Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Twin Cities / St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Twin Cities / St. Paul? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

joan's in the Park

5.0

5 (2097)

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

joan's in the Park restaurant and full service bar is an elegantly cozy dining destination, located on Snelling Avenue in Highland Park. We offer a 4 course menu designed by Chef /owner Susan Dunlop, which includes distinctive American cuisine . We offer only the finest ingredients, sourced locally when possible. Maître d'/owner Joan Schmitt (and Highland Park native) offers first-class hospitality. Our carefully selected wine, beer and signature cocktail list will also appeal to all tastes. joan's is a must try, if you enjoy great food and amazing hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Judith

Dined 3 days ago

A gem of a restaurant! We were warmly welcome at the door, promptly seated, great 4 course menu, friendly staff and owners. Perfect place to celebrate, or just enjoy delicious food.

Crasqui

4.9

4.9 (93)

$50 and over

Venezuelan

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Crasqui is a lively Venezuelan restaurant in Saint Paul. Recipes are inspired in our chef-owner Soleil Ramirez childhood, family and friends in her home-country Venezuela.

For us Crasqui is more than just a restaurant—it’s a vessel for memories, dreams, flavors, and connections. We will keep infusing our passion, dedication and love into every dish to make every guest experience memorable.

Top review

hugh

Dined 3 days ago

What can you say about a restaurant that really has nothing to be compared to? When you are rocking original, creative, Venezuelan cuisine, in Saint Paul, the comps are hard to come by… That said, this very-chef-based small cocina is pushing out creativity and quality that belongs in downtown Minneapolis next to the best of the best. This was a place I’d been promising myself a visit for about six months and finally got there. The menu is eclectic, inspired and wholly-original. Crasqui delivers and Ms. Ramirez is a true chef. Her vision of bringing the cuisine of Venezuela to has been realized and we are lucky that she decided to grace us with her art. The pulpo (octopus) appetizer is a great treatment and fun. If the idea of it throws you; just try it. The entrees, the Conejo (rabbit) and Lomito (tenderloin) were excellent to the point of licking the plates and demanding more. To add to drama, Soleil (Ms. Ramirez) has created a cocktail program that also delivers creativity, novelty and with a serious nod to the powers far-south of the border with citrus, liqueurs and exotics that are unique and well-crafted. Her wine list is also unique and exciting, featuring wines that are uniquely sourced and well-suited to the menu. Ms. Ramirez has relationships with the importers that provide unique bottles that are worth the trip. If you go: enjoy a few of the tapas and the secondi (shareables) knowing that the mains are just what they are. Mains are clean and unadorned with sides, and as such you either fill in with the before or add-on with sides for the entree. In other words; like the rest of the culinary world, you construct your evening and eats, you don’t get an entree with meat/veg/starch. So don’t expect that. In terms of postres (after dinner/dessert) the menu offers unique pieces as well. Lots of fruit-centric yums and as decadent as you like. A companion menu of bevvies for that is also presented including very nice Cherry Wine (think heavy tawny port)

Downtowner Woodfire Grill

4.7

4.7 (3804)

$31 to $50

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

"simply beyond the ordinary"
"****" - Kathie Jenkins - Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Downtowner Woodfire Grill specializes in Persian fire roasted meats, grilled steaks and chops, and gourmet wood-fired pizzas. The atmosphere is warm & lively offering 2 fireplaces, a full bar with 3 fountains and live jazz. The restaurant offers free parking with convenience to both the Xcel Energy Center & Ordway Theater. Downtowner Woodfire Grill also provides a full menu for breakfast & lunch, and a children's menu. This cozy restaurant serves a great plate as well as provides an experience to savor.

Top review

LaurieVIP

Dined on Dec 23, 2024

Food is always great. Service is pretty good. The restaurant was very festive for the holidays.

Boca Chica Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1394)

$30 and under

Mexican

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Boca Chica Mexican Restaurant has served the flavorful, authentic cuisine of Mexico since 1964. It was then that Guillermo and Gloria Frias opened the doors to their new restaurant that seated only 28 patrons. Today, Boca Chica has grown substantially and is rated "one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Twin Cities," according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine’s March 2018 issue.

The authenticity of the food is maintained by making everything from scratch, the old-fashioned way, with fresh ingredients. Even the fiery salsa is still made with fresh tomatoes, chiles, and that special Frias family touch. Our menu includes some of the more traditional foods such as guisados, sopes, carne asada, chile rellenos, and tamales. Taste is never compromised. We also have a full bar featuring the city’s best selection of Mexican beers and premium tequilas. Voted "Best Margarita" by City Pages.

Top review

Diana

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

Always great food. Even though you pay for chips and salsa they were plentiful and generous.

