AKAR
AWARD-Winning Fine Dining in Clayton, MO — Akar by Chef Bernie Lee.
Akar | ELEVATING TRADITION : Asian classic flavors get a modern spin
Dinner I Catering I Host an Event I Reservation I Patio Seating I Carryout
Tuesday–Sunday | 4:00 PM – 9:00 Indoor Dining - Learn More
Concept
Concept
At Akar, there is no fixed menu. Every dish reflects a harmonious blend of Asian/global influences, seasonal Midwest produce, and Chef Bernie Lee's personal inspiration - crafted with precision, balance, and grace.
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Carryout
Carryout
Enjoy Akar at home with our curated carryout options, designed to travel beautifully without losing their essence. Call us for ordering, only available between 3-5 pm
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Catering
Catering
Whether it's cozy gathering or a special celebration, Akar offers full-service catering designed just for you. Every menu is crafted with your tastes in mind and inspired by the season's freshest ingredients. We'd love to being Akar's experience to your table.
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Experience the Akar Difference
At Akar, every meal is a journey — not a routine. Guided by fresh, seasonal ingredients and Chef Bernie Lee’s creative intuition, our ever-changing menu celebrates flavor, memory, and discovery.
Rooted in Chef Lee’s Malaysian heritage — “Akar” means “roots” — each dish reflects his memories of home, reimagined with modern inspiration.
Inspired by Memory. Created for Today.
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> ### Akar Is… | Chef Bernie Lee’s Story
>
> Bernie Lee, the creative mind behind Akar Restaurant, draws inspiration from his Malaysian roots and global experiences. Each dish reflects his belief in staying grounded while exploring new flavors — a constantly evolving expression of memory, creativity, and culinary artistry.
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Private Events, Dining & Catering | Akar, Clayton MO
Experience Akar, an intimate, chef-driven restaurant in Clayton, MO, offering seasonal fine dining in St. Louis. Our 44-seat dining room provides a refined, cozy atmosphere for dinner service Tuesday–Sunday, 5:00–8:30 PM. Both indoor and patio spaces are wheelchair-accessible, with attentive staff ready to assist.
Enjoy outdoor dining in Clayton, MO on our heated patio, seating up to 30 guests and featuring the same chef-curated, locally sourced menu. Patio seating is first come, first served.
Host your next private event in Clayton, MO at Akar, featuring an elegant, accessible space ideal for intimate gatherings, celebrations, and corporate events in St. Louis. Enjoy comfortable seating, easy access, and a warm ambiance inspired by Chef Bernie Lee’s creativity and hospitality.
What clients say?
Read our reviews
Tell us your experience
Igor Henrique
> The weather allowed us to sit outside and enjoy the cozy settings.
> Service was quick and the food was great. I am happy to find bold signature dishes in STL.
> The lobster rangoon is good, but the lamb was amazing.
")Igor Henrique
The Bright Spots Blog
> Tried this place for the first time the other day, and will be back! The food was delicious and interesting! I really loved the cocktail with thai chili and togarashi on the rim. The risotto and soft shell crab were both fantastic. They were great about accommodating dietary sensitivities and the staff was very nice! The patio was lovely.
")The Bright Spots Blog
Reservations by phone only | Akar Restaurant in Clayton, MO
At Akar, every meal is unique — there’s no fixed menu. Our dishes are customized daily, changing frequently to showcase the freshest local ingredients and Chef Bernie Lee’s creative intuition. The menu features a thoughtful balance of seafood, traditional meat, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, all crafted to deliver flavor, freshness, and inspiration. That’s the Akar Difference — dining that’s personal, evolving, and made with care from market to plate.
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Menu as captured Aug 30, 2026 · source ↗
We hold 11 venues in Clayton, MO and could not score any of them yet, so nothing here is ranked — including this one.
There is no score breakdown to show: nothing we read about this venue earned points in any of the four categories, so a bar chart of zeroes would look like a verdict on the kitchen rather than on what it publishes. What we did read is below.
v1.7.4 0.0/100 = sourcing 0.0/50 (named-farm 0 distinct, named-region 0 distinct, attribute 0 distinct, buzzword 0 distinct) + farm partners 0.0/20 (none scored) + registry 0.0/12 (none listed) + press 0.0/18 (capped at 35% of the 0.0-point evidence base).
Buzzwords only. This venue uses sourcing language ("farm-fresh", "locally sourced") but names no farms, regions, or verifiable attributes.
See the week▾
| Sunday | 4pm – 9am |
|---|---|
| Monday | Not listed |
| Tuesday | 4pm – 9am |
| Wednesday | 4pm – 9am |
| Thursday | 4pm – 9am |
| Friday | 4pm – 9am |
| Saturday | 4pm – 9am |
“Not listed” means the day was absent from the schedule we read — usually closed, but we never saw it stated, so we don’t claim it.
Hours checked Aug 30, 2026 · source ↗ · these hours were read from the page text rather than published schedule data, so we show the week instead of calling it open or closed · Always worth confirming with the restaurant.
Coverage
- St. Louis Magazine — AKAR ↗
St. Louis Magazine
Press