My wife and I recently tried a brand-new steak, Italian, and Indian fusion restaurant, and wow — it was one of the most memorable meals we’ve had in a long time. It takes real confidence for a restaurant to blend three bold culinary traditions, but everything here felt seamless, intentional, and downright delicious.
The moment we walked in, the atmosphere struck the perfect balance between upscale and inviting. Warm lighting, rich aromas, and the kind of attentive service that makes you feel like you’re the only table in the room.
We started with appetizers that set the tone immediately: imagine classic Italian touches layered with Indian spices and served with steakhouse flair. Every bite had depth and character without ever feeling overdone.
Overall, this restaurant is doing something truly special. If you love bold flavors, thoughtful combinations, and a dining experience that feels fresh and exciting, this place is a must-visit. We can’t wait to go back.
Ro Lynn
My partner and I tried the new Santinos today. We were Santino's regulars before it changed hands but hadn't been back until recently when we heard they are now serving Indian and Thai cuisine. We were excited to hear this is now an option in Alton. We couldn't have been happier with the quality and flavor of the food. It was INCREDIBLE! We had Pad Thai, Chicken 65, Paneer and Onion Kulcha. It was all fresh and wonderful!! Our server Manny was such a lovely guy and Chef KK made sure everything was delicious and he surprised us with the best fresh mango ice cream on the house! We will be back! They also do a super cheap buffet on Sunday. If you are looking for a great dining experience, check it out. Right here in Alton! Written 10/26/25.
Brian Waters
we used to go before the new owners. It used to be pretty good. After the new owners took over, every changed drastically. Food quality went to hell. servers had a different attitude, they had the "I really don't care" vibe. Never going back.
Rhonda Willman
we had a wonderful date night, celebrating our anniversary and my birthday. the atmosphere was so nice, the menu has expanded since the new owner has taken over and we were not aware of that. we had our taste buds ready for Italian food, so that is what we had this evening. I had the seafood alfredo and my husband had the lasagna. both meals were delicious and brought to our table quickly. hot and fresh. we also shared a fried ice cream for dessert and brought home a homemade tiramisu. the service was amazing, and I cannot say enough about the manager, Mani. he was so pleasant and so helpful and we stayed after dinner chatting with him as if he were an old friend. we will definitely be back to try the Indian and Thai food and I can't wait to check out the Sunday brunch! definitely recommend!
melanie mercer
Have never been there
Leo Portal
Thrilled to have Indian food in Alton IL. The food was much better than expected and the mango lassi/milkshake was super tasty. Hope they make it legit and offer lunch buffet in the future. Was also nice meeting the chef who was very friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hillari Elaine
I’ve drove from Festus Mo for years for Santino’s and we always loved it. We came tonight for the first time since it changed hands and were very disappointed. My daughter and I had steak dinners, that came out tasteless and very chewy. My sons got curry and bath said the meat taste fake and rubbery. They did refund the steaks but not the curry. Nothing taste the same. 🚮 Soup used to be the best, today it was no good. No bread offered anymore so I ordered some and it came out still cold in the middle. Definitely not fresh, flavorful, and the friendly atmosphere like it always was with the old owners. 😢
David Martin
The new fusion menu is a welcome improvement. I just had a delicious Indian meal, chicken biryani and garlic naan, that was better than almost any others I’ve had in the greater St. Louis area. I can’t wait to sample their Thai dishes next. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anne Connor
Walked in at 1 pm on a Friday Parking lot was 3 cars full. Inside air is stale like old kitchen odor. Took a while to get a glass of water. I was craving a falafel, but decided against.it. The description was more like a sandwich instead of being in a pita shell. Finally ordered seafood linguine. Hope it is worth the wait. Food was tasty Owner and server very polite I wished them well in their endavor. They have much on their plate and great positive attitude!
S Brown
The new Indian Cuisine is tremendous! The Coconut soup is the best I've ever had, and the home baked naan is great too. Very talented chef. Instead of ordering Italian ( which is great ) TRY THE INDIAN DISHES- THEY ROCK!
