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    The BAO

    4.2 (472 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    The BAO Reservations

    Order The BAO Takeout or Delivery

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    THE BAO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
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    Edamame
    Patrick C.

    Yummy udon and authentic dishes. Great for a date night or catching up with a friend! Loved the interior decor and vibe--takes you into a new and refreshing environment upon entering. The staff were friendly and helpful. I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of drink and cocktail options outside of the food! I recommend the edamame--it's not overly spicy but it's a nice flavor change of standard edamame. I really enjoyed the soup udon with tofu. Also loved that there were pictures on the menu for most all food items!

    GYUDON ( Sliced Beef )
    Cleo G.

    What a LOVELY ambiance, and the food doesn't break the bank! It looks upscale inside, but you use a QR code to get the menu, and most everything is very reasonably priced. My mom was having a hard time picking what to eat and our waiter was really good about helping her decide. Here's what we tried: -Kimchi Wagyu Bao: 6/10 - Did not meet expectations. The meat was good but it kind of just tasted like normal burger meat. I couldn't taste the kimchi much and I couldn't get any truffle to come through either. Unfortunately would definitely not spend your stomach space on this one. -Soft Shell Crab Bao: 8/10 - What a beautiful presentation. You get a full fried crab, and it's crispy to the max. The sauce on this bao is also a BIG winner for me. -Gyudon: 8/10 - The egg on top was soft (I might've liked it a bit runnier to act as a sauce), and the beef and caramelized onions are so savory and rich. The bowl comes with a lot of rice so I left half of it at the end, but the richness of the meat makes it all taste great. -Szechuan Udon: 8/10 - The broth was SOOOO spicy, but that's just how we wanted it. The portion is good and the noodles are thick and delicious.

    Popcorn Chicken
    Karen L.

    Some of the best udon I've had and bao were really good too! Great spot for a date night with low lighting and great cocktails. The team is always very nice here and service is quick

    Egg rolls and octopus ball
    Brent E.

    This was a great place to eat. The ambiance is really nice and the service was really good. The food was excellent. We went there for lunch and we had egg rolls and octopus balls. The egg roll was one of the best I ever had. The bao burgers were great. My favorite was a soft shell bao. I will definitely visit this place again.

    Morgan B.

    Date night at The Bao was the kind of dinner that turns into a full experience. From the first bite, every dish felt bold, flavorful, and perfectly shareable -- which is exactly our date night style. The popcorn chicken and tuna nachos were to DIE for and bao buns were soft, packed with flavor, and honestly the star of the table. We found ourselves ordering a mix to try everything, and not a single plate missed. The vibe inside is cozy but modern, making it easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's the kind of spot where you're talking, tasting, and losing track of time in the best way. If you're looking for a place that feels fun, different, and guaranteed to impress, this is it. Safe to say, this one's officially added to our favorite date night rotation.

    Larb BOWL
    Hannah S.

    Everything tasted great! service was a little slow as there was only one waitress that night. Didn't mind the delayed service too much since the food definitely compensated. Definitely one of my top 10's in st. louis

    Jade H.

    Truly, I love the Bao. It's a good go to for dinner cause it's nice but not gonna break the bank. Also the food options are great! They have so many delicious plates to choose from it's always a struggle narrowing it down. Pro tip: try the lychee martini ;) The service is always great and. I love the ambiance. Definitely coming back :)

    Yuzu and Korean flavor popcorn chicken (combo!); Steamed Gyoza; Spring Rolls (v)
    Sarah M.

    I have ordered from the Bao a few times for delivery but finally made it in person for happy hour this week! I do not have a single bad word to say about this place. I have never tried anything that wasn't delicious! I've had a few of the Bao in the past, including the hot chicken, teriyaki bacon, fried chicken and a few others, all of which are delicious! I also love the fries and the sauce they gave us with the fries. Happy hour prices and service was great! It wasn't too busy and the deals were good. We asked which chicken was the best and they recommended a combo of yuzu and Korean which was SO good, I could've eaten 3 plates of them! We also loved the spring rolls and the gyoza. Our waiter was really nice and helpful! Drinks were also super good and pretty strong which I always love. I also loved the little light on the table had two settings which helped provide much better lighting for the food if you want :) The restaurant wasn't that busy and I don't know if it's super popular, but it SHOULD BE! This is now one of my favorite go-tos. Do not skip The Bao!

