Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
This article appears in St. Louis Magazine's Dining Guide, published alongside the December issue. Written from an insider's point of view by SLM's dining team, it’s an essential compendium of more than 500 restaurants across the metro region. (The information was current at press time, in late October, though be sure to call ahead or research online as many restaurants' operations have changed frequently during the pandemic.)
Seafood. Charbroiled oysters, lobster rolls, and such sumptuous selections as salmon and sea bass are matched with mashed sweet potatoes and squid inked pasta. 4239 Lindell , 314-405-2797, baitstl.com. $$$$
Italian. Come spring, enjoy a gentle breeze and a Negroni on the patio. The veal, salads, and pastas are notable, as are the antipasti and drinks. 13 Maryland Plaza, 314-361-7010, baritaliastl.com. $$$
Barbecue. Owners Phil and Tracy Czarnec take a nonconformist approach to barbecue with spare ribs instead of baby backs and spice pastes instead of rubs. A back bar with 600 whiskeys sparks conversation. 4900 Laclede, 314-833-6666, bbqsaloonstl.com. $$
American. Beloved by locals, The Boathouse offers charming vistas of Post-Dispatch Lake in Forest Park. The classic meeting spot serves up Sugarfire Smoke House barbecue, sandwiches, and salads. 6101 Government, 314-366-1555, boathousestl.com. $$
American. Gerard Craft’s Niche Food Group takes over the beloved Café Osage in grand fashion, adding a wood-burning grill/pizza oven to the renovated outdoor patio and once again relying on the adjacent farm’s bounty. 4605 Olive, 314-454-6868, bowoodbyniche.com. $$S
French. Gerard Craft’s third restaurant serves mussels, steak frites, a don’t-miss brunch menu, and more in a convivial atmosphere that’s indubitably Parisian. (At press time, the complementary Brass Bar was in the works in the adjacent, former Taste by Niche space.) 4580 Laclede, 314-454-0600, brasseriebyniche.com. $$$
American. After a move around the corner and then a fire on opening night, one of the city’s hippest bars remains just that. The eclectic cocktail list, an extensive spirits collection, and a menu of appealing small plates are served in two shotgun rooms that are different, but equally appealing. Don’t miss what’s on the blackboard behind the bar. 316 N. Euclid, 314-497-4449, cometobrennans.com. $$
American. The glass-walled restaurant on the second floor of the Missouri History Museum, currently operated by Pure Catering, features sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts, and a kid’s menu. The panoramic view of Forest Park never gets old. 5700 Lindell, 314-513-9206, mohistory.org/visit/dine/menu/. $$
The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis
American. Recently renovated, The Tenderloin Room is known for seared steaks and sauced pepperloin à la tenderloin, gentle refinement, and stellar service. The Preston is old-style cool and sophisticated, with a serious bar and elevated small plates. And the Chase Club provides a more affordable dining option, with a patio beside the iconic pool. 212 N. Kingshighway, 314-633-3000, sonesta.com. $$–$$$$
South American. This caliente spot for Peruvian cuisine serves citrusy ceviche and Peruvian tamales, along with mojitos and pisco sours. Don’t miss the picarones, sweet potato doughnuts. 508 N. Euclid, 314-696-2294. $$
Drunken Fish
See “Multiple Locations.”
Italian. Pizza and pasta are the focus at the former Scape space—until you lay eyes on the spectacular ivy-walled European-style courtyard hidden in back. Andrew Simon, Scape’s former executive chef, has returned to dazzle guests with his creations, such as pastrami-cured tuna; orecchiette with pickled kale, pancetta, and pecorino cream; and the return of Ted’s Mac Nut Chicken, a tribute to Ted Koplar, the complex’s late founder. 48 Maryland Plaza, 314-361-7227, ederastl.com. $$
Mexican. Hark back to the days when such places as Chi-Chi’s and Casa Gallardo introduced Mexican food to the mass market: fajitas, chimichangas, and other then-exotic menu offerings. Toss in the wackiest and most whimsical Mexican décor in town, as well as fishbowl-size margaritas. 313 N. Euclid, 314-224-5371. $$
Cajun/Creole. Enjoy live music and food, both of which lean toward Louisiana traditions. It’s a fine spot for live jazz during brunch. 512 N. Euclid, 314-367-3644, evangelinesstl.com. $$
Southern. Juniper serves some of the best fried chicken in town, along with other down-home Southern eats conjured in a delightfully uptown style. 4101 Laclede, 314-329-7696, junipereats.com. $$
Kingside Diner
See “Multiple Locations.”
American. The sleek lounge specializes in swiftly mixed cocktails and a small food menu. 210 N. Euclid, no phone, lazytigerstl.com. $$
Vietnamese. This snug spot serves Saigon-flavored Vietnamese fare, including pho and other noodle dishes, soft spring rolls, and iced coffee. 10 N. Euclid, 314-361-8881, littlesaigoncafe.com. $$
American. The affable Mack Hill, whose restaurant took the space previously held by West End Bistro (which moved up the street), continues the address’ tradition as a great neighborhood place for sandwiches, salads, burgers, and pizza. 5513 Pershing, 314-354-8436, macksbarandgrill.com. $$
Mission Taco Joint
See “Multiple Locations.”
Panorama
Location temporarily closed.
Pi Pizzeria
See “Multiple Locations.”
Pokedoke
See “Multiple Locations.”
American. The menu offers “scratch-made American pub food with a modern twist,” including cioppino and duck confit with gnocchi. Pair your meal with a craft cocktail. 6 N. Sarah, 314-261-4497, retreatgastropub.com. $$
Wine Bar. This neighborhood eatery has oven-scorched pizzas and unpretentiously presented gastropub fare with Spanish and Italian influences that easily pair with its handsome wine list. Two patio areas are equally comfortable and inviting. 4253 Laclede, 314-797-8223. $$
Bar & Grill. The front room’s casual, with tall tables and a roomy bar. The food is grand, an interpretation of such Scottish dishes as pasties and smoked salmon. 8 S. Sarah, 314-535-0551, thescottisharms.com. $$$
Shake Shack
See “Multiple Locations.”
American. Michael and Tara Gallina introduce St. Louis to “vegetable-forward cuisine” at their acclaimed avant-garde restaurant in the Cortex district. 4260 Forest Park, 314-553-9239, viciarestaurant.com. $$$
American. As the name implies, there’s bistro fare (French onion soup, a perfect ribeye), along with some surprises (crab cakes, gyros, seafood dishes that shine). 255 Union, 314-875-9400, westendbistro255.com. $$
Bar & Grill. Devotées rave over the shrimp and grits, daily “snacky hour,” and $1 oysters on Thursday nights. Located beside the Gaslight Theatre, West End is convenient for dinner before a show or a postshow drink. 354 N. Boyle, 314-531-4607, westendgrillandpub.com. $
Seafood. Consider Yellowbelly a sort of uptown tiki bar–meets–Red Lobster (cheddar biscuits, anyone?), combining tropical libations with a menu focused on Pacific seafood. 4659 Lindell, yellowbellystl.com. $$$
