Photo by Ellie Marshall

The iconic Cusanelli’s restaurant, a landmark with nearly a century of history, was demolished last week.

The Italian eatery, located at 705 Lemay Ferry Road, closed its doors in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The property will see a new chapter as a modern commercial space.

The establishment was a longstanding fixture in St. Louis’ culinary scene and a property once visited by the Marquis de Lafayette. The restaurant continuously operated under the name Cusanelli’s since 1954, despite changing ownership in the 1980s.