Hungry? Here’s a list of 30 restaurants that opened doors in the metro-east in 2024
Another year is at its end, and a lot of business owners in the area have kept me busy in 2024.
Particularly the restaurants.
For your dining pleasure, here’s a list of restaurants that opened this year. Included are brand new places, as well as some that have relocated, rebranded, or are under new ownership.
Think of this as your checklist of places to check out.
I’m hoping you’ll try something new – or go back to a place you enjoyed the first time around – and let me know what you think of it.
You can share your thoughts by sending an email to jgreen@bnd.com.
Bon appétit, mes amis.
1929 Pizza & Wine and Pâtisserie ‘29
921 S. Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville | 618-307-5196; 1929pizzaandwine.com
What they have: Oven-baked pizzas, salads, small-plate offerings, croissants and other pastries, wine, coffee and more; vegetarian options. Read more …
AJ’s Mediterranean Café and Tanuki Cakes
1025 Century Drive, Edwardsville | 618-307-5284; ajsmedandtanuki.com
What they have: Middle Eastern cuisine including shawarma, falafel, sandwiches, salads, and desserts like baklava and Japanese cheesecakes; vegetarian and vegan options. Read more …
American Kolache
521 W. Highway 50, O’Fallon | 618-589-3235; ofallonil.stlkolache.com
What they have: Savory and sweet breakfast pastries filled with egg, bacon, cheese, cream cheese, chocolate, fruit and other fillings
August the Mansion
1680 Mansion Way, O’Fallon | 618-607-8040; augustthemansion.com
What they have: Elegant American fare specializing in steaks and seafood dishes, plus, starters, small plates, salads and desserts
Big Meechie’s
2918 Nameoki Road, Granite City | 618-500-1029; facebook.com/BigMeechie618
What they have: Burgers, wings and other sandwiches, pasta and salads
Bubbakoo’s Burritos
3901 Illinois Route 159, Glen Carbon | 618-205-3206; bubbakoos.com
What they have: Fast-casual Mexican fusion including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, loaded fries, chips & dips, desserts and more; vegetarian options. Read more …
Casa Maria Grab & Go
1926 W. Main St., Belleville | 618-744-7070; casamariagrabandgo.com
What they have: Mexican fare including tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tamales, salads, nachos and more; vegetarian options. Read more …
Chaos Sushi Bar & Grill
126 E. Main St., Belleville | 618-416-1000; chaossushi.com
What they have: Ramen, sushi and pub fare; vegetarian options
The Clubhouse Sports Lounge + Kitchen
1001 Enclave Blvd., Suite G, Edwardsville | 618-800-1990; clubhousesportslounge.com
What they have: Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, wings, burgers and entrées and more
Danny’s Irish Pub & Banquet Center (formerly Crehan’s)
5500 North Belt West, Belleville | 618-234-6500; dannysirishpub.com
What they have: Soups and salads, burgers and sandwiches, wraps, entrées, appetizers, sides and desserts. Read more …
Ed’s Delicatessen
222 N. Main St., Edwardsville | 618-560-5213; edsdelicatessen.com
What they have: Deli sandwiches and bowls, stocks, sauces, oils, vinegars and more; vegetarian options
Frank’s Restaurant (formerly Fusion Bar & Restaurant)
200 Lincoln Highway, Fairview Heights | 618-206-8868; facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570197911612
What they have: Breakfast and lunch fare consisting of skillets, wraps, sandwiches, pancakes/waffles, omelettes, salads, burgers and much more; vegetarian options
Frida’s Cocina Mexican Scratch Kitchen
823 Lincoln Highway #105, Fairview Heights | 618-206-8275; fridas-cocina.com; facebook.com/fridascocina817
What they have: Salads, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, nachos, desserts and more; vegetarian options
Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant (reopened under new ownership)
128 W. Main St. Belleville | 618-233-7714
What they have: A variety of Chinese dishes including rice and noodle dishes, soups, appetizers, sandwiches, all featuring beef, pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables; vegetarian options, dine-in, carryout and delivery available. Read more …
Hangover Social Restaurant & Bar
8201 W. Main St., Belleville | 618-213-6436; facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091092426797
What they have: Authentic Jamaican fare including jerk chicken, wings, seafood, appetizers, sides and more. Read more …
Jade Buffet
1079 Collinsville Crossing Blvd., Collinsville | 618-223-1232
What they have: Variety of Chinese fare including chicken, beef, rice, noodle, seafood and veggie items, sushi, desserts and more
Joe’s Pizza and Pasta
215 E. Main St., Mascoutah | 618-566-6460. ilovejoespizza.com
What they have: Appetizers, salads, pizzas and pastas, sandwiches, desserts
Joey’s Scratch Kitchen
5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon (inside the KC Club & Event Center) | 618-726-7060; facebook.com/JoeysScratchKitchen
