- Our RecommendationsFor Local Restaurants, Shops, and Sites
Restaurants
Here are some of our local favorites. Of course, most of the national chain restaurants are in our area and have delivery services, but this is a list of special locally owned gems that we prefer to frequent.
Please check their websites for current hours and delivery services.
ICY CUP
63 George Street West
St Paul, MN 55107
Our neighborhood favorite and an easy walk from the house. Icy Cup isn't the typical ice cream shop! Of course, there's ice cream in all shapes and sizes, and hamburgers and fries. But they also have excellent coffees and some traditional Hispanic dishes.
A neighborhood classic for take out or outdoor eating (there is no indoor seating).
Open from April-October (with free ice cones for all on Oct 31st!).
HOPE BREAKFAST BAR
1 South Leach Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-330-8996
https://www.hopebreakfast.com/home
A gift to the city of St. Paul! Bringing new life and vision to an old fire station, there's really nothing we know of with which to compare Hope Breakfast Bar. Visionary in concept; excellent in execution. You really need to try it!
BREAD & CHOCOLATE
867 Grand Avenue
St Paul, MN 55105
651-228-1017
www.breadandchocolatebakery.com
A favorite shop for excellent bakery items and coffees and light meals. We think their bakery rivals what we've had in Europe!
CAFE LATTE
850 Grand Avenue
St Paul, MN 55105
651-224-5687
Cafe Latte has been a favorite of ours since it first opened (over 40 years ago). It is the older sister of Bread & Chocolate and a fixture on Grand Avenue. Serving unique salads, sandwiches, and soups, as well as brick oven pizzas, it's the perfect stop for a quick meal or long chat. They're known for their excellent bakery - our first choice when we need a cake or dessert for a special family event.
DAY BY DAY CAFE
477 West 7TH Street
St Paul, MN 55102
651-227-0654A local guest favorite: unpretentious, comfortable, authentic. Great, traditional diner food and a nice staff! Indoor dining and outdoor terrace.
CAFE ASTORIA
180 Grand Avenue
St Paul, MN 55102
651-340-9471
https://cafeastoria-stpaul.com
An exceptional locally-owned coffee shop experience. Unique menu items (including a selection of crepes) and beverages ranging from the traditional to the unusual. It's usually busy because it's so loved!
AMORE COFFEE
879 Smith Avenue South
West St. Paul, MN 55118651-330-0570
A casual coffee shop with well-prepared coffees, baked good (including some gluten-free offerings), and light meals. A quiet place to relax with a book or spread out to work.
A-Side Public House
754 Randolph Avenue
St Paul, MN 55102651-756-1351
A short 10 minute drive away, in a restored 1885 fire station (same age as our house!) A-Side is known for it's friendly vibe. They have unique French-American menu. One of our favorites is their mussels with a side of fresh bread. Excellent!
Indoor and outdoor seating - they even have snow domes for winter dining! ❄️
WALDMANN BREWERY & WURSTERY
445 Smith Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-222-1857
A recently restored gem, a visit to Waldmann's is memorable! The building itself is a St. Paul treasure - built in 1857, it's the oldest existing business structure in the city. The German-themed menu and drink offerings are hearty and authentic.
Waldmann's hosts events such as presentations by local historians and live music.
Indoor eating as well as large outdoor patio.
COSSETTA ALIMENTARI
211 - 7th Street West
St. Paul, MN 55102
651- 222-3476
A St. Paul mainstay since 1911, Cossetta's has all things Italian: a casual dining pizza eatery (with way more than pizza), a fine-dining ristorante, and even an authentic grocery. We've never known anyone to leave Cossetta's disappointed.
BOCA CHICA TACO HOUSE
407 South Wabasha
St. Paul, MN 55107
http://www.tacohouse.net/menu.html
Boca Chica Taco House for fast food and it's sister, Boca Chica Restaurante, for sit-down dining are another family-run business that we like to recommend. It's heartening to see family members of all ages working together to make these established restaurants St. Paul favorites.
EL BURRITO MERCADO
175 Cesar Chavez Street
St Paul, MN 55107
A family venture since 1979, El Burrito Mercado offers a vibrant Mexican experience: a restaurant (inside and patio), a deli, and a full-service market! We love having such a thriving local business so nearby.
FOODSMITH BISTRO PUB
973 Smith Avenue South
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-330-0896
A nearby restaurant that's a unique combination of Austrian and American pub fare. Chef-owned and managed, it has high standards. Some afternoons, they serve Kaffee and Kuchen - housemade Austrian desserts and great coffee - for $10/person! A perfect coffee break.
W. A. FROST
374 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-224-5715
We think of W. A. Frost as the finest of St. Paul's fine dining. Established, not trendy; Frost's has served in the storied Cathedral Hill neighborhood since 1975. Its atmosphere (inside or on the patio) feels very European. Frost's just can't be surpassed for ambiance. While well-known for their Sunday brunch, Frost is special for any occasion. We've celebrated many memorable events there!
CAPITAL VIEW CAFE
637 Smith Avenue South
St. Paul, MN 55107
https://www.capitalviewcafe.com
Where do we go for the nearest good local breakfast, you ask? Capital View Cafe, we answer. Another family-owned and family-run business that has been serving the West Side for years. All of the best-loved breakfast or lunch items, as well as some unique ones. We suggest you try the Churro Waffles as a breakfast dessert (think: state fair mini donuts in waffle form - best shared!).
THE ITALIAN PIE SHOPPE
1670 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-221-0093
http://www.italianpieshoppe.com
A St. Paul favorite - known for great pizza.
LA COSTA MEXICAN GRILLE
194 Cesar Chavez Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-330-8743
Known for great service and excellent food including the best guacamole we have ever had!
Some Favorite Local Sites
CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PAUL
239 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-228-1766
MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155651-296-2881
COMO ZOO AND CONSERVATORY
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-487-8200
MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-259-3000WEST ST. PAUL ANTIQUES
880 Smith Avenue South
St. Paul, MN 55118
Services
HILLS FLORAL
168 George Street East
Saint Paul, MN 55107
Would you like to have flowers delivered to The Samuel Dearing House to be waiting for your special St. Paul stay? Or do you need to pick up an arrangement for an event you're attending while you're in town? We can't recommend Hills Floral more highly! They have a wide selection of very fresh flowers. They specialize in exquisite Ecuadorian roses. Their design sense is excellent and they listen well and are eager to please. They recently did all of the floral arrangements for our daughter's wedding - we were very pleased.
FOXFACE STUDIOS
541 Ohio Street
St Paul, MN 55107
If our guests need services for hair, make-up, brows, or waxing, we suggest Foxface! It's where I go! Just a couple blocks away - why would I drive out of our neighborhood when this great little salon with friendly professionals is right here? I know recomment them highly.
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