ST. CHARLES, MO - October 27, 2026 (StLouisRestaurantReview) Walk far enough down the brick pavement of Historic Main Street in St. Charles, past the boutiques, wine bars, and gaslit storefronts, and you'll reach a spot locals have quietly enjoyed for years. The Old Millstream Inn, at 912 South Main Street near McDonough Street, is the kind of place visitors stumble onto and then plan their next trip around.

It isn't flashy, and it doesn't try to be. It's a rustic, brick-walled tavern with a deep beer list, a basement bar with a nickname, a tree-shaded creekside patio, and a kitchen that turns out some of the most talked-about barbecue in the St. Louis area. If you want to know what makes the south end of Main Street special, the Millstream is a very good place to start.

Missouri's first and largest nationally registered historic district has no shortage of places to eat. What sets the Millstream apart is that it feels like a neighborhood tavern that happens to sit inside a postcard. Tourists in town for a festival sit next to regulars who have been coming for a decade. Nobody is in a hurry, and that's exactly the point.


A setting you won't find anywhere else


The Millstream's biggest asset may be its outdoor space. Behind the building, a tree-covered patio runs alongside a creek and an old mill, giving the place its name and one of the most inviting al fresco settings in the entire historic district. On a warm evening, with string lights overhead and water running past, it's hard to believe you're a short walk from the busy center of Main Street.

There isn't just one patio. The Millstream spreads across three outdoor areas that double as a beer garden, complete with landscaping and firepits that keep things cozy well into fall. When the leaves start turning along the Missouri River, a seat by the fire with a seasonal beer in hand is about as good as autumn in St. Charles gets.

Inside, the brick walls and worn wood give the upstairs bar and dining room a warm, vintage tavern feel. Then there's the basement bar, known to regulars as "the dungeon." It's dim, cool, and full of character, and it's where you'll head to place your food order. It also sits next to the beer cooler, which brings us to the next reason to visit.

Bring the dog, too. The patio and beer garden welcome four-legged guests at outdoor tables, which makes the Millstream a natural stop after a walk along the nearby Katy Trail.


A beer list built for exploring


Long before craft beer became a trend, the Millstream was building a reputation as a beer lover's destination. The bar keeps more than 100 bottled beers on hand, with some counts putting the selection above 130, and the list rotates with seasonal releases throughout the year.

That range means there's something for everyone at the table. Bring a friend who only drinks light lagers and another who wants a heavy stout or a sour they've never heard of, and both will leave happy. The bartenders are used to helping people pick, so don't be shy about asking for a recommendation.

If you don't drink beer, there's a full bar. And given that the Millstream sits within an easy stroll of several breweries and wineries along Main Street, it makes a great anchor stop for an afternoon of tasting your way through Old Town.


The food: Shay's Creole Smokehouse


A great tavern needs great food, and the Millstream found it in Shay Landry. A veteran cook who has worked in dozens of kitchens, including stints with the Pappy's Smokehouse team in Midtown St. Louis and at Dalie's Smokehouse in Valley Park, Landry wanted a place of his own. He asked his friend Troy Gongwer, owner of the Millstream, if he could take over the kitchen. In April 2023, Shay's Creole Smokehouse opened its doors inside the inn.

The concept is a marriage of two traditions Landry grew up with: slow-smoked barbecue and the Creole and Cajun cooking of his family. The result is a menu you won't find duplicated anywhere else on Main Street.

On the barbecue side, the brisket is the headliner, sliced to order and rich with smoke. Pulled pork, ribs mopped with house-made sauce, and smoked wings round out the pit offerings. Then there's the Reuben, piled so high with smoky meat that you'll need both hands. It has drawn praise from local food critics and is reason enough to make the drive.

The Louisiana side of the menu is just as strong. The gumbo, made with crawfish and andouille sausage, tastes like it came from a family recipe, because it did. The shrimp and brisket étouffée is a clever, delicious mash-up of the kitchen's two personalities. Even the sides get serious attention, from Creole corn to potato salad and green beans.

Regional press has taken notice. The Riverfront Times ran a review headlined "Shay's Creole Smokehouse Offers Some of St. Louis' Best BBQ — in St. Charles," and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch called it a must-visit for barbecue and gumbo. That's high praise in a region that takes its barbecue very seriously.

Ordering is part of the fun. Grab a menu at a patio table, look it over, then head down into the dungeon to place your order at the bar.


What guests are saying


The Millstream has earned a loyal following online, with ratings around 4.5 stars across hundreds of reviews on travel and dining sites. A few themes come up again and again.

- The barbecue. Brisket and pastrami are the most frequently praised dishes, with the gumbo, Creole corn, and the house millfries close behind.


- The people. Reviewers regularly mention how friendly and welcoming the staff is, service that makes first-timers feel like regulars.


- The atmosphere. Guests describe it as relaxed, unpretentious, and full of local flavor, with the creekside patio as the standout.


- Coming back. A common refrain is that people plan to return on their next trip to St. Charles, and the regulars prove it.

One beer-focused reviewer noted that the Millstream has long been a hangout for groups of friends and co-workers, and praised the combination of a strong beer selection and a scenic outdoor view. That mix of good drinks, good food, and a beautiful setting is what keeps people coming back.


Planning your visit


The Old Millstream Inn is open seven days a week and stays open late, making it a good choice for a long lunch, an early dinner, or a nightcap after a Main Street event.

Detail


Information

Address


912 S. Main St., St. Charles, MO 63301

Phone


(636) 946-3287

Shay's Creole Smokehouse


(314) 852-2803

Online


facebook.com/OldMillstreamInn

Hours (as listed)


Mon–Tue 3 p.m.–1 a.m.; Wed 12 p.m.–1 a.m.; Thu–Fri 11 a.m.–1 a.m.; Sat–Sun 12 p.m.–1 a.m.

Extras


Full bar, outdoor seating, dog-friendly patio, takeout, catering

Hours can change with the seasons and kitchen schedules, so call or check the Facebook page before you go.

A few tips for making the most of it:

- Go for the patio. If the weather cooperates, sit outside by the creek. In cooler months, aim for a table near a firepit.


- Arrive hungry and early. Barbecue is cooked in batches, and popular cuts like brisket can sell out on busy days.


- Make a day of it. Pair your visit with a stroll along Main Street, a ride on the Katy Trail, or a stop at Frontier Park along the river.


- Ask about the beer. With a list this big, a staff recommendation is the fastest way to find your new favorite.

St. Charles has plenty of places to eat, but few that combine history, scenery, a serious beer list, and standout barbecue under one roof. The Old Millstream Inn does all four, without any fuss. Next time you're on Main Street, keep walking south. You'll be glad you did.


Sources

- Riverfront Times – Shay's Creole Smokehouse review


- St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Shay's Creole Smokehouse


- Mindtrip – Old Millstream Inn


- Wanderlog – Old Millstream Inn


- MapQuest – Old Millstream Inn


- BeerAdvocate – Old Millstream Inn


- BringFido – Old Millstream Inn

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