18 St. Louis restaurants we’ll miss

U City Grill

Courtesy of Sides of Seoul

Courtesy of Sides of Seoul

• Last meal served: January 1
• Why we’ll miss it: Nowhere in St. Louis better embodied the Seinfeld soup counter scene than this Delmar Loop gem. You never knew what mood the owner would be in, but that did not matter in terms of food, which was always delicious and unique in its Korean-greasy spoon diner hybrid style. It was some of the best bibimbap in town.
• Where to go instead: For casual Korean fare, Sides of Seoul in nearby Overland never disappoints with its excellent bibimbap and other Korean favorites, as well as a prepared foods section. Just don’t expect the memorable style of U City Grill’s customer service. 

Taqueria Morita

Courtesy of Mestiza Tacos & Cantaritos

Courtesy of Mestiza Tacos & Cantaritos

• Last Meal Served: January 4
• Why we’ll miss it: One of the culinary silver linings of the pandemic was Taqueria Morita, the excellent taco spot from Take Root Hospitality (Vicia, Winslow’s Home, Bistro La Floraison) and Aaron Martinez, which began as a pop-up on Vicia’s patio. While diners had spent years enjoying Martinez’s high-end food and fine dining restaurants across town, Taqueria Morita gave guests a window into the sojourns to the coastal taquerias that he and his family would drive to on Mexico’s Pacific Coast when he was growing up. It was a delicious biography.
• Where to go instead: For a deeply personal, traditional taqueria experience, Mestiza in Lindenwood Park is the undeniable substitute for Taqueria Morita. The restaurant is a casual spinoff of Ellisville’s Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience, which showcases owners’ Angel Jimenez-Gutiérrez and Alex Ayala culinary heritage in an unimaginably tasty light. 

Peacock Loop Diner

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

• Last meal served: January 8
• Why we’ll miss it: Joe Edwards’ 24-hour diner opened to great fanfare (and some fancy neon plumage) on the Delmar Loop in 2014, suffered periodic lapses in food and service, endured a pandemic, but never regained the momentum required to remain viable and closed after a 10-year-run. Edwards’ goal was “to create a diner unlike any other in the U.S,” and he largely succeeded. The vibrant interior included four U-shaped counters—each built slightly higher than its neighbor, so passersby could see the entirety of the space, a rotating eight-person “Peacock Carousel of Love” booth, and no shortage of peacock and diner memorabilia, including an 1,800-pound neon, awarded Best New Sign in the World in 2015 by Signs of the Times magazine.
• Where to go instead: St. Louis may never see such unusual diner décor, but at least one local establishment can go toe-to-toe with the Loop Diner’s whimsical menu, including the boozy shakes. The Shack leans hard into playful dish names such as Why the French Hate Us (a toasted croissant stuffed with two sausage links and scrambled eggs, smothered in sausage gravy and cheddar) and Do I Still Look Fat in These Pants (a relatively virtuous skillet built with egg whites and chicken sausage).

Tony’s

Courtesy of Charlie Gitto's on the Hill

Courtesy of Charlie Gitto's on the Hill

• Last meal served: February 15
• Why we’ll miss it: For decades, Tony’s was the national standard-bearer for St. Louis fine dining, earning repeated accolades, including a 2018 James Beard semifinalist nod for Best Service, an area in which it truly excelled. The restaurant closed the day after Valentine’s Day, giving devotees one final romantic send-off. A representative said the decision was “strictly a P&L issue,” citing limited seating and the rising costs of premium ingredients and skilled labor required to maintain Tony’s hallmark level of service and culinary excellence over its 78-year run.
• Where to go instead: Old-school Italian fine dining with tableside service is increasingly rare. Local standouts include Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, Paul Manno’s, and Il Bel Lago—though even their owners would likely agree that “there was only one Tony’s.”
  

King Edward’s Chicken & Fish

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

• Last meal served: February 18
• Why we’ll miss it: For almost two decades, King Edward’s was the gold standard for fried chicken to many St. Louisans. Others swore by its fried shrimp, fish, and crab dishes. When owners Gabrielle and Sandy Shore announced their retirement, there was a brief disruption in the force, until the follow-up concept was announced.
• Where to go instead: Rick and Elisa Lewis of Grace Meat + Three fame took up the charge and opened a related concept in the steep-roofed former IHOP. Grace Chicken + Fish is the first of a possible handful of Southern-inspired, family-friendly eateries. The menu features its award-winning fried chicken—recognized by Food Network as the best fried chicken in Missouri—along with fried catfish, beer-battered cod, and fried shrimp, all available with customizable heat levels and sauces. (Side note: The original King Edward’s location, a staple in St. Charles since 1966, remains open under different ownership.)

