The Tastiest New American in Saint Paul

Red Cow

★★★★☆ 4.3 (961) • $$

"My sister-in-law had her Naturalization ceremony in St. Paul so we wanted a place to eat afterwards. I had heard the Red Cow was known for its burgers so we chose it for Arlin's brother who was in town from Vancouver. Glad we were able to find parking in the small lot!This venue has an outdoor patio which we considered but it was a little too humid. The service - once they made a table for 8 - was exceptional. Friendly, knowledgeable, attentive. Cheese curds for the table were a hit!My hubby and niece had the 60/40 burger (beef & bacon) and while they liked it, the candied bacon topping was a little too sweet. The burgers are thick so if you like a beefy patty, these are for you!The grilled cheese I had was the best I've eaten in a long time. Overall a successful outing!"

Tongue In Cheek

★★★★★ 4.5 (733) • $$

"I like what they do here. I'll disclose that although they are getting all the stars from me, it is not because this is a fancy, fine-dining spot with white table cloth service and perfect food. It is because it is an unassuming storefront that offers some inventive, high quality food and drink in a setting that would appeal more to a hippie than a hipster. And they do it while keeping high standards for what comes out of the kitchen. Where too many places are chasing the most popular concepts of the moment, Tongue In Cheek gives off a bit of an irreverant vibe and does the anti-establishment thing of doing what feels like whatever they want but in a good way. The staff seem to be proud of this and they should be. It can be busy so getting a table reserved is a recommendation for popular times. They do serve weekday brunch which is a plus for those of us that work non-traditional hours and need a good breakfast and bar place during the week. And don't discount sitting at the bar as it is a bit eclectic and has a nice rhythm all its own. Kudos to them for having their own craft cocktail menu with some inventive creations but also for cocktails that are a few bucks south of pricing at almost every other cocktail bar around.As for food, the menu seems to be driven in a blue collar foodie direction. Nothing super hoity-toity but they do a respectable (albeit nontraditional) version of ramen and a reasonable cheeseburger and fries. While it is not dive-bar cheap, nothing is these days and I respect them for staying true to their food in these trying times as evidenced by them keeping an onsen style egg in their ramen without additional surcharge pricing in these days of $10/dozen eggs! They could have just as easily stopped putting the egg on their ramen and charged the same and people would have continued to order it. But those of us that pay attention and really come for the food take note of these kinds of details that maintain kitchen integrity. And these details matter to me. I believe they are celebrating their 10th or 11th year in business and I am glad they are part of the MN dining scene. The Twin Cities is better for it being here. If you are in the area, don't miss a chance to stop in here for an adult beverage, a bowl of ramen, and a nice dose of kitchen integrity."

Brick & Bourbon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (760) • $$

"The wagyu sliders were amazing! Absolutely loved that and the mac and cheese side that I got. I thought the fries would taste pretty generic but they were good too.Super popular spot but the service is good!"

Eggy's Diner - Minneapolis

★★★★☆ 3.7 (880) • $$

"Time - Sunday morning 8AMPlace - Eggy's on 14th StreetUs - two seniorsI was quite impressed by the variety on the menu which always makes decisions difficult.My wife, on the other hand, always gets a short stack, no matter we go.The service was prompt and friendly.The food came to the table quickly, and hot.I had the Cinnamon Bun pancakes, half order, which was a good portion size. A full serving would have been enough for two.Definitely a go to spot if I am back in town for breakfast."

Colita

★★★★☆ 4.4 (581) • $$$

"Very special restaurant, perfect for date night, dinner with friends, taking your parents out for their birthday... The menu is diverse and there's really something for everybody. The food was really outstanding. There was an eggplant dish that was the best eggplant I've ever had, the lamb barbacoa was unique! I also loved the fried green tomato salad, the aguachile, and the scallops. Everything was excellent (except the brownie for dessert, that was only ok to be honest). The churros are what they're famous for on the dessert front and wow, for good reason. Also I love how flexible the staff are when it comes to portions. They'll gladly add an extra taco, tostada, whatever to make sure everyone gets to try what they want to. The group sharing is so easy! Love the vibe, adore the food."

Baldamar

★★★★★ 4.5 (525) • $$$

"Come here for happy hour Baldamar. I usually love their happy hour but this time, I felt like it wasn't as good. Maybe, because I wasn't that hungry, but I ordered the short rib birria tacos and a single patty burger with bacon. I think I had high expectations for the birra taco so, it wasn't as good as I thought. There was not much flavor. The burger was good. I feel like you can never go wrong with a burger. There is plenty of parking and is right across the mall so, I stopped and did some shopping. The waiter was nice but the service was a bit slow. Overall, everything was good but don't think I would be back for a while."

