50 Best American Restaurants near University City

“Blueberry Hill is an absolute gem! The atmosphere is vibrant and full of character, making it the perfect spot to hang out with friends or enjoy a night out. The staff are fantastic—friendly, attentive, and always ready to make your experience special. Their food and drinks are top-notch, bursting with flavor and made fresh. What really makes Blueberry Hill stand out is its unique and eclectic decor—you can explore the really cool Duck Room, admire walls filled with everything from sports memorabilia to Spice Girl dolls, and even check out a Pac-Man room! The mix of history, fun, and quirky details creates an experience unlike anywhere else in St. Louis. Plus, the prices are very reasonable for the quality and vibe you get here. If you want a spot that’s both fun and authentic, Blueberry Hill is where you need to be. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“Great bbq. Will be back. Great service“

“Chicago Fish & Chicken Grill has the back cake ever so fresh, soft, moist, and yummy....stop in today to grab you a slice.“

“Flank steak & Short Ribs!“

“Best soda ever ! Wish I could get it here in NJ“

“Great cocktails, food, and service. Maggie was a great waitress!“

“I absolutely love The Fountain on Locust! It is by far one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis! The food is amazing and the dessert is always the perfect way to end the meal! Every time I have been to The Fountain on Locust, I have left happier than when I came in! The staff is very welcoming and they always do a great job, providing top-tier service!“

“Great homemade food. Staff are wonderful. Great place to go.“

“My wife and I, wayward travelers from Arkansas in town to see the TMBG show at the Pageant, stumbled in out of the pouring rain to enjoy the fabled floats. They did not disappoint! A special shout out to Darcy whose warmth and hospitality made this particularly memorable. Thank you Darcy!“

“Great burgers! I LOVED my TriPPPy burger which has a pineapple chutney and bacon jam. You will want extra napkins with that one.? My husband built his own burger to get just what he wanted and enjoyed his burger. They also have veggie options, but these carnivores did not explore them.“

“We really enjoyed the food and atmosphere can’t wait to come back!!! My husband had the salmon, rich and broccoli this was cooked to perfection! I had the fish tacos they were so good. Our desert was carrot cake & raspberry lemon cake they melted in our mouths. This restaurant gets 10 stars we absolutely love it!!!“

“We had a great dinner. Kids had the steak and unlike many places, they were willing to go as rare as my 8 year old wanted for her child size steak which was nice. Service was also great, excellent timing and attention. …and bit off topic but if the hostess with the curly red hair sees this, I hope you know that your natural runway walk doesn’t need to be ignored.. if you aren’t modeling, you should be! ✨💃🏼“

“Chris, Keely and Evan were amazing. Great service and great attitudes. Food was great and came out quick. Drinks were excellent. I would definitely come back again.“

“Best ham and cheese omelet the food was great an we truly enjoy the staff Thank You to let u know we r from poplar Bu Bluff mo“

“A very nice place which is very well priced. I enjoyed that they had a healthy collection of 375ml btls plus a wide variety of wines from all over the world. Service was impeccable. The crowd there was also very welcoming and nice. I will definitely come back here and bring more friends.“

“Amazing food, atmosphere, service, great quality and quantity for what you pay for and the dessert section is huge! My new favorite place“

“Absolutely amazing! The food and drinks were outstanding and the service was even better. Couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Can’t wait to go back. If you’re looking for a nice restaurant with the best food, this is it!“

“We had an amazing time this evening. Met the owner who was awesome and had the best service imaginable. We will definitely be back!“

“The waiter was excellent! The food was amazing. The entire staff did a awesome job with greeting and service! I will definitely be back🎉🥰“

“Food is delicious. Little gem in STL. Great service .“

“Best Drive-In burger place in the world in my opinion I go there as much as I can always please never disappointed the best root beer floats they have a multitude of different foods but I have tried everything never have I been disappointed recommend this restaurant Drive-In for anybody traveling and anybody that hasn't tried it living here in Missouri“

“This is the perfect venue for any large gathering or celebration - the best food,m and an awesome atmosphere!“

“We ate here earlier today and it was so good! The wings were fried but not at all greasy. The gyro was so big my student could barely pick it up. Everything was very fresh. This place is a hidden gem for sure!“

