These 8 Unique Restaurants In St. Louis Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience
By Meg Archer|Updated on October 04, 2022(Originally published September 30, 2022)
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Meg Archer
Author
Meg Archer is an Editor & Newsletter Editor who has called Oregon home for nearly 30 years. She spent her childhood exploring the mountains, forests, and high desert of Central Oregon before relocating to Portland after a brief stint out-of-state for college. She holds an B.A. in English from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University. Meg has worked in writing, editing, and media-related fields for over 10 years and joined the team at OnlyInYourState in 2015. When she’s not writing or exploring the West Coast, Meg enjoys playing tabletop games, working on visual media projects, and can always be found in the front row at Portland Timbers matches.
There’s no shortage of delicious food in St. Louis, but some restaurants just take your meal to a whole new level of awesome when the dining experience is truly one-of-a-kind. These eight fun places to eat in St. Louis do just that by combining fantastic food with a fun atmosphere that adds something extra special to your meal in an unforgettable way!
1. The Fountain on Locust
The Fountain on Locust, 3037 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
The vibrant Art Deco interior of The Fountain on Locust attracts tons of photographers, but the real star here is the ice cream! While you could go for a classic sundae, malt, or milkshake, The Fountain on Locust has a truly unique specialty: ice cream cocktails! While the Signature Ice Cream Martini is definitely a favorite, you’ll also find fun adult dessert drinks like beer and champagne floats, and reimagined retro cocktails, which are truly out-of-this-world! You'll quickly discover that it might just be the most whimsical restaurant in St. Louis.
The Fountain of Locust isn’t just an ice cream parlor-bar hybrid; they also have a super delicious food menu offering amazing made-from-scratch soups (the menu rotates between 47 different recipes!), excellent salads, tasty sandwiches, and several interesting entrees. While you can pick from several different sides, we suggest trying their amazing hand-cut chips!
Winslow’s Table & Bakery is a unique little place; it’s part restaurant, part general store, but all-around fun! The kitchen focuses on classic comfort food, prepared using the freshest, locally-sourced produce and meats. The menu changes seasonally with the growing seasons, so you always know that you are getting the best quality, freshest food around. In fact, much of it is grown at the Winslow’s Farm!
Brunch at Winslow’s Table & Bakery just can’t be beat. Sure, there can be a long line to get it, but that just goes to show how many people are willing to wait a few extra minutes in order to enjoy and out-of-this-world breakfast! The homemade baked goods are downright incredible (and you will definitely want to take a few home for later!) The outdoor patio space is an excellent spot to spend a warm day enjoying the fabulously fresh food at Winslow’s Table & Bakery!
We have a sweet tooth. We just can’t help it. Crown Candy Kitchen gives us cavity-inducing dreams. This spot is one of those old-fashioned sweet shops with bright, colorful treats taunting you from behind glass cases and filling large glass jars. It’s everything you ever wanted in an retro soda fountain and candy shop. There’s an old-school jukebox, vintage Coca-Cola signs adorning the walls, and tray after tray of homemade chocolates just waiting to be devoured. Crown Candy Kitchen is the real deal. The classic milkshake mixers and soda fountains aren’t just for show; this little local shop has been around since 1913 and is one of the oldest of its kind.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that there is only candy to be had here; Crown Candy Kitchen also has an outstanding diner-style menu and serves up comfort food classics like nobody else. Just look at this this sandwich. That’s the BLT. That much bacon should be illegal... but we’re really glad it isn’t, because this mouthwateringly delicious monster is amazing!
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to take a trip back in time to the days when upscale hunting lodges dominated the social scene in eras past, you will absolutely love Fox & Hounds Tavern. It’s located inside The Cheshire Inn and is fully decked out in cozy, overstuffed chairs, rustic dark-wood furniture, paintings and trophies adorning the walls, and an incredible stone fireplace. You can’t get much more authentic than this. It’s the perfect place to warm up on a cold fall or winter night, but there’s also a patio and pool to take a dip in when the weather heats up!
As total literary nerds, we couldn’t help but comment on the cocktail list, which is filled with drinks named after famous authors and just as delicious as the written masterpieces they gave to the world. They have an impressive list of more than a dozen whiskeys (Irish, Scottish, and American) and the beer list features great pub-favorites. If you are feeling bold, you can even order a yard of ale! The menu is short, but features the classic dishes that you would most like to enjoy in an ambiance like this. The Bristol Sliders and tasty wings are always a good choice. Bonus: there’s live music every Friday and Saturday night!
Fox & Hounds Tavern is inside the Cheshire Inn, located at 6300 Clayton Rd., Saint Louis, MO. Truly, there's so much to love about this unique restaurant and pub in St. Louis.
