Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Twin Cities / St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Twin Cities / St. Paul? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

joan's in the Park

5.0

5 (2088)

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

joan's in the Park restaurant and full service bar is an elegantly cozy dining destination, located on Snelling Avenue in Highland Park. We offer a 4 course menu designed by Chef /owner Susan Dunlop, which includes distinctive American cuisine . We offer only the finest ingredients, sourced locally when possible. Maître d'/owner Joan Schmitt (and Highland Park native) offers first-class hospitality. Our carefully selected wine, beer and signature cocktail list will also appeal to all tastes. joan's is a must try, if you enjoy great food and amazing hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Aaron

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing service and food tasted great! Kind of an old school feel.

Crasqui

4.9

4.9 (87)

$50 and over

Venezuelan

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Crasqui is a lively Venezuelan restaurant in Saint Paul. Recipes are inspired in our chef-owner Soleil Ramirez childhood, family and friends in her home-country Venezuela.

For us Crasqui is more than just a restaurant—it’s a vessel for memories, dreams, flavors, and connections. We will keep infusing our passion, dedication and love into every dish to make every guest experience memorable.

Top review

Erik

Dined 7 days ago

I've had several positive experiences at Crasqui. Free on-site parking is a gamechanger considering its proximity to downtown. The bar is a great place to settle for a cozy cocktail - I would highly recommend trying some of the imported rums. It's also a great place to celebrate milestones with loved ones. The elevated, authentic cuisine nourishes the soul, and the staff is welcoming and unpretentious.

Downtowner Woodfire Grill

4.7

4.7 (3801)

$31 to $50

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

"simply beyond the ordinary"
"****" - Kathie Jenkins - Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Downtowner Woodfire Grill specializes in Persian fire roasted meats, grilled steaks and chops, and gourmet wood-fired pizzas. The atmosphere is warm & lively offering 2 fireplaces, a full bar with 3 fountains and live jazz. The restaurant offers free parking with convenience to both the Xcel Energy Center & Ordway Theater. Downtowner Woodfire Grill also provides a full menu for breakfast & lunch, and a children's menu. This cozy restaurant serves a great plate as well as provides an experience to savor.

Top review

Erik

Dined 2 days ago

Service, food and drink all on point. Swordfish and steak were cooked and seasoned to perfection. Love the Downtowner…never leave there disappointed. Kudos to the entire crew.

Boca Chica Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1394)

$30 and under

Mexican

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Boca Chica Mexican Restaurant has served the flavorful, authentic cuisine of Mexico since 1964. It was then that Guillermo and Gloria Frias opened the doors to their new restaurant that seated only 28 patrons. Today, Boca Chica has grown substantially and is rated "one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Twin Cities," according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine’s March 2018 issue.

The authenticity of the food is maintained by making everything from scratch, the old-fashioned way, with fresh ingredients. Even the fiery salsa is still made with fresh tomatoes, chiles, and that special Frias family touch. Our menu includes some of the more traditional foods such as guisados, sopes, carne asada, chile rellenos, and tamales. Taste is never compromised. We also have a full bar featuring the city’s best selection of Mexican beers and premium tequilas. Voted "Best Margarita" by City Pages.

Top review

SondraL

Dined 1 day ago

This was a great experience for our 8 person turned 9 person table with no notice for the restaurant. Loved that it was a large circle table for conversation in our group. Would definitely do my holiday lunch for customers at Boca Chica again!!!!

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Popular dish

Enchiladas de Pueblo

The Lexington

4.7

4.7 (2959)

$31 to $50

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

The Lexington is more than a restaurant, it’s an institution. Located on the corner of Lexington Parkway and Grand Avenue, this St. Paul community was the most fashionable at the turn of the 19th century. The St. Paul elite lived just blocks away and the first electric trolley brought visitors up and down Grand Avenue. The Lexington opened in 1935, after the end of prohibition, and was a popular neighborhood bar to gather and socialize. Previously operating as a speakeasy, the expansive wood panels were perfect for hiding a little booze and one can only imagine the shenanigans going on beyond the hidden staircase behind the coat check. For decades following, The Lex, as it’s called by locals and enthusiasts alike, was the place to be seen; business dealings, cocktail hours, and milestone celebrations were a regular occurrence for St. Paul socialites.

