The Muny, St. Louis' beloved outdoor theater, offers a unique dining experience with its preshow picnic policy. This year, as the 2026 season approaches, I'm excited to explore the best food options to enhance the 'dinner and a show' experience. From seafood-inspired dishes to international cuisines, the pre-show meal choices are as diverse as the musicals themselves.
A Crabby Affair: Hairspray
The romantic comedy Hairspray takes us back to 1960s Baltimore, a city renowned for its seafood, particularly its luxurious crab cakes. For a true Baltimorean experience, I recommend Wright's Tavern, where the Maryland blue crab cakes are served atop a rémoulade sauce. However, if you're looking for a more casual picnic, the next-door Box Hill Grocer offers the same crab cakes, along with a variety of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and prepared main dishes and sides. It's a great option for those who want to enjoy the show without the waitlist.
A Taste of Shrek's World: Shrek The Musical
Shrek The Musical takes us to the medieval world of fairytale cuisine. While the food in the story is fictional, there are some notable staples, such as waffles, onions, and hearty portions of meat. For a meal that's more authentic to the story's English-countryside vibes, I suggest The Scottish Arms, a traditional Victorian-style pub serving classic Scottish dishes and European fare. And for a nod to Donkey's famous line, 'And in the morning, I'm making waffles,' Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake is a must-visit, offering a range of toppings on its waffles.
Island-Inspired Fare: South Pacific
South Pacific takes us to a lush island during World War II. For island-inspired fare, Buzz's Hawaiian Grill is a great choice, serving authentic Hawaiian dishes like Kalua pig, musubi, and poke. Yellowbelly, another island-style restaurant and cocktail bar, offers a variety of coastal interpretations of seafood staples, such as a lobster roll and salmon skewers. If you're looking for a more casual meal, the CWE restaurant offers beef fat fries during happy hour.
New York-Style Pizza: Disney’s Newsies
Disney’s Newsies is inspired by the true story of a group of New York City newsboys' strike against rising distribution prices. It's impossible to describe New York City without mentioning the iconic New York-style pizza. La Pizza in University City serves NYC-style pizza that's as close to east coast authenticity as expats can find. For a dine-in option, Aubrey, a restaurant/cocktail lounge inspired by iconic New York dining rooms, offers a minimal yet quality list of five entrées, including a burger, fish dish, pork chop, pasta, or steak.
Detroit-Style Pizza: Ain’t Too Proud
Ain’t Too Proud takes us from the streets of Detroit to international fame, following the real-life journey of The Temptations. Detroit is known for its thick rectangular pizza with an airy dough and a crispy crust. Nicky Slices, a popular Instagram-ordering concept, has gained popularity, opening a brick-and-mortar on The Hill. For a more casual meal, Sameem Afghan Restaurant and Sultan Mediterranean Restaurant offer flavorful kabobs, meats, and an array of rish dishes.
Toasted Ravioli: Meet Me In St. Louis
Meet Me In St. Louis is a quintessential Gateway City musical about the Smith family preparing for the 1904 World's Fair. Before seeing the show, enjoy an iconic St. Louis dish: the toasted ravioli. The Hill offers no shortage of options, including Anthonino's, Trattoria Marcella, and STL Toasted, which boasts less commonly found fillings, such as buffalo chicken and carrot cake gooey butter. For a taste of a dessert popularized at the 1904 World's Fair, Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery offers locally made flavors, including gooey butter served in a waffle cone.
Fish and Chips: Something Rotten!
Something Rotten! takes us to London, England, where one of the classic dishes is fish and chips. Himalayan Yeti offers both Indian and Nepali cuisine, and the creamy chicken tikka masala is among their many specialties. For fish and chips, Extra Wavy in Lafayette Square is a great choice, featuring crispy battered cod paired with Extra Wavy's uniquely addictive salt-and-vinegar fries.
In my opinion, the pre-show dining options at The Muny are as diverse and exciting as the musicals themselves. From seafood-inspired dishes to international cuisines, the food choices enhance the overall experience, making the 'dinner and a show' concept even more captivating.
