The Best Restaurants in Saint Paul

"AMAZING BRUNCH! Food was sooo yummy (definitely recommend anything with the potatoes). Place was packed and we still got our food quick. Gives a mom and pop diner vibe. Already looking to go back to try the French toast!"

"Had a great experience with a very nice server last week at the Lowry for brunch! I would give five stars for the service, but took away a star because I ordered the walleye eggs benedict and thought it was decent, but not very flavorful. The eggs were cooked perfectly though! Second, the atmosphere itself is super nice, but unfortunately given the location, there were multiple homeless people who came in and had a few back and forths with the manager. Everyone was cordial and there wasn't a true issue in the end. We were seated right next to the door, so if we were further into the restaurant this could easily be prevented from interrupting your meal, but unfortunately we were right next to it. I want to come back for their specials at the bar! Food and drink specials that look like a great deal!"

"Oops - forgot to take pictures until after we started eating...Visited here on a Friday evening for my adult son's bday. As I had done 3 years ago, I had the server order for me, and surprisingly, was served the same order of the best sea bass I have ever had. Son had the fish and chips, wife had the Walleye, and son no. 2 had the risotto. For his birthday, he was given a complimentary desert of chocolate caramel cake, which the 4 of us could not finish it was so large, and we were so full. Will definitely be returning."

"The 5-8 Club absolutely lives up to the hype! Their Juicy Lucy is an absolute must-try and truly a masterpiece. The burger was perfectly cooked, with the melted cheese oozing out in every bite so flavorful and satisfying! Be careful the cheese is extremely hot as you bite in! It's hands down one of the best burgers I've had for someone who prefers their burgers black and blue temperatures lol. They take the juicy Lucy and put their own spin on it. We ordered the saucy sally and the roadhouse versions. The sauce on my roadhouse juicy Lucy was absolutely delicious and was great on the burger and the fries. The fries are perfectly crisp and lightly salted. The saucy sally was also pretty good just super messy to eat. So be prepared for a messy meal but a delicious one. The atmosphere of the restaurant is welcoming and cozy, and the staff were friendly and attentive, making the experience even better. They really know how to make you feel at home.If you're looking for a place with great food, excellent service, and a chance to try the iconic Juicy Lucy, look no further. I can't recommend this spot enough and will definitely be back for more if I'm ever in the area again!They have their own parking lot which makes parking super easy and their prices really are great."

"Hazel's food is consistently, predictably good. Great service, sometimes a long wait for weekend brunch, and the first & only place I've ordered a meat waffle. Be sure to get the hashbrowns and share a caramel roll."

"Went to Murray's for my birthday dinner. Had reservations and we were seated immediately. The service here is a step above top notch. Entering from the street, the bar is on the right and the main dining room is forward.Started the night with a nice Spanish red. They have an extensive wine menu and craft cocktails as well. First to was the crab and corn chowder. It was great. Second up was the lobster appetizer, which was an Australian lobster tail in a butter and lemon sauce. Unfortunately this was over cooked. For the price, it definitely was not worth.Main couse was a porterhouse andpotatoes in a cheddar sauce. The porterhouse was perfectly cooked and really delicious. The potatoes were okay, but a little under seasoned. Still the meal was pretty good.For dessert there was a molten fugde cake topped with ice cream. That was also good. All in all a great meal, but definitely would only come here for special occasions, as the bill was quite hefty."

"I really wish I had taken a picture of my food beforehand. I was very satisfied and decided to write a review!Came out for a casual brunch on NYE with no expectations, just looking for something savory and light. It wasn't busy at all, just some families and friends enjoying their time together during happy hour with friendly and fast waitresses that check up on you often!I ordered the Salmon Scramble that was made with salmon, eggs, a shallot cream cheese, and thinly sliced red onions. The dish itself came with raspberry jam, choice of toast, and hash browns or salad. The eggs already had a fluffy texture, so the added cream cheese highlighted that while giving that onion flavor. I also ordered a tomato basil soup, which was okay, to say the least. The crackers were goldfish, and the soup itself had a more sour/acidic taste to it compared to others i've tried in the area."

