20 Essential St. Louis Restaurants Near Tower Grove Park

Cafe Mochi
3221 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis
(314) 773-5000

If you’re looking for reasonably priced sushi that is also delicious, look no further than Cafe Mochi on the southern end of South Grand. The menu emphasizes its rolls, and you can enjoy happy hour prices Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with half off select rolls, a dollar off beers and two-for-one select cocktails. When the weather gets warmer, the cafe’s outdoor seating is perfect to enjoy your sushi and the fresh air. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

The Vine
3171 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 776-0991

The Vine offers Lebanese cuisine, with some of the best shawarma in town. In addition to the restaurant, the Vine also has a market full of Mediterranean items and a bakery offering fresh baked breads and pastries. Step inside, and you won’t be able to resist trying something. Photo of Roudayna Mohsen of The Vine by Jennifer Silverberg.

Lulu's Local Eatery
3201 South Grand
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 300-8215

Lauren “Lulu” Loomis and her husband, Robert Tucker, began Lulu's Local Eatery as a food truck serving vegan fare. St. Louis clearly loved it, because Lulu's Local Eatery opened a brick-and-mortar location in 2014 and has been drawing hungry customers ever since. The sustainable, fast-casual restaurant’s menu includes starters, salads, sandwiches and various entrees -- all vegan, and all delicious. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg.

Pizza Head
3196 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 266-5400

You can find quality New York-style pizza at Pizza Head, along with a punk rock vibe and casual atmosphere. A bonus? Pizza Head is open late for St. Louis (closing at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday), so you can grab a bite when you’re suddenly famished past typical dinner time. Get pizza by the slice or by the whole pie, then wash it down with a can of Stag. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Steve's Hot Dogs
3457 Magnolia Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 932-5953

You can't talk about hot dogs in St. Louis without a mention of Steve's Hot Dogs. Musician Steve Ewing saw a void in St. Louis when looking for something to eat late at night after seeing a show, so he took inspiration from the street food scenes in other cities and created Steve's Hot Dogs. Now, you can enjoy his restaurant's menu of creative hot dogs, burgers and mac and cheese bowls. Photo of Steve Ewing of Steve's Hot Dogs by Sara Bannoura.

King and I Thai Restaurant
3155 South Grand Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 771-1777

One of the city's best Thai restaurants got a sleek new look a few years ago, making it not only a great spot to go for a seafood hot pot or a Chef Preeya's signature red curry duck, but also an elegant date destination. One of the rooms even has a small bar where you can have a cocktail while you wait. Best of all: The food is as good as ever, and menu remains voluminous. If there's any Thai specialty you're craving, the King and I surely has it. RFT photo.

Rooster
3150 S Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 772-3447

Whether you’re craving a crepe, a burger or a cocktail, Rooster has got you covered. Brunch draws a sizeable crowd on weekends (download the NoWait app, pronto!) but it’s for good reason -- the food at Rooster is simply delicious. The atmosphere is lively and fun, too, with communal-style tables inside and picnic tables on the patio. Photo by Amy VanDonsel.

Three Monkeys
3153 Morganford Road
St. Louis, MO 63116

With its generous portions and a solid menu of burgers, pizzas and sandwiches, in addition to a handful of entrees, Three Monkeys has become a Morganford Road standby. But it's not just a place to dig in; it's also a place to drink up, with a handsome wood bar anchoring the main room and a lively vibe. Want to focus on both eating and drinking? There's a large assortment of appetizers big enough for sharing, from the heaping "Jungle Love Nachos" to the spicy guacamole bites. Photo by Kelly Glueck.

Kitchen House Coffee
3149 Shenandoah Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 732-0009

Sure, Kitchen House Coffee has excellent options for the caffeine addict -- but that’s not the only reason to love it. The menu is focused on sustainability, with pastries, coffee and tea sourced from local business, and vegetables and herbs coming from the owners’ farm on Michigan Avenue whenever possible. Behind Kitchen House Coffee you’ll even find chickens -- and, yes, the eggs contribute to the cafe’s egg dishes. Photo of Paul Whitsitt of Kitchen House Coffee by Mabel Suen.

Guerrilla Street Food
3559 Arsenal St.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 529-1328

This favorite food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar offers top-notch Filipino cuisine. With sauces made from scratch and local ingredients, the menu items at Guerrilla Street Food are a must-try -- and you'll quickly understand why the restaurant often sells out of various dishes. Its South Grand location is closest to Tower Grove Park, but you can also grab a bit at its location inside 2nd Shift Brewery on the Hill -- and on Delmar in the not-so-distant future. Photo by Johnny Fugitt.

