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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Barbecue. A descendant of Pappy’s Smokehouse, Adam’s features a house-made smoked salami sandwich and ribs rubbed with undisclosed ingredients and slathered in a sweet apple butter. 2819 Watson, 314-875-9890. $$
Ah, kabobs. Carnivore popsicles. The meat wands here are just part of the fun. Afghan specialties abound, prepared by a chef with international credentials. The interior’s plain, though the food definitely is not. (Try the vegetable sambosas.). 3500 Watson, 314-449-1110. $$
Mexican. AJ’s is the only Mexican restaurant we know of that’s just as known for its broasted fried chicken (habanero-brined or regular) as its shrimp dishes, margaritas, and superior chips and salsa. Go figure. 6001 Southwest, 314-645-1995. $$
Greek. All the usual suspects (including a credible gyro), plus steaks, seafood, and even a Mediterranean burger. 6836 Gravois, 314-353-1488. $$
Turkish. Drop by for eggplant moussaka, kebabs, or other Turkish delights flavored with exotic and tantalizing spices. 6671 Chippewa, 314-645-9919. $$$
American. It’s like a dog park but on a whole other level. While your Pithuahua scamp or darling Schnoodle romps, you can do the same over burgers, sandwiches, and salads, along with cocktails and beer. It’s great fun for dogs and people alike. 4565 McRhee, 314-530-9990. $$
Thai. A suitably Siamese interior and relaxing sidewalk patio make this a favorite for South Grand diners seeking low-key, satisfyingly authentic meals. 3183 S. Grand, 314-428-9711. $$
Italian. Bartolino’s opened in 1969 on The Hill. Today, two locations—one in South County and another in a Drury Inn—serve a menu of Italian specialties, seafood, fine meats, pastas, risotto, sandwiches, and St. Louis–style pizzas. 2103 Sulphur, 314-644-2266. $$$
Bar & Grill. The cozy atmosphere will make you feel at home, as will the St. Louis–style items on the vast menu, the friendly service, and the South Side clientele. 3332 Watson, 314-781-0060. $$
South American. Brasilia is South Grand’s answer to Brazilian cuisine. The menu is teeming with favorites such as beef acebolado (pan-fried steak with onions) and paella. 3212 S. Grand, 314-932-1034. $$
Japanese/Sushi. This popular South Grand haunt is known for its wild assortment of hyper-concocted sushi rolls, fine beers, and fruity cocktails. 3221 S. Grand, 314-773-5000. $$
Thai. This Grove restaurant dispenses with most curries and is focused instead on delicious specialties. Preparations are complex; spice heat levels begin at zero and end at wow. 4087 Chouteau, 314-925-8250. $$
Bar & Grill. At this South City joint, garage door–style walls open onto the sidewalk, and canned beer’s only $1.75. Remember: Cash only. 6109 Gravois, 314-499-7119. $
Mexican. Standard fare and a large selection of tortas and tacos are available, but don’t miss the oversized Oaxacan tamales, steamed in banana leaves. 5912 Hampton, 314-833-5550. $$
Café. The imaginative menu includes several Benedicts, hashes, breakfast tacos, and even sopes. There’s a full bar, too, if more than fresh orange and grapefruit juice is required. 2200 Gravois, 314-202-8244. $$
Asian. You won’t need that bottle of sriracha on the table; each dish here provides the appropriate spice and distinctive flavors from Nepal, India, and Korea. 4145 Manchester, 314-531-4800. $$
American. Acclaimed chef Kevin Willmann’s restaurant pays special attention to fresh seafood, and the menu changes daily to showcase what’s seasonal. 3257 Ivanhoe, 314-647-3800. $$$
Nicaraguan. Serving up Nicaraguan and Latin cuisine, Fritanga allows you to order plantains three different ways to accompany your entrée—also topped with plantains. 2208 S. Jefferson, 314-664-7777. $$
Bar & Grill. From the Art Deco bar to the taxidermy-lined walls to the campground-style patios, The Golden Hoosier is a South Side respite. It’s convivial and resplendent, with great drinks and surprisingly contemporary takes on familiar dishes. 3707 S. Kingshighway, 314-354-8044. $$
