1. In Bloom
Opened: September 2018
Neighborhood: West 7th
There's a lot of awesomeness going on at West 7th's new Keg and Case Market, including the much-anticipated In Bloom—the food hall's anchor tenant is led by culinary heavy-hitters Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone of Corner Table and Revival. A 20-foot hearth inspires the fire-fueled fine-dining menu and serves as the focal point of the space. Things seem to be going pretty well over at In Bloom, as it was recently awarded "Restaurant of the Year" by Star Tribune. Also in Keg and Case is another new project from the duo, a quicker serve Revival spot dishing out amazing sandwiches and fresh-cut meats by the pound.
2. Red Rabbit
Opened: October 2018
Neighborhood: Grand Avenue
Another Minneapolis success story expands east to Saint Paul. Now open in the former Wild Onion space on Grand Avenue, Red Rabbit brought over all of their favorites from the North Loop, including pizza, pasta and top-notch cocktails.
3. Hyacinth
Opened: August 2018
Neighborhood: Grand Avenue
Chef Rikki Giambruno left his post as an executive chef in New York City to return to his roots here in Saint Paul, and boy are we glad he did. Inspired by the cuisine of Southern Italy and the Mediterranean, Hyacinth is elevating the dining game on Grand Avenue with fresh pasta, a diverse antipasti menu, Italian cocktails and more.
4. Parlour St. Paul
Opened: April 2018
Neighborhood: West 7th
All of the things that made Parlour Minneapolis famous (burgers, cocktails, cool vibes) and then some. Now open on West 7th, Parlour St. Paul is significantly larger than its Minneapolis predecessor in both space and menu. After you try the iconic burger, come back for dressed up diner food like scrambled eggs with king crab and ricotta dumplings.
5. Spring Cafe
Opened: April 2018
Neighborhood: Como Park
Here's hoping that the opening of Como Lakeside Pavilion's Spring Cafe will be the catalyst for spring temperatures at last. Weather be darned, the new spot serving up elevated American food picnic-style from powerhouse restaurant duo JD Fratzke and Matty O'Reilly (of Bar Brigade, Delicata and Red River Kitchen fame) is worth checking out.
6. Grand Catch
Opened: April 2018
Neighborhood: Grand Catch
Brothers Sameh and Saed Wadi of Minneapolis' popular World Street Kitchen make their Saint Paul debut with a seafood-boil restaurant serving up eats that are sometimes traditional, sometimes unconventional—always tasty.
7. Holman’s Table
Opened: Winter 2018
Neighborhood: West Side (it's inside the St. Paul Downtown Airport)
If you never had a reason to go to the St. Paul Downtown Airport, now you do. Named for the airport's Holman Field, this new restaurant is a hotspot for elevated (pun intended) breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.
8. just/us
Opened: Winter 2018
Neighborhood: Downtown
"Doing it how we want"—that's the premise behind just/us, a chef-driven downtown spot with a rotating menu that describes itself as "a collaborative effort by chefs who want to reinvigorate the restaurant industry."
9. OCTO fishbar
Opened: Fall 2017
Neighborhood: Lowertown
If OCTO fishbar is good enough for Justin Timberlake, it's good enough for you. The seafood forward restaurant from James Beard winning chef, Tim McKee, has received nothing but rave reviews since opening in Lowertown's Market House Collaborative.
10. Salty Tart
Opened: Fall 2017
Neighborhood: Lowertown
Owner Michelle Gayer just received her tenth James Beard nomination (this one is for Outstanding Baker). What more do you need to know?
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 ten restaurants as often as possible.