5. Boogaloo
Boogaloo, 7344 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63143, USA
Did you know that you could temporarily travel to a tropical paradise in St. Louis? It's true! Your tummy will be doing a happy dance after just one bite of the awesome, authentic Creole-Cuban-Caribbean food at Boogaloo - which is the most perfect name ever for a place so tasty it will make your toes tap! Boogaloo serves up tapas and small plates, so bring along a few friends, order an array, and fight away over your favorites (luckily, most of the "small" plates are much more generous than those at other restaurants).
It’s not just the food that we love at Boogaloo; this restaurant is truly unique! The vibrant colors and quirky-cool decor inside make it impossible NOT to smile, and if you are lucky enough to grab a spot at the bar, you won’t be hanging out on a regular old barstool… the seats here are actually swings! Boogaloo has a fantastic drink menu, featuring both traditional mojitos and caipirinhas as well as some seriously creative in-house creations! Happy hour at Boogaloo is unbeatable (and award winning!), so come on down to the happiest spot in town!
Everyone in St. Louis knows that Fitz’s Root Beer is the best soda EVER, but did you know they also serve up some excellent food in their restaurant as well? If you are a true St. Louisan, you do! There are tons of amazing appetizers, gumbos, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and more… all to complement their incredible, one-of-a-kind craft sodas!
They’re always on tap… and they also can whip them up into pretty cool "adult beverages" as well! Learn more about how you can find the best soda in St. Louis.
This St. Louis landmark is known for its fun, funky pop culture memorabilia and as a live music venue… not to mention the restaurant’s excellent burgers. There’s always something cool to look at while you are enjoying the fantastic appetizers and entrees, from the vintage posters and knick-knacks adorning the walls, to the quirky collections, including memorabilia from Star Wars, The Simpsons, Elvis, and even rare Pez dispensers! And let’s not forget the bright lights of the arcade, which features old-school games like Pac-Man, pinball, and darts.
Don’t miss out on the fried cheddar cheese balls and toasted ravioli, amazing homemade soups and, of course, the burgers (the breakfast wagyu burger is fantastic)! They also have tons of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a St. Louis icon; there’s no doubt about that! This mom n’ pop shop opened up in 1930 and has become so ingrained in St. Louis culture that it would be impossible not to give a nod to the famous (and let’s be honest, the best) dessert. There are now three different Ted Drewes shops across the city, all serving up some of the finest frozen custard in the world.
Ted Drewes is most famous for the "concrete" - a milkshake or blended custard so thick that it can be held upside down without losing a single drop! Now THAT is rich custard! They offer dozens of fun flavor combinations and release new rotating styles all the time, or you can choose to build your own from the long list of toppings and add-ons available. Learn more about what just might be the most famous dessert in St. Louis -- if not all of Missouri!
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has three locations in the St. Louis area:
4224 S Grand Blvd., Saint Louis, MO
6726 Chippewa St., Saint Louis, MO
10701 Lambert International Blvd., Saint Louis, MO.
Are you hungry yet? Grab your forks and knives – this is one unforgettable food journey. Bon appetit!
What are some of your go-to fun places to eat in St. Louis? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you!
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fun places to eat in St. Louis
Beth C. |October 04, 2022
What food is St. Louis famous for?
If you're a fan of delicious and unique dining experiences, you can't go wrong with a trip to St. Louis. Not only are the restaurants impressive on every level, but the food itself is top-notch. Have you ever wondered what food St. Louis is famous for? Well, it turns out there are more than a few. At the top of the list would be toasted ravioli. This spin on a classic Italian dish is lightly breaded and then deep fried to perfection. It's often served as an appetizer before the main course. If you have the chance to try it, you'll be glad you did! St. Louis is also famous for must-try foods such as St. Louis-style pizza, gooey butter cake, and the St. Paul sandwich.
Where can I find the best barbecue in St. Louis?
Barbecue fans won't be disappointed when they visit St. Louis. The options for dining on delicious ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken are virtually endless. Some of the most famous barbecue spots in St. Louis, Missouri include Pappy's Smokehouse, Bogart's Smokehouse, Sugarfire Smoke House, Adam's Smokehouse, and BEAST Butcher & Block.
What are some other cool places to eat in St. Louis?
You could easily dedicate an entire lifetime to exploring all of the cool places to eat in St. Louis. If you're into pizza, that is especially true. In fact, we've put together an ultimate pizza bucket list for St. Louis, and it includes some of the town's top spots. These restaurants include Pizza Head, Epic Pizza and Subs, Pi Pizzeria, Anthonino's Taverna, Cecil Whittaker's Pizzeria, Onesto's Pizza & Trattoria, Felix's Pizza Pub, and Twinoak Wood-Fired Pizza & BBQ.
Are there any kid-friendly restaurants in St. Louis?
You bet! St. Louis, Missouri is a great place to visit with the entire family. When you're ready for a good meal, you'll be happy to discover there are plenty of kid-friendly spots to eat. Some of our favorites include Dewey's Pizza, Frisco Barroom, Rise Coffee House, and the Parkmoor Drive-In. And, if you're looking for fun things to do between meals, check out our list of these kid-friendly trails in St. Louis. They're all under a mile!