John Viviano & Sons Grocery

Courtesy of DiGregorio's

Courtesy of DiGregorio's

• Last meal served: May 3
• Why we’ll miss it: J. Viviano & Sons opened in 1950 as a small shop where John Viviano Sr. sold cheese and other food products. His son and grandson grew the brick-and-mortar and eventually the online presence into St. Louis’ largest Italian market, where many St. Louisans made the trek to procure their Old World prosciutto, Reggiano cheese, killer sandwiches, and Italian staples including more shapes of dried pasta than anyone ever knew existed.  
• Where to go instead: The building was sold to the DiGregorio family, owners of DiGregorio’s Italian Market, also located on The Hill. After hosting a Big Night–style dinner for the filming of the Spaghetti Wars’ premiere, rumors now suggest that the space could be repurposed as a full-time event venue.

Small Batch

Courtesy of Tree House

Courtesy of Tree House

• Last meal served: May 12
• Why we’ll miss it: When Small Batch opened in 2013, it was revolutionary; here was a place that took the vegetarian cuisine usually found in crunchy cafes, and elevated it to an upscale dining experience—and paired it with bourbon. Owners Dave and Kara Bailey were bold in their vision, and one could make the argument that they were one of the main forces that helped vegetarian and plant-based cuisine step out into the St. Louis mainstream thanks to this Midtown spot.
• Where to go instead: At roughly the same time that Small Batch came on the scene, Bay Tran opened South Grand’s Tree House with a similar vision to elevate vegan and vegetarian cuisine. The dishes are consistently excellent and have a unique global flair that appeals to both plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. The brunch is outstanding, as are the creative cocktails. 

Beyond Sweet

Courtesy of Jason Lamont

Courtesy of Jason Lamont

• Last meal served: May 16
• Why we’ll miss it: After a trial run in the Delmar Loop, the flagship restaurant launched in December 2023 in a lively two-story space within the Delmar Maker District. After the building suffered extensive structural damage following the May 16 tornado, owner Dallas Holland-Mims told local media, “I don’t know if it will be in this neighborhood, but I need to reopen Beyond Sweet.” This week, Holland-Mims shared with SLM that Beyond Sweet is slated to return in late 2026—alongside a new concept, Donna—bringing two restaurants under one roof.
• Where to go instead: In the interim,Beyond Sweet’s chef, Jason Lamont, emerged at Taste in Ferguson, where he recreates his signature twists on classics and contemporary comfort food.  

Rated Test Kitchen

Courtesy of Tai Davis

Courtesy of Tai Davis

• Last meal served: May 31
• Why we’ll miss it: Chef-owner Juwan Rice was one of the St. Louis culinary scene’s brightest rising stars and was not afraid to take risks. Those factors came together at his brief restaurant, Rated Test Kitchen, which took diners on a wild ride of experimental food and beverage, then let them provide feedback that would go into the next menu iteration—a unique concept with some of the most interesting dishes in town.
• Where to go instead: If Rice was St. Louis’ rising star culinarian, then Tai Davis is its Renaissance man. His newly announced pop-up and events space, Linea, promises the same bold and creative vision found at Rated with delicious and innovative cuisine, all in preparation for his forthcoming restaurant, Lineage, which he will test out at Linea through the year. 

Momo

Courtesy of Hatch'd

Courtesy of Hatch'd

• Last meal served: July 20
• Why we’ll miss it: The restaurant was a playful “coffee-champagne-kitchen” brunch spot, known for whimsical décor, expansive patios, and inventive spins on breakfast and lunch classics. Owners Chris and Courtney Sedlak told SLM that the restaurant closed because of burnout from running three businesses and persistent challenges hiring qualified management. After the closure, it was announced that the nearby Katie’s location in Rock Hill will move into the space in summer 2026.
• Where to go instead: The Sedlaks also own The Mud House, known for its standout pastries and creative spins on breakfast and lunch. If a boozy weekend brunch is nonnegotiable, then head to hatch’d in Princeton Heights.

Asador Del Sur

Courtesy of Brasilia

Courtesy of Brasilia

• Last meal served: August 30
• Why we’ll miss it: The positively addictive chimichurri is reason enough to lament the loss of this South American gem, which closed due to a devastating fire in August. Conceived as a celebration of owners Daniel Gonzalez’s and Maria Giamportone’s respective Uruguayan and Ecuadorian heritages, Asador Del Sur was a delicious and transportive dining experience that left us too soon.
• Where to go instead: While there is no direct correlation to an Uruguayan and Ecuadorian hybrid, the area is blessed with several outstanding South American restaurants. If you’re missing Asador Del Sur’s meat dishes, then the Sunday churrasco at Brasilia is an all-you-can-eat feast. For a more seafood-inspired feast, the Peruvian restaurant Jalea in St. Charles is a coastal-inspired delight.

Savage/The Lucky Accomplice

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

• Last meal served: August 31
• Why we’ll miss it: When it first came on the scene in 2018, Savage was an avant-garde tasting menu concept that showcased the undeniable talent of chef-owner Logan Ely. Lucky Accomplice brought that vision into a more mainstream venue and became one of the city’s most interesting and creative spots. 
• Where to go instead: As Ely did at Savage, Alec Schingel is reinventing the notion of what a chef’s menu can be at Robin in Maplewood. If the gathering place vibe of Lucky Accomplice is what you miss, then Little Fox, located just around the corner, is an innovative neighborhood restaurant. And, Press, the smashed pizza concept that Ely founded in 2022, is still going strong just down the street.

