Food

Vegan buffet on Monday nights with dairy-free lassi!

Where to Try It: Straub’s is a great place to buy it (they carry a few excellent brands); Park Avenue Coffee in Lafayette Square also makes great gooey butter. The Kaldi’s in the FLTC has gooey butter sometimes but it’s too much like coffee cake … there are better options. 

Gooey butter is so good. A rich, sweet pastry square that will either be thin (arguably better because of the balanced ratio of topping to cake) or thick (more cake-like). Definitely try the original flavor before dabbling in the spin-offs like red velvet or chocolate chip.

Weird, eclectic place, but serves food until 3 a.m. on weekends and always has awesome options.

Fried chicken, mac’n’cheese, burgers, barbecue, and collard greens. (The “three” means three sides.)

This Filipino restaurant started as a food truck and has really taken over with its multiple brick and mortar locations. You really can’t go wrong here, but the Bicol Express is bomb.

Where to Try It: Gus’ in Benton Park ($5 minimum on credit cards).

A St. Louis institution has been selling hand twisted soft pretzels since 1920. They’ll even make party pretzels in large shapes and numbers for your special occasion.

Amazing pancakes and french toast, plus they put a tempura fried pickle spear on their bloody marys, soooo….

This fun bar in The Grove offers great pizza and bar snacks until 2 a.m. every night.

It’s fun to watch them make the nitro ice cream and they have a decent selection of dairy-free options.

Go-to pizza delivery option for many a St. Louisan, give Imo’s Pizza a try while you’re here. Order some salad with Imo’s house dressing and t-rav while you’re at it, if you want the full St. Louis experience. See STL Food Quirks for more info about St. Louis’ unique, often controversial pizza style.

If you can scrape together the coin then OMG go here. Upscale, novel Southeast Asian cuisine, plus the best sushi in town.

Late night hot cookies, delivered to your door.

Upscale American in a relaxed environment, with a focus on farm-to-table, local, organic and small suppliers. Make a reservation on their small patio during finer weather.

Arguably the closest Asian market to campus.

Want a break from concretes or can’t make it to Ted Drewes this week? This Columbus, Ohio scoop shop has a branch in the CWE, bringing their WOW-so-good, cow-to-cone ice cream straight to study weary WUSM students.

John’s is a St. Louis institution, open from 11 p.m. through noon each day, so that John can feed the late night and early morning donut crowds. Get an apple fritter!

Serving “cup bop,” Korean barbecue served over rice in a large froyo-style cup.

The FLTC location is right next to classrooms and carrels and is a popular meeting place. All locations are vegetarian friendly, and the FLTC location is fully vegetarian. The Euclid location is great for studying and has a mix of cozy/modern vibes. It’s a bit crowded during the weekend but in general, a great place to hang out with friends and get some work done!

Great sushi close to campus (ask for gluten-free soy sauce).

Artisan Italian pizza (with fancy toppings), pasta, craft cocktails, watermelon/ricotta salata salad, and also a fried artichoke salad that is not to be missed.

Study-centric coffee shop on the corner of the Danforth Campus (right off a MetroLink stop), with cozy ski lodge vibes.

The go-to Korean bakery for classic cakes, red bean buns, chicken curry buns, and light, fluffy Korean breads. Right next to Addie’s Thai House.

Good brunch, right in the heart of CWE’s Maryland Plaza.

The best steak and prime rib in the city. A non-pretentious setting, but don’t be fooled — Kreis’ serves the who’s who of St. Louis, including weekly visits by Cardinals baseball legend and beloved hometown hero Stan Musial until his death in 2013.

The only chain that has made its way to STL. Great bubbles, good tea.

Craving killer East Coast-style pizza? Pick up a pie at La Pizza (carry out only).

Cherokee Street is the hub for true Mexican taquerias. Stroll the small boutiques and Mexican grocers after you eat some street tacos and tortas at La Vallesana. Buy a homemade paleta or an agua fresca on your way out the door!

Burgers and shawarma close to campus.

Where to Try It: St. Pius V, St. Cecelia (expect a line).

Every Friday during Lent, Catholic churches around St. Louis open their doors to the public to serve up fried fish. Most serve traditional fish and chips, but head to St. Cecelia’s church for tamales, refried beans, margaritas, beer, and traditional Mexican dances.

Where to Try It: Lion’s Choice.

This local fast food chain makes Arby’s seem like raccoon food. Order a roast beef and cheese sandwich, and dunk it in their hot au jus. Life hack: dunk the fries in au jus, too (works best if you first bite the end off the fry). Tons of other sauces (horseradish, tangy BBQ, etc.) and the best crushed ice (great with a Dr. Pepper, which FYI was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis).

Fresh Asian comfort food. Vegan-friendly. Make-your-own rice paper wraps.

Grapefruit, cranberry, or orange mimosas available (are you noticing a theme here?), plus some waistline-conscious food options (egg white avocado omelette FTW).

More Olivette dim sum, plus other Chinese dishes.

Comfort food, but still vegetable-focused. They serve brunch on Sundays now!

Right off the MetroLink. Incredible pork buns and banh xeo, belly-warming phở, and their banh mi are a steal at $4. (Pro tip: Pick some Mai Lee banh mi before attending one of St. Louis’ many free, outdoor picnic-style events). Qui (@phokingqui on insta — he has a sense of humor) and his family put their heart and soul into this place and his new venture, Nudo House.

The go-to for dim sum on a Sunday morning along this strip of Olive Street Road home to many Asian restaurants and grocers.

Mango in downtown is another wonderful option for diners with allergies. The restaurant serves Peruvian food, with classics like lomo saltado and ceviche. Even if you have a seafood allergy, there are several other protein options available.

Fast-casual Puerto Rican, Dominican and Cuban food. Great rice bowls and Cuban sandwiches, plus bomb maduros y tostones.

Fast-casual Mediterranean food, fairly close to campus in Maryland Plaza.

This Mexican dive in a random U City strip mall (tucked behind the Loop) is a hit with WashU undergrads. They have an extensive menu, the typical beans and rice sides, lots of gooey chihuahua cheese, huge but mediocre margs, and of course, the standard fare of tacos/fajitas/enchiladas/quesadillas/burritos. If you’re craving Mexican but don’t want to go full throttle on beans and cheese, the chicken enchiladas verdes are truly great (filled with chicken breast, fresh avocado, cilantro, and queso fresco).

Five minutes from campus, east on Forest Park, for a closer bite.

Street tacos and excellent margs, popular with WUSM students. Late night happy hour specials include $2 tacos and $2 tequila shots after 10 p.m.

Cannoli, wedding cookies, and other classic Italian sweets at this St. Louis institution.

A 10-minute drive from campus, with lots of seating and food options (including a renowned spicy ramen).

A bit of a walk from the CWE – Euclid, but their excellent coffee, laid-back atmosphere, and friendly baristas make it worthwhile.

Handcrafted ramen, with a broth informed by one of Japan’s leading ramen chefs.

Lovely date night spot by James Beard semifinalist Ben Poremba, offering upscale Mediterranean small plates on delicate china dishes, in a renovated 1930s Standard Oil filling station. In warm weather, sit under the string lights on their expansive but uncrowded patio. Try the smoked trout toast, hummus, roasted carrots, caponata, and freshly baked bread from their outdoor stone oven.

Upscale American fare with great cocktails.

Reliable Asian supermarket; cash required for purchases under $10.

Get in line via Yelp, and enjoy an expansive list of pancakes from this cozy Portland, Oregon chain.