Tell us if this sounds good to you: a scenic walk, delicious coffee and fantastic local food, and exploring some of the best free amenities that St. Louis has to offer. If yes, read on!
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Today’s blog post is the first of a new series that gives you a glimpse of the possibilities for entertainment, dining, and more in the neighborhoods around our cafes. Each neighborhood in St. Louis has its own quirks and charm, and so do our cafes. These guides are our way of offering you a caffeine-fueled "Day in STL" to discover their character and life.
In this blog post, we explore the DeMun neighborhood of Clayton and the neighboring Forest Park and Hi-Pointe areas, some of the best St. Louis has to offer from both the city and the county!
- Enjoy coffee and lunch at Kaldi’s Coffee at DeMun
- Get your art on at Saint Louis Art Museum
- Go wild at The Saint Louis Zoo
- Shop fine artisanal cheeses, specialty wines, and more at Parker’s Table
- Two different recommendations for dinner! Enjoy Italian cuisine at Louie, or kick back for a cozy British pub experience at The Fox and Hounds
- Bonus ideas for further adventuring!
DEMUN CAFE
Your journey begins at DeMun, the original Kaldi’s Coffee. We recommend an early afternoon visit for the beginning of this journey, around 1:00pm. Here, you can savor a Black Bean Burrito for some hearty vegetarian fare and sip a barista-crafted Vanilla Latte or an Americano (try it with our single origin espresso for a fresh-take on a classic). We are so fortunate to be a part of this dynamic, close-knit community!
It only gets better though, as you leave the DeMun neighborhood of Clayton and cross Skinker Boulevard into St. Louis’ majestic heart of forested hills and baroque fountains: Forest Park! Don’t forget to get a cappuccino or a Firepot Chai tea to go, before heading into the park and up to the scenic Art Hill to visit the Saint Louis Art Museum.
SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM
The Art Museum requires no reservations, and is the perfect place to begin exploring many different cultures and artistic traditions. Some of their upcoming and current special exhibits include:
- altered documents and collages by Buzz Spector, famed American conceptual artist who utilizes torn books and collages to deconstruct concepts of authorship and art (Galleries 234 & 235)
- a visiting exhibit from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa, offers a stunning display of art and artifacts from the often-misunderstood ancient culture that flourished in the Sudan Nile Valley alongside ancient Egypt (Main Exhibition Galleries, $12 for adults)
- mixed-media explorations of place and history by Dana Levy, Israeli artist who merges print, video projection, and sculpture to examine tensions between architecture, history, and lived experiences (Gallery 250)
Note: the Art Museum is closed on Mondays.
SAINT LOUIS ZOO
If you’re interested in exploring the wilder side of things, just step right next door to the award-winning Saint Louis Zoo. Here, you can have your heart warmed by the adorable red pandas and boisterous sea lions and seals, and marvel at the majesty of the elephants and rhinos in the River’s Edge area. Or head over to Historic Hill to explore the classic buildings from the St. Louis 1904 World’s Fair which now house the Zoo’s reptiles, birds, and small primates like the playful lemurs and tarsiers.
Note: While the Saint Louis Zoo does currently require a reservation, it’s still completely free!
After an afternoon of moseying around Forest Park, and perhaps a little light shopping at the Art Museum’s gift shops or the Zoo’s eStore, it’s time to head back to where we started in the DeMun neighborhood of Clayton. After one more stop, we offer two possible dinner destinations to put the perfect finishing touch on your parkside promenade!
PARKER’S TABLE
Before you head off to dinner, though, stop in at Parker’s Table for a little browsing of their vast selection of fine artisanal cheeses and amazing wines and other specialty products. Perfect for planning a cozy evening in, a romantic picnic, or a gift basket for someone special!
Note: Parker’s Table is currently taking phone orders for curbside pickup: call them at 314.645.2050 to place your order. They also offer a walk-up window if you need help deciding what to order. The staff is always extremely helpful.
THE FOX AND HOUNDS
The first, The Fox and Hounds Tavern in the Cheshire Hotel on Clayton Road — just a few blocks south of DeMun — is a classic English-style pub with plush, high-backed chairs and dark wooden tables, booths, and paneling. They offer a broad selection of English, Scottish, and Irish whiskeys, and even serve the rare “yard of ale” more common to England. For food, a selection of hearty small plate appetizers — and the traditional fish & chips, of course! — ensures you don’t over-indulge in libations! The Fox and Hounds opens nightly at 5pm.
LOUIE
Our second recommendation for dinner in the neighborhood is Louie, a neighboring restaurant to our very own DeMun cafe where we started our day! Louie is an Italian-inspired fine dining concept that pairs simplicity and elegance. Relax and unwind with an inspired but traditional pasta, or an elevated selection of handcrafted pizzas. Don’t forget to request the perfect wine pairing! Louie is open starting at 5pm Monday through Saturday, and while reservations are recommended, they are not required. They also offer curbside pickup.
BONUS RECOMMENDATIONS
An alternative or additional destination in this neighborhood is the Hi-Pointe Theatre, which shows a handful of independent or arthouse films on its two screens. Buy tickets online, and enjoy a cozier, more intimate cinema experience!
We would also be remiss in not mentioning our friends at Sasha’s Wine Bar on DeMun! Great platters and sandwiches, and a fantastic drinks selection, just up the block from our DeMun cafe.
CONTINUE EXPLORING ST. LOUIS
St. Louis is a city of history and possibilities. We have more St. Louis destination suggestions and day trip planners coming, so stay tuned!
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READ NEXT
- Est. 1994: DeMun's Origin Story | Kaldi's Coffee Blog
- A Day in STL: Euclid & The Central West End | Kaldi's Coffee Blog
- Kaldi's Coffee is for Foodies, Too! Our Food and Bakery Program | Kaldi's Coffee Blog
- Kaldi's Cafe Blog Series
- 4 Kaldi's Coffee Collaborations | Kaldi's Coffee Blog
