Private Food Tasting Walking Tour in Saint Louis Downtown
Satisfy your culinary curiosity with a private tour that takes you on a flavorful journey through some of the city's most beloved dining spots.
40 upscale places in St. Louis, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in St. Louis: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All St. Louis food.
Planter's House ★ 4.6
lafayette-square · 1000 Mississippi Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Ted Kilgore's Lafayette Square bar started the modern St. Louis cocktail movement, and its barrooms still set the city's drinking standard today.
Tip: The front Bullock Room is louder; the back bar is for serious cocktails. Order a classic and watch the technique.
Pastaria ★ 4.4
clayton · 7734 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105
James Beard winner Gerard Craft's Clayton Italian runs on handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza in a busy room. The most reliable Italian table off The Hill.
Tip: It books up at weekends; the bar and the patio take walk-ins. The next-door Pastaria Deli & Wine handles takeaway.
Louie ★ 4.4
clayton · 706 DeMun Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
This DeMun bistro pairs a fiery pizza oven with a tight Italian menu, and its wood-oven roast chicken is among the best in the metro. A neighbourhood room.
Tip: It does not take many reservations, so come early or settle in at the bar. The gnocco fritto is close to mandatory.
Acero ★ 4.3
maplewood · 7266 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143
Acero plates handmade pasta and a deep, off-the-beaten-path Italian wine list in Maplewood. It is the quiet, grown-up Italian dinner locals favour.
Tip: The wine list rewards trusting the staff with a regional pick. Reserve on Resy; the room is small.
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab ★ 4.3
benton-park · 1831 Sidney St, St. Louis, MO 63104
Gerard Craft's Benton Park seafood shack plates lobster rolls, oysters and a New England clam boil, a casual coastal counter in a landlocked city.
Tip: The lobster roll is the signature; go Connecticut-style with warm butter. It is no-reservations and fills fast.
Yellowbelly ★ 4.3
central-west-end · 4659 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
A Central West End rum bar, Yellowbelly pours island-inspired tiki cocktails and coastal small plates in a bright beachy room. The city's tropical-drink hub.
Tip: The signature Yellowbelly and the rum-heavy tiki list are the orders. Brunch and patio seating round it out.
33 Wine Shop & Bar ★ 4.3
lafayette-square · 1913 Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Open since 2001 in Lafayette Square, 33 lets you pull any bottle off the retail wall and drink it at the bar for a small corkage. A pioneering local wine bar.
Tip: Browse the shelves, pick a bottle, and pay shop price plus corkage to drink in. The cheese and charcuterie pair well.
Frazer's ★ 4.2
benton-park · 1811 Pestalozzi St, St. Louis, MO 63118
A Benton Park gathering place for 25 years, Frazer's pairs a globe-trotting comfort menu with one of the better cocktail programmes on the south side.
Tip: It is a neighbourhood room that fills with regulars; reserve at weekends and ask the bar what is being shaken that night.
Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria ★ 4.2
rock-hill · 9568 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119
Katie Collier's Rock Hill osteria fires blistered pizzas and plates house-made pasta in a buzzy room, a polished casual Italian with several metro branches.
Tip: The wood-fired pizzas and the burrata are the orders. Reserve ahead; the Rock Hill room stays busy.
Small Change ★ 4.2
benton-park · 2800 Indiana Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118
A Benton Park cocktail bar with a clever, accessible list, Small Change does top-notch drinks at fair prices, and turns into a Christmas pop-up each winter.
Tip: The cocktails punch above the price; the winter Miracle pop-up is a season highlight. Cosy and walk-in friendly.
Retreat Gastropub ★ 4.2
central-west-end · 2 N Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108
A Central West End gastropub, Retreat pairs a serious cocktail list with elevated pub plates, a polished neighbourhood bar from the team behind Yellowbelly.
Tip: It works as both a cocktail stop and a full dinner; the burger and the drinks share top billing. Reserve at weekends.
The Royale ★ 4.2
tower-grove-south · 3132 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63139
A South City public house for two decades, The Royale pours ward-themed cocktails and serves a strong burger on one of the city's best bar patios.
Tip: The garden patio is the draw in warm months; the cocktails are named for city wards. The burger holds up the food menu.
Venice Cafe ★ 4.2
benton-park · 1903 Pestalozzi St, St. Louis, MO 63118
A Benton Park institution covered floor-to-ceiling in mosaic and folk art, Venice Cafe is the city's most idiosyncratic bar, with a lush patio and live music.
Tip: The art-covered patio is the whole point; come for a warm-weather evening with live music. Cash is handy here.
