Uncle Bill’s Pancake and Dinner House

3427 S. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 832-1973

Uncle Bill’s is one of the most iconic landmarks in South St. Louis. It’s cabin-like structure and age-old neon sign proudly stand out against the background of the city. It has an atmosphere (and menu) similar to something you’d find at a diner, but with available seating to accommodate a much larger crowd. Even with all the extra tables, if you’re planning to make a stop at Uncle Bill’s before noon on the weekend you’ll have a significant wait ahead of you. Once you get seated, enjoy one of the many dishes that come with a side of pancakes, or take a stab at the house special: The Slingshot. This giant breakfast, composed of eggs, hash browns, cheese, and a burger all smothered in chili, is sure to quell even the most monstrous hunger.

Rooster

1104 Locust Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 241-8118

If you’re in the mood for an upscale breakfast in Downtown St. Louis, Rooster is the place for you. They offer all the traditional breakfast favorites, but often with a special twist. There are plenty of options for those concerned about organic foods, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes and Kaldi’s Coffee for the aficionados out there. On top of the breakfast items you’d expect, they also offer a variety of crêpes, the breakfast trend that seems to be sweeping the nation. As with any downtown location you’ll have to be wary of parking, and a weekend trip will almost certainly require a wait for a table (unless of course you beat the crowds and sneak in before 9).

Hours: Monday – Friday 7am – 3pm; Saturday & Sunday 8am – 3pm

Courtesy Diner

3153 S Kingshighway Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 771-0451

The Courtesy Diner sets the standard for an authentic diner experience in St. Louis. A short row of booths across from a string of stools at the counter provide all available seating. Two locations make the Courtesy Diner extra convenient, although those locations (one on Hampton and one on Kingshighway) are surprisingly close to one another. The menu is mostly standard fare, but if you get the right cook at the right time, you might be in for a treat. I’ve had pancakes come in the shape of Pac-Man chasing a ghost (complete with eyes) and the symbols of various superheros (Batman’s bat, Superman’s “S,” etc). A morning filled with breakfast from the Courtesy Diner is always a good idea, the only question is whether you’ll be there when you first get up or at the end of a long night.

Crêpes etc.

48 Maryland Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 367-2200

Crêpes etc. is one half of the Central West End restaurant duo Crêpe and Scape. Crêpes etc. is the counter service café that specializes in breakfast and brunch, and Scape is its fine dining counterpart. As its name suggests, Crêpes etc. serves a wide variety of crêpes, sorted for your convenience into two categories: sweet and savory. The sweet crêpes are filled with delicious combination of fruit, gelato, chocolate, and nutella, and are usually topped off with light fluffy whipped cream. These dishes make for a fantastic meal if you have a breakfast sweet tooth, and can always serve as dessert otherwise. The savory fare is just as good, with meat and potatoes to satisfy those who need a more hearty start to their day.. If you’re not in the mood for a crêpe there’s still options, they serve their own creative and tasty interpretations of many breakfast classics.

Hours: Mon-Thur 7am to 3 pm; Friday 7am to midnight; Saturday 8 to midnight; Sunday 8am to 5pm

Murdoch Perk

5400 Murdoch Ave
St. Louis, MO 63109
(314) 752-9126

Located in the middle of the quickly growing Macklind Avenue Business District, Murdoch Perk is a wonderful café with an impressive menu. The quiet, relaxed atmosphere is one of the more noticeable qualities of Murdoch Perk, it maintains its feeling of a low key coffee shop even as its indoor and outdoor seating areas fill up with hungry diners. Their breakfast menu is served all day long, a big plus for late sleepers and people (like me) who don’t think breakfast should be limited to the narrow time constraints it is generally associated with. If you’re looking for just a little more, Murdoch Perk also offers an impressive array of fruit smoothies and serious assortment of whole cakes.

Hours: Tuesday – Friday 7am – 9pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm