Saint Paul, Minnesota is home to a thriving food scene with restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences. From casual eateries to fine dining establishments, Saint Paul has something for every palate.
| Restaurant | Cuisine/Style |
|---|---|
| Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe | Ice Cream, Soups, Sandwiches |
| Handsome Hog | Southern Comfort Food |
| Tongue in Cheek | Global-Inspired Cuisine |
| Saint Dinette | Modern American, Pastas, Pizzas |
| Kyatchi | Sushi and Japanese Fare |
| Forepaugh’s | Fine Dining, French-Inspired |
| Bar La Grassa | Italian, Pastas, Pizzas |
| Cafe Astoria | Eastern European Specialties |
| Restaurant Alma | Fine Dining, Seasonal Midwest Cuisine |
| Snuffy’s Malt Shop | American Diner Classics |
| Pajarito | Mexican Cuisine and Tequila |
| Brunson’s Pub | American Pub Grub and Craft Beers |
Here is a look at 12 of the best restaurants that Saint Paul has to offer.
Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe
Name and Location: Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe is located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe opened in 2008 and quickly became a beloved local ice cream shop. It was founded by Jeff Sommers and Lara Hammel.
What to Expect: Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe serves homemade ice cream, ice cream cakes, sundaes, and other frozen treats. They use high-quality and often local ingredients. The shop has a fun, energetic vibe and friendly staff.
Visitor Information: Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe is open daily from 12pm-10pm. It’s located at 2034 Marshall Ave in St. Paul. Street parking is available.
For a fun and delicious treat, head to Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Izzy’s serves up inventive ice cream flavors like salted caramel, honey lavender, and chocolate coconut, along with classic options like chocolate and vanilla.
In addition to ice cream, Izzy’s menu features soups, sandwiches, and an assortment of baked goods. Dine in the cheerful colored interior or enjoy the sunshine on the patio. Izzy’s uses high quality, locally sourced ingredients to create some of the tastiest ice cream in the Twin Cities.
Handsome Hog
Name and Location: Handsome Hog is a Southern cuisine restaurant located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Handsome Hog opened in 2013 by Chef Justin Sutherland. It quickly became popular for its creative Southern-inspired dishes and lively atmosphere.
What to Expect: Handsome Hog serves Southern fare like fried chicken, brisket, ribs, and more. The restaurant has a funky, rock and roll vibe with great cocktails. Expect attentive but casual service.
Visitor Information: Handsome Hog is located at 173 Western Ave N in St. Paul. It’s open Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 4pm-11pm, and Sunday 10am-2pm. Reservations recommended.
Located in the Lowertown neighborhood, Handsome Hog puts a contemporary spin on Southern comfort food. Dig into dishes like fried chicken served with honey hot sauce, shrimp and grits, and biscuits with sausage gravy.
Try one of their unique craft cocktails or sample a local beer to accompany your meal. Handsome Hog’s rustic chic interior provides a hip vibe. With its innovative take on Southern cuisine, Handsome Hog brings soulful cooking and a strong sense of hospitality to Lowertown.
Tongue in Cheek
Name and Location: Tongue in Cheek is a restaurant located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Tongue in Cheek opened in 2014 in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. It quickly became known for its creative takes on comfort food in a lively setting.
What to Expect: Tongue in Cheek serves elevated comfort food like mac and cheese, pot roasts, and more. The vibe is casual and funky. The menu changes often based on seasonal ingredients.
Visitor Information: Tongue in Cheek is located at 989 Payne Ave in St. Paul. It is open Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm. Reservations recommended.
For an eclectic dining experience, check out Tongue in Cheek in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. This cozy restaurant takes inspiration from different corners of the globe to create dishes that are anything but ordinary.
Diners can choose small or large plates, with menu items like Moroccan spiced lamb meatballs, Vietnamese pho dumplings, and Korean fried chicken wings. Tongue in Cheek’s globe-trotting cuisine, friendly service, and laid-back atmosphere make it a distinctive addition to the Saint Paul dining scene.
Saint Dinette
Name and Location: Saint Dinette is a restaurant located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Saint Dinette opened in 2011 in the Lower Town neighborhood. It quickly became a destination for its seasonal, locally-sourced dishes and excellent cocktails.
What to Expect: Saint Dinette serves creative seasonal fare with global influences. The atmosphere is upscale casual. It’s known for its housemade bread, fresh pasta, and delicious cocktails.
Visitor Information: Saint Dinette is located at 261 E 5th St in St. Paul. It is open Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-11pm. Reservations are recommended.
