Food

I am allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and fish, so when I moved to St. Louis my first year, I was anxious to see how the restaurants in the area dealt with food allergies. Thankfully, I’ve found that many restaurants have allergen menus, and those that do not are more than willing to make accommodations from my experience! I’ve had no problems finding things I can safely eat at all of the most popular places near the medical school and in the city. Some of my favorites include Jeni’s Ice Cream (they have vegan flavors!), Protagonist Cafe (their bakery is almost entirely vegan and nut free), Nudo House (ramen!), and Saucy Porka (Puerto Rican/Asian fusion).

I’m fan of Salt + Smoke and Sugarfire. Both have great food but with different vibes. Salt + Smoke is more of a sit-down place, and at Sugarfire you order at a counter and get your food on a big tray (they also have a great selection of local sodas). Near the WashU Medical Campus, I’ve heard good things about the BBQ Saloon but I haven’t tried it myself (yet)!

My favorite brunch spot is City Coffee and Creperie, located west of Forest Park in Clayton. They have a wide selection of sweet and savory crepes (my personal favorite is the strawberry-banana-Nutella one). It has an order at the counter and seat yourself set-up. There’s also lots of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice!

Blues City Deli and Gramophone both serve great sandwiches. Gramophone is located in The Grove and is open late, while Blues City Deli is a bit farther but in my opinion has better sandwiches! Other great spots I’ve found are Sauce on the Side (also in The Grove and serves calzones), U-City Grill (in The Loop and serves Korean food), Hi-Pointe Drive-In (near the Danforth Campus and has the best burgers in the city), BLK MKT (near SLU and serves sushi burritos), and Lona’s Lil Eats (south of downtown St. Louis and serves burrito-sized spring rolls).

These restaurants are scattered in St. Louis and within a 10-15-minute drive.

• Cate Zone: A cozy restaurant with a wait sometimes, but they’ve got legit dishes from multiple Chinese cuisines that keep people going back.
• Chao Zhou Cuisine: Authentic Cantonese cuisine for all your duck dishes and lou mei needs.
• ChiliSpot: Authentic Szechuan cuisine. Period.
• Corner 17: Szechuan restaurant with hand-pulled noodles and spicy dishes that’s loved by all WashU undergrad students.
• Lulu’s Seafood: Traditional auspicious red decor, huge round tables, and massive menu.
• Joyluck: Best bang-for-your-buck, Chinese buffet that is nearby.
• Soup Dumplings STL: Some say it’s like Din Tai Fung in St. Louis, but cheaper.
• Tai Ke Shabu Shabu: The most welcoming owner runs this Taiwanese restaurant with amazing stir fry dishes and delicious Taiwanese street snacks.
• Vegas Wok: THE wok that makes quick and affordable takeout dishes which many undergrads live on.

For the full St. Louis experience, you’ll have to try gooey butter cake and frozen custard. Gooey butter cake is ubiquitous in any bakery you enter; it’s served as a square and perfectly lives up to its name — it’s gooey and buttery. There are a few competing frozen custard places around town, and they’re all open late to satisfy the late-night cravings that medical school induces. The most famous (but it’s a drive from campus) is Ted Drewes, which offers infinite build-your-own frozen custard options and is a popular hangout spot for community members. Arguably the best custard comes from Andy’s, where there are fewer options and a steeper cost, but it’s impossible to go wrong. Anything bigger than a “small” size from Andy’s is a two-person endeavor. Finally, for a classic ice cream dessert that never misses, try Clementine’s Creamery, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, or Ices Plain & Fancy.

