The SBC 2016 is upon us. So, it is with great pleasure that we introduce our fourth annual ERLC guide to food and fun at the convention. We want to bring you the best of what St. Louis has to offer so that you can make the most of your time at the annual meeting. If you’d like a more in-depth view of some of these places from St. Louis native, Ronni Kurtz, be sure to check out the recent episode of the SBC This Week podcast. And while you’re at the SBC, make plans to join the ERLC at these events:
- God, Politics, and Other Easy Topics: A Conversation with the ERLC and 9Marks
- Baptist21 Lunch Panel featuring Russell Moore, David Platt, Matt Chandler, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Danny Akin and JD Greear
FOOD
If you’re hungry, St. Louis has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for one of your favorite chains or for something new, you’ll find something to enjoy. But make sure you don’t leave without trying some of St. Louis’ local flavor. Here’s a list of options near the America's Center Convention Complex and around St. Louis. Enjoy!
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
PI PIZZERIA – Serving some of St. Louis’ best pizza, featuring deep-dish and thin-crust options..
ROSALITA’S CANTINA – If you’re craving Mexican food in St. Louis, Rosalita’s on the Washington Avenue Strip is your best option.
BAILEYS’ RANGE – Who doesn’t love a good burger? If you love a quality burger, Baileys’ Range is the place for you. Their homemade ice cream is also a hit.
ROOSTER – Voted “Best Breakfast in St. Louis.”
TAZE MEDITERRANEAN STREET FOOD – Taze brings the flavors and ingredients from Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Israel and Spain to downtown St. Louis. They have a diverse menu that features everything from meats to sandwiches to salads.
LUCAS PARK GRILLE – Lucas Park Grille offers brunch, lunch and dinner with a variety of food choices from fish to steaks to your favorite pasta.
IMO’S PIZZA – In addition to pizza, Imo’s offers sandwiches, salads and pastas.
SAUCE ON THE SIDE – Voted one of St. Louis’ top 20 restaurant’s in 2015, featuring up to a dozen calzones.
PORANO PASTA – Porano Pasta is like Chipotle or Qdoba, except it’s all pasta. We hear their gelato pops are also a hit.
PICKLES DELI – One of St. Louis’ award-winning delis.
CURRYS INDIA RESTAURANT – Casual Indian-style restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat buffet, as well as serving made-to-order favorites.
WORTH THE DRIVE
BOGART’S SMOKEHOUSE – Some of St. Louis’ best barbeque. On the menu: smoky beef brisket, turkey, pulled pork and apricot-bruleed ribs.
MAMA TOSCANO’S RAVIOLI – Located in the Italian-heavy, Hill District of St. Louis, MaMa Toscano’s is famous for its ravioli, but is also known for its selection of Italian sandwiches. They’ve also been featured on the Food Network’s show, “Best Thing I Ever Ate!”
ELEVEN ELEVEN MISSISSIPPI – Eleven Eleven Mississippi blends rustic tuscan cuisine with a new world influence in a unique atmosphere. Located in the heart of the beautiful Lafayette Square neighborhood & situated in a restored historic brick warehouse, the restaurant's exceptional cuisine combined with its unprecedented style has made Eleven Eleven Mississippi a St. Louis favorite.
PAPPY’S SMOKEHOUSE – Pappy’s was featured on The Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” and on Food Network’s, “Food Feud.” I hear the ribs are the best around.
BRASSERIE BY NICHE – French cuisine with dinner only with brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
UNION LOAFERS – Union Loafers is a cafe and bread bakery serving sandwiches, soups and salads.
SWEETIE PIES – If you’re a fan of soul food, this Mississippi-style restaurant is a place you’ll want to visit. If that’s not convincing enough, Sweetie Pie’s has been featured on The Food Network’s show, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.”
SCAPE AMERICAN BISTRO – Scape is an american style bistro with a European style located in the hip Maryland Plaza district.
WHITE KNIGHT DINER – Featured on the Travel Channel’s show, Food Paradise, this breakfast and brunch diner won’t leave you hungry. We hear the “Super Slinger” which has hashbrowns, eggs, hamburger meat and is covered in chili is quite the hit.
HIGHWAY 61 ROADHOUSE – Featured on The Food Network’s show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives.” Highway 61 brings New Orleans style food to St. Louis.
THE SHAVED DUCK – If you want it, chances are The Shaved Duck has it. They’ve got everything from chicken to pork served in a variety of ways, not to mention they’ve been featured on The Food Network.
PASTARIA – If you’re looking for a taste of authentic Italian food in St. Louis, Pastaria just might be the place for you with their pastas and brick-oven pizzas.
BROADWAY OYSTER BAR – A St. Louis favorite, voted “Restaurant of the Year” in 2015 for creole and seafood.
DESSERT & COFFEE
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
PARK AVENUE COFFEE – Park Avenue is one of St. Louis’ “staple” coffee shops that you will want to check out, with several locations throughout the city including one just a couple blocks from the convention center.
SNARF’S – If you eat here, you can’t leave without a scoop (or two) of their ice cream.
WORTH THE DRIVE
BLUEPRINT COFFEE – One of St. Louis’ most popular coffee shops. Blueprint roasts their beans in their in-house roaster for the best tasting cup of coffee.
DONUT DRIVE-IN – Featured on the Travel Channel’s, Man vs. Food, this donut, dessert and coffee joint will not disappoint.
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CYRANO’S CAFE – Some of St. Louis’ award-winning desserts.
CROWN CANDY KITCHEN – If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Crown Candy Kitchen will not disappoint you with their malt milkshakes and world-renowned desserts.
JENI’S ICE CREAM – A popular ice cream parlour serving some of St. Louis’ best ice cream.
JILLY’S CAFE & CUPCAKE BAR – Jilly’s is a 2-time winner and 3-time contestant on The Food Network’s show, Cupcake Wars.
COMET COFFEE – Enjoy a freshly-brewed cup of coffee along with one of their popular pastries.
TED DREWES FROZEN CUSTARD – For you ice cream lover’s out there, this is your place for award-winning frozen custard.
SUMP COFFEE – A local favorite for the coffee connoisseur.
FOR FUN
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINT LOUIS – One of the largest mosaic collections in the western hemisphere.
CITY MUSEUM – The name is a bit deceiving as this family-fun style playground is one of St. Louis’ most unique attractions located in the heart of downtown St. Louis.
GRANT’S FARM – Over 900 animals on this 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family.
LOUIS ZOO – Featuring over 560 species of animals with free admission (some attractions require a small fee).
SIX FLAGS – Large amusement park with roller coasters, kids' rides & water slides, and live entertainment.
THE GATEWAY ARCH – The tallest man-made monument in the United States, standing at 630 ft.
THE OLD ST. LOUIS COURTHOUSE – One of St. Louis’ more notable historical landmarks.
FOREST PARK – Over 1300 acres including four museums, the St. Louis Zoo, athletic fields and golf courses.
LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER – Free fun for the entire family featuring science demos, a fossil dig site, planetarium, IMAX theater & much more.
DELMAR LOOP – Six blocks of eateries, shops, live music and more.