This place used to be awesome until they changed ownership recently! And that’s the real bummer. We came for date night tonight and ordered drinks, an appetizer, and a steak and a chicken parmigiana meal. The appetizer was ok at best, the chicken parm was lukewarm and tasteless, and the steak was overcooked and had to be sent back—when we got it back it was a smaller piece of steak that seemed poorly seasoned and still slightly overcooked. They even forgot the side dishes until we said something about bringing them. They used to serve bread and soup or salad but that’s apparently not the case anymore so we were bummed about that. On top of it, it’s more expensive now and you get less than you used to! Was handed a wine list and told it would be cheaper than the menu priced (6.50 a glass) but it was more expensive (8.50 a glass!) and they didn’t have half of what was on the list to begin with. The service was subpar, which I hate to say but it’s true. Every time we had a concern, someone would just blame it on the server being new. We were charged for ice in our drinks? AND an extra 4% fee was added to the check for some reason. A lot has changed here and we used to love it for date nights but we won’t be back now, unfortunately.
Jessica Busby
This place used to be awesome! And that’s the real bummer. Have they changed ownership? Not sure but things have changed wildly! We came for date night tonight and ordered drinks, an appetizer, and a steak and a chicken parmigiana meal. The appetizer was ok at best, the chicken parm was lukewarm and tasteless, and the steak was overcooked and had to be sent back. They even forgot the side dishes until we said something about bringing them. They used to serve bread and soup or salad but that’s apparently not the case anymore. On top of it, it’s more expensive now and you get less than you used to! Was handed a wine list and told it would be cheaper than the menu priced but it was more expensive, and they didn’t have half of what was on the list. The service was subpar, which I hate to say but it’s true. We were charged for ice in our drinks and an extra 4% fee was added to the check for some reason. A lot has changed here and we used to love it for date nights but we won’t be back now, unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Chandu kondreddi
I had a wonderful dining experience at Santino’s Fusion Kitchen & Bar. The food was bursting with flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. Each dish had a unique taste that really stood out. The fusion of flavors was spot on, and everything tasted fresh and authentic. Definitely one of the best spots in town for delicious food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Raavi Nithin Reddy
Dining at Santino’s Fusion Kitchen & Bar was an absolute treat. The flavors were unique yet balanced, and everything tasted delicious. From appetizers to main courses, every dish had its own charm. The quality and taste really stood out, making it one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in a while.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Preethi Rayakala
Santino’s Fusion Kitchen & Bar is a hidden gem! The food is bursting with flavor, and every dish tastes freshly prepared with so much care. The fusion of spices and ingredients creates a delicious experience that leaves you wanting more.
My wife and I recently tried a brand-new steak, Italian, and Indian fusion restaurant, and wow — it was one of the most memorable meals we’ve had in a long time. It takes real confidence for a restaurant to blend three bold culinary traditions, but everything here felt seamless, intentional, and downright delicious. The moment we walked in, the atmosphere struck the perfect balance between upscale and inviting. Warm lighting, rich aromas, and the kind of attentive service that makes you feel like you’re the only table in the room. We started with appetizers that set the tone immediately: imagine classic Italian touches layered with Indian spices and served with steakhouse flair. Every bite had depth and character without ever feeling overdone. Overall, this restaurant is doing something truly special. If you love bold flavors, thoughtful combinations, and a dining experience that feels fresh and exciting, this place is a must-visit. We can’t wait to go back.
My partner and I tried the new Santinos today. We were Santino's regulars before it changed hands but hadn't been back until recently when we heard they are now serving Indian and Thai cuisine. We were excited to hear this is now an option in Alton. We couldn't have been happier with the quality and flavor of the food. It was INCREDIBLE! We had Pad Thai, Chicken 65, Paneer and Onion Kulcha. It was all fresh and wonderful!! Our server Manny was such a lovely guy and Chef KK made sure everything was delicious and he surprised us with the best fresh mango ice cream on the house! We will be back! They also do a super cheap buffet on Sunday. If you are looking for a great dining experience, check it out. Right here in Alton! Written 10/26/25.
we used to go before the new owners. It used to be pretty good. After the new owners took over, every changed drastically. Food quality went to hell. servers had a different attitude, they had the "I really don't care" vibe. Never going back.
we had a wonderful date night, celebrating our anniversary and my birthday. the atmosphere was so nice, the menu has expanded since the new owner has taken over and we were not aware of that. we had our taste buds ready for Italian food, so that is what we had this evening. I had the seafood alfredo and my husband had the lasagna. both meals were delicious and brought to our table quickly. hot and fresh. we also shared a fried ice cream for dessert and brought home a homemade tiramisu. the service was amazing, and I cannot say enough about the manager, Mani. he was so pleasant and so helpful and we stayed after dinner chatting with him as if he were an old friend. we will definitely be back to try the Indian and Thai food and I can't wait to check out the Sunday brunch! definitely recommend!