Cafe Lurcat

★★★★☆ 4.2 (584) • $$$

"I visited Cafe Lurcat during a work trip and had a wonderful experience. Working with the staff to book a private room was seamless and easy!The private room we had was a great location and very spacious! We all were standing up and chatting prior to our seated dinner and there was plenty of space for our large group!We started by ordering many different appetizers to try. I tried the bread service, ginger friend rice, Chicory Salad, and steak tartare. My favorite was the salad and fried rice!Once we were seated I ordered the Herb Tagliatelle which was delicious! I think next time I would get the burger or a steak since those also looked so good! The wine selection was also very extensive!At the end we ordered a few different dessert to pass around which were also a hit! I highly recommend this restaurant for business or personal meals!"

yum! Kitchen and Bakery

★★★★☆ 4 (622) • $$

"Cute spot and great for large groups.You seat yourself and you order at the counter. The menu is comprehensive but I wish there was a kids menu. They seem to be family-friendly but it is hard to order for a child. For example, for me to get my child the chicken and fries they asked for I would have to pay $10 for 2 pieces of chicken and $8 for fries. The mac and cheese was good, and more importantly, my kids liked it! I like the turkey sandwich - loved the fresh onion and red pepper aioli. I also noticed that they focus on sustainability (glass cups, no straws, reusable napkins), but would be great to have some plastic or melamine cups for kids to avoid accidents. Overall cute place and I'll go back but hope they add kid-friendly meals to the menu!"

Parlour

★★★★☆ 4.3 (465) • $$

"Let me just say this...They got the best burgers in Minnesota. Hands down. Nothing else even come close.If you haven't, make sure to try them."

Icehouse

★★★★☆ 3.9 (516) • $$

"The cheese curds were absolutely astounding so I had high hopes for everything else. Unfortunately I didn't like anything else that I ate. I feel bad that I disliked the food because everyone was so nice and they brought me a cheesecake as a congrats for my graduation. The service really is outstanding and I'd give them another try just based on that. They have great drink deals and the bartender was able to whip up a creative drink, which I always appreciate. Entrance to the restaurant is on the back side of the building."

The Kenwood

★★★★☆ 4.4 (397) • $$

"Every time I walk around Lake of the Isles near meal time with friends we stop by The Kenwood. It has reliable food in the neighborhood."

The Block Food & Drink

★★★★☆ 4.2 (429) • $$

"It has been a long while since I was last at The Block, and I can tell you they have improved! I will start with the food because that is where the improvement is for me. We ordered some burgers and a beer for our furry friend. The food came out timely, it was hot, and seasoned perfectly. I could have ordered a second if it weren't so filling. I had a burger with garlic aioli, red onion, and cheese, and it was delicious. I upgraded to fries as well, and they were so good. I HIGHLY recommend The Block for a good burger.We also brought our dog. It was his first time out, so we were prepared to leave in case he was behaving or uncomfortable, but he did so well. That is also because the tables on the patio are well-spaced. He did quite care for the dog beer until we went home and could drink it in his own bowl, but that's not on The Block. He did chug it once we got home!The staff was also wonderful. They clearly understand the nuances of dog ownership and are adaptable. They loved saying hi to our dog. Whether you have a dog or not, I highly recommend the block for a burger, beer, and a good time!"

Milton's

★★★★☆ 4.2 (402) • $$

"Delicious food and friendly service at Milton's tonight! They were bustling and all came out to me in perfect order. The French Onion Soup was perfect! My entree of Shrimp & Grits was also top notch. Would return for sure! Unique little neighborhood gem with a great vibe!"

Malone's Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (449) • $$

"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."

Cedar + Stone, Urban Table

★★★★☆ 4.2 (383) • $$

"We had ticket to Cirque across the street and gave ourselves about 70 minutes to get dinner here. They ignored us the first 10 minutes and then we got nervous that we might not have enough time and needed to switch to fast food. A server approached us with a "has anyone helped you yet?" Which was to me an indication of an unorganized system. From there, everything went uphill. The service was fine (not overly attentive, but fine.) A manager helped us determine which food would come out faster (you hate to hurry $30-50 entrees) and they did come out in record time. Everything was tasty, especially the Brussel sprouts! The fish was a scant 3-4 oz portion, but it looked and tasted very good. It was fun to sit outside in June (even if the planes from the nearby airport were a little loud. Hey, at least it reminded us to travel!) We'll give them another try on a day when we are in a more leisurely mood. :)"

The News Room

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (617) • $$

"Dined outside on a Sunday evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. The raspberry mojito was light and refreshing. The very berry salad with chicken was yummy and good portion size. But the real winner was the chocolate torte. Rich and delicious. Staff was friendly. Note the restrooms have a weird layout, so I may or may not have walked into the men's restroom at first..."

