Best Authentic Restaurants in University City

24 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Brasserie by Niche restaurant

1. Brasserie by Niche

4.8

Exceptional(4166)

Price: Moderate

• French • St. Louis

Booked 59 times today

Brasserie by Niche is located in the Central West End. We are open for dine-in, to-go, and delivery.

A photo of Dominics Trattoria restaurant

2. Dominics Trattoria

4.6

Exceptional(480)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Clayton

Booked 9 times today

Dominic's Trattoria is a family-owned and operated authentic Italian restaurant since 1997. It is praised for its superb food, warm welcome, and consistent service. One reviewer highlighted the 'superb authentic meal' and the 'perfectly cooked' lamb chops. The restaurant serves a variety of Italian dishes, including Chicken Saltimbocca, Tenderloin Monte Carlo, and Linguini with Fresh Clams. The cozy atmosphere and the beautiful view of Shaw Park are also commended.

A photo of Lorenzo's Trattoria restaurant

3. Lorenzo's Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(2296)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • The Hill

Booked 21 times today

Lorenzo’s features Northern Italian fare with a touch of contemporary flavor. Look to our menu for some of the classics as well as some modern Italian cuisine less prevalent on The Hill. Look forward to experiencing the authentic house-made gnocchi and risottos; or our signature dish, braised Ossobuco; our guests' ever favorite, Chicken Spedini; or a couple of the staff favorites, the Grilled Barramundi or Fabulous Veal Picatta. At Lorenzo's the atmosphere is classy and laid-back. It is the type of restaurant where you can have a nice business dinner or enjoy a meal with the family. We offer two beautiful private rooms, The Boardroom, which seats up to 14 or The Chefs Table which seats up to 8. You may choose to enjoy our patio on a beautiful day and savor one of the great Italian wines off our extensive wine menu. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable no matter what meal or day you visit. We look forward to showing you all we can offer at Lorenzo's Trattoria.

4. Diego's Cantina

4.6

Exceptional(476)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • University City

Booked 7 times today

Owned and operated by Natasha Kwan, St. Louis Post Dispatch's Best Chef in St. Louis, our elevated Mexican restaurant blends vibrant flavors with a tropical atmosphere that feels like a vacation, taking you far from St. Louis. We’re located in a charming University City neighborhood, just steps from Clayton.Our menu features plates like queso flameado, costra and crunch tacos, enchiladas, nachos and a few Tex-Mex options. Cocktails and margaritas are crafted with fresh-squeezed juices and premium ingredients.  We offer all-day happy hour Tuesday through Thursday. We also accommodate parties of 10 or more for special celebrations. Other accolades: Best New Restaurant, A-List Restaurant (St. Louis Magazine)Best Queso (Ian Froeb of St. Louis Post-Dispatch)To Note: Gluten free friendly - our fryer is dedicated gluten free so eat all the chips you want!Many vegan optionsDog friendly patio and sidewalk

5. Del Pietro's

4.8

Exceptional(1075)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Richmond Heights

Del Pietro's is a casual affordable Italian restaurant serving fresh pastas, pizza, salads, antipasti, entrees, local beers, and a diverse wine list.

6. Acero

4.9

Exceptional(2744)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Maplewood

Booked 31 times today

Rustic Italian cuisine in the heart of Maplewood that features fresh ingredients from local farmers as well as an all Italian wine list.

A photo of Maggiano's - St. Louis restaurant

7. Maggiano's - St. Louis

4.5

Awesome(5190)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Richmond Heights

Booked 70 times today

Join us for lunch or dinner at Maggiano's Richmond Heights and savor the rich flavors of Italian-American dishes inspired by Nonna’s traditional recipes. The St. Louis Maggiano's is a centrally located restaurant with easy access to several freeways connecting us to all areas of the city and attractions, such as the Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo, and the local Sporting Arenas to name a few. Visit us at #2 The Boulevard St. Louis and book your reservation today!