    Dumpling pizza
    Stephanie K.

    The Bao is one of my favorite spots in STL and I realized I love it even more in the winter. I was freezing and that Soups were hugs to my body and soul. We got the Tom Yum soup and the Tom Kha Ga soup! So goood! Warmed me up right away! All their food was packed with flavor and delicious! Other faves: * Their Baos (so soft) * Larb Gai * Ka Soi * Udon * Gyoza Dumplings * Karaage (I forgot the exact name they call it here, but it's like their popcorn chicken) As soon as you walk in, you will notice high ceilings, well set up bar to the right and a high top long table to the right for large parties. They also have small tables for smaller groups. Street parking (free after 5pm) Gender neutral bathroom

    Fries
    Michael C.

    Ordered Bao, fries, and udon for a late night dinner. I'd come back and try more baos. Here's the breakdown. Bao buns were perfect and yummy. The fries were amazing with the aioli. Teriyaki Bacon bao - bacon was super thin and well cooked. Our least fav. pretty much tastes like bacon. Kakuni - Our fav. Good kimchi and pork belly flavor with good texture. Gangnam - Fried chicken was great with good flavors but almost overpowering. Udon - The yuzu broth was the best part - light and summer like flavor. Katsu tofu was well cooked but the noodles were soggy. Udon noodles should have tha chewy texture with good mouthfeel.

    Claudine L.

    Vibes were definitely vibin (I can't believe I used this term) but The Bao has a nice, cozy feel to it as soon as you enter. I wish I was able to try their other signature drinks besides the drink of the night (can't recall what it's called but it was something with Bangkok. The food was also good, especially enjoyed the beignets (although I don't think it's in their regular menu). The owners were super nice and friendly too! Would definitely come again and try everything else!

    K Kakuni Bowl (Pork Belly)

    The food was really good, I got the pork rice bowl, the yaki noodles with pork and the honey popcorn chicken. You have to try at least once.

    Mojito
    Emily F.

    My friend and I had a lovely time at The BAO. I had been once before for a Yelp Elite event and was excited to visit again! We made a reservation online and were seated upon arrival. The space feels cozy and intimate with low lighting and dark furnishings. There are several seating options from bar seating, to high top tables for larger groups, to low top seating. We had a cozy table for two by the bar. We started out with some drinks. I had a Mojito which was not my favorite to be honest. It was very tart and strong, with a very large mint garnish. My friend had the Not your usual latte with vanilla vodka, Thai coffee, Irish cream, and honey. I tried it and loved it, so I ordered one later! It was similar to an espresso martini, but not as strong/bitter. It was creamy and smoky (they torched the top of the drink). I would definitely order again! For food, we ordered the mala popcorn chicken and baos. The popcorn chicken was super flavorful, but quite spicy! It was crispy and tangy with a kick. I ordered a crispy shrimp bao. I assumed that my order would come with two or three baos, but it only came with one. For $7.99 I thought it was a little small. It was good, but could maybe use some more bao sauce, as it was a bit dry. I love the atmosphere at The BAO and it would be a super nice date night spot! I highly recommend the Not your usual latte and the popcorn chicken. I will be back to try more items on the menu!

    Fried Chicken BAO

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    18 days ago

    Food was great but bao was a bit small. I had the pork belly bao and khao soi with tofu. It was delicious, bite, fresh and flavorful .

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    Thank you! :)

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    Thank you! :)

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    Rj A.

    Thank you, Irene! Come back soon :)

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The BAO

    Is there parking available?

    Street parking theirs normally decent parking on street

    Is proof of vaccination still required?

    Not required

    Is there a gluten free option for the buns?

    Hi Devon, sorry our bun is made out of wheat flour. But we also have a great selection of rice bowls. Please check in our menu www.thebaostl.com Thank you for your question :)

    Is this a sit down and order kind of place or a fast casual, stand in line to order kind of place?

    Sit down place with waiters

    Any vegetarian or vegan options?

