St. Louis’ Top 25 Restaurants Right Now, According to Yelp

17. The Fattened Caf
(2724 Cherokee Street, thefattenedcaf.com)
“UH-MAZE-ING! I traveled from LA to STL for this specific reason. I've purchased their Longganisa in LA before but I hadn't experienced their full menu until now. And let me tell you, it was worth the travel. You're looking at $12 a plate and the portions can be enough to feed 2 people or save it for leftovers. They even got Kamayan Boxes that legit has pretty much everything on the menu and feed up to 4 people! HANDS DOWN the best experience I've ever had. It felt like home vibes being there. Everyone was sweet, attentive and cared about your feedback. When you see how enthusiastic everyone who works there was about the food, you know you're going to get nothing but love in that food. In LA, you pay $20+ for a plate that BARELY feeds 1 person. So, the fattened caf is doing it right! My all time fav was their longganisa plate as well as their exploding chicken! But let me tell you, I legit ordered one of everything on their menu. It's was the best flavors in my mouth! Of course to get the full experience, I upgraded to the Java rice.” - Vanessa V. on Yelp

25. Hamilton’s Urban Steakhouse and Bourbon Bar
(2101 Chouteau Avenue, hamiltonsteak.com)
“Hamilton's appears to be a hole in the wall until you step in and realize the place is HUGE with a relaxed, rustic charm. Excellent meal and well crafted drinks! I didn't have a photo of the bread but the bread and butter is warm and yummy before the meal! I also ordered a lemon drop with rum instead of vodka. The substitution was an additional charge (crazy) but whatever. My meal was 10s across the board!! Carrots had the sweet glaze in every bite, the potatoes alone were so creamy and flavorful but when you pair them with the juice of the steak? OMG. The steak was seasoned with love, cooked to a perfect medium and could have been cut with a butter knife! I was extremely satisfied with my meal. I wouldn't hesitate to come back.” - Money F. on Yelp

24. Brasserie by Niche
(4580 Laclede Avenue, brasseriebyniche.com)
“I had the perfect birthday dinner this past weekend at Brasserie! I had a table right in front of a window and the ambiance could not have been better - a very romantic, intimate atmosphere for a larger space. Service was excellent. Alexis was new go to restaurant, but came through with great recommendations and went the extra mile to make it a special evening! Obviously the French onion soup is a must order, but it surpassed my high expectations — it was endlessly cheesy and decadent with such a rich depth of flavor. For dinner, I had the bistro steak and frites. It was cooked to absolutely perfection and the béarnaise was fantastic. I look forward to returning and trying more of the menu that I couldn't conquer my first trip!” - Kaitie O. on Yelp

23. Pit Stop
(2130 Macklind Avenue, pit-stop-stl.com)
“Pit Shop is one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. The vibe is pretty casual with a great patio and friendly service, but the food is top notch. They have some casual sandwiches and tacos on their menu, but I always go for the entrees and pastas. The flavors are so good! Tonight we ordered a go-to appetizer, the brisket toasted ravioli, which came out super quick. They offer a tomato sauce and a green goddess, but I can never decide, so we paid the extra $1 to get both. For dinner, I ordered the linguine with seafood and clams, and took home more than enough for lunch the next day. They also had a whiskey special that night with $5 drinks that my friend and I took advantage of.” - Erin U. on Yelp

22. Sugarfire Smoke House
(multiple locations including 605 Washington Avenue, 314-797-8487)
“I got just a simple half a pound of brisket and maple glazed carrots, a delicious vanilla maple bourbon milkshake, and the rest of my family got something different so we could try everything. My wonderful brother got the burger with their Mac and cheese and a sweet tea, my great dad got their two meat combo (brisket and pulled pork) plus 3 sides (Pitmaster beans, coleslaw, and potato salad), my amazing and beautiful mother got pecan pie, Mac and cheese, loaded green bean casserole, and cornbread. The brisket was so tender and the smoke flavour mixed with the barbecue sauce was just amazing. The brisket is a must and was the best I've ever had, no joke. Service was fantastic and it's a super cool spot as well!” - Elijah B. on Yelp

