St. Louis is home to a growing appreciation for the plant-based diet, emblematic in the emergence of vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants in just about every local neighborhood. However, that does not exclude St. Louis vegans from enjoying the flavors and ambiance of the city’s historic or locally beloved eateries – even those not explicitly known for catering to the vegan population. Here are seven menu breakdowns that prove you do not have to be left out from experiencing St. Louis’ iconic restaurants as a vegan.
Blueberry Hill
One might expect a dated menu at one of St. Louis’ oldest restaurants, but at Blueberry Hill this is far from the truth. You will not have to go hungry before your show at the Duck Room, because this 54-year-old eatery and music venue has plenty of plant-based options.
Start your dining experience at one of St. Louis’ most historic spots with a bowl of vegan vegetable soup, or skip straight to the two vegan burger options. Choose between an Impossible or Chipotle Black Bean patty with vegan cheddar cheese while sipping on a quirkily named cocktail such as the Summer Fling, Peach-Fuzz or Poison Apple. The bar uses Deep Eddy for their flavored vodkas, which are indeed vegan-friendly.
6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314.727.4444, blueberryhill.com
Cafe Mochi
Sushi joints are usually a safe call for vegans, and Cafe Mochi on South Grand is no exception. You can start your meal with miso soup and edamame, or a house salad with tangy ginger dressing. Another great option is the wakame salad – the vibrant, green, noodle-like seaweed salad has the most satisfyingly chewy bite to it.
Sushi options include the asparagus roll (hold the mayo) and the vegetable roll. Definitely ask for their house-made eel sauce to drizzle over the rolls. Contrary to the name, you can rest assured knowing no eels were harmed in this reduction of soy sauce, sweet rice wine and sugar.
3221 S Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.775.5000, cafe-mochi.weeblyte.com
Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill
You cannot really talk about iconic St. Louis restaurants without mentioning the Hill, although Italian food can be particularly intimidating for the plant-based eater. Yet for a 40-year-old classic Italian restaurant, Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill is pleasantly accommodating.
While the menu does not explicitly state any vegan options, they are happy to modify menu items. House-made pasta can be cooked in a dairy-free tomato sauce with any veggies of your choosing. An eggplant Parmesan in their signature San Marzano tomato sauce can be modified without the cheese blend. The kitchen can also offer a vegan platter of eggplant, zucchini, and blanched tomatoes cooked in an oil and herb amogio sauce.
You will be happy to know that the complimentary bread is vegan; however, the butter is not. Not to worry: Ask the lovely waitstaff for olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to dress your bread just like a real Italian.
5226 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.772.8898, charliegittos.com
Rosalita’s Cantina
Good Tex-Mex is not exactly partial to St. Louis, but Rosalita’s in Des Peres – or “Rosie’s,” as affectionately coined by staff and local diners – has perfected the recipe for the go-to Tex-Mex restaurant. Fresh ingredients, excellent service and ambient outdoor seating all add to the growing franchise’s reputation. And did I mention tableside guac is back on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights?
It will be particularly difficult not to stunt your appetite with Rosie’s house-made salsa and tortilla chips, but the entrées are most definitely worth the discipline. If you are brave, this is a great opportunity to test your spice level by mixing in the spicy three-chile salsa. If you are not up for the challenge, go for the milder mango-habanero.
Tex-Mex can be sneaky – refried beans are often fried with pork lard, rice is sometimes boiled in chicken broth – but Rosie’s beans and coconut rice are vegan-friendly by default. Besides, waitstaff is very mindful and accommodating of dietary restrictions upon mention.
One of several vegan options includes grilled or fried tostadas with refried beans, pico de gallo, lettuce and roasted vegetables from the appetizers section. But do not be surprised when a dish that looks more like a main comes to your table: portions are generous. You can sub the jalapeño ranchero, queso and cheese with extra pico and guacamole or black beans, but feel free to get creative with your substitutions.
Multiple locations, rosalitascantina.com
Olive + Oak
If you are looking for a contemporary fine-dining experience that is also accommodating to the plant-based diet, Olive + Oak in Webster Groves is just the place. While this is partly due to the talented team’s ability to whip you up just about anything, the menu already features plenty of vegan-friendly options as-is. Do keep in mind that the menu changes every night, but it is always updated on their website.
One constant on the Olive + Oak menu is the exciting vegetable section, and that is not sarcasm. Offerings include cashew turnips with celery and hoisin-tamari toasted cashew sauce, spaghetti squash okonomiyaki with tangy Japanese barbecue sauce (hold the mayo), and garam masala sweet potato latke with golden raisin and bell pepper chutney (hold the labneh). Does that sound boring to you?
Enjoy your sensational veggies with a smoked pecan risotto entree featuring caramelized onion, roasted cauliflower, honey crisp apple, horseradish, parsley and preserved lemon. Starters include carved Lion’s Mane “steak” in chimichurri sauce, which staff says is an excellent dupe for their popular gaucho steak – also with chimichurri.
The wine list at Olive + Oak is extensive, and the knowledgeable staff is completely capable of finding a suitable, plant-based wine or cocktail pairing for any course. That said, the restaurant’s sister establishment a couple of blocks away – O+O Pizza – is an excellent spot to grab an aperitif. The mezcal-based Grumpy Gardener with amaro, rhubarb, lemon, and honey is the perfect combination of smoky, bitter and sweet; it’s not currently on the menu, but they are happy to make it upon request. For vegans who exclude honey from their diet, ask for demerara sugar syrup in place of honey. Definitely give O+O a proper visit another day for some of the best vegan pizza in St. Louis.
216 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.736.1370 oliveandoak.oohosp.com
The Fountain on Locust
Did you know that the Fountain on Locust can do a dairy-free, 21+ ice-cream float or martini? Staff says they can adapt most float and martini options to a vegan diet by using either a dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a raspberry sorbet, but there are a handful of explicitly vegan options as well. Clementine’s rich vanilla bean ice cream can be enjoyed on its own or in a root beer with your choice of vanilla vodka or bourbon. If you would like a more fruity, less creamy option, the Red Zeppelin martini features vodka, raspberry sorbet, and triple sec with no modifications necessary.
For your savory needs, order the house-made Hummus a Sultry Tune or a Prosperity Panini if you would like a proper entrée to line your stomach before your boozy float. The panini features spicy hummus, tomato, sautéed red onion, roasted pepper, and grilled zucchini.
3037 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.535.7800, fountainonlocust.com
The Vine Mediterranean Cafe
The Vine Mediterranean Cafe in St. Louis’ historic Tower Grove neighborhood has been a popular destination for Mediterranean cuisine since its opening in 2010. Some things have changed over the years as the table-service spot casualized into a deli-style, mostly take-out eatery. Nonetheless, the flavor and quality has remained.
Not to mention, The Vine has always had excellent plant-based options with explicit “V” symbols next to vegan menu items. Try their ever-so-smoky and slightly citrusy baba ganoush with their soft, house-made pitas. You also have the option of asking for a dollop of baba ganoush or hummus to be wrapped in your falafel sandwich for added flavor and moisture.
The portions on their apps and sandwiches are generous, but if you want something more substantial, definitely try the Batata Harra. Cubed potato, cilantro, garlic and hot spices sautéed in olive oil pair well with a sweet, fresh beverage from the cafe’s in-house juice bar. Try their house-made lemonade blended with ice and mint. This refreshing concoction might — but probably will not — nurse you out of your garlic-induced food coma.
Head chef and operations manager Ali Mohsen said to stay tuned to The Vine’s menu for the upcoming launch of Mediterranean-style bowls.
3171 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.776.0991, thevinestl.com/thevinecafe/Home.html