New Restaurants to try in Saint Paul
As of September 2023
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:
Momento
Open
Momento is a destination restaurant in Downtown St. 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, housemade cellos, refreshing spritzes, and bright mocktails.
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Crasqui Restaurant
Open
Chef Soleil Ramirez opened Crasquí, a new restaurant in St. Paul, 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.
Wrestaurant at the Palace
Open
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.
King Coil Spirits
Open
Coming soon to St. Paul's 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. Co-founder 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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The High Hat
Opened: July 2023
The High Hat, led by former W.A. Frost general manager Michael Noyes, has recently opened its doors in St. 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.
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.
Spicy Feta
Opened: June 2023
The Naughty Greek has rebranded as "Spicy Feta" under new ownership. The original owner, Angelo Giovanis, has sold the business and returning to Greece. Though Spicy Feta is keeping the fast-casual vibe of the original locations, they will be introducing 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 and the option to purchase olive oil and tzatziki on site.
Herbst Eatery & Farm Stand
Opened: May 2023
Located in the outh St. 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.
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 St. Paul Farmers' Market and will host traditional coffee ceremonies, a significant cultural custom in Ethiopia.
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.
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.
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.
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 that spans years of home 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.
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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Tacos Tacos Tacos
Opened: March 2023
Tacos Tacos Tacos is the newest fast-casual taqueria and is within walking distance from the Xcel Energy Center. Customers will find authentic combinations such as tacos al pastor, slowly simmered beef tacos, nopales, and homemade tortillas all topped with the classics - cilantro, white onion, and lime wedges.
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Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen
Opened: February 2023
Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen is the newest Jamiacian spot on Rice Street. In 2004, Okkoy began working in the kitchens of internationally acclaimed resorts in Jamaica and eventually traveled to the United States where he cooked throughout Minnesota, including our very own St Paul Hotel. Chef Okkoy has dreamed of owning his own restaurant since he was young and has made that dream a reality in here in St. Paul.
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Rafiki Coffee & Cafe
Opened: January 2023
Rafiki Coffee & Cafe is a BIPOC-owned coffee shop located in the Midway Saint Paul neighborhood. In addition to brewing delicious coffee, their mission is to build a more resilient, flourishing, and connected community one coffee cup and conversation at a time.
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Bar+Cart Lounge and Restaurant
Opened: December 2022
Bar+Cart Lounge and Restaurant is the newest hot spot on Grand Avenue created by Ralena Young and Brian Riess. With previous restaurant experience working for the same restaurant group, the pair have carefully crafted an experience for guests that are authentic to them to complement food and cocktail menus. Overall, their space welcomes people from all walks of life who are looking for an escape from their responsibilities and troubles.
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sweetgreen
Opened: November 2022
sweetgreen, the popular healthy, fresh, fast-casual restaurant has found its way to the Twin Cities! Stop by their brand new downtown location on the corner of Grand Avenue and Grotto Street for seasonal, made-from-scratch bowls, plates, and sides made with locally sourced ingredients.
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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.
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