Malinche is a hidden gem in West St. Louis County! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Stepping through the door, you'd think you've transported to a trendy city with bustling nightlife. The low lighting, neon signs, and colorful interior design create a vibrant and upscale dining environment.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Their drinks are all served in fun glassware and mixed with intention. Choose from an array of classics like Margarita, Mojito, and Paloma; or try one of their original crafted cocktails. The service is always friendly and professional. Their servers are prepared to answer any questions you have. I've never had food like I've enjoyed at Malinche! Every menu item has so much traditional flavor with a modern spin. Not only is the food delicious but it is plated with culinary vision like art on a plate. Menu items are designed to be shared which we love we can try multiple things. Monday and Tuesday are the only days of the week they serve tacos but you will not be disappointed by their other menu items! The name choice Malinche pays homage to a historically significant and often misunderstood female figure in Mexican history who after being sold in slavery to the Spaniards acted as a key translator and advisor during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. By naming the restaurant Malinche, it is the family's ode to their mother and head chef Doña María Gutiérrez Molina. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Once your dining experience is over and you step back outside, you'll have forgotten you were eating in Ellisville and not Mexico City![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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AMAZING!!!! The service and the food, drinks the vibe! Worth every penny! It's so authentic and my husband is from the mother land and he felt like he was in his grandma kitchen eating. I really enjoyed it and the hospitality was so in line with the culture, welcoming and warm! 10/10 recommend!!! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - The vibe! - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

I have a new favorite Mexican restaurant in the St Louis metro area! Exceptional food, well presented, and unique...not the run of the mill Mexican food menu. Service is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, fast, and proud of what they are delivering (and they should be)! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small casual place with booths, tables and a small bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They are closed on St Louis City soccer game days because they have a booth at the stadium so check that before you go. Got lucky as a walk-in but I'm betting a reservation will be useful on a weekend evening. Will definitely be returning...often. read more

We've been wanting to go to Malinche for several years and they did not disappoint! They are very small, 5 or 6 large booths, 1 separate table & 6 seats at the bar and located in a strip mall, but so worth the visit. The amuse-bouche on the evening we went was a wonderful potato flauta. Our cocktails were delicious! [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat at the bar & it was fun to watch them make the cocktails.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We started with the Esquites Surenos (street corn) & Flautas; both were super yummy, so yummy we forgot to take pictures. For our entrees we tried the Mole ozumbeno & Paello que es Mexicano and both were great! We couldn't resist trying the desserts, thankfully they are pretty small. We tried the Churros (half had an amazing Carmel sauce & the other half had a yummy tart cherry sauce) and the key lime "pudding cake". Both were so good! Parking is easy in the strip mall. read more

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Every single thing was delicious! We started with the appetizer (queso, green salsa and guacamole served with pork rinds and chips for dipping). Queso was thick and flavorful. Guacamole was so fresh! We came on a Monday, which was taco night (every Monday and Tuesday are taco nights). You can either order 3 or 5 tacos. Favorites: mahi mahi, steak and chicken. Server was prompt, friendly and did a great job of explaining the menu. We will be back on a Wednesday thru Saturday to try the tapas! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Taco night. - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

This is not a typical Mexican eatery. This is Mexico City cuisine that is hard to find north of the border. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's an experience worthy of the trip with service and ambiance both highly recommended.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

been here several times and it's extremely overhyped. food isn't bad but it's mediocre for the prices. reading these interviews i really don't get what they're all raving about. employees that are part of the family are nice but the others are ... questionable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]lighting is pretty though[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Good service. 4/5 stars because of Concerns about limited menu along with portion sizes smaller than what would be expected for the price paid. My cheese enchilada had good flavor. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Liked the colors and the energy in the venue and our server was attentive.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I believe this is a one time place I encourage people to try, as it's different from other Mexican restaurants in the area. I am thinking if I go back I will focus on this place being more of a drinks and starter / appetizer opportunity and not plan on getting a full meal. Appreciated the complimentary taquito app and the fun sign on the wall where we took a photo before we all left. read more

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What a cute little place. Found it on Yelp, and knew I had to try it while traveling for business. The service was on point. The food, you'll have to try it is all I can say. The ambiance was nice, good for a date night. The drinks were amazing. I will be back for sure next time I'm in town. Do make reservations as it's a small place and they do get packed. read more

