New Restaurants to try in Saint Paul
As of February 2024
Best New Restaurants in Saint Paul
Make sure you’re on top of all the newest restaurant openings in the Capital City.*
The Saint Paul culinary scene continues to grow. Check out the city's newest restaurant openings:
WINTER 2024
Smorgie's
Opened: January 2024
This casual restaurant and bar across from the Xcel Energy Center is serving up a smorgasbord of homestyle Midwestern comfort food like Tater-Tot hotdish, Pickle Fries, Granny's Chicken Salad, and Swedish meatballs. Wash it all down with affordable cocktails, beer, and wine, and a daily 2-4-1 happy hour. (Yes, it's even on Sundays!) The restaurant is attached to the Courtyard Hotel, with a separate street entrance, and is also next to the Apostle Supper Club--another frequented spot by event goers.
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Andiamo Italian Ristorante
Opened: January 2024
A lover of Italian cuisine, chef and owner, Ramon Ruiz, spent nearly 30 years working in the restaurant industry to achieve his lifelong dream of opening a place of his own in 2011. After working for 14 years with Two Guys in Italy in California, Ruiz found comfort in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and embarked on a 17-year career with Bucca di Beppo. No stranger to red sauce and garlic, Ruiz brings exquisite Italian cuisine to Snelling Avenue with his third Andiamo location (this first location is in Eagan and the second is in Woodbury) that is operating out of the former Buffalo Wild Wings space.
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Zamboni's on 7th
Opened: January 2024
Zamboni's moved next door from its original location to take over what was formerly Eagle Street Grille on West 7th Street in Downtown Saint Paul. It's location just kitty-corner from the Xcel Energy Center makes it the perfect spot to grab some pre-or-post-event grub with classic options like pizzas, pastas, and hoagies. Or try for their specialty 'zas like the Das Kraut Pizza with tomato sauce, sauerkraut, sausage, salami, bacon bits, and mozzarella, or the Rosemary Italian Blonde that features a white sauce, fresh garlic, rosemary, sausage, and roasted red peppers.
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Saint City Catering
Opened: January 2024
Saint City Catering is a family-owned restaurant in Lowertown that is inspired by art, music, and loved ones. To provide the best bite for their guests, this French bakery and American bistro partners with local farmers and butcheries for rustic farm-to-table fare. Stop in for a quick bite, come to gather, or work with chef Guillermo to craft the perfect menu for an event.
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FALL 2023
Pimento Jamaican Kitchen
Opened: December 2023
In the heart of Downtown Saint Paul is Pimento's sixth Twin Cities location. As its largest venue, the new space features a full rum bar, a self-serve beer wall, a stage for live music and DJs, and of course, its authentic, award-winning Jamaican cuisine inspired by family recipes and French techniques.
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Pa'l Mar Mexican Restaurant & Seafood
Opened: November 2023
This is Pa'l Mar's second restaurant Twin Cities location. The eatery specializes in coastal seafood like ceviche, octopus, and scallops, and classic Mexican fare such as burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, and tacos.
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Mandalay Kitchen
Opened: November 2023
Named after the city of Mandalay in Upper Burma, or Myanmar, Mandalay Kitchen pays homage to chef Chris Tunbaw's childhood experiences in Southeast Asia, his frequent travels to Thailand, and his familiarity with the restaurant scene in the Little Mekong District in Saint Paul. The menu features Knyaw (Karen), Burmese, and Thai cuisine with items like spicy curries and savory noodles to rice salads and egg rolls.
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Momento
Opened: September 2023
Momento is a destination restaurant in Downtown Saint Paul that feels–and tastes–a world away. Executive Chef Aaron Uban has created modern interpretations of old-world dishes from Greece, Morocco, North Africa, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Egypt, and beyond. Beverage Manager Kevin Tester crafted an innovative bar menu to complement the cuisine, featuring an inspired array of handcrafted cocktails, house-made cellos, refreshing spritzes, and bright mocktails.
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King Coil Spirits
Opened: September 2023
Located in the Vandalia Tower is King Coil Spirits, a brand-new distillery and cocktail bar with an enticing pizza menu. This exciting venture is brought to you by the same team behind Lake Monster Brewing and is set to open its doors this summer, located just across the plaza from the brewery. Cofounder Matt Zanetti expressed excitement about the addition, stating that Vandalia Tower's central location and fantastic outdoor space have proven to be a significant asset for Lake Monster Brewing. With King Coil Spirits joining the mix, they aim to solidify Vandalia Tower as a must-visit destination for food and beverage enthusiasts in the Twin Cities.
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SUMMER 2023
Crasqui Restaurant
Opened: August 2023
Chef Soleil Ramirez opened Crasquí, a new restaurant inspired by her Venezuelan upbringing and memories of her home country. The menu features Venezuelan flavors with innovative twists on traditional ingredients, blending her fine-dining background and interest in molecular gastronomy. Ramirez's childhood memories and family experiences influence the dishes, with each having a story tied to her heritage. The restaurant's name, Crasquí, is a nod to a Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. The space, previously occupied by Catrina's Cerveza and Grill, provides the perfect location with natural light to evoke the namesake.
