Guidebook for St. Louis
Food Scene
World famous custard! Get a concrete and they turn it upside down before handing it over to you. A part of Historic Route 66.
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Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
4224 S Grand BlvdWorld famous custard! Get a concrete and they turn it upside down before handing it over to you. A part of Historic Route 66.
Think fish bowl drinks are just for margaritas? Think again! Rigazzi's is home of the frozen fish bowl where you can order one of many local favorites or their very own Nitro Golden Ale. Part of "The Hill" Neighborhood, where all of St. Louis's best Italian food can be found.
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Rigazzi's
4945 Daggett AveThink fish bowl drinks are just for margaritas? Think again! Rigazzi's is home of the frozen fish bowl where you can order one of many local favorites or their very own Nitro Golden Ale. Part of "The Hill" Neighborhood, where all of St. Louis's best Italian food can be found.
Gooey Butter Cake! It's a local treat you must try when you are in St. Louis. And Park Avenue has 76 flavors, so you're sure to find something you love.
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Park Avenue Coffee
1919 Park AveGooey Butter Cake! It's a local treat you must try when you are in St. Louis. And Park Avenue has 76 flavors, so you're sure to find something you love.
The areas best, Cajun, creole and seafood. Also, fantastic, live music seven nights a week! A casual party atmosphere.
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Broadway Oyster Bar
736 S BroadwayThe areas best, Cajun, creole and seafood. Also, fantastic, live music seven nights a week! A casual party atmosphere.
Just a 1.5 block walk from our house. Most famous as a breakfast spot - they specialize in sweet and savory crepes, but also have an excellent dinner menu. Try a boozy shake anything made with salted caramel ice cream is amazing. Bartenders are great with suggestions.
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Rooster
3150 S Grand BlvdJust a 1.5 block walk from our house. Most famous as a breakfast spot - they specialize in sweet and savory crepes, but also have an excellent dinner menu. Try a boozy shake anything made with salted caramel ice cream is amazing. Bartenders are great with suggestions.
Owned and created by Steve Ewing from the band, The Urge. Get a gourmet hot dog in a new and different way. Or get a to-die-for mac and cheese!
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Steve's Hot Dogs Tower Grove
3145 S Grand BlvdOwned and created by Steve Ewing from the band, The Urge. Get a gourmet hot dog in a new and different way. Or get a to-die-for mac and cheese!
This is a total dive bar. And I mean that in the best sense. Known for their incredible deep dish pizza. Call ahead to order or plan to wait at the bar, playing pin ball or shuffle board. Pizzas take about an hour to cook and they can only do one at a time.
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Blackthorn Pub and Pizza
3735 Wyoming StThis is a total dive bar. And I mean that in the best sense. Known for their incredible deep dish pizza. Call ahead to order or plan to wait at the bar, playing pin ball or shuffle board. Pizzas take about an hour to cook and they can only do one at a time.
Walkable place to bring your laptop and work. Great coffee run by some anarchist liberals. Vegan brunch on Sundays so good that it brings out the carnivores!
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MoKaBe's Coffeehouse
3606 Arsenal StWalkable place to bring your laptop and work. Great coffee run by some anarchist liberals. Vegan brunch on Sundays so good that it brings out the carnivores!
Neighborhood coffee shop. Free wifi, fantastic local flavors. Make sure and say hi to the chickens who roost in the back yard!
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Kitchen House Coffee
3149 Shenandoah AveNeighborhood coffee shop. Free wifi, fantastic local flavors. Make sure and say hi to the chickens who roost in the back yard!
The absolute best place to get a sandwich in St. Louis. Owner is a Blues fanatic. Band pictures and blues memorabilia line the walls. Live music on Thursdays. Expect a long line, but don't be intimidated! It moves quickly! There seems to be a natural flow of traffic that opens up a table as soon as you leave the order counter.
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Blues City Deli
2438 McNair AveThe absolute best place to get a sandwich in St. Louis. Owner is a Blues fanatic. Band pictures and blues memorabilia line the walls. Live music on Thursdays. Expect a long line, but don't be intimidated! It moves quickly! There seems to be a natural flow of traffic that opens up a table as soon as you leave the order counter.
