Hi! are you a resident or a visitor in St. Paul, Minnesota? have a cup of coffee while I take you around some great restaurants that tickle my fantasy. Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Paul serves as both the capital and the second-biggest city of Minnesota. St. Paul has a booming cuisine culture in addition to being well-known for its many neighborhoods, Victorian architecture, and cultural attractions like the Science Museum of Minnesota. St. Paul provides a wide variety of delectable dining alternatives to suit any pallet, from hip restaurants featuring locally produced food to classic diners offering up substantial comfort food.
The 13 greatest eateries that best capture the incredible range of tastes and eating experiences that St. Paul has to offer are highlighted in this article. These eateries provide a wide range of cuisines, locations, and price points, from sophisticated Italian to Southern BBQ and Japanese hot pot. Anybody visiting St. Paul and eager to experience its culinary attractions, or a local wishing to return to a favorite spot, will undoubtedly find a great dinner at one of these outstanding restaurants.
13 Best Restaurants in St. Paul, Minnesota (2024)
1. Mickey’s Dining Car
Mickey’s Dining Car is a must-have restaurant in St. Paul; no list would be complete without it. Originally founded in 1939, this cherished 24-hour diner has been located downtown on a corner since the 1960s. Mickey’s is a longstanding St. Paul institution that serves homemade comfort cuisine 24/7 in a neon-infused, nostalgic setting.
Both locals and tourists frequent the establishment for favorites including the “Jackburger” with all the fixings, fluffy pancakes, and 50-cent coffee refills. Mac & cheese skillet platters or burger melts with cottage fries are great options for satisfying late-night munchies.
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Mickey’s serves classics like eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast, or maybe their renowned biscuits and gravy. Whatever your dining preference, you can count on cordial counter service and a generous helping of St. Paul’s history to accompany your meal. When it comes to tradition, value, and friendliness, Mickey’s Dining Car never fails to impress.
2. Hyacinth
Under the direction of James Beard Award winner Jack Riebel, Hyacinth wins praise from all throughout the country for its sophisticated modern food delivered in a classy yet laid-back atmosphere. The several eating areas of Hyacinth, which is housed in a Victorian home on Grand Avenue, entice customers to stay and savor the complex flavors and creative plating.
Seasonal changes bring forth seasonal menu changes, but recent highlights include the foie gras crème brûlée, delicate Agnolotti pasta stuffed with roasted chicken, and duck that has been dry-aged and served with faux morel mushrooms. To go with the meal, extensive wine sections highlight smaller, boutique producers.
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Hyacinth is the epitome of great dining in St. Paul because of its devotion to serving guests, talent in the cooking, and focus on the dining experience.
3. The Lexington
Go straight to The Lexington if you want traditional Midwest cuisine elevated. This modern pub, located in a stunningly restored building along Grand Avenue, uses local and seasonal ingredients to create inventive takes on supper club favorites.
Their “Almost Famous” specialties, such as the insanely delicious wild rice soup with flavors of leeks, shallots, and cream sherry, have won them a lot of fans. The menu features duck breast grilled in a black cherry sauce, open-faced pot roast sandwiches dripping with jus, and seafood standouts like walleye and prawns.
The Lexington serves amazing carrot cake topped with a smokey burnt honey ice cream; make room for it. A chic yet relaxed neighborhood location in old St. Paul, The Lexington features handcrafted drinks, a gorgeous mahogany bar, and white tablecloth service.
4. Saint Dinette
Renowned for Chef Adam Eaton’s flawless French-inspired cuisine, Saint Dinette elevates St. Paul’s dining scene with its exceptional culinary skills. This sophisticated, yet approachable, bistro in Lowertown succeeds at creating incredibly fulfilling meals out of basic pairings of high-quality, seasonal ingredients.
The supper menu’s must-tries are the steak frites, which come with prime meat and house-cut fries, and the escargots, which are presented sizzling in garlic and parsley butter. While their availability varies depending on what’s in season, customers eagerly anticipate dishes like coppa duck breast with grilled broccolini.
The extensive wine list at Saint Dinette features both hidden treasures and Old World options to perfectly complement each dish that leans toward France. Visit them for happy hour and indulge in their excellent cheese and charcuterie boards as a weekday treat. At Saint Dinette, exquisite comfort food is served with care and expertise.
5. Black Hart of Saint Paul
Black Hart of Saint Paul is a delightful addition to the St. Paul eating scene, offering sophisticated comfort food with a decidedly local bent. This casual restaurant in Lowertown offers modern twists on classic dishes made with sustainable, in-season ingredients mostly from Minnesotan farmers and producers.
Their classic wild rice pancakes with maple sausage and their well-known Juicy Lucy burger, which is cooked with grass-fed beef from a neighboring ranch, are must-tries. Options like the drool-worthy buffalo cauliflower sandwich, slathered in sticky hot sauce and blue cheese dressing, and the kale Caesar salad are favorites among vegetarians.
Enjoy your dinner with a distinctive drink like the crisp Black Hart 75, which is laced with gin and lingonberry, or a locally brewed craft beer. With its skill in the cuisine, welcoming ambiance, and dedication to the community, Black Hart offers St. Paul’s Midwestern eating scene a new angle.
6. Brunson’s Pub
Ask any local; Brunson’s is the place to go if you’re looking for a real neighborhood bar in St. Paul. For more than 60 years, this little corner pub has been a mainstay in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood. The secret to Brunson’s success is his unwavering dedication to serving authentic Minnesota hospitality and serving high-quality pub fare.
Menu favorites like the crunchy walleye fish fry basket and the juicy Lucy burger, which is loaded with melty American cheese, are beloved by the locals. Other favorites include the pot roast sandwich, which is topped with soft meat and vegetables, and thin crust pizzas, both vegetarian and Italian, that are prepared to order.