"This was a great recommendation after a fun day out with friends. The atmosphere is a little different, as the layout of the restaurant has a couple levels and there is a bar and some other side booths near the bar. They also had live music the night we were there.Service was great. Friendly and fast and had good recommendations for drinks and food.Tried the spicy cauliflower, since I can't help myself if I see this on any menu. Was good, would get again. For my entrée, got the coconut chicken bowl. Man, I could have easily had another, it was delicious. Not overly sugary, just tasty. Also had a seasonal sidecar cocktail.Would definitely make a stop again!"

"Wood fired. Perfect crust. The sauce is outstanding. Owners are friendly and mentioned people drive from as far away as St. Cloud."

"I love colossal cafe! It's one of those places that no matter what you get, it'll be good! I personally like that you order and the counter and then they bring you your food. The space is cute and the perfect spot for a breakfast date."

"Great sports bar/restaurant. We came in on a busy Sunday during game time. We were seated quickly in the bar area. Had a great server who quickly came to the table and took our orders. She also did a great job refilling our drinks without us having to ask. I ordered a salad and it was delicious and very large. Could have easily fed two people. My friend had the stuffed gnocchi special and it looked and tasted great."

"If you want a classic diner breakfast in the Twin Cities, this is the place to go and it's not even close. Nothing I've tried on the menu has been anything short of fantastic, but their Cajun Breakfast special is the must-get here. Hashbrowns decked with eggs, cheese, Cajun seasoning and sausage, what's not to love? The standout food is paired with fast, friendly service, and a cozy environment that makes you want to be a regular. As you sign the check on your way out, you'll find that one of the best breakfasts in the cities also happens to somehow be among the most reasonably priced. There are a special few places where the stars of quality, service, and value align, and The Neighborhood Cafe is certainly among them."

"I've been here 10x.The good? Prime location. Ive never had to wait long to get seated here, in groups of 2-8, even without a reservation- they dont seem to accept them. For this reason, 3 stars instead of 2. So when your friends move to or live in St Paul, and youre scared to cross the Mississippi, you could meet them here. You could take turns crossing the bridge to meet and eat with said friends, and alternate between Highland Grill (sister establishment).The AM happy hour is cute, makes me feel seen. The beverage menu is decent and varied.The meh? Food/flavor + portion vs price. Flaccid fries. Sigh.Recently the kitchen whipped up some Asian marinated wings for me. I am "Asian". I did not order Asian wings; I would not order Asian things at a... place of uhhhm unmarked culture.The flavor of burnt soy sauce is a special kind of punishment, and I probably deserved a little punishment that day. The staff earnestly tried to repair this mishap and bring me what I had ordered/wanted: buffalo wings. Earnestly and... Profusely and... Uncomfortably.Note to menu writer: Maybe the menu description is at fault here for its ambiguity. Neither marinade bore any resemblance to franks+butter so Im not sure how the word "buffalo" and the word "or" operate in this item. Or maybe "minnesota spicy" is at fault here for ruining wings with worse-than-ketchup weak sauce. Alas. I have had better experiences here in the past and Im sure I will have better experiences here to come. Because Longfellow Grill is so lovely in its location- for those dear friends, I would even pay to eat this food. I hope this place improves on its food game and continues to succeed in the neighborhood!"

"Alright, let's talk about NOLO's Kitchen & Bar in Minneapolis--a spot that nails the balance between casual comfort and elevated flavors. Tucked in the North Loop, it's got that trendy but unpretentious vibe, the kind of place where you can roll in for a chill lunch or come back later for cocktails and a good time.I went for the chicken rice bowl, and honestly? Solid choice. The flavors were on point, the portion was just right for lunch (enough to satisfy but not send me into a food coma), and the chicken was nicely done. My only gripe? The carrots. They were cut a little too hefty, which made them awkward to eat--I like a veggie that cooperates with my fork, you know?Presentation-wise, it could've been a little more polished, but at the end of the day, taste wins, and it delivered. The space itself feels inviting, like somewhere you'd meet up with friends for a low-key meal but then get convinced to stay for "just one more drink." Which, honestly, I wouldn't be mad about.Would I come back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm thinking dinner and a cocktail--because if the food's this good at lunch, I bet the evening menu is even better."

"For reference, 3 is decent, 4 is good, 5 is amazing.Redstone has become a reoccurring choice; Good food, service, atmosphere, consistency. Great for groups or a date."