Hangar Kitchen & Bar

Courtesy of prasino

Courtesy of prasino

• Last meal served: September 13
• Why we’ll miss it: Courtney and Chris Sedlak opened Hangar in August 2020 in the former Slider House space at Rock Hill and Manchester. They later opened—and closed—Momo, a whimsical “coffee-champagne-kitchen” next door. Hangar’s clever airplane theme, menu, and name reflected the couple’s travels and their preferred vodka brand. The 5,500-square-foot, 150-seat space is slated to reopen in 2026 as a new concept from the owner of Huatulco Mexican Kitchen.
• Where to go instead: Hangar’s menu was eclectic and included tacos, nachos, sushi, short ribs, Cajun pasta, and Korean cauliflower. The only local restaurant with an even more wide ranging menu is prasino in St. Charles, which is open for lunch and all day on Saturday and Sunday.

Super Smokers

Courtesy of Pappy's Smokehouse

Courtesy of Pappy's Smokehouse

• Last meal served: December 14
• Why we’ll miss it: After nearly three decades slinging barbecue and Cajun specialties, Jeff Fitter, the owner and pitmaster of Super Smokers BBQ/Papa’s Diner in Eureka, throttled down the smoker in mid-December. Fitter’s wide-ranging menu ranged from brisket and pork steak to smashburgers, gumbo, jambalaya, and Mama’s Meatloaf.
• Where to go instead: A handful of local pitmasters got their start at Super Smokers, among them Skip Steele and Mike Emerson, who went on to start such standout spots such as Pappy’s, Bogart’s, and Dalie’s.  

Lucy Q(Quinn) / Little Lucy

Photo by George Mahe

Photo by George Mahe

• Last meal served: December 31
• Why we’ll miss it: For more than a decade, the talented Ben Welch had dreamed of opening an homage to his maternal grandmother, Lucy Quinn. The concept would convey the story of his culinary heritage and what made him the chef he is today. And for nine months in 2025, he got to live that dream in the form of delicious Southern-inspired cuisine, outstanding smoked meats, and an uber-cool diner that was a Grove hotspot.
• Where to go instead: Because Lucy Quinn/Q/Little Lucy were so multifaceted, you have to go to several different places to attempt to recreate its full picture. Tower Grove East’s A Touch of Texas BBQ offers Lucy Q’s soul food-inflected barbecue; Clara B’s Kitchen Table in Belleville is chef-owner Jodie Ferguson’s delicious, Southern-style nod to her grandmother; and Fleur STL in the former Eat-Rite diner space evokes Little Lucy’s modern diner cool. 

New Society

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

Photography by Kevin A. Roberts

• Last meal served: December 31
• Why we’ll miss it: New Society was not only the first of the recent wave of speakeasies that have sprung up in town; it was also a cocktail innovation lab where trained chef and creative barman Michael Fricker, together with accomplished cocktail mind Meredith Barry, concocted boundary-pushing drinks.
• Where to go instead: None of the Above captures the cool, underground vibe of New Society, and its head bartender, Fionna Gemzon, is a cocktail powerhouse, creating innovative drinks that tickle your sense of adventure as much as your tastebuds. 

Rock Star Tacos

Courtesy of Taco Buddha

Courtesy of Taco Buddha

• Last meal served: December 31
• Why we’ll miss it: Wil Pelly and Rebecca Schaaf not only created a delicious restaurant; they also cultivated a beautiful community at Rock Star Tacos, which began when they first opened at a concession stand-sized spot in New Town and continued during their tenure on the Hill. There was always an inclusive, everybody-knows-your-name spirit at the restaurant, and it felt like a safe space for all types, thanks to Pelly and Schaaf’s insistence to not take themselves seriously. That feeling will be missed, as will their comically named tacos, which were always good for a chuckle.
• Where to go instead: Like Rock Star Tacos, Terror Tacos on South Grand infuses its food with a musically-focused, irreverent style and offers bold, creative flavors. It’s a vegan spot, but even those who eat meat and dairy are dazzled by its excellent food. If you still need meat with your tacos, however, the recently opened Taco Buddha in Botanical Heights is a great option. 

Veritas

Courtesy of Westchester

Courtesy of Westchester

• Last meal served: December 31
• Why we’ll miss it: More than a restaurant and wine shop, Veritas was one of the rare gathering places in far West County that offered a sense of community. Chef Mathis Stitt, the owners’ son, translated his passion for cooking and his knack for knowing just what to do with seasonal ingredients, into one of the best dining experiences west of I-270.
• Where to go instead: Like Veritas, Chesterfield’s Westchester has become a beloved gathering spot where the bar is always packed with regulars sipping excellent craft cocktails and impressive glass pours. The restaurant is anchored in chef Matthew Glickert’s seasonal cuisine; he studied under the revered Bill Cardwell, and that iconic touch can be felt on every plate that comes out of the kitchen.