Akar is easily one of my top three favorite restaurants. The atmosphere is calming, cool, and perfect for a relaxed date night out. Every bite of the food was delicious. I ordered the Thai drunken noodles, and they were spicy, well-balanced, and full of flavor. The service was also very nice and made the experience even better. Parking can be a little tricky, but it's absolutely worth it. I came here for a date night, and it was the perfect spot. Definitely a place I'll keep coming back to and keep recommending. read more

Akar - thai drunken noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Akar was one of the best fine-dining experiences I've had in St. Louis. With a small, intimate dining room, Akar feels both cozy and elevated and is a great spot for celebrating a special occasion. With such a small dining room, service is very attentive and it doesn't get too loud. All of the food is delicious and beautifully plated: truly a delight for the senses. read more

Akar - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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A delicious, high end Asian fusion restaurant that has a lot to offer. Food: some dishes were fantastic and others were pretty good. The popcorn chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. The lobster ravioli and the gnocchi were excellent. The Chilean sea bass was okay, didn't have that much flavor and I don't feel the need to get it again. Service: pretty good, no complaints. About what you would expect for this price point. Ambiance: a nice vibe. The artwork and lighting were nice. read more

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Loved everything from start to finish, I only wish the chairs at the counter were more comfortable. Maybe it's just me but they seem to have been made for a child or very small bottom. LOL! Next time I hope to score a patio table. All of the food from start to finish was outstanding and service was excellent. If you haven't been yet, what are you waiting for? Get there soon! read more

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Meh..bland I have been wanting to try this spot as they were on the STL 100 best list for 2025 and other years, but I guess I let the hype get the best of me. Our food was bland from drinks to dessert. They have an Asian style of cooking but given the location I think they cook for certain kind of clientele. I asked for seasonings for my food. If they have a special event I may return but I could recommend a few less expensive restaurants with bolder flavor. Other than the food, the space is barely accessibility friendly as the exterior walkup is bumpy and has a curb, a larger lip on the door entrance for your coats and makeshift waiting area as there is no host stand. The bathroom is a single tiny low toilet with a hard to push lock on the door and it looks like a closet more than a restroom so blink and you will miss it. The interior lost the cozy modern escape because the front door is always open and if you are on the "bar" side at night the neon blinding kitchen lights are so off putting so always ask to be sat on the left where the bench seating is. read more

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Food: 5 Star Service: 5 Star Been coming here for YEARS and it is one of the few St. Louis establishments that consistently delivers exceptional food and impeccable service. I never hesitate to recommend Akar to friends, coworkers, or clients because I know they'll be well looked after. Love everything on their menu, but if I really had to choose some favorites: - Lobster Ravioli/Rangoon: Luscious and savory, this app is a great start to whet your appetite. - Korean Galbi/Short Ribs: This item comes up as a special and is not on the menu. His recipe comes close to our family's recipe... short ribs are tender and the marinade will leave you licking your fingers. - Scallops: This item comes up often as a special and is not on the menu. Love the integration of Malaysian flavors and various textures in this dish. - Market Fish: Whatever fish he's serving that week- do it. read more

Akar - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Food was fantastic and our server was very knowledgable about the menu. I ordered the scallops which has a great kick to them and the portion size was exactly what I was looking for. We really appreciated that Akar was open during the snow storm we were having and the restaurant was very cozy! read more

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Lovely setting for a lovely meal. We began with the wontons in a light chili sauce and the cabbage (listed on the menu as a childhood favorite of the chef). Both were so flavorful and unique. The shrimp noodle boasted huge shrimp. Braised short ribs were tender and the green pea mash was as delicious as it was colorful! read more

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Wowed, wooed, and everything in between. Not just an unforgettable dining experience, but likewise a core memory. A chic, minimalist, contemporary space is so effortlessly designed for the ultimate dining experience. A little moody, ever so sexy the interior is as welcoming as it is seductive. The service was remarkable. Water stayed full. A full smile always while answering questions and offering patience as we were crippled by the intoxicating menu. We settled on okra, cold sesame noodles, gnocci, and grouper. Everything was divine. I'll start with the okra because that brought back childhood nostalgia with a modern twist in the sweet chili saice. Crispy okra, seasoned to perfection drizzled with a light sweet chili sauce that made dreams come true. The sesame cold noodles were spectacular. The mushrooms added beautiful texture. They're a bit creamy, a bit acidic w the sweet pickles, and ever so addictive. The star for me was the gnocci. Pillows that dissolve with every bite. The Malaysian curry was rich, but still so light. One of the most balanced sauces I have ever tasted as it comes to texture. The weight of it on the Gnocci was perfect. The grouper was super. Perfectly salted with a lime/cilantro salsa and some beautiful tumeric rice. Every single item was a hit. What an absolute experience. Officially a top restaurant in stl for me. The amount of regions/cultures they have fused together in their menu is commendable. Execution was beautiful. Can't wait to get back! read more

