Best Diners in Belleville

"Located on the corner of Southwest Avenue and Abbott Place, just a stone’s throw from Maplewood, Missouri, this popular brunch spot features traditional diner items with Tex-Mex flair. Featuring everything from buttermilk-cornmeal pancakes to carne adovada (red chile-braised pork shoulder), Southwest Diner has something for everyone. While there are plenty of delicious options, we recommend Jonathan's Famous Fiery Scramble, a generous platter of spicy, cheesy scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, home fries and toast."

"Southwest Diner was established in 2011 by Jonathan Jones and Anna Sidel who started out selling their breakfast tacos at the local farmer’s market using the same business name. They opened their diner later in June 2012. Southwest Diner serves all types of Mexican food, such as posole, tamales, tortas and enchiladas, as well as diner classics like pancakes, scrambles, burgers and BLTs."

"Simple, solid Southwestern fare is executed with precision and flair in a classic diner setting. Favorites include a New Mexico–style breakfast burrito and Jonathan’s Famous Fiery Scramble. $, 101 Best Restaurants 2016, American, American Southern, Outdoor Seating, South City, Tex-Mex"

"In a town full of beloved greasy spoons and breakfast spots, there is really only one City Diner. The original location on South Grand is well-worn, yet somehow becomes cozier with each passing year and hits all the right notes that you’d expect from a classic American diner; kitsch and vintage Americana cover the walls and sleek Formica tabletops are adorned with playful mid-century boomerangs. Each weekend, from the early morning until midday, guests of the Tower Grove location can be found hovering over plates of pancakes, spectacular corned beef hash and the diner’s own take on the slinger."

"For almost 27 years, City Diner has been serving tasty breakfast fare in a retro diner setting on South Grand. When owner Peter Spoto opened the diner in 1992, it was originally located next door to its current space on South Grand Boulevard; the building once housed popular greasy spoon Pearl and Ray’s, which closed in the late 1980s. Then a regular at neighboring Mangia Italiano, Spoto saw his opportunity to bring a different kind of diner to the community."

"You can find an extravagant brunch from two different locations of Kingside Diner on any given day, whether you are looking to dine-in or take something home. Kingside specializes in brunch, so you're not lost for options regardless if you're a sweet breakfast person or a savory one. Try one of the restaurant's specialties, like the veggie hash made with roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, onion, garlic and eggs, or go extravagant with the strawberry shortcake, French toast served with strawberries and a sweet cream filling."

"Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that a diner with the word "chili" in its name also claims to have started one of St. Louis' most iconic dishes – much of the menu, after all, comes smothered in chili. Chili Mac's Diner, located on Pine Street in the heart of Downtown St. Louis, has long billed itself as "the home of the slinger and the Cardinals." The casual, no-frills greasy spoon, which serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, offers a short but sweet menu of classic diner fare including biscuits and gravy and chili pie. The most famous dish, of course, is the slinger, which features two cheeseburger patties, home fries, eggs cooked your way and the requisite mild chili with no beans, served with shredded cheese and onions on top and a side of toast."

"Next up is downtown's Chili Mac's Diner, situated at 510 Pine St. With four stars out of 114 reviews on Yelp, the diner has proven to be a local favorite."

"For more than 60 years, the small, castle-shaped White Knight Diner at the corner of Olive and North 18th streets has been serving Downtown St. Louis breakfast and lunch. Inside, the family-owned diner spans only a sparse 600 square feet, with six counter stools, a few diminutive booths and tables and chairs. But from the outside, the diner is hard to miss, not only because of its vaguely Medieval architecture, but also because of the large American flags (one painted on, the other hanging in) its windows."

"Jaden's Diner serves up soul food in a cozy diner atmosphere in The Ville. Whether you are craving oxtails, short ribs, fried catfish or fried chicken with all the fix-ins, you are sure to leave Jaden's happy and stuffed to the brim. Jaden's Diner, 4251 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, The Ville, St. Louis, Missouri, 314.534.3512, facebook.com/jadensdiner"

"Larry Rugg, owner of Courtesy Diner with three locations across the city and county, hasn’t had a slinger in several months. It’s not that he doesn’t enjoy slingers – they’re delicious, he says – it’s just that Rugg’s stomach has gotten older since he bought Courtesy Diner in 1998. “The college kids burn stuff off so quickly that the bulk of a slinger doesn’t bother them a bit,” he says."

"The diners' owner claims that half of the customers this signature dish is sold to is college students — go figure. A classic slinger includes two eggs, hash browns, a hamburger patty, and chili. I dare you to get more Midwestern than that."

"More than 20 years ago, Greg Winchell took over ownership and operations of Morgan’s, a small greasy spoon on Manchester Avenue in Maplewood. The diner was named after the former owner’s daughter, and after a few years, Winchell decided to rename it after his own daughter, Tiffany. A lot has changed at the diner in the past two decades – new menu items have been added, renovations have updated the 635-square-foot interior and, most recently, Winchell began serving beer, cocktails and boozy coffee drinks."

"SweetArt has become a staple both in the Shaw neighborhood and in St. Louis' vegan and vegetarian community. Whether you are looking for a vegan sweet – a raspberry-lemon cupcake, cinnamon roll or fudge brownie – or a vegan dish – like the signature Sweet Burger or a Philly "cheezesteak" – SweetArt has food that will satisfy both vegans and carnivores alike."

"Sweet Art wows the St. Louis community with its devotion to “scratch-made deliciousness” and treating their costumer’s needs. With a good list of vegan brownies, bars, pies, cookies, and cakes. The cherry on top about Sweet Art is that most of their desserts are also available vegan (vegan sticky pecan buns featured above) and gluten free options."

"Bakeshop and art studio run by the husband-and-wife team of Cbabi Bayoc (art) and his wife Reine (sweet) also serves vegetarian lunch items, most built around a delicious vegetarian burger. Both the art and the food are top-notch. Open W-Sa 9 am-6 pm."

"Next up is Downtown St. Louis's Pickles Deli Downtown located at 200 N. Broadway, Suite 110. It's another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable deli, breakfast and brunch spot, which offers sandwiches and more, 4.5 stars out of 140 reviews."

"The pizza looks amazing and is delicious way better than a dominos or pizza hut chain. I'll be back to t..."

"Located at 4500 Hampton Ave. in South Hampton, the bar and Italian spot, which offers pizza and more, is the highest-rated Italian restaurant in St. Louis, boasting four stars out of 119 reviews on Yelp."

"If you or your kids are remotely interested in the world’s most popular and challenging game of all, a trip to this chess mecca is a must. One floor of the World Chess Hall of Fame explores the connection of chess to art, culture, and history, and the others display thought-provoking exhibits. If it’s a nice day, play a game with the toddler-sized pieces outside!"

"If you’re not interested in chess, don’t let the name deter you. The World Chess Hall of Fame Museum is a really awesome collaboration between artists and the chess community. And features anything from chess inspired artwork to chess pieces made out of unexpected things."

"The World Chess Hall of Fame is a nonprofit institution nestled in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis which offers a different kind of fun to all its visitors."