different from traditional ice cream because of the butterfat, egg yolk and amount of air which gives it a more silky and smooth texture.
"The concretes (ultra thick milk shakes) always put a smile on my face." - Chef Kevin Nashan
4224 S Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63111 | T: 314.352.7376 - Summer Only
6726 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63109 | T: 314.481.2652
www.teddrewes.com
Photograph courtesy of Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
COCKTAILS
Cocktails at Taste Bar | Photograph courtesy of Taste Bar
Taste Bar
"Taste is first and foremost a bar, but the food is really spectacular. One of my favorites is the Barbacoa, which is braised beef on top of little masa cakes that are just blow-your-mind-good. I also get the bacon fat fried cornbread and the charcuterie." - Chef Josh Galliano
4584 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108 | T: 314.361.1200 | www.tastebarstl.com
Planter’s House
Eat a duck burger, goat spaetzle or rarebit while you sip a myriad of cocktails.
"It's a very unique setting with different bar rooms and each one has its own feel. It’s always awesome to leave yourself in their hands. You never know what you’re going to get, but it’s usually something that they’re super proud of and excited to show you." - Chef Josh Galiano
1000 Mississippi Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104 | www.plantershousestl.com
LATE NIGHT
Photograph courtesy of Olio
Olio
Located in a renovated 1930s Standard Oil gas station. This is part wine bar, part Mediterranean restaurant. The daily changing menu features salumi, cheeses, spreads, fish, sandwiches and many vegetarian dishes, as well as a nightly rotisserie dish. To drink, they serve cocktails, beer and a diverse wine list.
"This is more casual sister restaurant of Elaia. It’s super relaxed and the food is really good Mediterranean with an Israeli-Turkish bit to it. They serve lots of good cured meats, because they have a partnership with Salume Beddu, one of the best salami shops in town." - Chef Josh Galliano
Open until 1:30am
1634 Tower Grove Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 | T: 314.932.1088 | oliostl.com
33 Wine Bar
This is chef Kevin Nashan's favorite wine bar with an extensive wine and beer list. It is owned by sommelier James Smallwood, who was a longtime customer and bought the place in 2013.
Open until 1am
1913 Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104 | T: 314.231.9463 | 33wine.com
Cover Photo Credit: Daniel Schwen [flickr]
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Salume Beddu
A variety of artisanal, house-made salamis ranging from Soppressata Siciliano and Soppressa da Veneto to Calabrese and Finocchiona to Guanciale and Pancetta.
Perennial Artisan Ales
Although beer is tough to travel with, chef Josh Galliano recommends the Imperial Stout blended with Sump Coffee. They also brew other beers with locally -sourced ingredients.
Sump Coffee
Taste through their coffee at their shop and bring home your favorite roast.
FED24 To Go
FED24 To Go
Prep for your trip. Take the guide with you by downloading our FED24 To Go version.
Map
Map
More Guides
More Guides
24-Hour Guides
Features
