4 Must-Try Restaurants and Bars in Downtown St. Louis
Explore tasty eats, drinks, and treats at four locally owned spots Downtown.
Ahead of Downtown St. Louis Restaurant Week, which runs from October 20 to 26 this year, we’re sharing four locally owned places to grab a delicious drink or bite.
Amaizing Arepa Bar
At Amaizing Arepa Bar in Downtown St. Louis, owners and sisters Mayra and Maria Pacheco share delicious Venezuelan cuisine. The house specialty, arepas, are cornmeal cakes made with sweet corn and stuffed with a variety of meats, veggies, and cheeses. Amaizing’s signature arepa, for example, La Galactica, features grilled pork, shredded beef and chicken, plantains, and cheese. Another favorite are the cachapas, made with queso de mano, a creamy white Venezuelan cheese. Popular entrees include Pacheco’s fried empanadas, a favorite at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, where the sisters have vended since 2019, and the Venezuelan grilled plate, which can feed two. The Pachecos recently added a cocktail menu, as well, including specialty margaritas, to complement their range of non-alcoholic Venezuelan drink offerings such as chicha, a drink made of rice, milk, and sugar with nutmeg and cinnamon, and Frescolita, a Venezuelan red cream soda.
Read our full story on Amaizing Arepa Bar and the Pachecos here.
Story by Nancy Stiles
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck
The Cobblestone STL
In early 2024, The Cobblestone STL, a market, deli, and coffee shop opened on Laclede’s Landing in the six-story red brick Christian Peper Building. In addition to its façade, historic St. Louis red brick is on full display inside the open-concept space, which is also home to lofts, offices, and the Old Spaghetti Factory, and features high ceilings, repurposed wood, and exposed red brick walls. Co-owners Camille Jackson and Chris McMenomy, who opened The Cobblestone STL in partnership with Luke Jackson, Kyle McEvoy, Tim Meinecke, and Andy Roesch, are adamant about making The Cobblestone STL, which is 70 percent locally stocked and sustained, a community spot that’s safe, comfortable, and welcoming to all. Stop in for a cup of coffee, including seasonal options like the Oatmeal Cookie Latte, and stock up on groceries for the week from a range of local and regional producers. The shop also serves a full sandwich menu developed by McMenomy, making it an ideal lunch destination or the perfect place to pick up supplies for a picnic at the nearby Gateway Arch National Park.
Read our full story on The Cobblestone STL and the history of St. Louis brick here.
Story by Heather Riske
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck
Latte Lounge
With three successful cafes opened in four years, Latte Lounge owner and entrepreneur Nyshaun Harvey is bringing coffee and community to the metro. The two-story café in Downtown St. Louis features a number of firsts for Latte Lounge: HG Eatery, serving a full-service breakfast and brunch menu; an outdoor patio space; and even a members-only upper level for regular patrons. The shop’s latte flights — a mini selection of five different coffee flavors — and split cups — one cup, halved in the middle to support two separate coffee drinks in one container — remain exceedingly popular. It’s exactly those unique and thoughtful offerings — as well as the dedicated smiles, the big-hearted service, and the indoor swings at the Downtown location — that keep customers coming back.
Read our full story on Latte Lounge and Nyshaun Harvey here.
Story by Jacqui Germain
Photo by Michael Thomas
Pharaoh’s Donuts
At Pharaoh’s Donuts, Syeeda Aziz-Morris is carrying on her family’s tradition of donut-making. With locations in the Central West End and Downtown St. Louis, Pharaoh’s is famous for its classic glazed donut, glazed twist, glazed cake donut, jelly- or custard-filled, an iced long john, an apple fritter and donut holes. Aziz-Morris’ father, Amon Aziz, launched Pharaoh’s in 1994 when she was just 5 years old, delivering donuts to gas stations and corner stores. Pharaoh’s became a sleeper hit at those locations across the St. Louis metro, with longtime favorites like the classic glazed and donut holes garnering cult followings. Beyond the classics, Pharaoh’s now also serves more fanciful creations, available bright and early at 6 a.m. Try the bacon-topped glazed donut, red velvet cake donut, iced cinnamon rolls, cheesecake crumb donuts, or the aptly named Death by Chocolate.
Read our full story on Pharaoh’s Donuts and Syeeda Aziz-Morris here.
Story by Nancy Stiles
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck
Join the Story
- Did we miss your favorite restaurant, bar, or coffee shop in Downtown St. Louis? Drop us a line with your recommendations here.
- Learn more about Downtown St. Louis Restaurant Week on its website.
- From Gateway Arch National Park to vibrant restaurants, retail shops, museums, and more, explore all that Downtown St. Louis has to offer.
