Louie

Louie - Review - St. Louis - The Infatuation

"Louie is one of the most consistent restaurants in St. Louis. Its menu of Italian comfort delights almost never changes, its seasonal specials are nearly identical year after year, and, if you can hear it, even the lo-fi playlist (think: Yo La Tengo) feels like it’s been on repeat since the restaurant opened in 2017. These are powerful strengths. Although a lesser restaurant doing the same thing over and over might feel stale, Louie is so thoroughly great that it resists boredom at a molecular level. Wood-fired Neapolitan-ish pies include a salsiccia with cherry peppers and an earthy broccolini and lemon, and for at least part of each year, there’s a pizza with pickled green tomatoes and bread crumbs that will make you rethink what a pizza can achieve.  But the rest of Louie’s menu is full of exciting moments, too. The prosciutto starter is so worthwhile, not only because it’s delicious, but because you can watch someone slice it live on an old-school prosciutto machine. And there’s a (very true) legend that Drake once ate there three nights in a row, which is funny because it means that he might have subsequently gone on stage to rap “Marvins Room” fueled by polenta with roasted mushrooms and cherry panna cotta. The ambiance is romantic, somehow balancing a fine dining vibe with that of an urban hunter’s lodge while still feeling sincerely cool. Like Drake himself, you’ll want to come back to Louie ASAP to try it again. And even if you wind up with the exact same order as last time, you’ll be having so much fun that it won’t matter. RESERVE A TABLE" - Adam Rothbarth

The 37 Best Restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri | Eater

"It’s hard to overstate Matt McGuire’s influence and impact on the St. Louis dining scene. He started with King Louie’s, followed by some of the city’s most celebrated establishments — Monarch, Brasserie, Herbie’s, Niche. Like McGuire’s previous restaurants, Louie is critically celebrated and wildly popular. The decor feels both luxurious and comfortable, and that feeling is echoed in the relaxed but mindful service and even in the quiet confidence of the food coming out of the kitchen. No dish sums it up better than the wood-roasted chicken: It’s simple, with no gimmicks to hide behind, and executed with mastery gained through repetition, refinement, and more repetition. Yeah, it’s a good chicken." - Holly Fann

The 32 Essential St. Louis Restaurants

"It’s hard to overstate Matt McGuire’s influence and impact on the St. Louis dining scene. He started with King Louie’s, followed by some of the city’s most celebrated establishments — Monarch, Brasserie, Herbie’s, Niche. Like McGuire’s previous restaurants, Louie is critically celebrated and wildly popular, highlighting the accumulated experience and collective wisdom of the chef’s remarkable team. The decor feels both luxurious and comfortable, and that feeling is echoed in the relaxed but mindful service and even in the quiet confidence of the food coming out of the kitchen. No dish sums it up better than the wood-roasted chicken: It’s simple, with no gimmicks to hide behind, and executed with mastery gained through repetition, refinement, and more repetition. Yeah, it’s a good chicken." - Holly Fann

Why St. Louis Needs to Be Your Next Weekend Getaway

"Louie is a pasta-centric Italian restaurant with a sleek bar and dining room, known for its dinner offerings."

A neighborhood Italian that feels like a date-night institution: wood-fired breads and pastas, gracious hospitality, and a hum of conversation. Consistently praised by St. Louis Magazine and other local critics for its warmth and precision.