"Stopped at Stanley's as we were bopping around northeast area. I hadn't been there since they expanded their patio! Great place to bring a dog if you have one with you (we did). Quick service and the food is what you come to expect at a bar/restaurant. I got the nachos with chicken, which is technically an appetizer I think but definitely big enough to be a meal on its own!"

"I have been here several times and am mostly posting this review based on a cumulative experience--which is to say that, this family run establishment is a staple in the south metro that should absolutely be frequented if you like Mediterranean food...even more so if you are there during the lunch buffet (sample more stuff) or on a night when dancers are there (entertaining). On the most recent visit we had a basic salad with a hummus sampler and some drinks. The ambience is inviting, servers are friendly, prices are reasonable and the entertainment is unique in the Midwest. Can't think of anything I'd change...so 5 stars."

"This is such a magical place during the end of the year! They go all out with tons of holiday spirit! They have specialty drinks in holiday mugs and kitchy glasses. The entire place is decorated from top to bottom with tinsel, lights and balls!The main menu available all year round has amazing burgers and sides. You will find quality meat, coupled with delicious jams, spreads, cheese, bacon and so much more.Don't sleep on the grilled cheese with tomato soup on those cold nights. They pack.chips into the sandwich just like I did as a kid!The bar is spacious and has many tvs if you'd like to watch a game here year round as well. The staff are the best, with quick service, good attitudes and smiles!"

"One day after visiting a church in the area we ventured here to grab brunch. The sun was beaming outside as we sat in the booth but an annoying fly kept buzzing around our area. - I just tried to let it go.I ordered the corned beef hash with hot tea. I was expecting a more flavorful meal but it was just ok. The utensils came in a tin on the table but I had to ask for everything to supplement my food from ketchup for my meal and sugar or honey for my tea. It felt like so much work when these items eemed like basic things that would normally be offered.My companion had the Taco Steak Bowl was underwhelming. There was a small amount of rice under the salad garnish. Plus the steak was not very flavored."

"Rebecca was an amazing server. Excellent! I was here with a group of friends and everyone was amazed by her.We all ordered different entrees and everyone loved their choice.I started with the Mushroom Soup. Most mushroom soup is more watery and diluted by the addition of too much cream. This soup was an ugly brown color but was mostly mushrooms and tasted wonderful. It had tiny bits of apple on top and that went surprisingly well. My entree was the Scallops with a sweet corn risotto. Really fresh tasting and nice.Wine bottles are half priced on Tuesdays."

"LOVE THIS PLACE and the people :)Beet salad with chicken is my fave! Kris at the bar always greets me like an old friend, Jen the server is amazing as well! Good folks and good food (cocktails rock too)-Enjoy!!"

"I came in with a friend for lunch having never been in before. It was delightful. My friend helped me navigate how to order and then we seated ourselves. Our food came out quickly and was delicious! Simple and light. We had both ordered quiche and with no regrets! The staff we placed our orders with and who brought out our food were all very friendly. It has has a lovely bakery/cafe feel. The resteraunt is really clean and comfortable. It was lovely day so we were able to sit outside. I look forward to returning and trying other items."

"Food was good, but menu didn't have a lot of variety, Good fit for the neighborhood - comfortable and friendly spot to hand out with friends and get a drink. Decor and furnishings are a little dated, but service is attentive. Ordered a NA wine, a milkshake, nachos, a burger, and the daily special.Wine frizzante was served chilled in a wine glass. The black cherry milkshake was sweet and creamy but was cherry syrup mixed in soft serve vs cherry ice cream. The chicken nachos were very good - nachos were crisp, chicken was tender and flavorful, pico and sour cream were cold. The daily special that day was pot roast special was a large portion of pot roast served with baby carrots, a biscuit, and mashed potatoes with a well of gravy. The beef was fork-tender and had a tasty rich flavor. The Ellsworth Lucy burger was well-cooked, well-seasoned, and flavored well. We had sweet potato tots on the side which came with a chipotle sauce. The tots had great texture - soft inside with crisp exterior, and the chipotle sauce was creamy with a nice kick."

