Billy G’s Kirkwood is nestled between a fire station and a row of small businesses along a pedestrian-friendly stretch of downtown Kirkwood. Among the many options in the area, Billy G’s stands out for its upscale burgers, pastas, and St. Louis-style pizzas, as well as for its patio, which is one of the best in the city. After your meal, go for a stroll and soak up some of this suburb’s small-town charm.

There aren’t many restaurants that offer innovative cuisine in a carryout-only location, but Kounter Kulture is one of them. The tiny restaurant serves up a rotating menu of Asian-inspired dishes — such as Korean beef brisket, lemongrass poached shrimp, and steamed buns — all made with locally sourced ingredients. From April to November, the business also sets up shop on Saturday mornings at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market under the name Kitchen Kulture.

Salume Beddu’s artisan-cured meats are made by hand using old-school methods and high-quality ingredients, and that’s probably why they have developed such a following. Although the company’s eponymous retail outlet and sandwich counter closed in 2017, Salume Beddu sandwiches can now be found inside Parker’s Table, a wine shop and specialty grocery store. The location may have changed, but they are still serving up the same hand-crafted salumi that’s made just a few miles away in Olivette, Missouri.

You might not even notice Blood & Sand while driving by. The restaurant is located on a small city street that’s more like an alley, and it’s marked only by a plaque next to a revolving door. But inside, members and their guests are treated to contemporary American cuisine — it’s known for its truffled tater tots — and an extensive wine and cocktail menu. Blood & Sand is membership based, but it accepts a limited number of non-member walk-ins and reservations.

After a trip to southern France, restaurateurs Paul and Wendy Hamilton were inspired to open Vin de Set, a French bistro with a spacious rooftop patio in the Lafayette neighborhood. The bistro offers approachable takes on classic dishes like Croque Monsieur, seafood bouillabaisse, and savory crepes. The Hamiltons are committed to implementing sustainable practices, and many of the ingredients used in the restaurant are grown in its hydroponic greenhouse. The wine list takes its cue from France, but you’ll still find a great selection of American craft beers if you’re in the mood — order up an Elysian Dayglow IPA to go with your Roquefort burger.

In 2016, chef Alex Cupp bought Super’s Bungalow, a decades-old neighborhood bar in South St. Louis City, and transformed it into a laidback spot for out-of-this-world BBQ. Don’t be fooled by the plain exterior and simple beer garden. Inside, Cupp prepares fall-apart tender meats — like the brisket, which is smoked for 14 hours — and delicious side dishes. The bar is open every day except Tuesday, although food is only served Wednesday through Sunday.

Schneithorst’s Restaurant and Bar’s imposing half-timbered building dominates the corner of Lindbergh and Clayton roads, yet the business has been there so long it’s easy to overlook. The current restaurant opened here in the 1950s, but the Schneithorst family has been serving up traditional German fare like wienerschnitzel and sauerbraten since 1917. Today, the menu also includes an array of classic American dishes. You could go German with your beer order, or all-American with an Elysian Space Dust IPA. No matter what you order, part of the fun is taking in the Bavarian atmosphere in the bierkeller or rooftop biergarten.

With its opening in September 2017, Westport Social brought a welcome combination of upscale pub food and classic games to the popular Westport Plaza entertainment complex. The menu includes items like Bavarian pretzels, burnt end nachos, and hot chicken sliders, which are best enjoyed while challenging your friends to a game of bocce ball, snookball, pop-a-shot or shuffleboard.