Ari's Restaurant & Bar

When my fiancé and I moved to Clifton Heights a few months ago we were excited to try this place right up the street and we were not disappointed. Both times the food has been delicious, especially the spanakopita which is some of the best I’ve ever had. They have one of the most lovely patios in STL for summer and fall, and the owner and staff are so friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend giving this place a try if even for a carry out gyro (which are also so yummy)!

We had such a lovely evening at Ari’s Restaurant & Bar. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and comfortable—like a neighborhood spot where people genuinely care about the food and the guests. The owners even came by to serve us and introduce themselves, which made the experience feel especially welcoming and personal. We started with the Shrimp Saganaki, and it was incredible—six plump shrimp nestled in a rich garlic, tomato, and onion base, topped with beautifully melted cheese. The flavors were bold, savory, and perfect for dipping. The avgolemono soup was a standout as well—creamy yet light, with tender chicken and orzo and that classic bright lemon flavor that makes this Greek staple so comforting. For my entrée, I ordered the pan-fried grouper, which was cooked perf

We had a group of 19 adults for dinner on Wednesday evening at Ari’s. I had made the reservation several weeks in advance directly with the owner’s son. This is a family run restaurant with long term employees. We had a separate room off the main dining room. Our server, Susanna, was excellent and provided exceptional service with a very cheerful and engaging attitude. They have a large menu with a great price point and lots of options for authentic Greek food. Everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The ambiance was comfortable and “homey”. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a group, provided that advance reservations are made since the restaurant is fairly small. The dining room looked cozy and inviting for couples and small groups as well.

Placed an UberEats order- since they started stacking deliveries, my orders have not been warm or quick. Order was packaged well, did not include utensils or napkins. The gyro was overwhelmed by the pita. There wasn’t enough meat or sauce, and it lacked the feta I paid an extra dollar for. The slice of baklava was generous and tasty. But I needed to cut it up to avoid picking up the sticky dessert. I haven’t tried the Greek salad, I’m saving it for lunch tomorrow.

One of our family's favorite neighborhood spots. We moved here a year ago and love that we can walk here when the weather is nice. The patio is beautiful at night!! And the food? When I’m craving a gyro, this is the go-to spot. Kind service, decent pricing and we always leave full :) There is love in this food!!