The Nest: A Stay and Play Creative Cafe

I have been to the Nest twice, once to check it out and then hosted a tea party for my daughter’s 3^rd birthday with a few girlfriends and their daughters. The concept in itself is cool, I’m a working mom so I can’t take advantage of it that much but I would definitely come here just for an hour or two to check my email and have a coffee with childcare close by — it’s the most affordable child care in STL!
When I came just for lunch my daughter tipped her plate over and the guy in the kitchen saw it and shouted the order out and before we could even cry over spilled chicken tenders they had a new one for us. When we did the tea party my friends were so impressed and are planning their events already. The staff just really catered to us and checked in on us regularly. For my next event I will definitely take advantage of the crafts and options they have
.
We have no gluten issues but I like the healthy options especially for kids. I can go either way on ordering from the bar vs having service, sometimes it’s hectic trying to order with a kid at the table and it’s far away from the play area.
The only complaint I have is that one of the moms there had her back to the play area and her kids were pushing other kids out of the way, banging blocks together and making it uncomfortable for the other kids… this isn’t the fault of the Nest but the patron taking advantage of getting the «me» time. We should have complained because I’m sure the staff would have addressed it but since we moved into the tea room we just let it go.

The Nest over and ups any gluten-​free eatery I’ve tried to date. Not only matchless food, but amazing service. Though not a dedicated gluten-​free environment, the majority of food offered is gluten-​free, and I’ve never felt more safe as a celiac eating out. I enjoyed a most excellent gluten-​free buffet in a chic, fun atmosphere that could be the setting for the perfect date or a great full-​family outing.
The Nest not only provides celiac-​safe food, it is committed to local and organic — and that shows in the quality. They even went over and beyond to change recipes and make my pasta, salad, and smoothie DAIRY-​FREE on top of gluten-​free when I let the staff know I was dairy intolerant.
As a celiac, I can’t buy this kind of experience. It’s priceless. Even so, The Nest manages to be superb and affordable.
If you’re looking for amazing food, The Nest is your spot. From Quinoa Pancakes, Summer Pasta with fresh zucchini, tomato, and perfectly steamed cauliflower, to peculiarly excellent Maple Butterscotch cookies (topped with bacon!) The Nest pleases all palates. Not only that, but if you’re going with a friend or date who isn’t gluten-​free, they’ll never know their food is free of it.
A revelation in naturally gluten-​free food: no deprivation here, only an abundance of flavour, food, and service.
I enjoyed every moment.

Enjoyed a wonderful Gluten Free meal at the Nest. The staff was very knowledgeable and went out of their way to accommodate our dietary needs. (Gluten Free and Dairy Free)
The atmosphere had a wonderful, fun vibe. You could have a nice quiet dinner, a large family gathering or just a normal night out here. The kid areas would be perfect for a family.
The food was awesome too! Highlights included the Gluten Free biscuits and gravy, quinoa pancakes, pastas, cheese and chive scones and the maple butterscotch bacon cookies!
Loved our experience and would go back!

One of the coolest places in St. Louis or anywhere for that matter. The whole family will enjoy this. The grandparents loved it for the elegant surroundings and great food. Kids loved the food and the play area. We loved that we could eat delicious and healthy food while our kids had a blast and no one judged the occasional 2 year old screams. Any bad reviews must be from crabby people who don’t appreciate healthy food, family or beautiful surroundings. Seriously, this place is a jewel in St. Louis. If you think otherwise, please stay away with the other crabby, negative people of the world.

I took my mother to The Nest for Mother’s Day brunch yesterday. We had such a wonderful time.
The hostess was charming and seated us immediately at table #1. She explained the setup and encouraged us to get started. The beverages, including bloody Marys and mimosas, were self-​serve. No waiting for our drinks, and I could make them as weak or strong as I wanted.
The food was great! We have no gluten issues, but everything at The Nest is gluten-​free, so that’s a good thing. My mom, a meat lover, had six different kinds of meat and ate until she couldn’t anymore. I, a vegetarian, had a salad with the best raspberry viniagrette dressing I’ve ever tasted. It tasted more raspberry and less viniagrette. Note that I usually take my salad without dressing. If they sold this dressing, I would buy it for myself and use it when entertaining. The pancakes were the thickest I’ve ever had. The brownies were good, as were other baked goods.
My mother truly enjoyed not only the food and atmosphere, but learning what The Nest has to offer. We explored a little and as we ate enjoyed watching children play in the kids’ area. What a unique place! Even the writing on the blackboard menu is gorgeous.
When asked to take our photo, our server took a moment to position us well in a spot that shows off the charm of The Nest. I really appreciated her taking such care in capturing that moment from a memorable day. Everything was so perfect. Thank you so much. We will return with friends!

My wife got a date night dinner here which they run once a month and it was very nice. The food is three plus stars and they give you babysitting. They offer lunch and dinner as well and will always watch kids for a small fee. It’s a drop in babysitter so don’t expect to leave property.

