Trattoria Marcella is one of those quintessential “if you know, you know” restaurants. After 30 years in Lindenwood Park, it’s still in the conversation among the city’s best Italian restaurants. The energy here is tangible, immediate and infectious. People are having fun, and it’s hard not to be drawn in. The delicious lasagna al forno is a freeform spin on traditional layered lasagna, and the crunchy shaved Brussels sprouts are a sleeper hit. Happy hour is proof that while you can spend big here, you don’t need to, with $6 martinis, $5 pours of house wine, and plenty of discounted food items. Insider tip: Don’t miss the off-menu lobster risotto.
3600 Watson Road, St. Louis, 314.352.7706, trattoriamarcella.com
The Sauce 75 is a photomosaic of the best in St. Louis dining. This list is a celebration of the diverse skills, techniques and culinary traditions that meet across our region. In sum, it tells a story about where St. Louis has been, where it is now and where it’s going next. Many great and good St. Louis restaurants have not made the cut. (Seventy-five is a lot fewer than you think!) Restaurants are constantly growing and evolving and go through ups and downs. Newly opened restaurants can take time to find their feet: There are a few exciting new places we’re cheering for, but which we feel haven’t yet fully hit their stride.
This article appears in January/February 2025.