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Location and ambiance: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Food: 3.5/5 - Plating of the food is good - The flavor and portion size of the lamb shanks is wonderful, but it is overpriced - The mango bread pudding is alright. The flavor of the mango sauce does not complement the bread pudding well. I do not recommend. read more

Akar - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Moody ambiance, knowledgeable, friendly service, with great recommendations! Food was fantastic, mocktails available, and veggie friendly :) Street Parking! We came here for a friends birthday, we tried the crispy cauliflower and meatballs as appetizers!! I had the gnocchi and my husband had the lamb shank!! We loved this meal, great for small groups or date night. read more

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This place wow's me every time! I've been trying to eat through their menu and I can say everything has been a delightful experience. Service is good for a slow dining experience. The ambiance is very moody and intimate. Rating this place a 5/5 because it really has that WOW factor :) read more

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Akar is a lovely ethnic twist with a modern industrial vibe inside. We went for a double date and sat down ready to order family style. We had some of the thoughtful house cocktails and ordered the bang bang chicken, sticky rice, burrata and the bread made to order. All were certainly delicious but nothing absolutely blew us away. The butter served with the bread was amazing. For entrees I had the short rib and my wife had the grouper special. The side with the short ribs left a bit to be desired but the short rib was amazing, fall apart, and flavorful. My wife's grouper was spectacular and the sauce served under it was something truly special. All in all great experience, highly recommend Akar. read more

Akar - Sticky rice and burrata - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Everything is Amazing!!! Highly recommend, the best Asian fusion restaurant in STL. read more

Akar - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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The food was amazing and flavorful. I was happy that they had vegetarian and vegan options. My husband and I had the gnocchi which the chef's kiss! My brother-in-law had the blue crab donabe and he said it was absolutely divine! Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and informed about the specials of the day. The restaurant was vey intimate for a date or a nice girls night out. The decor was very simple yet classy. Reservations are required so be sure to put this restaurant on your list to try soon! read more

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Had a really nice time at Akar. The ambiance was unique and upscale. I was happy to find a place where it felt appropriate to dress up. I liked their use of natural lighting. The service was good and food came out in a timely manner. Food was really good and I was really excited about that as a vegetarian - there were lots of options for me! I LOVED the gnocchi dish, would order again. Was a little underwhelmed by the roasted carrots dish. My meat-eating partner was less enthused by his meal but said overall it was good, just not up to par with the pricing of it. read more

This is a very intimate date night spot! When I went the first time, I absolutely loved the lamb chops in Thai massaman curry. The curry was very flavorful and the lamb meat was braised to perfection. However, when I went back, they changed the lamb chops to have a different sauce and it was still good but no where near good as my original experience. read more

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I had been wanting to try this hidden gem for quite some time, and I'm so glad we finally did. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful, and the service was top-notch from start to finish. It easily earned a spot as one of my new favorite restaurants in STL. The lobster rangoon was packed with lobster, honestly way more than I expected (a good thing by the way). The roti and meatballs were incredible, and every curry sauce we tried was perfection. The short rib had amazing flavor as well, though I personally felt the peas were a bit overwhelming and could've been left off entirely. We also ordered the red snapper special. At first, it was a little bland for my taste, but our waiter brought out a scallion jam that completely transformed the dish. It was absolutely delicious and exactly what it needed. I'm already counting down the days until we can go back because I genuinely cannot stop thinking about this meal!!!! read more