Urban Chestnut Grove Bierhall ★ 4.2
the-grove · 4465 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Urban Chestnut's 400-seat Grove Bierhall is as much a bar as a brewery, pouring German-style lagers in a vast hall with Fordo's pizza, a go-to for groups.
Tip: It is huge and family-friendly; the Zwickel lager is the pour to start. Pizza comes from Fordo's in the same hall.
Rockwell Beer Company Taproom ★ 4.2
the-grove · 1320 S Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Rockwell's Grove taproom pours crisp house lagers and saisons with tavern-style pizza, a polished newer brewery bar near the Grove nightlife strip.
Tip: The tavern-style pizza pairs with the house lager. It is a good first stop before a night out in the Grove.
The Side Project Cellar ★ 4.2
maplewood · 7373 Marietta Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143
Side Project's Maplewood Cellar is a Belgian-inspired beer bar that also pours deep whiskey and wine lists, the tasting room for the metro's top brewery.
Tip: It is beer-forward but the whiskey and wine lists are serious too. A short walk from the brewery itself.
Sasha's Wine Bar on DeMun ★ 4.2
clayton · 706 DeMun Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
Sasha's DeMun room pours an approachable by-the-glass list with cheese and charcuterie in a homey Clayton space, one of two long-running Sasha's wine bars.
Tip: Order a cheese-and-charcuterie board and let the staff pair glasses across it. The patio is the prize in warm months.
Parker's Table ★ 4.2
richmond-heights · 7118 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63117
Parker's Table is a popular boutique wine, beer and gourmet shop in Richmond Heights pouring varied glasses at the back bar and stocking small-producer.
Tip: Tell the staff your budget and the meal; they are excellent at matching a bottle. Strong cheese counter too.
The Side Project Cellar ★ 4.2
maplewood · 7373 Marietta Ave, Maplewood, MO 63143
Side Project's Maplewood Cellar is a Belgian-inspired beer bar that also pours a deep whiskey and wine list, the tasting room for the metro's top brewery.
Tip: It is beer-forward but the wine and whiskey lists are serious too. A short walk from the brewery itself.
Charlie Gitto's On The Hill ★ 4.1
the-hill · 5226 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
A Hill institution tied to the toasted-ravioli origin story, Charlie Gitto's plates red-sauce Italian classics in a clubby room. The t-ravs draw first-timers.
Tip: Reserve for dinner; the dining room fills with regulars and out-of-town pilgrims. Start with the toasted ravioli and a Caesar.
Frazer's Lounge ★ 4.1
benton-park · 1811 Pestalozzi St, St. Louis, MO 63118
The lounge side of Frazer's in Benton Park pours some of the best classic cocktails on the south side, a 25-year-old bar attached to the restaurant.
Tip: Sit at the bar for the cocktail program even if you are not dining. Ask what the bartender is shaking that night.
Sasha's on DeMun ★ 4.1
clayton · 706 DeMun Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
Sasha's DeMun bar pairs a wide by-the-glass wine list with cocktails and noshing plates in a homey Clayton room, a relaxed spot with a popular patio.
Tip: Order a cheese board and let staff pair glasses across it. The patio fills first on warm evenings.
Brennan's ★ 4.1
central-west-end · 316 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Kevin Brennan's Central West End townhouse bar spreads across a fireside lounge, basement bar and patio, pouring deep wine and cocktail lists with cigars.
Tip: The multi-room layout suits any mood, from fireside to basement. Cigars are sold for the back patio.
4 Hands Brewing Taproom ★ 4.1
lasalle-park · 1220 S 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63104
4 Hands runs a large taproom near the stadium pouring its broad range from the City Wide flagship to barrel-aged stouts, a busy pre-game and weekend beer bar.
Tip: It fills on Cardinals game days; City Wide is the easy-drinking flagship. Ask after barrel-aged releases.
Civil Life Brewing Beer Garden ★ 4.1
tower-grove-south · 3714 Holt Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116
Civil Life's leafy Tower Grove South beer garden is a popular low-key drinking spot, pouring sessionable English-style ales like its classic American Brown.
Tip: The American Brown in the beer garden is the move on a warm evening. It is unpretentious and cash-friendly.
The Schlafly Tap Room ★ 4.1
downtown-west · 2100 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103
St. Louis's original craft brewery, the Schlafly Tap Room pours the full range in a brick downtown brewpub that has anchored the local beer scene since 1991.
Tip: The pale ale year-round and the pumpkin ale in autumn are the calls. The brewpub kitchen does solid pub food.
Sasha's on Shaw ★ 4.1
botanical-heights · 4069 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
The Shaw outpost of Sasha's pours the same wide by-the-glass list and noshing plates near the Botanical Garden, a relaxed neighbourhood wine bar.