Went for Easter brunch, so didn’t have regular experience. Place is more mom oriented than for dads, but there are a few fun things to do for the kids. They have a nice little daycare room with toys, and a small indoor play area.
The Easter brunch was Good with a nice variety of foods which were all kept fresh. There was no table service for anything not even water refills, which was ridiculous.
They had a friendly Easter bunny who you could tell liked being the eb.
I can’t see going back here, as we live 30 min away, but if you were closer and needed to get some work done while your child plays, then it would make sense.

This is a very unique place. Unique in the idea of it. Unique in the services it provides. It is hard to give it one overall rating because of this. Being a mom of a Little, I decided to take advantage of the low priced one-​month trial membership and see if The Nest was a good fit for us before signing up for more time. After coming in about eight times here is my review — broken down into the area/​things I experienced …
Food:
As those who read my reviews know, i am Celiac and always on the look out for gluten-​free options. One of the co-​owners is also Celiac and she made it a point to have all items on the menu GF or able to be made that way. Yay! I LOVED that. But… the food was hit or miss. The GF Waffle and «Fried» Chicken with Herbed Butter was TO DIE FOR … the Nest Burger and soggy sweet potato fries, not so much. The Butternut Squash Risotto was tasty but more like a soup with rice, not a traditional risotto. I’m giving the food 3 Stars.
GF Baked Goods:
Meh. I don’t know who is baking their gluten-​free goods but the scone was too dry and lacking flavor. The brownies were far too sweet and crumbly. After these two fails I never tried anything else in this department. Just because something is GF doesn’t mean it automatically is a win. I’m sad to say they were not worth the calories. (2 stars)
Coffee:
Fantastic! Beyond fantastic. The Molasses Latte is my favorite thing here… and actually, my favorite in STL! (5 stars)
The Hatchery/​Daycare:
Another fantastic rating from this lady. My daughter had only stayed with her grandma before here. They handled her separation anxiety (a-​hummm… and mine, as well) with grace and ease. I had complete and utter faith in Teri and the other ladies in the daycare room. Can not say enough good, flowery words of gratitude. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU! (5+ stars)
Classes:
I took a parenting workshop and really loved it. The class was very informative and engaging. My only complaint with the class has to do with the room itself. The chairs were so incredibly uncomfortable (hard wood, no cushion) that it was hard to concentrate at times. I haven’t taken any other types of classes but I would love to try out a yoga class or some of the classes for my daughter. Unfortunately, none of the times they offer classes have worked out with our schedule. (4 Stars)
The «Treehouse”/Playground:
The main play area has a sign posted that says it’s for all ages, but parents are to be present with those under five. I have to say, I found the treehouse a frightening experience with my almost two year old. The slide is too tall and too steep. I’m not tall enough to be able to handle my daughter when she is at the top, having to «catch» her part way down. She has hit her head multiple times on the way down. She has been pushed out of the way many times by older kids not being watched by their adults. She has been hit in the head by kids playing basketball with the hoop placed right above the play area, and had a few near misses with the swing (again, placed right in the small play area). It’s all a neat idea, in theory, but it is meant for older kids AND they have way too many ideas shoved into one small space. (2 stars)
SO… I put a lot of thought into writing this review. I think the idea is a fantastic one and I really want this place to succeed. Adding up all the parts, I’m giving this place a 4-​Star. If you have kids, and don’t mind the chaos, stop by for a bit.

Don’t be fooled by those calming, serene photos of the interior. This place is Chuck E Cheese with fancy food and beverages. The concept is brilliant for parents who want to incorporate their work-​out classes with gossip time, see and be seen, and have a macaron or glass of wine.
The real point is that if you don’t have kids, you might go insane here.
The food is good, although I only had a salad.
This is clearly going to be successful among its intended clientele, but you should know what to expect before you go here.

Wow! I’m impressed, and wish such a place existed when my kids were little. I now run a ‘family adventure school’ and «The Nest» earns it’s place on my map.
The Nest is a «first of kind» establishment, thus it gets five stars from me.
Think of it as a «third space» for moms, with everything you need, including food, educational and emotional support, plus daycare. The atmosphere is pleasing in a french way, and the wi-​fi is fast and free. If kids are not your thing, go mid-​week during nap-​time, which means late lunch or tea. Otherwise, bring your kids and join the fun.
The general manager is a trained barrista, who specializes in European style coffee; the beans are from Goshen Coffee. Need I say more? The hot chocolate tastes Mexican to me, the best.
Know what you are looking at when you see the menu: fresh veggies require more expense and labor than traditional American fare. Local purveyors are used. Gluten free baked goods abound.
On my first visit, I went with the signature «Breakfast Salad with Poached Egg» which turned out to be completely delicious: Poached egg, on top of greens, including tomato and avocado, micro-​greens, spinach, and roasted potatoes. There are not really that many places in Saint Louis where you can get greens and protein for breakfast, with kids. I had it for lunch.
Take time to explore the art area, the playground, the party room, yoga room, etc. and overlook the few slightly dangerous playground. Remember, I run an adventure school and view children as resilient beings with strong tendencies toward self perservation.
In all, The Nest is another reason to love Saint Louis, as such a space would be impossibly cost prohibitive on either coast. Again, five stars for creative problem solving and bringing a much needed venue to families who clearly want it.

