From a coastal stunner in Lafayette Square to a moody speakeasy, a new fine-dining escape in Washington, and a sunny Mediterranean café in Kirkwood, these four spots are giving us plenty of reasons to get out and explore the St. Louis area. Here’s where to eat and drink right now.

Extra Wavy
From the team behind Yellowbelly and Lazy Tiger, Extra Wavy makes a splash in Lafayette Square with a coastal-inspired menu, perfectly made cocktails, and a space that feels like vacation meets date night. The newest On Point Hospitality concept transforms the historic Centennial Malt House into a lush, tropical escape with green and coral tones, layered textures and plenty of charm.

Seafood takes center stage here, but the creativity stretches well beyond the raw bar. The lobster donut – a crisp sweet potato and molasses donut filled with chilled North African–spiced lobster salad – is a showstopper. Pork belly skewers melt in your mouth with a tangy glaze, and the fried polenta with zucchini and currant pepper jam is an unexpected hit. Even the fries impress, dusted with salt-and-vinegar powder that lends just a hint of tang without overwhelming the senses.

Drinks are every bit as dialed in as the food. The Skinny Dipper, a coconutty rum-and-Aperol cocktail, is refreshing with a touch of effervescence, while the Harmony Circus offers a fun, lightly salted riff on a strawberry Negroni. Confetti Cowboy, a complex and velvety amaretto sour, is another winner. (Let’s be real: They’re probably all winners.) Don’t skip dessert either: the pistachio praline ice cream, made in-house, is rich but perfectly balanced.
2017 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, extrawavystl.com

Prohibition
Tucked inside the historic Centennial Malt House, Prohibition is the kind of speakeasy that makes you forget what time it is – in the best way. The moody bar is surprisingly spacious and feels cinematic with high ceilings, stone walls, gold frames, and flickering light that flatters everyone in the room. 

The cocktails deliver on both craft and character. Liquid Gold – a velvety whiskey sour with a silky foam topper – lives up to its name, while Poetic Legs, tropical and bright, hits all the right notes. The Jungle Bird is as classic and balanced as they come. 

Era-appropriate music hums through the space, the lighting is just right, and the overall vibe is immaculate. Prohibition shares its 19th-century building with Extra Wavy, making it the perfect companion stop: ideal for a pre-dinner drink if your table isn’t ready, or a nightcap afterward (our preferred move). Either way, once you find the secret entrance, you’ll want to linger.
2017 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, stlprohibition.com

Mangia Bella
Housed in the historic Elijah McLean mansion in Washington, Missouri, Mangia Bella (“eat beautifully”) brings a new fine-dining destination to Franklin County. The 1839 Southern Colonial-style estate offers a striking backdrop for dinner or drinks, with elegant chandeliers, antique mirrors, and multiple dining rooms that make it easy to spread out and settle in for the evening.

The menu leans classic with comforting standbys done well. The garlic steak bites are tender and flavorful, and the bruschetta is a standout starter. You can also go lighter with a soup-and-salad combo; the cranberry-orange salad, with its bright dressing and crunchy pecans, was the table favorite. French onion soup hits the spot too, even if it didn’t deliver the dramatic cheese pull we hoped for. We also enjoyed the French dip, though we realized after the fact that it is satisfying enough on its own to not need the giardineira we added. To drink, the raspberry mojito is on the sweet side but undeniably refreshing. Overall, Mangia Bella isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it’s delivering solid, satisfying dishes in one of the most atmospheric dining settings around.
600 W. Front St., Washington, mangiabellamo.com

Café Amalia
Café Amalia in Kirkwood offers a warm, Mediterranean-inspired dining experience rooted in Greek hospitality. During our visit, we tried a few items from the rotating lunch menu. The salad is fresh and light, with a nice mix of sweet elements, though we longed for a crunchy component. The tartine is tangy and flavorful, with fresh tomatoes and basil, but it was a bit messy and best eaten with the provided golden fork. Coffees were good, with the fall iced coffee packing plenty of fall flavors without the sweetness so often present in an autumnal latte. We wish we had gotten there in time to try the breakfast menu too, which looks promising.
10907 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, amaliaculinaryart.com 

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This month’s Hit List highlights a fresh wave of local openings redefining comfort, community and creativity across St. Louis. From polished all-day hangouts to soulful late-night spots and neighborhood gems with serious flavor, each brings its own personality and sense of place. We’ve also rounded up specific dish recommendations to help you plan your next meal out.

