From a neon-lit ramen bar and hidden basement cocktail den to a sprawling entertainment complex and buzzy new noodle spot, this month’s Hit List is all about fun energy and places worth working into your rotation right now.
Oni
At Oni – the new restaurant in the Grove from the team behind now-shuttered Delmar Loop hotspot Blue Ocean – dinner feels a little like stepping into a neon-lit fever dream in the best way possible. The front room is bright and buzzing, while the back is darker and neon-soaked, edged with oni masks and late-night energy.
The move here is to order across the menu. We started with the Goons – a smarter, crab-forward take on Rangoon with a thinner, crispier shell that avoids the usual grease trap. Then there’s the Golden Chocobo ramen, a deeply layered bowl that’s rich without feeling heavy. Don’t skip the Oni St. Paul, a playful, decidedly St. Louis mashup with Japanese milk bread, pork belly and okonomiyaki-style egg; it’s indulgent, but completely worth it. From the sushi side, check out the Cardinal roll or La Flama Blanca, where things get a little extra with layered textures and sauces.
It’s part izakaya, part art project, part comeback story, and a spot you should not miss during your next night out in the Grove.
4370 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, onistl.com
Mother May I
Tucked behind a hidden entrance inside Monstera Mezcaleria & Natural Wine Bar on South Grand, Mother May I is the kind of place you stumble into and immediately feel right at home. The basement bar exudes house-party energy – dim lighting, vintage touches, communal seating – but with a cocktail program that’s anything but an afterthought.
The menu is playful in the best way, balancing real technique with a “why not?” attitude. Case in point: the Why The F*ck Not? cocktail, which revives Hypnotiq in a way that somehow feels fresh again – nostalgic and fun but surprisingly well-balanced. Across the board, drinks stay affordable and unpretentious, with daiquiris, martinis and originals all designed to be fun first, fussy never. There’s food too, but it sticks to the dive-bar spirit – think hot dogs, taquitos and snacks perfect for late-night grazing rather than a full dinner.
Honestly, anything this team touches tends to land, and this is no exception. While you’re there, it’s worth heading upstairs to Monstera Mezcaleria for its eponymous cocktail, or making a full night of it with a Persian dinner at The Gin Room just a few doors down.
3194 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, mothermayistl.com
Wow! Entertainment
At Wow! Entertainment center in Fenton, the game plan is simple: Show up hungry, bring a group if you can and stay a while. The space is massive with everything from sports simulators and virtual reality to mini bowling, karaoke rooms, curling and more. Some attractions are priced per game, others by the hour, which makes it easy to split costs and turn it into a full-on hang.
We made the strategic decision to eat first, and the clear standout was the Philly cheesesteak: thinly shaved steak, super tender, piled onto great bread with plenty of cheese and just enough veggies to balance it out. It’s the kind of thing you don’t overthink, you just keep going back for another bite. The rest of the menu is sprawling but solid. The wings are full, hefty pieces – order accordingly – and we liked both the garlic Parmesan and chipotle hot honey. The chicken quesadilla is a sleeper hit, extra cheesy and well executed, and the burger lineup (including a black bean option) covers your bases. Zucchini fries come in a massive portion with dipping sauces, and the ribs bring a little balance with a side of greens.
After that, it’s straight into the action – and yes, the VR “floor is lava” game is as pleasantly tumultuous and fun as it sounds.
138 Fiedler Lane, Fenton, wowfungames.com
Noodle Story
At Noodle Story, there’s a lot to like at first glance – and in some ways, that’s part of the story. The space itself is genuinely beautiful, with exposed brick, dark wood and layered details that make it feel more polished than your average noodle spot.
That said, we’d recommend ordering with a bit of strategy. Our standout was the Chengdu Zajiang noodle – a dry, deeply savory bowl with real depth and just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s rich, a little funky in the best way, and easily the dish we’d go back for.
The potstickers were another highlight, with that craggy, crispy edge that makes them hard to stop eating, and while the ramen didn’t blow us away, it was perfectly solid if you’re craving something comforting.
Beyond that, the results were a bit mixed for us. Some dishes didn’t quite hit the way we hoped, but it also feels like a menu where you could easily just order something else next time and have a completely different experience. There’s a strong foundation here – and enough winners to make us think it’s worth a return visit, just with a slightly more curated game plan.
6315 Delmar Blvd., University City, noodlestorymo.com
This article appears in May 2026.