21. Jovick Brothers Burgers
(4993 Loughborough Avenue; 314-390-2899)
“I heard Jovick Brothers Burgers opened last week. The photos I saw of them looked great so I popped in on a Monday evening. This space has about 6 tables inside and 6 tables outside. All of the the inside tables turned twice while I was there and there were maybe 3 tables filled outside. I ordered a double smash burger with pepperjack, pickle, and onion and French fries. Everything was really good. Not too greasy. It stayed together while I ate it. Would have liked if the bun was less bready but it's a minor complaint. The French fries were battered and perfectly crisp. Burger had nice skinny edges. Love the Heinz ketchup. You order at the counter and then they bring it out to you. Friendly service. I'm sure I'll be back here!” - Michelle L. on Yelp

20. Katsuya STL
(6301 Delmar Boulevard, University City; katsuyastl.com)
“I really enjoyed a pork katsu bento box here on a quiet Saturday afternoon. I appreciated the plentiful quantity of meat and other yummy tidbits at a low price (under $15 for a filling meal). The addition of the 2 sushi pieces was a fun addition as well, which made this place stand out from other bento box experiences I've had before. The restaurant itself was clean, with a self-serve water, sauce, and cutlery station. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a filling, tasty meal in the Delmar area.” - Megan L. on Yelp

19. Bulrush STL
(3307 Washington Avenue, bulrushstl.com)
“What happens when you get a very talented and passionate chef? You get an incredible experience like Bulrush. Chef Rob takes local to a whole new level, not only creating something different every week, but also going 0 waste with his restaurant. Taking inspiration from all sorts of different cuisine; 7 unique dishes are constantly changing to create an absolutely incredible and unique experience. You might come 2-3 months later and have a fully different menu. Being able to understand the history and thought process of the restaurant and dish also added to the amazing time. Bulrush, Chef Rob, and staff, keep up the great work the food and experience was awesome.” - David W. on Yelp

18. Taco Buddha
(7405 Pershing Avenue, University City; tacobuddha.com)
“Favorite taco place in STL! to start, the tacos are huge for the price. Definitely only need 2 and a split app for a solid meal. I absolutely love their margaritas too, not too sour or too sweet. I used to love to sub out the chicken on the Jodhpur (i am vegetarian) for the fried mushroom option. They unfortunately took away this substitution from their tacos, so now i get the mushroom quesadilla and it is also great. i believe there is only one taco now that you can sub out the mushroom for, but i havent tried it yet. if you do eat meat, highly recommend the Jodhpur, i love the sauce! The cali taco is great with the fried avocado on top. The patio is super cute with great service, but it is a bit small, so expect a wait during peak times.” - Allison P. on Yelp

16. Balkan Treat Box
(8203 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; balkantreatbox.com)
“Wow- so delicious. I walked past this place years ago, and there was a line going out of the front door. Sometimes there still is. Now I make it a point to stop anytime I am within a 3 mile radius. The people working there are great. The food is delicious. Although you can order some of their food online, you still cannot get everything on the menu. They make everything fresh daily and when they run out, it's out. My favorite items to order are the fish sandwich, eggplant sandwich, the burger sausages (they have different names but I am calling them by a simple name so you can easily order it, the tomato cucumber salad. They have great flatbread style pizzas with all types of toppings that change, such as fish, totally vegan, and beef. The Balkan style of food comes from the countries north of Turkey, and has a Mediterranean vibe.” - Saba F. on Yelp