Saint Dinette, located in the Lowertown neighborhood, offers a fresh take on modern American cuisine in an airy, minimalist space. Start with shareable small plates like burrata with roasted tomatoes or crispy pork belly. Move on to pastas handmade in-house, creative meat and seafood entrees, or gourmet pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven.
Cocktail enthusiasts will love Saint Dinette’s extensive list of craft concoctions made with homemade syrups and infusions. The restaurant’s combination of inventive seasonal food and skilled mixology makes it a go-to spot in Lowertown.
Kyatchi
Name and Location: Kyatchi is a Japanese restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Kyatchi opened in 2008 by chef Hide Tozawa. It quickly became known for high-quality sushi and Japanese fare in a sleek, modern setting.
What to Expect: Kyatchi serves sushi, sashimi, robata grilled items, and other Japanese small plates. The setting is contemporary and stylish. Expect excellent service.
Visitor Information: Kyatchi is located at 3758 Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. It is open Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, closed Sundays. Reservations recommended.
For top-notch sushi and Japanese fare, look no further than Kyatchi in Lowertown. Kyatchi sources fish and seafood sustainably from both local waters and producers around the world. Items like hamachi crudo, sake kama, and an assortment of sashimi let the quality of the ingredients shine. Beyond sushi, Kyatchi serves ramen, yakitori skewers, and Japanese takes on sandwiches.
The sleek interior provides a contemporary backdrop for the stellar food. Whether sitting at the sushi bar or a table, Kyatchi offers some of the Twin Cities’ finest Japanese cuisine.
Forepaugh’s
Name and Location: Forepaugh’s is a fine dining restaurant located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Forepaugh’s opened in 1882 and is one of the oldest restaurants in Minnesota. It serves classic Continental cuisine in a historic Victorian mansion.
What to Expect: Forepaugh’s offers a fine dining experience with white tablecloth service and elegant dishes like steak Diane, escargot, and rack of lamb. The atmosphere is upscale and sophisticated.
Visitor Information: Forepaugh’s is located at 276 S Exchange St in St. Paul. It serves dinner nightly 5pm-10pm and Sunday brunch. Reservations are recommended, jackets required for men.
For a fine dining experience with old world charm, book a table at Forepaugh’s in Saint Paul’s historic Irvine Park neighborhood. Housed in a Victorian mansion, Forepaugh’s elegant dining rooms are the definition of refined elegance.
The menu features dishes like seared scallops, dry aged duck breast, and Wagyu filet mignon, accompanied by creative sides and sauces. Extensive wine pairings help complement each artfully plated meal. For a special occasion or date night, Forepaugh’s beautiful setting and exceptional French-inspired fare make it a top choice.
Bar La Grassa
Name and Location: Bar La Grassa is an Italian restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Bar La Grassa opened in 2009 under chef Isaac Becker. It quickly earned a national reputation for its handmade pastas, inventive Italian small plates, and excellent wine list.
What to Expect: Bar La Grassa serves creative Italian cuisine in a lively but cozy setting. Dishes are meant for sharing. The pasta is handmade fresh daily.
Visitor Information: Bar La Grassa is located at 800 N Washington Ave in Minneapolis. It is open Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, closed Sundays. Reservations recommended.
Bar La Grassa in downtown Saint Paul serves up bold Italian flavors in a sleek and modern setting. This lively restaurant offers an assortment of handmade pastas, bruschetta, salads, and wood-fired pizzas. Standouts include the Bucatini Pomodoro, rigatoni with a vibrant san marzano tomato sauce, and the La Grassa pizza with spicy soppressata salami.
From snacks at the bar to family-style shared plates, Bar La Grassa offers a contemporary, welcoming take on Italian cooking. It’s a perfect spot for a casual meal or drinks with friends.
Cafe Astoria
Name and Location: Cafe Astoria is a cafe and bakery located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Cafe Astoria opened in 1927 and is the oldest coffeehouse in St. Paul. It has been family-owned for three generations and is known for its European cafe culture.
What to Expect: Cafe Astoria serves coffee, pastries, crepes, sandwiches and more. Everything is baked fresh daily. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed.
Visitor Information: Cafe Astoria is located at 180 Grand Ave in St. Paul. It’s open daily from 7am-10pm. Street parking is available nearby.
For delicious Eastern European specialities, check out Cafe Astoria in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Housed in a Victorian building with pressed tin ceilings and walls of windows, Cafe Astoria has an elegant but unpretentious ambiance.
Their menu features cuisine from countries like Poland, Romania, and Hungary. Standout dishes include savory stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash with dumplings, and Wiener schnitzel. Daily specials and classics like borscht and pierogi keep things interesting.
