Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Downtown? 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!

Cobalt Smoke & Sea

4.9

4.9 (966)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Cobalt Smoke & Sea is a bridge that connects uniquely different food sources — the rustic farmlands and the open air sea — and brings them under one illuminated space to create an alluring experience where culinary creativity, globally inspired flavors, and hungry curiosity intersect.

Our chef has meticulously created every Cobalt Smoke & Sea recipe through his deep love for the craft of food and those who will be enjoying it. It is through the selection of ingredients, care of crafting, and joy of presenting our dishes that we offer you true artisanal food with global inspiration. We invite you to share curiosity, tastes, and laughter over any of our dishes. Welcome to our table!

OpenTable Diner's Choice 2019-2025

Top review

James

Dined 4 days ago

This has become a regular stop when wanting a fun and good dinner. The menu is different, changing, and always good. Management recognizes and acknowledges us, as we always book through OpenTable. We enjoyed the tuna appetizer, the two fish entrees, key lime dessert, the fancy nightcap on the dessert menu, all very good. Of course all good things come at a price. We will return in the near future.

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Experience

Happy Hour

Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge

4.8

4.8 (1940)

$30 and under

American

Soulard / Benton Park

About the restaurant

Frazer Cameron, executive chef and owner of Frazer’s restaurant, opened the doors to his now iconic restaurant in 1992 in historic Benton Park. Entrees at Frazer’s are inspired by tastes from around the globe, including French, Moroccan, Italian, Mexican, and Cajun. Frazer’s also features an award winning wine & cocktail program, featuring over 50 classic & specialty craft cocktails.

Located down the street from the Anheuser Busch Brewery, Frazer’s is perfect for appetizers and drinks with friends or for an entertaining dinner. We feature many different dining options such as a bar & lounge area, our main dining room, our upper level dining area, takeout. Frazer’s also features street side & patio dining (Outside dining is first come first serve). Please call for any inquiries.

info@frazersgoodeats.com

Top review

LISAVIP

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

Had a great meal and drinks for my husbands birthday.

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4.8

4.8 (1483)

$31 to $50

American

St. Louis

About the restaurant

VIEW TODAY'S MENU HERE https://indd.adobe.com/view/4f193613-6d68-4eef-9d3c-177c76a63667. We set out to create a fun, lively, and approachable restaurant and bar in our own back yard — a friendly, bustling neighborhood spot where the very best in food and drink would be served in a welcoming setting. We are looking at every single detail to make sure that Olive+Oak will be the perfect place to enjoy great wine, craft beer, well made drinks and thoughtful, ingredient driven food with friends and family.

Top review

Kara

Dined 2 days ago

Dinner at Olive + Oak was a fantastic experience from start to finish. All of the food was sensational, service was excellent and our server (Fernando) gave great suggestions.

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Eleven Eleven Mississippi

4.7

4.7 (4627)

$31 to $50

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

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food, favorite started was the ravioli. Had the swordfish as an entree and it was excellent. Finished off with the chocolate torta which was great as well. Would go back

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Popular dish

wild boar ravioli

Experience

Summer Festivals of Italy: Umbria

Blood and Sand

4.7

4.7 (807)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown St. Louis

About the restaurant

Nationally recognized for excellence, Blood and Sand focuses on innovative cuisine, culinary cocktails, and intimate service. Awarded the "Best of 'Award of Excellence'" from Wine Spectator Magazine, we are one of premier wine destinations in the world. Open to the public, memberships are available with exclusive benefits.

Walk-ins Welcome, Reservations Required Fri &Sat
For Parties of 8+ call us at 314-241-7263
Incomplete Parties Will Be Seated When All Guests Arrive

The A La Carte Menu is Available 'til 9PM & F-Sat 'til 10PM
5 and 10 Course Tasting Menu Available 'til 8 PM
Bar Menu Available 'til 10PM & F-Sat 'til 11PM

5 Course Tasting Available for Parties Up to 6

10 Course Tasting for Parties Up to 4 and *Must* Be Requested in Your Reservation 48 Hrs in Advance.
To Provide the Best Experience, All Diners Must Participate in the 10 Course

For the Custom Chef's Tasting Experience Please Call/Email Us 72 Hrs in Advance
*Credit Cards Incur Credit Card Fee, None for Cash

Top review

Louise

Dined 7 days ago

Celebrating a birthday was top line Sidney was excellent server guiding us through menu choices She acknowledged any allergies or intolerances Guided us though a perfect evening of cocktails and food Highly recommend the duck curry!

