St. Louis, Missouri is a large metropolitan city located in the heart of the country that boasts a great blend of city living and Midwestern charm. While this city is famous for its historic St. Louis Arch and hometown heroes, the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis also gets the nod for its delicious local cuisine. For those who have recently moved to the area, you’re in for a treat. Here are a few top picks from this foodie haven:

Charlie Gitto’s

St. Louis is rich in Italian heritage, so it’s only appropriate that Charlie Gitto’s makes the list of best restaurants. Charlie Gitto’s is a locally owned Italian eatery in St. Louis with three separate locations across the city. The first restaurant still operates out of the original building in “The Hill“, a popular urban neighborhood. The restaurant is famous for introducing toasted ravioli to St. Louis after a rather fortunate kitchen mishap. Other popular dishes here include the baked spaghetti and meatballs and the famous brick oven pizzas.

Boogaloo

This fun restaurant located in the heart of downtown offers a unique mix of Cuban and American food. The menu boasts Spanish tapas-inspired plates, as well as traditional American cuisine for less adventurous guests. Boogaloo is well-known for its fun decor and ambiance – the walls are covered in alligator skin wallpaper, and patrons are invited to sit at the bar in the restaurant’s popular handcrafted swings. This is a great pit stop for St. Louis natives and visitors alike.

Eleven Eleven Mississippi

This couple-owned restaurant in LaFayette Square sits in the renovated space of an old shoe factory. The restaurant’s unique location, combined with its delicious Tuscan cuisine, makes it a top choice for locals. Eleven Eleven Mississippi’s menu features savory house made pastas, flat breads, and an assortment of seafood and steaks. The owners have been awarded dozens of accolades from TripAdvisor, Urbanspoon, Zagat and other publications over the years, a testament to their commitment to an excellent culinary experience.

Bailey’s Chocolate Bar

This fabulous bar offers a wide variety of unique cocktails, desserts, and beers. The bar’s interior is cozy and laced with classic pieces, fabulous textures, and a candlelit ambiance. Bailey’s is best known for its wide variety of hot chocolate drinks and its decadent flour-less molten chocolate cake. While this is more popular as a dessert spot, the restaurant also offers a small dinner selection of casual eats which includes sandwiches and flatbread pizzas.

Mai Lee

Mai Lee is a popular Vietnamese-style restaurant located in a strip center in the outskirts of the city. This local favorite is famous for its egg noodle soup and traditional Pad Thai, but also offers several gluten-free and vegetarian options. While using chopsticks is encouraged, the restaurant staff will happily provide you with a fork if needed. Additional perks? Mai Lee also offers free garage parking and delivery service.

 

These are just a few of the many delicious eateries sprinkled throughout the St. Louis metro. Each of these locations offers a unique dining experience and delicious one-of-a-kind dishes. Add these popular destinations to your bucket list and mark one off next time you’re out on the town!