Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in St. Louis

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

DowntownMidtownSouth CountyWest County

Neighborhoods

AfftonCentral West EndChesterfieldClaytonCreve CoeurDes Peres

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

28 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Truffles - St. Louis restaurant

1. Truffles - St. Louis

4.8

Exceptional(1407)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Clayton

Booked 9 times today

"Truffles has always managed that elusive balance of refinement and relaxed casualness...” Sauce, 8/2011“This is a top-tier eatery. The kitchen is reinvigorated and inventive…” STL Magazine, 5/2011.Truffles strives to produce a menu that easily fuses rustic and contemporary American cooking. With simplicity and seasonality as our guide, house-made specialties such as pasta and salumi are prepared fresh every day and are complemented by choice selections of locally sourced and raised meats, seafood and inventive sides. The Truffles menu begins in the fields, rivers and farms of the Midwest and our award-winning wine list features wines from every corner of the earth. We bring the best flavors of the season direct to your plate.

2. The Crossing

4.9

Exceptional(2597)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • Clayton

Booked 29 times today

Featuring local "farm to table" cuisine using a breadth of farmers in the Missouri and Illinois communities. When asked to define of The Crossing, Owner/Executive Chef Jim Fiala often says that he is a chef that buys locally whenever possible and cooks as any French and/or Italian chef would given the ingredients sourced. Joining Jim is Chef Thu Rein Oo who brings passion and years of experience to the kitchen. Our food is fresh, organic (whenever possible), seasonal and by design very simple. The Crossing stays true to classic techniques and the chefs love showing off their skills and passion for elegant food.

3. Café Napoli

4.8

Exceptional(2284)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Clayton

Booked 43 times today

Café Napoli is a family owned restaurant, established in 1989 by Tony and Kathy Pietoso. Quickly becoming a success, they moved the small basement restaurant to a larger location at the corner of Forsyth and Bemiston in the heart of Clayton. In 2003, sons Ande and Kye expanded their family restaurant by adding Bar Napoli, a swank cocktail lounge. A few years later, Napoli Reserve was added onto Bar Napoli allowing for private event space and an additional bar and lounge for the weekends. After years of a flourishing business, Kathy and Tony decided to take their ventures West to Town and Country where they opened their second location, Napoli2, managed by Ande. Kye has taken the reigns from his father and is now the front man for the 8,000 square foot establishment in Clayton. Café Napoli and Bar Napoli have recently undergone a face lift inside and out. Inside the kitchen, Executive Chef from Napoli2 Jon Berger was recently added to the team, bringing fresh ideas and innovation to the regional Italian specialties.

4. Robust

4.4

Awesome(1279)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Webster Groves

Booked 7 times today

It is our desire to light a spark of adventure within you and encourage you to explore and rediscover a passion for life through truly experiencing what wine, food and hospitality are all about.When you experience wine, you experience life. Wine encompasses a world of history, food, travel, culture, and romance. Whether a novice wine drinker or expert, Robust wants to create an enjoyable and enriching experience that educates each guest to the next level. Sip wines, sample our tasting plates and shop our wines and gifts. Our menu of artisan cheeses, charcuterie and unique gourmet tasting plates are inspired by our wine selection.Wines are listed by Robust Factor™ - a friendly format to help you navigate through the vast world of wines. With more than 40 wines by the glass, wine flights, and a full bottle list, choose your favorites or our onsite sommeliers will be happy to accommodate you with a selection.

5. Acero

4.9

Exceptional(2800)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Maplewood

Booked 25 times today

Rustic Italian cuisine in the heart of Maplewood that features fresh ingredients from local farmers as well as an all Italian wine list.

A photo of Bristol Seafood Grill - Creve Coeur restaurant

6. Bristol Seafood Grill - Creve Coeur

4.6

Exceptional(6935)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Creve Coeur

With an indulgent menu focused on superior quality seafood, Bristol Seafood Grill crafts its dishes with exacting standards & pampers its guests in a comfortable atmosphere. Featuring a generous cellar selection, an oyster bar & creative cuisine, Bristol delivers culinary excellence at a surprising value. Open for weekday lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch.

