We're spoiled in St. Louis by what seems to be a never-ending supply of top restaurants opening up shop. Still, that's little consolation when one of our favorite places shuts its doors — it's a total gut punch.
We've lost some great ones in 2023, so we rounded up a list of our most-loved places gone but never forgotten — even as we thought hungrily about all the amazing meals we had at them. Scroll through to see what this year kicked up in its dust, and try not to shed too many tears.
St. Louis Restaurants We Lost So Far in 2023 [PHOTOS]
By Jessica Rogen on Sat, Dec 2, 2023 at 8:46 am
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BENJAMIN SIMON
Vin de Set, PW Pizza and 21st Street Brewers Bar, Downtown West
The beloved spots Vin de Set, PW Pizza and 21st Street Brewers Bar closed officially called it quits in March after a September 2022 fire proved too hard to overcome for the Downtown West eateries.
The beloved spots Vin de Set, PW Pizza and 21st Street Brewers Bar closed officially called it quits in March after a September 2022 fire proved too hard to overcome for the Downtown West eateries.
MABEL SUEN
J. Devoti Trattoria,The Hill
An Italian spot that offered modern cuisine with fresh local ingredients, J. Devoti Trattoria was a favorite of RFT Dining Critic Cheryl Baehr, but not all good things can last.
An Italian spot that offered modern cuisine with fresh local ingredients, J. Devoti Trattoria was a favorite of RFT Dining Critic Cheryl Baehr, but not all good things can last.
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MABEL SUEN
58hundred, Southwest Garden
58hundred stunned with dishes such as its standout Brussels sprouts tacos, but it closed regardless.
58hundred stunned with dishes such as its standout Brussels sprouts tacos, but it closed regardless.
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JENNIFER SILVERBERG
Juniper, Central West End
It was a blow when Juniper shut its doors in June, but fans of its fried chicken can console itself in Sunday Best, a new concept from the same owner that opened in August.
It was a blow when Juniper shut its doors in June, but fans of its fried chicken can console itself in Sunday Best, a new concept from the same owner that opened in August.
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RYAN KRULL
Three Kings Public House, University City
Fire was a sad theme for restaurants this year, and Three Kings has been temporarily closed on the Loop since a blaze ravaged its flagship location in April.
Fire was a sad theme for restaurants this year, and Three Kings has been temporarily closed on the Loop since a blaze ravaged its flagship location in April.
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Patrick Hurley
Banh Mi So #1, St. Louis
Bahn Mi So 1 on South Grand quietly closed its doors in February. When the south side later caught up to its loss, fans mourned.
Bahn Mi So 1 on South Grand quietly closed its doors in February. When the south side later caught up to its loss, fans mourned.
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Mabel Suen
Nippon Tei, Ballwin
If you're still mourning Nippon Tei, which closed in February, it's time to check out owner Nick Bognar's Sado on the Hill.
If you're still mourning Nippon Tei, which closed in February, it's time to check out owner Nick Bognar's Sado on the Hill.
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Mabel Suen
Beast BBQ and Butcher Block, The Grove
This one really hurt. Owners David and Meggin Sandusky said the closure of their Grove eatery was because they were stretched too thin.
This one really hurt. Owners David and Meggin Sandusky said the closure of their Grove eatery was because they were stretched too thin.
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MABEL SUEN
Kitchen House Coffee, Tower Grove East
Kitchen House Coffee opened in Tower Grove East in 2014 and closed this past March. While a tea shop is now open on site, neighbors miss the cafe and its charming backyard chickens.
Kitchen House Coffee opened in Tower Grove East in 2014 and closed this past March. While a tea shop is now open on site, neighbors miss the cafe and its charming backyard chickens.
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Monica Obradovic
Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop, St. Louis
Whisk indefinitely and abruptly closed its walk-in sales in January, letting go most of the staff without notice. “I’ve been holding on as long as I could,” owner Kaylen Wissinger told the RFT. Fortunately, for big Whisk fans, there's now a Christmas pop-up.
Whisk indefinitely and abruptly closed its walk-in sales in January, letting go most of the staff without notice. “I’ve been holding on as long as I could,” owner Kaylen Wissinger told the RFT. Fortunately, for big Whisk fans, there's now a Christmas pop-up.
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Jennifer Silverberg
Baileys’ Range, Downtown
Baileys' Range closed its original location in downtown St. Louis in August. But fans of its inventive burger and shakes can still head to the Shaw location.
Baileys' Range closed its original location in downtown St. Louis in August. But fans of its inventive burger and shakes can still head to the Shaw location.
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Llywelyn’s, Soulard
Longtime neighborhood mainstay Llywelyn's Pub in Soulard went up for sale in March.
Longtime neighborhood mainstay Llywelyn's Pub in Soulard went up for sale in March.
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THEO WELLING
Gezellig Tap House & Bottleshop, the Grove
R.I.P. Gezellig's trove of beers. (But hey, good news, Pie Guy is getting ready to open a bar on site!)
R.I.P. Gezellig's trove of beers. (But hey, good news, Pie Guy is getting ready to open a bar on site!)
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Mabel Suen
Edibles & Essentials, The Hill
Chef/owner Matt Borchardt joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of Saint Louis as the executive chef of its location in Forest Park Southeast, which meant closing his beloved south city cafe and food counter.
Chef/owner Matt Borchardt joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of Saint Louis as the executive chef of its location in Forest Park Southeast, which meant closing his beloved south city cafe and food counter.
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Mabel Suen
Bait, Central West End
Bait, the brainchild of first-time restaurateur Kalen Hodgest, earned raves for its seafood.
Bait, the brainchild of first-time restaurateur Kalen Hodgest, earned raves for its seafood.
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RYAN KRULL
Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream, multiple locations
The fast-growing Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream empire crumbled this year after owner Eric Moore was sued by four different landlords.
The fast-growing Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream empire crumbled this year after owner Eric Moore was sued by four different landlords.
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TAYLOR VINSON
The Sweet Divine, Soulard
After 13 years in business, the beloved cupcake shop shut its doors in June.
After 13 years in business, the beloved cupcake shop shut its doors in June.
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Mabel Suen
Lousie's on the Loop, University City
Lousie's on the Loop's specialty was loose-meat sandwiches, but despite raves from diners, couldn't make things work.
Lousie's on the Loop's specialty was loose-meat sandwiches, but despite raves from diners, couldn't make things work.
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Mabel Suen
Gather, McKinley Heights
The cafe from the owners of Urban Fort Play shuttered earlier this year. Its easy daytime fare is missed.
The cafe from the owners of Urban Fort Play shuttered earlier this year. Its easy daytime fare is missed.
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Tom Hellauer
The Greek Kitchen, Kirkwood
The Greek Kitchen brought a true Greek experience to Kirkwood while it lasted.
The Greek Kitchen brought a true Greek experience to Kirkwood while it lasted.
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