Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Midtown

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Midtown? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Acero

4.9

4.9 (2735)

$31 to $50

Italian

Maplewood

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Travis

Dined 3 days ago

Acero made for a perfect anniversary dinner for a couple from out of town. They offered us complimentary sparkling wine and even had our menus printed with a congratulations. Everything was fantastic but the egg raviolo is not to be missed. Our waiter Simon made it a wonderful experience.

The Crossing

4.9

4.9 (2547)

$50 and over

French

Clayton

About the restaurant

Featuring local "farm to table" cuisine using a breadth of farmers in the Missouri and Illinois communities. When asked to define of The Crossing, Owner/Executive Chef Jim Fiala often says that he is a chef that buys locally whenever possible and cooks as any French and/or Italian chef would given the ingredients sourced. Joining Jim is Chef Thu Rein Oo who brings passion and years of experience to the kitchen. Our food is fresh, organic (whenever possible), seasonal and by design very simple. The Crossing stays true to classic techniques and the chefs love showing off their skills and passion for elegant food.

Top review

James

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing food, wine list and service. Highly recommend.

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Popular dish

Tagliolini

Frida’s

4.9

4.9 (188)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian / Vegan

University City

About the restaurant

Frida’s and Bonito Bar serve bold, scratch-made dishes like braised short ribs, award-winning burgers, and fresh juice margaritas. Our sleek, intimate space features carrara marble tables, flattering low lighting and a gold-ceiling bar—the perfect setting to dine in style.

Recently voted Best Chef 2024 by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chef Natasha Kwan crafts every dish with precision and passion. Located just north of Clayton, Frida’s blends sophistication, exceptional flavors and a setting made for those who appreciate the finer things.

Top review

Christine

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

We had a lovely evening. The food & service were excellent. However, the music was a little loud. As more diners arrived, they needed to raise their voices in order to have conversation. That was annoying but something easy to rectify.

Truffles - St. Louis

4.8

4.8 (1384)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Clayton

About the restaurant

"Truffles has always managed that elusive balance of refinement and relaxed casualness...” Sauce, 8/2011

“This is a top-tier eatery. The kitchen is reinvigorated and inventive…” STL Magazine, 5/2011.

Truffles strives to produce a menu that easily fuses rustic and contemporary American cooking. With simplicity and seasonality as our guide, house-made specialties such as pasta and salumi are prepared fresh every day and are complemented by choice selections of locally sourced and raised meats, seafood and inventive sides. The Truffles menu begins in the fields, rivers and farms of the Midwest and our award-winning wine list features wines from every corner of the earth. We bring the best flavors of the season direct to your plate.

Top review

Steve

Dined 1 day ago

Everything was outstanding. Top notch. New favorite place.

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4.7

4.7 (2146)

$50 and over

Seafood

Clayton

About the restaurant

801 Fish offers only globally sourced finned fish and crustaceans from the world's most pristine waters. You'll find chef driven cuisine coupled with exemplary service in a sophisticated and modern aquatic atmosphere at the Clayton restaurant across the street from its sister, 801 Chophouse. In addition to our beautiful and social distanced dining room, we offer limited outdoor seating, available on a first come first served basis.

Top review

Brad

Dined 1 day ago

Fresh oysters and selections are incredibly delicious! Yum

Diego's Cantina

4.7

4.7 (472)

$30 and under

Mexican

University City

About the restaurant

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 options
Dog friendly patio and sidewalk

Top review

Charles HoffmanVIP

Dined 1 day ago

More authentic Mexican than most. Service was outstanding as usual. Comfortable, friendly place.

Hangar Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (699)

$31 to $50

American

Rock Hill

About the restaurant

Join us for a Night out on the corner of Manchester and Mcknight. Inside seating available. Please call 314-473-1221 to book a Party over 6 People. Currently Featuring Holiday Cocktails 🎄

Top review

Austin

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

Maddie was our server and she was fantastic, and had great recommendations. The food was wonderful and the “Coming in Hot” cocktail was delicious! The Calabrian flatbread was the table favorite and the cookie skillet. The owner was super kind and welcoming, and the ambiance of the restaurant is fun and lively! 10/10 would recommend!

Beyond Sweet

4.6

4.6 (307)

$50 and over

American

The Loop

About the restaurant

Beyond Sweet Kitchen + Bar is St. Louis' newest vibe.

Top review

Cynthia

Dined 2 days ago

I've been a member of my book club 4 20 yrs. We meet in IL. And we are librarians & teachers. This was the 1st time they came to STL. I chose Beyond Sweet 4 dining. They were quite pleased with the great service, the excellent food & memorable customer service. I can't remember the name of our server but he was awesome! Had a beard & was 30?? My book club member was trying 2 hook him up w her daughter!! It was a lovely experience. It's my 3rd time experiencing this lovely culinary experience!! Thanks Dallas!!!

Ivy Cafe

4.3

4.3 (109)

$30 and under

Café

Clayton

About the restaurant

A wonderful and creative mix between healthy and indulgent. The cafe boasts wonderful small plates, homemade sourdough and desserts, creative cocktails, seasonal items, and a beautiful setting full of plants and local artwork. This posh cafe can meet nearly any dining needs.

Top review

RayeVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We absolutely loved our evening there. The food and service were outstanding. We will definitely be back. We are also spreading the word!

Cafe La Vie

4.2

4.2 (208)

$31 to $50

French

Clayton

About the restaurant

Welcome to Cafe la Vie located inside the Le Meridien Hotel in Clayton!

Indulge yourself in the wonderous French European style cuisine created by our amazing team of culinary artists or a signature cocktail poured by our talented bartenders. Our spacious 7,400 sq. foot restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, Sparkling Hour (our version of happy hour) and dinner in the heart of downtown Clayton.

Cafe la Vie offers dishes highlighting European classics with local St. Louis flavors in a warm and inviting environment.

Top review

Vicki

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

French onion soup was good. Caesar salad good but heavy on the dressing. Prices were a little high. Service was outstanding, very personable staff members.

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