Eat, Drink, Be Merry in St. Louis

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St. Louis might be known for its delicious barbecue ribs and gooey butter cake, but the Gateway City is about much more than just sticky fingers and sauce-covered chins. St. Louis is home to a thriving up-and-coming culinary city that rivals many of the big cities on either coast. From locally sourced restaurants to craft breweries, St. Louis is a great destination for your next foodie adventure.

What to Eat in St. Louis

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There are so many incredible restaurants and food trucks in St. Louis that you’ll want to grab a hotel in the heart of the city where you can walk everywhere and burn all those calories that you’ll be consuming. Eating in a new city can be overwhelming, especially when you have hundreds of choices. Sign up for one of the guided tours with EAT Saint Louis Food Tours. Run by professional tour guides and foodies, these food tours offer a great way to dive mouth first into the best of St. Louis. Plus, the tour guides are local experts who can give you the best recommendations based on your taste buds.

You can’t go to St. Louis without trying the famous St. Louis barbecue ribs. It would be like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Perhaps the most famous smokehouse, Pappy’s Smokehouse has enough awards to fill several shelves. Pappy’s serves up Memphis-style barbecue, but the smokehouse is not to be missed. If you’re looking for St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, then head over to Bogart’s Smokehouse for a half or full slab of ribs.

For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll want to try the gooey butter cake and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Ted Drewes has been selling frozen custard since 1941, and it’s so thick that you can turn the cup upside down! You can find gooey butter cake on just about every menu in St. Louis, but the most famous cakes come from Gooey Louis, not far from Ted Drewes.

What to Drink in St. Louis

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St. Louis might be home to Anheuser-Busch, but the city is crawling with craft breweries, so skip the Bud Light during this trip. There are now over 40 craft breweries throughout the city, with more popping up every week. Local favorites include Alpha Brewing Company, Modern Brewery, and Heavy Riff Brewing Company. The hoppy beers at Modern Brewery are named after superheroes or whatever the hipster owners find cool at the moment.

Heavy Riff Brewing Company, located in the heart of the historic Dogtown, is the perfect place to spend a Friday evening. With tasty beers flowing, a menu full of smoked meats, and toe-tapping live music, it’s a great place to get lost in the beauty of St. Louis. Afterward, hop over to one of the city’s many blues clubs to feel the old soul of the city.

St. Louis might be home to some pretty stellar museums and historic monuments, but you won’t want to miss out on the bustling food and craft beer scene.

This post was brought to you in partnership with Hotel Planner.