Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience

Definitely make reservations! Very nice intimate space. We brought our toddler but she was the only little one in the whole place. Which was fine, they have a kids menu and sippy cup lid. We enjoyed the tapas style menu. Would visit again! Staff was very informative and made many recommendations.

I love dining at Malinche! It is by far my favorite Mexican restaurant. The plates are smaller in portion (compared the typical Mexican restaurants), but well worth the exchange for quality. Everything is well thought out, and there is pride in the presentation. I visited recently for the first time since Malinche re-opened after their renovation! The new look is fantastic and those who work there truly care about delivering a true culinary experience.

My partner and I thoroughly enjoy trying new and higher-end restaurants and Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience is just that.
- Absolutely phenomenal service (Paez, I hope I spelled her name correctly) was the best waitress. So attentive and descriptive.
- We didn't plan to order drinks but after hearing the handmade margarita offerings from the bartender, we had to. We got the spicy and traditional - both delicious - and were also offered a sample of the equally amazing smoked and hibiscus margarita.
- The food - no words! Delicious and flavorful. I am a vegetarian (my partner is not) and we both felt it was the best Mexican food we had ever had. We had 5 tacos, corn, rice, beans, and chips and dips. I can't pick a favorite because it was all so good.

Absolutely the best restaurant in the whole STL area - must try!

Small plates that are amazing. Not your typical chips and dip Mexican restaurant. It's a whole new experience. Came as a recommendation from a friend and it did not disappoint. Been there 3 times since. The most crafty, delicious margaritas the west county St. Louis area has to offer. Small and welcoming restaurant with great knowledgeable service.

Lovely small restaurant with fantastic shareable plates. Mexican tapas. The specialty drinks are eclectic and delicious. Mostly tequila-based, of course. I had the Chapulin Seco with Gran Marnier, which was a very good choice. Menu is changed quarterly and we had the summer menu. Potato flauta was a crisp appetizer with a tangy salsa. The tostada with shrimp had a creamy zesty sauce and was the best thing on the menu. Great lamb and beef dishes too. Our waiter was fantastic. Best place I’ve been to in Chesterfield in a long time.

WOW. My husband and I have never had "elevated" Mexican food before, and true to their claim, it was absolutely a culinary experience!! I could taste the notes of flavors playing together harmoniously from the salt, acid, fat, savory and sweet in each dish thoughtfully prepared to create a sonorous medley that transcends what you'd typically expect from your standard Mexican cuisine. I find with gourmet food I tend to eat slowly to experience all of the flavors dancing on my palate rather than shoveling it in (which has its merits too, especially with comfort food).

We had the Quesabirria, Mole, Flauta De Pollo, Chips w/guac, salsa and queso (Botaneando), and Del Trompo. They even gave us a complimentary Flauta each at the beginning of our meal. They were all absolutely wonderful! And the service was top notch! Our waiter was super friendly and helpful, and the food came out of the kitchen really quickly (though it was 9pm on a Friday night when we got there so it wasn't terribly crowded). They are also located in a shopping area with plenty of parking. The check came to $63, before tip, which is not bad at all considering the quality experience, and we were pleasantly full.

The two words that come to mind when I think of Melinche is, "Elevated Experience". If you like Mexican cuisine, I highly recommend you treat yourself and let your taste buds enjoy the ride!

Tried this place after hearing so many good things and let me tell you! It did not disappoint! I was HIGHLY impressed with the customer service, the food, the drinks, the ambiance- the place was amazing! Our server was spectacular- asking us if we had been there before, offered his opinion on what we should try and explained what each dish was! The tapas were so tasty and the presentation was so impressive! Love this place and will be back many, many times!

Probably one of the easiest 5-star reviews I've made in awhile. The food was delicious and the service was amazing.

Don't expect run-of-the-mill Mexican fare - these are composed, tapas-style dishes made to share.

I won't do any of the dishes justice by trying to tell you about them in any detail. Just know they're delicious.

The menu changes every 6 months and in Mondays they have a street food menu, and Tuesdays they have taco specials.

This is the best restaurant we have visited in the St Louis area. Tonight was our first visit to Malinche and we were absolutely blown away by the quality of the food and service. Emiliano took care of us at the bar and did an amazing job of making sure our visit was exceptional. He elevated the experience to feel like dining versus just grabbing dinner. Do not expect your average Mexican restaurant portions, but these small plates are of such high quality you won't miss a thing. This intimate evening of delicious food, cocktails, and ambiance is one we won't forget.

Not sure how there are less than 5 star reviews. They had really good plates to share so you can try everything, amazing cocktails, and everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. All of the tables were full but we were able to get a spot at the bar. I would recommend a reservation.