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Run don't walk to Akar. This was hands down one of my most favorite restaurants in STL. This place is a flavor lovers dream. They have quite the expertise in flavors and how they play together is applied to every dish. I would say this is a Malaysian fusion restaurant. The ambience was very modern looking with beautiful minimalism. The service was excellent despite the slow speed of the place. The waitress was knowledgeable of the items. We ordered some mocktails/cocktails. The Lychee Fizz was alright. The passionfruit honey mocktail was phenomenal. The food? Well, let me say it too was outstanding! Exceeded all of our expectations. For appetizers, we ordered crispy okra and lobster Rangoon ravioli. I appreciate the boldness of these meals. The fried okra bites featured cubes of the golden fried pod tossed with gojuchang sauce, crushed peanuts and scallions. Both these dishes were chart topping. I would go back just for that lobster. They say to eat with your eyes first and wow i didnt want to disrupt the beautiful presentation. The star of the show is the lamb shank. Made as it should be, the meat succulent, with distinctive mineral notes. It would be excellent even without the saffron-turmeric couscous and that mild sweet Massaman curry sauce. The potatoes were cooked to perfection. Yes this place cost more than your average restaurant ranging from 30-45 dollars for entrees but for special occasions I would definitely return. A must visit place in STL. One of my favorite in the west county. read more

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Ok, this place was incredible. We got the popcorn chicken and the green beans to start. Both were excellent. Everyone got their own entrees - gnocchi, soft shell crab, massaman lamb. Honestly, all of it was excellent. Service was solid and timely. I thought the space was pretty nice and slick. Good for a date night, work dinner type deal. Little bit on the expensive side but the food was really really good, so I would absolutely go again. read more

An upscale, intimate place in Clayton with cuisine best described as Asian fusion rather than Malaysian, as my friends who were born and raised in Malaysia agree with. We got the gnocchi and a chicken dish. The garlic-forbidden rice and charred broccolini were solid. read more

Akar - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

A long awaited revisit to one of my first and favorite elevated dining experiences in STL. Was able to order a lot of the menu, and almost every dish had something going for it. Their goat biryani special and fish of the day were my favorites and I also didn't expect to love the pad kee mao as much as I did. I think the incorporation of cuisine elements from different cultures is executed very well here. The scallops were the biggest letdown for me. The sauce was too mild and the scallops themselves were way too salty. I also wasn't super crazy about their gnocchi. It's a decent dish, but the gnocchi pieces were a bit chewy and the sauce wasn't very distinct. Dessert was fine, but not stellar either. While I may not have loved every dish, each one had something to offer. The flavors being showcased here are unlike anything else you can find in STL, putting it up there as one of the city's best. Favorite dishes: Lobster risotto, lamb shank, goat biryani, pad kee mao, grouper read more

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The Asian fusion cuisine at this restaurant is imaginative and delicious. From a great soft shell crab/pineapple salsa appetizer to the duck breast entree (perfectly cooked!) to an amazing Vietnamese coffee tiramisu dessert, the meal and service were top shelf. read more

Good food The flavors are different. Worth a try. The service was nice and friendly. The drinks were good - wish they had more of a cocktail menu. We sat outside. Patio seating is first come first serve read more

Akar - Drink - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

I love how they are always patio ready! As soon as it gets warm, their patio is open for dining. Reservations required for indoor dining, but outdoor patio is first come first serve. They expanded their indoor dining in Feb. 2023, so there are more seating inside. Akar is my favorite restaurant in the area but it has recently dropped some points in food and service. The waiter didn't seem very friendly and the food was a little lack luster. The paper menu I received was wrinkled and dirty. Blossom cocktail $15 - I enjoyed the strong lychee flavor of this drink. Lobster Rangoon "ravioli" (3) $19 - More rangoon than ravioli, these were stuffed with chunks of lobster and creamy filling. Delicious with the mango dip. A Mushroom pate $19 - The pate was interesting and went well with the puffy fried rice cracker. B- Short Ribs $43 - This is off the bone, melt in your mouth piece of meat served on a bed of smashed peas and side of roasted carrots. Reminds me of a classic pot roast dish. B Street parking is free after 5p. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2024 read more

