Vol. 1, No. 19
Welcome to the Very Best of St. Louis 2023
By Sarah Fenske
Best of St. Louis 2023: Arts & Entertainment
Best Gallery
Wildfruit Projects
Best Art Exhibit
Counterpublic
Best Rapper
Big Boss Vette
Best Breakout Star
Thomas Owens
Best Place to See a Concert
Saint Louis Music Park
Best Local Music Fan
Ralph Morse
Best Returning Festival
Music at the Intersection
Best Opera
Susannah
Best St. Louis Playwright
Courtney Bailey
Best Theater Trend
New Play Festivals
Best Chihulys
Congregation Shaare Emeth
Best Punk Club
The Sinkhole
Best Local TikTok Personality
Britt Barbie
Best New Company
Albion Theatre Company
Best Family-Friendly Theater
Metro Theater Company
Best National Splash
Neil Salsich
Best New Local Band
Mindclot
Best Tour de Force
Kelly Howe
Best Movie Theatre
Hi-Pointe Theatre
Best Local Debut Album
Non-Euclidean Geometry's Into the Midnight
Best DJ
Keith Dudding
Best Big Theatre Drama
Confederates at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Best Small Theater Drama
Uncle Vanya at St. Louis Actors Studio
Best Bluegrass Party
Back Alley Grass Festival in Waterloo, Illinois
Best Museum
Saint Louis Art Museum
Best New Club
City Winery
Best Blues Club
BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Best of St. Louis 2023: Food & Drink
Best Restaurant
Louie
Best Bar
The Famous Bar
Best New Bar
'Ssippi
Best Sushi
Nobu's
Best Fast-Casual Restaurant
Buzz's Hawaiian Grill
Best Coffeehouse
Quarrelsome Coffee
Best New Restaurant
Wright's Tavern
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
Seedz Cafe
Best Sliders
Jack Nolen's
Best Burger, Non-Beef Division
SweetArt
Best Diner
Fleur STL
Best Wine Bar
Wild Olive Provisions
Best Gay Bar
Rehab
Best Korean Food
Sides of Seoul
Best Barbecue
BEAST Craft BBQ
Best Cocktails
The Vandy
Best Brewery Satellite
Friendship Brewing Fli-Hi
Best Bygone & Bonkers Dining Experience
Mandarin House
Best Restaurant When Someone Else Pays
Bar Moro
Best Brunch
Ivy Cafe
Best Chinese Restaurant
ChiliSpot
Best Bakery
La Patisserie Chouquette
Best Place to Dine with the Kids
Mayo Ketchup
Best Gyro
Ari's Greek
Best Sandwich
Havana's Cuisine
Best Italian Restaurant
Vicini Pastaria
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Little Fox
Best Breakfast
Songbird
Best Place to Dine Alone
Sando Shack
Best St. Louis-Style Pizza
Faraci Pizza
Best Expansion
Katie's Pizza and Pasta
Best Brewery Expansion
Narrow Gauge Brewing Company
Best Frozen Treats
Sugarwitch
Best Tacos
Sabroso
Best Mexican Restaurant
Brew Tulum
Best Chain Restaurant
Lion's Choice
Best Spot for Omnivores and Vegetarians to Eat Together
Station No. 3
Best Comfort Food
Your Place Diner
Best Fried Chicken
Eat Duckbill at Platypus
Best Dinner With a View
Maryland House
Best Steakhouse
Twisted Tree
Best Seafood
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
Best Doughnuts
Donut Drive-In
Best Thai Restaurant
Chiang Mai
Best Outdoor Dining
Edera Italian Eatery
Best Success Story
Levels Nigerian Restaurant
Best Reason to Travel Across the River
1929 Pizza & Wine
Best Collaboration
Kolsch Counts by Modern Brewery and Little Lager
Best Restaurant Service
Bistro La Floraison
Best Drive-Thru
Abelardo's Mexican Fresh
Best Chef
Cary McDowell
Best Bartender
Michael Fricker
Best Restaurant to Die in 2022
Juniper
Best Dessert
The Wedding Cake at Twisted Tree
Best Food Truck
Izumi
Best Late-Night Bar
Platypus
Best Late-Night Dining
Up Late
Best Deli
Deli Divine
Best Non-St. Louis Style Pizza
3 Little Monkeys
Best of St. Louis 2023: Goods & Services
Best Clothing Boutique
Epiphany Boutique
Best Old Store in a New Place
MoModerne Design Shop
Best Consignment Shop
The Green Goose Resale & Consignment Gallery
Best Dispensary
Proper Cannabis
Best Hash
Headchange
Best Hobby Shop
Schaefer's Hobby Shop
Best Record Store
Frenchtown Records, Antiques & More
Best Skincare Store
Butter Love Skin
Best Thrift Store
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cool Valley Outlet
Best Gift Shop
STL Style
Best Edibles
Honeybee Edibles chocolate bars
Best Cannabis-Infused Meal
Cannabrunch by Yonder Eats
Best Way to Rep Missouri Parks
Ope Outdoors
Best Antique Shop
R. Ege Antiques
Best Tattoo Parlor
Pastel Devil Studio
Best Grocery Store
Jay International
Best Health Food Store
Local Harvest
Best Music Supply Store
Nottelmann Music Co.
