St. Louis is home to a thriving food scene with restaurants that cater to a variety of tastes and budgets. From long-standing institutions serving up St. Louis-style favorites to contemporary spots featuring global cuisines, there is something for every palate. The city’s diverse neighborhoods like The Hill, Lafayette Square, and The Loop are brimming with culinary gems waiting to be discovered.
Vicia
Chef Michael Gallina leads the charge at Vicia, which has earned national acclaim since opening in 2017. The small yet mighty restaurant focuses on imaginative vegetable-forward tasting menus that change frequently based on seasonal availability. Dishes like carrots prepared three ways or squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta showcase creativity through simplicity. The industrial-chic space with an open kitchen makes for an intimate yet lively ambiance. Veggie-centric plates paired with natural wines make Vicia a worthy splurge for special occasions.
Nixta
The city’s tasting menu obsession continues at Nixta located downtown. Chef Tello Carreon serves upscale Mexican cuisine spotlighting heirloom corn and antojitos in a 16-seat restaurant. Multi-course meals hit diners with a barrage of flavors and textures ranging from street food classics to obscure regional specialties. Standouts include huitlacoche quesadillas, complex moles, and desserts like corn cake with corn mousse. The beverage program keeps up with the food, featuring agave spirits, Mexican wines, and intriguing cocktails. Nixta lives up to the hype, so reservations are a must.
Indo
Indo brings a contemporary twist to Asian cuisine in Botanical Heights. The small plates concept allows diners to sample diverse flavors from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and beyond. Dishes like smoked eggplant with sweet miso and crispy pork belly with kimchi highlight contrasting tastes and textures. Cocktails incorporate Asian ingredients, or try the smartly curated wine and sake selections. The hip industrial space with an open kitchen and lively bar scene enhances the creative vibe. Indo’s innovative approach makes this relative newcomer well worth a visit.
Balkan Treat Box
Husband and wife owners Edo and Loryn Nalic are behind Balkan Treat Box, which has developed a cult following for their crispy pide sandwiches stuffed with cevapi. The Bosnian street food spot operates at a location in Webster Groves with picnic tables for outdoor dining. Hearty sandwiches stuffed with house-made beef and lamb sausages can be customized with vegetables, cheeses and spreads. Other menu standouts include stuffed cabbage, burek pastries, and Baklava. The Nalics share their personal story of fleeing war along with the food traditions of their homeland at this small yet mighty local spot.
Polite Society
Polite Society is an intimate neighborhood restaurant dishing out approachable yet creative American fare in Lafayette Square. The seasonally focused menus source high-quality local ingredients for Midwest-inspired plates and handcrafted cocktails. Starters like the wedge salad and pan-roasted oysters give way to entrees such as duck served two ways or Amish chicken with spaetzle. Don’t miss the house-churned ice creams for dessert including crowd favorites like brown sugar and honey. The rustic-chic space features an open kitchen, brick walls, and flickering candles making for a laid-back date night destination.
Olive + Oak
Olive + Oak offers contemporary American cuisine in Webster Groves focusing on wood-fired cooking techniques. The open kitchen anchored by a wood-burning hearth turns out shareable starters, handmade pastas, and grilled proteins. Signatures like the burrata appetizer served with grilled bread and farmer’s vegetables or the “Brick” chicken roasted under a brick are perennial favorites. An approachable wine list and seasonal cocktails complement the menu at this neighborhood hotspot. The dining room’s exposed beam ceiling, stone accents and luxury touches create a swanky backdrop for elevated yet comforting plates.
Billie-Jean
Kingshighway Hills is home to Billie Jean, a New American bistro started by local chef and restaurateur Dave Owens. The converted gas station delivers a fresh take on classic tavern fare with globally inspired touches. Small plates like Korean fried cauliflower and creative pizzas whet appetites before mains such as crispy fried chicken or Moroccan-spiced salmon. Handcrafted cocktails incorporate housemade syrups and fresh herbs. Billie Jean’s laid-back atmosphere filled with vintage curios make this an ideal neighborhood haunt to grab drinks and snacks.
The Block
Food hall The Block on Washington Avenue contains multiple unique culinary concepts under one roof. STL Barbecue serves up smoky brisket, pulled pork and ribs true to the city’s barbecue heritage. For plant-based Mexican fare, the Vegan Nacho Bar whips up loaded nachos and tacos with soy protein. Seoul Taco puts a Korean twist on tacos and burritos, while BAO specializes in steamed buns and rice bowls. Rounding out the lineup is Venezuela Gourmet for arepas, RAD Distribution’s deli, and Words with Gravy’s biscuits and gravy options. With its variety of quick-service stalls, The Block is a convenient one-stop shop to sample diverse cuisines.
Elaia
Elaia brings sophisticated Mediterranean fare to Botanical Heights inside a chic restored church. James Beard Award-winning chef Ben Poremba plates rustic shareable mezze starters, wood-fired proteins and hearty pasta dishes true to the flavors of Southern Europe and North Africa. Menus roam from Spain to Morocco featuring tapas, tagines and vegetable salads. Standout selections include the Middle Eastern dips, short rib pappardelle, grilled whole fish, and date cake. Patrons can enjoy aperitifs, Spanish wines, or craft cocktails within the equally stylish dining room or on the beautiful patio. Elaia consistently earns its reputation as a pillar of St. Louis dining.
Boundary
Boundary at the Cheshire hotel melds urban sophistication with down-home Midwestern influences. Executive Chef Josh Charles sources seasonal produce from area farms to create New American tasting menus. Selections ranging from cornbread with house-churned butter to dry-aged duck dazzle diners with their depth of flavor and touch of whimsy. Elevated comfort food classics like chicken and dumplings or carrots cooked in hay playfully reference regional heritage. The loft-like space juxtaposes minimalist decor with a welcoming open kitchen. Creative plates, personable service and attractive surrounds position Boundary among the very best options for fine dining in St. Louis.
Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery
No list of St. Louis’ top dining destinations is complete without Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery. The beloved ice cream shop draws long lines for its over-the-top ice cream concoctions, loaded shakes and eye-catching Baked Alaska cakes. Adventurous flavors such as sweet corn, chocolate orange and pumpkin pie tantalize taste buds alongside classics like chocolate and vanilla. DIY sundaes allow customization with toppings ranging from fresh fruit to candy pieces and housemade sauces. Clementine’s fun-loving brand and indulgent treats make this local favorite a true can’t-miss experience.
Bang Bang Oriental Food Bazaar
Bang Bang Oriental Food Bazaar transports diners to the bustling night markets of Asia through chef Chris Ladley’s colorful culinary creations. The casual eatery in Botanical Heights excels at turning global street food flavors into photogenic works of art. Overloaded rice and noodle bowls piled high with meat, seafood and veggies deliver bold tastes influenced by Korea, China, Vietnam and Japan. The funky space dotted with vintage collectibles lets patrons watch cooks assemble dishes with flair. Bang Bang’s theatrical dining experience stays affordable while attracting passionate foodies. This joyful spot always promises delicious adventure.
From fine dining tasting menus to street food, barbecue joints to ice creameries, St. Louis offers remarkable variety to satisfy diverse palates. Long-standing favorites stand alongside relative newcomers pushing culinary boundaries. The city’s ever-evolving restaurant scene means there is always something fresh and exciting to discover around the next corner. Whether seeking comfort food classics or avant-garde innovations, gourmands have an abundance of excellent options to explore in St. Louis.