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The ambiance was perfect. This is such a cute restaurant with big beautiful windows and a nice outdoor patio. My party had a window seat with bench and chair seating. We started off with drinks and water. I chose the NA Lychee and ginger. It was perfectly refreshing. 5/5 We ordered the lobster rangoon and the crispy cauliflower and were very impressed with the flavors and quality. My lobster rangoon had real lobster claw meat in it. The crispy cauliflower is making my mouth water just thinking about it, it's definitely a crowd pleaser. 5/5 I ordered the oolong duck entree and here is where it all fell apart. The duck breast was cooked well done which left it a bit tough. I didn't taste the delicate oolong flavor at all probably due to the overcooked meat. I was terribly disappointed in the dish. The butternut squash puree and mushrooms didn't do anything for the dish flavor or texture wise. So the entire entree was a complete miss for me. 2/5 By the end of the meal our waiter was ushering us away. Our view was nice, ambiance and starters were great. The entree was not worth it in my opinion. Maybe I'll get to sample more of the menu in the future? Time will tell... read more

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We've been eating at AKAR since right before the pandemic -- and every single time it's amazing. One of my go to spots. Even as they have grown the food consistently is delicious. read more

Wow, Why did I wait so long to try this place? Every dish was packed full of flavor, perfectly cooked, and just served to overall impress. Service was impeccable and drinks were spot on! We started with the lobster rangoon and octopus special. The octopus was definitely a stand out dish! For mains I chose the gnocchi and my husband the tea brined duck. I could seriously eat the gnocchi all winter long. Perfect comfort food! I tried a bite of husband's duck which was really tasty. For dessert, we chose bread pudding. One of the best(and most beautiful) I have ever had. It was a bit more similar to a cinnamon roll or monkey bread type texture while still being melt in mouth delicious. read more

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Immediately felt the warmth and passion infused into every dish & cocktail here at Akar. Chef Bernie Lee's mastery of Malaysian cuisine--elevated with global influences--shines through in bold, tangy, and impeccably fresh flavors. From the first bite, it's clear that each plate is crafted with love. The vibrant ingredients and thoughtful execution make for an unforgettable dining experience while the intimate, hip atmosphere, paired with cozy patio seating, makes it perfect for any occasion. Recognized in St. Louis Best Magazine, this gem continues to amaze with its innovative yet authentic approach. If you're seeking a meal that excites the palate and transports you to Southeast Asia, AKAR is a must-visit. read more

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Great, cozy, intimate atmosphere. The food was incredible as well. The server was first rate.

ve had Akar on my list for several years, so when planning my birthday dinner (Valentine's Day -- which is no small coordination feat), I went all out. I had friends fly in from Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Houston specifically to experience this restaurant with me. The staff was incredibly helpful over the phone leading up to the evening and made planning feel seamless. We were seated comfortably, and our server, Emily, was truly exceptional from start to finish -- attentive, warm, and professional. Unfortunately, the evening took an unexpected and humiliating turn. A guest from a neighboring table abruptly stood up and walked over to our table, standing over one of the guests in my party in an aggressive manner. Multiple people at our table calmly asked her to return to her seat to de-escalate the situation, but she refused and continued to agitate us by repeatedly asking if we "had a problem." An acting manager, Veronica, approached and informed us that other guests could hear the conflict and that "at this point" if we were unable to get along, both parties would be removed. As I attempted to explain what had actually happened, she stated, "I wasn't there, so I don't know," and never once addressed or checked on the person in my party who had been confronted. It felt dismissive and incredibly unfair to be threatened with removal when we were not the instigators. What made the situation even more disheartening was that nearby tables actually stood up to speak on our behalf. Ultimately, Emily -- who remained calm and gracious throughout -- was the one who helped de-escalate the situation by moving the other party to a different area of the restaurant. After that interaction, we no longer felt comfortable continuing our celebration and chose not to order entrées. It was deeply disappointing given how long I had looked forward to this experience and how much effort went into gathering people from across the country for such a special occasion. I truly wanted this to be a place I could enthusiastically recommend for milestone celebrations. While the food and ambiance may still deserve that praise, the handling of this situation did not reflect the level of hospitality one expects for a restaurant of this reputation. That said, Emily was an absolute delight and the highlight of our evening. Because of her, we will do our best to return in hopes of experiencing the restaurant the way we had originally envisioned. read more

