Top Restaurants in Saint Louis
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Best Italian food near Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Discover Restaurants offering the best Italian food in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. The history of St. Louis has been heavily influenced by Westward expansion and blues music. The big "must-see" in this region is the Gateway Arch, while other important sites include the Museum of Westward Expansion, the St. Louis Cathedral and the Anheuser-Busch factory tour. The city offers plenty for the whole family. Children will enjoy the local zoo and the Magic House, while family members will also want to unwind at Forest Park, home to the World's Fair almost a century ago.
Things to do in Saint Louis
10. Maggiano's Little Italy
Overall Ratings
4 based on 454 reviews
Reviewed By Timothy M
Visited Maggiano's on Easter with 15 family members for dinner. Seated on the balcony,we had a good view of much of their dining room. The waitress was very personable as well as efficient. It took a while for the food to come as the place was very busy. They had a pretty good variety of entrees to choose from, and also some "deals". You could get a meal that included entree,salad and dessert with another entree to take home. There were some other deals also. Their wine list was very good. Everyone said their food was very good.
9. Cafe Napoli
Overall Ratings
4 based on 339 reviews
When Tony Pietoso opened the original Cafe Napoli in the '80s, it quickly became a success. So Successful, in fact, that it moved to a bigger location at 7754 Forsyth Blvd. The restaurant continued to flourish with its generous portions of regional Italia
Reviewed By Tubman74
Wonderful artichoke & heart of palm salad. Pasta entree of ground salsiccia over linguine (never thought Iâd say this) just too heavily saturated by oil & sausage, which contributed even more oil. Better than average service provided at a table in the bar, but bar itself small enough & my dinner late enough to make singular & inane nearby conversations all too audible. Pre-dinner cocktail well executed. All-electronic/mobile valet experience a disaster.
8. Trattoria Marcella
Overall Ratings
4 based on 322 reviews
Reviewed By Gene S
Can anyone say Emperor's New Clothes? If you read the reviews, you would expect an amazing evening if you had a meal at this establishment. I'm here to tell you that you are being duped.I made a reservation on Open Table and when it asked if we were celebrating anything special, I checked the box for birthday and wrote a similar note in the comments section when booking our reservation.Upon arrival we were greeted by a girl in a tank top, white short shorts, sandal/flip flops, covered in tattoos. Fundamentally, I'd have no problem at all being greeting by this girl on the patio of a BBQ joint or burger bar, or any joint or bar for that matter. I am however shocked that this is the first impression at what is supposed to be a fine dining establishment. Our server was a bit awkward in her mannerisms. She seemed almost forced to go through the specials and the desserts with awkward pauses in the wrong spots like she was acting in a bad play. She was pleasant however overall so aside from her seemingly odd behavior and obvious disappointment that we didn't order bottles of wine, she was fine.The interior looks brand new for 1970 as in perhaps it hasn't been touched since the building was built; which seems even more strange since it pre-dates this business. Perhaps the owners wanted to save money and just kept the decor in place from whoever owned it before them. It is long overdue for any kind of remodel/update.The final straw was that the birthday was completely overlooked. Not a mention, not a candle, nothing. We did see someone else's birthday being celebrated, but if you get to the end of the meal and then have to tell your server you are here for a birthday, it kind of defeats the purpose. Since we had decided during our disappointing and overpriced dinner that we were going to Ted Drewes for dessert; we let this slide as well.The bill arrived and it was almost $100 w/tip. 1 appetizer, 1 salad, and 3 pasta dishes. No drinks, no alcohol, no dessert. 11% sales tax was an added insult. I'm not sure that's even correct.I don't mind paying $100 for a nice meal. What I mind; is paying $100 for an overpriced meal when the atmosphere, is stale, the staff are odd, and the greeter is dressed for the beach. I can get all of this for 1/2 the price at many establishments in the area and be happy to do so. What I mind, is paying $100 for a $50 experience.I have a go-to Italian place that is similarly priced but it's top notch. You feel like you are getting your money's worth. The decor and staff are upscale, and they treat you as you expect in upscale restaurant. The food is comparable, but the overall experience makes a huge difference. When you book for an event; its the first thing they greet you with when you arrive. Little details like this make a huge difference.For us, this was a one and done. Sadly, if this honest review was here before we chose to go, we would have skipped it for our old standby. My issues are not related to a single experience that may have been on an off night, They are indicative of the management and how this place is run. Shame on those who raved about the Emperor and didn't give an honest assessment of their experience."Surprise and Delight" are the buzzwords of customer service and retention today. Any time you are spending your hard earned money and have an experience which surprises and/or delights you in a good way; you will likely be back to that business again. For a meal which neither surprised nor delighted and in the end, just ticked us off; we will never be back.