A photo of Clover and the Bee restaurant

8. Clover and the Bee

4.7

Exceptional(21)

Price: Moderate

• Wine Bar • Webster Groves

Booked 4 times today

A neighborhood café and wine bar from the people behind Olive + Oak, bringing you food & wine that is fresh, casual, and simple. A place where the service is efficient and the hospitality is heartfelt. We open early offering fresh baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and a seasonal breakfast menu. Our lunch menu features sandwiches, soups, and fresh salads. We open Thursday-Saturday evenings featuring an evolving menu of seasonal small plates from Executive Chef Mike Risk paired with wines that have been thoughtfully sourced to showcase the people that make them and the places they are from. A thoughtful list of local beer, cocktails and NA beverages are available to enjoy as well.Authentic. Unpretentious. Delicious.Walk in only for breakfast and lunch. Reservations recommended for dinner.

A photo of Dominic's on the Hill restaurant

9. Dominic's on the Hill

4.8

Exceptional(1110)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • The Hill

Booked 15 times today

Dominic and Jackie Galati purchased Dominic's on the Hill in 1971 and moved in above the restaurant. Within two years, Dominic began winning national awards and has continued to do so for the last 40 years. This is an exceptional restaurant with fine Italian cuisine, professional, friendly service, & an extensive wine list. Dominic oversees the kitchen,and the menu includes fresh seafood, veal, tenderloin, lamb, and many other choices. The restaurant has a Florentine atmosphere, with low lighting, white tablecloths, & classic oil paintings. Dominic's has been honored by DIRONA, 2001 Restaurant Hall of Fame, 1999 International Award of Excellence, The Epicurean Award & was voted one of the two best Italian Restaurants in the country by Conde Nast Traveller. The second floor of the restaurant is available for private parties of 15-65. Please call for details. Smaller parties up to 18 people can be accommodated downstairs as well as larger parties up to 150.

10. Rigazzis

4.0

Excellent(31)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • The Hill

Booked 23 times today

At Rigazzi’s, our mission is simple – to consistently deliver an authentic taste of Italy in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We are dedicated to preserving the rich culinary traditions of Historic Hill, striving to be the premier destination for genuine Italian-American dining in St. Louis. We are the oldest restaurant on The Hill, join us for a timeless experience!We aim to create memorable dining experiences, where each visit to Rigazzi’s is a journey through timeless flavors. We invite you to join us on this culinary adventure, as we continue to be a cornerstone of Historic Hill, offering the simple pleasures of good food and good company.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
LucieVIP
St. Louis •6 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Best fish tacos! Great atmosphere & service. Margs great too!!
More info
Diego's CantinaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• University City
•
4.6
S
Shaun
St. Louis •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Wonderful food, service, and a great vibe. Would recommend to anyone first time we’ve been there midday.
More info
Brasserie by NichePrice: Moderate• French• St. Louis
•
4.8
L
Levi
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
A wonderful dinner. We had reservations and we arrived 10 minutes prior to our time We were seated before our reserved time and nothing disappointed, even through dessert!
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Lorenzo's TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• The Hill
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4.7
J
Judy
St. Louis •35 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We like to sit in the bar and service is always great. There’s a nice selection of starters, salads, pastas, entrees and desserts. Their house salad is always good. Our dinners ranged from a lemon chicken dish to the scallop special to lamb so there definitely were some higher priced items. There were 7 people; 6 eating. Most had a salad or soup plus an entree and there were 2 desserts. With drinks and wine (we should have ordered a bottle instead of by the glass but didn’t realize three would be drinking the same wine) the bill was $500+ plus tip.
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Dominics TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Clayton
•
4.6
R
RonaldVIP
St. Louis •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Tonight was bittersweet as it marked the last evening for my beloved Del Pietro’s. 😢 I have always been amazed by their attention to detail and marvelous cuisine. I will truly miss Mary Rose and Mike as they begin the next chapter of their lives. I will cherish the memories and friendships we established over the years, and I hold a deep love for all of them.
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Del Pietro'sPrice: Moderate• Italian• Richmond Heights
•
4.8

Best Authentic Restaurants in University City

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24 restaurants available nearby

1. Brasserie by Niche

2. Dominics Trattoria

3. Lorenzo's Trattoria

4. Diego's Cantina

5. Del Pietro's

6. Acero

7. Maggiano's - St. Louis

8. Clover and the Bee

9. Dominic's on the Hill

10. Rigazzis

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