![](img/hero-2018.png)
Over the 12 years I've been covering the St. Louis dining scene, I can't remember a stronger year for new restaurants than 2017. As always with this annual guide, I seek not simply a list of 100 great restaurants but 100 great restaurants that also reflect the current character of St. Louis' dining scene: what is essential now, what points us toward the future and what examples from the past we should take with us. The STL 100 is also, as always, one person's opinion, imperfect, but undertaken with relish. And hot sauce.
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/stone-soup-cottage/small1.jpg)
#1
Stone Soup Cottage
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/elaia/small1.jpg)
#2
Elaia
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/vicia/small1.jpg)
#3
Vicia
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/sidney-street-cafe/small1.jpg)
#4
Sidney Street Café
Closed
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/privado/small1.jpg)
#5
Privado
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/farmhaus/small1.jpg)
#6
Farmhaus
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/nixta/small1.jpg)
#7
Nixta
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/publico/small1.jpg)
#8
Público
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/sardella/small1.jpg)
#9
Sardella
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pastaria/small1.jpg)
#10
Pastaria
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/olive-oak/small1.jpg)
#11
Olive + Oak
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/the-crossing/small1.jpg)
#12
The Crossing
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/tonys/small1.jpg)
#13
Tony's
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/cleveland-heath/small1.jpg)
#14
Cleveland-Heath
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/five-bistro/small1.jpg)
#15
Five Bistro
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/reeds-american-table/small1.jpg)
#16
Reeds American Table
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/annie-gunns/small1.jpg)
#17
Annie Gunn's
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/veritas/small1.jpg)
#18
Veritas
Closed
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/vista-ramen/small1.jpg)
#19
Vista Ramen
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/beast-craft-bbq-co/small1.jpg)
#20
Beast Craft BBQ Co.
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/lonas-lil-eats/small1.jpg)
#21
Lona's Lil Eats
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/juniper/small1.jpg)
#22
Juniper
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/guerrilla-street-food/small1.jpg)
#23
Guerrilla Street Food
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pappys-smokehouse/small1.jpg)
#24
Pappy's Smokehouse
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/union-loafers/small1.jpg)
#25
Union Loafers
The Rest of the Best
in alphabetical order![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/acero/small1.jpg)
Acero
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/baileys-range/small1.jpg)
Baileys' Range
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/balkan-treat-box/small1.jpg)
Balkan Treat Box
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/banh-mi-so-1-saigon-gourmet/small1.jpg)
Banh Mi So #1 — Saigon Gourmet
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/bar-les-freres/small1.jpg)
Bar Les Frères
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/big-baby-q-and-smokehouse/small1.jpg)
Big Baby Q and Smokehouse
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/bing-bing/small1.jpg)
Bing Bing
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/blues-city-deli/small1.jpg)
Blues City Deli
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/bogarts-smokehouse/small1.jpg)
Bogart's Smokehouse
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/brasserie-by-niche/small1.jpg)
Brasserie by Niche
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/byrd-barrel/small1.jpg)
Byrd & Barrel
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/cafe-natashas/small1.jpg)
Cafe Natasha's
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/cardwells-at-the-plaza/small1.jpg)
Cardwell's at the Plaza
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/cate-zone-chinese-cafe/small1.jpg)
Cate Zone Chinese Cafe
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/chef-mas-chinese-gourmet-restaurant/small1.jpg)
Chef Ma's Chinese Gourmet Restaurant
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/clementines-naughty-nice-creamery/small1.jpg)
Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/comet-coffee-microbakery/small1.jpg)
Comet Coffee & Microbakery
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/edibles-essentials/small1.jpg)
Edibles & Essentials
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/el-toluco-taqueria-grocery/small1.jpg)
El Toluco Taqueria & Grocery
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/five-star-burgers/small1.jpg)
Five Star Burgers
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/fork-stix/small1.jpg)
Fork & Stix
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/frankly-sausages/small1.jpg)
Frankly Sausages
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/gioias-deli/small1.jpg)
Gioia's Deli
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/grace-meat-three/small1.jpg)
Grace Meat + Three
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/half-half/small1.jpg)
Half & Half