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The great: [[HIGHLIGHT]]interior is so nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely not Your typical Mexican restaurant. The drink menu was impressive and our son loved His drink. The menu looks super impressive. The ok: we came on taco night and while the tacos all sounded impressive, we were all underwhelmed with the actual tacos. We expected more distinctive flavors. And be warned you pay extra for chips, salsa and any sides including beans or rice. Our bill for three adults and one child was $130 with tip. (11 tacos, 2 waters, one mixed drink, chips/salsas and one side of beans.) We also waited quite a while for food and water refills. Our waitress looked like she was doing everything except cooking and dishes. read more

Malinche is an unexpected hidden gem. From the outside, you never expect to step inside a small and hip spot with pink neon lights, comfortable bar seating and wonderful staff who make you feel welcome. Malinche splits up its week with Monday and Tuesday reserved for tacos, and small plate offerings for the remainder of the week. It is a small place, I'd recommend making a reservation. To start off, most of their cocktails embrace Don Julio tequila. I chose En Las Nubes who has jalapeño infused tequila Blanco with mango and citrus and burbuja magica which is a fun little bubble that makes the experience unexpected and interactive. Their guacamole and queso are some of the best I've had. The queso has just the right amount of heat by not being overwhelming and wonderfully cheesy as queso should be! I ordered 4 tacos: the chicken flauta, El vegano, El de pescado, del trompo. My favorite of the evening was the El Vegano with hibiscus achiote and it was fan-freaking-tastic! The flavor combinations was something I've never had before and as a non vegan that is saying something! The del trempo was my next favorite with juicy roasted achiote pork loin and pineapple made the taste buds sing. The El de pescado was batter fried tilapia that held up with a delightful crunch and added spice with the creamy Chipotle. Lastly, the Pollo flauta was in a warm rolled tortilla with well seasoned chicken topped with salsa and creama. I ended the night with Tres Leche because after the experience with the tacos, how can you walk out without trying dessert. The cake was delicious, decadent and light and was a perfect ending to the experience. And that's what you can expect at Malinches Mexican Experience. Thank you for the evening and I will be back! read more

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Our first time here. Got here for a late lunch or early dinner at 3:30pm. Posted 10 pictures and one video. They've been here three years and glad we wanted to be adventurous and so let me start off saying our server was LIA. She was so sweet. We loved her. She was very helpful with the dinner menu as we saw some things we've never seen in 46 years. Like marinated cactus vegetable, not so much a flavor but it takes on the flavor of the entree. She was very professional. She took great care with our food and us and a pleasure to talk with. THANK YOU AGAIN LIA. The very generous entrees are huge. Very reasonable also. Each of the Chef Specials you have to read off the menu so much on each plate. We ate a lot and took by a lot home. The CARNE ASADA was the most tender in all my years eating Carne Asada. My entree MOCAJETE AZTECA with "marinated chicken" I read so much about and a LOT to describe on the menu. Great entree!! Served very warm with vegetable and long stems of onions and much more. I passed on the two jalapenos. There was no room for an appetizer or the fried ice cream which I would have loved. (Next time I'll have the appetizer and dessert) the creamy oversized non-alcoholic pina colada was also a treat. Took some home. She offered the pineapple as well but my bag was full. So if wanting Mexican food but unsure of where to go....here it is. read more

Ordered to go. I will say that the hostess was extremely kind and welcoming. The food was good but small, and the prices are high. they also mentioned on the menu that paying cash will give a 3% discount and later i realized it wasn't included. The hostess told us that typically each person orders two items. each item on the menu was $13+ and the serving sizes were about 3-4 bites each. They also don't label what items contain nuts anywhere on the menu. so make sure you ask! Again, food was yummy but the prices were insane. we somehow spent $85 on four items and then went to go buy pizza afterwards... read more

Always a great menu, hand-crafted drinks and outstanding service! We love the tapas style menu and different flavors.

