Best Restaurants in Creve Coeur, MO
Vicino residents are lucky to live in one of St. Louis’ most vibrant neighborhoods. Creve Coeur is also surrounded by Ladue, Frontenac, Maryland Heights, and Olivette— all longstanding and historic neighborhoods. We’ve tested the waters for you and put together a list of our favorite restaurants and activities in the area.
TOP 5 RESTAURANTS IN CREVE COEUR
1. Il Bel Lago
St. Louis has been a hub for Italian culture ever since immigrants first started to arrive in the early 1800’s. What this means is that our city boasts some of the country’s best Italian cuisine and culinary talent. Il Bel Lago was opened in 2004 by Frank and Carmelo Gabriele, sons of Giovanni Gabriele, the famous restauranteur. Their #1 priority is to serve top tier Italian food inside of an elegant and inviting atmosphere.
Il Bel Lago is unassumingly located in the City Place shopping center, but stepping into the restaurant is guaranteed to stir your senses. The space is tastefully designed with wine racks, crisp table lines, and cozy nooks for intimate evenings. The menu is classically Italian, and patrons wouldn’t have it any other way. Shrimp Scampi, New York Strip, and a long list of pastas, including risotto, linguine, penne, and tortellini— these are just some of the culinary wonders waiting for you at Il Bel Lago.
Qui Tran and his family moved to the city as Vietnamese refugees in the early 80’s. His mother Lee opened the area’s very first Vietnamese restaurant where Qui honed and developed his culinary expertise. Today, he is well-known to be “a relentless champion for St. Louis and its dining community,” as well as the owner and visionary behind Nudo House, the city’s best restaurant for ramen, pho, and bahn mi.
The menu is short and sweet, but every item is a heavy hitter. The “Classic Nudo” is made with tonkotsu broth, shoyu, and chasu pork, and is one of the most popular dishes, along with the pho made with a house made beef broth. Pro tip: Nudo House was also voted to have the best Crab Rangoon in St. Louis, so make sure you show up with room for appetizers.
In the last 10 years, American mainstream culture has grown increasingly health conscious, and with that comes a real desire for clean, healthy eating options from around the globe. Mediterranean cuisine gives us some of the healthiest dishes our world has to offer, built around superior ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, olive oil, lean meat, fresh herbs, and garlic.
Orzo Mediterranean Grill provides St. Louis with a fast, casual Mediterranean option centered around gyros, salads, and bowls made with orzo, the pasta shaped rice which gives the restaurant its name. It’s one of the cleanest meals you’ll find in Creve Coeur, and fans come back again and again to further explore the menu. The highlights are the chicken tahini bowl made with grilled chicken, couscous, feta, and kalamata olives, and the traditional beef + lamb gyro topped with a refreshing tzatziki sauce.
Orzo Mediterranean Grill provides our neighborhood with an easy way to stay healthy without sacrificing one bit of flavor.
4. Timothy's
Every neighborhood needs a restaurant like Timothy’s, with an atmosphere that is both elevated, yet comfortable. When developing the vision, co-owners Timothy Metz, Steven Manns, and Sean Olson wanted to create a professional fine dining experience, something they felt was much needed in a world that had become increasingly accustomed to the culinary trend of fast, casual. Almost immediately upon opening in August of 2021, Timothy’s quickly became known as one of Creve Coeur’s best restaurants, with patrons flocking from all around St. Louis.
The menu offers classic American dishes like Angus beef burgers, pork tenderloin, and rack of lamb, as well as southern-inspired dishes like gumbo and shrimp & grits. On top of this, fans will highlight the truffle mac and cheese, the filet of sirloin, and the scallops. There’s no such thing as a bad meal at Timothy’s.
Vegan restaurants in St. Louis are few and far between. That’s why Bombay Food Junkies is one of Creve Coeur’s most cherished eateries. Sid and Krupa Panchal have been serving up vegan Indian-style street food since 2013 with a vision to bring healthy, plant-based meals to the city by sourcing local produce and authentic Indian spices.The food is outstanding, with a colorful and creative menu that will satisfy every visitor, regardless of their dietary preferences. The heavy hitters are the “Crispy Vegan Chik’n Sandwich,” the “Chic Pea Chana Masala Bowl,” and the “BBQ Chik’n Naan Pizza.” They also have an impressive list of shakes, sundaes, and deserts, which include tantalizing items like the mango shake, the blueberry pie shake, and the Oreo ice cream sundae. All the ice cream and soft serve is made with oat milk but tastes just as good as the real thing.