This concept is incredible! If you have a little ones and want to grab a bite to eat, or a coffee, while they play it is amazing. The food is a tad overpriced, but it’s nice to have a healthy meal at a place where the kiddos can play. Keep in mind you’re paying for the space and the food.
The classes are great, and on-​site babysitting is a fantastic idea.

There is so much to offer at The Nest. As a new mom of a 4 month old, I am still trying navigating the waters of finding interesting things to do with my baby (especially since its too cold to go outside!) with a child friendly atmosphere. We have been to The Nest several times and had great experiences. Most recently I popped in for a Saturday morning yoga class while my husband hung out in the café and had breakfast and read the paper with our baby. It was perfect Saturday morning activity for us as I loved my yoga class and my hubbs got some good one on one time with the baby in a friendly location. He was very happy to not have to be worried about her fussing because of the kid friendly location and very helpful staff. The Nest has great coffee and fresh made juices. I also highly recommend their quinoa pancakes and the mediterranean salad.

I recently organized a friend’s birthday luncheon at The Nest, and i could not have been happier with how things went. The atmosphere they have created there is very special, the staff is super friendly & the food was healthy & delicious ! We were in the high tea room, which is beautiful, and was perfect for our little group. But, it was also fun to watch the main room with all the families enjoying play time and meal time together. I wish there had been something like this when i was raising my kids.
A big Thank You to The Nest owners for bringing something so unique to St. Louis.
I can’t wait to go back !!!

A hot spot in The Lou – especially for moms, with or without the kids. Excellent food thats healthy and delicious, great coffee/​juice/​tea bar, lots of activities, special events, and more.

We love The Nest. It is beautiful, the food and drink is delicious, and we love having a place where children are so welcome. I have always hated going out to eat and feeling like I am an inconvenience for having my child with me. Not so at The Nest!
That being said, I strongly prefer going earlier in the morning, or for dinner. It can get pretty hectic during lunch and mid-​day. Also, my child is not yet old enough to play in the play area, but I’ve seen some close calls safety-​wise, and would probably closely monitor my child if he was playing.
I recommend checking it out for yourself! In addition to food and a place to play, they have a very impressive offering of classes and services for families. Even if the dining environment isn’t your favorite, you might enjoy a good yoga class!

I love the concept and my kids had a fantastic time. Unfortunately the food was not enough for my seven and nine year olds.
Also the «low-​carb» menu is not appealing to those of us who aren’t hyper body conscious wealthy stay at home mom types.
Plenty of wine choices, but no bun on a burger?

I’ll say this: it is in the right part of town.
The food is way overpriced for just being of «eh» quality, which is unfortunate because the descriptions on their menu looks great.
The kid play area is a nice idea, but I’m certain they will have to make changes now that they are up and going. The swing, in particular, is poorly placed.
That being said, the atmosphere is beautiful. It is a really neat idea and I hope it gets better when they work the links out.

They were out of a lot on their menu, food was WAY over priced for the quantity, I felt the play area was small and unsafe, I was completely unsatisfied with our experience

This is a great place for eating with children. The food is healthy and there is a little playground that is big enough for the kids to play, but you don’t have to search for them. I love that I can go eat with my children and not have to fight with them the whole time I’m here like most restaurants. I tryed several different foods during my visit and everything was great. My favorite by far was the caprise grilled cheese. The kids and I will be back.

This is a very interesting and unique place. It’s all about the parents (majority are moms) and their younger kids. It’s the place you said you wanted …“if only there was a place that served really good food where my kids could play” … this is that place. With a menu focused on the healthy (meat and meatless) and prices that are reasonable for what you are getting this is a worthwhile place to check out. It’s one big space with lots of tables, a (juice?) bar with chairs, a separate tea room to the back and a day care room where your kids can go if you are there to take classes (I can’t comment on what the classes are). The 3 kids we took this day (girls, 3, 4 and 5) had non stop fun in the tree house (a play area at the front) and also driving the car all around the dining area — they can do that here, it’s normal. Had this day was butternut squash risotto (very good), butternut squash and goat cheese flat bread (okay), sweet potato fries (very good), grilled cheese sandwich (very good), chocolate, banana, peanut butter smoothie (very good but make sure they put a bit of ice in there) and the soup of the day which I can’t remember right now but it tastes better than it looked, it was pretty good. They also get creative with the kids entrees using normal foods.
The entrance to this place is around back, but you can park in front and come in the coffee only door. The main door works better if you actually do have kids (being the play area is there) but the order line is nearer the other door.
Lunch was packed but we didn’t wait long for a table (plus the kids can play while you wait anyway). They are open until 8pm and just started serving dinner. Even if you have no kids, pop in for a coffee or juice, or even to try the menu.