Entertainment
Venice Café
Not to be missed. Live music, one of the finest bathrooms in the city located on the 2nd floor, and drinks both low and high brow. Be sure to check out the patio, even if it's a little bit chilly. You'll find new things here every time you visit.
Small Change STL
Stepchild of Planter's House, Small Change pairs elevated cocktails with hoosier staple pints, and a killer happy hour.
Bluewood Brewing
Solid craft brewery steps away from the venue.
The Mud House
Home to one of Maddi's favorite breakfast sandwiches, great house-roasted coffees, and a fantastic espresso. Try the breakfast burrito!
Courtesy Diner
A late night favorite. If you've never had a slinger (STL specialty; don't let the Chicagoans try to take credit), this is your opportunity. Cash only, and open 24 hours. If you forget to bring bills, there's an ATM.
Mayo Ketchup
Delicious semi-authentic Puerto Rican fare. Can't go wrong with anything here, but strongly recommend a plate of empanadas, the cubano, jibarito, buffalo tostones, and red beans and rice.
O'Connell's Pub
Home to one of our favorite pub style burgers. Grab some fried mushrooms and onion rings with house-made mayfair dressing, a burger with cheddar, and a shot of Tully and a Civil Life Brown.
Eovaldi's Deli
St. Louis' own Satriale's. Giant, affordable Italian sandwiches.
DiGregorio's Italian Market
Great Italian market for cold cuts, imports, wine, memorabilia and knickknacks.
Civil Life Brewing Co.
Order the Brown Ale.
4 Hands Brewing Co
Home to some of the most vibrant craft beers in St. Louis. Quite respectable kitchen program ran by Peacemaker.
Hair of the Dog
Classic dive bar Downtown.
Irish Corner Pub
Stalwart for pub grub and pints of Civil Life Brown. Steps from the venue.
Forest Park
Home to free museums and attractions. Take advantage of the Art Museum, which is one of the best in the country. The Zoo is huge, and free, and luckily, the weather should not be swelteringly hot. The Missouri History Museum also offers fresh and innovative programming.
Gioia's Deli
Visit for an epic sandwich. Gioia's makes their salami in-house daily. If you like us, order it toasted on garlic cheese bread with Provel, topped with a ton of lettuce, onion, black olives, giardiniera, and oil and vinegar. Also, skip the long line by ordering online and picking up at their walk-up to go order window.
Grace Meat + Three
Order the fried chicken extra hot.
Don Carlos Restaurant
Our favorite spot for street tacos. Quaint, reasonably priced, and has a market attached.
Sister Cities Cajun
Household favorite for cajun cuisine. Humungous patio, recipes and seafood straight from New Orleans. Locals might think of Broadway Oyster Bar first, but this is a sleeper.
White Castle
A guilty pleasure. Bonus points for 24/7 breakfast!
The Gramophone
Home to some of the largest, and best sandwiches in St. Louis. Bonus points for being open until 3AM.
Pie Guy Pizza
Great spot for NY style pizza by the slice, and one of our favorite salads, the STL Chop. Attached to Gezellig, a bottle house full of hundreds of a la carte beers, as well as a solid draft offering.
Angad Arts Hotel
Great rooftop views with a bar and bites.
Sophie's Artist Lounge
Great DJ vibes, sippable cocktails, small open-air rooftop.
The Scottish Arms
By far the best brunch in the city.
Sugarfire Smoke House
Classic STL style BBQ with creative sandwiches and sides
Chris' @ The Docket
No frills breakfast, endless mimosas and bloody marys.
Blondie's Coffee & Wine Bar
Great coffee, street and people watching, and bites.
Rooster
Brunch mainstay Downtown. Expect long lines.
The Crow's Nest
Metal themed dive pub and home of Heavy Metal Brunch on the weekends. Don't miss the chili cheese waffle fries and cheese curds.
