St. Louis Classics: The Oldest Restaurants in St. Louis

By on Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 4:07 am

The folks at St. Louis Magazine recently compiled an awesome list of the oldest restaurants in St. Louis. Reading through it made us nostalgic for these spots — some of which St. Louisans have loved for more than a century. These restaurants, like fine wine, only get better with age. In that spirit, here's our tip of the hat to the best spots to stand the test of time.

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Gioia’s Deli (1934 Macklind Avenue, 314-776-9410) YEAR OPENED: 1918 Grandparent-approved Gioia's has been the hotspot to get hot salami since the end of World War I. Photo credit: Jaime Lees

Gioia’s Deli


(1934 Macklind Avenue, 314-776-9410)

YEAR OPENED: 1918

Grandparent-approved Gioia's has been the hotspot to get hot salami since the end of World War I.

Photo credit: Jaime Lees
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The Piccadilly at Manhattan (7201 Piccadilly Avenue, 314-646-0016) YEAR OPENED: 1901 This jewel of a neighborhood restaurant is the longest-running restaurant in all of St. Louis. It opened three years before the World's Fair. Photo credit: Jennifer Silverberg

The Piccadilly at Manhattan


(7201 Piccadilly Avenue, 314-646-0016)

YEAR OPENED: 1901

This jewel of a neighborhood restaurant is the longest-running restaurant in all of St. Louis. It opened three years before the World's Fair.

Photo credit: Jennifer Silverberg
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Venice Café (1903 Pestalozzi Street, 314-772-5994) YEAR OPENED: 1988 People have been partying at the eclectic Venice Cafe since a half a decade before the Flood of '93. Photo credit: Caillin Murray

Venice Café


(1903 Pestalozzi Street, 314-772-5994)

YEAR OPENED: 1988

People have been partying at the eclectic Venice Cafe since a half a decade before the Flood of '93.

Photo credit: Caillin Murray
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Crown Candy Kitchen (1401 St. Louis Avenue, 314-623-9650) YEAR OPENED: 1913 Ironically, they don't sell candy crowns, but they do sell some of the best sweets and malts in town. Photo credit: Keith Yahl / Flickr

Crown Candy Kitchen


(1401 St. Louis Avenue, 314-623-9650)

YEAR OPENED: 1913

Ironically, they don't sell candy crowns, but they do sell some of the best sweets and malts in town.

Photo credit: Keith Yahl / Flickr
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Lombardo’s (201 South Twentieth Street, 314-621-0666) YEAR OPENED: 1934 Many restaurants claim to be the first to serve toasted ravioli, but few do so well as Lombardo's, the upscale Italian trattoria next to Union Station that opened in 1934. Photo credit: Monica Mileur

Lombardo’s


(201 South Twentieth Street, 314-621-0666)

YEAR OPENED: 1934

Many restaurants claim to be the first to serve toasted ravioli, but few do so well as Lombardo's, the upscale Italian trattoria next to Union Station that opened in 1934.

Photo credit: Monica Mileur
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The Pat Connolly Tavern (6400 Oakland Avenue, 314-647-7287) YEAR OPENED: 1942 Family-owned since 1942, this bar and restaurant is one of the most beloved spots in Dogtown. Photo credit: Kelly Glueck

The Pat Connolly Tavern


(6400 Oakland Avenue, 314-647-7287)

YEAR OPENED: 1942

Family-owned since 1942, this bar and restaurant is one of the most beloved spots in Dogtown.

Photo credit: Kelly Glueck
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Spencer’s Grill (223 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-2601) YEAR OPENED: 1947 This old-fashioned diner has been one of the busiest meeting spots in downtown Kirkwood since 1947. Photo credit: Johnny Fugitt

Spencer’s Grill


(223 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-2601)

YEAR OPENED: 1947

This old-fashioned diner has been one of the busiest meeting spots in downtown Kirkwood since 1947.

Photo credit: Johnny Fugitt
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Tony's (105 Carondelet Plaza, 314-231-7007) YEAR OPENED: 1946 For more than six decades, this family-owned Italian restaurant has maintained a standard of excellence many never achieve. Originally a spaghetti house in 1946, Tony's has been a fine-dining destination for decades. Photo credit: Monica Mileur

Tony's


(105 Carondelet Plaza, 314-231-7007)

YEAR OPENED: 1946

For more than six decades, this family-owned Italian restaurant has maintained a standard of excellence many never achieve. Originally a spaghetti house in 1946, Tony's has been a fine-dining destination for decades.

Photo credit: Monica Mileur
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Frank & Helen's Pizzeria (8111 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-997-0666) YEAR OPENED: 1956 This University City institution has remained virtually unchanged since opening in 1956. Stop in for some fabulous pizza the next time you're near. Photo credit: Cheryl Baehr

Frank & Helen's Pizzeria


(8111 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-997-0666)

YEAR OPENED: 1956

This University City institution has remained virtually unchanged since opening in 1956. Stop in for some fabulous pizza the next time you're near.