“Ok, here’s the thing… I love food. And when I say I love food, you might think I’m a huge person or a food critic or a chef or just a dramatic fan. Well, I am actually an artist, and I… I can tell you in no uncertain terms, that the food we received was *high art.* I don’t mean the kind of pretentious high art food that is served in tiny portions and so beautiful that you almost don’t want to eat it. I mean that it was masterfully created—flavorful, textured to perfection, filling, and lamentable *only* in that I wish I’d had room for more. We started with the stuffed mushroom appetizer—which I’ll admit is not usually my favorite, but my wife generally loves—served upon a sprinkle of arugula and a slashed drizzle of balsamic glaze. Imma tell ya… I like stuffed mushrooms now. My wife ordered an entrée of eggplant Parmesan—one that she doesn’t care to make often for herself only because (and I’m quoting), “It’s a pain in the a$$ to cook.” I ordered linguine Pomodoro with added shrimp and had the steamed mussels appetizer served with my entrée, so that I could add them in (as I *do* love a tutto mare). Since my wife’s entrée was one of her favorites, and I don’t generally care for it, I left her to it, concentrating on my own. I shucked all the mussels and strained their accompanying shallots and bacon into my linguine leaving the garlic and cilantro pesto behind for bread dipping. OH [*clap*clap*clap*]—I forgot to mention the bread. They served a fantastic mini loaf of the softest bread topped with caramelized onions alongside fresh grated Parmesan in olive oil. Upon our finishing it off, I asked for a second helping. Back to the entrée… My first actual bite was of the mussels, and that bite was fantastic. Then I had one of the shrimp… and… here’s the thing… I am a poet, and I also write children’s books, so when I tell you that I simply do not have a superlative sufficient to describe the shrimp, you know I’m being serious. It was warm, seasoned, and snappy as shrimp should be, but it gave me pause—as Anton Ego in Ratatouille. * First, doubt—that I had experienced something so specifically wonderful before * Then, a quick scan from childhood to now for confirmation * And lastly, the comfort that can only come from those happiest memories of childhood—Christmas mornings on receiving more than you could ever have hoped for, Halloween nights’ preparations for what giggles and terrors were to come, and burrito-you ensconced in soft blankets straight from the dryer Then of course, the rest of the dish, twirled and slurped—not too quickly… every bite a confirmation and yet still a revelation. Here again, my only lament that I must see a portion of it boxed to leave room for dessert. And… dessert. Oh, boy… Seeing all of the items, my wife and I—in celebration of our 26th anniversary—decided on the sampler. Listen up, folks: flourless chocolate torta, crème custard napoleon, and gooey butter cake. JFC are you serious? Every bite more sumptuous—more scrumptious than the last. Every bit a reassurance that I will return. Our server, Chelsea, was commendable not only for her menu knowledge and sense of humor, but it’s not for nothing that she was absolutely on top of it with regard to my tea refills (which were many, as our dinner took place after a dehydratingly-busy workday for me). We will definitely be returning to Eleven Eleven, whereupon I intend to try a few different items, my palate then flooded with new sensations—new wonders… my only lament that I will not ever have that “first time experience” again.“

“The food came through door-dash still hot it was seasoned to perfection & so delicious it was also a nice size portion & my first time trying I’ll be back 🔥“

“I have been going to this restaurant for decades! Whenever someone comes in from out of town, I take them here and they get hooked also! I went to the Page and Pennsylvania location for the longest time and now I LOVE the Bridgeton location (the old McDonald's).“

“my favorite place! I bring all my guests“

“First time visitor here, and Square One really left a great first impression! I brought a group of 8 in for a birthday dinner, and the staff really went above and beyond to accommodate a short-notice reservation for us. Unfortunately I don’t remember our server’s name, but she was phenomenal as well. Food was fantastic, our waters were always filled, and finished dishes didn’t sit around long. Would definitely recommend and will visit again!“

“The Crossing Restaurant did a remarkable job the other evening when we dined there. We had impeccable service and outstanding food. I loved being able to do the four course meal with some of the specials. It was wonderful to see the dining room full in this well-established restaurant in the heart of Clayton. I remember being wowwed when I first dined at The Crossing 25 years ago and it is still just as fabulous! We cannot wait to return.“

