Photo by J.B. Forbes (Post-Dispatch)
Louie
What would the perfect neighborhood bistro look like? You need only visit Louie, which opened in late 2017 and soon showed the patina of an indispensable St. Louis restaurant. Owner Matt McGuire, one of the area’s hospitality greats, has created a warm, welcoming space; whether you sit at a table, the bar or the counter surrounding the wood-burning pizza oven, you feel like an honored guest. The menu from head chef Sean Turner doesn’t seek to challenge you so much as wrap you into a cocoon of pleasure with dishes — roast chicken, a pork chop with chermoula and shishito peppers, pizza, Roman gnocco — that are the best versions of themselves. You don’t need to take my word for it. Listen to hip-hop megastar Drake, who dined here on three consecutive nights during his St. Louis tour stop in November.
Hours: Dinner Monday-Saturday, lunch Monday-Friday (closed Sunday)
Last year's ranking: New this year
Opened: 2017