Each year, Yelp releases a list of the best restaurants in the United States. In 2026, four St. Louis restaurants made the coveted list, up from only one in 2025. The list features the highest-ranked restaurants from the Yelp community, as well as up-and-coming trends in the restaurant world. Read on to find out what locals and beyond love about St. Louis staples Songbird, Telva at the Ridge, Blues City Deli and Polite Society.
Songbird – #71
Popular breakfast spot Songbird was previously included on Yelp’s Top 100 Midwest Restaurants 2023. Their classic menu features breakfast sandwiches, lox, frittatas and more. The crew at Songbird prides themselves on supporting local, and they use fellow Missouri purveyors such as Buttonwood Farm and Bee Simple, while their sourdough products come from La Bonne Bouchee. The restaurant recently relocated from Forest Park Southeast to Tower Grove South, allowing for more seating options. “Songbird is thrilled to be included in the Yelp Top 100 list and so excited to be representing the St. Louis dining community,” said owner Chris Meyer. “It is an honor to be included among these great restaurants!” Songbird is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily except for Tuesday.
3153 Morganford Road, St. Louis, 314.781.4344, songbirdstl.com
Telva at the Ridge – #77
Telva at the Ridge in Webster Groves is a Balkan-inspired cafe from the same minds behind Balkan Treat Box. Their signature coffee program currently features Bosanska Kahva, a traditional Bosnian coffee, and specialties like the Eurocrem latte and rose latte with Telva’s housemade syrups. Their plates include Turkish eggs, and a sloppy mustafa toast with sourdough from Union Loafers. “It’s an honor,” co-owner Emir Nalic said of being included on the Yelp 100 list. “When we opened Telva, we never imagined it would grow beyond a small coffee shop. The love and support from our community allowed it to evolve into a full restaurant we’re so proud of. This has always been about the people who believed in us, and we’re thankful for them every single day.” Telva at the Ridge is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
60 N. Gore Ave., Webster Groves, 314.395.2760, telvastl.com
Blues City Deli – #82
For over 20 years, Blues City Deli has been serving delicious sandwiches to Benton Park and beyond. They’ve got the classics, like a muffuletta and an Italian beef, as well as in-house specialties. The Big Tommy, with hot roast beef, grilled peppers and onions on cheese garlic bread, and Sally’s Spicy Italian, with capicola, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, “bang” peppers, Italian vinegar oil and balsamic glaze, are two of the most popular sandwiches. The menu also features several vegetarian options and local Fitz sodas, plus new sandwich specials like the Haley’s Comet. The kitchen brings in new ingredients when possible, and lately they’ve been experimenting with Italian “long hot” peppers, which are popular on the East Coast. In 2023, Blues City Deli was #1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Midwest Restaurants. “It was a good bump for a small business, which is so important these days,” said owner Vince Valenza. “It’s always an honor for sure. I want to thank all our customers and our staff.” He hopes that this year’s list encourages people to get out and enjoy the St. Louis food scene. You can grab one of their sandwiches from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
2438 McNair Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.8225, bluescitydeli.com
Polite Society – #97
Lafayette Square hotspot Polite Society describes itself as not just a restaurant and bar, but also a gathering space. Their menu changes with the availability of new ingredients and ideas; it currently includes elevated favorites such as shrimp and grits and lamb meatballs. The entree options cover everything from pork osso bucco to scallops to Japanese vegetable curry, and their strozzapreti ragù bolognese is not to be missed. Polite Society’s unique cocktails, like the Strawberry Manilow and Rye Down Under, sit next to an extensive wine and beer list. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. all week, with brunch on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1923 Park Ave., St. Louis, 314.325.2553, politesocietystl.com