In a city like St. Louis, there is never a shortage of food. From restaurants to cafes to street food vendors, there seems to be something for everyone. Almost every food establishment now caters towards gluten-free and vegan eaters, but for paleo dieters, it’s another story.
The paleo diet is designed to detox the body by mimicking the diet eaten by the hunter-gatherers in the Paleolithic era some 2 million years ago. Some commit to the diet to lose weight, while others do it for other health reasons. In most cases, the paleo diet is an ethical choice that aims to eat locally sourced sustainable foods.
If you’re a Missourian on a paleo diet, here are the best 15 paleo restaurants in St. Louis!
Seedz Cafe
- 6344 South Rosebury Demun, MO 63105
- (314) 725-7333
First up is Seedz Cafe, a 100% vegan and plant-based establishment that is ideal for paleo eaters. Grabbing a bite for lunch as a paleo dieter can be a nightmare, but Seedz Cafe offers an array of items on the menu that are either paleo-friendly or can be made paleo-friendly. Just make sure to ask the waiter to take away the vegan cheese or bread from a burger!
Seedz Cafe exudes comfort with its rustic interior and friendly staff. Plus, two doors down from the Cafe is Seedz Provisions for on-the-go foods!
Layla
- The Grove, 4317 Manchester Ave, MO 63110
- (314) 553-9252
Layla is St. Louis’ only gourmet burger and shawarma joint, residing in The Grove. With all the meat and ingredients sourced from local purveyors and growers, Layla is certainly an enjoyable and delicious dining experience. For paleo eaters, most of the burgers can be made paleo-friendly by asking for a bun of romaine lettuce.
The Flight Club burger (without the cheese and mayo) is a particularly popular option for paleo eaters. This burger joint also offers paleo-friendly sweet potato fries!
Vicia
- 4260 Forest Park Avenue, MO 63108
- (314) 553-9239
Vicia is one of the most high-end restaurants on our list. With a menu driven by seasonal foods sourced from local farmers, artisans, and fishermen, Vicia is certainly an ethical paleo dining establishment.
As the food is seasonal, the menu will often change throughout the year, but paleo eaters are catered for easily. In most cases, customers pick their protein and a side dish out of a variety of options, which means you don’t have to substitute ingredients from an entire meal to be paleo-friendly.
Sugarfire Smoke House
- 605 Washington Avenue, MO 63101
- (314) 394-1720
One of the top requirements for a paleo diet is protein that can be sourced similarly to hunter-gatherers in the Paleolithic era. Sugarfire Smoke House is home to an award-winning barbecue menu, from delicate brisket to juicy pork, making it a haven for paleo eaters. Virtually everything can be made paleo-friendly, too, by simply asking for the burger buns to be replaced with romaine lettuce.
The environment of Sugarfire Smoke House is another reason in itself to visit. This isn’t a “fine dining” experience – so be prepared to get your fingers satisfyingly messy!
Revel Kitchen
- 8388 Musick Memorial Dr, Brentwood, MO 63144
- (314) 647-2222
Revel Kitchen is a safe haven for paleo eaters as well as vegans and keto dieters alike. This place is all about locally sourced, organic whole foods to suit paleo, keto, gluten-free, and 30-day diets without compromising on flavor. There are a variety of dishes on the menu, from build-your-own bowls to salads and wraps, as well as the famous whole fruit smoothies.
Just because this is the ideal food place for dieters doesn’t mean the menu items lack flavor and creativity. Owners Simon and Angelica have perfected their craft of healthy, affordable, and quick foods whilst providing tasty options for all.
Lona’s Lil Eats
- 2199 California Avenue, MO 63104
- (314) 925-8938
Lona’s Lil Eats is home to authentic and delicious Asian-inspired cuisine made from fresh ingredients. This restaurant is most famous for its giant rice paper wrap (which, unfortunately, isn’t paleo-friendly) and its inclusivity of vegan, gluten-free, and paleo eaters. From protein to vegetables, Lona’s Lil Eats certainly offers a healthy and delicious dining experience.
Lona, one of the owners, is from an area in China that is home to hundreds of ethnic minorities, making it a home for an abundance of foods. Lona’s experience and lessons from family taught her everything she needs to know about authentic Asian cooking.
