Photo by Christian Gooden (Post-Dispatch)
Sameem Afghan Restaurant
St. Louis lacked an Afghan restaurant when brothers Fahime and Qayum Mohammad opened Sameem Afghan Restaurant in 2005. They’ve been showing us what we’ve been missing ever since, from the original Tower Grove South location to an outpost in Manchester (now closed) to its current home in Forest Park Southeast’s Grove. Qayum and his wife, Sitara, are in charge of the kitchen, where they prepare muntoo, chicken pallow and other traditional Afghan fare. Lamb dishes — especially the spicy biryani and karahi — are a highlight, and your meal should begin with an order of sambosas and the addictive green chutney that accompanies them.
Hours: Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday (closed Monday)
Last year's ranking: New this year
Opened: 2005 (original location), 2012 (current location)