Shopping at farmers’ markets is a great way to support St. Louis’s local businesses, and it’s often cheaper and fresher than the grocery store! The Soulard Farmers’ Market is located just south of downtown (about a 10-minute drive from campus) and is advertised as the oldest public market west of the Mississippi. It’s open year-round from Wednesday to Saturday during business hours, but there are the most vendors present on Friday and Saturday mornings. It’s a great spot to pick up affordable produce and confections, but you can find just about anything there, including every type of meat imaginable (seriously), various breads, plants, clothes, and souvenirs. There are also $3 cocktails to sip on while you shop around, and make sure you bring cash because many vendors don’t take cards. In addition to the Soulard market, many local neighborhoods have vibrant farmers’ markets during harvest seasons, including University City and Tower Grove. Touring a farmers’ market is a great way to spend a weekend morning and get in touch with the local community!

The St. Louis Children’s Hospital cafeteria is not only GOOD, it’s CHEAP. It’s a small walk away, but luckily the Link (if you can figure it out) makes it readily accessible without having to go outside. It has a variety of food including pizza, burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and more. Also, the seating area is so cute with skylights and a large hot air balloon. One time, there was even a miniature horse to pet.

There are tons of great restaurants in the Central West End (CWE) such as Brasserie by Niche, Bar Italia, and, my favorite, Yellowbelly. There is also a great collection of Italian restaurants on The Hill (about a 10-minute drive from the CWE), my favorite being Charlie Gitto’s (but make sure you book in advance)!

Katie’s Pizza and Pasta has delicious gluten-free (GF) pizza and pasta alternatives. You can also get a GF hamburger with a GF bun at Yellowbelly. Salt + Smoke has GF barbecue with a dedicated GF fryer. Lona’s Lil Eats also has amazing GF options. Britt’s Bake House and Prioritized Pastries are two GF bakeries in town (although I haven’t tried them yet). I recommend using the Find Me Gluten Free app to locate other spots with GF offerings in town (especially helpful if you have celiac disease and diners leave reviews on cross contamination).

When it comes to Asian food in St. Louis, there may be areas where, compared to the East or West Coasts, the quality of the cuisine can be lacking. However, after living here for the past six years, I’ve found that Korean food is (luckily) the exception! There are numerous Korean restaurants and grocery stores around St. Louis, so here are just a few of my favorites to get you started:

1. Seoul Garden (in Creve Coeur) has a-la-carte and all-you-can-eat options, as well as tables for group cooking. The quality of the meat is excellent, there are rotating Soju cocktails year-round, and at around $30 for a quality all-you-can-eat (with free Banchan), this place is my go-to for a weekend splurge.

2. Wudon has a-la-carte and all-you-can-eat options, as well as tables for group cooking. Wudon’s quality of meat is a bit lower than Seoul Garden’s, but the food’s still very delicious — and at only $24 for all-you-can-eat, you can’t go wrong with this place. Free Banchan and larger tables for big groups makes this my go-to for Korean barbecue with a large group of friends. Note: Wudon allows for reservations but only 24 hours in advance, so keep that in mind if you have a big group!

3. Joo Joo does not have all-you-can-eat and is therefore the most expensive of these three; however, the quality of the meat (and side dishes!) cannot be denied. The kimchi fried rice here is to die for, and they have karaoke rooms that you can book as well! I personally stick mostly to Seoul Garden and Wudon, but if you’ve got the money and love to sing, then give Joo Joo a try! Tip: the more friends you bring, the cheaper the bill split will be for everyone 😉

Hopefully this helps get you started on some spots for good Korean barbecue in St. Louis. My best advice is to always keep exploring new options because not only are new spots popping up every year, you also just never know what’s going to be your favorite place! Enjoy and happy eating!

Late night food in the Central West End is sadly not the easiest to come by. Many food locations close around 8-10 p.m., and this can make it pretty tricky to find a midnight snack if you’re in a pinch. If you happen to be near one of the hospital cafeterias that close around 2 a.m., cut your losses and drop in, or order some Taco Bell.

As someone from New York City, I was definitely a little nervous about finding good quality Middle Eastern food in the Midwest, but I’m happy (and very relieved) to report that Taste of Lebanon in the Central West End (CWE) definitely delivers! It’s also open later than other restaurants in the CWE, and its location is super convenient (only a few blocks away from Whole Foods). I recommend the chicken shawarma wrap!

