Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Square One Brewery & Distillery

4.9

4.9 (943)

$30 and under

Pub

Soulard / Benton Park

About the restaurant

"Patio seating is first come, first served. You can make a request for the patio in your reservation, and while we can't guarantee patio seating we do try to honor your request*

Located in historic Lafayette Square just south of downtown St. Louis, Square One Brewery & Distillery began operations as a Brewery & Restaurant in February of 2006. We strive to produce the highest quality and unique flavors that are not likely to be found in the large volume production of most beer and spirits today. By combining the expertise of the distiller, master brewer, and chef, we are committed to creating an amazing array of flavors and tastes for our customers.

Top review

CatherineVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Went for Fathers Day brunch. I would say a Hidden Gem because not that many people for Father’s Day. Food outstanding. Server extremely pleasant and we sat outside which was just a beautiful setting

Lorenzo's Trattoria

4.8

4.8 (2345)

$30 and under

Italian

The Hill

About the restaurant

Lorenzo’s features Northern Italian fare with a touch of contemporary flavor. Look to our menu for some of the classics as well as some modern Italian cuisine less prevalent on The Hill. Look forward to experiencing the authentic house-made gnocchi and risottos; or our signature dish, braised Ossobuco; our guests' ever favorite, Chicken Spedini; or a couple of the staff favorites, the Grilled Barramundi or Fabulous Veal Picatta.

At Lorenzo's the atmosphere is classy and laid-back. It is the type of restaurant where you can have a nice business dinner or enjoy a meal with the family.

We offer two beautiful private rooms, The Boardroom, which seats up to 14 or The Chefs Table which seats up to 8. You may choose to enjoy our patio on a beautiful day and savor one of the great Italian wines off our extensive wine menu. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable no matter what meal or day you visit. We look forward to showing you all we can offer at Lorenzo's Trattoria.

Top review

kim

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent customer service Food was very good especially the ravioli

Guido's Pizza and Tapas

4.8

4.8 (696)

$30 and under

Italian

The Hill

About the restaurant

Serving a "Taste of Spain in The Middle of Italy" Family owned and operated Guido"s has both Spanish and Italian cuisine. We offer everything from Homemade Sangria to tapas and paella as well as the areas best thin crust pizza. Open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner. We also have carry out, delivery and catering available.

Top review

thomas

Dined 6 days ago

Always a safe bet for a quick and reliable dinner

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 (31)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Webster Groves

About the restaurant

A neighborhood café and wine bar from the people behind Olive + Oak, bringing you food & wine that is fresh, casual, and simple. A place where the service is efficient and the hospitality is heartfelt. We open early offering fresh baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and a seasonal breakfast menu. Our lunch menu features sandwiches, soups, and fresh salads. We open Thursday-Saturday evenings featuring an evolving menu of seasonal small plates from Executive Chef Mike Risk paired with wines that have been thoughtfully sourced to showcase the people that make them and the places they are from. A thoughtful list of local beer, cocktails and NA beverages are available to enjoy as well.

Authentic. Unpretentious. Delicious.

Walk in only for breakfast and lunch. Reservations recommended for dinner.

Top review

donVIP

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

Always outstanding. Great food preparation, service and pairing of wines for each separate course.

Bar Italia Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (976)

$31 to $50

Italian

Central West End

About the restaurant

For authentic Italian cuisine come join us at Bar Italia Ristorante! Join us in the heart of the Central West End, but feel like you're in Italy! We serve upscale Italian unlike anything else you've had in Saint Louis. We promise a dining experience you're sure to remember! Parties over 6 guests will receive one check so we can make sure your party receives exceptional service as well as our other guests.

Top review

Brian

Dined 7 days ago

The meal was excellent! We very much enjoyed pasta dishes that were full of flavor without being heavy. The service was good. We never wanted for anything. Water was regularly refilled. Staff frequently checked in on us. However, the best part was desert. The tiramisu was excellent- maybe the best desert I have had this year. The lemon mascarpone cake, though, was one of the best deserts I have ever had. To each their own, but we loved our dining experience here.

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 5 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.

The Lemp Mansion

4.6

4.6 (1154)

$30 and under

American

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Looking for a unique place to dine! Come enjoy the haunted historic Lemp Mansion. Our menu options range from salads, sandwiches, pastas, steaks and seafoods. Make sure to save room for a delicious Bananas Foster or Cherries Jubilee, our flaming desserts prepared table-side. On Sundays, we serve Family-Style Chicken Dinner, all you care to eat!
After lunch or dinner take a wander around the main floor. There are many beautiful aspects to see, from the hand painted ceiling in the Parlor to the original vault doors leading into our museum & gift shop. The Lemp Mansion was originally the home of the biggest beer barons of their time.
The Lemp Mansion Restaurant has been open for 48 years! Come see why we are "famous from ghost to ghost!"
For more information visit us at lempmansion.com

Top review

Rose

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

This restaurant is my favorite in St.Louis hands down. It's casual for dress, except use your common sense. We were there recently and this guy at the next table had seriously gym shirts on! How disrespectful to this fabulous restaurant and its staff. On top of it, all he did was complain and I felt sorry for his wife how embarrassing. The food is so delicious and the chefs are so amazing. Pasta, seafood, chicken, salads, sandwiches and drinks are so fabulous. I've never had a bad meal, customer service or drink ever. The staff is amazing and the chefs are so talented that's why we always go back.

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Chevys Fresh Mex - Olivette

4.4

4.4 (215)

$30 and under

Mexican

St. Louis

About the restaurant

Making the best Fresh Mex food from scratch, daily!

Top review

Wendy

Dined on May 26, 2025

Such a cute place. Came to eat lunch before flight out of STL. The chips! OMG the chips were so light and tasty! Came out hot with the salsa just right. Not too spicy. Perfect for my taste. The food came out hot and delicious. Service was great. Seems like a good place to celebrate with a group. Has outside seating as well.

Rigazzis

3.6

3.6 (85)

$30 and under

Italian

The Hill

About the restaurant

At Rigazzi’s, our mission is simple – to consistently deliver an authentic taste of Italy in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We are dedicated to preserving the rich culinary traditions of Historic Hill, striving to be the premier destination for genuine Italian-American dining in St. Louis. We are the oldest restaurant on The Hill, join us for a timeless experience!

We aim to create memorable dining experiences, where each visit to Rigazzi’s is a journey through timeless flavors. We invite you to join us on this culinary adventure, as we continue to be a cornerstone of Historic Hill, offering the simple pleasures of good food and good company.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

I was visiting St.Louis. Been coming to Rigazzis during my visits for 30 years. I love this restaurant. Beer in a fishbowl. Pasta excellent. Chicken parm great. All good. Service excellent.

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