This month’s Hit List highlights a fresh wave of local openings redefining comfort, community and creativity across St. Louis. From polished all-day hangouts to soulful late-night spots and neighborhood gems with serious flavor, each brings its own personality and sense of place. We’ve also rounded up specific dish recommendations to help you plan your next meal out.
Bel Air Social
Bel Air Social, a new project from Abbott Hospitality, has opened in the former Bel Air Motel in the Central West End. Envisioned as an all-day gathering spot, the concept blends elements of a food hall, coffee shop and cocktail bar with both indoor and outdoor spaces designed for lingering rather than rushing through.
So far, two food vendors are operating in the sleek new venue. Outpost Coffee [& Bricks] brings caffeine with a playful twist thanks to its Lego-infused atmosphere, while Pizza Via offers hand-tossed pies that anchor the food lineup. With two stalls still open, there’s room for the mix to grow, and anticipation is already building around what other vendors will join the fold.
The cocktail menu is equally compelling. Cloud Nine layers Bacardi white rum with Chareau aloe liqueur, lime, pineapple and kiwi for a tropical sip that’s bright and refreshing. Come on Snake, Let’s Rattle is the most fun and playful of the bunch, balancing 1220 Encrypted vodka with ginger, turmeric, black pepper, lemon, simple and yuzu for a spicy-citrus kick. Don’t Have a Cow feels unconventional but works beautifully, with RumHaven, coconut milk, lime, hot honey and egg white creating a rich yet balanced drink that’s silky and a little surprising.
With its thoughtful cocktail program, growing food lineup and polished, design-driven interiors, Bel Air Social already feels like a smaller but more upscale counterpart to City Foundry STL. The crown jewel is its expansive patio, a huge and inviting outdoor space perfect for everything from lawn games to long evenings with friends, cementing the spot as one of the city’s most exciting new hangouts.
4630 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, belairsocial.com
Little Lucy
Chef Ben Welch’s restaurant duo in the Grove pairs Lucy Quinn, a full-service Southern-influenced restaurant, with Little Lucy, an intimate diner-style spot. Lucy Quinn already earned a place on our Hit List earlier this year, so now it’s Little Lucy’s turn to shine.
The thick-cut candied peppered bacon is a showstopper. Referred to lovingly by employees as “steak-on,” it’s thick but crispy, lightly sweet, well-seasoned, with crunch on top and juicy chew beneath. The Brussels sprouts come layered over a preserved lemon remoulade, super cheesy and rich with umami depth, showered with Parmesan and black pepper; make sure you dig down for the sauce, which you will want in every bite. The fried green tomato grilled cheese turned out to be a universal favorite, even among carnivores, with béchamel, tomato aioli, pimento cheese and soft, chewy sourdough that’s light and airy. To drink, the Palmetto No. 5 is a standout, a true vacation in a glass.
Little Lucy leans into diner nostalgia with bright-pink accents, booths and counter seating, and a playful late-night vibe, while still carrying Welch’s personal, soulful touch. With dishes this good, the “little sister” concept has clearly stepped into the spotlight.
4156 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, littlelucyquinn.com
Soul 2 Soul
Soul 2 Soul is a Southern kitchen and nightlife concept near the Delmar Loop that delivers food so rich you almost don’t want to stop. Tapas-style portions make it easy to share (or to order a little bit of everything).
The pot roast stands out: It’s usually the dish you’d skip, but here it’s deeply comforting and melt-in-your-mouth good. Dragon ribs are sticky, tangy and solid all around, while the okra hits that sweet-meets-salty balance better than most versions you’ll find. And the poutine? Sweet, savory, and so good you’ll keep reaching for more even if you’re already stuffed. The Southern buttermilk skillet cornbread and chicken wings and Belgian waffle are also winners.
Beyond the food, Soul 2 Soul keeps the vibe lively with nightly events. When we visited, bingo was in full swing, with free cocktails on the line. Between the kitchen, the music and the games, this is a spot that turns dinner into an experience.
5917 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, s2sstl.com
Pierce Creek
Creve Coeur has welcomed Pierce Creek, a new market, butcher, bakery, deli, restaurant and bar, from Kent Evans and Rachelle L’Ecuyer of Pierce Creek Cattle Co. and the MOObile food truck. The grocery side emphasizes hyper-local sourcing, with their pasture-raised beef and other proteins, all free of added hormones and unnecessary antibiotics, seasonal produce from area farms, and dry goods from small local makers.
On the food side, the burger is simple but satisfying, while the beef birria is a standout with a consommé that’s thick, rich and intensely flavorful. Among the rotating daily sides, the cucumber salad with yogurt sauce offers a fresh, dill-forward contrast.
Plans are already in motion to add a bar with local beer, wine and spirits, alongside an in-store coffee bar. They’re also expanding to offering breakfast, and will also feature pop-up happy hours and private dinners for the holiday season. With its mix of market, deli and future drink offerings, plus a welcoming space that nods to the building’s history while adopting a fresh new look, Pierce Creek is quickly shaping up to be more than just a lunch stop — it’s a full neighborhood destination.
10405 Old Olive Street Road, Creve Coeur, piercecreekstl.com
Garden Variety Deli
Tucked into a corner on Tower Grove South, Garden Variety Deli is bringing fresh, chef-driven options to the neighborhood. This cozy counter-service deli leans into comfort-food nostalgia with new takes on old standbys. The house-baked sourdough focaccia hits the perfect chewy-yet-airy sweet spot, anchoring sandwiches that read like childhood favorites, only better and decidedly dill-forward. Salted and seasoned to perfection, the roast beef is a clear standout, while the grain bowl offers a hearty but bright alternative when you’re not in sandwich mode. Casual, satisfying and quietly clever, Garden Variety proves a neighborhood deli can still surprise.
3182 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.932.1526, gardenvarietydeli.com