Inspire, excite, and whet your appetited in Matt Sorrell’s “St. Louis Food Story”

by Marla Stoker Ballenger / Images compliments of Reedy Press and credited photographers

St. Louis might be a relatively small market, but it has garnered national attention as a foodie destination. Many restaurants and purveyors here have been recognized by esteemed organizations like the James Beard Foundation, Food & Wine Magazine, and Food Network.

If you’re a curious culinarian looking to further your flavor adventures, the let food writer Matt Sorrell help you discover some of the high points in St. Louis’s vibrant culinary landscape with St. Louis Food Story: Bars, Restaurants, Shops, and Other Purveyors, by Matt Sorrell.

***St. Louis Food Story: Bars, Restaurants, Shops, and Other Purveyors***, by Matt Sorrell. is available wherever books are sold. For more information, go to Matt Sorrell, **mattsorrell.com**

Whether you’re looking to imbibe at a nationally known cocktail bar (Planter’s House, New Society), discover a new-to-you cuisine (Meskerem, Taste of Bosnia), or find a spot to source interesting ingredients for your home cooking forays (Jay International, El Morelia Supermercado), St. Louis Food Story has you covered.

Per capita, St. Louis has as many immigrant communities within its confines as many larger cities. The immigrant experience in St. Louis runs deep, and there are myriad cultures and cuisines to be discovered here, from Bosnia (Taste of Bosnia) to India (House of India) to the Philippines (Kain Tayo).

The food and drink scene in St. Louis isn’t just about bars and restaurants. The city has a wide variety of grocery stores, bottle shops, and purveyors for those who want to get curious and creative at home. Some of Matt’s go-tos include Jay International, especially for kimchee, Intoxicology for bar tools and books, and Local Harvest for all things local.

Matt Sorrell has compiled a compendium of some of his favorite places and purveyors that he has discovered over the years, from old standbys to new kids on the scene. His selections are sure to inspire, excite, and whet your appetite.

The St. Louis Food Scene in Pictures

Balkan Treat Box / photo Spencer Pernikoff

Baetje Farms / photo Ashleys Portrait Co.

Clementines / photo courtesy of Clementine's Ice Cream

Forest & Meadow / photo by Amanda Jokerst

Foundry Food Hall / photo courtesy of The Foundry

Kain Tayo / photo courtesty of Kain Tayo

Little Lager / photo courtesy of Little Lager

Lona's Chicken Soup / photo by Phil Kurrus

Mai Lee / photo courtesy of Mai Lee Restaurant

Nathaniel Reid / photo by Whitney Ostercamp

Neon Greens / photo courtesy of Neon Greens

Pappy's Smokehouse / photo courtesy of Pappy's Smokehouse

Parker's Table / photo by Jonathan Parker

Planter's House / photo by Greg Rannells

Sasha's DeMun / photo courtesy of Sasha's

Stringbean / photo courtesy of Stringbean

Book Details

Matt’s St. Louis Food Story: Bars, Restaurants, Shops, and Other Purveyors, by Matt Sorrell, ISBN: 9781681066196, hardcover, 7.5 x 9, 144 pages, $29.95

About the Author

A native St. Louisan, Matt has been covering the food and drink scene in his hometown for more than 20 years. His work has appeared in local and national publications, including Sauce Magazine, Feast Magazine, St. Louis Magazine, and USA Today. Matt has also worked behind the stick at some of the best bars in town, including Planter’s House and Bistro La Floraison. He lives in Richmond Heights with his wife, Beth, their dog, Max, and cat, Joey Ramone.

Matt has been a freelance writer since the late 1990’s. He’s been covering the St. Louis food scene since the early 2000’s, when he first began contributing to Sauce Magazine.

His intent with the book is to encourage St. Louisans to explore neighborhoods outside their own and become comfortable trying new-to-them food and drink.

In addition to writing, Matt’s a working bartender. He’s currently behind the stick at Bistro La Floraison, and has worked at bars, restaurants, and event spaces all over town.

Upcoming Presentation and Book Signing

Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

St. Louis Public Library, Buder Branch

4401 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109

(314) 241-2288

Free and open to the public

Matt’s St. Louis Food Story: Bars, Restaurants, Shops, and Other Purveyors is available wherever books are sold. For more information, go to Matt Sorrell, mattsorrell.com or contact him directly at matt@mattsorrell.com

Curious Culinarians and Foodies Will Delight in "St. Louis Food Story" -- A New Book by Matt Sorrell

The St. Louis Food Scene in Pictures

Book Details

About the Author

Upcoming Presentation and Book Signing