Stone Turtle

4.7

4.7 (1209)

$30 and under

American

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Stone Turtle is an American Restaurant and Whiskey Bar located in the heart of Dogtown, Saint Louis, just south of Turtle Park.

Top review

Andy

Dined 4 days ago

The Brisket Dip is awesome! The ribs are fantastic, and the curds were great as well...they could use a dipping sauce though.

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Experience

Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky Welcome Drink

Rated Test Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (78)

$30 and under

Unspecified

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Rated Test Kitchen is an intimate Dinner Club. Our intent is to give our guests a unique dining experience like no other. Our evolving Menu, prepared by award-winning Culinary Creatives, features seven courses, and you (our Guests) will get to Rate each course. It’s time to channel your inner food critic and enjoy our innovative cuisine.

Top review

Sasha

Dined on May 30, 2025

From the service to the food, everything was exceptional. I was warmly greeted by name, and each dish was thoughtfully presented and absolutely delicious.

Idol Wolf - 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis

4.5

4.5 (466)

$31 to $50

Spanish

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Spain, Chef Matt Daughaday's inspired cuisine at Idol Wolf takes a playful approach to tapas style dining by combining local and seasonal ingredients with classic Iberian sensibilities.
The menus seamlessly blend traditional takes on Spanish classics, with drinks and dishes that have a distinctly Midwestern point of view – the result is a shared drinking and dining experience that is uniquely craveable, and truly memorable.

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

The food is amazing. Service was phenomenal. Highly recommend you dine at Idol Wolf. We enjoyed the Serrano Ham and Olives starters. Delicious! Entrees enjoyed were the Octopus and Potato, Hamburger and Caesar Salad. All so flavorful and the perfect portion size. The staff went out of their way to help me purchase a penguin after the coffee shop had closed. Was so grateful! I collect them from each location and they went above and beyond to make it happen.

Commonwealth

4.4

4.4 (385)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Welcome to Commonwealth, Chef Lauren Anthony has an amazing dining experience for you to enjoy. Located across from The Fabulous Fox Theatre we are the perfect spot for dinner before the show, or drinks after. We are cooking up some wonderful, curated dining experiences- stay tuned for more information!

Top review

vivianVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

It's an excellent restaurant to stop at before a show. Leave enough time, they let you take your time. If your show is at 7:30 be sure you start at 5:30. Cocktails are fantastic, along with the spinach and artichoke dip. Hubby always gets their grand burger which is unbelievably GRAND. I enjoy the salmon or the Regianno chicken.

Walnut Grill - Sunset Hills

4.2

4.2 (531)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Here at Walnut Grill we offer delicious American cuisine with exceptional fresh seafood prepared by our culinary team. The modern atmosphere of our bar and lounge area makes us the perfect destination to bring a date and enjoy one of our specialty martinis or distinct craft beers. Our full bar is equipped with multiple large screen TVs and can accommodate you and your friends when you are watching your favorite sports team! Or you can come to celebrate your next special occasion in our dining room! If you would like, we also offer dining on our outdoor patio and bar that is sure to make your dining experience with us exceptional! Delicious food, gracious energetic service and our upscale ambiance is designed to please every diner! We accept reservations for our dining room and banquet dining room, our patio and lounge areas are seated on a first come first serve basis.

Top review

Denise

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The ambience, service, and value for the money were fine. The food was alright, with exception of the cheeseburger. Admittedly, I ordered it "medium to medium-well." I wasn't expecting a charcoal briquette. Two of the three people dining DID like their food. But the cook should have been embarrassed to send out that cheeseburger!

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Popular dish

Chicken Spiedini

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