14 International Restaurants Around St. Louis You Should've Tried By Now

By Riverfront Times Staff on Tue, Jul 5, 2016 at 4:06 pm

Put down the fried chicken and set aside your barbecue (just for a moment, anyway). While we love our Midwestern mainstays, it's time to step outside of your comfort zone and try some of St. Louis' amazing international restaurants. From Bosnian to Taiwanese and many cuisines in between, here are some of the delicious eateries you need to try. Some may already be on your radar and some may not, but every one is definitely worth a visit.

07/05/2016

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Sheesh
3226 South Grand Boulevard

Dressed in traditional Turkish clothing, the servers at Sheesh bring some of the city’s best Turkish dishes to your table. Start out with homemade soup, then order entrees ranging from lamb biryani to tabouleh. And don’t get us started with dessert; Sheesh has some of the tastiest baklava and rice pudding in town.

Photo by Mabel Suen

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Tai Ke
8604 Olive Blvd.

American diners are very familiar with some foreign cuisines, while others are more alien. Taiwanese food is the latter -- a mystery to many Midwestern diners. But Tai Ke does a great job introducing traditional Taiwanese dishes to even the most skittish eaters. And if you feel like staying in your comfort zone, they make a pretty mean hot dog as well.

Photo by Mabel Suen

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Sameem Afghan Restaurant
4341 Manchester Ave.

As the name makes clear, this restaurant’s specialty is Afghan food. Located off Manchester by Kingshighway, Sameem will provide you with authentic dishes, from curried lamb to spicy hot wings.

Photo via Yelp / Hoogaelric T.

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Guerrilla Street Food
3559 Arsenal St.

Starting out as a food truck, Guerrilla Street Food’s sit-down restaurant just off South Grand serves Filipino dishes noteworthy enough to be featured on the Food Network. The Guerrilla Street Food specialty: lechon, a meal in the Philippines in which an entire pig is roasted. Try it at Guerrilla Street Food.

Photo via Yelp / DeAnna K.

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Zlatno Zito
4571 Gravois Rd.

Make your way along Gravois to fill up on authentic Bosnian cuisine at Zlatno Zito. But it’s not all Bosnian here; the menu also offers a popular take on the Greek classic, a gyro. The food is very affordable and made right before you by the chef.

Photo via Yelp / Joe K.

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De Palm Tree
8631 Olive Blvd.

De Palm Tree provides delicious Jamaican cuisine, plus the laidback atmosphere associated with island culture. Grab some Jamaican jerk chicken and a rum punch drink, and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Photo via Yelp / Steph W.

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Rice Thai Bistro
14536 Manchester Rd

Off Manchester is a small restaurant that’s home to big flavor. Rice Thai Bistro offers authentic food from Thailand. From pad thai to black rice pudding, there are plenty of great dishes, including crab rangoon for those who enjoy the Americanized mainstay along with more authentic Asian treats. The chef not only cooks great food but also makes a point to visit with customers so every experience is memorable.

Photo Via Yelp / Gisa D.

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Peno
7600 Wydown Boulevard

We all know that there is no shortage of Italian restaurants in St. Louis. What separates Peno from the rest is the region of Italy its food comes from. The chef’s roots are in Calabria, a southern Italian region, which means classic rustic cooking with plenty of seafood.

Photo by Mabel Suen

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Kimcheese
13435 Olive Boulevard

What’s better than trying food from another country? Trying food from TWO other countries. Luckily, you can do that all in one place at Kim Cheese. The west county fast-casual spot combines Mexican and Korean flavors. A classic Kim Cheese specialty: Korean BBQ tacos.

Photo by Jennifer Silverberg

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Meskerem
3210 S Grand

Have you ever had Ethiopian food? Located on South Grand, Meskerem is a great place to try the east African cuisine. Order a platter, tear off some injera, and start filling up -- eating with your fingers is A-OK here. Make sure to stay for the Ethiopian coffee provided at the end of the meal -- you’ll be glad you did!

Photo via Yelp / Mallory G.

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Lu Lu Seafood and Dim Sum
8224 Olive Blvd.

If you’ve never had dim sum, it’s like a Chinese version of brunch, with tasty dishes delivered from carts until you’re ready to burst. A spacious restaurant with a great atmosphere, Lu Lu offers a large array of Chinese dishes. Some selections you may be familiar with and others not as much, but the menu offers pictures and descriptions of all items so you will always know what you’re getting. It’s a great place for your dim sum experience.

Photo via Yelp / Hoogaelric T.

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Gian-Tony’s
5456 Daggett Ave.

Where else in St. Louis would you expect to go for great Italian food other than the Hill? With steak, seafood, pasta and veal, Gian-Tony’s is everything wonderful that southern Italian cooking has to offer. It’s also a great spot for a romantic date.

Photo via Yelp / Mark F.

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Protzel’s Delicatessen
7608 Wydown Boulevard

A classic Jewish deli is good for the soul, and Protzel’s Delicatessen is the place to go for some awesome sandwiches. If you’re looking for a great pastrami sandwich or the corn beef that makes a legendary reuben, then Protzel’s has the food and atmosphere that you need.

Photo via Yelp / Serah S.

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La Bonne Bouchee
12344 Olive Blvd.

Few things sound more delicious than a French bakery, so it’s a good thing that we have La Bonne Bouchee in Creve Coeur to satisfy that craving. Croissants, cakes, macarons -- you name it and La Bonne Bouchee has it. Don’t just come here to please your sweet tooth though; La Bonne Bouchee also offers a full lunch menu complete with sandwiches, soups and salads, all served with a classic French baguette. Bon appetit!

Photo via Yelp / Jean K.

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