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/hiro-asian-kitchen/small1.jpg)
Hiro Asian Kitchen
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/i-fratellini/small1.jpg)
I Fratellini
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/katies-pizza-pasta-osteria/small1.jpg)
Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/kounter-kulture/small1.jpg)
Kounter Kulture
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/la-patisserie-chouquette/small1.jpg)
La Patisserie Chouquette
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/la-tejana-taqueria/small1.jpg)
La Tejana Taqueria
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/lemmons-by-grbic/small1.jpg)
Lemmons by Grbic
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/local-chef-kitchen/small1.jpg)
Local Chef Kitchen
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/macs-local-eats/small1.jpg)
Mac's Local Eats
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/mai-lee/small1.jpg)
Mai Lee
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/mariscos-el-gato/small1.jpg)
Mariscos el Gato
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/medina-mediterranean-grill/small1.jpg)
Medina Mediterranean Grill
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/meskerem-ethiopian-restaurant/small1.jpg)
Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/mission-taco-joint/small1.jpg)
Mission Taco Joint
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/nathaniel-reid-bakery/small1.jpg)
Nathaniel Reid Bakery
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/nudo-house/small1.jpg)
Nudo House
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/olio/small1.jpg)
Olio
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pangea/small1.jpg)
Pangea
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/parigi/small1.jpg)
Parigi
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/peacemaker-lobster-crab-co/small1.jpg)
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pho-long/small1.jpg)
Pho Long
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pi-pizzeria/small1.jpg)
Pi Pizzeria
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pint-size-bakery/small1.jpg)
Pint Size Bakery
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pizza-head/small1.jpg)
Pizza Head
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/pizzeoli/small1.jpg)
Pizzeoli
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/polite-society/small1.jpg)
Polite Society
Closed
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/porano-pasta/small1.jpg)
Porano Pasta
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/private-kitchen/small1.jpg)
Private Kitchen and Soup Dumplings STL
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/quincy-street-bistro/small1.jpg)
Quincy Street Bistro
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/retreat-gastropub/small1.jpg)
Retreat Gastropub
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/rice-thai-bistro/small1.jpg)
Rice Thai Bistro
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/salt-smoke/small1.jpg)
Salt + Smoke
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/salume-beddu-at-parkers-table/small1.jpg)
Salume Beddu at Parker's Table
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/seoul-taco/small1.jpg)
Seoul Taco
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/sheesh-restaurant/small1.jpg)
Sheesh Restaurant
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/signature-india/small1.jpg)
Signature India
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/sister-cities-cajun/small1.jpg)
Sister Cities Cajun
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/smoki-os/small1.jpg)
Smoki O's
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/southern/small1.jpg)
Southern
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/southwest-diner/small1.jpg)
Southwest Diner
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/spare-no-rib/small1.jpg)
Spare No Rib
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/sugarfire-smoke-house/small1.jpg)
Sugarfire Smoke House
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/tai-ke/small1.jpg)
Tai Ke
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/taqueria-durango/small1.jpg)
Taqueria Durango
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/taste/small1.jpg)
Taste
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/the-palm-trees/small1.jpg)
The Palm Trees
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/the-taco-ice-cream-joint/small1.jpg)
The Taco & Ice Cream Joint
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/the-wood-shack/small1.jpg)
The Wood Shack
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/urban-chestnut-brewery-bierhall-and-the-u-r-b/small1.jpg)
Urban Chestnut Brewery & Bierhall and the U.R.B.
![](https://stltoday-images.global.ssl.fastly.net/graphics/apps/stl100-2018/restaurants/yolklore/small1.jpg)
Yolklore
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 be. At a certain point, splitting the difference is too arbitrary to be useful.
- Restaurants must have opened by Oct. 31, 2017, to be eligible for this edition of the STL 100, though I wasn't able to reach every restaurant that opened last fall in time. Every restaurant has been visited at least once since Jan. 1, 2017.
- As with my weekly restaurant reviews, I attempted to dine anonymously. After 12 years of writing about St. Louis restaurants, however, many chefs and restaurateurs know me by sight.
- Pricing info is estimated per person. The availability and cost of recommended dishes are subject to change.