Southwest Diner
Fantastic New Mexico-inspired breakfast, brunch, lunch, mimosas and bloodies. Get the breakfast burrito 'christmas style', the Fiery Scramble, or the green chili smash burger. Really can't go wrong with anything here.
The Dam
Low brow smash burgers and Belgian dip fries. Immediately next door to Amsterdam, a divey football pub with large patio. The Dam will happily deliver to you as you sip on a Civil Life Brown.
The Bellwether
New-American entrees and appetizers and some handmade pastas, coupled with a massive open air 3rd floor patio make this spot a standout.
Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge
Solid new American spot for great cocktails, appetizers, and entrees.
iNDO
Incredible nigiri, sashimi, and southeast asian fusion and small plates.
Planter's House
Incredible drinks, barreled bourbons. Do not miss the dill fries, sambal eggs, or thighs and fries.
Wei Hong Bakery
Order the Chinese Style Hot Braised Chicken and bring some tissues.
ChiliSpot
For when you need to clear your sinuses with some delicious authentic Sichuan cuisine.
Blueberry Hill
No frills pub grub with darts, low brow tap list, arcade games and pop culture memorabilia displays.
Mom's Deli
Snag a Mom's Special and a can of Vess.
Trattoria Marcella
Our favorite Italian in St. Louis. We've had many an anniversary dinner here. Handmade pastas, great appetizers, killer drinks. Free hummus for the table!
Lion's Choice
The greatest location. A St. Louis born roast beef sandwich chain. Arby's lovers be damned!
Olive + Oak
Killer menu. Literally everything here is great.
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab
Home to a James Beard awarded chef, Peacemaker has a killer seafood lineup that is freshly flown in daily. Awesome raw bar.
Brasserie by Niche
The greatest roasted chicken, ever, lives here. Warm French vibes. Escargot is fantastic.
Perennial Artisan Ales
Consistently hailed nationally for their craft brews.
Imo's Pizza
Provel isn't for everyone, and that's because they order from the wrong Imo's franchise, or order the wrong toppings. Follow Brett's advice: never add green peppers or mushrooms, and always order your pizza well done. When properly browned, Provel transforms from goopy mess into a bonding agent for culinary beauty. Topping suggestions: Sausage and Pepperoncini, Jalapeno and Bacon (their Jalaps are actually spicy), Hamburger and Onion. Snag some toasted ravioli as well. You're in St. Louis, after all.
Joanie's To Go
Another pizza option with in-house delivery. Go with Provel on the thin crust, and order it well done. Joanie's salads are humungous as well, and their house made vinaigrette is knockout. Grab some toasted ravioli while you're at it.
The Pat Connolly Tavern
Classic dive bar and pub grub. Close to Forest Park for any late afternoon bite after a trip to the zoo.
The Schlafly Tap Room
Downtown West tap room, home to St. Louis' original craft brewery. Solid pub grub menu.
The Sliced Pint
Solid draft menu, slices, and toasted ravioli.
Chao Baan
Killer authentic thai recipes with great cocktails. Try the Nam Sod or the papaya salad.
Fort Taco
Home to 'puffy' tacos. They're huge, satisfying, and worth every penny.
Bogart's Smokehouse
Some of the best ribs in the City.
Soulard Farmers Market
Grab a bloody mary and stroll rows of produce, knickknacks, and cuisine.
Sump Coffee
High end artisanal house-roasted coffee in quaint digs.
Blueprint Coffee
Excellent house-roasted coffees in a reinvented auto repair shop.
Square One Brewery & Distillery
Reasonable craft pints in a historic pub. Totally decent food menu as well.
33 Wine Shop & Bar
Quaint spot for great wines, whiskeys, and pints.
2nd Shift Brewing
A favorite for sours, stouts, and a pizza kitchen included.
Trust
Great cocktails and historical digs in Downtown.
Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar
Great small plates, cocktails, wines, and taps in cool digs Downtown.