Sheesh
3226 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 833-4321

Safa Marmarchi set out to fill a void in St. Louis cuisine when he opened Sheesh, a stellar restaurant serving Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine on South Grand. The interior is striking, too, with Turkish fabrics, colorful Turkish-inspired paintings and lots of copper. Be sure to try the tabouleh salad -- it’s understated and delicious. Photo by Mabel Suen.

The Shaved Duck
2900 Virginia Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 776-1407

Tucked into the heart of Tower Grove East, the Shaved Duck offers food that's good enough to make it a destination, only with the sort of reasonable prices and friendly vibe that keep the neighbors coming back for more. Come for the burnt ends; stay for the live music, which keeps the place hopping every night but Friday. RFT photo.

Cafe Natasha
3200 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 771-3411

Cafe Natasha has been bringing amazing Persian cuisine to St. Louis for more than 30 years -- an accomplishment almost unheard of in the restaurant business. You'll understand its longevity with one taste of the food, made with housemade marinades and fresh ingredients. Founder Behshid Bahrami, a native of Iran, passed away in December 2016. His daughter and the restaurant's namesake, Natasha Bahrami carries on the tradition with mother Hamishe. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

Civil Life Brewing Company
3714 Holt Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116

Tucked in Tower Grove South, Civil Life is part English pub and part German beer hall. Malt-driven session beers rule the day, and almost all of the selections are between four and six percent alcohol. But Civil Life isn’t just a place to quench your thirst: it also has a solid food menu, made up of several tasty sandwiches and appetizers that change regularly. Remember to bring cash; credit cards aren’t a thing here. Photo by Robert Rohe. http://photos.riverfronttimes.com/excellent-breweries-around-st-louis-arent-anheuser-busch/?slide=13&12-local-breweries-with-seasonal-beers-that-arent-pumpkin-43

Sasha’s on Shaw
4069 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 771-7274

Sasha’s is a great go-to for all occasions, whether you’re looking for a date spot, a place to celebrate or just somewhere to relax with a glass of wine. There are so many wine options that the list is on an iPad, and the menu of pizzas, crepes and sandwiches will leave you happy and satisfied. Top that off with a cozy fireplace, great atmosphere and the way servers let you linger, and you have the perfect place to spend any evening. RFT photo.

The Royale
3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 772-3600

This south city pub draws regulars with its neighborhood vibe and classy cocktails. The Royale is also surprisingly skilfull in the food department, offering small plates, sandwiches, salads, tacos and desserts. There’s a patio, too, which is open to dogs on a leash and features a fire pit during cooler months. Stop by and stay a while. RFT photo.

The Black Thorn Pub and Pizza
3735 Wyoming Street
St. Louis
(314) 776-0534

This old-school southside watering hole is serving up some of the city’s best pizza. While Black Thorn is known for its deep-dish Chicago-style pizza, it also offers thin-crust and pan pizzas. The chalkboard walls, shuffleboard table and retro arcade games give the bar that south St. Louis vibe. Photo by Jenna Murphy.

Mangia Italiano
3145 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-8585

Mangia Italiano is a go-to spot for late nighters, thanks to its 3 a.m. closing time, live music and game room. The menu is a draw, too, with appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas and classic Italian dishes. Plus: more than 40 menu items are served until 1:30 a.m., and you can get the sandwiches and housemade chips until 3 a.m. If you just can’t get enough, come back for brunch on weekends. RFT photo.

Pho Grand
3195 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-7435

Specializing in authentic Vietnamese dishes, Pho Grand is a great place to go whether you’re new to the cuisine or an adventurous regular. Made with the freshest ingredients, the menu items include everything from chicken and beef to seafood and vegetarian options. Pho Grand’s owners have more than 27 years of experience cooking Vietnamese cuisine, so you know your meal is in good hands. RFT photo.

Crafted
3200 Shenandoah Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 865-3345

Previously Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro, Crafted is that rare spot that Bar Rescue really did improve (perhaps because it didn't actually need rescuing?). This Tower Grove East spot offers creative bar fare (goat cheese balls, edamame ravioli, even a killer corndog!) and a laidback vibe, but its real innovation is a series of pressed cocktails. The ingredients are served in an individually sized French press; customers get to infuse them and pour. They're surprisingly delicious, with complex notes instead of syrupy sweetness, and a fun little extra for that next night out. Photo by Matt and Angie Stockel.