Top 10 Places to Dine in St. Paul in 2027

The Hidden Gems of Cathedral Hill You’re Overlooking

Let’s cut through the noise about Cathedral Hill. Everyone hypes the same three blocks, but the real dining power lies in the side streets and second-floor spaces most tourists never see. I’ve logged more hours on Selby Avenue than I care to admit, and here’s what actually matters.

The Lexington — 1096 Grand Avenue. Yes, it’s been around since 1935, and yes, it’s still owned by the same family. But here’s the thing: they quietly revamped their menu in 2023 to focus on Midwestern ingredients with French technique, and nobody’s talking about it. The walleye schnitzel with house-made spaetzle and lingonberry jam is a sleeper hit. The duck confit is braised for 36 hours, and the lemon tart is the best dessert you’ll have under $12. Prices are $$-$$$ — expect $25-$40 per entree. The bar is a local institution for a reason, with a cocktail program that rivals downtown spots at half the price. Weekday dinner reservations are easy; weekends require a week’s notice.

The Happy Gnome — 498 Selby Avenue. People remember this place for its beer list (which is still excellent, 80+ taps), but the kitchen has been quietly killing it for years. The bison short rib braised in stout, served with parsnip puree and pickled cherries, is a $32 plate that tastes like $60. The wild mushroom poutine with truffle oil and local cheese curds is the best bar snack in St. Paul. The patio is a summer magnet, but the real move is the back dining room — quieter, cozier, and you can actually hear your date. $$-$$$, easy to walk in on weeknights.

W.A. Frost & Company — 374 Selby Avenue. The patio is legendary, sure, but the basement bar is where locals hide. The charcuterie board is a work of art — house-made pâtés, local cheeses, pickled vegetables from the garden. The duck breast with cherry gastrique and wild rice pilaf is a Minnesota classic done right. $$$, and worth it for the atmosphere alone. The wine list is deep on French and domestic bottles, with several under $50 that punch above their weight.

The trick to Cathedral Hill? Skip the main drag on weekends. Hit The Lexington on a Tuesday for a quiet steak frites, The Happy Gnome on a Wednesday for trivia and a burger, and W.A. Frost on a Sunday for brunch when the patio is empty and the service is relaxed. You’ll eat better, pay less, and actually enjoy the neighborhood without the crowds.

The West Side’s Undisputed King of Authenticity

The West Side Flats don’t get the love they deserve from the downtown crowd. This is where St. Paul’s immigrant communities have built a food scene that’s raw, real, and ridiculously affordable. I’ve eaten here more times than I can count, and I’m still finding new favorites.

El Burrito Mercado — 175 Cesar Chavez Street. This isn’t a restaurant; it’s an institution. A grocery store, taqueria, bakery, and tortilla factory all in one. The tacos al pastor are carved from a vertical spit, served on handmade corn tortillas with grilled pineapple, cilantro, and onion. $3 each. The tortas are massive, stuffed with milanesa, carnitas, or chorizo, and run $8-$10. The churros are made fresh to order, dusted with cinnamon sugar, and cost $2.50 for a bag that feeds two. The grocery side sells dried chiles, fresh masa, and Mexican cheeses you won’t find anywhere else in the Twin Cities. Go for lunch, grab a six-pack of Jarritos from the cooler, and eat at the counter overlooking the kitchen. Cash preferred, but they take cards.

Taqueria Los Ocampo — 1025 Cesar Chavez Street. The birria tacos here are the real deal — slow-braised beef in a consommé so rich it coats your spoon, served with a side of consomé for dipping. $4 each, and you’ll want three. The quesabirria — a crispy tortilla stuffed with melted cheese and birria — is a mess of a sandwich that’s worth every napkin. The horchata is made in-house, creamy and cinnamon-forward, $3 for a large. The dining room is basic — plastic tables, salsa bar, TV playing soccer — but the food is pure soul. Open late on weekends, which is rare for the neighborhood.

El Cubano — 1329 St. Anne Avenue. This is a tiny counter-service spot run by a Cuban family that’s been in St. Paul for three generations. The Cubano sandwich is pressed on Cuban bread, layered with roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard. $11, and it’s the size of your forearm. The ropa vieja — shredded beef in a tomato-based sauce with olives and capers — comes with rice, beans, and plantains for $13. The empanadas are fried to order, filled with beef, chicken, or cheese, $3 each. The owner’s grandmother makes the flan, and it’s the best I’ve had outside of Miami. No website, no social media — just a handwritten menu on a whiteboard. Cash only.

The West Side’s strength is its honesty. No pretense, no fusion experiments, no $18 cocktails. You get food that tastes like someone’s abuela made it, because someone’s abuela did. If you want a meal that costs under $15 and leaves you full, happy, and connected to St. Paul’s real culinary roots, skip the hype and drive across the river.