7. Tony's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 453 reviews
Tony's, a St. Louis landmark and nationally acclaimed restaurant, has featured award-winning food, service, and ambiance for more than 40 years. Recognized year after year with the AAA Four-Diamond Award and the Forbes (formerly Mobil) Four-Star Award, am
Reviewed By Taylor B
I was introduced to Tony's in 1966-1968, when I worked for the old St. Louis Globe-Democrat. It was the top-rated restaurant in St. Louis at that time. Since then, the city has changed. Old Busch Memorial Stadium is gone. But downtown St. Louis is thriving like never before and Tony's, in our view, remains the celebrated Italian venue and St. Louis landmark that it has been since 1946. Seventeen years ago, it moved from its 800 North Broadway location to the old Brooks Brothers space in the Equitable Building at the southeast corner of South Broadway and Market Street. Located at 410 Market Street, two blocks from Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch, Tony's is famous for its Wall of Wine, tableside preparation, spaghetti and meatballs, banana ice cream and ice cream pies. An Italian restaurant with an old-world feel, it is noted that 42 percent of its entrees are seafood dishes. Fresh fish from the Atlantic is flown in two or three times a week and Dover Sole is flown in from Europe weekly. Another dramatic change from the 1960s. One thing hasn't changed, however. The service is impeccable and the presentations and tableside preparations are one of a kind. We started with sauteed shrimp, sea scallops and Tony's salad, which consists of mixed greens, scallions, radishes, tomatoes, celery, salami and provolone cheese. My wife, adhering to our more fish/less meat diet, chose sauteed Dover Sole with lemon sauce. I was tempted by swordfish, salmon, lobster, grouper and shrimp but settled on the house's specialty, black pepper rubbed prime sirloin strip steak with green peppercorn cream. For dessert, we couldn't resist sharing bananas flambe served tableside. In St. Louis, Tony's remains the standard for fine dining.
6. Zia's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 969 reviews
Family owned St. Louis Italian restaurant on "The HIll"
Reviewed By Taylor B
There are several popular and long-standing Italian restaurants located on The Hill, the celebrated 50-block Italian neighborhood in south St. Louis, Missouri. Zia's is one of them. Located at 5256 Wilson Avenue, it opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday. My wife is half-Italian and she claims Zia's reminds her most of her Italian grandmother's home cooking. We started with toasted ravioli, a St. Louis staple, topped with parmigiana and served with marinara sauce, garlic cheese bread and DeLuxe salad, Romaine and iceberg lettuce, ham, tomatoes, blended Italian cheese and parmigiana with house dressing. For an entree, my wife chose Cod Bianco, a six-ounce filet of Icelandic cod lightly breaded and baked, then topped with blended Italian cheese and white wine lemon butter sauce with fresh broccoli and mushrooms and a side of pasta. I couldn't resist one of the house specialties--and a classic St. Louis dish--spaghetti with meat sauce and meatballs. Somehow, it has a different taste when it's made on the Hill in St. Louis. For dessert, we shared plates of tiramisu and spumoni. Yes, Zia's offers a true taste of Italy.
5. Anthonino's Taverna LLC
Overall Ratings
4 based on 677 reviews
Reviewed By krissullivan
Had high expectations due to great reviews here on TripAdvisor and itâs ranking as #18 in the city. Very confused by this rating as my experience did not measure up. Very warm outside AND Inside the restaurant on a busy Saturday evening. We were seated 25 minutes later than our reservation time (745pm) and comped a toasted ravioli. It was not so much about the lateness of being seated but the shortness and responses to questions about timing of being seated from the front of house staff that made this wait annoying. The caprese salad was good, dolmades and ravioli were ok, but the pasta with red sauce and sausage was unpleasant. I have never tasted a smokier red sauce. It almost tasted âburntâ. The sausage was also quite spicy and the pasta was nothing special- an inedible dish.The prices are quite good and itâs a family atmosphere, but I will not be returning.
4. Eleven Eleven Mississippi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 480 reviews
Eleven Eleven Mississippi blends old and new world culinary tradition to create signature Tuscan & Northern California cuisine in a one of a kind atmosphere. Located in the heart of the beautiful Lafayette Square neighborhood & situated in a restored hist
Reviewed By daveb506
Off the tourist track but in a smart neighbourhood, this restaurant offered a warm welcome, value for money and a cosy atmosphere (not hugely busy on our early 5pm arrival, Iâd imagine it can get very buzzy).Standout, however, was the food quality - signs of real talent and imagination from the chef.
3. Charlie Gitto's On the Hill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 942 reviews
Charlie Gitto's On the Hill is a landmark for fine Italian dining in The Hill neighborhood of St. Louis.
