If you’re hungry for a neighborhood packed with culinary delights, Botanical Heights (formerly McRee Town) is a destination you can’t skip. This revitalized pocket south of Tower Grove Avenue and west of South Grand has flourished in recent years, transforming from a sleepy section of St. Louis into a vibrant food lover’s haven. Whether you’re in the mood for inventive small plates, artisan pastries, or a global street food adventure, Botanical Heights brings an electric mix of flavors for every craving and budget.
The Heart of Foodie Culture: Tower Grove Avenue
Let’s start at the neighborhood’s culinary epicenter: Tower Grove Avenue between Vandeventer and Thurman. This stretch sparkles with some of St. Louis’ most-talked-about restaurants, where chefs blend creativity, passion, and community spirit.
- Olive + Oak (coming soon): Fans of Webster Groves’ beloved Olive + Oak were thrilled to learn of its expansion into Botanical Heights. Expect upscale American comfort food—think perfectly cooked steaks, pillowy gnocchi, and a rotating selection of seasonal, local veggies. Price range: $$-$$$.
- Union Loafers Café & Bread Bakery (1629 Tower Grove Ave): Known for its heavenly naturally leavened breads, Union Loafers is equally adored for its lunch counter—don’t miss their sandwiches on impossibly crunchy-chewy sourdough, dreamy pizzas (especially the margherita), and a cookie worth a special trip. Price range: $-$$.
- Olio (1634 Tower Grove Ave): A converted service station brings irresistible Mediterranean-inspired small plates—try the smoked egg salad, house-made hummus, and vibrant rainbow carrots. Out on the patio, you’ll soak up Botanical Heights’ unique neighborhood charm. Price range: $$-$$$.
- Elaia (1634 Tower Grove Ave, upstairs from Olio): For a splurge, this is your destination for refined Mediterranean tasting menus and top-tier wine pairings. Think lamb served with inventive sides, or fresh seafood with bright sauces. Elegant, intimate, and unforgettable. Price range: $$$$.
- La Patisserie Chouquette (1626 Tower Grove Ave): Step inside and you’ll be transported to Paris. Chouquette specializes in delicate French pastries, extravagant cakes, and a rotating menu of sweets—macarons, croissants, and their signature ooey-gooey brownies. Join the Saturday morning line for a Saint Louis Slinger croissant. Price range: $-$$.
A Taste of Global Cuisine
Botanical Heights punches way above its size when it comes to international flavor. Head a few blocks east or west and you’ll hit a variety of kitchens from across the globe.
- Nixta (1621 Tower Grove Ave): Chef Ben Poremba’s homage to Mexican cuisine is celebrated for its hand-pressed tacos, wood-grilled chicken, and a killer mezcal program. The mole sauce here is legendary—layered, complex, and unforgettable. Price range: $$-$$$.
- Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions (1630 Tower Grove Ave): Carnivores, rejoice! This boutique butcher shop sources local, ethical meats and preps them for home cooks or in the form of killer sandwiches. Don’t skip their daily hot lunch specials. Price range: $$.
- AO&Co Market and Café (1641 Tower Grove Ave): A neighborhood gathering space offering fantastic coffee, Italian-influenced breakfast, and a primo selection of house-made pastas and market goods. The breakfast focaccia and imported cheeses are neighborhood favorites. Price range: $-$$.
Hidden Neighborhood Gems
For every trendy destination, Botanical Heights has a lesser-known spot you’ll want to keep to yourself (but can’t, because they’re just too good).
- U.R.B. (Urban Research Brewery) (4501 Manchester Ave): Equal parts brewery and pizza lab, U.R.B. features rotating new experimental batches of pizza and beer. The catch? You help review the beer, and your feedback helps decide what goes on tap next at Urban Chestnut’s other locations. Low-key, fun, and wallet-friendly. Price range: $.
- Mao Family Restaurant (3607 Juniata St): Just a couple of blocks from the heart of Botanical Heights, this home-style Chinese restaurant serves absolutely craveable noodle soups, handmade dumplings, and spicy Szechuan specialties. Price range: $.
- SweetArt (2203 S. 39th St): Though technically just outside the northern edge of Botanical Heights, SweetArt is a beloved Black woman-owned bakery, café, and art space known for epic vegan cupcakes, scratch-baked cookies, and soul-nourishing comfort food plates. Price range: $-$$.
Food Trucks and Community Vibes
The food scene here isn’t just about brick-and-mortar. You’ll also find food trucks and pop-ups, particularly during events like Grove Fest and at community gathering spots near McRee Avenue.
- On Fridays, look for rotating food trucks in the AO&Co parking lot or at nearby Tower Grove Park. Savvy locals keep an eye out for trucks slinging everything from Nashville-style hot chicken to inventive vegan nachos.
- Pop-ups at La Patisserie Chouquette and AO&Co bring guest chefs and experimental menus—follow their social media for the inside scoop.
A Neighborhood Flavor All Its Own
What sets the Botanical Heights dining scene apart isn’t just the staggering diversity of options—it’s the feeling that you’re part of a welcoming, tight-knit community where chefs know their regulars and everyone roots for each other’s success. The neighborhood’s rebirth is on proud display, visible in each new mural, garden plot, and bustling café patio.
Visiting one restaurant? Make time to wander—it’s easy to turn a meal into a daylong eating odyssey. Start with a pastry and coffee at Chouquette. Grab a loaf to go from Union Loafers. Pop in for mezze and clever drinks at Olio, then finish with tacos at Nixta or inventive beers from U.R.B. The options—and the spirit—are endless.
Insider Tips for Dining in Botanical Heights
- Parking: Street parking is generally easy, especially on Tower Grove Avenue.
- Reservations: For Saturday nights at Olio or Elaia, you’ll want to call ahead.
- Family-Friendly: Union Loafers and AO&Co are both great for kids.
- Dietary Needs: SweetArt offers stellar vegan and gluten-free treats.
Next time you crave something truly local but distinctly cosmopolitan, make your way to Botanical Heights. With each bite, you’ll taste the creative soul of a St. Louis neighborhood writing its own delicious story.