\

Al's Restaurant - 2017 EMMY award winner!

 

Menu

Wines

Reservations

Dining Venues

Gift Cards

Our Story of 98 Years

Home

 

Background

Al’s has defined fine dining in St. Louis for decades, a beloved landmark which has earned its reputation as one of the top restaurants in the U.S.  Al's opened in 1925 in what was an old sugar house exchange building.  Its owners, Italian immigrants Louise and Albert Barroni, Sr. knew the possibilities a riverfront could provide. Al's humble beginnings started as a tavern serving egg sandwiches to the dock, factory and railroad workers of the bustling, growing St. Louis riverfront. Louise's cooking was so popular, lines formed daily for her simple culinary delights.

Albert Jr. was literally born into the restaurant business the following year.  He continued with the restaurant after the deaths of his parents and under his vision, dedication and hard work, grew the restaurant into an award-winning fine dining establishment.

Al refocused, staying in the same location but making a bolder, bigger food statement.  The restaurant went from cafeteria-style to culinary sophistication, and St. Louis literally ate it up!  Sports celebrities, city leaders, visiting dignitaries and movie stars made it a point to come to Al's Restaurant when in St. Louis. 

The riverfront is what gave St. Louis its birth and basis for the thriving metropolis it is today.  Al's captures and celebrates this unique feature of St Louis and its history, setting it apart from other restaurants.  To quote Bill McClellan, “What makes a city a city is its restaurants”. Al’s is proud to be part of and contributing to the heart of St. Louis; Al's Restaurant is truly a dining destination.

The nondescript landscape surrounding Al's adds to its mystique, totally transforming you once you step through its doorway into classic, elegant yet modern sophistication.  Attention to detail, superb tableside service and a passion for culinary excellence provide a dining experience like no other.

Today Al's continues under the leadership of 3rd and 4th generations of the Barroni family.  Al's is St. Louis' oldest single-family, locally owned and operated in one location restaurant.

This is the quiet legacy which has defined Al's Restaurant for over 98 years and is now capturing the imagination of a new dining generation in St. Louis.  Al's is the recipient of DiRōNA, Top St. Louis Restaurants Zagat Survey, OpenTable Diners' Choice (Best Overall, Best Steak, Romantic, Best Service, Best Ambiance, Special Occasion), Best of CitySearch for Best Steak House, Romantic and Special Occasion, “America's Top Ten Steak Houses”, Playboy Magazine, “Best Steak”, Alive Magazine.

We are proud of our heritage and honored to mark 97 years of continuous business in the history-rich riverfront area of downtown St. Louis. We are within walking distance from The Four Seasons Hotel, Lumiere Casino, Laclede’s Landing, Convention Center, Busch Stadium and the St. Louis Arch. We invite you to join us for an outstanding dining experience.

Interesting Facts. . .

Al's Riverfront bar/lounge was painted by famed The Muny Opera set designer, Nate Ettlinger

Woodwork hand-carved by monks from a local monastery

Historic original St. Louis riverfront photos are displayed throughout

Robert M. Rucker original oil paintings on display (paintings were given to Louise Barroni to display in trade for food while developing his skill for steamboats.  (Rucker returned to his native New Orleans and became a renowned riverboat artist.)

Additional Features

St. Louis Proud - A Proud Tradition 94 Years Running  KMOV.com Corey Stark

Living St. Louis - Al's Restaurant Nine Network / Paul Schankman  (awarded an Emmy for Historic/Cultural Segment by Silver Circle Inductee Paul Schankman on 9.9.17)

The right choice for a big dinner in St. Louis  Daniel Neman St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10.12.16

These 17 Old Restaurants In Missouri Have Stood The Test Of Time  Only In Your State March 2016

The Riverfront Times January 2016

KMOX (Charlie Brennan & Debbie Monterey) Interview July 8, 2015

 

Landmarks Association Newsletter, Spring 2015

 

Ladue News April 2015

 

St. Louis Magazine January 2015

 

10 More of America's Best Historic Restaurants

CNN.com (travel   section)

St. Louis Magazine May 2013 Issue

 

Historical Photos

     

Original water color by Marilynne Bradley

Visit the AntiqueWarehouse for more information.

The Antique Warehouse is dedicated to the acquisition, restoration,

conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of

objects having historical significance.