Best STL Restaurants

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Five of the best STL restaurants that are locally owned. Keep reading to discover our St. Louis favorites.

I really like eating out, mainly because cooking isn’t my thing, and I enjoy trying local spots when I can. Sure, I hit up the chain restaurants everywhere, but I want to share some of my favorites in St. Louis. These best STL restaurants are super convenient for me since they’re close to my office. I go solo, hang out with friends or colleagues, and even take clients there for lunch. They serve dinner, too, but I usually pop in for a late lunch. Each place has its own vibe and different types of food. The best part? They’re all locally owned by St. Louisans. Keep reading to find out about five of the best local restaurants in St. Louis!

  1. The Frisco Barroom
  2. Katie’s Pizza and Pasta
  3. Stacked Burger Bar
  4. Salt + Smoke
  5. Twisted Tree Steakhouse

The Frisco Barroom – for American

8110 Big Bend Blvd. Webster Groves, MO

  • Holding an espresso martini on the rooftop at Frisco Barroom, a best STL restaurant.
    On the rooftop
  • Bev sitting at a table holding a cocktail at Frisco Barroom, a bet STL restaurant
    Enjoying a Boulevardier
  • An old fashioned on the table with the barroom in the background at Frisco Barroom, a best STL restaurant
    The Barroom

You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at The Frisco Barroom. The food is all made from scratch and super tasty. Seriously, every item I’ve tried has been awesome. My usual picks are the Grilled Chicken sandwich without the bread and a side of green beans or their vegetarian chili. And definitely sit at the bar where Derek will hook you up with a Boulevardier (my favorite), a glass of wine, or a local beer. If you’re into bourbon, they’ve got a solid selection, and you might even score a Weller 12-year-old now and then! They also have a fantastic patio and a rooftop seating area, which is pretty cool. No wonder I love it, and it’s one of the best STL restaurants in my book!

Katie’s Pizza and Pasta – for Pizza and Pasta, of course!

9568 Manchester Road, Rock Hill, MO 751 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 14171 Clayton Road, Town & Country, MO

  • A pasta and meatballs dish at Katie's Pizza and Pasta, a best STL restaurant.
    Spaghetti & Meatballs
  • A glass of red wine at Katie's, a best STL restaurant.
    A glass of red wine
  • A Katie's Pizza display at a local grocer.
    Katie’s is even available at the local grocery store

If you’re into pizza and pasta, you’ve gotta check this place out. Katie’s isn’t your average chain Italian joint; it’s something special. Everything is made fresh every day. They’ve got a cool mix of “other” dishes, too. I always go for the Famous Fried Artichoke Salad and toss in some grilled chicken—it’s super tasty! The hand-crafted pizzas are amazing, and the pasta is also on point. You can taste the freshness. The wine selection is solid, plus they make a superb Old Fashioned. Their covered patio is the perfect spot to hang out when the weather’s nice.

Stacked Burger Bar – for Gourmet Burgers

7637 Ivory Ave, Saint Louis, MO

  • South of the Border Bloody Mary at Stacked Burger Bar, a best STL restaurant.
    South of the Border Bloody Mary
  • Interior of Stacked, bar view with Stacked logo on the front of the bar.
    Stacked Burger Bar
  • An En Fuego Burger wrapped in lettuce with cole slaw, at Stacked, a best STL restaurant.
    En Fuego, wrapped in lettuce

Stacked...yum…I really love these burgers! Seriously, I sometimes can’t stop craving their En Fuego—it’s got ground chuck, pepper jack cheese, roasted corn guacamole, crispy fried jalapeños, and chipotle aioli all on a brioche bun. I usually get it wrapped in lettuce instead of the bun. It comes with fries, but I typically get the coleslaw, and sometimes I treat myself to a South of the Border Bloody Mary (or is it a Bloody Maria? It’s got tequila instead of vodka, cilantro, and a splash of beer—so good!). And if you can’t find the perfect burger on the menu? No problem! There’s a form and a pencil on the table so you can build your own gourmet burger just how you like it.

Salt + Smoke – for BBQ

6525 Delmar Blvd. St Louis, MO 501 Clark Ave., St. Louis, MO 5625 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO

501 South Main St., St. Charles, MO 1386 Clarkson/Clayton Shopping Center, Ellisville, MO

  • A close up of a jar of My Sweet Bestie, sweet BBQ sauce made by Salt + Smoke, a best STL restaurant.
    My Sweet Bestie BBQ sauce
  • An Old Fashioned with the bar in the background at Salt + Smoke.
    An Old Fashioned
  • The bar at Salt + Smoke with a lot of bourbons to choose from. A best STL restaurant.
    The bar with a huge selection of bourbons

Their website says, “Salt + Smoke, BBQ, Bourbon, Beer.” Honestly, I’m all about BBQ, and add bourbon to the mix? Count me in! St. Louis is a massive BBQ town, and I’ll proudly say our BBQ kicks Kansas City’s BBQ to the curb. That might stir up some debate, but I really believe it! My favorite is definitely the ribs. For me, ribs are the ultimate BBQ test, and these are seriously tough to beat. I usually kick off my meal with a solid Old Fashioned. And if you’re not a fan of the house bourbon, no worries—there are tons of options to pick from! Plus, they’ve got five different locations, but the one in the Central West End or Hampton are my faves since it’s close to my office and home and makes for a perfect spot to meet up with clients.

Twisted Tree Steakhouse – for Steaks

10701 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO

  • The house salad with caddy of toppings at Twisted Tree Steakhouse, a best STL restaurant.
    The side salad with a caddy of dressings and toppings
  • Steak tenderloin skewers with the bar in the background.
    Steak tenderloin skewers
  • Exterior of Twisted Tree Steakhouse with a statue of a steer.
    Exterior of Twisted Tree Steakhouse

Twisted Tree Steakhouse is dimly lit and has a cool, moody atmosphere. Booking a table in advance is a good idea, especially if you want to sit outside on the patio. Twisted Tree serves up 100% pure black Angus beef, and I’ve got to say, their salad is the best! They bring out homemade Pear Tree Vinaigrette and Madam French dressing in a little caddy, along with feta cheese and fresh croutons for you to mix in. I like to add both dressings; it’s so good! And the steak? Just amazing. For lunch, I usually go for the house side salad, the Tenderloin Skewers with that sherry peppercorn sauce, and whatever red wine from Orin Swift they have on hand. It’s a great spot whether you’re with clients, friends, or just hanging out by yourself.

Coming for a visit to St. Louis and want to check out where the locals eat, these are some of the top to pick from.

Plan to visit St. Louis? Check out these other best STL restaurants and things to do at Discover St. Louis, Local Ice Cream places in St. Louis, Breakfast St. Louis, and Bowood by Niche, a Unique Hidden Gem in St. Louis.

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