In recent years, culinary tastemakers across the nation have started to realize something we’ve known for a while: St. Louis has a truly extraordinary food scene. Citing a slate of fresh new spots and up-and-coming talent, the food bloggers, celebrity chefs, and restaurant reviewers have coalesced around a narrative: That St. Louis has arrived, transitioning from flyover city to bona fide food destination. It’s an exciting development and one that is well-deserved. These new industry voices, filled with creativity and innovation, make right now a landmark moment to dine in the metro area. For ongoing coverage of St. Louis’ ever-evolving dining scene, sign up for SLM’s Dining Out newsletter and check out our dining podcast, Arch Eats. Cheers!
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American. Situated next to sister concept Frisco Barroom, The Annex is a deli, bakery, coffee shop, and gourmet food store that succeeds on all counts. 8122 Big Bend, 314-731-6329. $
Mexican. At one of the best margarita spots in town, you’ll find the usual Mexican offerings, including excellent fajitas. Sit on the rear patio. 120 W. Jefferson, 314-821-0877. $$
Bagels. Enjoy perfectly crafted (“boiled”) bagels, from the plain to the cream cheesed to some extravagant sandwiches. Try the cornmeal/rye tzizelnickel bagel—just because it’s fun to say. 8705 Big Bend. $$
European. Among the acclaimed restaurant’s best: kebabs, sausages, gyros, and the best pide this side of Istanbul, most of it wood-fired. 8103 Big Bend, 314-667-9926. $
American. Faves include the rosemary and red wine braised pot roast and passing trains. 47 S. Old Orchard, 314-962-5757. $$$
American. It looks like the Taos Pueblo outside. Inside are burgers the size of your head, barbecue, pizzas, and nachos. The bar is comfy, and the terrace is spacious, with attractive firepits. 131 W. Argonne, 314-984-8000. $$
American. “Meat-friendly” hardly covers it. The place has its own butchery, in case the braised pork, beef ribs, and bacon jam aren’t enough. 146 W. Lockwood, 314-918-7900. $$
French. The atmosphere resembles a Burgundy kitchen, with a splendid wine list and exquisite Epi bread. 427 S. Kirkwood,314-822-5440. $$$
Mexican. At one time, you had to fly to enjoy authentic pork belly carnitas and Tres Agave margaritas. Now, in addition to a location at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, there’s a spot in Des Peres, where Mexican fare is served with lovely cocktails. 1181 Colonnade Center, 314-394-0214. $$
Thai. One of the few area restaurants to specialize in Northern Thailand’s cuisine, this Webster Groves restaurant serves some excellent examples. 8158 Big Bend, 314-961-8889. $$
If you could bottle rotisserie chicken skin, it’d be like a Lafite Rothschild. The pirouetting poultry here is juicy, aromatic, accompanied by seasonal sides, large salads, and fat fries. (Ask for the Horsey Mustard sauce, and give the fried chicken sandwich a try.) 9900 Manchester.
Circle 7 Ranch Taphouse & Grill
Bar & Grill. This rustic taphouse and grill features table taps—the first in Missouri—that allow patrons to pour their own beers. The menu offers hearty bar food favorites, with an extensive burger, wrap, sandwich, and salad selection, as well as mac and cheese 11 ways. 11769 Manchester. $$
Steakhouse. Located in a Victorian house, Citizen Kane’s matches steakhouse luxury with down-home affordability. A delicate char adorns juicy, glistening steaks. Salads and sides reflect a kitchen that’s determined to please. 133 W. Clinton, 314-965-9005. $$$$
American. The menu at this attractive bistro’s small but full of such unexpected dishes as chicken hand pies and burrata sandwiches. Breakfast is a special treat, with flaky cheese/sausage biscuits, chimichurri potatoes, and peppery bloody marys. 100 W. Lockwood, 314-942-1216. $$
Cravings Restaurant and Bakery
Café. You might drop into this quaint, bright place, known for its pastries, for a cake slathered in that incredible buttercream frosting—but end up dining on excellent risotto, chicken Provençal, and pork tenderloin. 8149 Big Bend, 314-961-3534. $$$
Crushed Red Urban Bake and Chop Shop
See “Multiple Locations.”