Bel Air Social
Bel Air Social, a new project from Abbott Hospitality, has opened in the former Bel Air Motel in the Central West End. Envisioned as an all-day gathering spot, the concept blends elements of a food hall, coffee shop and cocktail bar with both indoor and outdoor spaces designed for lingering rather than rushing through.

So far, two food vendors are operating in the sleek new venue. Outpost Coffee [& Bricks] brings caffeine with a playful twist thanks to its Lego-infused atmosphere, while Pizza Via offers hand-tossed pies that anchor the food lineup. With two stalls still open, there’s room for the mix to grow, and anticipation is already building around what other vendors will join the fold.

The cocktail menu is equally compelling. Cloud Nine layers Bacardi white rum with Chareau aloe liqueur, lime, pineapple and kiwi for a tropical sip that’s bright and refreshing. Come on Snake, Let’s Rattle is the most fun and playful of the bunch, balancing 1220 Encrypted vodka with ginger, turmeric, black pepper, lemon, simple and yuzu for a spicy-citrus kick. Don’t Have a Cow feels unconventional but works beautifully, with RumHaven, coconut milk, lime, hot honey and egg white creating a rich yet balanced drink that’s silky and a little surprising.

With its thoughtful cocktail program, growing food lineup and polished, design-driven interiors, Bel Air Social already feels like a smaller but more upscale counterpart to City Foundry STL. The crown jewel is its expansive patio, a huge and inviting outdoor space perfect for everything from lawn games to long evenings with friends, cementing the spot as one of the city’s most exciting new hangouts.
4630 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, belairsocial.com

Little Lucy
Chef Ben Welch’s restaurant duo in the Grove pairs Lucy Quinn, a full-service Southern-influenced restaurant, with Little Lucy, an intimate diner-style spot. Lucy Quinn already earned a place on our Hit List earlier this year, so now it’s Little Lucy’s turn to shine.

The thick-cut candied peppered bacon is a showstopper. Referred to lovingly by employees as “steak-on,” it’s thick but crispy, lightly sweet, well-seasoned, with crunch on top and juicy chew beneath. The Brussels sprouts come layered over a preserved lemon remoulade, super cheesy and rich with umami depth, showered with Parmesan and black pepper; make sure you dig down for the sauce, which you will want in every bite. The fried green tomato grilled cheese turned out to be a universal favorite, even among carnivores, with béchamel, tomato aioli, pimento cheese and soft, chewy sourdough that’s light and airy. To drink, the Palmetto No. 5 is a standout, a true vacation in a glass.

Little Lucy leans into diner nostalgia with bright-pink accents, booths and counter seating, and a playful late-night vibe, while still carrying Welch’s personal, soulful touch. With dishes this good, the “little sister” concept has clearly stepped into the spotlight.
4156 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, littlelucyquinn.com

Soul 2 Soul
Soul 2 Soul is a Southern kitchen and nightlife concept near the Delmar Loop that delivers food so rich you almost don’t want to stop. Tapas-style portions make it easy to share (or to order a little bit of everything).

The pot roast stands out: It’s usually the dish you’d skip, but here it’s deeply comforting and melt-in-your-mouth good. Dragon ribs are sticky, tangy and solid all around, while the okra hits that sweet-meets-salty balance better than most versions you’ll find. And the poutine? Sweet, savory, and so good you’ll keep reaching for more even if you’re already stuffed. The Southern buttermilk skillet cornbread and chicken wings and Belgian waffle are also winners.

Beyond the food, Soul 2 Soul keeps the vibe lively with nightly events. When we visited, bingo was in full swing, with free cocktails on the line. Between the kitchen, the music and the games, this is a spot that turns dinner into an experience.
5917 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, s2sstl.com

Pierce Creek
Creve Coeur has welcomed Pierce Creek, a new market, butcher, bakery, deli, restaurant and bar, from Kent Evans and Rachelle L’Ecuyer of Pierce Creek Cattle Co. and the MOObile food truck. The grocery side emphasizes hyper-local sourcing, with their pasture-raised beef and other proteins, all free of added hormones and unnecessary antibiotics, seasonal produce from area farms, and dry goods from small local makers.

