This year’s look ahead at the St. Louis restaurant scene is filled with anticipation, optimism—and some really big breaking news. In this episode, George and Cheryl look ahead to 2026’s most anticipated restaurants, including two concepts from the Central West End’s most prominent proprietor that are sure to light up the neighborhood, a high-end hookah lounge and restaurant with elevated hospitality, a sophomore effort from one of St. Louis’ brightest culinary stars, a new concept from an acclaimed restaurateur, and the reemergence of a beloved South Grand institution. Check out the inside scoop from George and Cheryl to see why there’s so much to get excited about in 2026.

→ Editors’ Note: After this podcast episode was recorded, Natasha and Hamishe Bahrami informed SLM that the new restaurant will not be called Cafe Natasha; instead, it will operate under The Gin Room, the existing cocktail bar at the same address.

This episode is sponsored by Herbie’s and Kingside Diner. Are you planning a holiday party, company happy hour, or special celebration? Make it unforgettable with help from Herbie’s & Kingside Diner. With customizable menus, beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, and a dedicated events coordinator, they make planning and celebrating effortless and enjoyable. They even offer catering delivery in select areas! Book your private event at Herbie’s or Kingside Diner today.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing podcasts@stlmag.com.

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag).

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.

Mentioned in this episode:
Edera: 48 Maryland Plz, CWE, 314-361-7227
The Yale Bar: 7120 Yale, Richmond Heights
The Mexican Barrel House: 1085 N. Mason, Creve Coeur
Katie’s: 9635 Watson, Crestwood
Lona’s Lil Eats: 612 W. Woodbine, Kirkwood
ELEVATION By. K. RENA: 3307 Washington, Midtown
The Noble Crown: 300 N. Euclid, CWE
The Marvel S. Fox: 2 Maryland Plaza, CWE
Kishimoto Mendo: 6394 Delmar, Delmar Loop
Cibo Italia: 7489 Delmar, University City
Gamlin’s Maplewood: 2704 Sutton, Maplewood
Baia: 4199 Manchester, The Grove
Chico Bueno: 3942-A Laclede, CWE
The Taco Turko Bar: 415 N. Tucker, downtown 
Nico’s Bakery: 415 N. Tucker, downtown
Salonika: 415 N. Tucker, downtown
Clandestino’s Speakeasy: 415 N. Tucker, downtown
Corner Vinyl Café: 415 N. Tucker, downtown
The Wash Ave Food Hall:1122 Washington, downtown
Gigi: 7645 Wydown, Clayton
Café Natasha: 3200 S. Grand, Tower Grove South
Linea: 1001 Washington, downtown
Lineage: location TBD
Elaia: 5162 Delmar, Delmar Maker District
Olio: 5162 Delmar, Delmar Maker District
Esca Vino & Spuntino: 5090 Delmar, Delmar Maker District

You may also enjoy these SLM articles:
Arch Eats: Mispronounced St. Louis Restaurants
Arch Eats: First Look: Sakatanoya Revolving Sushi & Ramen Bar
Arch Eats: Mother-daughter Hamishe and Natasha Bahrami on Family & Food
The most anticipated restaurants in metro St. Louis
Hamishe Bahrami returns, bringing Cafe Natasha’s Persian classics to The Gin Room
10 St. Louis dining trends to watch in 2026
More episodes of Arch Eats