What they have: Appetizers, soup, salad, sandwiches, pizza, lasagna and chicken & prosciutto tortellini and more. Read more …
Los Amigos Belleville
2630 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville | 618-416-1942; losamigosbelleville.com
What they have: Large menu of Mexican fare from appetizers to entrées, soups and salads, some American fare including burgers, steak, chicken and more; vegetarian options
LouLou’s Diner
7309 Old St. Louis Road, Belleville | 618-489-1040; facebook.com/louolusdiner
What they have: Breakfast platters, skillets and sandwiches, a la carte breakfast items, omelettes, appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, dinner platters: steak, chicken, spaghetti and more, sides and a kids menu. Breakfast served all day
Maya Juice Bar
106 E. Main St., Belleville | 618-416-1246; mayabelleville.com
What they have: Cold-pressed juices made with raw ingredients, smoothie and fruit bowls, salads and more. Read more …
Momma’s House Treats and Eats
5900 N. Illinois St., #13, Fairview Heights | 618-589-3036; facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560483202483
What they have: Savory soul foods, soups, sandwiches, fried rice, jerk tacos and more; specialty ice creams, sauces; vegetarian and vegan options. Read more …
The Mossy Stone Irish Pub
871 S. Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville | 618-914-7474; mossystoneirishpub.com
What they have: Traditional Irish fare, appetizers, sandwiches, soups, salads, entrées, sides, desserts; kids menu available
Olive Garden
6651 Governors Parkway, Edwardsville | 618-659-5060; olivegarden.com
What they have: Classic Italian pasta entrées, soups, salads and breadsticks, appetizers, sides, desserts; kids menu available; vegetarian options
Outback Steakhouse
1102 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon | 618-206-5131; outback.com
What they have: Steaks, burgers, soups and salads, chicken, ribs, seafood, sides, desserts and Bloomin’ Onions
Pop’s Fish & Chicken Market
4421 W. Main St., Belleville | 618-744-7002
What they have: Wings, chicken specials, fish, shrimp, sandwiches, combo dinners, steak dinners, kids menu and more; online ordering/delivery available
Pusaka Japanese Express
5327 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights | 618-641-9030; facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561346754755
What they have: Wide variety of Japanese fare including appetizers, ramens, bento boxes, rice bowls, fried rice, hibachi, noodles, sushi, sides, desserts and kids menu
St. Louis Coffee World (relocated from Mascoutah)
125 W. St. Louis St., Lebanon | 618-808-0003; facebook.com/stlouiscoffeeworld
What they have: Soups, salads, sandwiches and various other fare, coffee drinks, teas and more
Tequila Mexican Restaurant
500 S. Main St., Smithton | 618-416-5358; facebook.com/TEQUILA.SMITHTON
What they have: Appetizers, salads, nachos, quesadillas, street tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, seafood, chicken and steak dishes, desserts and more
Wahaka Margarita Bar and Grill
1405 N. Green Mount Road #100, O’Fallon | 618-726-7146; wahakamargaritabar.com
What they have: Appetizers, salads, nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, street tacos, burritos, chimichangas, chicken, steak and seafood specialties, sides and more
Coffee Shops & Bakeries
Dunkin’
1755 Frank Scott Parkway East, Lot B, O’Fallon | dunkindonuts.com
What they have: Coffee drinks, donuts, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, muffins and more
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
134 St. Clair Square, Fairview Heights | gloriajeans.com
What they have: Coffee drinks, chillers, smoothies, hot teas, cocoas, sweets and snacks
Good Ground Coffeehouse
821 Seibert Road, Scott AFB | 618-416-4424; facebook.com/GoodGroundScottAFB
What they have: Classic and specialty coffee drinks, baked goods from Berkemann’s Baker’s Dozen and more. Read more …
Highly Favored Bakes
507 Sherman St., Belleville | 618-477-3927; facebook.com/highlyfavoredbakes
What they have: Variety of cupcakes, pies, cakes and other sweet treats; custom ordering available
Justitia’s Coffeehouse (formerly Joe & Onie’s)
18 E. Main St., Belleville | 618-416-4555; justitiascoffeehouse.com
What they have: Hot and cold coffee beverages, teas, hot chocolate, breakfast items, sandwiches, salads and more
Mokka Bon
100 W. Market St., Troy | 618-631-7614; facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557200144251
What they have: Coffee drinks, teas, waffles, pastries and other baked goods
Starbucks
10860 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights | 618-216-9222; starbucks.com
105 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon | 618-221-0254; starbucks.com
What they have: Coffee drinks and teas, hot chocolate, blended beverages, refreshers, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, baked goods and more