Desserts/Café. Once the dessert destination in St. Louis, Cyrano’s has a reputation that remains formidable. The dinner menu includes sandwiches and heartier fare…but definitely save room for dessert. 603 E. Lockwood, 314-963-3232. $$
Café. Panum nostrum was never so delectable. Soups change daily, and particularly extravagant sandwiches change with the seasons. Don’t miss the cakes, cookies, brownies, and incredible seasonal sour cream breads. 11719 Manchester, 314-909-0010. $
Vietnamese. A fresh, healthy fast-casual spin on Vietnamese fare featuring bowls, banh mi, bao sliders, pho, and more, each available with a wide choice of protein options. 20 Allen, Ste. 120, 314-926-0900. $$
Pizza. This gourmet pizza chain serves inventive specialty pizzas, as well as seasonal offerings. Rotating craft beers are on tap, and the wine list includes Dewey’s own line from Novy Family Wines. See website for locations. $$
Italian. St. Louis–style pizza is served alongside fish, chicken, and pasta, but the real secret here is a spectacular meatball sandwich. 9525 Manchester, 314-962-0048. $$
American. It’s one of the few places that balances a competent bar with a creditable restaurant. You’ll find burgers, salads, and the best Welsh pasty in town. 8110 Big Bend, 314-455-1090. $$
Mexican. Chalet meets estancia at one of the county’s oldest historic structures. The terrace is shaded, boisterous. The bar’s convivial. And did we mention that Hacienda has its own tortilla factory? 9748 Manchester, 314-962-7100. $$
American. Those hip new “aeroplanes” are the theme at this cool, sleek joint with a diverse international menu, from sushi to tacos. 9528 Manchester, 314-473-1221. $$
Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats
Breakfast. The honey-glazed square-shaped sweet and savory buttermilk biscuits from Mike and Meredith Shadwick have already gained a loyal following at local farmers’ markets and pop-ups. A brick-and-mortar space in the former Club Taco in Kirkwood will offer more menu items for lunch, along with those biscuits, gravies, and breakfast sandwiches. 200 N. Kirkwood, 618-207-7503. $
Steakhouse. It’s a cut above, so to speak, with USDA Prime steaks, a broad-ranging menu, and above-average starters and sides, especially the poblano au gratin potatoes. 17A West County Center, 314-965-4600. $$$$
Italian. There’s an extensive menu of Italian favorites for lunch and dinner, but pizza remains the top seller. Try traditional choices such as Joe’s Special Original or the meat-laden Raffaele. See website for locations. $$
Café. The metro area’s largest third-wave coffee roaster serves up a range of hand-brewed, drip, and espresso coffee drinks and teas, alongside a tasty selection of breakfast and lunch items. See website for locations. $
Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria
Italian. Pizzas are topped with such fresh ingredients as figs and dandelion greens. The pastas are even more entertaining, dressed with such ingredients as wild boar ragù and caviar. 9568 Manchester, 314-942-6555. $$
Bar & Grill. It’s boisterously happy—and not just because of that beer menu that’s longer than a Stephen King novel. It’s suitably pub-ish, with old brick and dark wood. See website for locations. $$
Bar & Grill. Duffy’s is a classic neighborhood sports bar, with sandwiches, wings, pizza, and TVs everywhere. Myriad burger varieties are available on the “Burger Heaven” menu. See website for details. $
Mexican. The specialties are house-made corn tortillas and authentic Mexican street food reminiscent of the offerings in San Francisco’s Mission District. Carne asada fries and brisket birria are also notable. And Mission Taco is a great spot for a handcrafted cocktail. See website for details. $
Mexican. The décor has a certain roadhouse kitsch, and meals are served on Styrofoam—yet you’ll adore the place. Tex-Mex is served in all its refried, tortilla-wrapped, fresh salsa–spattered glory. 9643 Manchester, 314-961-9110. $
Bakery. Light-as-air macarons, fruit and seasonal sweet croissants, cookies, and extraordinary cakes fill the cases, which are replenished throughout the day. Savories include breakfast and lunch sandwiches, quiche, and salads. 11243 Manchester, 314-858-1019. $
Italian/Pizza. The puffy, charred crusts and restrained sauces of Neapolitan-style pies are a thing of beauty. And although the name says pizza, chef Mike Risk’s menu contains many of the salads and outstanding fresh pastas borrowed from sister restaurant The Clover & The Bee. 102 W. Lockwood, 314-942-1216. $$