American. The home of one of the best sandwich menus in town gets additional kudos for serving them until 11 p.m. 4243 Manchester, 314-531-5700. $$
American/Southern. The whimsical space features a menu of Midwestern and Southern fare from chef-owner Tony Collida. The beignets, for instance, are served sweet or savory. 3137 Morganford. $$
Café. This corner spot offers organic and fair trade coffee. Freshly baked pastries will appeal to fans of both sweet and savory breakfasts. 3974 Hartford, 314-771-5282. $
American. Familiar favorites – some with a twist — for breakfast, brunch and lunch are served in the former Quincy Street Bistro spot in Princeton Heights. House-cured pastrami can be found in hash, skillets and a Reuben, and a Karen sandwich can’t be modified – it’s owner Joshua Sturma’s childhood combo of bologna, cheese, mayo, peanut butter and jelly. 6931 Gravois Ave., 314-448-1642. $$
Southern. Winner, winner: Hodak’s is required eating for anyone who enjoys a fried chicken dinner. The South Side institution specializes in crowd-pleasing birds wrapped in a distinctive savory cornmeal-and-flour coating. 2100 Gravois, 314-776-7292. $$
Asian. Choose between incredible riffs on Thai cuisine or the best sushi in town. The combination’s palate-jarring, but you can’t really lose. 1641-D Tower Grove, 314-899-9333. $$$
Pizza. With three area locations, JJ Twig’s has a well-established clientele. Order the signature Double-Decker, which allows customers to build two layers of toppings for the monstrous double-crust pie. $$
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. $$
Bar & Grill. A big menu of appetizers, burgers, wings, sandwiches, and even steak Modiga keeps crowds coming back. The pizza is remarkably satisfying. Don’t miss the tower of hand-breaded onion rings. $$
Bakery. KNEAD turns out painstakingly crafted breads and serves up a sausage breakfast sandwich that will change your morning. Plan to take home a sourdough loaf. 3467 Hampton, 314-376-4361. $
Mexican. An extensive menu (including a burrito as big as Popeye’s forearm), is bolstered by house-made thin chips and an intensely flavorful salsa made from ground tomatoes and fresh herbs. The rooftop seating above the large patio is a welcome plus. 5220 Hampton, 314-833-3357. $$
Bakery. Simone Faure’s Paris-themed pastry shop specializes in authentic French croissants, macarons, tartes, éclairs, and unique special-occasion cakes. 1626 Tower Grove, 314-932-7935. $
Mexican. What was once a walk-up taco stand is now a full-fledged indoor-outdoor hacienda known for al pastor tacos, tortas, and homemade ice cream and paletas, plus horchatas, Mexican Coke, and Corona by the bucket. 2801 Cherokee, 314-776-4223. $
Vietnamese. Imagine a cozy diner crossed with a first-rate Vietnamese eatery. LemonGrass is inviting and relaxed, offering a range of pho and other such fare. 3161 S. Grand, 314-664-6702. $$
American. Brooklyn transplants Mowgli and Craig Rivard bring casual fine dining to Fox Park, where small and large plates are complemented by herb-forward cocktails and natural wines from around the world. 2800 Shenandoah, 314-553-9456. $$
Asian. Pining for Xishuangbanna eats? Lona serves her own version, Thai-Chinese food wrapped in giant rice wrappers. Don’t forget the superb dumplings. 2199 California, 314-925-8938. $
Eclectic. The fertile imagination of local chef Logan Ely finds a new outlet in this comfy, low-key place, so expect spectacular surprises like dirty hominy cassoulet and roasted pork collar. 2501 S. Jefferson, 314-354-6100. $$$
Japanese. It’s worth the wait at the no-frills, 24-seater. The atmosphere’s authentic, and it’s popular for a reason. Deep bowls of aromatic broths await. House-made noodles are served as Shoyu-style Ramen. Thicker ones can be dipped in broth (Tsukemen), or try it brothless in Mazemen. 3453 Hampton, 314-601-3524. $$
Ethiopian. Chicken, lamb, and beef—served in ways you never imagined—are all on the menu, and the décor captures sunny North Africa. 3210 S. Grand, 314-772-4442. $$
