Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in St. Louis

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in St. Louis? 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!

Gallagher's - Waterloo

4.7

4.7 (595)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Located in historic downtown Waterloo, Illinois, and just minutes from St. Louis, Gallagher's has served award-winning food and drink for over a decade. After an extensive two-year renovation, our doors reopened in January 2023. Come explore our new food, drink, and atmosphere.

Top review

Tim

Dined 5 days ago

We have eaten at Gallagher's multiple times. The food, the service, and the ambiance is always top notch. Can't wait to visit again soon!

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4.6

4.6 (68)

$50 and over

American

Cape Girardeau

About the restaurant

Welcome to Beacon 53, where fine dining meets beautiful views of the Mississippi River. Elevate your evening with a celebration of flavors and choose a sumptuous dish from our meticulously curated menu. Sip handcrafted cocktails prepared by our creative mixologists and unwind while our attentive staff ensures your every need is met. Outdoor seating available.

Top review

Pam

Dined on May 10, 2025

We were acknowledged less than a minute of arrival, waitstaff was very cordial, our table was next to a window so we had a fantastic view. Our salads were delish could’ve used a tad more dressing, our ribeyes were not cooked correctly - I ordered Med rare it came out Medium with edges well done, my husband ordered medium the edges were well done the middle was almost raw. For $70 you’d expect better. We were offered one free dessert. Last month when we were there I ordered the Trout and it was very bland no flavor. The place is great please make sure your chef is up to par!

MoMo Coffee Champagne Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (25)

$30 and under

American

Rock Hill

About the restaurant

We want to bring a different type of fun to the corner of Manchester and McKnight. COFFEE, MIMOSAS, BLOODY MARYS AND GOOD FOOD
Locally Sourced / Crafted for Fun.
The owners of The Mud House, have opened a new breakfast-and-lunch spot next to Hangar in Rock Hill. Momo’s chef is Jesse Mills, a former sous chef at the Tavern and at Hangar. Both Mills and the Sedlaks believe in using the highest quality products throughout the menu, such as farm eggs from Buttonwood Farms. That’s what sets Momo’s aside from other breakfast places. You can see and taste the difference, both in the standard dishes and on the sandwiches containing eggs.

The Momo restaurant’s tagline is “coffee-champagne-kitchen,” which hallmarks of a fun brunch. You can grab a regular breakfast or lunch, or you can crank it up with brunch-based cocktails. Momo is about coffee and cocktails and just happens to serve really good food. The restaurant is open is open for breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.

Top review

Laura

Dined on May 10, 2025

Nice patio, good wait staff, good food and good drinks.

Acero

4.9

4.9 (2832)

$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

Aaron

Dined 5 days ago

Chef’s Tasting was phenomenal as usual and Harris as the front of house provided exceptional service.

Napoli Sea

4.9

4.9 (687)

$31 to $50

Seafood

St. Charles

About the restaurant

Napoli Sea located at the Streets of St. Charles is family owned and operated by the Pietoso Family. You will quickly feel as if you are in a coastal city with the beautiful ambiance and nautical vibe. Selections include the freshest fish flown in daily amongst many other other selections.

Top review

Pauline

Dined on May 17, 2025

Enjoyed the dining experience. The food was delicious.

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4.9

4.9 (100)

$50 and over

Italian

Kirkwood

About the restaurant

An Exquisite Way Of Dining Italian Cuisine With a Mediterranean Flair; PLEASE NOTE: Garden Seating is Available Upon Request - Weather Permitting

Top review

KimberlyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We are regulars at Pepes and always enjoy our dinner and experience there.

Eleven Eleven Mississippi

4.8

4.8 (4608)

$30 and under

Italian

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Eleven Eleven Mississippi blends old and new world culinary tradition to create signature Tuscan & Northern California cuisine in a one of a kind atmosphere. Eleven Eleven Mississippi is located in the heart of the beautiful Lafayette Square neighborhood & situated in a restored historic brick warehouse. Their reputation for exceptional cuisine & wine delivered with unprecedented style has made Eleven Eleven Mississippi St. Louis' most exciting destination restaurant.

Just minutes from downtown St. Louis, Eleven Eleven Mississippi offers a casual rustic yet upscale & trendy atmosphere. The creative use of space is accentuated by an open display kitchen where the oak fired brick oven takes center stage as well as a glass enclosed wine cellar designed to double as a private dining area. The natural elements of hardwoods, brick, & copper along with two fireplaces situated in the main dining room & loft lounge create a cozy inviting atmosphere suitable for any occasion.

Top review

TimothyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

1111 Mississippi is always a treat. Four of us had a very enjoyable evening. Atmosphere was comfortable, service was excellent and the food exquisite. This is the definition of hospitality.

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Summer Festivals of Italy: Veneto

Piazza Messina

4.9

4.9 (363)

$30 and under

Italian

Cottleville

About the restaurant

Piazza Messina is a premier lakeside event venue in cozy Cottleville, Missouri that also offers unique dining options for small groups throughout the week. "Sips" is open on Wed, Thurs, and Sundays, offering casual dining and drinks - the perfect way to unwind with family and friends. An exciting bistro menu features hearty sandwiches, flatbreads, unique salads, and shareables along with weekly chef's specials from 4-8 pm. Our Brunch menu is offered Sundays from 10 am - 1 pm - there's something for everyone! And don't let our Italian name fool you - we love to explore cuisines which you'll see in our weekly specials. Check our website and follow us on social media for live entertainment, food specials, and our bartenders' latest creations!

Brunch Menu: 10:00 - 1:00 Sunday
Sunday Sips: 11:30 - 4:00 p.m. with live music, Bistro Menu, and weekly food/drink specials
Sunset Sips: Wednesday and Thursday 4-8 p.m. (bar/food specials, wine features, theme nights, and live entertainment)

Top review

Kerri

Dined on May 11, 2025

We do this every mother's day and it is always a pleasant experience and great atmopsphere.

Sam's Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (3451)

$31 to $50

Steak

Affton

About the restaurant

Sam's Steakhouse is a hidden gem in St. Louis. We offer amazing steaks, wines to compliment any palate, desserts to appease any sweet tooth & top notch service.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 5 days ago

I have eaten at Sam’s for 20 years during my working tenure. I have been retired for 13 years and this is my first visit back to Sam’s and it was better than ever. I highly recommend Sam’s for a great evening.

Napoli 3

4.8

4.8 (2155)

$30 and under

Italian

St. Charles

About the restaurant

Café Napoli is a family owned restaurant, established in 1989 by Tony and Kathy Pietoso. Quickly becoming a success, they moved the small basement restaurant to a larger location at the corner of Forsyth and Bemiston in the heart of Clayton. In 2003, sons Ande and Kye expanded their family restaurant by adding Bar Napoli, a swank cocktail lounge. A few years later, Napoli Reserve was added onto Bar Napoli allowing for private event space and an additional bar and lounge for the weekends. After years of a flourishing business, Kathy and Tony decided to take their ventures West to Town and Country where they opened their second location, Napoli2, managed by Ande. Kye has taken the reigns from his father and is now the front man for the 8,000 square foot establishment in Clayton. Café Napoli and Bar Napoli have recently undergone a face lift inside and out. Inside the kitchen, Executive Chef from Napoli2 Jon Berger was recently added to the team, bringing fresh ideas and innovation to the regional Italian specialties.

Top review

Barry

Dined 3 days ago

Napoli 3 is five star all the way. The food, service, and ambience were pure class. Even the guests dressed appropriately for a nice restaurant. Total enjoyment!

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