The Tiny Diner

★★★★☆ 3.9 (407) • $$

"What a quaint neighborhood gem serving a delicious breakfast with great service! My parents and I were able to get a table right away here after checking 3 other brunch locations that had over an hour wait on Easter Sunday. The breakfast menu is a bit on the smaller side but I was able to order an espresso martini, the breakfast tacos, a side of bacon, and we split an order of 2 of their huge pancakes. I thought the potatoes in the tacos took away from the chorizo and egg flavor but the side of bacon was so perfectly cooked I had to order another serving! The heritage flour pancakes were also very fluffy and tasty.With my parents visiting from NJ, the location was convenient also because we got to see the George Floyd memorial right after breakfast. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back soon and enjoying their outdoor patio with my food!"

Borough

★★★★☆ 3.9 (395) • $$$

"Borough absolutely delivered on every level. We went in for a birthday celebration, and they had the sweetest touch--a handwritten birthday card waiting at our table. It was such a thoughtful detail that set the tone for an amazing evening.The service was some of the best I've ever had--attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. Our server made excellent recommendations and checked in the perfect amount without being intrusive.The menu is thoughtfully designed, with wine pairings listed alongside entrees, which was a great touch. The interior is a perfect balance of cozy and industrial, with a warm ambiance that still allows for easy conversation.Now, onto the food--the arancini was outstanding. Perfectly crispy on the outside, rich and cheesy inside--an absolute must-order. The buffalo cauliflower had just the right amount of heat and was made even better by the huge chunks of blue cheese. The brussels sprouts were just okay, with a slightly odd aftertaste, but everything else more than made up for it.For entrees, the pork chop was incredible--perfectly cooked, juicy, and paired beautifully with the collard greens and polenta (which, for a first-time polenta experience, was surprisingly delicious!). Every bite was balanced and well-executed.Cocktails were also a highlight. The lemon drop martini was super sweet and refreshing--definitely an easy crowd-pleaser. We ended with the chocolate and caramel affogato--both enjoyable, but the caramel one stole the show, tasting just like a high-end frappuccino.From the stellar service to the thoughtfully crafted dishes, Borough is a top-tier dining spot in Minneapolis. The little birthday surprise made it even more special. I'll absolutely be back!"

Saint Dinette

★★★★☆ 4.1 (352) • $$

"It doesn't get much better than Saint Dinette in the lowertown area of St. Paul. When it comes to ambiance, service, and fare - this spot checks all the boxes. I will be the first to admit that I need to try more of the menu. I generally end up with the Cheeseburger every time I go and for good reason. Simply put, it's one of the best cheeseburgers you will ever have. Whether you are looking for a romantic, intimate date night, Sunday brunch, or belly up at the bar and look into the exposed kitchen while you enjoy a drink and app - St. Dinette is a must visit."

Porter Creek Hardwood Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (389) • $$

"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."

Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (469) • $$

"There are not a lot of places in the Eagan area that offer unique and delicious dishes that you would find in a hip city restaurant. They offer a great breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, and have tons of different options from MN themed foods like hot dish and spam themed (okay these are novelties, spam is disgusting, yes we all know it) to cute grazing boards and steaks. They seem to change the menu seasonally, so some of the things in my photo aren't offered right now. The fries trio is no longer gluten free, which was a big blow to my family. I also definitely recommend making reservations if you are doing dinner. They can get very busy and have a significant wait time. Honestly even at lunchtime occasionally there is a wait.I gave it four stars instead of five, because no matter how busy it is, the service is always just a little bit off. Never do I feel that the staff at this restaurant are attentive, and they honestly always seem crabby, especially the guy that regularly seats people. He may be one of the owners, but I'm not sure."

Northeast Social

★★★★☆ 4 (346) • $$

"This restaurant is a hidden treasure nestled a couple blocks off Broadway.The ambiance is curated to be an upscale cocktail and New American Cuisine establishment with friendly service.I was impressed by the knowledge the waiter had on the beer list and food options.I gave 4 stars because I ordered the Potato Cavatelli Cacio e Pepe and was not enthralled by the flavor (over peppery). Everything else was great!"

Washington Square Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (349) • $$

"I tried the steak skillet with carrots and red potato's. The steak was ok, but I was expecting a steak; it was sliced up. Veggies were charred by the too hot skillet. Servers were nice but not responsive to the issues.We'll come back but won't order anything beyond a sandwich."

Parlour Bar St. Paul

★★★★☆ 4.1 (283) • $$

"I recently visited Parlour on a busy Saturday before the Noah Kahn concert.I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere was casual and inviting, with friendly staff ready to take my order. The Parlour burger itself was cooked to perfection - juicy and flavorful, with just the right amount of toppings. The egg on top was the preverbal cherry on top. The fries were crispy and seasoned well, and the Mexican coke was the perfect pair with our meal.Overall, I had a fantastic dining experience and will definitely be returning in the future. I highly recommend Parlour Bar and Grill to anyone in the mood for a delicious, satisfying meal."