Excellent local and national craft beer variety goes well with traditional bar cuisine. The cozy atmosphere and friendly greeting make a visit to Brunson’s Pub seem a little like returning home.
7. Market House Collaborative
Market House Collaborative serves delicious breakfast and lunch dishes in the Lowertown neighborhood. This light-filled cafe offers seasonal, healthful fare that is directly from neighborhood farmers and purveyors.
Fresh dishes like ricotta toast with cherry compote, vegetable-packed grain bowls, and the always-favorite McClucky fried chicken sandwich put the focus squarely on the ingredients. While the pastry case entices with its stunning tier cakes and enormous cookies, daily deals keep things exciting.
The garage-style doors roll up to create an open-air atmosphere that is ideal for people watching in pleasant weather. Through collaborations that assist the nutrition education of children, Market House Collaborative places a strong emphasis on community. So enjoy the mission, coffee, and comfort cuisine at this adorable St. Paul bistro.
8. Tongue in Cheek
Fine cuisine in St. Paul is elevated to a lighthearted irreverence by the charmingly called Tongue in Cheek. Sophisticated restaurant and bar serving progressive American dishes with a focus on flavor and presentation, located downtown in the historic St. Paul Hotel.
With dishes like roasted acorn squash with farro verde, grapes, and mascarpone, or grilled scallops with wild rice and beets, the seasonally changing menu highlights local foods. Their tiny tasting menu, which includes dishes like pheasant cassoulet and hog belly ravioli, enables customers to try a variety of dishes without going overboard.
A carefully chosen wine and craft cocktail list is another appealing feature of Tongue in Cheek. Tongue in Cheek adds whimsical refinement to the St. Paul dining scene, whether you’re enjoying a special occasion meal or just amusing yourself with appetizers in the lounge.
9. Pajarito
Since its opening, Pajarito has won over many customers with its lively spirit and modern twist on Mexican food. The chic setting complements the ambitious cuisine, which features inventive small meals in addition to house favorites like tacos and enchiladas that have been upgraded with premium ingredients.
The spicy pork chicharrones in a lime vinaigrette and the fried avocado with cotija cheese are particularly good. Tacos like cochinita pibil with achiote pork shoulder are a highlight of their assortment of homemade tortillas and salsas.
Larger appetites will enjoy dishes like the impressive short rib platter, which comes with caramelized plantains, Mexican rice, and refried black beans. Pajarito is a fun place to explore St. Paul’s bustling restaurant scene, offering everything from Sunday brunch to daily happy hour deals to late-night eating on the weekends.
10. Restaurant Alma
Make a reservation at Restaurant Alma for elegant dining in a relaxed and friendly environment. This timeless classic offers inventive American fare designed to both delight and astonish. The best way to taste Chef Alex Roberts’ inventive cooking, which showcases fresh and local ingredients in inventive pairings, is to indulge in the five-course tasting menu.
Comfort food done elegantly is provided by dishes like rainbow trout, squash ravioli, and celery root soup with blue cheese. From the butter that is churned by hand to the little desserts that round off the dinner, every preparation showcases exquisite plating.
The dining area at Restaurant Alma is cozy and pleasant, with dark wood, muted lighting, and a lively atmosphere that complements the cuisine. Offering a unique fine dining experience in St. Paul, Restaurant Alma boasts a talented cuisine, skillful service, and charming atmosphere.
11. Kyatchi
Kyatchi is a must-visit restaurant in St. Paul for an unforgettable meal. Mealtime at this well-known Japanese hot pot restaurant is interactive and DIY. Every table has an electric grill on which guests prepare their own seafood, veggies, and thinly sliced meats in a boiling broth.
Create your own sauce by selecting from a range of handmade alternatives and enjoy as much dip as you want. There are no bad combinations, but the wagyu beef with sesame garlic sauce and the buttery scallops with ponzu are local favorites. In addition to hot pot, Kyatchi’s menu offers rice bowls, sushi, and street-food favorites like fried octopus balls, or takoyaki. By emphasizing premium ingredients and creating a contemporary atmosphere, Kyatchi offers St. Paul a remarkable hot pot experience.
12. Handsome Hog
With a focus on whole hog BBQ from snout to tail, Handsome Hog modernizes Southern cooking customs. This rustic-chic eatery, situated in the hip Lowertown district, derives its pasture-raised pigs from nearby Minnesota farmers. Slow-smoked over a wood-burning pit, the crispy pork belly, meaty ribs, and soft pulled pork shoulder are all highlights.
Unable to decide? Enjoy the Whole Hog Feast plate, which comes with all the tastiest meats, in true family fashion. Don’t miss the side dishes, which include the famous Hog & Corn cake, tart potato salad, and addicting corn pudding. To wash it all down, local suds are available on the craft beer list. Handsome Hog offers St. Paul a taste of the South with its tasty barbecue.
Conclusion
With its warm, hidden neighborhood treasures, highly regarded fine dining venues, and cherished landmarks, St. Paul is a city that truly lives up to its reputation as a culinary destination. Eager diners may enjoy global food in Lowertown, Cathedral Hill, and West 7th, in addition to innovative takes on Midwest classics.
The 13 eateries that are highlighted here are a reflection of St. Paul’s varied culinary scene and friendly atmosphere, which appeal to both locals and tourists. Food unites people: over hot platters passed family-style, over small plates and wine, around a late-night restaurant counter.
You really haven’t experienced Minnesota’s capital city until you take a seat and indulge in the tastes that make St. Paul dining so exceptional, in many ways. Thus, take off your belt, put on your elasticated pants, and get ready to devour one.