Wonderful food and service! Family owned with authentic dishes and creative cocktails. Their special events are amazing with mutliple course meals and curated cocktails. Reservations are best because of small size. Love that they are also at STL City soccer games! read more

We've been itching to try Malinche for a few months now, and did not disappoint. Its a hidden gem in west county for deliciously crafted tacos. We went for a double date night with friends. Made a reservation since its a smaller space. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor was organized and exciting with Spanish culture. Beautiful and creative wall art.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But best of all, the food was delicious! From the complimentary appetizer, to the chips & dip, and finally the tacos. Everyone at the table got 3 tacos. The hand crafted cocktails made everything go down that much easier. The bartender was working as the waitress as well, and did a phenomenal job. read more

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Ok first off the people are the nicest. The service was excellent. The ambiance is great - you feel transported to Mexico City. And the food. Yeah just order it all and you won't be disappointed or leave hungry. 2 per person is a good baseline. Highly highly recommend read more

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It took several weeks of attempts before I was able to get a table in this restaurant. It definitely did not deserve the hype. I am actually shocked at the number of five star reviews this restaurant gets. I'm sure I look like that one reviewer that is never pleased. Please note all of my other reviews. I tend to be very generous with the stars. This restaurant is very unique and I want to leave a very detailed review to anyone considering because it is expensive. The menu is very limited and every single item on the menu had to be explained by the waitress. Every item on the menu is considered to be a "small plate" which is about the size of a small appetizer, but priced the same as an entrée at some restaurants. The waitress advised that it is appropriate for each person to get three or four plates. Had we listened to her advice we would have had twice as much food as we needed. We got four dishes total for two people, and it was more than enough food. While the menu items are unique, I felt very limited in my choices. No vegetarian options unless you order off the menu. The ceviche was unique and spicy. The Mole, which the waitress described as their signature dish, was the worst mole I have ever tried. I generally love mole. Our waitress was extremely high energy, but totally inappropriate in her timing. She kept trying to clear plates while we were eating. She would ask us how we were doing every few minutes constantly interrupting our conversation. I assume she is used to being busier. The potato flauta was delicious, but too expensive for one French fry sized fried tortilla. We attempted to come here several times on weekends, but found that a reservation is both necessary and difficult to get. However, we were able to walk in at 6 o'clock on a weekday and found the restaurant to be empty. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The storefront makes it look creepy and uninviting. Once inside, however, the ambiance is kitschy and appealing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The margaritas were delicious but extremely watered down and overpriced. Overall, we felt this meal was entirely too expensive and the waitress definitely negatively impacted our experience. I gave three stars because some of the food was good but the restaurant concept just didn't work for us. The small expensive plates and confusing menu did not make for a fun night out as I believe it was intended. Overall, if asked for a recommendation, I would take time to explain this restaurant in detail. You have to know what you're getting into and be prepared for an unreasonably expensive night out for Mexican food. (Which is usually much more affordable) read more

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Excellent as always !!!!! Best jalapeno margarita around ! I can't wait to come back for another ! And of course the food is outstanding! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

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Absolutely delicious. Get a reservation and enjoy the night! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's small inside so I don't suggest just walking in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Came here for a Friday night dinner. From the exterior along a strip mall, it looks like a non-descript regular Mexican restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The windows were covered, creating a dark, dark (almost bespoke) restaurant atmosphere inside. Purple is the theme color.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were underdressed, everyone else was dressed up for date night or professionals meeting up with friends. We were greeted by a very friendly server, Gianna. She was friendly, very patient and took the time to explain every item on the menu (this is not your regular Tex Mex restaurant). The menu is small but every item on there is unique. She also brought us a potato taquito as a tasting from the chef - on the house. We also loved the tortilla chips and chicharrones and salsa table service. The presentation for every dish is elevated. We got the Paella que es mexicano (mexican twist on paella), Del trompo (pork tacos), and Enmoladas (chicken enchilada with mole sauce). One thing to note is that the numerical price looks reasonale but the portions are *tiny*. The paella was delicious but I could've finished it in 3 spoonfuls. The 3 pork tacos were super flavorful but each taco was 1 bite (for reference the diameter each taco was smaller the opening of the water cup). The Enmolada came with 1 enchilada and the chicken inside was a little dry. The mole sauce was rich and while mostly recognizable as a mole sauce, there were some flavors in it that I didn't recognize. That said, it was tasty but our stomachs did not agree with the ingredients later. We got the virgin mangorita, and again while it was delicious, it was served in a 6 oz cup filled to the brim with ice - so it was finished in 3 sips. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We love the service, the elevated cuisine and the ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We love supporting small local businesses. But we needed to get a second dinner afterwards. read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Del Trompo (pork tacos) - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