THINGS TO DO IN CREVE COEUR
Millennium Park
So often, parks are the heart of a city, and Creve Coeur is no exception. Of the 6 parks in the neighborhood, Millennium Park is probably the most cherished of the bunch. It provides Creve Coeur with over 25 acres of open green space dotted with play structures, a pavilion, a splash pad for summertime fun, a soccer field, a baseball/softball field, and the Tappmeyer Homestead, a historic building where visitors can take self-guided tours and get a sense of what life was like in the area over 200 years ago.
The well-manicured fields are surrounded by lush forest and greenery, giving the park a cozy and protected atmosphere. Nature lovers will enjoy strolling along the paved walking trail and experiencing the sights and sounds of Missouri wildlife. Sparrows, cardinals, bluebirds, and geese are especially active in the morning, but can be seen throughout the day.
Millennium Park is a true gem and Vicino residents will be happy to know that it’s only a short 4 minute drive away.
The New Jewish Theatre
St. Louis has a strong Jewish community that has played a vital role in the city’s rich history. In 1997, The Jewish Center in Creve Coeur opened the New Jewish Theater to provide the city’s burgeoning art scene with plays and musicals that uplift the Jewish experience. With over 20 years under their belt, the team at the New Jewish Theater has proven itself to be a key player in the St. Louis theater world.
Fans are often blown away by the productions, the dynamic set designs, the creative use of space, and the high level of acting talent that graces the stage. Shows take place on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Saturday at 8pm, as well as Sunday matinees at 2pm. The theater likes to keep things fresh and offer new plays through the year. Make sure to keep an eye on the website to stay up to date with current productions.
Seeing a play or musical at the New Jewish Theater is a unique way to expand your cultural horizons.
Antique Mall of Creve Coeur
With over 200 dealers spread across 20,000 square feet of space, the Antique Mall of Creve Coeur provides one of the area’s most exciting shopping experiences. Walking through the store feels like an endless treasure hunt— you never know what you’re going to find.
The antique furniture selection is a clear highlight. Visitors will find tables, cabinets, chairs, and desks made of woods like teak, oak, and cherry and were built with a level of craftsmanship that is difficult to find in today’s modern styles. The cases are lined with bright, shiny jewelry from bygone eras and the cabinets are filled with high quality glassware that add a touch of elegance to any home.
If you’re a collector or just someone who wants to spice up their home with exciting, treasured pieces, then the Antique Mall of Creve Coeur is the place to be.
The St. Louis Abbey
An “abbey” is a community of monks or nuns who spend their days in prayer and service. They are scattered throughout the world and are often used by religious and non-religious visitors alike as spaces to find stillness, peace, and clarity.
Right in the heart of Creve Coeur, just 10 minutes south of Vicino On The Lake, the beautiful St. Louis Abbey sits as one of the neighborhood’s most notable landmarks. The circular church at the center of the community is a stunning architectural feat designed by Gyo Obata and unveiled in 1962.
Casual visitors can tour through the property and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the community. Highlights include spending time in the abbey church, walking the grounds, and visiting the monastic library that features rare stained-glass windows. More serious visitors can plan to stay overnight and experience living alongside the monks.
Whatever you choose, a visit to The St. Louis Abbey is bound to inspire and encourage visitors to slow down and reflect.
That Painting Spot
One of the great gifts of being an artist is the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from producing something using your unique vision and talent. That Painting Spot delivers this experience to artists of all skill levels by providing the space and materials to paint their very own piece of pottery.
The inside of the store is colorful and lined with shelves of blank pottery figures that are patiently waiting for the right artist to turn them into beautiful creations. There are bowls, mugs, plates, and jars, as well as more decorative pieces like Christmas trees, Halloween pumpkins, and a variety of animal figures
They also offers canvases for painters who prefer 2D to 3D. Be sure to call in or check their website for in-store painting classes, which are a fun way to hone your craft. It’s easy to tap into your inner artist at That Painting Spot.