SUSHI Happy Hour! Walk here from our place and eat Tuesday - Thursday from 4:30 - 6:30 for half off sushi and specialty drinks. Nice outdoor patio seating for people-watching.
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Cafe Mochi
3221 S Grand BlvdSUSHI Happy Hour! Walk here from our place and eat Tuesday - Thursday from 4:30 - 6:30 for half off sushi and specialty drinks. Nice outdoor patio seating for people-watching.
Tom's very favorite BBQ place. They sell until they run out of food, which is usually shortly after lunch.
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Pappy's Smokehouse
3106 Olive StTom's very favorite BBQ place. They sell until they run out of food, which is usually shortly after lunch.
Featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. A small, quiet sit-down restaurant with some of the area's best barbeque. Try to make reservations if you can, there's always a crowd!
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The Shaved Duck
2900 Virginia AveFeatured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. A small, quiet sit-down restaurant with some of the area's best barbeque. Try to make reservations if you can, there's always a crowd!
Also known as The Gin Room. Family operated for over 30 years. Excellent Persian food. You will usually find the restaurant's namesake, Natasha, behind the bar. She knows everything there is to know about gin cocktails. Natasha's mother cooks many of the dishes when she's not out socializing with customers. Locals know her simply as "Mom."
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Cafe Natasha's Persian Cuisine
3200 S Grand BlvdAlso known as The Gin Room. Family operated for over 30 years. Excellent Persian food. You will usually find the restaurant's namesake, Natasha, behind the bar. She knows everything there is to know about gin cocktails. Natasha's mother cooks many of the dishes when she's not out socializing with customers. Locals know her simply as "Mom."
Hear us out on this one. St. Louis is famous for toasted ravioli, but what if you put it inside a pizza crust? Answer: Amazing. If you would rather not take that risk, the regular pizza is great too. We also recommend the buffalo chicken dip.
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The Sliced Pint
1511 Washington AveHear us out on this one. St. Louis is famous for toasted ravioli, but what if you put it inside a pizza crust? Answer: Amazing. If you would rather not take that risk, the regular pizza is great too. We also recommend the buffalo chicken dip.
This food truck was so popular, they opened up a brick-and-mortar. And lucky you! You can walk there from our house! They specialize in unique twists on Filipino street food.
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Guerrilla Street Food
6120 Delmar BlvdThis food truck was so popular, they opened up a brick-and-mortar. And lucky you! You can walk there from our house! They specialize in unique twists on Filipino street food.
Winner of a James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award. Their signature dish is the hot salami sandwich. After 99 years in business, we think they have it down! Lunch-only spot. Expect the line at the counter to wrap around the place.
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Gioia's Deli
1934 Macklind AveWinner of a James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award. Their signature dish is the hot salami sandwich. After 99 years in business, we think they have it down! Lunch-only spot. Expect the line at the counter to wrap around the place.
Ice Cream made the scientific way! Watch them create their masterpieces using nitro safely behind glass!
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Ices Plain & Fancy
2256 S 39th StIce Cream made the scientific way! Watch them create their masterpieces using nitro safely behind glass!
Family-owned, traditional ice cream parlor. Perfect for a quick dessert 2 blocks from our house and right across from the park.
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Tower Grove Creamery
3101 S Grand BlvdFamily-owned, traditional ice cream parlor. Perfect for a quick dessert 2 blocks from our house and right across from the park.
Great Tai food, but they also have some Chinese options like fried rice (my personal favorite), crab rangoon and potstickers (Tom's favorite).
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King and I Restaurant
8039 S Grand BlvdGreat Tai food, but they also have some Chinese options like fried rice (my personal favorite), crab rangoon and potstickers (Tom's favorite).
Our top pick for Italian food in The Hill neighborhood, dubbed "Little Italy." Mid-range prices, a dining room that will make you feel like you stepped back in time and above all, excellent food. My favorite is the chicken parmesan!