Discover more

Popular dish

Enchiladas de Pueblo

The Lexington

4.7

4.7 (2987)

$31 to $50

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

The Lexington is more than a restaurant, it’s an institution. Located on the corner of Lexington Parkway and Grand Avenue, this St. Paul community was the most fashionable at the turn of the 19th century. The St. Paul elite lived just blocks away and the first electric trolley brought visitors up and down Grand Avenue. The Lexington opened in 1935, after the end of prohibition, and was a popular neighborhood bar to gather and socialize. Previously operating as a speakeasy, the expansive wood panels were perfect for hiding a little booze and one can only imagine the shenanigans going on beyond the hidden staircase behind the coat check. For decades following, The Lex, as it’s called by locals and enthusiasts alike, was the place to be seen; business dealings, cocktail hours, and milestone celebrations were a regular occurrence for St. Paul socialites.

Top review

Connie

Dined 7 days ago

Festive Christmas Eve Dinner at the Lex! Our table enjoyed the walleye cakes, wedge salad, mushroom stroganoff, White Fish Gorbachev and key lime pie.

Discover more

4.6

4.6 (603)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Intimate setting in a beautiful, historic building overlooking the runway of Holman's Field. Fresh, modern dishes complemented by a classic bar and beautiful wine list. Open to the public with no security checks required.

Top review

Karon

Dined 5 days ago

Our waitstaff was so friendly and competent. Our time there was enjoyable from seating to exiting.

Bennett's Chop & Railhouse

4.4

4.4 (1341)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

In every city, there is a natural gathering spot for city folk and neighborhood people in the know. This place in Saint Paul is know as Bennett's Chop & Railhouse. Located on West Seventh & Victoria, it is the perfect meeting place of uptown and downtown, of quiet neighborhood and big city lights.

It's called a chophouse because it specializes in a casual steakhouse atmosphere with top-of-the-line cuts of the finest meats. It is a Rail-house because it is on the old railroad line serving the city and rail drinks (as well as top brands) are served in the convivial atmosphere of the horseshoe bar.

And of course Bennett's is Bennett's because owners Joe and Meghan Bennett ensure that welcoming hospitality is always served. They have taken their decades of experiences with leading hospitality brands and translated it into an intimate venue where you're not only a customer, but more importantly, a welcome guest.

Top review

Mike

Dined 7 days ago

It’s a great institution! Great food, drinks and service. If you want a really nice steak in a casual atmosphere this is the place to be!

1881 by LEI

4.4

4.4 (104)

$30 and under

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Lake Elmo Inn is opened a new restaurant at Union Depot in Saint Paul. Owners Chef John and Christine Schiltz named 1881. The name “1881” pays homage to the year both the original Union Depot and Lake Elmo Inn opened, reflecting the deep historical connection the restaurant hopes to foster.

Offering a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn will merge the charm of a storied past with a modern culinary flair, becoming a destination for both locals and visitors.

1881 by Lake Elmo Inn is to be a place where families can build lasting memories. We want to offer an experience that generations can cherish, from proms to graduations to weddings, we’re here to make moments unforgettable.

The Menu is inspired by the success of the original Lake Elmo Inn and will include both favorites from the flagship restaurant as well as exclusive new offerings hand-crafted from fresh, local

Top review

Holly

Dined 4 days ago

Great place to go and enjoy the holidays. Food and service was great

The Handsome Hog

4.3

4.3 (185)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Handsome Hog is a St Paul favorite nestled in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. We serve contemporary Southern cuisine and boast an award-winning dinner and cocktail menu. Handsome Hog has a pig-centric menu our Chef Matt Green created an inviting variety of salads, appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The bar offers a curated bourbon menu and inventive craft cocktails and mocktails. The Handsome Hog has an elevated ambiance with a casual and friendly neighborhood vibe.
Come in and try our dry-rubbed wings, woodfire-roasted mussels, or crawfish hushpuppies to kick off your evening. Move on to the pork spare ribs, Carolina BBQ sandwich, or our mouth-watering smoked beef brisket. Our smoked creme brulee, banana pudding, or specialty cocktails are the perfect way to wrap up your evening at Handsome Hog. We are looking forward to seeing you at Handsome Hog!

Top review

Mary EllenVIP

Dined 7 days ago

seven of us, including 5 blind or visually Impaired friends, had a wonderful meal and an incredibly patient, professionnal server!

Discover more

Popular dish

Chicken 'n' Waffles

Popular dish

Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich

Buca di Beppo - St. Paul

4.2

4.2 (1142)

$30 and under

Italian

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

If you are looking for an Italian Restaurant in St. Paul, MN then come to Buca. Our Italian Restaurant serves Authentic Family Style Italian Food. When you want plentiful portions of the best tasting Italian food, you better go to Buca. Located on Gannon Road, in a bend of the Mississippi River, your St. Paul Buca is serving up authentic Italian pastas, entrees, and pizzas for lunch and dinner every day.

Top review

Chayo

Dined on Dec 23, 2024

This was a wonderful place to have a holiday lunch for my staff and co-workers. Highly recommend.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Twin Cities / St. Paul

Explore more Diners' Choice lists