On the food side, the burger is simple but satisfying, while the beef birria is a standout with a consommé that’s thick, rich and intensely flavorful. Among the rotating daily sides, the cucumber salad with yogurt sauce offers a fresh, dill-forward contrast.

Plans are already in motion to add a bar with local beer, wine and spirits, alongside an in-store coffee bar. They’re also expanding to offering breakfast, and will also feature pop-up happy hours and private dinners for the holiday season. With its mix of market, deli and future drink offerings, plus a welcoming space that nods to the building’s history while adopting a fresh new look, Pierce Creek is quickly shaping up to be more than just a lunch stop — it’s a full neighborhood destination.
10405 Old Olive Street Road, Creve Coeur, piercecreekstl.com

Garden Variety Deli
Tucked into a corner on Tower Grove South, Garden Variety Deli is bringing fresh, chef-driven options to the neighborhood. This cozy counter-service deli leans into comfort-food nostalgia with new takes on old standbys. The house-baked sourdough focaccia hits the perfect chewy-yet-airy sweet spot, anchoring sandwiches that read like childhood favorites, only better and decidedly dill-forward. Salted and seasoned to perfection, the roast beef is a clear standout, while the grain bowl offers a hearty but bright alternative when you’re not in sandwich mode. Casual, satisfying and quietly clever, Garden Variety proves a neighborhood deli can still surprise.
3182 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.932.1526, gardenvarietydeli.com

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This month we’re recommending a range of experiences, from a cozy comeback steeped in family tradition on South Grand to a prix-fixe tasting menu from a local chef who’s just debuted his first brick-and-mortar in Maplewood. There’s also one spot that’s a little different from our normal recommendations: a high-tech, high-energy golf hangout in Clayton that’s all about games and good vibes with a food and drink component as an added bonus. Scroll through the slideshow below to see our picks for July.

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We try new restaurants and bars that open in the area so we can make meaningful recommendations on where you should go. Here’s where made the cut in May.

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Venezuelan cuisine is still in short supply in St. Louis, so we were thrilled when Tower Grove Farmers’ Market vendor Amaizing Cakes Latin Food opened Amaizing Arepa Bar in downtown St. Louis in February.

We enjoyed the namesake arepas, of course, and the empanadas, but the cheese-laden cachapas are the star of the show. Massive sweet corn pancakes envelop chewy, toothsome mozzarella, and they’re topped with salty feta (a stand-in for Venezuela’s queso llanero) and a generous drizzle of nata (Venezuelan-style milk cream) plus your choice of meat. We favor pork with the cachapas, but the chicken, beef and pork belly are all worthy options; vegetarians can opt for plantains instead of meat. Pay an extra $1.50 to upgrade your filling from mozzarella to the queso de mano, a soft white cheese typical of Venezuelan cuisine.

For variety, order the sample platter, which comes with two mini stuffed arepas, two cheese-filled tequenos and sweet plantains. The menu items are fully customizable, allowing you to choose your own adventure – just be sure to order extra sides of the verdant cilantro-garlic sauce.

500 N. 14th St., St. Louis, 314.925.8423, Facebook: amaizingarepabar

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The laid-back, friendly vibe at Stews Food & Liquor is immediately contagious, thanks to co-owner and bartender Nate Burrows’ bright personality and knack for hospitality. The small space is cozy with alternating forest green walls and classic Soulard brick, glowy candles and intimate seating.

From cheap lagers to craft brews, well-made classics to fresh new cocktails, the concise drink menu has something for everyone. The Fat Man in a Yellow Suit (named after one of the quirky paintings adorning the space) is Stews’ take on a tiki drink. The cocktail combines rum, rhum agricole, orange juice, pineapple and a touch of allspice, all poured over a tall mound of shaved ice in an elegant stemmed glass.

Come with an appetite, because the eclectic Asian fusion food menu is not to be missed. An order of edamame “hummus” for the table is mandatory: The irresistibly creamy soy bean-based dip comes with unmistakable flavors of miso and sesame, a sprinkle of togarashi, a drizzle of chile-garlic oil and a generous pile of wonton chips. There’s also a respectable roster of hearty mains; noodle dishes, savory grilled skewers, a decadent pork burger with sweet chile and Kewpie mayo, and popcorn chicken with an assortment of sauces to choose from. Pro tip: Order the “Stews Way” upgrade on the popcorn chicken, which gets you Buffalo-gochujang chicken luxuriating in a pool of mozzarella fondue and topped with crispy puffed rice.

