Best Cozy Restaurants in Downtown St. Paul

58 restaurants available nearby

1. Tullibee

4.7

Exceptional(1403)

Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 35 times today

Tullibee celebrates the lakes and woods cuisine that is so deeply woven into the fabric of Minnesota. Named for a fish native to our Minnesota waters, Tullibee is a tribute to our beautiful state and brings its fresh and authentic flavors to each dish we serve. Under Chef Marque Collins lead, Tullibee's new menu is curated with intention to allow guests to try multiple items on the menu. We will be serving more smaller portions of the menu items meant to be ordered many at a time on a rolling basis throughout the meal allowing guests to experience different options. Come and experience the flavors of the North! Tullibee is a taste of Minnesota. *Reservations are for Tullibee only. Our lounge and rooftop bar are seated on a first come, first served basis.

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

2. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1105)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 42 times today

**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. Marty has owned over 10 restaurant concepts in Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City and Columbia, MO, and Iowa City, IA. Brett and his family have owned and operated The Hilltop Restaurant for the past 40 years. Pete, the head chef, brings his most recent culinary experience and creativity from California to NOLO’s, The Rooftop Bar and The Basement Bar. His culinary vision and passion for local ingredients create new modern comfort food dishes. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.

3. Billy After Dark

new

5.0

Exceptional(155)

Price: Moderate

• Speakeasy • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 20 times today

“Our Cocktail Philosophy”Billy After Dark cocktails are inspired by the twenty-four micro-seasons that define the flow of life in Japan. Enter a world where you are brought back to your best memories. Reminding you of that the feel & flow from each one.Perfected classics like the Manhattan and Negroni, riffs on some of Japan’s most beloved cocktails such as the Whisky Highball, and even alcohol-free drinks influenced by ingredients such as yuzu, and umé round out the collection. Through all of this, we want everyone to indulge in enjoyable recollections of the past with our entire cocktail menu being named after great albums from the 90’s & 2000’s.

4. noa

4.4

Awesome(158)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 7 times today

Noa, situated in the IDS Center in the heart of Minneapolis, provides guests with chef-crafted dishes in a welcoming and expansive setting. The restaurant exudes a cozy ambiance and vibrant energy, offering a selection of upscale yet accessible menu options. Featuring earthy hues and abundant natural light and greenery, Noa creates a relaxed environment for visitors throughout the year. Additionally, the establishment includes a private dining space for hosting events and is capable of handling large orders and accommodating special requests.

5. Young Joni

4.7

Exceptional(809)

Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Northeast Minneapolis

Booked 47 times today

Young Joni is James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim's restaurant located in the Arts District of Northeast Minneapolis. The menu is inspired by wood fire cooking and features an array of globally influenced dishes and signature pizzas. Dining Room reservations are offered for dinner and weekend brunch; walk-ins are available at our bar and community table.Young Joni is the recipient of 2019's James Beard Award for "Best Chef Midwest"; it has been featured in the New York Times and Vogue, and on Netflix's "Chef's Table: Pizza." Tucked discreetly behind Young Joni is the back bar, serving full and no-proof craft cocktails and pizzas in a warm, analog setting. Esquire named it one of 2019's Best Bars in America and Eater called it an "Essential Minneapolis Bar." Walk down the alley alongside Young Joni and look for the red light; when the light is on, the back bar is open. Back bar reservations are available, and walk-ins are always welcome.

6. Blondette

4.0

Excellent(105)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 12 times today

Blondette is a French-inspired restaurant, concepted by award-winning Chef Daniel del Prado, offering traditional French cuisine fused with Pacific Northwest ingredients. Housed in a glass-covered atrium complete with an outdoor terrace and one of Minneapolis’ only retractable roofs, Blondette invites guests to mix and mingle under the stars all year long. In addition to dinner daily, each Saturday and Sunday, Blondette serves up elevated brunch fare from 9am - 2pm. Reservations recommended but not required. We also offer curated holiday menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter and Mother's Day. LOCATION: Blondette is located on the 5th floor of the iconic Rand Tower Hotel, conveniently attached to the Downtown Minneapolis Skyway. Each of Rand Tower Hotel’s restaurants and bars is a destination all its own, offering locals and travelers a unique culinary journey they won’t find anywhere else.PARKING: $10 valet parking is available with dining validation.