Top review

ErinVIP

Dined 5 days ago

This was a girls night out, and it was fantastic! If you enjoy superior customer service, and excellent food, this is the place for you. I was greeted warmly at the door, they took my coat, and put my packages at my table. Had a drink at the bar with my friends before dinner. Had fun joking around with the bartender. The drinks were as beautiful as they were delicious. Highly recommend the Lex Cup. Matt, our server, as well as the others who helped along the way, were attentive, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to be around. Our dinner was delicious. We had the Sweet Onion Boullion (get it: the presentation is beautiful and the cheese, crostini, and broth are excellent), filet mignon, sea scallops, whipped potatoes, truffle Gouda gnocchi, and asparagus. All of it was top-notch. Prepared perfectly. We can’t wait to go back in the summer and visit the rooftop patio. The old school steakhouse is alive and well at the Lexington.

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4.7

4.7 (597)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Intimate setting in a beautiful, historic building overlooking the runway of Holman's Field. Fresh, modern dishes complemented by a classic bar and beautiful wine list. Open to the public with no security checks required.

Top review

Mike

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service and meals. It’s fun to watch the jets take off and land.

1881 by LEI

4.4

4.4 (98)

$30 and under

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Lake Elmo Inn is opened a new restaurant at Union Depot in Saint Paul. Owners Chef John and Christine Schiltz named 1881. The name “1881” pays homage to the year both the original Union Depot and Lake Elmo Inn opened, reflecting the deep historical connection the restaurant hopes to foster.

Offering a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn will merge the charm of a storied past with a modern culinary flair, becoming a destination for both locals and visitors.

1881 by Lake Elmo Inn is to be a place where families can build lasting memories. We want to offer an experience that generations can cherish, from proms to graduations to weddings, we’re here to make moments unforgettable.

The Menu is inspired by the success of the original Lake Elmo Inn and will include both favorites from the flagship restaurant as well as exclusive new offerings hand-crafted from fresh, local

Top review

Deb

Dined 2 days ago

The food was amazing! Service was great but just a little slow. The place was awesome we enjoyed the ambiance.

Bennett's Chop & Railhouse

4.3

4.3 (1337)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

In every city, there is a natural gathering spot for city folk and neighborhood people in the know. This place in Saint Paul is know as Bennett's Chop & Railhouse. Located on West Seventh & Victoria, it is the perfect meeting place of uptown and downtown, of quiet neighborhood and big city lights.

It's called a chophouse because it specializes in a casual steakhouse atmosphere with top-of-the-line cuts of the finest meats. It is a Rail-house because it is on the old railroad line serving the city and rail drinks (as well as top brands) are served in the convivial atmosphere of the horseshoe bar.

And of course Bennett's is Bennett's because owners Joe and Meghan Bennett ensure that welcoming hospitality is always served. They have taken their decades of experiences with leading hospitality brands and translated it into an intimate venue where you're not only a customer, but more importantly, a welcome guest.

Top review

GaryVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Good set of choices on the menu. Food was tasty and well prepared (my steak was a little overdone so I would probably discuss that with the server in the future). Staff was friendly and responsive, We were seated immediately when we arrived.

The Handsome Hog

4.3

4.3 (183)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Handsome Hog is a St Paul favorite nestled in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. We serve contemporary Southern cuisine and boast an award-winning dinner and cocktail menu. Handsome Hog has a pig-centric menu our Chef Matt Green created an inviting variety of salads, appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The bar offers a curated bourbon menu and inventive craft cocktails and mocktails. The Handsome Hog has an elevated ambiance with a casual and friendly neighborhood vibe.
Come in and try our dry-rubbed wings, woodfire-roasted mussels, or crawfish hushpuppies to kick off your evening. Move on to the pork spare ribs, Carolina BBQ sandwich, or our mouth-watering smoked beef brisket. Our smoked creme brulee, banana pudding, or specialty cocktails are the perfect way to wrap up your evening at Handsome Hog. We are looking forward to seeing you at Handsome Hog!

Top review

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

Great dining experience! Friendly staff, timely service.

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Popular dish

Chicken 'n' Waffles

Popular dish

Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich

Buca di Beppo - St. Paul

4.1

4.1 (1135)

$30 and under

Italian

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

If you are looking for an Italian Restaurant in St. Paul, MN then come to Buca. Our Italian Restaurant serves Authentic Family Style Italian Food. When you want plentiful portions of the best tasting Italian food, you better go to Buca. Located on Gannon Road, in a bend of the Mississippi River, your St. Paul Buca is serving up authentic Italian pastas, entrees, and pizzas for lunch and dinner every day.

Top review

Nicolle

Dined 6 days ago

Great food! Good service! The waitress was friendly or good was delicious!

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