    We have several vegetarian options and a few vegan too. Unfortunately the bao bun itself does contain milk powder. That being said we are more than willing to modify our… Read more

    View All 6 Questions

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    An intimate, low-key, and aesthetic spot to enjoy a nice meal and a good drink. My friend and I…read morecame here one evening for dinner and drinks. Clayton was busy, so street parking was hard to find. Once seated, we were greeted with friendly service and were brought water. I ordered a ginger beer with cranberry juice added to it for a refreshing mocktail. We ordered the Squeaky Cheese to start, the golden-brown cheese curds were gooey and had the perfect crunch. They were served with marinara and a serrano dill aioli. The aioli had just the right amount of spice, complementing the dill flavor. The marinara was saucy and also good. I ordered the Bacon Jam Burger with fries. The burger was juicy, sweet, and had a nice crunch. The bacon jam was subtle, but it enhanced the overall flavor. My only complaint was that the bottom bun came out a bit soggy causing the burger to lose structure as I ate it. The fries were thin and crunchy! I had a lovely experience and would like to come back to try a cocktail!

    It's a speakeasy!…read more Opens at 6pm, (fyi ) if you reserve on the website, you are not reserving for Bemiston you are reserving for Louie's Wine Dive bar. No reservations are needed . Trish was our bartender and she was welcoming, friendly and very helpful with the ordering process. I ordered crab tostadas which came in a platter of three . Truffle fries were fresh but basic and for the drink I ordered an Chai Colada. Very fruity and strong . I enjoyed it all. Restroom was clean . Plenty of open seating . Menu has alot of options . Check website for menu, times etc. I will definitely return for more items on the menu.

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    Ivy Café - Chicken salad

    Ivy Café

    4.5(399 reviews)
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    Ivy Cafe never disappoints. Even if you've been here several times, you are always met with a smile…read moreand welcoming attitude, as if you are part of an extended family. Today, I was blessed to find my favorite spot at the bar open. This is a great vantage point to witness how a well run restaurant functions. The bar space is quite tight, but the servers and baristas (notably, the always excellent Lynne) move elegantly between each other as if in a choreographed dance. The Lindbergh Tartine was on point today with delicious sausage gravy over house-made sourdough, two sunny side up eggs and the always fantastic crispy potatoes. Soooo gooood! The pleasing decor, cute bistro-style tables and live plants makes this spot feel so warm. After coming here multiple times, I sometimes look for small improvements that I might suggest, but I'm consistently unsuccessful! With that said, I do think it's time to put some purse hooks up under the bar seating....still getting a solid 5-Star review! Come to Ivy Cafe and see for yourself!

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    From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt elevated but still warm and inviting--classic,…read morecozy, and perfect for a special night out in St. Louis. Tthe crab cake was one of the standout dishes of the night--packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully plated. Every dish felt thoughtful and high quality. The dauphinoise potatoes are a MUST! You can tell why reservations here are so hard to get--it's one of those places that truly delivers. And of course, we had to end with the hot fudge sundae, which was such a fun and nostalgic dessert experience with every topping you could want. Wright's Tavern is definitely worth the reservation and a spot I'd happily return to again.

    3.5 stars. After my last visit, I'm torn. The food we had that night was mediocre with the best…read moredish being the Caesar salad with anchovies. My filet au poivre and my husband's French dip were forgettable at best. My steak was overcooked (ordered medium rare and came out close to medium well). With such a lean cut of meat, the overcooking of it ruined it. The Au poivre sauce which likely had cognac needed to be cooked off as it was extremely bitey (and salty). There was no peppery flavor at all. My cocktail, on the other hand, was delicious and well made (old fashioned) and our server was efficient, helpful, and timely. Overall I enjoyed the atmosphere. I've had the crab cake before so I didn't get it this time, and it's as good as people say. It is huge and can be shared with at LEAST two people. I'd likely visit again but I'll probably stay away from these two entrees next time.