15. The Blue Duck
(2661 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; blueduckstl.com)
“An unassuming and cool place to meet up with friends or family for a beverage of choice and excellent farm to table comfort menu! Been here a few times and enjoyed their freshly prepared and tasty foods, Happy hour during the week starts at 4p. Smiling, friendly and attentive service team. Fast casual ordering at the host station, then all food and drink delivered to your table. Overall, solid 4.25+ experience for me; expect to spend $13-18 for a meal, drafts $9, and offers several shareable starters. Today we ordered a couple burgers and some cold brews. The Bacon fat fries are an up-charge vs. other sides, but they are SO tasty and good!! But you won't go wrong with Tots, Hand-cut fries or house-made chips. They smoke their own meats, and breads (and desserts) are all freshly baked. Their brunch menu ranges from specialty Egg dishes to creative sandwiches like the DLT (Duck-Lettuce-Tomato). Next time I plan to try their Duck Fried Rice. BD is a great place in Maplewood! ENJOY!!!” - Ty Y. on Yelp

14. Pappy’s Smokehouse
(multiple locations including 3106 Olive Street, pappysmokehouse.com)
“Any decent bbq joint can make good pulled pork and theirs did not disappoint, but I judge bbq places by their ribs and pork steaks (if they have those). Their ribs are killer, hands down. Super tender, yet not mushy and falling off the bone. They were cooked perfectly and the flavor was on point. The burnt ends were okay, but I was a little disappointed by the lack of bark on them. A little more char would have been nice. As far as the sides go, the green bean's reminded me of frozen green beans where some are really cooked and some aren't as cooked. The baked beans made up for it; they were really good, but the potato salad took the prize. That was probably the best restaurant potato salad I've ever had and it makes me look forward to my next visit.” - Christina K. on Yelp

13. Papa Shihs
(23 South Euclid Avenue, Suite B; 314-710-6288)
“On a busy Tuesday afternoon, I was craving some fast and authentic Korean-Chinese food. I haven't been able to find a place that fulfilled my cravings until now! I ordered one Jjamppong Seafood ($19) and one Sweet and Sour Pork ($16) to-go. Along with my dishes, fresh rice and a side of kimchi were packed. Even after the delivery time, the food was piping hot, fragrant, and fresh. The Jjamppong Seafood had fresh noodles that complimented well with its sweet, slightly spicy, and garlicky broth. For a flavorful seafood noodle soup, I found around three shrimps, a good amount of tender octopus, a couple chewy mussels (slightly over cooked possibly due to the very hot broth), and a variety of vegetables-zucchini, onions, and carrots. For my Sweet and Sour Pork, I was surprised at the small amount of fried, battered pork with it being $16. However, the pork dipped in the delightfully tangy and sweet sauce packed a lot of punch. If you're not a fan of tangy, almost-vinegary flavors, I would not recommend it to you.” - Wayne L. on Yelp

12. Akar
(7641 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton; skarstl.com)
“My partner and I made a reservation for dinner to celebrate a special occasion, and Akar did not disappoint. We walked into a small but cozy room and were seated promptly. We ordered the roasted chicken and noodles as our entrees, and caved in and got the rangoon ravioli and chicken satay appetizers as well. The appetizers arrived quickly, and the rangoon ravioli was nothing short of delectable. It was rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. The entrees were delicious and well-portioned, which was great because many restaurants in this price range fall short on portion size. The service was professional and punctual, making for a great dinner experience!” - Yupeng L. on Yelp

11. Louie
(706 De Mun Avenue, Clayton; louiedemun.com)
“Louie is a charming spot nestle don't he heart of DeMun and is one of the places that makes St. Louis cuisine so dynamic. The restaurant is very cozy and welcoming, and I suggest wearing a formal outfit when dining. The staff are friendly and accommodating. The eggplant dip and hearth bread was phenomenal—especially the bread. It was perfectly fluffy with a warm flavor. My only problem was the Roman gnocchi was very salty and lacking flavor. The Panna cotta had a pleasantly fragrant taste of wine and light texture. The rest of the food and drinks were great. Although the the menu is quite pricey but the quality of food makes up for it. Just make sure you reserve in advance because they're almost always busy!” - Dora C. on Yelp

