13 New Restaurants You Should Try in St. Louis Right Now

Himalayan Yeti
3515 S. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63139

Don't judge a restaurant by its building's previous tenant. Formerly the location of a Long John Silver, this south St. Louis spot is now the home of outstanding Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Photo by Dipak Prasai.

Himalayan Yeti offers fine dining, complete with a full bar. A menu of Indian dishes, as well as a few Nepalese classics, awaits diners. Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Shawarma King
571 Melville Ave.
University City, MO 63130
(314) 261-4833

No dried-out chicken or pita drenched in tahini here. At Shawarma King, you can get the best of the Middle East, right in the Delmar Loop. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Shawarma King owner Mohammed Alsalem has committed to only serving freshly prepared food -- and in the process, has filled a void in St. Louis dining. "This sort of real, quality shawarma like they serve in the Middle East, you can't find that anywhere here in town," he says. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Sardella
7734 Forsyth Blvd.
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 773-7755

A shock went through St. Louis when James Beard award-winning chef Gerard Craft announced he was closing his flagship restaurant, Niche. But diners didn't need to fret. Sardella took its place, and it too has proven to be a big success. Photo by Mabel Suen.

The Italian-inspired cuisine at Sardella is of course a must-try, and the restaurant's beautiful interior will make you feel like you're in an Amalfi Coast kitchen. From cauliflower soup to stout-braised oxtail, the menu at Sardella is top-notch. Photo by Mabel Suen.

The Chase Club
212 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 454-9000

You may remember this spot in the Chase Park Plaza as being home to the casual bar and grill known as Cafe Eau. This space has since been revamped, however, with a new name, new look and new menu. Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Now called The Chase Club, this Chase Park Plaza restaurant still has a casual vibe, and simple, tasty treats are at the center of its menu. But you'll notice a much sleeker appearance, excellent cocktails and an impressive beer program as well (we're talking 18 taps and 27 bottles and cans). Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Snax Gastrobar
3500 Watson Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 353-9463

Looking for a weeknight dinner place, somewhere you can take the kids, or simply a place to watch the game? Snax Gastrobar is your place. With board games, five TVs and a patio with a fire pit, Snax Gastrobar invites you to kick back and relax. Pictured: Owners Stanley and Arlene Brown with co-owner/chef Joseph Hemp V. Photo by Johnny Fugitt.

Don't get the idea that Snax Gastrobar is a generic bar and grill, however. The casual atmosphere does not sacrifice quality -- interesting dishes grace the menu, such as roasted chicken over shiitake mushroom and leek-braised beans with lemon-garlic pan jus. Of course, you can still get that soup, salad, or burger you've been craving, too. Photo by Johnny Fugitt.

Vicia
4260 Forest Park Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 553-9239

One of the year's most highly anticipated restaurants, Vicia now serves its fresh, vegetable-forward dishes in the Cortex district. Seasonal ingredients dictate menu offerings. Photo by Greg Rannells.

Quick counter service is available for lunch at Vicia, and dinner features an ever-changing menu. To top everything off, the inside of Vicia is simply stunning. Who could resist dining in such beautiful surroundings? Photo by Greg Rannells.

The Dark Room
3610 Grandel Square
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 776-9550

The Dark Room isn't new to Grand Center, per se. But this wine bar and photo gallery has found a new home at the Grandel Theater, complete with a new look, new drinks and new menu. Photo by Kelly Glueck.

Now you can grab a quick lunch at The Dark Room during the day, or enjoy a more leisurely dinner in the evening. In addition to an expanded menu, you'll also enjoy expanded hours and events -- including, of course, plenty of live music. Photo by Kelly Glueck.

The Blue Duck
2661 Sutton Blvd.
Maplewood, MO 63143
(314) 769-9940

The Blue Duck is the second outpost of a concept born in Washington, Missouri. Now at home in the Maplewood spot previously occupied by Monarch, the Blue Duck offers twists on comfort classics. Photo of owners Chris and Karmen Rayburn by Johnny Fugitt.

The menu at The Blue Duck's new location varies slightly from its Washington counterpart, but favorites such as the "Smoked Fried Hot Chicken" braised with Red Hot Riplets still grace the menu. There are also vegan options, and nearly everything is house-made. Photo by Johnny Fugitt.

Crave
3500 Caroline St.
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 771-3299

Street food reaches a whole new level at Crave. From mozzarella sticks crusted in Spicy Nacho Doritos to "phatadas," or lightly fried burritos, there's always something interesting to try at this Midtown spot. Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Crave offers a unique riff on breakfast, served in a cup (Eggs! Potatoes! Steak! Bacon! Peppers!). If you're looking for more traditional fare, you can also find items like classic quesadillas or poke bowls on the menu. Everything is made in-house and costs no more than $8. Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Tasty Shack
3909 Gravois Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116
(314) 240-5051

Tasty Shack isn't your typical drive-through joint. It isn't a chain, and everything is made to order. As a result, it isn't particularly fast -- but it's also great knowing your food hasn't been sitting under a heat lamp. Eat in, or call ahead for a quicker drive-through experience. Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Located in a former Jack in the Box, Tasty Shack offers four salads in addition to an array of fried foods, from fish to chicken to wings. If you're feeding an army, you can even buy the chicken or wings in orders of 100, or purchase a 50-piece fish fry. Photo by Sarah Fenske.