Find new metro-east restaurants near Belleville Illinois

Want to give your tastebuds something new to try? News of metro-east restaurant openings and expansions quickly spread this July.

A frozen cocktail bar, Narwhal’s Crafted, is planning its first franchise in Edwardsville. The new spot catering to families, and even your dog, will feature frozen cocktails and other beverages. Couple Shawn and Ashley Beach will be at the helm of the new cocktail bar.

Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine in west Belleville will offer authentic Asian recipes. Owner Anu Sue spotlights her mom’s recipes on the menu, crafting traditional dishes like Pad Thai and Pad See-U.

In Waterloo, Gallagher’s Restaurant is transitioning to Geno’s Trattoria & Chophouse with Matt and Jami Hines leading the effort. They aim to offer a fine dining experience with a menu inspired by their St. Louis-based restaurant, Roberto’s Trattoria & Chophouse.

Old Herald Brewery & Distillery in Collinsville will embrace "slightly elevated" American-style cuisine with food provided by The Press House. The venue will blend familiar dishes with fresh, in-house creations and a variety of refreshing beverages.

Ashley and Shawn Beach decided more than two years ago they wanted to start their own business. That goal takes shape in October, when they project the opening of Illinois’ first Narwhal’s Crafted Frozen Cocktails in Edwardsville.

NO. 1: BUSINESS SPECIALIZING IN FROZEN COCKTAILS TO OPEN FIRST FRANCHISE IN METRO-EAST

The news came days after Salt + Smoke announced it was coming to a new Edwardsville development. | Published July 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

Old Herald Brewery & Distillery at 115 E. Clay St. in Collinsville By Jennifer Green

NO. 2: OLD HERALD’S NEW PARTNER BRINGING ‘SLIGHTLY ELEVATED’ FARE TO COLLINSVILLE

The new menu will take Old Herald back to where it started food-wise, said owner Derik Reiser. | Published July 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

NO. 3: NEW THAI RESTAURANT OPENS SOON IN WEST BELLEVILLE. SEE WHAT’S ON THE MENU

The owner and chef says she is “blessed” to be serving up her mom’s authentic recipes. | Published July 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

Gallagher’s Restaurant, located at 114 W. Mill St. in Waterloo, is under new ownership and will soon become Geno’s Trattoria & Chophouse. By Jennifer Green

NO. 4: RESTAURATEUR MOLDS POPULAR METRO-EAST EATERY INTO A FINE DINING DESTINATION

Owner Matt Hines wants to provide a full dining experience in a “place that southwestern Illinois deserves.” | Published July 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

NO. 5: THREE METRO-EAST RESTAURANTS OPEN, ONE CLOSES & A REMODELED CAFé REOPENS

BND business columnist Jennifer Green shares details about new restaurant openings – and one closing – in the metro-east. | Published July 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.