After a soft opening phase the past few months, Soul 2 Soul, a dual-concept restaurant and nightlife destination, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, July 19, at 5917 Delmar Blvd., just east of the Delmar Loop.
The venue brings together two distinct but complementary experiences: Soul Kitchen and Soul Lounge. Soul Kitchen blends traditional Southern cuisine with an upscale, energetic atmosphere, creating what the team calls “vibe dining.” Think shareable tapas-style plates, soulful playlists and an inviting design that encourages lingering over food and conversation.
“People have really embraced what we’re doing here,” said owner Doug Nguyen, who also owns Amigo Sole nearby. “The soft openings started back in March; we were just inviting friends and family at first, but word got out and it started to grow. One Saturday we hit 250 tickets. Folks loved the food, the vibe, the whole concept.”
Chef Ana Halls, who conceptualized the menu with input from Nguyen, has been instrumental in shaping the restaurant’s food program. “She’s been a chef for over a decade, doing events across the Midwest,” Nguyen said. “She grew up around great cooks – her mom was known in the neighborhood – and when I met her, I knew instantly she was the one to help me bring this to life.”
The offerings vary depending on when you go. The full food menu is served daily during dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., except Mondays when it’s closed. Highlights include shrimp tacos, okra, a turkey dumpling bowl, pot roast, poutine and their signature Delta Dragon Sticky Ribs, which are battered and fried then bathed in a sweet and tangy sauce. In addition, Nguyen said most menu items range from $10 to $15 so guests can easily try a wide variety of dishes, rather than having one large entree.
A late-night menu runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., offering a pared-down selection from the dinner offerings. “We keep around half the dinner menu: the Dragon Ribs, okra, chicken and fries, and shrimp tacos,” Nguyen said.
A Sunday brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. adds a whole new flavor profile. “It’s completely different from the dinner menu,” Nguyen said. “We’ve got things like salmon, bruschetta, egg and avocado – lighter dishes, plus brunch cocktails like mimosas. We’ve done a few soft-opening brunches already, and this weekend will be our official launch.”
Outdoors, the Soul 2 Soul Caribbean jerk hut offers yet another experience, focused on island-inspired flavors. Launching the week after the grand opening, the patio menu will be available Thursday through Sunday, serving Caribbean-style jerk dishes like half-smoked chicken, smoked turkey legs and wings, all paired with coconut rice and plantains. “It’s a lighter, fresher vibe; the food out there has a completely different energy,” Nguyen said.
No matter the time of day, Soul 2 Soul leans into good energy. “It’s all about the vibe,” Nguyen said. “That’s one of the things we always say; you’ll feel it when you walk in.”
Guests can also expect a specialty cocktail menu that runs all night, every night except during brunch service. Over at Soul Lounge, the adjacent nightlife space offers plush seating, craft cocktails and a hookah lounge. DJs spin different genres depending on the day: R&B Thursdays, Afro Beats for Wakanda Fridays, house music Saturdays, and Soulection Sundays with a blend of R&B, Amapiano, Afrobeat and dancehall tunes.
This Saturday’s grand opening celebration marks a turning point for Nguyen and his team. “This is our moment to ring the gong bell and say, ‘We’re here.’ Everything until now has been preparation, and now we’re ready to show St. Louis what we’re all about,” Nguyen said. “We’ve perfected the menu, refined our service, and we’re ready to deliver something special.”
The evening will feature a culinary showcase by Soul Kitchen, live DJs both inside and on the patio — DJ Stew and DJ Homicide — plus fire performers. Music kicks off at 5 p.m. on the patio and 8 p.m. inside. R&B will set the tone indoors, while house music creates an upbeat, open-air party outside.
Though the atmosphere is upscale, the dress code is more of a suggestion than a rule. “We want everyone to feel comfortable in the space,” Nguyen said. “If something’s really not working, we might say something, but we’re not policing people. It’s about maintaining a good vibe and making sure everyone’s experience is great.”
The team hopes to see the community come out and celebrate. “Our tagline is ‘from one soul to another,’” Nguyen said. “We want this to be a place where people come together, connect, and enjoy the best of what St. Louis has to offer.”
For more information or to preview the menu, visit soul2soulstl.com.
This article appears in July 2025.