American. Now located in the former California Do-nut Co building, the focus is on inventive toasts, melts, bread puddings, daily soups, weekend specials, and flavored nut milks. For the holidays, order the sauces, jams, preserves, pickles, salsas, and take-and-bake dressing. 2924 S. Jefferson, 314-833-0085. $
Café. The Mud House cranks out dishes that play several levels above the cup of Joe–and–go usual, including notable scones, excellent biscuits and gravy, and a daily hash. 2101 Cherokee, 314-776-6599. $
Nepalese/Indian. This family-owned and -operated restaurant features popular Indian dishes but also true Nepali foods, done in the Nepali style, with Nepali spicing, such as momos (filled dumplings), traditional soups, and Napali Thali (a meal on a platter that includes vegetables, proteins, pickles, garnishes, naan, dessert, and yogurt). 4915 Hampton, 314-696-8585. $$
Bar & Grill. A longtime St. Louis tradition, O’Connell’s is known for affordable pints and burgers that are seared to the pinnacle of crusty, caramelized perfection. 4652 Shaw, 314-773-6600. $
Pizza. The pizza is the draw, along with the garlic knots. There’s a focus on the seasonal and local, including craft beer and vegetables grown on-site. 5401 Finkman, 314-802-8883. $$
Italian. For decades, this St. Louis pasta chain has been a go-to for favorite Italian dishes, such as pasta con broccoli, fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant Parmigiana, and toasted ravioli. Pizza, burgers, and sandwiches are also available. See website for locations. $$
Vietnamese. Pho Grand’s where we first came to love the bun thit nuong cha gio, thin noodles topped with marinated and grilled pork, slivers of lemongrass, and broken-up egg rolls. 3195 S. Grand, 314-664-7435. $
American. Served with sides like Grandma used to make, the fried chicken sports a crisp, salty crust that begs for hot sauce and honey. It’s one of the best neighborhood joints in the city. 7201 Piccadilly, 314-646-0016. $$
Italian. Name six Italian-American entrées. You can bet Pietro’s has ’em—and more. A South City icon, the family-run restaurant dishes out pasta, steaks, veal, and seafood in a white-tablecloth room. 3801 Watson, 314-645-9263. $$
Pizza. After Pizzeoli’s unbridled success with Neapolitan-style pies, Scott Sandler is tossing and topping 20-inch New York–style, vegetarian and vegan pies on pizza-deprived South Grand. 3196 S. Grand, 314-266-5400. $$
Pizza. The blistered and blissfully Provel-free pies pulled from a hand-built wood-burning oven at this South City treasure continue to fly below the radar. 5859 S. Kingshighway, 314-832-3222. $$
American. This quirky, fun joint in The Grove is peopled with fans who adore the fancy cocktails and a rotating array of snacks, such as “popcorn” chicken and hand-cut fries. 4502 Manchester, 314-799-0662. $$
Pizza. A pizza loves a calzone very much, and the result’s a “smash.” With such ingredients as kimchi and seasonal toppings, as well as a blistering hot cast iron press involved, it’s bound to be fun. The party’s kept going with on-tap cocktails. 2501 S. Jefferson, 314-328-1094. $$
Mexican. A delicious merger of traditional Mexican dishes and Tex-Mex favorites, it serves potent margaritas, tamales, and more. 5127 Hampton, 314-351-9000. $$
American. The first beer garden located in a St. Louis City park also features pizza and light fare from Michael Petres, one of the area’s top chefs. 5300 Donovan. $$
Café. The South Grand location has a communal layout and pictures of roosters drawn by local children. 3150 S. Grand, 314-772-3447. $$
Café. Like its sister location in Fenton, this South City spot emphasizes locally sourced products. Don’t forget the sweets. 5400 Murdoch, 314-553-9994. $$$
Barbecue. A singular focus on “barbecue, bourbon, and beer” translates to loads of meat, craft and barrel-aged cocktails, and more than 40 bourbons. The burnt-end T-ravs are a must. $$
