Summer bucket list idea: Visit the STL Top 100 Restaurants with your family!
I feel very fortunate that St. Louis has so many fantastic restaurants. Each year I anxiously await Ian Froeb’s STL 100 restaurant list. I scroll through the list with my friends to get our “starting number” of how many restaurants we have already been lucky enough to experience (mine is 64). We spend the rest of the year seeing how many more we can check off the list. It’s a great little challenge to do with your family, which also helps you branch out to new areas of St. Louis and new cuisines you might not have ever tried! Here are my picks for family friendly options from the 2022 list:
Balkan Treat Box
This is a great casual spot for lunch where you’ll see lots of families enjoying a meal, and you’ll also be treated like family. The pide is absolutely amazing, and your kids will love that it “looks like a pizza!”
Bolyard’s Meat and Provisions
They have a great new space open for breakfast and lunch. Even better, they have a meat counter to pick up some extra goodies to cook throughout the week!
Crown Candy Kitchen
If you’ve never been to this one, it’s a true St. Louis classic. BLTs piled high with more shakes and chocolate confections to excite kids of all ages.
The Curry Club
Chesterfield
This is a great casual restaurant with lunch specials to feed the family. My daughter loves getting a mango lassi as a special treat!
Gioia’s Deli
Another St. Louis favorite with tons of options and a wallet-friendly kids menu.
Grace Meat and Three
One of our absolute favorite family night options! What kid doesn’t like chicken strips with mac and cheese? While they’re enjoying that, I choose the hot option for myself!
J’s Pitaria
One of my favorite casual hidden gems. Their somun with kajmak is like a fancy grilled cheese, and the ustipci (fried bread) is delicious with Nutella!
Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria
One of my favorite patios in St. Louis. They have a great kids’ menu and have even brought dough to our table for a sensory activity which I thought was really neat!
La Patisserie Chouquette
This place is magical, literally! Come for the creative pastries and drinks, and stay for the annual Harry Potter celebration!
Mayo Ketchup
Another go-to for my family and bonus points is that it’s right across from Lafayette Park. Their cheese empanadas come with a guava sauce that is next level! It’s also vegan-friendly.
Nathaniel Reid Bakery
Don’t let the line out the door intimidate you, it’s worth it! My daughter loves all the mini “fancy cakes,” pastries, and the turkey sandwiches on homemade croissants.
Pastaria
Great kids meal options with handmade pasta that includes a scoop of fresh gelato!
Salt and Smoke
U-City, South City, CWE, St. Charles, Downtown
Our favorite family night BBQ in St. Louis. The kids’ menu comes with colors and turns into a fun hat, the food is delicious, and the service is fast!
Songbird
Are you a Tower Grove Farmers’ Market fan? This restaurant serves delicious breakfast and the famous grilled cheese from the market! I get mine with sea salt and honey.
SweetArt
Fantastic vegan food that even non-vegans love! Your kids can grab some waffles and take them down the street to enjoy in Tower Grove Park.
Union Loafers
My favorite sandwich shop! You can order half sandwiches and don’t skip the “cheesy mini” to share. They also have pizza for dinner! Bonus, it’s across from La Patisserie Chouquette if you want a treat to follow lunch.
Whisk/Poptimism
Wrapping up my list with one of my favorites! Whisk’s treats are colorful, and dare I say it, even magical. You can often catch them at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market. They are also behind the wonderful dessert spot Poptimism in City Foundry. I love City Foundry as the perfect destination for picky family members. With so many food vendors, there is something for everyone (with several more top 100 restaurants I have yet to try). And everyone can finish their meal with a popsicle or soft serve from Poptimism!
Now seriously can’t wait for our July visit to STL!
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