Hispanic and Latine Heritage in Saint Paul

Celebrate Saint Paul's thriving Hispanic and Latine community through our guide to local restaurants, businesses and organizations to support.

District del Sol
Annual Events
Dine
Organizations & Resources
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Celebrate the Latine Community

National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15. The month honors and celebrates the impact and achievements of Hispanic and Latine culture in American history.

This month also pays homage to significant dates in the Hispanic and Latine community:

September 15 - Independence Day for Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador

September 16 - Mexican Independence Day

September 16 - Chilean Independence Day

West Side Pride

Credit: Social Eye Marketing

District del Sol

District Del Sol on Saint Paul's West Side is a vibrant, culturally rich area that dates back to the early 1900s when Mexican workers began to settle in the West Side Flats (a residential community along the Mississippi River). Since, this area has become a hub for Saint Paul's Latine community and features a thriving business corridor that includes including longstanding fixtures like El Burrito Mercado and Boca Chica.

West Side

Home to District Del Sol, Saint Paul's West Side is filled with incredible culture, iconic restaurants, and the best river views in town. Learn More

Community Celebrations

Cinco de Mayo

A lively display of culture that honors Mexican heritage and community pride with two days of car shows, live music, authentic food, family fun, and cultural entertainment in District del Sol every May.

Mexican Independence Day Celebration

A Mexican Independence Day celebration that pays homage to Saint Paul's rich Mexican heritage with a day filled with cultural music and dance performances, a car show, tasty food, and family fun on Saint Paul's West Side every September.

CLUES Fiesta Latina

This free family-friendly event celebrates Latine culture through arts, health and wellness, food, and live entertainment every September.

Savor Authentic Flavor

Taste your way around to these delicious Latine-owned businesses that bring bold flavor and incredible culture to our Saint Paul community.

Abogados Café

Abogados = Lawyers. Owners Ofelia and Inti grew up in Honduras and finished their law degrees in Saint Paul, then opened Abogados Café. They serve specialty coffee drinks following the law theme, such as the Fearless Lawtte, Motion Granted, Ex Parte, ReSipsa Lawquitur, Cold Call, and Sua Sponte and more.

Boca Chica & Boca Chica Taco House

“Boca Chica”, translated, means “little mouth of the river”. Boca Chica has been named one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Twin Cities. Boca Chica Mexican Restaurante contributes to the community’s cultural heritage by preserving in beautiful painted murals the history and the essence of the Mexican people.

Café Astoria

A whimsical cafe on West 7th Street that features artisanal crepes and creatively crafted coffees to kick off your morning the right way.

Crasqui

Named after an island off the coast of Venezuela, Crasqui offers a welcoming atmosphere with a fresh Caribbean feel, both indoors and out with a menu featuring a variety of hot and cold appetizers, main courses, sides, desserts, and specialty cocktails.

El Burrito Mercado

El Burrito Mercado is a family-owned Latino Marketplace recognized for its delicious and authentic Mexican restaurant, bakery, and deli. The restaurant and market boast a rich history in Saint Paul and have been widely regarded by publications as the finest Mexican dining experience in the city.

Don Pancho’s Bakery

Located in District del Sol, Don Pancho's Saint Paul Bakery has an array of goodies from cakes, breads, and cookies that are sure to hit the spot.

Homi

The HoMi Restaurants staff prides themselves in making everything on the spot and from scratch from the beans that are lathered to the handmade empanadas and chiles rellenos, even the salsa is all homemade. (The HoMi crew recommends the Spicy Skewed Chicken, Shrimp in garlic sauce, or the pork with cactus leaves).

Hamburgesas El Gordo

Located on Victoria Street (with other locations in West Saint Paul and Minneapolis), Hamburgesas El Gordo is your one-stop-shop for Mexican street food. The casual eatery features an array of delectable burgers, tacos, burritos, hot dogs with a selection of mouthwatering apps like loaded fries, elote and bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers to dive into.

La Costa

La Costa is a modern Mexican restaurant and sports bar with 9 TV screens that deliver an extraordinary experience to guests. Located on Cesar Chavez St, it’s the perfect choice for cocktails or an indulgent dinner, any day of the week.

Little Brazil

The taste of Brazil in the heart of Minnesota! Venture in to shop South American delicacies or sit down in the cafe to enjoy Brazilian bakery staples like Ham & Cheese sandwiches, coxinha (chicken and cheese bread balls) or pastels (meat-filled empanadas).
Los Ocampo

Los Ocampo has been serving flavorful, authentic cuisine of Mexico since 2003. The staff prides themselves in serving the freshest ingredients at an affordable price while providing fantastic customer service to give you the best experience possible.

Mañana Restaurant

Once you step inside of Manana's you will feel like you have just entered a new country. From their sweet corn tamales, empanadas, Azada tacos, pork, beans, and cheese pupusas, this place will give you the best Salvadorian food experience for a reasonable price.

Plaza del Sol

Opening soon! Plaza del Sol is a vibrant small-business incubator and community gathering space on the East Side that will feature a Food Hall, Commissary Kitchen, and Event Center designed to support entrepreneurs and celebrate culture.

Community Organizations & Resources

Amalia

Amalia’s work in the culinary and culture space fosters DEI&B (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) with food as the common denominator. As a triple minority immigrant living in the United States, she has strived to overcome gender challenges and ethnicity and cultural misunderstanding socially and in business. In response, she earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and Le Cordon Bleu degrees while working full time. Her mission and vision for Amalia LLC (dba Amalia Latin Gourmet) were born to address these experiences.

CLUES (Comunidad Latinos Unidas en Servico)

CLUES advances social and economic equity and well-being for Latinos by building upon our strengths and cultures, uplifting our community, and activating leadership for systemic change.

Huellas Latinas

Connecting Latino communities to outdoor experiences in nature that provide well-being and belonging.

Latino Chamber of Commerce

An organization that is committed to empowering Latino businesses and contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of the Latino community across the state.

Latino Lead

At LatinoLEAD, they bring together Minnesota Latinx leaders from across the state, that include various ethnicities, generations, and working sectors to have a greater social impact through collaboration, power building, and leadership development.

LEDC (Latino Economic Development Center)

LEDC is an association of Latino entrepreneurs and leaders in the state of Minnesota. Their members’ drive, passion, and know-how have helped create a burgeoning Latino business community that serves as the foundation for good quality of life.

Teatro Del Pueblo

Teatro del Pueblo is a small, non-profit Latino theater located in St. Paul, MN. Fostered by the Latino community on the West Side, it has grown since its inception in 1992 to serve the St. Paul, Minneapolis metro area and greater Minnesota. Based in the West Side’s Latino community, Teatro del Pueblo promotes Latino culture through the creation and presentation of performing arts. Teatro develops and supports Latino artists, provides educational opportunities for all to experience Latino culture and promotes cross-cultural dialogue.

Minnesota Latinos

Minnesota Latino's mission is to connect Latinos with local services, resources, entertainment, community groups, and organizations. While serving as a bridge between Latinos and other communities in Minnesota.
West Side Boosters

A youth sports organization that prioritizes community and celebrates the rich traditions of Saint Paul's West Side community. In addition to providing leadership and engagement opportunities for boys and girls ages 3-18 through sports leagues, camps, and programming, the Boosters are also the organizers behind the iconic Cinco de Mayo festival in May and the Mexican Independence Day Celebration in September.

West Side Community Organization

A community-forward organization that powers the people of the West Side to work together in creating a vibrant and thriving neighborhood for all.

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