Cafe Astoria also offers an extensive Central and Eastern European beer list. The charming atmosphere coupled with the hearty cuisine makes dining at Cafe Astoria feel like a mini trip abroad.
Restaurant Alma
Name and Location: Restaurant Alma is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Restaurant Alma opened in 1999 under chef Alex Roberts. It quickly earned acclaim for its contemporary American cuisine using seasonal, local ingredients.
What to Expect: Restaurant Alma serves creative upscale American fare in an elegant setting. Dishes change seasonally and feature local ingredients. Service is extremely professional.
Visitor Information: Restaurant Alma is located at 528 University Ave SE in Minneapolis. It serves dinner Tuesday-Saturday starting at 5pm. Jackets required, reservations strongly recommended.
Restaurant Alma offers an intimate fine dining experience in a historic building in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The menu from Chef Alex Roberts spotlights seasonal Midwestern ingredients in dishes like wood-oven roasted sturgeon, pork tenderloin with parsnip puree, and venison with wild rice and root vegetables.
The restaurant’s wine cellar holds over 2,500 labels that pair perfectly with the seasonal fare. Roberts’ culinary prowess combined with Alma’s cozy fireplace dining rooms have earned it accolades like a coveted James Beard Award nomination. For locally-sourced contemporary American cuisine at its finest, make a reservation at Alma.
Snuffy’s Malt Shop
Name and Location: Snuffy’s Malt Shop is located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Snuffy’s Malt Shop opened in 1983 with a mission to recreate the classic malt shops of the 1940s and 1950s. It’s a beloved local spot for burgers, malts.
For a dose of nostalgia and classic American diner fare, stop by Snuffy’s Malt Shop on Marshall Avenue. Burgers, malts, banana splits – Snuffy’s serves up all the favorites from 1950s diners. Inside you’ll find candy-striped booths, vintage Coca-Cola ads, and servers on roller skates.
Menu must-tries include the cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and root beer float. With its fun throwback vibe and tasty comfort food, Snuffy’s offers a delightful taste of the past.
Pajarito
Name and Location: Pajarito is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Pajarito opened in 2014 under chef Stephan Hesse. It quickly earned praise for its modern twists on classic Mexican street food in a vibrant setting.
What to Expect: Pajarito serves creative Mexican small plates like ceviches, tacos, and empanadas in a lively, modern space. The menu changes seasonally based on fresh ingredients.
Visitor Information: Pajarito is located at 605 W 7th St in St. Paul. It is open Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm. Reservations recommended.
Pajarito in the Lowertown neighborhood serves vibrant Mexican cuisine and an extensive tequila list in a high energy, colorful setting. Favorites include tacos with fillings like spicy shrimp and seared marlin, along with composed plates of enchiladas, fajitas, and mole poblano.
Pajarito also offers specials like Taco and Tequila Tuesdays. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Pajarito is perfect for margaritas and Mexican food any time of day. Their festive atmosphere and delicious south-of-the-border flavors make Pajarito a lively addition to downtown Saint Paul’s restaurant scene.
Brunson’s Pub
Name and Location: Brunson’s Pub is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Brunson’s Pub opened in 1994 in a historic building. It’s known as a quintessential neighborhood tavern with great burgers and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
What to Expect: Brunson’s Pub serves pub fare like burgers, wings, nachos in a casual, laid-back setting. There’s a great selection of local and regional beers on tap.
Visitor Information: Brunson’s Pub is located at 956 Payne Ave in St. Paul. It’s open daily from 11am-2am. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 3pm-6pm.
Located in Saint Paul’s Payne-Phalen neighborhood, Brunson’s Pub is a cozy neighborhood tavern serving elevated American pub grub and craft beers. Hearty sandwiches, burgers, flatbreads, and entrees like steak frites and bacon-wrapped meatloaf satisfy any appetite.
Daily specials like prime rib night make Brunson’s a popular neighborhood hangout. With its friendly vibe and stellar food and drink selection, Brunson’s Pub feels like a home away from home.
Conclusion
From casual spots for ice cream and tacos to elegant fine dining establishments, St. Paul’s dining scene has something for all tastes. The restaurants on this list offer delicious cuisine along with charming ambiance and top-notch service.
Foodies will find plenty to satisfy their appetites when dining at St. Paul’s best restaurants. Whether going out for a nice dinner or simply stopping in for a quick bite, the restaurants highlighted here showcase the diverse flavors and dining experiences that Minnesota’s capital city has to offer.