1862 S. 10th St., St. Louis, stewsstl.com

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The sister restaurant to Olivette-based Share Sweet builds on its forerunner’s boba tea-and-dessert formula with a lengthy menu that includes shareable hot pot-style soups for the center of the table, Cantonese dim sum, the occasional Chinese American takeout favorite like crab Rangoon, and more.

The shredded pork with bao is Urban Kitchen’s take on “fish fragrance” pork (don’t be misled – the dish doesn’t actually contain fish), a classic Chinese dish that offers an addictive blend of sweet, gently spicy and sour notes. It’s equally enjoyable with rice or stuffed into the pillowy bao buns that are served on the side.

Also, don’t miss the wontons with red chile sauce: pork dumplings bathed in a sharp, spicy and slightly smoky chile oil and topped with chopped cilantro and green onion.

17409C Chesterfield Airport Road, Chesterfield, 636.778.0178, urbankitchenstl.com

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This Midtown “disco dive bar” from local lifestyle brand Golden Gems brings their ethos vividly to life for fun nights out with a cocktail in hand. Spread across two floors, the space is a riot of baby pink furnishings, seemingly endless disco balls, and marquee-style signs displaying slogans that might raise a smile or offer timely reminders like “You are a fucking gem.”

A similar blend of feminist wit and empowerment permeates the names on the cocktail list, but the drinks speak for themselves. The Wicked Woman is a cinnamon-infused twist on an Old-Fashioned, while the Smoke Show balances a mezcal base with orange, lime and pineapple juice, agave and Angostura bitters. Order the Bootscootin Boogie for a beer served in a cowboy boot-shaped glass (an unexpected delight) alongside a shot of Old Crow.

Non-drinkers can sip on a Spicy Rita (lemon and lime juice, Fresca, jalapeno simple syrup and dehydrated orange garnish) or build their own NA drink with a range of housemade fruity and herbal syrups.

3118 Locust St., St. Louis, Instagram: hiddengemstl

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A red light above an unmarked door marks the entrance to this luxe speakeasy by Gerard Craft’s Niche Food Group. After you traverse a long tunnel, another door gives way to a sophisticated bar with navy furniture, dark wood accents and dim lighting.

Bar manager Fionna Gemzon’s cocktail program is filled with inventive surprises – and worth the potential wait. The Desert Flower is fruity and spicy, with Armagnac, agave-based aqara and sotol, pineapple, and a biryani tincture infused by Gemzon herself.

The balanced, earthy In the Mood for Love combines black sesame rye with pimento dram (an allspice liqueur), cumin, coriander and citrus. Meanwhile, the Pg. 28 arrives in dramatic fashion, topped by a smoke bubble that signals the key note in the cocktail’s blend of rye, Sfumato, Cardamaro and tobacco bitters.

There’s no kitchen, but the bar’s small selection of snacks includes highlights like chilled smoked mussels served with crackers and an irresistible charred scallion dip with kettle chips.

3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, 314.656.6682, notastl.com

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Clayton newcomer Jinzen Fusion Cuisine puts you at ease even before you’re seated, with an attractive, calming interior. The design reflects the restaurant’s Japanese, Korean and Chinese influences, with wooden furnishings, earth tones, sudare blinds and assorted plants (artificial, but we’re not complaining), and the menu celebrates that trio of cuisines with similar style.

Naengmyeon (buckwheat noodles served in a chilled sour-sweet broth, with julienned cucumbers, slices of beef and a hard-boiled egg) is rarely found in St. Louis restaurants, but Jinzen’s rendition stands on its own merit. Inspired by the way co-owner Lynn Li’s father cooked fried rice at home in China’s Guizhou province, the volcano fried rice blends the addictive flavors of kung pao chicken and fried rice with a dash of theatrical flair, as beaten eggs are poured onto a sizzling plate to encircle the mound of rice.

There are crowd-pleasers like the bibimbap, black pepper garlic steak bites and squid karaage, as well as various ramen options. Mix and match the cuisines however you please, but don’t miss out on the luscious, creamy matcha pudding.

8113 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.354.8086, jinzenstl.com

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