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Cunetto House of Pasta
5453 Magnolia AveOur top pick for Italian food in The Hill neighborhood, dubbed "Little Italy." Mid-range prices, a dining room that will make you feel like you stepped back in time and above all, excellent food. My favorite is the chicken parmesan!
Build your own burger bar! About a 15 minute drive from our place, but well worth it. Tip: Get the soft pretzels with cheese sauce as an appetizer. They are buttery goodness and a favorite for anyone we've brought by.
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Stacked STL
7637 Ivory StBuild your own burger bar! About a 15 minute drive from our place, but well worth it. Tip: Get the soft pretzels with cheese sauce as an appetizer. They are buttery goodness and a favorite for anyone we've brought by.
Drinks & Nightlife
Soulard is a great neighborhood to bar hop. McGurk's is right in the middle of everything. They have a huge, gorgeous outdoor patio and there is often live music in the bar area. Full menu if you get hungry.
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John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden
1200 Russell BoulevardSoulard is a great neighborhood to bar hop. McGurk's is right in the middle of everything. They have a huge, gorgeous outdoor patio and there is often live music in the bar area. Full menu if you get hungry.
So many different ways to have a chocolate martini, expertly crafted by some of the best bartenders in town. Also, beer milkshakes! The atmosphere is lush, intimate and romantic, but you'd feel just as comfortable sitting at the bar with friends.
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Baileys' Chocolate Bar
1915 Park AveSo many different ways to have a chocolate martini, expertly crafted by some of the best bartenders in town. Also, beer milkshakes! The atmosphere is lush, intimate and romantic, but you'd feel just as comfortable sitting at the bar with friends.
Experience some of St. Louis' famous blues music. The people who play here are totally authentic and legit. You will not be disappointed. Full menu also if you get the munchies!
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BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups
700 S BroadwayExperience some of St. Louis' famous blues music. The people who play here are totally authentic and legit. You will not be disappointed. Full menu also if you get the munchies!
Cherokee street is one of those places that used to be shady and dangerous, but the hipsters took it over and now it's a night life favorite. Fortune Teller Bar is a great place to go for something different. They actually have a fortune teller who reads palms and tarot cards for tips.
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The Fortune Teller Bar
2635 Cherokee StCherokee street is one of those places that used to be shady and dangerous, but the hipsters took it over and now it's a night life favorite. Fortune Teller Bar is a great place to go for something different. They actually have a fortune teller who reads palms and tarot cards for tips.
The quintessential neighborhood bar. This place was re-energized after being closed for about 20 years. They didn't change a thing though so it still has the feel of a very old tavern. There are two themes, owls and clocks, and about every version of each you can imagine, fill the walls. Bartenders are super friendly. Be prepared to pay with cash though! No food here, but you can order at the connected Steve's Hot Dogs and they will deliver your food to the bar.
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Tick Tock Tavern
3459 Magnolia AveThe quintessential neighborhood bar. This place was re-energized after being closed for about 20 years. They didn't change a thing though so it still has the feel of a very old tavern. There are two themes, owls and clocks, and about every version of each you can imagine, fill the walls. Bartenders are super friendly. Be prepared to pay with cash though! No food here, but you can order at the connected Steve's Hot Dogs and they will deliver your food to the bar.
Another great neighborhood place, just two blocks away from our house. Only thing on the menu is St. Louis style pizza, but it's the only St. Louis Style Pizza Tom likes (he's not a native). Ultra thin crust made with provel cheese which is a big thing around here.
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Riley's Pub
3458 Arsenal StAnother great neighborhood place, just two blocks away from our house. Only thing on the menu is St. Louis style pizza, but it's the only St. Louis Style Pizza Tom likes (he's not a native). Ultra thin crust made with provel cheese which is a big thing around here.
Nick's Pub
6001 Manchester AveGreat drink and food specials during games, REALLY great.
One of the best local breweries. Go in for a tasting, you won't regret it.
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4 Hands Brewery
1220 S 8th StOne of the best local breweries. Go in for a tasting, you won't regret it.
Brewery and Bierhall. Great beer, unforgettable food. Great, community atmosphere.
