RFT's 'Best Of St. Louis' Food and Drink in 2021 [PHOTOS]

For our annual Best of St. Louis edition, we here at the RFT have gathered the best food and drink spots both near and far in 2021. Whether you're in a pinch on a day trip and need some pizza or want to take a short walk to get some coffee, we have you covered.

As our food editor Cheryl Baehr writes, "These are fraught times for the industry, which is why we take the time to celebrate the following chefs, restaurateurs and industry professionals who refuse to be deterred from sharing their craft."

Baehr hits the nail on the head, so without further ado, here are the food and drink spots we're glad to have -- both close to home and at a distance.

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Best-Kept Secret: Tacos La Jeffa

(3301 Meramec Street)

We can't believe we're letting you in on this, but because we're all friends here, Tacos La Jeffa is a place you need to get familiar with.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Burger: Brasswell’s

(1320 South Vandeventer Avenue; 314-256-1657)

Even just the photo of the burger is making our mouth water. Food editor Cheryl Baehr writes what makes this burger the best is that Brasswell's "double cheeseburger doesn’t break the mold but instead shows you why it was created in the first place — and why there’s no reason to mess with perfection."

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Deli: Al-Tarboush

(602 Westgate Avenue, University City; 314-725-1944)

An icon of the St. Louis deli scene, Cheryl Baehr writes Al-Tarboush Deli has the best falafel, shawarma and numerous other Lebanese delicacies. Oh, and that tantalizing garlic sauce. Yum.

Photo credit: Jen West

Best Bakery: La Pâtisserie Chouquette

(1626 Tower Grove Avenue; 314-932-7935)

Let's be real, would we have survived the past nineteen months without access to owner Simone Faure's Darkness croissant? Cheryl Baehr doesn't think so.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Chinese Restaurant: Chef Ma’s Chinese Gourmet

(10440 Page Avenue, Overland; 314-395-8797)

Chef Ying Jing Ma may be gone, but his employees are carrying on his legacy. Read about his "otherwordly recipes" that will carry his memory here.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Cocktails: Narwhal's Crafted

(multiple locations including 3906 Laclede Avenue; 314-696-8388)

In a fun-sucking year-and-a-half, Narwhal's Crafted has provided us a bit of joy in their flights. The adult slushy bar achieves a perfect balance of fun and serious.

Photo credit: Kelly Glueck

Best Restaurant Success Story: Taqueria Durango

(10238 Page Avenue, Overland; 314-429-1113)

Taqueria Durango was already having a hard year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. A fire destroyed their building, then the pandemic complicated matters further. Read about how they bounced back here.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Italian: Noto

(5105 Westwood Drive, St. Peters; 636-317-1143)

Cheryl Baehr argues for Noto as the Best Italian in St. Louis due to "the handmade pastas, Kendele’s pastries" and more being the stuff dreams are made of.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Thai: Chiang Mai

(8158 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; 314-961-8889)

"Nothing fails to impress at this gem of a restaurant," Cheryl Baehr writes. Read why here.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen

Best Sandwich: Cubano at Coffeestamp

(2511 South Jefferson Avenue; 314-797-8113)

No spoilers for you, but the Cubano simply has to be added to your list of food to try in St. Louis. Read about how delicious the Cubano is here.

Photo credit: NAME

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