American. After recently relocating to a larger space down the street, the popular Webster Groves spot continues to offer a constantly changing menu of light snacks and full meals, including the perfect butterscotch pot de crème, as well as inventive mixed drinks. 216 W. Lockwood, 314-736-1370. $$$
Wine Bar. The menu is reasonably priced. The starters—baked goat cheese, smoked-Gouda grits, fried artichoke hearts—are delicious. And there’s a nice wine selection. 119 N. Kirkwood, 314-821-4119. $$
American. There are no more car hops, but the revived St. Louis classic serves the same burgers, chili dogs, meatloaf, and incredible onion rings as the original namesake, along with a wide selection of SnoBall flavors. 220 W. Lockwood, 314-938-5554. $$
Italian. Located in a renovated Victorian home, Peppe’s has “romantic” spilling all over, from the chandeliers to the crisp table linens. Chef/owner Peppe Profeta’s veal is exceptional, the pasta dishes are house-made, and half-portion options are a nice touch. The wine selection’s also classy. Reservations are a must. 800 S. Geyer, 314-909-1375. $$$
American. It’s hard to find a bad seat at this hangar-size spot in downtown Webster Groves. There are pork tenderloin sandwiches, schnitzel, pretzel monkey bread, and one of the best chicken sandwiches in town. It’s also a home for Perennial Artisan Ales, which means 15 taps and an array of fabulous local beers, with several brewed on site. 216 W. Lockwood, 314-682-3823. $$
American. Cardinals nutritionist Simon Lusky hit the proverbial home run when he created a gluten-free menu that’s both delicious and inexpensive. Choose from various healthful items, including juices, salads, bowls, and takeout meal plan options. Revel has two other locations, in Maplewood and Brentwood. 11215 Manchester, 314-230-9021. $
Wine Bar. In many cases, “tapas” has become synonymous with “overpriced little plates.” Not at Robust. Exquisite cheeses and cured meats are cleverly matched with an extraordinary wine list. 227 W. Lockwood, 314-963-0033. $$
Indian. Here you’ll find Northern Indian fare: fist-sized samosas, fragrant tandoori, creamy sauces, and exquisite naan bread. The staff is helpful in explaining (and moderating) the spice levels, from mild to rocket fuel–explosive. 2137 Barrett Station, 314-965-3822. $$
Italian. When a restaurant patio is elevated and has a fountain, we’re interested; when the food’s good, we’re regulars. We gravitate toward the linguine with seafood (a steal at lunch), and if available, Pauli’s eggplant stack salad and the sautéed sea bass. 451 S. Kirkwood, 314-909-7575. $$$
Breakfast and Lunch. Besarta “Bessa” Asani’s twin brother opened Golden Oak Pancake House in Swansea, Illinois. She followed suit last fall, opening a restaurant in the former Wasabi’s space in Warson Woods. Breakfast staples are a cut above—French toast has a cinnamon-apple glaze, and Biscuit Overload satisfies hungry customers. Favorites include Belgian waffles, egg-white bagel sandwiches, and three-egg omelets. 9983 Manchester, 314-858-9091. $
Diner. Serving Kirkwoodians for nearly 70 years, Spencer’s has all of the things a diner should but usu- ally doesn’t: properly prepared food, snappy service, and owners who keep the place spotless and make sure the patrons all know one another. 223 S. Kirkwood, 314-821-2601. $
American. This Kirkwood bistro is the Official Family Restaurant for legions of St. Louisans. The menu is diverse, with items like smoked trout and sauerbraten. 118 W. Adams, 314-965-6644. $$$
Sushi/Japanese. Webster’s only non-chain sushi restaurant happens to be a pretty good one, as evidenced by the industry types who frequent the place. The affable owners and an accommodating staff serve up a huge selection of Japanese offerings. 29 N. Gore, 314-733-5511. $$
Bar & Grill. The menu includes upscale pub grub, as well as seafood stew, pan-roasted chicken, and a pub chips platter with Irish cheddar rarebit. The tap list features an impressive rotating selection. See website for details. $$
Italian. Louie Vangel, grandson of legendary restaurateur Charlie Gitto Sr., is serves up longtime favorites: generous portions of calamari, chicken Parmesan, shrimp scampi, and lasagna, along with new items, such as fries with truffle oil and gnocchi with pesto and sundried tomato sauce. 10017 Manchester, 314-698-2060. $$