St. Louis has a wide range of restaurants sure to satisfy pasta cravings! The Hill neighborhood has streets lined with great Italian restaurants to explore, such as Charlie Gitto’s, Favazza’s, Mama’s, and Zia’s On The Hill. Beyond The Hill, some other places for pasta and Italian food around St. Louis and beyond include Katie’s Pizza and Pasta, Lombardo’s Trattoria, Pastaria, and Trattoria Marcella.

There’s a pizza place on every corner in St. Louis, so you’ll be able to find any Chicago, New York, St. Louis, or fast-food pizza that your heart desires. St. Louis-style pizza is Chicago deep dish pizza’s under-appreciated little brother. The three hallmarks of St. Louis-style pizza are extra thin crust, square cuts, and delicious Provel cheese. For the authentic St. Louis-style pizza experience, your first stop should be Imo’s Pizza, and make sure to try some Cinnimos while you’re there. For a unique twist, definitely check out Sauce on the Side in The Grove or Clayton for giant, affordable, and delicious calzones.

City Foundry STL is a food court with great international and local restaurants. It’s a fun place to sample different cuisines and go with a large group of friends. You can also watch sports there and get drinks.

South Grand is a neighborhood known for its international eateries, vintage shops, and great vibes. There are several restaurants there that are fantastic, such as Sheesh, Meskerem, Lemongrass, Lulu’s Local Eatery, The Vine, and Pho Long. There’s a bookstore called Dunaway Books that carries old and out-of-print books, and a store called Urban Matter that carries lots of locally made products. There are also several brunch spots around the city that are great, including Songbird, Polite Society, Bowood by Niche, The Creperie, Half and Half, and Herbies (in order of how good they are, lol).

I’m a huge fan of Sushi Ai! They have locations in Clayton and Downtown with very affordable prices on made-to-order, all-you-can-eat sushi, as well as dumplings, miso soup, and fried Oreos for dessert. Plus, you get 10% off if you show your student ID! There’s also Kampai Sushi Bar on the first floor of Del Coronado if you want something within walking distance.

Seoul Taco offers an enticing fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisines, blending flavors in dishes like their signature Korean barbecue tacos and Gogi bowls with marinated meats or tofu. The vibrant and inviting atmosphere creates not just a dining spot but a gathering place for locals and visitors alike to savor delicious food and enjoy a welcoming dining experience for a fair price. Seoul Taco is a beloved culinary gem in the heart of St. Louis.

Thai Country Cafe is a great place on The Loop. It’s very reasonably priced, and you get really large portions, making it a popular choice for WashU undergrads.

Sen Thai is another tasty place. It’s downtown, so it’ll be a bit of a drive, but it’s also well-priced and has some really nice ambience. I would definitely recommend it for a cute date.

Fork and Stix is another really cute place to take your not-so-sneaky link (it’s actually really small). The food is a bit more expensive here and the portions are smaller, but it’s really delicious and the restaurant has a warm and comforting aesthetic.

I didn’t know what the vegetarian/vegan scene would look like in St. Louis before moving here, but now that I’m here, I’ve never struggled with finding multiple vegetarian options at places, or even all-vegetarian restaurants! For veggie/vegan-only restaurants, I recommend Treehouse, Small Batch, Frida’s, and the Vegan Deli! The Veggie sandwich at the Gramophone is also incredible.

Everyone has their favorite phở restaurant around town, so you’ll have to explore different places to pick yours. For easy access, Saigon Cafe is within walking distance of the Washington University Medical Campus, but it can get busy during dinner hours. A little farther away, you can never go wrong with Phở Long, Truc Lam, or Mai Lee. The Grand, Delmar, and Olive neighborhoods are full of tasty Vietnamese restaurants, so go explore! If one thing is certain, it’s that there’s no shortage of options from which to choose.