Good food, good weather, good times. (On the sidewalk at Sub Zero in the Central West End.)
It’s summertime and the outdoor eating is easy. Patio, garden, and sidewalk dining abound. You’ll find everything from a few scrappy tables tucked away on a sidestreet to enormous beer gardens with twinkly lights and fountains. Some areas are roofed, or umbrellaed. Others are protected only by a shade tree or stretch of fabric.
Pleasant temperatures have sent diners and servers onto the sidewalks. The Central West End, Delmar Loop, and DeMun neighborhoods are bustling with those, who enjoy their food and beverage al fresco.
These open air dining areas give a whole new meaning to “eating out.” Here are a few of my favorite places for summer sunshine and good times.
Bishop’s Post
Bishop’s Post, an upscale casual bistro in Chesterfield, features a beautifully landscaped patio with a waterfall.
Atomic Cowboy
Atomic Cowboy is likely the only place in town where you can get a Whiskey Waffle or Dulce de Leche French Toast for Sunday brunch.
Bar Italia
Spring foliage adorns Bar Italia at one of the snazziest patios in town located in the Central West End.
Boathouse at Forest Park
The Boathouse at Forest Park has a great view of ducks, boaters, and park along with Sugarfire BBQ.
Brasserie
The Brasserie, a charming bistro that brings a French flair to the sidewalks of the Central West End.
Cafe Osage
At Cafe Osage fresh vegetables and herbs are grown directly on site.
Cardwell’s at the Plaza
Cardwell’s in Frontenac shopping center is accessible from both the interior mall and park lot.
Cafe Provencal
Cafe Provencal offers a touch of Provence in Kirkwood.
Cafe Natasha
Cafe Natasha serves Persian cuisine from their sheltered patio on South Grand.
Das Bevo
Das Bevo on Gravois has been serving beer barons and families for more than a hundred years. Here I enjoy a meal on their colorful and comfortable patio.
Fork and Stix
Fork and Stix has only a few outdoor tables on a sidestreet in The Loop, but it’s a cozy space to enjoy Northern Thai cuisine.
La Vallesana
La Vallesana on Cherokee dishes up classic Mexican food on its spacious and pleasant patio.
John D. McGurk’s
For Irish music, food and drink you can’t beat John D. McGurk’s with its 15,000 square foot outdoor garden, complete with breathtaking landscape, fountain, and waterfall.
Molly’s in Soulard
The huge tiered patio at Molly’s in Soulard is perfect for a Sunday brunch buffet.
Molly Darcy’s in Clayton
Molly Darcy’s offers a spiffy, enclosed courtyard at Seven Gables Inn in downtown Clayton.
Olio
From it’s quaint location in a refurbished gas station on Tower Grove, Olio, brings Israeli and Mediterranean-inspired foods to its many fans.
Scape American Bistro
Scape in the Central West End provides a secluded and relaxed atmosphere for inventive American cuisine.
Vicia
The trendy, award-winning restaurant has a covered and climate-controlled patio that extends its space to nearly year-round usage. Vicia celebrates vegetable-forward cuisine, shining a light on beloved and underutilized vegetables
Vin de Set
The French-inspired dishes served on the rooftop patio overlooking the city use straightforward ingredients, much of which is grown in Vin de Set’s hydroponic greenhouse.
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