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Start to finish we LOVED our meal and drinks! It definitely wowed us! My husband and I had 4 small plates to share and each got a dessert. We left so full. The passion fruit margarita was spot on! read more

It was an experience, not just eating out. They have amazing service with excellent food. Unique tastes. Excellent cocktails, [[HIGHLIGHT]]fun atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They truly care about what they are serving you. Can't wait to go back!! read more

Loved everything about the experience. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is intimate and classy without feeling stuffy or pretentious.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was 10/10. Our server, Jensen, was remarkable. She was welcoming, gave us a little background on the restaurant and knew the menu as if she made it herself. She was a delight. Food exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

This place is amazing. Walking into what you'd think is a Mexican restaurant but it's almost like a Mexican romantic getaway. The lights, the colors, the intimacy. Chefs kiss. You receive a complimentary flauta which has potatoes inside. Very flavorful and great way to start the meal. The drinks were presented in nice cups and just added to the overall aesthetic. The food. Small plate vibe, huge flavor. We got the pork tacos, the barria quesadilla, chicken flautas, and a dish of shrimp, pork, and steak and rice for the kids (can't remember the name). The flavors were so damn good. I wanted to call my mom and tell her to pull up. My favorite were the pork tacos--the pineapple really takes the flavor to heights you don't anticipate reaching. Service was phenomenal. We had a couple of spills (kids and myself) and the staff were quick and accommodating. This is a place where you order multiple dishes and share, but be careful because some flavors make you want to be selfish. I cannot wait to return without the kids! Please run here! read more

Everything was excellent as usual!!! We tend to go on Monday or Tuesday for taco night, but anything Maria cooks is top notch!!

We love this place! The freshest margaritas in town & the food is so high quality. Every server is so kind & knowledgeable about the menu. Malinche has been in our family dinner rotation for years now. 10 stars! read more

I am sad. This was one of my favorite restaurants. It is one that I had to plan for because it is over an hour away and reservations have to be made well in advance because it is a small restaurant. I have brought friends, family, and colleagues here whenever possible to share the experience that I loved so much. This week I brought a colleague from California. First thing I noticed was the renovation. Yes, it had been 9 months since I've been there so it was new to me. It's definitely sleek, but in all truth it is not as charming as it was. The cocktail menu changed. There used to be this amazing sparkly fresca and that is no longer and option. The waitress had no idea what I was talking about. I asked for something light and fruity (it was105 out). Unfortunately, the tajin made it undrinkable even with wiping it off the rim. My colleague was also unable to finish her drink. The food has changed and that's the problem. The guacamole used to be perfect avocado, lime, and salt. It has a lot of ingredients, could not taste the lime, and the avocado was far from perfect. Yuck. Between us, we had guac, salsa, cheese dip, 6 street tacos, one order beans, one order rice, and the two drinks and with tip it was $120. I was embarrassed to bring my colleague there after talking it up. I'm very sad that this is another once-great restaurant that is no longer at former quality levels, yet the price has increased. read more

Lots of parking in the strip mall. Menu is on the smaller side. Tapas style. Everything we had was full of flavor. Service is nice, staff will ensure we understand each menu item and will recommend how much to order. Great meal! read more

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They took amazing care of us . Each course was very well done and the flavors so different . Service was very good and the pace moved well without feeling rushed . This place should be filled EVERY Night ! read more

Seriously wow! Very deceiving from the outside but once you head inside it's cute , intimate vibes! Food and drinks were delicious and such a fun experience! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

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Malinche is 10 stars! I mean just WOW!!! Best Mexican in STL. This is true Mexican food not Tex-Mex (I love Tex-Mex and think Arzola's in the city is amazing). It's tapas which meant we got to try different things. Each dish blew my husband and I away. We are already planning our return trip to try other dishes. We ordered Tatemada (chips, salsa verde (spicy and flavorful) and fresh made chicharrons), Campechano (ceviche), Tacos Al Paster (mini sized but the flavors were off the charts, the spice of the pork balanced with the sweet of the pineapple), and the mole verde which was completely unexpected in flavor and delicious. The place is small so reservations are a must. We made them, and were seated immediately upon arrival. The staff is friendly and attentive, describing the menu and answering any questions we had. Great date night, we will be back soon. read more

