Hungry in the Gateway City? Unique options for fabulous St. Louis eats!

Saint Louis can be the perfect little getaway, (as you already know if you have read our St. Louis Weekend Getaway). There are unique restaurants, interesting activities, and beautiful French inspired buildings and bridges throughout the city. You are sure to find something that interests you. On my recent trip I dabbled in a little of everything, but most importantly, and probably my favorite part of any trip, is the food. I love finding those hole in the wall places with the most amazing, and mouth-watering eats, and I found some fantastic St. Louis eats.

Recently my diet has changed and I have become a pescatarian (no meat except fish). So finding options can be somewhat difficult. Luckily however, I found that most restaurants in St. Louis offer a vegetarian option. Shockingly enough, many offered more than one. There are 4 restaurants I can’t go without mentioning, and an adult themed coffee shop. Yes, I said adult themed coffee.

My picks for unique St. Louis eats:

Layla

First let’s talk about Layla, located in the heart of The Grove. This place offers up fresh and delicious food in quite the eclectic environment. With unique artwork scattered amongst the walls, it’s for sure one of a kind. Layla has a range of options including interesting twists on burgers, craft cocktails, Mediterranean dishes, and even brunch. We went for brunch, It was AMAZING! They offer a vegetarian option of biscuits and gravy using Morningstar sausage. If I wasn’t told it was veggie I would have had no idea, absolutely delicious. They also offer a $15 bottomless mimosa for those looking to get things started early. All in all this place offers great food and great service.

Mission Taco Joint

Another great place was Mission Taco Joint, with three different locations. Historic Soulard had good vibes and cool artwork and murals. They offer quite the array of tacos, with three choices being vegetarian! Lucky for me! They have plenty of options along with some incredible sides like the mouth-watering elotes. After 10pm it’s $2 taco time, as well as $2 shots! Mission taco has been featured in the Riverfront Times along with Feast Magazine. It is also a hotspot listed on TripAdvisor. I’m telling you now, go! So worth it.

Highway 61 Roadhouse

Highway 61 Roadhouse, which is actually located in Webster Groves, Mo, has a very New Orleans feel. Its named after Highway 61 which travels from New Orleans, through Memphis and then to St.Louis. This restaurants has a very unique menu offering things you might find all along Highway 61, from Memphis BBQ to shrimp po boys, they seemed to have it all.

The restaurant itself was very festive with a mardi gras like theme. There is an incredible hand painted mural covering an entire side of the restaurant. The Mural depicts famous musicians from the Hwy 61 area starting with New Orleans, to Mississippi then through Memphis and finally to St. Louis. It has images of Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, Clifton Cheneir, Robert Johnson, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Otis Redding, Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, and Fontella Bass. Because the food is so good and the atmosphere so different, the restaurant drew the attention of Food Networks hit show Diners, Drive ins, and Dives. All around, its worth stopping in for a bite to eat, Try the jalapeno hush puppies! You wont regret it.

Sushi AI

Anyone love sushi? I do! And at Sushi Ai, you can get $20 all you can eat sushi. That’s right, ALL you can eat! This was a pretty simple restaurant without a lot of bells and whistles like some of the others. But the unlimited sushi was awesome and delicious.

The $20 also covered any appetizers you might like as well crab rangoon, edamame, dumplings, etc. Now keep in mind, everything you order you must eat, otherwise you will be charged for it. There are a few different locations around St. Louis for Sushi Ai.

Shameless Grounds

Finally, I love me some coffee. While driving around and taking in the sights ( looking at old houses), it hit me! I had to pee. So we found the closest coffee shop. It was a quaint little place located in a corner building, called Shameless Grounds. This was not your average coffee shop! With a plaque on the door that said mature themes inside and a free condoms poster, I was excited to see what lay in wait. The theme of the place was definitely for mature audiences, yet still with that nice cozy coffee shop feel.

Shameless Grounds even has their own human sexuality lending library, which is open to patrons age 18 and up. It contains a wide array of titles, ranging from biology to history, and from classical literature to raunchy pulp fiction. You can check out items and take them home for two weeks, at no charge. From the books, to the artwork on the walls, and the different social events hosted, this place is one of a kind. Aside from the unexpected theme, Shameless Grounds offers a large menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. The coffee was great as well – just what I needed to warm my soul. With free WiFi, you can stop in for a snack and work, or get yourself a coffee and relax. Whatever the case may be Shameless Grounds should be a stop you make in St. Louis.