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Wrestaurant at the Palace
Opened: August 2023
The Palace Theatre, a live music venue, is bringing a new kind of show this summer: Wrestaurant at the Palace. Wrecktangle Pizza, the winners of Good Morning America's best pizza contest, will develop this unique concept for the space. Alongside their award-winning angular pies and sandwiches, the restaurant will introduce new menu items and a distinctive cocktail selection. It will feature a slice window for quick orders and a full-service restaurant with a 40-seat bar. While different from their other locations, Wrestaurant promises familiar and fun food and beverage options.
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The High Hat
Opened: July 2023
The High Hat, led by former W.A. Frost general manager Michael Noyes, opened its doors in Saint Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Currently, the restaurant is serving coffee and breakfast dishes, including waffles and gravy, wild rice breakfast bowls, and papaya parfaits. However, Noyes has exciting plans to introduce dinner service, along with a selection of wine and cocktails, later this fall.
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bb.q Chicken St. Paul
Opened: June 2023
bb.q chicken, which stands for "Best of the Best Quality," delivers on its promise with Korean fried chicken known for its crispiness, juiciness, and tenderness. Their secret lies in a blend of Korean tradition and modern research from Chicken University. Founded in Seoul in 1995, their mission was to share high-quality Korean fried chicken worldwide. Now operating in thousands of stores globally, bb.q chicken's success is driven by their passion for chicken and Korean culture, evident in authentic recipes, exciting flavors, and superior customer service across all locations.
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Spicy Feta
Opened: June 2023
The Naughty Greek rebranded under new ownership to "Spicy Feta". The original owner, Angelo Giovanis, sold the business and returned to Greece. Though Spicy Feta kept the fast-casual vibe of the original locations, it features a new, fully Halal menu including doner wraps, hand-stacked steak and chicken cones, build-your-own bowls, various dips, and Greek doughnuts with ingredients imported from Greece, as well as the option to purchase olive oil and tzatziki on site.
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SPRING 2023
Herbst Eatery & Farm Stand
Opened: May 2023
Located in the Saint Anthony Park neighborhood, Herbst Eatery & Farm Stand is a chef-driven neighborhood restaurant and market, drawing inspiration from an Amish farm stand near the owners' hobby farm in Western Wisconsin's Driftless Area. They offer almost entirely locally sourced meals, using fresh ingredients from their farm stand, which is only two hours southeast of the Twin Cities. With a focus on knowing the origin of their food and respecting the land that nurtures it, they provide nourishing dishes that prioritize community connections.
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Erta Ale Ethiopean
Opened: May 2023
Erta Ale is Saint Paul’s newest Ethiopian restaurant located in Lowertown. The restaurant's name, inspired by the active African volcano, symbolizes the fiery and flavorful nature of Ethiopian cuisine. Owner Amy Abebe Tsegaye, originally from Ethiopia, will feature recipes passed down from her mother and grandmother on the menu. In addition to classic Ethiopian stewed meats and vegetables served on spongy injera bread, Erta Ale will offer a weekend buffet to coincide with the nearby Saint Paul Farmers' Market and will host traditional coffee ceremonies, a significant cultural custom in Ethiopia.
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Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris
Opened: May 2023
Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris may not be new in Saint Paul, but their Grand Avenue location is. From Frogtown to Cathedral Hill, the well-known patisserie specializes in French pastries, desserts, wedding cakes, and catering with a mission is to create a magical experience, transporting customers to Paris with each delightful bite of their luscious, elegant, and artistic French pastries.
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The Big E
Opened: May 2023
'Big E' by Justin Sutherland has expanded from Portland to St. Paul. For those who do not know, the egg sandwich shop's name was inspired by rapper Biggie Smalls. Big E serves up nine gourmet sandwiches made with delicious ingredients and names that pay homage to famous songs and musicians.
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Centro Highland
Opened: April 2023
Located in Highland Park, Centro offers a delightful menu featuring a variety of tacos, refreshing margaritas, and more. Centro is dedicated to offering a warm and memorable experience with fast-casual service for all guests that are on-the-go, celebrating special occasions, or celebrating taco Tuesday.
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Everywhen Burger Bar
Opened: April 2023
Sister restaurant to Centro in which you can find their menu, Everywhen features mouthwatering smash burgers, chicken sandwiches on toasted milk buns, crispy fries, tater tots, fresh salads, and signature cocktails. If you have a sweet tooth, they also have pies available whole or by the slice and top it all off with a delightful ice cream sandwich.
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Wandering Leaf Brewing Company
Opened: April 2023
Wandering Leaf Brewing Company is the newest brewery in Saint Paul. With a deep-rooted passion for brewing, they are thrilled to share an exceptional selection of high-quality beers. Offering a diverse selection of craft brews, from refreshing lagers to robust ales, they showcase their commitment to excellence and creating delightful experiences for beer enthusiasts.
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Soul Lao
Opened: April 2023
A popular food truck turned brick-and-mortar; Soul Lao found its permanent home in Sibley Plaza on West 7th Street, neighboring Wandering Leaf Brewing Company. As a fast-casual eatery, the restaurant features an array of Laotian cuisine inspired by the owner's cultural roots with items like space garlic noodles, fresh spring rolls, Laab Seen (beef salad), crispy coconut rice, and pork belly.
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What’s your favorite new spot in Saint Paul? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL
*Visit Saint Paul updates this rotating list of restaurants as often as possible.