A St.Louis Food Lover’s Guide
WHERE TO FIND TOP-NOTCH MEATS, BREADS, PASTAS, AND OTHER INGREDIENTS T 9 MAKE A MEMORABLE MEAL
BREAKING READ
WHERE TO FIND A FRESH-BAKED LOAF
Cham Bakery: At this Syrian bakery, some offerings will be familiar. Others, like cheese-stuffed fatayer and fragrant za’atar bread, may not be. But experimenting is inevitably rewarded. 6878 Manchester.
A&M Bakery: Sure, you’re going for that lovely German rye, but you might as well pick up some chocolate croissants and cookies, too. 4267 Bayless.
Companion: The dining room in Maryland Heights provides a front-row seat by the bakery, where you can see your bread and baked goods being made. companionbaking.com.
Union Loafers: A perfect café/bakery combo, this Botanical Heights spot serves up bread, cookies, and more. The pizza’s aromatic crust is just a sampling of the quality here. 7629 Tower Grove.
Knead Bakehouse: Cinnamon rolls, fruit-filled kolaches, sourdough doughnuts... The pastries here are awe-inspiring. 3467 Hampton.
Saint Louis Filipino Bread: Filipino breads are still a largely undiscovered delight in St. Louis, but those in the know crave ’em. While some of the breads are sweet, all have a creamy, addictive, custardlike texture. 11658 Dorsett.
Mr. Meowski’s Sourdough: Mr. Meowski’s ham-and-cheese croissants are no joke, and its pastry selection is extravagant. 107 N. Main, St. Charles.
Breadsmith: It’s earned a well-deserved reputation for affordability: French breads, baguettes, and ficelles are all superb. And the Cuban bread essential to Cubanos? Yep, it’s here, too. 10031 Manchester.
The Foundry Bakery: One of the many delights here is longan walnut bread, whose taste and crumb are unlike any other. 77424 Dorsett.
Upper Crust: From stout-infused rugbrød to purple yam ube bread, it’ll take a while to work through the offerings at this top-tier spot. 4932 Pernod.
The Edgewood Baker: Bekah Stamps brings an extraordinary quality to the sourdough and pastries she offers online and at the St. Charles Farmers’ Market. theedgewoodbaker.com.
Knead Bakehouse + Provisions: 1. Sesame seed brioche buns 2. Marbled rye loaf of sourdough 3. Brioche loaf of sourdough 4. Rustic loaf of sourdough
BEST BOUTIQUE MARKETS
THESE SHOPS STOCK A THOUGHTFUL SELECTION OF EVERYTHING NEEDED FOR A MEMORABLE OUTING.
Equal parts cafe, deli, and market, in Webster Groves stocks its own mustards, salsas, and jams, as well as a variety of sausages. The baristas also make offers an outstanding wine and liquor selection, including half bottles sized just right for picnics. Additional specializations include fine cigars and coffee by the pound. is a perfect balance of wine store and deli, with a knowledgeable staff eager to share recommendations. The store also sells pasta shapes by weight, among other dry goods. in Maplewood stocks new and second-hand cookbooks alongside kitchen wares, seasonings, pickles, and meat from local farms. In South City, offers fresh sandwiches, pasta salads, and frozen pizzas prepared in house; the store’s meat market is another highlight, as is its beer selection. covers every base, from fresh produce, wine, and chips to coffee, grains, and pulses sold by weight. In Botanical Heights, Bengelina Hospitality Group’s retail store, offers favorite items from owner Ben Poremba’s restaurants, including egg salad, muhammara, and baba ganoush; the store also specializes in premium spirits and cigars. And ) in Chesterfield has everything you need to host a gourmet dinner party, including wine, quiches, cakes, and pies. The butcher counter offers steaks, burgers, and other cuts from sister venue Annie Gunn’s, and you can also grab fresh seafood or sides and sandwiches from the deli.
