The Vine Takeaway. The Vine serves up solid shawarma in the heart of Tower Grove. I give it a respectable 7.5/10 for delivering good Mediterranean food at an excellent price point. The chicken shawarma was flavorful and one of the best values per ounce in the area, though it ran a bit dry without enough sauce to push it over the top. The fries were just okay, landing at a 7/10.
If you're in the neighborhood craving Mediterranean food, The Vine will satisfy that craving without breaking the bank. But this isn't a destination spot that'll have you crossing the city like Pizza Head does.
The inside has a nice Mediterranean vibe with warm tones and simple seating. Service was smooth with easy call-ahead ordering. Parking on the street in Tower Grove means you'll either pay or hunt for a free side street spot, depending on timing.
The Vine Experience Summary
I grabbed lunch at The Vine while my son was at a doctor's appointment nearby and my wife was keeping him company. Perfect timing to sneak away and tackle another spot on my Mediterranean food tour of St. Louis.
I'd heard decent things about this place from Reddit and a few other recommendations floating around. At this point in my search, I've actually hit up quite a few shawarma and Mediterranean spots around the city, so I'm starting to develop what I think is a pretty solid sense of where the good stuff is.
You know, that feeling when you've tried enough places that you can actually make informed comparisons? Yeah, I'm there with shawarma now.
The Vine landed right in the middle of the pack for me. Solidly average, which isn't a bad thing when you're in the neighborhood.
I called ahead and ordered the chicken shawarma, and it was ready and waiting when I walked in.
The location itself is prime real estate in Tower Grove. This is the same area where I make monthly pilgrimages to Pizza Head, and it's surrounded by other solid spots, including Wei Hong Bakery right next door if you want to grab a bun for dessert. The setting is genuinely nice, with both indoor and outdoor seating options that give you that Mediterranean cafe vibe.
Walking away from The Vine, I felt like I'd found a dependable neighborhood spot. It's the kind of place you go if you live nearby and are craving shawarma, but probably not somewhere you'd drive across town for specifically.
In my ongoing quest to map out the best food in St. Louis, The Vine earns its spot as a solid, affordable option that gets the job done without blowing your mind.
The Food At The Vine
The chicken shawarma was the main event here, delivering on flavor while ranking among the better price-to-portion ratios I've found in the area. Genuinely affordable Mediterranean food, which isn't always easy to find.
The shawarma itself was on the smaller side but packed with well-seasoned chicken. The meat had good flavor.
My issue, and it's not a huge one, was that it ran a bit dry. There just wasn't enough sauce to tie everything together and add the moisture you want in a really great shawarma. It needed something to push it over the edge, you know? Some extra tahini or garlic sauce to make each bite a little more luxurious.
The fries were where things got more middling. I've noticed that fries are actually a big differentiator between shawarma places. Some spots absolutely nail them, making them crispy with a crunchy breaded exterior. Think Rozanna or Layali Halab.
The Vine's fries fell into the "restaurant quality but nothing special" category. If the shawarma gets a 7.5, the fries are sitting at a solid 7.
I spotted baklava in the display case, and it looked pretty tempting. I didn't try it this time since I was in a rush, but it's definitely on my radar for a future visit. It had that layered, honey-glazed look that makes good baklava so irresistible.
The value here really is the selling point. For what you pay, you're getting a legitimate meal that won't leave you hungry or broke. In a city where Mediterranean food can sometimes get pricey, that matters.
The Vine Atmosphere And Miscellaneous
The Vine has that authentic Mediterranean cafe feeling the moment you step inside. The interior features warm, darkish yellow walls that give you that Middle Eastern vibe without being over-the-top about it. The tables are plain and functional, nothing fancy or frilly, just solid surfaces where you can sit down and enjoy your meal.
It's the kind of space that feels welcoming without trying too hard. You're not getting elaborate decorations or a themed experience.
They've also got outdoor seating, which would be a great place to eat lunch on a nice Tower Grove afternoon. Being right in the heart of the neighborhood means you're surrounded by other interesting spots to check out before or after your meal. The whole Tower Grove area has that walkable, community feel that makes it easy to turn lunch into a longer outing.
The bar area looked well-stocked if you're in the mood for a drink with your meal.
I called ahead, they had my order ready, and the pickup was seamless. Can't ask for much more than that when you're grabbing food on the go.
Parking At The Vine
Parking in Tower Grove is what it is. You're looking at street parking, which means you'll either need to pay for a spot or get lucky and find free parking on a side street. It really depends on when you show up and how busy the neighborhood is at that moment.
The Vine Receipt