A photo of Citizen Kane's Steak House restaurant

7. Citizen Kane's Steak House

4.8

Exceptional(560)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Kirkwood

Booked 29 times today

Family owned and operated since 1993, Citizen Kane's Steakhouse is a cut above the rest. Located in a turn-of-the-century Victorian home, the restaurant is dedicated to impeccable service and exceptional cuisine, creating a casual yet upscale atmosphere to that effect. Citizen Kane's has a mouthwatering selection of steaks. Enjoy tenderloin medallions, the Delmonico ribeye or a classic New York strip. Every entrée is accompanied by soup de jour or Kane's Rosebud salad and housemade Mayfair or vinaigrette dressing.

8. Diego's Cantina

4.4

Awesome(480)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • University City

Booked 1 time today

Diego's Cantina is a neighborhood gem, known for its elevated Mexican cuisine in a casual yet beautiful atmosphere. It's praised for its excellent service, delicious food, and festive atmosphere. It's described as trendy, cozy, and has a warm and welcoming vibe. The restaurant also offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Reviews highlight the excellent food and service, and the ambiance, with one review even describing it as a 'casually posh environment' for date nights.

A photo of IL Bel Lago - From the Hill restaurant

9. IL Bel Lago - From the Hill

4.8

Exceptional(1682)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Creve Coeur

Booked 20 times today

Il Bel Lago From The Hill. A fixture in St. Louis for 15 years now! Food is what makes an authentic restaurant great, and with its 50 years of experience from their Hill location Il Bel Lago has all the ingredients for excellence. You enter via the fountain plaza to find an open, airy lounge. Il Bel Lago is both elegant and comfortable with floor to ceiling wine racks and private dining spaces.The Food here is as stunning as the décor. The Italian Cuisine is equal to the very best anywhere in St. Louis. Il Bel Lago's menu rates among the top Italian restaurants in St. Louis, as does the service. Come visit us and see for yourself.Buon Appetito!

A photo of Dominics Trattoria restaurant

10. Dominics Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(490)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Clayton

Booked 11 times today

Dominic"s Trattoria in Clayton is what a Trattoria is all about; Family owned and operated since March of 1997. Presenting authentic and regional dishes in a casual but elegant atmosphere. Some featured Italian dishes include Chicken Saltimbocca, Tenderloin Monte Carlo, Grilled Lamb Chops, Veal Milanese, Linguini with Fresh Clams and many other delectable creations. Dine in a cozy, relaxing atmosphere with gracious, personal service and a beautiful view of Shaw Park.Complementary Valet Parking available in the evenings.Please note: Due to limited seating in our bar, you must contact us to guarantee a table in that area.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
Lilly
St. Louis •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Food was amazing, wine pairings chosen for our dishes were perfect. Definitely going back
More info
AceroPrice: Expensive• Italian• Maplewood
•
4.9
R
RobertVIP
Atlanta •32 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Love The Crossing. Always an awesome dining experience. I always get the specials and wish we lived closer as we would go weekly. Now it’s every time we are in STL since 2018 usually 4-5 times a year.
More info
The CrossingPrice: Very Expensive• French• Clayton
•
4.9
W
WilliamVIP
St. Louis •21 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Cafe Napoli always delivers. They serve the best veal saltimbocca in the city.
More info
Café NapoliPrice: Moderate• Italian• Clayton
•
4.8
S
SuVIP
St. Louis •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The restaurant is beautiful and the Food was delicious. Our waiter, David, was helpful and courteous. Excellent experience
More info
Truffles - St. LouisPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Clayton
•
4.8
C
Cynthia
St. Louis •14 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 27, 2025
Wonderful evening with superb service. We had a group of 8 women and they were very accomodativv bf with separate checks , quick service and healthy food options. Of course , the wine flights were fantastic and one woman didn’t know what she wanted so our server came up with the perfect “sweet white” flight. Performers were a little loud but was great that they had live music. Perfect night and venue.
More info
RobustPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Webster Groves
•
4.4

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