Reviewed By Taylor B
Charlie Gitto is a familiar name in St. Louis' vibrant restaurant business. Charlie Sr. opened his Downtown restaurant in 1974. His son, Charlie Jr. opened his restaurant on the Hill in 1981, then opened a second location in Maryland Heights in 2004 and a third restaurant, from the hill, in Chesterfield. My wife and I opted to dine at Charlie Junior's On the Hill because we wanted to visit the famous Hill neighborhood, the birthplace of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. Located at 5226 Shaw Avenue, it is a longtime Italian eatery with red sauce fare delivered in an old world, elegant atmosphere. The signature dish is original hand-made meat-filled toasted ravioli with pomodoro sauce. So my wife and I started with the ravioli, house-made meatballs in pomodoro sauce, large shrimp roasted in garlic butter and bread crumbs and Classic Caesar salad with Romaine lettuce and shaved parmigiano with house-made Caesar dressing and signature croutons. For an entree, my wife chose veal marsala with sweet marsala wine sauce and mushrooms with creamed spinach. I chose a 14-ounce New York strip steak with herb butter, baked potato and creamed spinach. For dessert, we shared portions of tiramisu and cannoli. Did I mention that my wife is half-Italian? St. Louis features several outstanding Italian restaurants, on and off the Hill, and Charlie Gitto's On the Hill certainly is one of the very best.
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2. Roberto's Trattoria & Chophouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 367 reviews
Roberto's Trattoria & Chophouse is rated among the best restaurants in St. Louis. Roberto's will take you on a culinary trip to Southern Italy where you will enjoy classic, traditional Italian cuisine and excellent steaks right here is St. Louis. It's the
Reviewed By Y A
We went to Robertoâs restaurant for the first time, and I must say that my husband and I were very impressed. We have been going to Tonyâs downtown for 30+ years and have hesitated to try a new Italian restaurant. However, after the passing on of our beloved friend Mr. Vince Bommarito we decided to try a new Italian restaurant in St. Louis County where we live. We arrived early for our 7:00 oâclock reservation, and while briefly waiting for our table we noticed that the lady at the front desk was cleaning the menus. I was very impressed by that. They may do that in other restaurants but I have never seen it. She and the owner were particularly accommodating when we asked to be seated at a table not next to a large group, as our friends who were joining us are elderly and somewhat hard of hearing. The owner went to great lengths to accommodate our request. That was greatly appreciated as we were then able hear each other talk throughout the dinner. We were very impressed with the food we ordered. My husband and I chose to split the Rigatoni Alla Vodka which was exquisite. The homemade rigatoni was cooked perfectly (all their pastas are made in house). As a frequent visitor to Tonyâs it definitely rivaled any of Tonyâs pastas. The sauce was delicious and the âgoodiesâ in it, lobster, shrimp, and mushrooms were delicious and perfectly cooked. I would like to have the same dish with extra âgoodiesâ added as an option on the menu. We then split the Veal Saltimbocca which was served with prosciutto, cheese, and a white wine/sage sauce. The dish is expected to be salty because of the prosciutto. My husband liked it a lot as he loves salt. Despite knowing that the prosciutto would be salty I found it saltier than I would like, so I will not order it again. To be fair, I do not like much salt on any of the dishes I choose. As a dessert we ordered the Tiramisu which is one of our favorite Italian desserts. It was very good. To accompany the dessert, I ordered a cappuccino. I must say that it was ok but not the best, as it was too dilute for my taste. The wine list is quite extensive and reasonably priced. We had the Chianti Classico Riserva-Gabbiano which was very good, especially after we asked for it to be chilled a bit as it was served at room temperature. As for the service, the waiter who said to call him BB or bald Brandon was great, amicable but polite, and he served the dishes at the pacing we requested. However the busboy was a little too quick in removing the dishes our friends had not finished with. To be fair, he did ask them if they were done, but as there was food still on the plates he should have waited a bit more. Obviously, there is no harm it waiting a bit to see if more food is eaten from checking a first time to checking a second time. Nonetheless, we did not feel rushed and took our time to talk to our friends. As a side note, while the waiter asked us if he could pour more wine for us, we had already poured a second glass for ourselves. It may sound snobbish but in a fine establishment such as Robertoâs the wine in the glass could be checked more frequently so that we would not have to pour it ourselves. On the whole this restaurant is definitely quite the Tonyâs of South/West County. In summary, we highly recommend this restaurant and we are looking forward to going back often and trying new dishes.
Most Popular American food in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
1. Gioia's Deli
Overall Ratings
4 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By smmarkfan
When you begin to consider a grocery store deli sub (or worse) for lunch, kick yourself and head for Gioia's! The quality comes through in every bite and you will remember why you have taste buds. Outdoor seating great for dog lovers!
