A Jianghu-style Hunan and Sichuan kitchen opened on Olive Boulevard in January, serving bold plates like Hunan Spicy River Shrimp and Chicken with Nine‑Leaf Sichuan Pepper.

A Maplewood microbrewery is planning a Frenchtown tasting room and an outdoor food‑truck pavilion, city officials said. The idea ties into the city's Frenchtown redevelopment plan.

A two‑level concept is coming to the Delmar Loop: Mexican‑Latin plates upstairs and a reservations‑only steakhouse below. Soft openings start in mid‑May with a tentative May 22 grand opening.

Stella Blues reopens in Tower Grove South after a 2024 kitchen fire. Soft launch Friday with bulgogi bowls, torpedoes and OGX wings returning to the menu.

A new O'Fallon spot is drawing praise for beef shawarma, shish taouk and house hummus in a mural-backed dining room. Early reviews call the meats a standout.

The B’s Family Kitchen at the Swansea Improvement Association has closed but is expected to return May 8 under new ownership, keeping the same recipes.

A longtime downtown fro‑yo spot at 1021 Washington Ave has reopened as Bella’s Coffee Café, serving locally roasted coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and cocktails.

Foodies Eat First Fest will run across two weekends in 2026 and add a citywide Restaurant Week Sept. 1–13, organizers say. The May kickoff is set for May 2–3 downtown.

Jordan Goodman will open Chico Bueno, an L.A.‑style taqueria, plus Chico Malo, a 24‑seat tasting room, in The Grove’s former Lucy Quinn space this summer.

Interruption Brewing is moving into O'Fallon's former Good News space and expects soft openings in May with a compact, 10-tap room and simple wood-fired fare.

Il Palato will close after service on May 4 as owner Mike Del Pietro moves his dinner program to nearby Cibo Italia, which opens May 4 for daytime and May 11 for dinners.

Station No. 3 will close its Kirkwood restaurant on May 9 as owners fold operations into their University City spots. Diego's will expand to keep staff employed.

Family‑owned Ted Drewes marked 97 years with 97‑cent cones and a $1.97 Cardinals‑helmet sundae at the Chippewa stand; South Grand returns for summer service.