To whet your palate, Catherine Neville, vice president of communications at Explore St. Louis, provides culinary recommendations from across the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Why does St. Louis stand out as a culinary destination?

St. Louis is a city that punches above its weight when it comes to food. With deep immigrant roots and a spirit of constant reinvention, the culinary scene blends tradition and innovation in a way that feels distinctly local. You’ll find James Beard nominees alongside barbecue joints, handmade pasta next to toasted ravioli and chefs pushing boundaries in neighborhoods with character.

For meeting planners, that means a wide range of price points, cuisines and settings—plus a creative community that’s eager to collaborate on private dining, catering or custom experiences. It’s authentic, accessible and constantly evolving.

Can you tell us about a new culinary highlight in St. Louis that is especially relevant for meeting planners?

City Foundry STL—a converted industrial complex turned food and entertainment hub, with one of the most exciting food halls in the Midwest—is a standout. It offers over a dozen chef-driven concepts under one roof, making it easy to please groups with a range of tastes and dietary needs. Planners can reserve sections for casual receptions or build in free time for attendees to explore on their own.

Also worth noting: City Foundry’s food hall is surrounded by additional event-friendly spaces like Alamo Drafthouse and Puttshack, making it ideal for pairing food with programming.

Do you have a culinary recommendation that WEC attendees should consider checking out?

Definitely! Make time to explore a few of St. Louis’ most dynamic and flavor-packed neighborhoods.

The Delmar Maker District, just east of The Loop, is emerging as a haven for culinary creatives. You’ll find small-batch concepts, experimental menus and design-forward spaces that reflect the neighborhood’s maker spirit—from craft spirits at Alpha to upscale Mediterranean at Esca and boozy ice cream at Fountain on Delmar to over-the-top dogs at Steve’s Hot Dogs.

The Grove is an eclectic, high-energy strip filled with globally inspired restaurants, craft cocktail lounges and local breweries. It’s walkable, bold and a go-to for groups looking to graze, gather and hang out after dark.

The Hill is St. Louis’ beloved Italian-American neighborhood, where tradition is the secret ingredient. From old-school red sauce joints to modern takes on classic dishes, this area offers warm hospitality and the kind of meals that turn into memories. It’s ideal for cozy group dinners or an escape into a more timeless corner of the city.

Each of these neighborhoods offers a unique slice of St. Louis’ culinary identity—and they’re all an easy rideshare away from downtown.