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St. Louis’ hottest new restaurants of 2025

With so many restaurants openings this year, it’s hard to keep up. Tune in as George and Cheryl break it all down, sharing their favorite new spots and revealing their (slightly contentious) Top 5.

by SLM Staff December 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM December 10, 2025

Arch Eats hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr with Robin Restaurant staff — Arch Eats hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr with the staff at Robin Restaurant, which was recently named one of America's best new restaurants by 'The New York Times'

It’s mid-December, which means that it’s time for George and Cheryl to take a look at the year in restaurants. In this episode, the co-hosts chat about their favorite new dining spots for 2025. They’ll cover all the fun additions to the St. Louis food and beverage scene, including a new Italian-inflected amaro bar, an Instagram pizza business-turned brick and mortar, a hotly anticipated restaurant from two pop-up pros and more. Plus, they’ll rank their Top 5 best new restaurants, which was done by consensus, but not without controversy. Listen and follow Arch Eats on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

“ We’re not gonna bury the lede today. We’re gonna start with a top five, as agreed upon by Cheryl and me, and we’re gonna count them backwards from number five.” –GM

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Mentioned in this episode:

KoKuu Ramen & Sushi Bar: 343 S. Kirkwood, Kirkwood, 314-698-2231
Madrina: 101 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves, 314-963-1976
Citizen Kane’s: 133 W. Clinton, Kirkwood 314-965-9005
O’Connell’s Pub: 4652 Shaw, The Hill, 314-773-6600
The Piccadilly at Manhattan: 7201 Piccadilly, Ellendale, 314-646-0016
Sam’s Steakhouse: 10205 Gravois, Affton, 314-849-3033
Brasas: 6138 Delmar Blvd, Delmar Loop 314-256-1937
Lucy Quinn (Lucy Q) /Little Lucy: 4156 Manchester, The Grove 314-932-5829
Aperi: 4317 Manchester, The Grove, 314-405-8333
No Ordinary Rabbit: 1621 Tower Grove, Botanical Heights, 314-696-2010
Robin: 7268 Manchester, Maplewood, 314-712-6124
Expat BBQ: 3730 Foundry Way #132, Midtown, 314-924-9728
Cottle Village Farmstead & Distillery: 6470 State Route N, Cottleville, 636-268-2123
Sauci Pasta: 1990 1st Capitol, St Charles, 636-757-3307
Great Heart Brewing: 9514 Olive, Olivette, 314-557-7188
Mestiza Tacos & Cantaritos: 3279 Hampton, Clifton Heights, 314-645-7676
Pavilion (inside Sado): 5201 Shaw, The Hill, 314-390-2883
Mainlander: 392 N Euclid, CWE, no listed phone
Nicky Slice: 2240 Edwards, The Hill, no listed phone
The Mexican STL: 9615 Watson, Crestwood, 314-525-5025
Nettie’s Pizza Den: 33 N. Central, Clayton, 314-571-9305
Extra Wavy: 2017 Chouteau, Downtown West, 314-346-1165
Scout’s: 2704 Locust, Midtown, 314-394-8650

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About The Hosts

George Mahe

George Mahe has spent most of his life immersed in the restaurant industry, owning and operating establishments before delving into food journalism. He began reviewing restaurants for St. Louis Magazine 35 years ago under the pseudonym “Arnie Boye” (a tribute to his dog) and became the magazine’s first dining editor in 1992. His fair and balanced approach spawned a local restaurant consulting company, and further ventures in ownership. In 2006, he returned to SLM. George spearheads the magazine’s dining coverage, curates the weekly Dining Out newsletter, and co-hosts the Arch Eats podcast. George lives in University City with his wife, Suzi. Send your dining questions to [email protected].

Cheryl Baehr

Cheryl Baehr has been telling the story of the St. Louis dining scene since 2013, drawing upon her decades-plus experience in the industry and her passion for food and the people who make our city so delicious. A graduate of the University of Missouri St. Louis and the University of Denver, Cheryl left a career in government in Washington, DC to return to her hometown to write about food, first as longtime dining critic for the Riverfront Times and now as a staff writer, co-host of the Arch Eats podcast, and editor of the Dining In newsletter at St. Louis Magazine. When she’s not celebrating the St. Louis food scene, you can find this proud Florissantonian and recent University City expat sipping on coffee at her home in Wildwood with her daughter, Coretta, her partner, Nick, her step-dog, Van, and her beloved Great Pyrenees, Chloe.