Photo credit: Cheryl Baehr
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Charcoal House (9855 Manchester Road, Rock Hill; 314-968-4842) YEAR OPENED: 1906 Known as "the original St. Louis steakhouse," this joint has been open for 113 years because it's just that good. Photo credit: Google Maps

Charcoal House


(9855 Manchester Road, Rock Hill; 314-968-4842)

YEAR OPENED: 1906

Known as "the original St. Louis steakhouse," this joint has been open for 113 years because it's just that good.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Amighetti’s (9631 Manchester Road, 314-962-6030) YEAR OPENED: 1921 Famous for its fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, this sandwich joint has been impressing St. Louis since 1921. Photo credit: Google Maps

Amighetti’s


(9631 Manchester Road, 314-962-6030)

YEAR OPENED: 1921

Famous for its fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, this sandwich joint has been impressing St. Louis since 1921.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Al’s Restaurant (1200 North First Street, 314-421-6399) YEAR OPENED: 1925 Open since Calvin Coolidge was President, Al's Restaurant is the oldest and best spot in town to slurp down some escargot. Photo credit: Google Maps

Al’s Restaurant


(1200 North First Street, 314-421-6399)

YEAR OPENED: 1925

Open since Calvin Coolidge was President, Al's Restaurant is the oldest and best spot in town to slurp down some escargot.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Kreis’ Steakhouse & Bar (525 South Lindbergh, 314-993-0735) YEAR OPENED: 1948 This locally-owned steakhouse on Lindbergh has been serving fancy steaks and seafood to hungry St. Louisans since 1948. Photo credit: Google Maps

Kreis’ Steakhouse & Bar


(525 South Lindbergh, 314-993-0735)

YEAR OPENED: 1948

This locally-owned steakhouse on Lindbergh has been serving fancy steaks and seafood to hungry St. Louisans since 1948.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Pio's Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge (403 First Captol Drive, St. Charles; 636-946-2522) YEAR OPENED: 1954 Pio's is credited with introducing thin crust pizza, toasted ravioli and pizza burgers to the St. Charles area way back in 1954. Photo credit: Google Maps

Pio's Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge


(403 First Captol Drive, St. Charles; 636-946-2522)

YEAR OPENED: 1954

Pio's is credited with introducing thin crust pizza, toasted ravioli and pizza burgers to the St. Charles area way back in 1954.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Farotto’s Pasta, Pizza & Catering (9525 Manchester Road, Rock Hill; 314-962-0048) YEAR OPENED: 1956 For great Italian food, everybody knows to hit up Farotto's on Manchester. They've been doing it right since 1956. Photo credit: Google Maps

Farotto’s Pasta, Pizza & Catering


(9525 Manchester Road, Rock Hill; 314-962-0048)

YEAR OPENED: 1956

For great Italian food, everybody knows to hit up Farotto's on Manchester. They've been doing it right since 1956.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Chuck-A-Burger Drive-In Restaurant (9025 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Charles; 314-427-9524) YEAR OPENED: 1957 If you're into a1950s-style scene, hit up this burger shack built in1957 for heavy retro vibes. Photo credit: Google Maps

Chuck-A-Burger Drive-In Restaurant


(9025 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Charles; 314-427-9524)

YEAR OPENED: 1957

If you're into a1950s-style scene, hit up this burger shack built in1957 for heavy retro vibes.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Carl’s Drive-In (9033 Manchester Road, Brentwood; 314-961-9652) YEAR OPENED: 1959 Carl's Drive-In has been a great spot to grab excellent diner food since Richard Nixon was Vice President. Photo credit: Google Maps

Carl’s Drive-In


(9033 Manchester Road, Brentwood; 314-961-9652)

YEAR OPENED: 1959

Carl's Drive-In has been a great spot to grab excellent diner food since Richard Nixon was Vice President.

Photo credit: Google Maps
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Hodak's Restaurant & Bar (2100 Gravois Avenue, 314-776-7292) YEAR OPENED: 1962 When St. Louis residents want fried chicken, they've headed to Hodak's for the past 57 years. Photo credit: Micah Usher

Hodak's Restaurant & Bar


(2100 Gravois Avenue, 314-776-7292)

YEAR OPENED: 1962

When St. Louis residents want fried chicken, they've headed to Hodak's for the past 57 years.

Photo credit: Micah Usher
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Imo’s Pizza (multiple locations including 1000 Hampton Avenue, 314-644-5480) YEAR OPENED: 1963 If you're a St. Louis native, the ultra-thin, Provel-covered pie at Imo's is not only a delicacy — it's a source of civic pride. We've been lusting after that cracker-thin pizza since our first taste in 1963. Photo credit: Jaime Lees

Imo’s Pizza


(multiple locations including 1000 Hampton Avenue, 314-644-5480)

YEAR OPENED: 1963

If you're a St. Louis native, the ultra-thin, Provel-covered pie at Imo's is not only a delicacy — it's a source of civic pride. We've been lusting after that cracker-thin pizza since our first taste in 1963.

Photo credit: Jaime Lees
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The Tenderloin Room (232 Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-361-0900) YEAR OPENED: 1963 Opened the same year as the Planetarium, the recently revamped Tenderloin Room remains a hotspot for steak and seafood in St. Louis. Photo credit: Ed Aller

The Tenderloin Room


(232 Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-361-0900)

YEAR OPENED: 1963

Opened the same year as the Planetarium, the recently revamped Tenderloin Room remains a hotspot for steak and seafood in St. Louis.

Photo credit: Ed Aller
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