Tip: It works for a glass before dinner near the Botanical Garden. The board-and-glass pairing is the move here too.
The Clover and the Bee ★ 4.1
webster-groves · 100 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119
By day a neighborhood cafe, Thursday to Saturday The Clover and the Bee turns its candlelit room into a natural wine bar with producer-led bottles and snacks.
Tip: Come Thursday through Saturday after 5pm for the natural wine list; the kitchen leans Italian and sweets travel well by the glass.
Brennan's ★ 4.1
central-west-end · 316 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Kevin Brennan's Central West End bar pours a deep wine list with small plates across a townhouse of rooms, from a fireside lounge to a basement bar and patio.
Tip: The multi-room layout suits any mood; ask the bar for a by-the-glass recommendation. Cigars are sold for the patio.
Gian-Tony's Ristorante ★ 4.0
the-hill · 5356 Daggett Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Open on The Hill since 1989, Gian-Tony's serves Southern Italian veal, chicken and seafood from a chef-owner who still runs the kitchen most nights.
Tip: Reserve for the small dining room and ask after the night's veal preparation. Closed early in the week, so plan a Wednesday-to-Sunday visit.
Tschuss ★ 4.0
cherokee-street · 2847 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118
A European-leaning cocktail bar and dance club on Cherokee Street, Tschuss pours straight-up classics alongside Club-Mate-and-German-beer specialties.
Tip: Go for the classics with the option to upgrade to top-shelf liquor; the dance floor heats up Thursday through Saturday after 10pm.
Three Sixty ★ 4.0
downtown · 1 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
Atop the Hilton at the Ballpark, Three Sixty offers 360-degree skyline views, including down into Busch Stadium, across a big indoor and outdoor terrace.
Tip: Go at sunset or during a Cardinals game for the stadium view. It is the marquee downtown rooftop, so expect a crowd.
The Crow's Nest ★ 4.0
maplewood · 7336 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143
A laid-back Maplewood gastropub, The Crow's Nest pairs refined bar food with rotating craft beer, pinball and heavy-metal-themed brunches. A quirky favourite.
Tip: The pinball, patio and themed brunches set it apart. Good rotating beer list and an easygoing crowd.
City Winery St. Louis ★ 4.0
midtown · 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110
At City Foundry, City Winery is a wine bar, restaurant and live-music room in one, pouring house-made and curated wines before and during concerts in Midtown.
Tip: Pair a flight with a show; check the music calendar. The on-site production wines are worth trying by the glass.
City Winery St. Louis ★ 4.0
midtown · 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110
At City Foundry in Midtown, City Winery pairs house-made and chosen wines with live music nights in a 350-seat industrial room with garage-door patio.
Tip: Pair dinner and wine with a concert; check the calendar. The on-site production wines are worth a flight.
The Wine Merchant ★ 4.0
clayton · 20 S Hanley Rd, Clayton, MO 63105
A long-running Clayton wine shop with a tasting bar, The Wine Merchant pairs a selected retail wall with by-the-glass pours and a knowledgeable staff.
Tip: Ask the staff to open something interesting by the glass at the bar. Strong for both gifts and everyday bottles.
Twisted Tree Steakhouse ★ 4.0
sunset-hills · 10701 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63127
Twisted Tree backs its steaks with an extensive Old World and New World wine list, a Sunset Hills steakhouse where the cellar is as much a draw as the beef.
Tip: The list runs deep into collectible bottles; ask the staff for a steak pairing. A west-county splurge.
Six Mile Bridge Beer Taproom ★ 3.9
maryland-heights · 11841 Dorsett Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Six Mile Bridge runs a family-friendly Maryland Heights taproom pouring Belgian-inspired and American styles, a relaxed west-county beer bar.
Tip: Rotating taps and food trucks make it a casual evening out. A good pairing with nearby Creve Coeur Lake.
Eclipse at Moonrise ★ 3.9
delmar-loop · 6117 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
Eclipse at the Moonrise Hotel pours a galaxy of wine and beer alongside an award-winning cocktail program in the Delmar Loop, with a rooftop bar above.
Tip: Pair a glass with the modern American menu, then head to the rooftop for a nightcap. Handy before a Loop show.
The Heavy Anchor ★ 3.8
tower-grove-south · 5226 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116
A South City dive and live-music room, The Heavy Anchor pairs cheap drinks with a back-room stage for local and touring bands. A no-frills music bar.
Tip: The back room hosts shows most nights; the front bar is for cheap drinks and pinball. Check the gig calendar.
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