A photo of The Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

7. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(2865)

Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 57 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

A photo of Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge restaurant

8. Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge

4.8

Exceptional(6199)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 33 times today

Welcome to Murray's Restaurant. Minneapolis' original restaurant for steak since 1946 & home of the award winning Silver Butterknife Steak dinner for two. Also known for mouth watering garlic toast, Hickory Smoked shrimp appetizer, and home baked pies. Well into its third generation of family ownership, Murray's stands out among local and out of town diners alike as a true Twin Cities landmark & continues to provide the best in food and service as it did in 1946.

9. Milwaukee Road

4.1

Excellent(214)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 8 times today

Milwaukee Road at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot is a favorite among guests as well as Twin Cities residents, featuring distinct menus with specialized and local flare. You can always count on Milwaukee Road for a hearty breakfast buffet to start the day, followed by unique regional lunch and dinner entrées.Our chef combines the best of regional culinary specialties with memorable dishes and tempting desserts – any of which pairs beautifully with a selection from our wine list or one of our many regional craft ales. Enjoy your meal in the gorgeous restaurant dining room or our outdoor seasonal patio; you'll find either setting to be warm, welcoming and distinctly Minnesota.

10. The Smack Shack

4.6

Exceptional(1739)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 25 times today

Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for dining room only, patio seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please check in with hosts upon arrival for patio seating.Although named for the boats used to catch lobster, Smack Shack was launched as a food truck in 2010 serving lobster rolls from a land-locked downtown Minneapolis parking lot. Owner Josh Thoma had a great recipe and a belief that appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild caught or farm raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
BethVIP
Cincinnati / Dayton •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Our service was great. The cinnamon roll was delicious.
More info
Nolo's Kitchen & BarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
S
Steve
Kansas City / Kansas •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Amazing food. Service was just okay. Could have been a bad day for our server.
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Young JoniPrice: Expensive• Pizzeria• Northeast Minneapolis
•
4.7
KJ
KimberlyJ
St. Louis •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Get the “chefs choice”. You will not be disappointed. Amazing.
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TullibeePrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
“Walking into Billy After Dark felt like stepping into another world—a perfect blend of mystery, energy, and charm. From the moment we arrived, the vibe was electric. The space is impeccably designed, with just the right amount of cozy intimacy and upbeat energy. Our server, Maddie, was phenomenal—attentive, personable, and had excellent recommendations. You could tell she genuinely loved what she was doing, and it made our experience all the more special. The food? Absolutely incredible. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, bursting with flavor, and perfect for sharing. It’s rare to find a place that nails both the food and the atmosphere so flawlessly. Hats off to the ownership and staff who have clearly poured their hearts into this place. They’ve created something truly exceptional—a fun, high-quality experience that works whether you’re celebrating with a big group or having an intimate night out. I can’t wait to come back!”
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Billy After DarkPrice: Moderate• Speakeasy• Downtown / Mill District
•
5
R
RoshanVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •155 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 2, 2024
Loved that OpenTable reservation was easy to make and honored as soon as I arrived. Katie sat me, and was our server. She was engaging, energetic, and versed in the menu. Our meals - Buffalo chicken salad and Birria Ramen - were well plated, strong portion size, and delicious. We sat on the outer courtyard seating, which was both pleasant and more open. Efficient lunch with great service.
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noaPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.4

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Downtown St. Paul

Best Cozy Restaurants in Downtown St. Paul

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58 restaurants available nearby

1. Tullibee

2. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

3. Billy After Dark

4. noa

5. Young Joni

6. Blondette

7. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

8. Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge

9. Milwaukee Road

10. The Smack Shack

See what locals rave about

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