Scout's Wins Restaurant of the Year With 3001 Locust Rival
The Midtown eatery took the top prize in St. Louis Magazine's annual guide, edging out Aubrey, Kishimoto Mendō, and five other nominees.
By Alessia Romano ·
The snarling tigers painted on the restroom ceiling at Scout’s in Midtown set an odd tone, but the food at 2704 Locust proved the decor was not the main event. St. Louis Magazine named the restaurant its Restaurant of the Year in the November/December 2026 issue, capping a year where the kitchen’s roasted dishes and house-made pastas drew specific praise from critics.
The award places Scout’s at the head of a seven-restaurant list that includes Aubrey at 3001 Locust, Kishimoto Mendō at 6394 Delmar, Robin at 7268 Manchester, The Gin Room at 3200 S. Grand, Gamlin’s at 2704 Sutton, The Noble Crown at 300 N. Euclid, and Cibo Italia at 7489 Delmar. Each venue represents a distinct corner of the local dining map, from the Delmar Loop to the University City border.
Scout’s interior features raw brick walls, spalted wood tables, and gray ceramic plates that match the bar’s marble top. A Nakashima-inspired coffee table anchors the seating area, which includes barrel chairs and a sofa. The atmosphere is described as cool and relaxed, encouraging diners to linger over shareable plates like burrata topped with peaches and sunflower seeds.
The menu centers on roasted proteins and vegetables. A wedge of charred cabbage is served with pork sausage ’nduja cream and allium oil, while a roasted chicken sits atop Sardinian fregula with maitake mushrooms. The cod fillet is oven-caramelized and paired with Corona beans and squash. The kitchen’s use of heat was a recurring theme in the review, with every large plate demonstrating a success in roasting.
The pasta program distinguishes Scout’s from other local restaurants. Semolina is sourced from Southern Italy, and the cacio e pepe is cited as the best dish of the year. Bucatini strands are swirled in a slurry of pecorino and Parmesan, speckled with cracked pepper. The dish is compared favorably to the standard set by Clayton’s Pastaria, with the aroma and taste described as exquisite.
Other nominees have their own distinct identities. Kishimoto Mendō, owned by Steven Pursley, focuses on tonkotsu ramen in a larger space than his previous spot, Menya Rui. Robin, a debut by Alec Schingel, reinterprets Midwestern comfort food, earning a finalist nod for the James Beard Awards. The Gin Room sees Hamishe Bahrami return to the kitchen after retiring from Café Natasha in 2022, serving Persian dishes like ghormeh sabzi under the heading “Eats by Mom.”
Gamlin’s, a return venture for Derek Gamlin and Henry Arciniega, serves Italian-inflected dishes in Maplewood. The Noble Crown, opened by Kevin Brennan at the site of the former Culpepper’s, aims to reinvigorate the Central West End dining scene. Cibo Italia, run by Michael Del Pietro, occupies a former auto service bay, offering generous portions of Italian food in a casual setting with sliding glass doors and pop art decor.
The magazine’s guide positions Scout’s as the standout for 2026, though the other six restaurants maintain strong reputations for specific styles, from rich ramen broths to elevated comfort food and Persian stews. The list serves as a snapshot of the current dining scene, highlighting venues that have recently opened or expanded their offerings in various neighborhoods.
