Close, classy and always buzzing with activity, the Central West
End is known for its coffee houses, eateries, shops and
nightlife.
Dressel’s (419 N. Euclid, 361-1060) features Felinfoel
Welsh ales and a pseudo-intellectual decor. The bar specializes in
pub grub but it also has vegetarian dishes. There is live jazz
every Wednesday night. Llywelyn’s Pub (4747 McPherson,
361-3003) specializes in serving Celtic food. The pub has live
music in its loft area on Thursday and Friday nights.
Duff’s (392 N. Euclid, 361-0522) offers world cuisine at
the CWE’s premier outdoor dining setting. The Silk Road (510
Euclid, 367-9370) is the home of the first Chinese buffet in St.
Louis and specializes in Mongolian and Hunan cuisine.
Culpepper’s (300 N. Euclid, 361-2828) has been a Central
West End favorite since 1935. It’s the home of famous spicy chicken
wings. Tom’s Bar and Grill (20 S. Euclid, 367-4900) is on the
corner of Euclid and Forest Park Parkway. The burgers are juicy and
the atmosphere is laid back at Tom’s. A big screen television sits
above the dining room floor, and there are numerous other TVs so
that everyone has a great seat to watch the big game.
Just up the street is The Pasta House Co. (309 N. Euclid,
367-3865). It’s known for pretty good pasta, better bread and great
salads.
C. Whittaker’s American Bistro (240 N. Euclid, 361-7771)
features American food–pasta, beef and chicken dishes, as well as
vegetarian dishes. It is owned by the same company as Cecil
Whittaker’s Pizzeria.
The Majestic (4900 Laclede, 361-2011) is popular for its
cheap food and fine spirits. The Majestic opens early, closes late
and is renowned for its Greek food and decor.
The ever-popular St. Louis Bread Company (4651 Maryland,
367-7636) is just around the corner from Culpepper’s. The Bread
Co., as it is commonly called, has continuously been voted the best
bakery in town.
Wildflower (4590 Laclede, 367-9888), across from The
Majestic, also offers outdoor dining, with a variety of entrees.
Strata Ovenbaked (22 N. Euclid, 454-3900) is a restaurant
similar to the St. Louis Bread Company. It offers hot sandwiches
and soups also, but the bread is especially good.
The Central West End abounds with coffee shops. Coffee
Cartel (2 Maryland Plaza, 454- 0000) is one of the area’s
finest coffee shops. Fabulous outdoor seating puts you in the
middle of the CWE while you enjoy your cup of joe.
The Grind (56 Maryland Plaza, 454-0202) is a popular
hangout for students of both SLU and Washington University. It is
usually crowded every night of the week because it’s open until 3
a.m.
The Central West End is not only a good spot to grab a bite to
eat, but it is also the place to enjoy art, architecture and
antiques. Elliot Smith Contemporary Art (4727 McPherson,
361-4800) is St. Louis’ largest and most beautiful private art
gallery. Elliot Smith shows important regional and national artists
in six-week rotating exhibitions.
The Center for Photography (4729 McPherson, 361-7770) will no
doubt interest those with a liking for fine photography. For those
with an eye for the antique, Four Season West (4657
Maryland, 361-2929) offers fine antiques for purchase, but is the
kind of shop that you will just love to visit. Macro Sun
(308 N. Euclid, 361-0054) is a gallery of exotic imported goods
from Asia. You will find everything from sitars and gold Buddhas to
jewelry and authentic clothing.
Left Bank Books (399 N. Euclid, 367-6731) is a
full-service bookstore with an adequate selection of new and used
books. It’s one of the last independently owned bookstores in St.
Louis. They also operate a small art gallery and a coffee shop
called Cafe Danielle, which serves coffee and sandwiches.
For delicious kosher-style sandwiches, try Kopperman’s
Deli (386 N. Euclid, 361-0100).
Einstein Bros. Bagels (2 N. Euclid, 367-7999), which offers
pizzas, sandwiches and salads.
Try Frozen Assets (8 S. Euclid, 361-6222) for homemade
ice cream. They feature 50 to 60 flavors, including more types of
vanilla than you can count on one hand.
To work off all that food, try Club Viva (408 N. Euclid,
361-0322), a club for those who dance to a different beat–Latin
and salsa rhythms. If you don’t know the right moves, go to their
free dance lessons on Thursdays and Saturdays 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, try out your new steps to the live bands,
which start around 10 p.m.
The Central West End is a popular hangout for college students
and is one of the premiere people-watching spots in St. Louis. Take
the Metrolink there because parking is hard to find, but remember
that trains stop at 1:30 a.m.