Rock Elm Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.9 (298) • $$

"Great service, app happy hour is very reasonable and good.The patio is big and not noisy as it is by the highway"

The White Horse Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (267) • $$

"Wow- this was not what I expected. This place looks mostly a Bar environment but the food menu was surprising with a variety of options! I arrived soon before 5pm and only a couple of booths were full. Within 5 min, all tables/booth & bar were filled! The prices on entrees seemed a little steep for the dive it appeared to be. I ordered the green Thai plate & it was delicious. The bartender recommend it. There were many Thai inspired options; again, not something I was expecting in this bar. Service was also great! I'm not sure what is comparable in the area but I'll be back for another visit."

Joan's In the Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (229) • $$$$

"Wow, just wow. Best meal of the year, from all four of us. The poached shrimp, cavatelli with lobster, the duck breast with wild rice.There being four of us, we were able to sample pretty much the entire four course fixe prix menu. Doll and I dine out quite often, this was the best of the year. Each dish elicited moans from all of us, the flavors were spot on.Got to thank both Joan & Susan personally, and told them the same thing, best meal of the year for all of us. It was a little pricy but, you are served perfection, in each dish."

Salut

★★★★☆ 3.5 (361) • $$

"Thank you server Rhonda for always being just perfect in what you do.It is hard not to just order the same old same old....so...I Ordered the beet salad...it might be my new same old same old. So good."

Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille

★★★★☆ 3.6 (336) • $$

"Reserved a high top for 4 on Sunday to celebrate my son's 25th b-day. Enjoyed awesome HH specials: 2nd pints for a $1 on all drafts, and cheap apps. Normally HH ends at 5pm, but 3:30p Vikings game kept it going much later. Enjoyed Cajun Steak Bites, State Fair Cheese Curds, Caprese Flatbread, and a killer $10 cheeseburger & fries. Full generous app portions were nice and the discounts were significant. Place was vibrant, with the Vikings game on many large screens throughout. Great attentive service. I highly recommend GN...especially for HH and watching the Vikings through their playoff run."

Bourbon Butcher Kitchen + Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (338) • $$

"A nice relaxed place. Good service and an intimidating selection of spirits, particularly bourbon (big surprise). We had a couple smoked bourbon s and whiskeys. My tri-tip with chimmichurri was perfect. Others had sandwiches and other entrees I wasn't privy to due to my face being busy with delicious mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. Those seem a little bit of an afterthought. The flavors were great, but the sprouts were unevenly cooked, ranging from succulent to tough and undercooked. A fine time was had by all."

Ray J's American Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (269) • $$

"Went to try out Ray J's with some friends! I've heard many good things about the wings but if I ever see a juicy lucy I will be trying that!! I would recommend going during the morning as it was not busy at all. I also like that there was a parking lot so you don't need to stress about finding parking. I ended up getting a juicy lucy with bacon. It came with fries and the fries were perfectly seasoned and crisps. I feel as if I haven't had enough juicy lucy to compare but it's really good! I would say it's just hard to eat but the cheese gushing out is what makes it so good. I will definitely try the chicken wings next time. Overall, I would recommend trying this place out."

Main Street Farmer Eatery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (214) • $$

"We had never tried this place, we were actually on our way to Chipotle and decided to stop. They have a really decent mock tail lists which is impressive. Those of us that don't drink are often forgotten! They have a seasonal menu but what I ordered was so delicious Autumn Ancient Grain Bowl. The only complaint was we waited a significant amount of time bc our server forgot to put our order in. It was a gorgeous night and we were outside, so we were not upset. She was very apologetic. We only got an "I'm sorry", I would have hoped they would at least comp our mock tails."

Good Earth

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (334) • $$

"Wow!!! This place was incredible and we didn't feel overly stuffed when we left after lunch. My hubby had the Mediterranean Vegetable soup and shared my cashew chicken salad sandwich, it was all deliciously fresh.Our server was very attentive without being intrusive. She was amazing,Cleanliness in a restaurant is crucial to use and Good Earth was meticulously clean. It had a great vibe.It was a rainy day but I hope next time we can enjoy their gorgeous patio area for dining."

Volstead House Whiskey Bar and Speakeasy, Eagan

★★★★☆ 4 (230) • $$

"Who knew this place was located in a strip mall in Eagan. Definitely recommend this place. Great food with even better pours. Only negative on our visit. The whiskey room was in use for a private event."

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (366) • $$

"Just moved to the neighborhood and this is going to be our new go-to spot for brunch. High-quality farm-to-table fare and cozy whether you're sitting indoors or on the patio. The menu had so many selections that I can't wait to go back and try something new!"