Hardee’s
- 2110 Hampton Avenue, MO 63139
- (314) 645-2336
Sometimes, all a paleo dieter wants is some fast food. Sure, it’s not the most ethical option, but it’s certainly the most convenient. While there aren’t any blatant paleo-friendly options on the menu, it just means you’ve got to know what to ask for.
Virtually all the burgers can be served without a bun or with a romaine lettuce replacement, and you’ve just got to be wary of the cheese and sauces inside the burgers. Still, if you’re looking for a quick lunch in your break from work, Hardee’s is a good choice.
Fritanga
- 2208 S Jefferson Avenue, MO 63104
- (314) 664-7777
Fritanga is the home to some of the most authentic Central American food in Missouri. This restaurant offers unique Nicaraguan cuisine, specializing particularly in plantains.
Their menu is exactly what a paleo eater would want from a restaurant, with an array of paleo-friendly proteins and vegetables alike. The Carne Asada (Nicaragua’s national dish) is particularly brilliant according to paleo customers.
Grace Meat + 3
- 4270 Manchester Avenue, MO 63110
- (314) 533-2700
Grace Meat + 3 is all about true Southern American dining, from the fried chicken to the tasty fish meals. Nothing is pretentious about this restaurant, so if you’re in the mood for some home-style cooked food without the unnecessary extras, this is the place for you.
All dishes are affordable and filling, with the majority of them being paleo-fied. Everything is cooked and fried fresh, so if you cannot eat the batter, then ask for the food without being fried!
Tree House
- 3177 South Grand Boulevard, MO 63118
- (314) 696-2100
Tree House is an exclusively vegetarian and vegan restaurant that is suitable for a variety of eaters – from paleo and keto dieters to vegans and gluten-free eaters alike. This is certainly one of the most Instagram-friendly restaurants in St. Louis for its gorgeous interior, not to mention the stunning presentation of the food.
Speaking of the food, Tree House is ideal for paleo eaters as everything can be altered to fit their requirements. The fried beets are one of the most unique and surprisingly delicious paleo-friendly side dishes.
Rooster
- 1104 Locust Street, MO 63101
- (314) 241-8118
Hey, not everyone wants to find a restaurant to eat for dinner or lunch. Rooster is the ideal breakfast and lunch place for paleo and non-paleo eaters alike. This is an urban European-style cafe that specializes in all things brunch – from crepes to sandwiches. Everything is sourced from local organic farms and made fresh.
While they don’t have a specific paleo-approved section of the menu, most items can be altered to suit paleo eaters. Most paleo customers love to mix and match their breakfast items to suit their diet. For example, alongside your bacon and breakfast sausage you can have a fresh fruit salad and eggs. Plus, Rooster has an array of fresh smoothies.
The Shaved Duck
- 2900 Virginia Avenue, MO 63118
- (314) 776-1407
The Shaved Duck is the home of smoked meats. Despite the amount of smoked meats on offer, this restaurant is surprisingly inclusive when it comes to catering towards vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free eaters, and paleo dieters.
Almost every item on the menu can be made into a paleo version, such as the ribs and brisket burger (minus the bun!). They also offer a BBQ class for you to take your new skills home!
Chipotle
- 212 S Grand Boulevard, MO 63103
- (314) 342-9919
Chipotle might not be the fast food restaurant you’d think would serve paleo-friendly options, but you’re wrong!
With responsibly sourced ingredients, paleo dieters can eat paleo-friendly lifestyle bowls and burgers with romaine lettuce instead of the buns. Just because you’re paleo doesn’t mean you can treat yourself to some fast Mexican food!
Tucanos
- 1520 S. 5th Street, Suite 100, St. Charles, MO 63303
- (636) 724-4499
Located in the greater St. Louis area, Tucanos is a festive Brazilian restaurant that offers an array of mouth-watering dishes for paleo and non-paleo eaters alike.
Tucanos is known for its locally sourced beef, chicken, seafood, and salads that are all mostly paleo-friendly – though it’s always best to check with the waiter! The Alcatra beef is a particular favorite amongst paleo customers.
Crazy Bowls & Wraps
- 622 Washington Avenue, MO 63101
- (314) 802-7136
Last but not least, Crazy Bowls & Wraps is everything a paleo eater could ever want. With an array of side dishes and make-your-own salad bowls, this place is certainly paleo-approved.
As for the wraps, lettuce wraps are available! Plus, the Jalapeno Cilantro sauce is paleo and goes well with all the bowls and wraps.