Here Are the Best Diners in St. Louis

By Riverfront Times Staff on Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 11:19 pm

Don't get us wrong, we love St. Louis' upscale restaurants -- but there's nothing quite like a meal spent in one of our old-school, down-home diners. Whether you're looking sober up after a night of shenanigans, want a cheap breakfast or simply want some of the best eavesdropping opportunities this side of the Mississippi, St. Louis' diners will have you bellying up to the counter. We've rounded up our favorites right here so you can enjoy them, too.

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Courtesy Diner
Locations on Hampton Avenue, Laclede Station Road and Kingshighway Boulevard

Courtesy Diner stemmed from a national chain originally called Courtesy Sandwich Shop, which opened in 1935. The chain was reduced to the single Kingshighway location as the diner trend dwindled -- but in 1997, a new owner took over, changed the name to "Courtesy Diner" and made it into the local diner you know and love today. The two additional locations were added later, giving St. Louisans plenty of options to enjoy the "Home of the St. Louis Slinger."

Photo by Mabel Suen.

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Goody Goody Diner
5900 Natural Bridge Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63120
(314) 383-3333

Craving chicken and waffles? Goody Goody Diner is the place to go. This diner is truly a beloved spot -- so much so that RFT dining critic Cheryl Baehr included it on her roundup of St. Louis' classic restaurants. It even draws celebrities and politicians visiting town.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.

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The Buttery
3659 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 771-4443

The Buttery, a small diner on South Grand, offers early birds and night owls a chance to get their grub on: The restaurant stays open 24 hours to serve up its traditional diner fare, including burgers and, of course, plenty of breakfast items, such as pancakes, eggs and a slinger. The Buttery serves breakfast anytime and only accepts cash.

Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

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Tiffany's Original Diner
7402 Manchester Rd.
Maplewood, MO 63143
(314) 644-0929

Tiffany's Original Diner has been serving hungry customers since 1960, but that doesn't mean there's nothing new here: This Maplewood spot has added locally roasted artisan coffee and "a slinger made your way" to its reasons to visit. Tiffany's also prides itself in its jukebox, which gets you one heck of a deal -- $1 will get you three plays, $2 gives you seven plays and $5 allows for 18 plays. Note that Tiffany's is open 24/7 except for Sundays, when it closes from 3 to 7 p.m.

Photo by Angela Vincent.

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White Knight Diner
1801 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 621-5949

You'll know White Knight Diner when you see it -- because it (sort of) looks like a little white castle on a downtown corner. Here you can get your diner favorites, from French toast to a slinger. Fun fact: Lots of the scenes from the movie White Palace were filmed here.

Photo courtesy of Abby Schwarz, Yelp Community Manager.

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Carl's Drive In
9033 Manchester Rd.
Brentwood, MO 63144
(314) 961-9652

Carl's Drive In has a long history -- the spot originally saw stints as a gas station and then a hot dog stand, and then was rebuilt in the 1950s after it was destroyed by a tornado. It officially became Carl's Drive In when Carl Meyer and his wife, Pat, bought the building in 1959. It switched hands to Mike Franklin in 2015, but the classic menu lives on -- as well as the diner's famous root beer.

Photo via RFT archives.

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Southwest Diner
6803 Southwest Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63143
(314) 260-7244

Serving up a Southwestern twist on your typical diner food, Southwest Diner began as a food truck -- and it just so happens that the brick-and-mortar is now located on Southwest Avenue. It's popular for good reason, but you shouldn't mind a wait -- Southwest Diner has turned a bus into the ultimate chill-out spot, complete with unique art and complimentary coffee.

Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

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Crown Candy Kitchen
1401 St. Louis Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63106

No list of St. Louis diners would be complete without Crown Candy Kitchen, the beloved Old North institution that's been serving up BLTs, milkshakes and, yes, candy since 1913. You may find a line out the door on nice weekend days, but don't let that stop you -- wait times are much shorter on weekdays and when it's cold out. For true old-time flavor, order a malt from the classic soda fountain.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Missouri Division of Tourism.

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Chili Mac's Diner
510 Pine St.
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 421-9040

Yep, you can indeed get great chili mac at Chili Mac's Diner -- but you can also get burgers, BLTs, your breakfast staples and more. Located downtown, Chili Macs gives you just the retro feel you need when you're looking for cheap eats with a side of nostalgia. What's not to love?

Photo courtesy of Instagram / outrunninarob.

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Olivette Diner
9638 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
(314) 995-9945

Slide into a vinyl booth or swipe a seat at the counter at Olivette Diner to enjoy a burger, slinger or whatever suits your fancy. Located in a strip mall, Olivette Diner serves breakfast and lunch along with a side of friendly service. No wonder customers come back again and again.

Photo via RFT archives.

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Kingside Diner
4651 Maryland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 454-3957

Nestled next to the St. Louis Chess Club and Scholastic Center, Kingside Diner has -- you guessed it -- a chess theme. Founded by chef Aaron Teitelbaum of Herbie's fame, Kingside Diner still provides you with the casual atmosphere and breakfast all day you want, but with the sophistication kicked up a notch. Hey, it's only appropriate for one of the city's most cosmopolitan neighborhoods.

Photo by Mabel Suen.

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City Diner
3139 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 772-6100

City Diner founder Peter Spoto set out to create this South Grand institution as an affordable "place for everyone." We'd say he succeeded -- it even expanded into the former Dickmann's Boulevard Bakery in 2003. Open since 1992, City Diner serves diner food from sandwiches and burgers to omelettes and biscuits.

Photo via RFT archives.

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Spencer's Grill
223 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314) 821-2601

Spencer's Grill has been a favorite of suburbanites for a long time -- it first opened in 1947 and is still the kind of place St. Louis County expats visit when they're in town. You can count on traditional diner food made just right in addition to a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Spencer's Grill also holds bragging rights when it comes to its sign, which has the oldest working clock on a neon sign west of the Mississippi. Who knew that was a thing?

Photo by Johnny Fugitt.

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Florissant City Diner
1060 St. Francois St.
Florissant, MO 63031
(314) 831-4375

Old Town Florissant just wouldn't be the same without Florissant City Diner. It's your classic greasy spoon, with tasty diner staples, a no-frills interior and welcoming staff. And hey, that's exactly what you've come for anyway.

' Photo courtesy of Yelp / Shalese J.

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Hilary's Roadhouse
11488 Dorsett Rd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(314) 291-0599

Biscuits with homemade gravy, stuffed crepes, a BBQ slaw burger -- it's all here at Hilary's Roadhouse, in addition to your typical pancakes, eggs and melts. Check out the Hilary's Roadhouse website to see the specials each day, which you can enjoy Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Yelp / Joe G.

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