MBU in STL: Tower Grove
St. Louis is a diverse city with limitless options for food, coffee and exploring. Spread throughout the St. Louis metro area are neighborhoods just as diverse as the people that inhabit them. St. Louis is a true representation of a global society living together. From the upscale Central West End to the eclectic Tower Grove neighborhoods, when combined, these neighborhoods create the perfect mixture that makes St. Louis such a great city to call home.
Situated along the south and east borders of Tower Grove Park sit two distinct neighborhoods. Packed full of diverse residents, shops, restaurants and cafes the Tower Grove neighborhoods are a must visit area of St. Louis. Whether you’re looking for a place to eat, a book to read or a park to visit, here are some of the best the neighborhoods have to offer:
Rooster (Tower Grove East)
3150 South Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO
There’s a reason that Rooster has been voted “Best Breakfast in Missouri.” With a wide selection of brunch, lunch and dinner, you’ll always be able to find something you like. Specializing in crepes, Rooster is the perfect place to hit-up for breakfast in a unique, community-style setting.
Dunaway Books (Tower Grove South)
3111 South Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO
With an overwhelming collection of used books, Dunaway Books is the perfect stop for any book lover or antique collector. In the front of the store is where you can find rare books that have been out of print for years, as well as best-selling series. But if you’re looking for something more off the beaten-path then check out their sections that specialize in topics like espionage, books about books or modern firsts. There’s something for everyone in this charming bookstore off South Grand.
Gelateria Del Leone (Tower Grove South)
3197 South Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO
A perfect combination of coffee, gelato and pastries. This Gelateria offers in-house roasted coffee beans from around the world. Their gelato with flavors changing daily and close to 20 options available everyday including pistachio, London Fog, Mayan chocolate and sweet potato pecan. Gelateria embraces the community of Tower Grove and you can tell. From the way the shop is set up to how the interactions with employees is you’ll feel right at home as you soon as you walk in.
Kitchen House Coffee (Tower Grove East)
3149 Shenandoah Avenue, Saint Louis, MO
Being true to the name, Kitchen House has a home feel while still offering gourmet coffee and premium smoothies. With a unique feature, coffee drinkers can enjoy chickens roaming in the back behind the building. Using Blueprint Coffee beans, Kitchen House offers, espresso, cappuccino, Americano, hand brews, plus more. Smoothies offer lots of options with many of them being organic.
The Shaved Duck (Tower Grove East)
2900 Virginia Avenue, Saint Louis, MO
Once featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, The Shaved Duck offers premium BBQ and soul food. Starting in the early morning, cooked in their smoker, fresh and made-from-scratch food is served every day. If you’re looking for good comfort food, this is the place to go.
Jay’s International Food (Tower Grove East)
3172 South Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO
The first international grocery store in St. Louis provides specialty foods to families from around the world living in the city. International flags hang above the aisles packed full of foods from Ireland, England, Ethiopia, China and numerous other countries.
Lona’s Lil Eats (Tower Grove East)
2199 California Avenue, Saint Louis, MO
Lona’s is home to the giant rice paper wrap. This restaurant specializes in Asian cuisine with a touch of soul-food. Serving salads, plates, wraps and the ability to customize anything, you’ll be able to find something to indulge in without walking away feeling bad. Lona’s also has a wide variety of hot tea including different types of green, Oolong, white and black tea.
Food Truck Fridays (Tower Grove Park)
4256 Magnolia Avenue, Saint Louis, MO
Located within Tower Grove Park, Food Truck Fridays have become a beloved tradition for the two neighborhoods and people from all over St. Louis travel down to this area to enjoy the trucks. The event hosts more than 20 different, local food trucks with a wide variety to offer. Some of the trucks that have made an appearance are Vincent Van Doughnut, Angie Burger and Slice of the Hill. Food Truck Friday happens the second Saturday of the month during the summer.
Honorable mention: Guerrilla Street Food, MoKabe’s Coffee House, Local Harvest Grocery
What are your favorite things to do in St. Louis? Share with us on Instagram and Twitter using #MBUinSTL.