Found this restaurant via yelp as it had a lot of 5 star reviews and we were looking for authentic near the Chesterfield area. Malinche did not disappoint! If I could give it 6 stars I would. Started off with a very friendly host greeting us at the door. We did not have reservations but thankfully they were able to seat us. The server was very friendly as well and welcomed us and even brought us a welcome appetizer for being first timers. The tacos were to die for! We had an assortment- pescado, shrimp, steak and ground beef. I've never had such tasty tacos in the Midwest. Highly highly recommend but I do recommend having reservations due to being a smaller and more intimate restaurant. The energy from the staff was fantastic and can't wait to try more items here! They do a different menu Monday and Tuesdays compared to the rest of the week. Will be back! :) read more

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The service was top notch. The food was good, however, it would be nice to be able to read menu in English. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant needs better air conditioning. It was a bit uncomfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

**Review of Menya Rui** Menya Rui is hands down the best ramen shop in Saint Louis. My all-time favorite dish is the Pork Miso, which never fails to impress with its rich, savory broth and perfectly tender pork. Each bowl is a comforting delight that transports me back to my time in Tokyo. The atmosphere enhances the experience, evoking memories of the bustling ramen shops in Japan. It's a perfect blend of authenticity and warmth that makes every visit special. If you're a ramen enthusiast or just looking for incredible food, Menya Rui is a must-try! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

I drove right past the restaurant and had to circle the block a couple times before my eyes caught the name, very unassuming at first. It's quaint and full of life and good vibes and good music from the moment you walk in. I made reservations because I heard they get packed pretty quickly and it's true. Due to the size of the seating area I have to recommend reservations. My friend and I had seats at the bar which is fun because we get to see what all the drinks are and how they're made, entertaining in itself. We ordered guac with chihuahua cheese to start. It comes with tortilla chips and pork skins. Very nice touch. The chef sent out bean tacos with a salsa verde since it was our first visit. How delicious of him! Next we ordered drinks and I went with the spicy margarita que pique para la niña, my friend chose la doña. Both were so smooth and tasty. I ordered the molé, let me tell you each bite has a slightly different flavor. The molé is so complex and I feel like I could have enjoyed a small bowl of it just to try to pick out different flavors. I finished my evening with fresh churros, one of my favorite desserts. Strawberry and caramel together is heavenly. I left happy and I can't wait to visit again and try more of the menu! read more

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What an experience!!! I made a reservation through Yelp and was seated right away when arrived. The restaurant isn't super spacious, more cozy with a bar that you can sit at. Knowing Malinche is a tapas place, I ordered several different items to try. For drinks, I got the Charro Russo. If you are a fan of mango and tajin like me, this was perfection. My husband got the Flor de la passion. For appetizer, I got the Queso and it came with homemade chips and pork skins. It was so rich and creamy, the best queso I had. Our waiter, Alejandro, said that Malinche offers authentic small dishes, so maybe that's why it was so good!!! The chef also offered us each a Flautas as a complimentary on National Margaritas Day! It was so tasty! Then for our tapas, I got the Endiablados and my husband got the Quesabirria. Each was presented so nice and so delicious! I'd highly recommend Malinche if you want to experience authentic Mexican dishes even though it is a bit on a high price. read more

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Excellent food!! Authentic Mexican! Love this place!! The service is excellent. The owner is so friendly. They make a great margarita and I've never had anything there that I didn't love especially on taco Monday and taco Tuesday. read more

Always a delightful experience! I really like that this restaurant does not start you off with the usual chips and salsa filler but instead a delicious flauta! Presentation is beautiful of all the items. Pricing is very reasonable for a bit more "upscale" Mexican. Most dishes are closer to a tapas size so you may want to order more than one item or ask about the dessert menu(the churros were perfection!). The quesabirria was my absolute favorite dish this visit...so much flavor. The mole could have used a little more flavor but I was very grateful to find authentic mole in the STL area. Tip: use the online menu to aid with ordering, the pics are all mouthwatering! read more

Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience - Quesabirria - Mexican Near Me - Ellisville, Missouri

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Great food! Great service!! We were there on a taco night. We each picked 3. Out of the 4 of us no one was the least bit disappointed. It was delicious read more