Italian. You’ll find an array of curated drink options at the harvest-centric Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, adjacent to owner Natasha Bahrami’s The Gin Room. Elevated from-scratch small plates, seasonal dishes, and hand-rolled pastas are also available. 3200 S. Grand, 314-771-3411. $$
Afghan. This small restaurant in The Grove serves up big taste and affordably priced Afghan and Persian food. The dish names roll off the tongue: sambosas; lamb, shrimp, or chicken beriani; beef koobeda; and more. 4341 Manchester, 314-534-9500. $$
Small Plates. Peruse an unreal menu of cocktails and an uncommon “wild tapas” menu. And consider reserving the garden patio and its refurbished French conservatory. 4198 Manchester, 314-535-9700. $$
Wine Bar. The Shaw location boasts two bars, funky décor, and an equally fetching patio. 4069 Shaw, 314-771-7274. $$
Italian. The concept is brilliant in its simplicity: half a dozen salads and 15 kinds of calzones, with 10 sauces “on the side” for dipping. The Nutella/banana dessert calzone is mandatory. $
Barbecue. The St. Louis–style ribs are worthy of attention, but we’re partial to a serving of smoked chicken, frites prepared in duck fat, and the homemade sides. 2900 Virginia, 314-776-1407. $$
Cajun/Creole. Louisiana native Travis Parfait and restaurant veteran Pamela Melton link the Gateway City and Crescent City with a combination of barbecue and New Orleans comfort food. 3550 S. Broadway, 314-405-0447. $$
American. From the owners of Kounter Kulture, this spot in The Grove serves up breakfast and lunch. The scene-stealer is the bacon-and-egg breakfast sandwich. 4476 Chouteau, 314-781-4344. $
Diner. Well-executed Southwestern fare, such as a New Mexico–style breakfast burrito and Jonathan’s Famous Fiery Scramble, are served in a classic diner setting. 6803 Southwest, 314-260-7244. $
Greek. Specialties include steak krasato and rack of lamb with scallops. Created tableside, a Greek salad is a nice touch. Save room for baklava. $$$
American. Tableside lists include bun selection, burger type, toppings, and extras. Or choose a preset burger from the creative menu. 7637 Ivory, 314-544-4900. $
Dessert. Chilly ice cream sandwiches and hot coffees are the draw, and both are concocted with seasonal flavors. Miso and brown sugar and white tea and horchata spike the ice cream; black sesame and macha goose the coffee. It might seem weird, but it works. 7726 Virginia, 573-234-0042.
Mediterranean. The gamut of Mediterranean fare is capably represented; note specialties such as beef-filled Kurdish dumplings and Palestinian roasted chicken. 4200 Manchester, 314-390-2020. $$
Café. This husband-and-wife–owned hideaway has visual treats and scratch-baked eats. Among local veggie burger options, the Sweet Burger remains our first love. 2203 S. 39th, 314-771-4278. $
Italian. Owned by the brothers Komorek (Steve and Jamie), Trattoria Marcella is a classic, ever-popular place. Don’t miss the lobster risotto special. 3600 Watson, 314-352-7706. $$
Vegetarian. The vegan and vegetarian fare—with such inspired dishes as “chorizo” tamales—even satisfies a carnivore. 3177 S. Grand, 314-696-2100. $$
Steakhouse. Portions way past “generous” are standard at this longtime favorite steakhouse. The ribeyes, buttery prime rib, and suitcase-size baked potatoes are legendary. It’s renowned for low prices on protein. $$
Bakery. Using fresh bread as its foundation, this bakery/café in Botanical Heights blends sandwiches, salads, exceptional pizzas, and soups with a lively space. 1629 Tower Grove, 314-833-6111. $
American. At the Grove location, pair your beer with the “poutine of the moment.” An abridged menu is available at the Midtown location. 4465 Manchester, 314-222-0143. $$
Mediterranean. Pita is baked in this Lebanese restaurant’s attached bakery. Middle Eastern fare, from shawarma to kebabs, is authentic. The tabbouleh salad is famous. 3171 S. Grand, 314-776-0991. $$
Pizza. The popular Cherokee Street restaurant is known for its wood-fired pizzas, with a choice of four sauces. 2728 Cherokee, 314-400-7712. $$