The Late-Night and Breakfast Battlegrounds Nobody Talks About

Most “best of” lists ignore the hours between 10 PM and 10 AM. That’s a mistake. St. Paul has a scrappy, under-the-radar scene for early birds and night owls that’s worth your attention.

Mickey’s Diner — 36 West 7th Street. The historic dining car from 1939 is a cliché, but there’s a reason it’s still standing. The hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce is $9.95 and tastes like Thanksgiving in a diner. The breakfast special — two eggs, hash browns, toast, and your choice of bacon or sausage — is $7.50 and served all day. The malts are thick, made with real ice cream, and cost $4.50. Open 24 hours on weekends, closes at 10 PM weeknights. The vinyl booths are worn, the coffee is diner-grade, and the waitresses have been there for decades. It’s not fancy, but it’s honest.

The Nook — 492 Hamline Avenue South. This is technically a burger joint, but their breakfast sandwich game is criminally underrated. The Nook Breakfast Burger — a beef patty topped with a fried egg, bacon, cheddar, and hash browns on a toasted bun — is $12.50 and will ruin you for all other breakfast burgers. The St. Paul Breakfast — two eggs, choice of meat, toast, and their legendary tater tots — is $9. The tots are hand-cut, crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and worth the trip alone. The bar opens at 11 AM, so you can wash it down with a Surly Furious. Cash only, ATM on site.

Hai Hai — 212 University Avenue West. This Vietnamese spot is famous for dinner, but their weekend brunch is the secret. The bánh xèo — a crispy turmeric crepe filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs — is $15 and comes with a side of nuoc cham that’s bright, tangy, and addictive. The pho is available all day, but the pho dac biet — with rare beef, brisket, tendon, and tripe — is $16 and the best hangover cure in the city. The Vietnamese iced coffee is strong, sweet, and served with a splash of condensed milk, $5. Brunch runs 10 AM-2 PM on weekends, and reservations are smart because the word is out.

Colossal Cafe — 2310 2nd Avenue South. This is a tiny, no-frills breakfast spot in Highland Park that’s been flying under the radar for 15 years. The Dutch baby — a puffy, oven-baked pancake with lemon, butter, and powdered sugar — is $11 and big enough for two. The corned beef hash is house-made, with chunks of brisket, potatoes, and onions, $13. The blueberry pancakes are fluffy, studded with fresh berries, and come with real maple syrup, $10. The wait can be 30 minutes on weekends, but they take your number and text you when your table’s ready. No reservations, no credit cards — cash only.

The late-night and breakfast scene in St. Paul rewards patience and flexibility. Mickey’s is for nostalgia and a cheap meal after a show. The Nook is for a gut-bomb before a day of errands. Hai Hai is for when you want something bright and bold on a Sunday morning. Colossal is for the perfect, simple breakfast that doesn’t try to be anything else. These are the places that keep St. Paul’s dining scene grounded, and they deserve your attention.

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Sources

• Visit Saint Paul — official tourism site with dining guides and local restaurant listings
• Eater Twin Cities — regional food publication covering restaurant reviews and neighborhood dining trends
• Minnesota Monthly — lifestyle magazine featuring curated restaurant recommendations and food features
• Star Tribune (Taste section) — major local newspaper with restaurant reviews and dining coverage
• Yelp — user-generated reviews and ratings for St. Paul restaurants
• Zagat — established dining guide with curated lists and ratings for top eateries

FAQ

Is Meritage really worth the high price? Yes, for a special occasion. It’s a $$$$ French brasserie with James Beard-nominated technique, a deep wine list, and service that remembers your preferences. Expect to spend $80–$150 per person with drinks.

How long are the waits at Cook St. Paul on weekends? Typically 30–60 minutes for brunch or dinner, since it’s a small room with limited hours. Arrive early or be prepared to wait, but the Korean-American dishes like bibimbap and bulgogi are worth it.

Are there affordable options in St. Paul besides Cook St. Paul? Yes, many spots in Highland Park and the West Side offer $$ meals. Look for family-run taquerias, pho shops, and diners where a full meal runs $12–$25 per person.

What’s the best time to visit Meritage for a reservation? Book at least two weeks ahead for weekend evenings. Weekday lunch or early dinner (5–6 PM) often has more availability, especially if you’re flexible.

Is the raw bar at Meritage the best in the state? It’s widely considered among the top, with fresh East and West Coast oysters and a rotating selection. Prices range $3–$5 per oyster, and quality is consistently excellent.

Can I find good Korean food elsewhere in St. Paul? Cook St. Paul is unique for its Korean-American fusion, but traditional Korean spots in the Frogtown neighborhood offer solid bibimbap and bulgogi at $10–$20 per person.