This is one of the most interesting restaurants in St Louis. It's Malaysian fusion and accessible to the midwest palate. It's in a nice part of town. However, after 6pm, parking can be a bit hard to come by. As for our experience, it was great! Made reservations by phone (wish they would do online booking via Opentable, Resy, or Tock) a couple of days earlier and showed up on time. I was able to look at their menu online so had a good idea of what we'd order. I wish they would have put their wine menu online as well. Consequently, we brought our own wine (Aubert Pinot Noir). Corkage was a fair $25. As for food, we ordered a variety. The crispy chicken appetizer (must order) was AMAZING, and probably my favorite dish of the night. The lobster rangoon was tasty but not so memorable. The curry gnocchi was nothing like I'd imagine but it was delicious. We also had the duck which was pretty good, as was the lamb shank which was huge. For dessert, we had the green tea tiramisu (YUM!) and the bread pudding (ok). Ambiance was nice and intimate, not loud. It was a great dinner. We'll be back! read more

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Beautiful little restaurant with outstanding service. They are so kind and helpful. Food arrives very quickly. Flavor combinations were great, but many items were cooked quite long enough. Duck had thick fat. Carrots were hard and crunchy, etc. Overall worth coming to, but not to expect 5 star food. read more

Came here the day after my wedding. Was referred to this place by a close friend and made reservations for 6:45 on a Sunday. Was greeted by Curtis who later turned out to be our server as well. Service, food, ambiance was all top level. We ordered several apps and sides and it turned out to be more than enough for 2. My wife is vegan and there were several vegan options as well as vegetarian options that could be prepared vegan. Curtis service was absolutely incredible and he made our night. Food was phenomenal but it was the service and Curtis's personality that truly made the evening exceptional. Would return without hesitation. read more

Akar - Asian Fusion Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

The food was okay. The ambiance and seating was nice! They seemed like they were pushing so hard for us to order alcoholic beverages ,3 different waiters including the manager approached us that day,it was kind of a weird encounter. I'll definitely be coming back for drinks but likely not for the food. Outside seating is nice! A lot of street parking that's free! read more

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We visited for lunch and enjoyed the calm environment. The menu had enough variety, and it was easy to find something suitable. My dish was well prepared and filling. Staff were attentive without being intrusive. A solid place for a simple and pleasant meal. read more

Wow. Wow wow wow. I've been. Hearing about Akar for years and just never managed to get there. Everything was fantastic. It's a small zen space with a nice patio. The service was warm, friendly and knowledgeable! We started with the lobster rangoon and mushroom pate. Excellent and enough to share. The entrees were fantastic. Fresh, beautiful seafood, and perfectly cooked. I had bread pudding for dessert with orange, toasted almonds and sweet whipped cream. The menu is small and I had a little sticker shock. But after the meal I get it! It will be a special treat for my family but if you can swing it, go! read more

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I used to be a huge fan of this place, but sadly tonight' changed that. We have been here several times and it was always a treat even though getting reservations is not an easy process. Tonight though, yikes! It is my husband's 60th birthday. He is from Malaysia ( it is a Malaysian inspired restaurant and the owner/chef is also from Malaysia.) I called about 2 weeks prior to see if we could do anything. The lady I talked to said absolutely and she would talk to the chef and call me back. She didn't. I called day of to confirm reservations and remind them. I was willing to pay - how many 60th birthdays does one get? Apparently they do not need or want our business. Chicken had significant gristle. Service was decent. Jerks said "Happy Birthday" on our way out. We will not be back and although our $1000 a year spend there will not be missed hopefully this review saves someone else's disappointment. I mean why wouldn't she have told me when I called today that they were unable to do anything? Very very disappointing. Update: The short rib we took home was half fat and gristle. Just very disappointing. read more

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A sophisticated dining spot in a city better known for its Italian and steakhouse standards. Imaginative use of Malaysian ingredients and spices, using many fresh, local ingredients as a foil for the dynamic blends of tastes emanating from the plate. Lean short rib and a tofu appetizer were wonderful, as were the mains of scallops and a pad Thai style of noodles and veggies and half a dozen shrimp. Everything we've had here has a healthy dose of heat, so if that's not your thing I'd suggest you ask them to tone it down. Simple but comfortable interior coupled with friendly service. The larger of the two rooms can get pretty noisy, as diners here, as in most St. Louis restaurants, feel the need to yell at people two feet away from them! read more

This is such a cozy, intimate spot for a date night! On my first visit, I absolutely loved the lamb chops in Thai Massaman curry. The curry was rich and flavorful, and the lamb was braised to perfection. However, on my second visit, they changed the sauce for the lamb chops. While it was still good, it didn't quite live up to the amazing experience I had the first time. read more