Have never been there
Thrilled to have Indian food in Alton IL. The food was much better than expected and the mango lassi/milkshake was super tasty. Hope they make it legit and offer lunch buffet in the future. Was also nice meeting the chef who was very friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve drove from Festus Mo for years for Santino’s and we always loved it. We came tonight for the first time since it changed hands and were very disappointed. My daughter and I had steak dinners, that came out tasteless and very chewy. My sons got curry and bath said the meat taste fake and rubbery. They did refund the steaks but not the curry. Nothing taste the same. 🚮 Soup used to be the best, today it was no good. No bread offered anymore so I ordered some and it came out still cold in the middle. Definitely not fresh, flavorful, and the friendly atmosphere like it always was with the old owners. 😢
The new fusion menu is a welcome improvement. I just had a delicious Indian meal, chicken biryani and garlic naan, that was better than almost any others I’ve had in the greater St. Louis area. I can’t wait to sample their Thai dishes next. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Walked in at 1 pm on a Friday
Parking lot was 3 cars full. Inside air is stale like old kitchen odor. Took a while to get a glass of water. I was craving a falafel, but decided against.it. The description was more like a sandwich instead of being in a pita shell. Finally ordered seafood linguine. Hope it is worth the wait.
Food was tasty
Owner and server very polite
I wished them well in their endavor. They have much on their plate and great positive attitude!
The new Indian Cuisine is tremendous! The Coconut soup is the best I've ever had, and the home baked naan is great too. Very talented chef. Instead of ordering Italian ( which is great ) TRY THE INDIAN DISHES- THEY ROCK!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place used to be awesome until they changed ownership recently! And that’s the real bummer. We came for date night tonight and ordered drinks, an appetizer, and a steak and a chicken parmigiana meal. The appetizer was ok at best, the chicken parm was lukewarm and tasteless, and the steak was overcooked and had to be sent back—when we got it back it was a smaller piece of steak that seemed poorly seasoned and still slightly overcooked. They even forgot the side dishes until we said something about bringing them. They used to serve bread and soup or salad but that’s apparently not the case anymore so we were bummed about that. On top of it, it’s more expensive now and you get less than you used to! Was handed a wine list and told it would be cheaper than the menu priced (6.50 a glass) but it was more expensive (8.50 a glass!) and they didn’t have half of what was on the list to begin with. The service was subpar, which I hate to say but it’s true. Every time we had a concern, someone would just blame it on the server being new. We were charged for ice in our drinks? AND an extra 4% fee was added to the check for some reason. A lot has changed here and we used to love it for date nights but we won’t be back now, unfortunately.
This place used to be awesome! And that’s the real bummer. Have they changed ownership? Not sure but things have changed wildly! We came for date night tonight and ordered drinks, an appetizer, and a steak and a chicken parmigiana meal. The appetizer was ok at best, the chicken parm was lukewarm and tasteless, and the steak was overcooked and had to be sent back. They even forgot the side dishes until we said something about bringing them. They used to serve bread and soup or salad but that’s apparently not the case anymore. On top of it, it’s more expensive now and you get less than you used to! Was handed a wine list and told it would be cheaper than the menu priced but it was more expensive, and they didn’t have half of what was on the list. The service was subpar, which I hate to say but it’s true. We were charged for ice in our drinks and an extra 4% fee was added to the check for some reason. A lot has changed here and we used to love it for date nights but we won’t be back now, unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
I had a wonderful dining experience at Santino’s Fusion Kitchen & Bar. The food was bursting with flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. Each dish had a unique taste that really stood out. The fusion of flavors was spot on, and everything tasted fresh and authentic. Definitely one of the best spots in town for delicious food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dining at Santino’s Fusion Kitchen & Bar was an absolute treat. The flavors were unique yet balanced, and everything tasted delicious. From appetizers to main courses, every dish had its own charm. The quality and taste really stood out, making it one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in a while.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Santino’s Fusion Kitchen & Bar is a hidden gem! The food is bursting with flavor, and every dish tastes freshly prepared with so much care. The fusion of spices and ingredients creates a delicious experience that leaves you wanting more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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