The sixth annual edition of the STL 100 looks back on a thrilling decade for St. Louis dining. Chefs winning national recognition. The ongoing barbecue boom. The growth of food trucks and fast-casual dining. You will find all these developments and more represented in this list. You will also see the result of 2019’s stunning crop of debut restaurants, an influx that forced me to make the most difficult choices yet to form this list of St. Louis’ 100 most essential restaurants. Here is the STL 100 for 2020.
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/vicia/small1.jpg)
1
Vicia
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/savage/small1.jpg)
2
Savage
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/indo/small1.jpg)
3
Indo
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/stone-soup-cottage/small1.jpg)
4
Stone Soup Cottage
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/olive-oak/small1.jpg)
5
Olive + Oak
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sidney-street-cafe/small1.jpg)
6
Sidney Street Café
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/louie/small1.jpg)
7
Louie
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/elaia/small1.jpg)
8
Elaia
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/balkan-treat-box/small1.jpg)
9
Balkan Treat Box
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/billie-jean/small1.jpg)
10
Billie-Jean
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/bulrush/small1.jpg)
11
Bulrush
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/elmwood/small1.jpg)
12
Elmwood
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sardella/small1.jpg)
13
Sardella
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-crossing/small1.jpg)
14
The Crossing
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/lonas-lil-eats/small1.jpg)
15
Lona’s Lil Eats
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/beast-craft-bbq-co-and-beast-butcher-block/small1.jpg)
16
Beast Craft BBQ Co. and Beast Butcher & Block
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/grace-meat-three/small1.jpg)
17
Grace Meat + Three
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/pastaria/small1.jpg)
18
Pastaria
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/nippon-tei-and-ramen-tei/small1.jpg)
19
Nippon Tei and Ramen Tei
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/annie-gunns/small1.jpg)
20
Annie Gunn’s
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/tonys/small1.jpg)
21
Tony’s
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/farmhaus/small1.jpg)
22
Farmhaus
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/union-loafers/small1.jpg)
23
Union Loafers
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/private-kitchen-and-soup-dumplings-stl/small1.jpg)
24
Private Kitchen and Soup Dumplings STL
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/j-devoti-trattoria/small1.jpg)
25
J. Devoti Trattoria
The Rest of the Best
in alphabetical order![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/acero/small1.jpg)
Acero
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/akar/small1.jpg)
Akar
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/alta-calle/small1.jpg)
Alta Calle
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/bait/small1.jpg)
Bait
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/bar-les-freres/small1.jpg)
Bar Les Frères
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-bellwether/small1.jpg)
The Bellwether
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-benevolent-king/small1.jpg)
The Benevolent King
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/blues-city-deli/small1.jpg)
Blues City Deli
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/bogarts-smokehouse/small1.jpg)
Bogart’s Smokehouse
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/brasserie-by-niche/small1.jpg)
Brasserie by Niche
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/byrd-barrel/small1.jpg)
Byrd & Barrel
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/cafe-natashas/small1.jpg)
Cafe Natasha’s
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/cate-zone-chinese-cafe/small1.jpg)
Cate Zone Chinese Cafe
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/chao-baan/small1.jpg)
Chao Baan
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/cinder-house/small1.jpg)
Cinder House
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/clementines-naughty-nice-creamery/small1.jpg)
Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/cleveland-heath/small1.jpg)
Cleveland-Heath
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-clover-and-the-bee/small1.jpg)
The Clover and the Bee
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/cocina-latina/small1.jpg)
Cocina Latina
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/crown-candy-kitchen/small1.jpg)
Crown Candy Kitchen
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-curry-club/small1.jpg)
The Curry Club
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/edibles-essentials/small1.jpg)
Edibles & Essentials
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/el-toluco-taqueria-grocery/small1.jpg)
El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/fork-stix-and-kiin-essentially-thai/small1.jpg)
Fork & Stix and Kiin Essentially Thai
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/gioias-deli/small1.jpg)
Gioia’s Deli
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/guerrilla-street-food/small1.jpg)
Guerrilla Street Food
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/han-lao/small1.jpg)
Han Lao
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/i-fratellini/small1.jpg)
I Fratellini
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/j-s-pitaria/small1.jpg)
J’s Pitaria
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/jerk-soul/small1.jpg)
Jerk Soul
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/juniper/small1.jpg)
Juniper
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/katies-pizza-pasta-osteria/small1.jpg)
Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/knead-bakehouse-provisions/small1.jpg)
Knead Bakehouse + Provisions
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/kounter-kulture/small1.jpg)
Kounter Kulture
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/la-patisserie-chouquette/small1.jpg)
La Patisserie Chouquette
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/la-tejana-taqueria/small1.jpg)
La Tejana Taqueria
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-last-kitchen/small1.jpg)
The Last Kitchen
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/lemmons-by-grbic/small1.jpg)
Lemmons by Grbic
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/macs-local-eats/small1.jpg)
Mac’s Local Eats
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/mai-lee/small1.jpg)
Mai Lee
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/malinche-mexican-culinary-experience/small1.jpg)
Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/mayo-ketchup/small1.jpg)
Mayo Ketchup
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/medina-mediterranean-grill/small1.jpg)
Medina Mediterranean Grill
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/meskerem-ethiopian-restaurant/small1.jpg)
Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/mi-tierra-bonita/small1.jpg)
Mi Tierra Bonita
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/morning-glory-diner/small1.jpg)
Morning Glory Diner
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/nathaniel-reid-bakery/small1.jpg)
Nathaniel Reid Bakery
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/nixta/small1.jpg)
Nixta
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/nudo-house/small1.jpg)
Nudo House
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/olio/small1.jpg)
Olio
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/pappys-smokehouse/small1.jpg)
Pappy’s Smokehouse
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/peacemaker-lobster-crab-co/small1.jpg)
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/pie-guy-pizza/small1.jpg)
Pie Guy Pizza
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/pint-size-bakery/small1.jpg)
Pint Size Bakery
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/pizza-head/small1.jpg)
Pizza Head
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/planters-house/small1.jpg)
Planter’s House
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/polite-society/small1.jpg)
Polite Society
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/rice-thai-bistro/small1.jpg)
Rice Thai Bistro
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/salt-smoke/small1.jpg)
Salt + Smoke
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sameem-afghan-restaurant/small1.jpg)
Sameem Afghan Restaurant
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/seoul-taco/small1.jpg)
Seoul Taco
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sides-of-seoul/small1.jpg)
Sides of Seoul
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sister-cities-cajun/small1.jpg)
Sister Cities Cajun
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/southwest-diner/small1.jpg)
Southwest Diner
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-stellar-hog/small1.jpg)
The Stellar Hog
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sultan-mediterranean-restaurant/small1.jpg)
Sultan Mediterranean Restaurant
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/sweetart/small1.jpg)
SweetArt
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/taco-circus/small1.jpg)
Taco Circus
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/tai-ke/small1.jpg)
Tai Ke
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/taste/small1.jpg)
Taste
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/veritas/small1.jpg)
Veritas
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-vine-mediterranean-cafe/small1.jpg)
The Vine Mediterranean Cafe
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/vp-square/small1.jpg)
VP Square
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/the-wood-shack/small1.jpg)
The Wood Shack
![](https://images.stltoday.com/graphics/apps/stl100-2020/restaurants/yellowbelly/small1.jpg)
Yellowbelly
A few important notes
- The STL 100 is divided into the Top 25 and the Rest of the Best. There is no gap between No. 25 and whatever No. 26 would have been.
- Restaurants must have opened by Oct. 31, 2019, to be eligible for this edition.
- Pricing info is estimated per person based on dinner (when applicable).