Best Bookstore
Noir Bookshop
Best Cannabis Startup
STL Space Treats
Best Cannabis Caterers
Rooted Buds
Best Live Rosin
Vibe's Gelato Live Rosin
Best Not-a-Club Club
Korédé House
Best Garden Center
Chesterfield Valley Nursery
Best Trend
St. Louis-themed clothing stores
Treasure Aisles
Best Indica Strain
Sinse Cannabis' Blueberry Muffin
Best Sativa Strain
Vivid Cannabis' Trop Cherry
Best Place to Spend $10
Missouri History Museum gift shop
Best Hotel
21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
Best Hybrid Strain
Amaze Cannabis' Cookie Dos
Best of St. Louis 2023: People & Places
Best Social Media Influencer
Tony Bame
Best Local Ambassador
Andy Cohen
Best Local Follow on X
@McPherSTL
Best Busker
Kyle Kostecki
Best Neighborhood to Live in
Shaw
Best Activist
Michelle Smith
Best Lawyer
Mary Anne Sedey
Best Local Girl Gone Bad
Kim Gardner
Best Local Boy Gone Bad
Brandon Bosley
Best Great New Hope
Gabriel Gore
Best Place to Meet Men
Friendly's Sports Bar and Grill
Best Place to Meet Women
Trader Joe's
Best Place (Not Your House) to Avoid Meeting Anyone
Grant's Trail
Best Old Building
The Grandel
Best Zoo Animal
Rhubarb
Best Wedding We Weren't Invited To
Jon Hamm & Anna Osceola
Best Tribute
Tina Turner billboards
Best Fairy Garden
Francis Park
Best Place for a First Date
Riverboat cruises at the Gateway Arch
Best Place for a Last Date
Saint Louis Zoo
Best Poet
Carl Phillips
Best Unintentional Poet
Judge Mike Noble
Best Disappearing Act
Tod Robberson
Best Reappearing Act
Red light cameras
Best Place for Day Drinking
FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing
Best Cheap Thrill
Swing-A-Round Fun Town
Best Reverse Psychology Backfire
"Please don't Sunshine my phone"
Best Journalist
Jacob Kirn, St. Louis Business Journal
Best Politician
Tony Lovasco
Best Unhinged Karen
Rachel Homolak
Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party
Slick City St. Louis West
Best Place for a Grown-Up Birthday Party
Pin-Up Bowl
Best Villain
Erin Hawley
Best Political Surprise No One Actually Saw Coming
Wesley Bell for Senate
Best Scoop
Allison Kite, the Missouri Independent/MuckRock
Best of St. Louis 2023: Sports & Recreation
Best Running Trail
Chubb Trail
Best Hike That's Worth a Drive
Little Grand Canyon
Best Biking Club
BICI
Best Gym
South City Family YMCA
Best Bike Shop
A&M Cyclery
Best Alternative Workout Space
Elevate Well STL
Best Sports Team
St. Louis City SC
Best Athlete
Roman Bürki
Best Cardinal
Lars Nootbaar
Best New Cardinal
Jordan Walker
Best Day Trip Destination
Castor River Shut-Ins
Best Dog Park
Southwest City Dog Park
Best Pinball
Silver Ballroom
Best New Game
Turn for the Wurst
Best Bowling Alley
Epiphany Bowling Lanes
Best Homegrown Athlete
Miguel Perez
Best Win
City SC's Victory Over Sporting Kansas City
Best Changeup
The Cardinals
Best Belated Victory
The Battlehawks
Best Pool
Heman Park Swimming Pool
Best Place to Find Your Zen
Japanese Garden at Missouri Botanical Garden
Best Public Park
Castlewood State Park
Best Bike Path
Katy Trail
Best Fan
T-Rav Baby
Best Acquisition (Despite Management Nearly Screwing It Up)
Willson Contreras
Best Hiking Trail
Lewis & Clark Trail, Weldon Springs
Best Campsite Within an Hour of St. Louis
Meramec Caverns Natural Campground
Best Skate Park
Sk8 Liborius
Best of St. Louis 2023: Readers' Choice
Best Movie Theater
Alamo Drafthouse
Best Theater Company
Stages
Best All-Ages Venue
The Muny