10. El Milagro Azteca
(4940 Southwest Avenue, 314-664-9955)
“I have never written a restaurant review before but we have been searching for a new favorite Mexican restaurant for several years. Last night we went into El Milagro Azteca. This is it! Hand down! As a rule, the food at most Mexican restaurants in town differ very little from one another, nor does the tacky decor. The decor and the service at El Milagro Azteca showed an extra touch, and the food was far above the usual. I'm always looking for a good mole, so I decided on the enchiladas mole with beef as soon as I saw it - the best I have ever had! The sauce was so flavorful and just a bit spicy. The beef was tender and slightly browned for added flavor. My husband said the chimichanga was also the best he had ever had. The super thin chips were warm and both types of salsa (roja and verde) were very good. The rojo had a nice smoky flavor. We'll definitely be back.” - Julie H. on Yelp

9. The Golden Hoosier
(3707 South Kingshighway Boulevard, thegoldenhoosier.com)
“I had an absolutely delightful dining experience at 'The Golden Hoosier' in the heart of South City STL! This hidden gem offers a unique blend of history and art with its charming Art Deco bar adorned with local artists' masterpieces and vintage taxidermy. The menu had something for everyone, and I was eager to try their Smoked Tandoori wings - a dry rub wing bursting with flavor. It was a perfect balance of smokiness and spice, leaving me craving more with every bite. Next up was the Hoosier burger, a true masterpiece topped with sharp cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and the delightful 1000 island dressing. Every ingredient played its part to perfection, making it a burger I won't forget anytime soon.” - Heather J. on Yelp

8. Retreat Gastropub
(6 North Sarah Street, retreatgastropub.com)
“Retreat gastropub is the perfect date night spot. They have an amazing drink menu and it's our favorite place to stop for dinner before heading to a show at the Fox! For dinner I tried the Portobello Sandwich. It had a delicious fried portobello that was crispy and had finishing salt to add the perfect saltiness. The jam on the sandwich had a little spice to it which paired perfectly with the creamy, tangy goat cheese. I also tried a bite of my partners braised pork gnocchi and it was delicious. Pillow soft gnocchi with a really tasty sauce and tender pork. He loved that it came with bread to dip and make sure all the sauce got eaten. Our server was really attentive. I love that she pointed out that my entree came a la cart - this made sure we ordered some delicious Parmesan garlic fries to go with!” - Hannah M. on Yelp

7. Shabu Day
(8235 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-755-1075)
“Shabu Day is a lovely little place on Olive that serves all you can eat hot pot. This is the type of meal where you need to come hungry to get the most value / enjoyment. The restaurant can get packed during peak hours, so expect a wait if you come then. Parking is also limited, but there is street parking available behind the restaurant. When selecting meats, you can choose between three types of beef and two different types of pork. After each round, you can switch what you get to try the other types. They also provide complimentary ramen, bok choy, dumplings, fish balls, mushrooms, and cabbage. For dipping sauces there are three put out on the table (spicy, sweet, and savory). Each time I got to Shabu Day I stick to the Sukiyaki and Spicy broths, as it makes for a flavorful experience.” - Vineela S. on Yelp

6. Idol Wolf
(1528 Locust Street, idolwolfstl.com)
“Wow. What a showstopper of a restaurant! First off, the hotel that the restaurant is in is also an art museum. It's stunning! The restaurant follows suit with some really gorgeous architecture and tile work. The food and drinks are phenomenal! I studied abroad for a semester in the south of Spain and so many of these dishes reminded me of the tapas bars and my host mom's dishes, it made my heart so happy!! I drank the red sangria all night, it was so dang good. Before switching to the sangria, my husband had a chorizo margarita. It sounds so strange, but was amazing! We had the true tapas experience and split a bunch- the jamon Serrano plate, gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), hen of the woods mushrooms served on a cheese arepa, beef cheek empanadas with two delicious sauces, & white fish croquetas. Everything was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection, it's impossible to pick a favorite.” - Brianna N. on Yelp