“We traveled up to Crown Candy on a Saturday morning for lunch, we heard about the massive BLT and their Malts from one of our vendors at work. BLT? Worth the drive. The Malts? Amazing. Even our 9yr old was beyond satisfied with his grilled cheese and ice cream. I would also like to add- we had around a 8 minute wait outside to be seated at a table…. The wait truly didn’t feel very long due to their amazing staff. The waitress constantly kept coming out and checking on us, letting us know it wouldn’t be much longer. Our waitress at our table was amazing. I truly recommend you stop in here even if it’s just for ice cream or a malt. The atmosphere, service and food is just all around great.“

“Fantastic dining experience!“

“Great atmosphere before any sports event!“

“the food was great, the service was great too! Maya was our waitress. when we left I forgot my purse, and I didn't realize it until the next day! went back and they had it set back for me, completely intact! great business!!“

“Absolutely delicious. Hands down one of the better BBQ joints in the St. Louis area. Apple butter ribs were a major hit at work. 10/10 will go here again“

“Been enjoying The Royale most weeks since 2015. Best bar and restaurant in town. A gem. Chill tavern vibes, DJs, local art, gorgeous courtyard, old movies, vinyl records, and a stellar menu. Owner Steve is the best. Get the fish tacos, a fresh margarita, a local beer, or whatever you’re into. Hell, I’m about to head there right now writing this review. I’m not even joking.“

“We had an office boxed luncheon and the food was amazing, delivery was on time and ordering was super simple. The staff is always so friendly and they accommodated a lot of our dietary restrictions. Got many praises for the food and so will definitely order from them again. Love when we can support small businesses that have amazing food.“

“My first time in I had the scallops and they won me over. I have been a frequent diner ever since. That was three years ago and I have been impressed ever since. Great place to bring family and friends. Having a son with Celiac can be challenging to eat out yet Big Sky is always cautious and accommodating. Desserts are all homemade and phenomenal!“

“The lobby was kept amazingly clean and the hostess (Anita) was vey pleasant and friendly. She offered me a free cup of coffee for dining inside.“

“Great food and excellent service“

“It was such a great time! Food excellent, wine even better and the atmosphere was so awesome. Low lighting just a great vibe“

“the service was amazing the waitress was very helpful and very pleasant“

“My 4 year old LOVES to cook, everyone was so welcoming and helpful when we visited! Everything is always clean and organized and the food is delicious! It was nice to prep meals and provide a great learning experience all in one! My little chef and I will be back!“

“Love having more queer, chill spaces ❤️“

“First timer. Great breakfast! Plenty of traditional choices and healthy choices. Nice atmosphere. Clean! Quick service, pleasant service. Plenty of parking. Easy to get to from interstate. Highly recommend!“

“Absolutely amazing dining experience. The locally sourced ingredients made every dish feel fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We did the chef’s selection menu and it was hands down some of the best food I’ve had in a very long time — every course was creative, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Our server was incredible as well, attentive, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience even better. One of the best restaurant experiences we’ve had in St. Louis. Highly recommend!“

“The staff were very personable, and inviting. I had such a great experience! The food was hot and delicious also. We were a party of 20+ and they took care of us very well. I’d definitely return! I think there were only two people running the kitchen but if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it based on the service.“

“Fantastic chicken and waffles!“

“Spectacular venue! Great food, drinks, and sound. Can’t wait to go back for the next show!“

“Absolutely amazing food!!!“

“First time and not the last time we dine here, God willing! 🙏🏼♥️🏁 Very busy place, but fantastic service, food, and experience! Josh answered the phone and was so helpful, friendly and welcoming! When we walked in Josh was on it, made us feel we were “regulars”, like he new us personally and Stacey, the hostess that seated us, was equally as welcoming and we were seated promptly. I don’t believe we got our kind servers name, but the beautiful young lady was on it as well. The chefs/kitchen were on par as well, hubby had one of the eggs Benedict with a side of biscuit and gravy, I had the Ranchers beef salad, one of the best beef and blue cheese salads I’ve EVER had, and believe me, I’ve had a “few” 😋🤫😊 Hubs also loved the huge coffee mugs his coffee and my Kahluah/hot chocolate(yum on this damp chilly day)were served in…this where my only complaint would be, my mug was chipped along the rim 😅 All that said, it was just a fantastic way to start our Sunday. Looking forward to sharing this spot with some more loved ones 🙏🏼♥️🏁“