Best Live Music Venue
The Factory
Rehab St. Louis
Best Film Series
Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival
Best Dance Company
COCA
Best Hip-Hop Club
Sophie's Artist Lounge
Best Art Gallery
Soulard Art Gallery
Best Jazz Club
Jazz St. Louis
Best Local Artist
Miranda Bury
Broadway Oyster Bar
DJ Mahf
Best Rock Club
The Pageant
Best Radio Station
KDHX
Best Radio Show
The Rizzuto Show
Best Concert of the Past Year
Beyoncé
Best Local Album
Miranda Bury Acoustic
Best Recording Studio
Phat Buddha
Best Local Author
Allison Cundiff
Best Blues Player
Brayden Schenn
Best Local Podcast
The Pink Lady Against Scammers
Best Theater Venue
The Fox Theatre
Best Band Name
Jesus Christ Supercar
Best Local Band
El Monstero
Best CBD Shop
CBD Kratom
Best Smoking Lounge
LIT Cigar Lounge
Best Smoke Shop, General
Golden Gems
Best Antique Store
Emporium St. Louis
Best Jewelry Store
Best Hardware Store
Kirkwood Hardware
St. Vincent DePaul
Best 4/20 Event
Best Weed Event Not on 4/20
Best Grower
Good Day Farms
Best Place to Get a Mani/Pedi
Ladue Nails & Spa
Best Sex Shop
Ciggfreed's Liquid and Lace
Best Mall
West County Mall
Best Pet Groomer
Four Muddy Paws
Best Florist
Flowers & Weeds
The Cheshire
Best Comics Store
Apotheosis Comics
Left Bank Books
Best Wedding Venue
Missouri Botanical Garden
Heya Wellness
Best Edible
High Five Gummies
Best CBD Product (Local)
beeZbee gummies at CBD Kratom
Best Car Repair
R&G Tire
Best Grocery
Schnucks
Duke's in Soulard
Best Cajun/Creole
Best Barista
Aaron Buchanan
Best Frozen Pizza (Local)
Dogtown Pizza
Best Sports Bar
Hot Shots
Best Patio
John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden
Best Steaks
Tucker's Place
Wonton King
Best Greek Restaurant
Olympia Kebob House & Taverna
Imo's Pizza
Best Toasted Ravioli
STL Toasted
Best Ramen
Nudo House
Mission Taco Joint
Grace Dinsmoor
Best Bartenders
Blue Duck
Best Chicken Wings
Syberg's
Seoul Taco
Hodak's Restaurant & Bar
Best Indian
Himalayan Yeti
Best Italian
Mama's on the Hill
Best Martini
Best Mexican
La Catrina
El Milagro Azteca
Seamus McDaniel's
Best Restaurant for Vegetarians
Terror Tacos
Grace Meat + Three
Union Loafers
Best Deli/Sandwich
The Gramophone
Best Burger
Hi-Pointe Drive-In
Best Burger (Non-Beef Division)
Three Kings Public House
Best Desserts
Russell's
Carnivore
Pappy's Smokehouse
New Society
Best Margarita
Rosalita's Cantina
Best Brewery
4 Hands Brewing Co.
Best Frozen Custard
Ted Drewes
Best Restaurant to Close in the Past 12 Months
Beast BBQ and Butcher Block
801 Chop House
Best Gooey Butter Cake
The King & I
Best Pizza That Isn't St. Louis Style
Dewey's
Best Takeout/Curbside
Salt + Smoke
Sauce on the Side
Best 3 A.M. Bar
Nick's Pub
Shaw's Coffee
Best Camping Near St. Louis
Mark Twain National Park
Hermann
Best Cardinals Player
Adam Wainwright
Best City SC Player
Lifetime Fitness
Forest Park
Best Yoga Studio
Brick City Yoga
LaBerta & Sons
Saratoga Lanes
Best Public Pool
Maplewood Family Aquatic Center
City SC
Best Place to Live
Webster Groves
Ballpark Village
Magic House
Best Attorney
Travis Noble
Josh Hawley
Best Teacher (K-12)
Maria Long
Best Budtender
Jack Heet
Cori Bush
Art Holliday
Best Photographer
Brea Youngblood
Best Neighborhood to Live
Tower Grove South
Sado
Chuseok Korean Harvest Festival
@ Community Music School of Webster University
Sat., Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
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