Restaurants in the Central West End

St. Louis' historic Central West End is a chic, upscale and popular haven located directly adjacent to the Forest Park area. The neighborhood itself has a distinctly European atmosphere, which is largely attributed to its lamp and brick-lined streets, art galleries, independent bookstores and the elegant emerald-colored dome of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. The attractive and diverse cultural appeal of the area is heightened by the abundance of popular and unique dining establishments.

American food

While many visitors adore the cosmopolitan vibe of the Central West End, they also love the abundance of traditional American foodie favorites in the area. On Euclid Street, Audi-K's dishes out kid-friendly favorites in a bright atmosphere; families are sure to enjoy the mostly under $10 menu, which includes hot dogs, nachos, salads and old-fashioned floats. A few steps away, Pickles Deli serves subs, sandwiches and homemade soups. On Olive Street, Cafe Osage uses organic and locally grown produce to make its herb-garnished salads, sandwiches, pot pies and bison burgers.

European dining

On Sarah Street, the highly rated pub-style restaurant Scottish Arms offers traditional Scottish and Irish fare, such as Scottish eggs, haggis fritters and an impressive array of scotch. Celtic pride is injected in every aspect of the Scottish Arms dining experience, right down to the kilt-clad servers. For a more formal dining atmosphere, visit Laclede Avenue's Brasserie by Niche, which serves up simple yet flavorful French bistro-style dinner dishes, hors d'oeuvres and desserts. On Euclid Street, the menu at Liluma includes Italian and French favorites in a romantic patio atmosphere.

Desserts, coffee and wines

For a night of romance and indulgence, Bissinger's Chocolatier on Maryland Plaza is prime; this late-night crowd favorite offers indoor and outdoor seating near a large, stone fireplace, a wall of fine wines and a selection of the richest candies, cakes and coffees. Next door, crêpes: etc serves up equal parts gourmet crêpes, Parisian condiments, gelato and whimsy that is vegan-friendly, all at a perfect location for people-watching.

Whether you have a craving for traditional favorites or something more exotic, the culinary offerings of the Central West End are a perfect beginning or end to your day in St. Louis. Here, you can discover romantic, family-friendly or upscale dining environments to satisfy the mood and palate.