1. Hyacinth
Opened: August 2018
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.
2. Parlour St. Paul
Opened: April 2018
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.
3. Spring Cafe
Opened: April 2018
Here's hoping that the opening of Como Lakeside Pavillion'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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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."
7. 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.
8. 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?
9. Kyatchi
Opened: Fall 2017
Neighborhood: Lowertown
After crushing it for years in Minneapolis, Kyatchi decided to share its delicious Japanese cuisine (including their People Magazine best Minnesota hot dog) with the east side of the river by opening up a second location inside Lowertown's Market House Collaborative.
10. Seventh Street Truck Park
Opened: Fall 2017
Neighborhood: West 7th
From the folks who blessed us with New Bohemia, this West 7th funhouse truly has something for everyone. The large open space is home to three food trucks and two bar trucks, featuring everything from 20-pound ice cream sandwiches and rattlesnake pizza to fried chicken and street tacos.
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.
