Restaurant in St Louis, United States
Low-friction neighborhood gastropub, Central West End.
Retreat Gastropub in St. Louis's Central West End is an accessible, low-booking-friction option for casual dining in the neighborhood. The service model is relaxed rather than formal, which suits the format — but first-timers should verify current hours and menu directly. Easy to book, with walk-ins likely viable most nights.
Retreat Gastropub at 6 N Sarah St in St. Louis's Central West End is a solid first choice if you want a neighborhood gastropub without the booking anxiety. Seats are available most nights, the format is approachable for first-timers, and the service model leans casual-attentive rather than ceremonial. Whether the experience earns its price point depends on what you're comparing it to — in a city where Annie Gunn's sets a high bar for polished casual dining and Broadway Oyster Bar delivers atmosphere in spades, Retreat needs to justify its place in your rotation on service and execution alone.
The Central West End address puts Retreat in one of St. Louis's more walkable, restaurant-dense neighborhoods. For a first-timer, the setting reads as pub-anchored rather than fine dining — expect a room built around a bar, likely with a mix of booth and table seating, and a service pace that follows that format. That means faster turns, counter-friendly ordering, and a less structured progression than you'd get at destination dining rooms like Smyth in Chicago or Le Bernardin in New York City.
Right now, in the current season, gastropubs at this tier in St. Louis tend to lean into comfort-forward menus , think hearty proteins, rotating seasonal specials, and a drinks program centered on local and regional options. Specific dishes and current hours aren't confirmed in our data, so check directly before visiting. Booking is easy; walk-ins are likely viable on most weeknights.
The gastropub format sets a particular service expectation: attentive enough to feel intentional, relaxed enough to not feel performative. If the kitchen and floor team are aligned, that balance is what earns the price point in this category , not tableside ceremony. Where gastropubs fall short is when the casual register reads as inattentive rather than easy. On your first visit, the bar side of the room is usually a good read on staff engagement; if the bartenders are locked in, the floor service typically follows.
For context across St. Louis dining, see our full St Louis restaurants guide. If you're planning a wider trip, our St Louis hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide cover the rest.
Quick reference: 6 N Sarah St, Central West End, St. Louis MO 63108 , easy to book, walk-ins likely available on weeknights.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retreat Gastropub | — | ||
| Truflles | — | ||
| Annie Gunn's | — | ||
| Atomic Cowboy | — | ||
| BaiKu Sushi Lounge | — | ||
| Broadway Oyster Bar | — |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
The gastropub format at 6 N Sarah St reads casual to smart-casual. Central West End crowds generally lean put-together but relaxed, so jeans and a clean shirt fit the room. There is no indication of a dress code, so overdressing is more out of place than underdressing here.
Gastropubs in this format typically carry enough menu range to work around common restrictions, but the safest move is to call ahead or check the current menu before you go. The Central West End location means staff are accustomed to fielding these requests, though specific accommodations are not documented in available venue data.
Come expecting a neighborhood-anchored gastropub in one of St. Louis's more walkable dining corridors. The Central West End address at 6 N Sarah St means parking can be competitive on weekend evenings, so arriving on foot or by rideshare simplifies things. Booking ahead is advisable on weekends; walk-in availability is more realistic midweek.
Annie Gunn's in Chesterfield is the stronger pick if you want a step up in kitchen ambition and a deeper wine program. Broadway Oyster Bar suits anyone who wants live music alongside food. Atomic Cowboy is a closer geographic and format alternative if Retreat is fully booked on a given night.
It works for a low-key birthday or a casual celebration where the focus is on good company over ceremony. For a milestone dinner where the setting needs to carry weight, Annie Gunn's is a more suitable choice in the St. Louis area. Retreat earns its place for occasions where the bar is 'relaxed and reliable' rather than 'impressive.'
The gastropub footprint on N Sarah St can handle small to mid-size groups reasonably well, but larger parties should contact the venue in advance to confirm table configuration. For groups of six or more, calling ahead avoids the risk of a long wait or a split-table arrangement on a busy night.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