My Del Trompo, or “El Farolito” taco on a flat bed made by a soft but durable mysteriously green tortilla is an unmatchable experience. The meat is achiote-roasted pork al pastor with chopped onion, cilantro, a bit of chihuahua cheese, lime juice, and salsa. There are delicate litttle rolls of cucumber seasoned with tajin off to the side on my plate, the perfect refreshing crunch in between bites. Even the slice of lime for my taco is charred, a sophisticated touch to bring the art, that is my plate, up a notch.
I feel like Remi in Ratatouille when he eats a strawberry with cheese as I devour my taco. Tacos al pastor are my favorite food of all time and I’ve never had them better than at Malinche. That being said, I always pick the pineapple off of my tacos. Pineapple is to many a vital ingredient to tacos al pastor, thus, my actions are possibly a de-classified cardinal sin in Mexico, but a necessary deed for my tastes. Malinche has my picky eater stamp of approval!
To close off the night, my mini churros are warm and light-weight, painted in a delicate webbing of cajeta (sweet caramelized goat milk) and chocolate syrup. The sugary shell vessel encasing these beautiful little gifts from God is flawlessly not too soft and not too hard. My parents’ mini key lime pies are layered with galleta María. My mom says this dessert is something all Mexican moms make when they don’t know what else to make. Maybe that part of the code in the “Mexican mom genome” just didn’t make its way to her.
Anyways, at the end of the day, Malinche has been an unparalleled Mexican culinary experience for the greater St. Louis area. Dining at Malinche is distinctive in regards to the restaurant’s recognition and execution of the marriage of Spanish and Indigenous flavours that most embody Mexico. Every dish on the menu is authentically Mexican. What could be a more suitable reference than La Malinche? A mother to the new nation of Mexico. The family dining experience at Malinche is definitely one- of-a-kind in the St. Louis area, but in my humble opinion, also in the Midwest as a whole. In terms of authenticity of food, ambiance, and the staff/community, it is truly a privilege to visit Malinche.

We had an amazing experience at Malinche. I reserved a table for my boisterous family of 9, added another person last-minute, and the staff was nothing but welcoming and accommodating. From the chef's welcome gift of potato flauta, to the server's patient description of *every* menu item, to the birthday shots...everything was fabulous. Shout out to Carla our server, our host, our bartender, our chefs!! I've never been to a Mexican restaurant with such intentional flavors as Malinche provided. The huitlacoche tacos we're incredible, and my brother claims it's was the best chile relleno he's ever eaten. Make the trip to Ellisville. It's worth it! Many thanks to this wonderful staff. We had a lovely time!

Sheesh, so good!! My new favorite place to eat! Get one of everything and go now. Seriously you will be glad you did.🤤

We had a great meal on May 5th, which was a special chefs tasting menu, which included drinks, so it was pricey for that special day. Food and service were outstanding. Loved every minute of it!

Went for the first time while working and figured I would order something to go and have typical Midwest, cookie-cutter Mexican food. I walked in and was greeted by an intimate, date-nite, comfortable atmosphere and a knowledgeable, inviting staff. I ordered the Tiras de chicharron. I took my order and must say when I opened the container and took the first bite, it was a religious experience. Cooked to perfection, blending of flavors that made me yearn for more. Even in a to-go box you can tell there is thought, artistry, and love put into their food. After finishing an exquisite sampling I immediately phoned home and demanded we make a date-nite reservation in order to sample all we can in their fine establishment. Good food costs, great, fantastic, dream inspiring food costs a bit more and is so worth it.
People can keep their ketchup based salsas and poorly plated, assembly line mexican food. I'll take this lovingly prepared, beautifully plated, taste of culinary heaven any day, at any price!

Easily the best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at.

Fantastic food and so unique. Great flavors and I would recommend this restaurant to everyone.

Wow. This is the best Mexican food I have ever had anywhere including St Louis, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas, Austin and even Mexico. The Mom is in the kitchen cranking out amazing tappas dishes while her sons tend the tables. It is a small venue and hard to get a reservation but definitely worth the visit. The one caution I would share is this is not a place to party for Cinco de Mayo, they don't sell pitchers and the prices reflect the quality. It is an amazing restaurant for a great culinary experience.

Hands down, the finest Mexican cuisine in STL, and arguably the best food I've experience in STL in quite some time.

Taco Mondays and Tuesdays are a must-try; indulge in one of everything without hesitation—it's all remarkably flavorsome. Prepare to be thoroughly impressed; I've already made it a weekly ritual to savor their delectable tacos.

As someone discerning about taco spots in STL, this gem exceeded my expectations with its exceptional quality.

Visiting from chicago on a job site. Stop by here and omg food real delicious. Everyone treated me like family.

Awesome authentic Mexican food! Make a reservation. Try the Marguritas. Don't forget dessert!