This year&rsquo;s look ahead at the St. Louis restaurant scene is filled with anticipation, optimism&mdash;and some really big breaking news. In this episode, George and Cheryl look ahead to 2026&rsquo;s most anticipated restaurants, including two concepts from the Central West End&rsquo;s most prominent proprietor that are sure to light up the neighborhood, a high-end hookah lounge and restaurant with elevated hospitality, a sophomore effort from one of St. Louis&rsquo; brightest culinary stars, a new concept from an acclaimed restaurateur, and the reemergence of a beloved South Grand institution. Check out the inside scoop from George and Cheryl to see why there&rsquo;s so much to get excited about in 2026.
&rarr;&nbsp;Editors&rsquo; Note:&nbsp;After this podcast episode was recorded, Natasha and Hamishe Bahrami&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/hamishe-bahrami-returns-bringing-cafe-natashas-persian-classics-to-the-gin-room/">informed</a>&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;that the new restaurant will not be called Cafe Natasha; instead, it will operate under The Gin Room, the existing cocktail bar at the same address.
This episode is sponsored by Herbie&rsquo;s and Kingside Diner.&nbsp;Are you planning a holiday party, company happy hour, or special celebration? Make it unforgettable with help from Herbie&rsquo;s &amp; Kingside Diner. With customizable menus, beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, and a dedicated events coordinator, they make planning and celebrating effortless and enjoyable. They even offer catering delivery in select areas! Book your private event at&nbsp;<a href="https://herbies.com/private-events/">Herbie&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://kingsidediner.com/private-events/">Kingside Diner</a>&nbsp;today.
New to podcasts?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/">Follow these instructions</a>&nbsp;to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing!
Want more?&nbsp;Check out all of&nbsp;St. Louis Magazine&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/">podcasts</a>.
Have an idea for a future&nbsp;Arch Eats&nbsp;episode?&nbsp;Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@stlmag.com">podcasts@stlmag.com</a>.
Hungry for more?&nbsp;Subscribe to&nbsp;our&nbsp;<a href="https://info.stlmag.com/newsletters">Dining newsletters</a>&nbsp;for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgemahe/">@georgemahe</a>) and&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;on Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stlouismag/">@stlouismag</a>).
Interested in being a podcast sponsor?&nbsp;Contact Lauren Leppert at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lleppert@stlmag.com">lleppert@stlmag.com</a>.
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ederastl.com/">Edera</a>:&nbsp;48 Maryland Plz, CWE, 314-361-7227</li>
<li><a href="https://parkerstable.com/">The Yale Bar</a>:&nbsp;7120 Yale, Richmond Heights</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mexicanbarrelhouse/">The Mexican Barrel House</a>:&nbsp;1085 N. Mason, Creve Coeur</li>
<li><a href="https://katies.com/">Katie&rsquo;s</a>:&nbsp;9635 Watson, Crestwood</li>
<li><a href="https://lonaslileats.com/">Lona&rsquo;s Lil Eats</a>:&nbsp;612 W. Woodbine, Kirkwood</li>
<li>ELEVATION By. K. RENA:&nbsp;3307 Washington, Midtown</li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/two-new-dining-concepts-opening-at-euclid-and-maryland-in-the-central-west-end/">The Noble Crown</a>:&nbsp;300 N. Euclid, CWE</li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/two-new-dining-concepts-opening-at-euclid-and-maryland-in-the-central-west-end/">The Marvel S. Fox</a>:&nbsp;2 Maryland Plaza, CWE</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kishimoto_stl/">Kishimoto Mendo</a>:&nbsp;6394 Delmar, Delmar Loop</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ciboitaliastl/">Cibo Italia</a>:&nbsp;7489 Delmar, University City</li>
<li><a href="https://www.gamlinsmaplewood.com/">Gamlin&rsquo;s Maplewood</a>:&nbsp;2704 Sutton, Maplewood</li>
<li>Baia:&nbsp;4199 Manchester, The Grove</li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/chico-bueno-good-company-five-course-mezcal-pairing-dinner/">Chico Bueno</a>:&nbsp;3942-A Laclede, CWE</li>
<li><a href="https://tacoturkobar.com/">The Taco Turko Bar</a>:&nbsp;415 N. Tucker, downtown&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://nicosbakery.com/">Nico&rsquo;s Bakery</a>:&nbsp;415 N. Tucker, downtown</li>
<li><a href="https://thesalonikarestaurant.com/">Salonika</a>:&nbsp;415 N. Tucker, downtown</li>
<li><a href="https://clandestinosbar.com/">Clandestino&rsquo;s Speakeasy</a>:&nbsp;415 N. Tucker, downtown</li>
<li><a href="https://cornervinylcafe.com/">Corner Vinyl Caf&eacute;</a>:&nbsp;415 N. Tucker, downtown</li>
<li><a href="https://washavefh.com/">The Wash Ave Food Hall</a>:1122 Washington, downtown</li>
<li>Gigi:&nbsp;7645 Wydown, Clayton</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cafenatasha.com/">Caf&eacute; Natasha</a>:&nbsp;3200 S. Grand,&nbsp;Tower Grove South</li>
<li><a href="https://www.tai-davis.com/lineage">Linea</a>:&nbsp;1001 Washington, downtown</li>
<li><a href="https://www.tai-davis.com/lineage">Lineage</a>:&nbsp;location TBD</li>
<li><a href="https://bengelina.com/elaia">Elaia</a>:&nbsp;5162 Delmar, Delmar Maker District</li>
<li><a href="https://bengelina.com/olio">Olio</a>:&nbsp;5162 Delmar, Delmar Maker District</li>
<li>Esca Vino &amp; Spuntino:&nbsp;5090 Delmar, Delmar Maker District</li>
</ul>
You may also enjoy these&nbsp;SLM&nbsp;articles:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-26/">Arch Eats:&nbsp;Mispronounced St. Louis Restaurants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-54/">Arch Eats:&nbsp;First Look: Sakatanoya Revolving Sushi &amp; Ramen Bar</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-40/">Arch Eats:&nbsp;Mother-daughter Hamishe and Natasha Bahrami on Family &amp; Food</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/hamishe-bahrami-returns-bringing-cafe-natashas-persian-classics-to-the-gin-room/">The most anticipated restaurants in metro St. Louis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/hamishe-bahrami-returns-bringing-cafe-natashas-persian-classics-to-the-gin-room/">Hamishe Bahrami returns, bringing Cafe Natasha&rsquo;s Persian classics to The Gin Room</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/dining/dining-predictions-st-louis/">10 St. Louis dining trends to watch in 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/">More episodes of&nbsp;Arch Eats</a></li>
</ul>

Get the inside dish on the St. Louis dining scene. Join St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe and dining critic Cheryl Baehr to learn about the latest and greatest restaurants, including what’s going on behind the scenes, the backstories, insider tips, and more. Discover the things you didn’t even know you should know about the local restaurant scene.

Get the inside dish on the St. Louis dining scene. Join St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe and dining critic Cheryl Baehr to learn about the latest and greatest restaurants, including what’s going on behind the scenes, the backstories, insider tips, and more. Discover the things you didn’t even know you should know about the local restaurant scene.

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