• Our Recommendations
    For 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 love 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.

    Not the typical ice cream shop! Of course, there's ice cream in all shapes and sizes, and hamburgers and fries. But there are also excellent coffees and traditional Latino dishes.

    A neighborhood classic for take out or outdoor eating.

    Open from April-October (with free ice cones for all on Oct 31st!).

    WALDMANN BREWERY & WURSTERY

    445 Smith Avenue

    Saint Paul, MN 55102

     

    651-222-1857

    http://waldmannbrewery.com

     

    A recently restored gem, a visit to Waldmann's is a must! 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.

    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!

    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!

    DAY BY DAY CAFE

    477 West 7TH Street
    St Paul, MN 55102


    651-227-0654

    http://daybyday.com/

     

    A local guest favorite: unpretentious, comfortable, authentic. Great food and nice staff! Indoor dining and outdoor terrace. 

    COSSETTA ALIMENTARI

    211 - 7th Street West

    St. Paul, MN 55102

     

    651- 222-3476

    https://cossettas.com

     

    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.

    EMMETT'S PUBLIC HOUSE - temporarily closed

    695 Grand Avenue

    St Paul, MN 55105

     

    651-225-8248

    https://emmettspublichouse.com/#

     

    An authentic Irish pub with great fare and drink as well as experienced wait-staff. Don't be deterred by the blah exterior - once inside, you'll feel as if you're in Ireland! A perfect place for a relaxed lunch or dinner by their cozy fireplace.

    AMORE COFFEE

    879 Smith Avenue South
    West St. Paul, MN 55118

     

    651-330-0570

    https://www.amorecoffee.com

     

    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.

    EL BURRITO MERCADO

    175 Cesar Chavez Street

    St Paul, MN 55107

     

    (651) 227-2192

    http://www.elburritostp.com

     

    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.

    BOCA CHICA TACO HOUSE

    407 South Wabasha

    St. Paul, MN 55107

     

    (651) 222-8226

    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.

    W. A. FROST

    374 Selby Avenue

    Saint Paul, MN 55102

     

    651-224-5715

    https://www.wafrost.com/home

     

    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!

    CAFE LATTE

    850 Grand Avenue

    St. Paul, MN 55105

     

    651-224-5687

    https://www.cafelatte.com

     

    A favorite of ours since it opened in the 1980s, Cafe Latte never disappoints! It's a great place for a quick meal or a long chat. A wide selection of house-made sandwiches, soups, salads, and brick oven pizzas and a simply incredible selection of excellent desserts.

    CAPITAL VIEW CAFE

    637 Smith Avenue South

    St. Paul, MN 55107

     

    651- 290-0218

    https://www.capitalviewcafe.com

     

    Where do we go for a good local breakfast, you ask? Capital View Cafe, we say. 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

    https://www.lacostamn.com

     

    Known for great service and excellent food including the best guacamole we have ever had!

    SALUT

    917 Grand Avenue

    St. Paul, MN 55015

     

    612-505-9911

    http://www.salutbaramericain.com

     

    In the mood for French food? Head to Salut! Consistently excellent. Cozy European ambiance.

    Some Favorite Local Sites

    CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PAUL

    239 Selby Avenue

    St. Paul, MN 55102

     

    651-228-1766

    https://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org

    MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL

    75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
    St. Paul, MN 55155

     

    651-296-2881

    http://www.mnhs.org/capitol

    COMO ZOO AND CONSERVATORY

    1225 Estabrook Drive

    St. Paul, MN 55103

     

    651-487-8200

    https://comozooconservatory.org

    MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER

    345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
    St. Paul, MN 55102


    651-259-3000

    https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter

    SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA

    120 W. Kellogg Blvd.

    St. Paul, MN 55102

     

    651-221-9444

    https://new.smm.org

    JAMES J. HILL HOUSE

    240 Summit Avenue
    St. Paul, MN 55102

    651-297-2555

    https://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse

    WEST ST. PAUL ANTIQUES

    880 Smith Avenue South

    St. Paul, MN 55118

     

     651-451-0398

    http://www.weststpaulantiques.com

    Services

    HILLS FLORAL

    168 George Street East

    Saint Paul, MN 55107

     

     (651) 457-7070

    https://hillsfloral.com

     

    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

     

    (651) 321-0852

    www.foxface-studios.com

     

    If our guests need services for hair, make-up, brows, or waxing, we suggest Foxface! Just a couple blocks away - why would I drive out of our neighborhood when this great little salon with friendly professionals is right here?