9 Best Restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri

In business since 1913, Crown Candy Kitchen is a bit of a time capsule thanks to its Coca-Cola collectibles, vintage jukebox, and classic soda fountain. Enjoy house-made chocolates and other sweets; thickly stacked sandwiches, jumbo franks, or chili; and butterscotch malteds, chocolate phosphates, or deluxe sundaes. The owners, Harry Karandzieff and Pete Jugaloff, brought their confectionery skills over from Greece, and, today, Harry’s grandsons run the business with a little help from the fourth generation.

A stalwart of the trendy Loop neighborhood of University City, the venerable intimate restaurant and music venue hosts up-and coming touring bands, local acts, and—once a month—Rock 'n Roll legend Chuck Berry. Dart competitions are also popular. Order a burger, sip a locally brewed Rock 'n' Roll beer, and pop a quarter in the famous 2,000-tune jukebox to get the good times going.

There's usually a wait at this popular Hill restaurant, but relaxing in the cocktail lounge is part of the experience. Once seated, you'll find plenty of veal and beef dishes, as well as more than 30 different pastas.

Indian art and tapestries adorn the walls in this tastefully (but minimally) decorated University City eatery, which serves dishes like chicken tikka masala, a boneless chicken breast cooked in a tomato cream sauce.

This stylishly decorated Thai restaurant has speedy service and a robust menu with traditional favorites like pad Thai and Tom Yum soup as well as more out-of-the-ordinary offerings, like Thai-influenced ravioli and fajitas.

This popular Frontenac restaurant, which has landscape paintings on its walls, is best known for prime rib; it also offers fresh seafood.

Generous, inexpensive servings of homemade pasta keep locals coming back to this no-frills, family-style restaurant.

Grab a frozen custard at this old fashioned, wait-outside-in-line stand, treasured by St. Louisians. Summer nights are busy, but the super efficient staff doles out the ice cream through a window with amazing speed. The concretes (shakes) are so thick they can be turned upside down and don't fall out. Don't miss this place.