St. Louis coffeeshops are serving up more than just espresso, so we’ve compiled some of the city’s most impressive café lunch orders that deserve a spotlight of their own. We explore house-made specialties including vibrant salads, empanadas with innovative fillings and globally-inspired toasts. These coffee shops deliver lunch options as compelling as their coffee programs. Whether you’re seeking a quick bite between meetings or a leisurely lunch with friends, they have become genuine food destinations and offer thoughtfully crafted dishes that make them the perfect spot for your midday break.
Telva at the Ridge
Nestled above a lush nursery in Webster Groves, Telva is more than your ordinary café – it’s a hidden culinary gem serving bold, Balkan-inspired breakfast and lunchtime fare. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the gözleme is an indulgent experience. Featuring layers of buttery, hand-stretched pastry filled with cheese, local greens and herbs, it’s perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. The Sloppy Mustafa is also a great pick with a generous heaping of moussaka-spiced beef over Union Loafers bread, and crowned with an over-easy egg, cheese and Thai basil.
60 N. Gore Ave., Webster Groves, 314.395.2760, telvastl.com Credit: photo by Amber FisherGood Press
Located in the 21c Museum Hotel near downtown St. Louis, Good Press merges café culture with artistic vision. Every corner captivates, from designer wallpaper and cobblestone floors, to a ceiling that doubles as an art installation. Daily at 11:30 a.m., their grab-and-go case is stocked chock full with packaged meals delivered fresh from the kitchen. The teriyaki chicken bowl impresses with generous portions of grilled chicken, whole grains, steamed vegetables and pickled cabbage, all glazed in a sweet-tangy sauce. The chicken Caesar wrap also merits attention – with shaved chicken, Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and crisp romaine wrapped in a spinach flour tortilla. We’ll be back for their new and exciting made-to-order lunch menu launching late May.
1528 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.325.0370, goodpresscafe.com Credit: photo by Amber FisherCoffeestamp
Beyond exceptional teas and lattes, Coffeestamp is well known for its handcrafted empanadas. From the breakfast-forward Baleada to the protein-packed Carne Asada, they all deliver the ideal balance of quality and convenience for busy coffee lovers. We ventured off the beaten path and stumbled upon an equally noteworthy lunchtime provision: the chicken pesto panini. Tender chicken, whole-milk mozzarella, fresh pesto and microgreens are pressed to perfection between a crispy, grilled baguette. And it’s the perfect vehicle to dunk in all of their freshly made condiments and salsas.
2511 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314.797.8113, coffeestamp.com Credit: photo by Amber FisherFiddlehead Fern Café
Tucked into the charming Shaw neighborhood, Fiddlehead Fern is an open, airy café with a sprawling patio providing the perfect urban escape. Their lunch offerings showcase some of the freshest in the city, ranging from hearty soups to artisanal toasts on Union Loafers bread and generously portioned power salads. The crown jewel is undoubtedly the Pompeia Salad with locally grown hydroponic greens, kale, pickled red cabbage, edamame, sourdough croutons, roasted chickpeas and a remarkable housemade vegan Caesar dressing. And you can easily bulk it up with a hard-boiled egg, cheeses, or creamy avocado. Don’t forget to grab an ube cookie on your way out.
4066 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, 314.300.8111, fiddleheadferncafe.com Credit: photo by Amber FisherHifi by Upshot Coffee
Hifi by Upshot Coffee, which opened its doors in November in the former Manifest Juice & Broth location, has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. The space has a relaxed atmosphere filled with natural light and gentle hums of vinyl records playing in the background. Their star menu item, the Brake Shop Burrito, has developed a well-deserved cult following, with the kitchen preparing upward of 75 burritos daily. Stuffed with fluffy scrambled eggs, smashed avocado, crispy tater tots, pico de gallo and smoky chipotle crema, it’s wrapped in a flour tortilla and griddled with Monterey Jack cheese until crispy and golden. We found it to be equally perfect for a late breakfast or a satisfying lunch.
8401 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 636.475.8094, weareupshotcoffee.com/pages/hifi Credit: photo by Amber Fisher
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