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Urban Chestnut Midtown Brewery and Biergarten
3229 Washington AveBrewery and Bierhall. Great beer, unforgettable food. Great, community atmosphere.
Entertainment & Activities
The word "museum" is kind of misleading here. There is nothing quite like City Museum. You just have to see it to believe it. It's an adult (and child) playground of found items. Crawl through hidden tunnels, explore caves, slide down a 10-story slide. For extra admission, you can go to the roof and go inside a school bus which is literally hanging off the side and somehow not dangerous or ride the Ferris wheel and see all of downtown. Every time we go, we find something new. Wear comfortable clothes and plan for a full day. http://www.citymuseum.org/
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Iziko Lomuzi WaseNingizimu Afrika
750 N 16th StThe word "museum" is kind of misleading here. There is nothing quite like City Museum. You just have to see it to believe it. It's an adult (and child) playground of found items. Crawl through hidden tunnels, explore caves, slide down a 10-story slide. For extra admission, you can go to the roof and go inside a school bus which is literally hanging off the side and somehow not dangerous or ride the Ferris wheel and see all of downtown. Every time we go, we find something new. Wear comfortable clothes and plan for a full day. http://www.citymuseum.org/
Absolutely stunning gardens, sculptures and fountains.
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Ulwazi lwaseMissouri Botanical
4344 Shaw BlvdAbsolutely stunning gardens, sculptures and fountains.
Take one look at us and you will know Tom and I are not rock climbers. BUT! We have friends that love this place, so we will recommend it to you!
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Upper Limits Indoor Rock Climbing Gym
326 S 21st StTake one look at us and you will know Tom and I are not rock climbers. BUT! We have friends that love this place, so we will recommend it to you!
Flex Studio
3139A S Grand BlvdGet your Yoga on just two blocks from our house!
Sightseeing
Take a pod up to the top of the arch and see the city. Purchase tickets ahead of time online, especially on the weekends or holidays as they tend to sell out. Only a small number of people can be up there at once. Not for the claustrophobic!
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St. Louis Arch/Riverfront
Poplar StreetTake a pod up to the top of the arch and see the city. Purchase tickets ahead of time online, especially on the weekends or holidays as they tend to sell out. Only a small number of people can be up there at once. Not for the claustrophobic!
The St. Louis Zoo! It's one of the best AND it's free!
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Izoo lase-Saint Louis
1 Government DrThe St. Louis Zoo! It's one of the best AND it's free!
Parks & Nature
Just a few short blocks from our house. Our park is HUGE and gorgeous. A great place for a run or walk. You might catch a wedding or a kickball league.
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Iphakethe ye-Tower Grove
4257 Northeast DriveJust a few short blocks from our house. Our park is HUGE and gorgeous. A great place for a run or walk. You might catch a wedding or a kickball league.
The gem of St. Louis. 1371 acres with a free world-class art museum, zoo and outdoor theatre. This was also the location of the 1904 World's Fair.
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Forest Park
5595 Grand DrThe gem of St. Louis. 1371 acres with a free world-class art museum, zoo and outdoor theatre. This was also the location of the 1904 World's Fair.
Arts & Culture
If you are an art lover, this is a MUST stop. So much to see from Rembrandt to Egyptian mummies. And always an interesting special exhibit.
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Iziko lika-Saint Louis Art
1 Fine Arts DrIf you are an art lover, this is a MUST stop. So much to see from Rembrandt to Egyptian mummies. And always an interesting special exhibit.
Current exhibit: Little Black Dress, black dresses through the ages. Really cool!
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Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell BlvdCurrent exhibit: Little Black Dress, black dresses through the ages. Really cool!
Shopping
Souvenirs are lame, but not at this place! Everything you need to remember your stay here including t-shirts you will not be embarrassed to wear!
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STL Style House
3159 Cherokee StSouvenirs are lame, but not at this place! Everything you need to remember your stay here including t-shirts you will not be embarrassed to wear!