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    Flight Club St. Louis - Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

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    4.4(60 reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    Visited with the plan of eating and playing darts, however upon arrival to the host station…read morerealized I should have made a reservation. Arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night and the next available reservation wasn't until 10:30/10:45. There are about 5-6 dart stations throughout the restaurant that accommodate different group sizes. The seating was open so after roaming a bit cozied into a booth behind the bar where a tv was near by to watch the basketball game. From entrance to exit, everyone was friendly and warm. From my vantage point I observed all of the employees working together to make sure drinks were served quickly, food orders came out hot and guests' needs were met. The cocktail and mocktail was delicious, the lobster elote with seasoned tortillas was very flavorful and entrees did not disappoint. Validation tickets for parking in the parking garage next door is a plus! I'll be going back, have to try the darts!

    Working in St. Louis for a week, my team spent an evening at Flight Club St. Louis in one of the…read moreprivate booths and this was a great time! I don't play darts so I have zero skill here, but, with the plethora of games, there is fun to be found. I was definitely throwing from the "Rookie" line, but it didn't matter, we still had a good time! It was a little cramped but there were quite a few of us in there so understandable. With this private booth, we had a selection of appetizers, a dessert tower, and unlimited booze. Of the appetizers, the buffalo chicken sliders were my favorite and the desserts (cannoli, cream puffs, double-chocolate cookies to name a few) were surprisingly good! The bar staff working that evening were pleasant and accommodating, ensuring we all had a drink in one hand and a plate of food within arms' reach. All-in-all, I had a fun time at Flight Club St. Louis, I'd come back for a few rounds of darts and drinks!

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    Flight Club Social Darts blends modern, energetic gameplay with next-level dart technology, chef-crafted snacks, and a though...

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    4.0(433 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    Working in St. Louis for the week, Louie's Wine Dive & Kitchen was THE afterwork meetup spot for my…read moreteam! A few of us would stop in around 4/4:30pm and grab seats at the bar, chat, and polish off a couple beers. The bar was pretty spacious with plenty of seats surrounding it. Also, shoutout to the gentleman who served us drinks! He did a fantastic job taking care of us and even remembered us and our drink orders each day. Whenever I come back to St. Louis for work, I'm looking forward to coming back for some after work drinks!

    There's something about a place in Clayton insisting: don't call me a wine bar, I'm a wine dive…read more Okay. We see you. You're a wine bar. Nothing divey about a hip cocktail or hip deviled eggs -- these are sophisticated modern twists, the exact move wine bars make and dives don't. A chalkboard of specials and weathered seating gesture at the aesthetic; the rest of the room knows. Kendall Roy of restaurants -- comes from privilege, wants badly to be of the people. It's a bit, and mostly the kitchen and bar back it up. Nevertheless, we arrived to a full room, hour wait for a table, but we fortunately arrived to snag the last first come patio table. The bar was also full, by the way, which felt neighborhood like, people clearly like this place during happy hour. The old fashioned makes the case: Old Grand-Dad Bonded, pickled rye, cognac, butterscotch bitters. Two whiskeys and a bitter you won't find at an actual dive. Rich, a little sweet. The harissa deviled eggs keep going -- fried shallots, roasted red peppers, cilantro, marinated tomato jam. You know, just like the old dive with the $1 PBR.Deviled eggs for people that don't like deviled eggs. However, we love deviled eggs...foreshadowing. The short ribs are the headline -- fall-apart tender over whipped potatoes substantial enough to stand up to the meat, gravy spot on. Eats like a perfectly executed roast dinner. The brie burger is the sneaky second hit, genuinely decadent, bacon with the cheese melting into the beef. The service was good and pleasant and that felt more like dive-friendly, where you might expect a wine "bar" to be snooty or full of themselves. 4.4 Stars Picking Nits: hip deviled eggs that reach past what they can hold. Tomato jelly on top is a lot going on, in the wrong way, and the egg disappears under it. These are trying to be hip deviled eggs more than they're trying to be good deviled eggs. Every ambitious kitchen has one plate that tries too hard; this appears to be one. A 5 needs those eggs landing, in the same way the entrees excelled. Regardless, we'll be back.

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    Louie's Wine Dive & Clayton Kitchen - Brunch Menu, Honey Butter Chicken, sub in Brie, sub in Toasted Sourdough, sub in Breakfast potatoes. Delish.

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    Louie's Wine Dive & Clayton Kitchen - 4 PORK GNOCCHI

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    The BAO - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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