"Heard about this place while watching Double Ds on tv. We knew we had to try it! Being local, I was surprised I never had heard of this awesome spot. The inside is super cozy, a true pub like ambiance and lots of different brews on tap. Our waitress was super nice, very helpful with the menu and what's popular. Service was just top notch.I decided on the Brie Burger and subbed it with a Bison patty - which was AMAZING. I devoured my meal so fast, and I am very picky when it comes to burgers. This place is fantastic, so many awesome menu options and I loved how the fries were crispy and not over seasoned or dripping with oil. Everything was done perfectly, definitely was high end pub food. I also was surprised with how fast we got our meals after ordering. Literally was less than 10 minutes. If you haven't tried it here, I recommend it. We will be back to try more menu options in the near future!!"

"This is a GREAT, classy, but pricey restaurant and bar inside the historic St. Paul Hotel. They are located on the first floor. The food was very good! Again, pricey, but you get what you pay for. The bar is really cool. One wall is covered in photos of famous people from Minnesota. The rest of the back bar wall is all of their liquors on. Ice shelves with mirrors behind it. WES is the bar tender there and he is amazing!! After a really crappy day, I went into the bar, sat down and asked Wes to make me a cosmo or martini and just surprise me. I love lemon drop martinis and that's what he made me! He gave me excellent advice on my dinner choice and made a killer chocolate martini too, with my name in it! I can't afford to eat there alot, but I will definitely be back! A great spot for date night!!"

"Hands down one of the best meals I've had out to eat. Their cheese curds with Sriracha ranch were the best outside the Minnesota State Fair. My Reuben with seasoned waffle fries and my bride's gyro were both phenomenal. Generous portions and very flavorful. Service was terrific. I would return again and again if I lived closer. It was that good."

"This may be the go to restaurant in Minnesota. We went to the to la location and it was beautiful inside and out! The service was phenomenal and even took care of our large group of personalities and asks!Each and every dish we all ordered was amazing in its own way! It's crazy how much we ranted and raved after leaving. MAKE SURE you get the pork chops! It was the best pork chops all 10 of us said we ever had and even order a second order so we could share it!"

"I remember when I worked in the area 10-11 years ago we would go here for HH and even celebrate holiday parties here. The food was always really good. Present day they have decent HH, we usually sit in the bar area. It's a pretty big restaurant. The food is kind of hit or miss. We tried multiple things from the HH menu, the nachos weren't great. Pretty plain and simple. The sesame stick (chicken tenders) were really good one time when we went back a different time they were a bit soggy. The waffle fries are good, nice portions. The drinks were also kind of inconsistent between how the bartenders made them, which was a bit disappointing. I remember the pizza being good so I'd go back and try other items."

"Stopped by the rooftop of the Lexington for cocktails with the girlfriend on a beautiful Friday night. The ambiance was great! It feels really open yet private. For the first round, we ordered the old fashioned and a White Russian. Both were delicious. For the second round , I described my preference to the bartender and asked him to suprise me! He got really excited and made me a "Paper Plane by the Rufete". It was incredible and came with a little paper plane that one of the waitresses makes by hand. The felt pretty special. Overall great experience. Will be back."

"If it's any indication how great this spot its, my landlord made it a major selling point when we moved into the neighborhood.Great bar food and beer list, great service, fun lively atmosphere."

"Always delicious! Friendly and attentive staff. Wonderful assortment of house made BBQ sauces and the tots are the bomb dot com!"

"Leasha was exceptionally attentive and helpful with recommendations. A glass of Chardonnay was delivered to the wrong person, and was promptly replaced. Expensive menu but worth it for a special event. The beauty of this rooftop restaurant is a real treat. Food is delicious and we all agreed. My lobster roll was a real treat!"

"Small little spot that reminds me of a counter-service Dairy Queen. They make their burgers fresh to order. Standing room only, so don't expect to eat inside.The double cheeseburger was solid. Similar to a McDouble, but slightly higher quality. Fries were also quite good. Well salted, crispy. Strawberry shake that reminds you of something from your childhood.All in all, very solid little burger joint that is also very affordable! Huge bonus for their prices!"

"Great food, great bar. I highly recommend their house Old Fashioned. Bar service can be a bit slow when's it's busy, but that's to be expected."

"Always get friendly service and their creative menu and different specials keep me coming back!"