Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Twin Cities / St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Twin Cities / St. Paul? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

joan's in the Park

5.0

5 (2128)

$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

PhilipVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Stunning food coupled with stunning service created a stunning evening! Thank you…..

Crasqui

4.9

4.9 (105)

$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

JulieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always an amazing experience - great food and service!

Boca Chica Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1407)

$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

Lisa

Dined 2 days ago

Great food and ambiance! Our fav local Mexican restaurant.

Parlour St. Paul

4.8

4.8 (39)

$30 and under

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Parlour St. Paul is a casual diner and craft cocktail bar located blocks from downtown St. Paul and the Xcel Energy Center. Try the famous Parlour Burger, a double patty smash burger with American cheese and pickles or one of our other unique and delicious items while having a craft cocktail. We serve lunch Wednesday - Friday, brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11 am and more eclectic dishes in addition to breakfast food all day. We offer complimentary Valet service before an Xcel game or event.

Top review

Eddie

Dined 2 days ago

Highly recommend the entire experience especially old fashioned, burger & chicken sandwich

The Lexington

4.8

4.8 (3045)

$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

RichVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Chuck B was fantastic. Love sitting in the Williamsburg room. The live jazz is awesome

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (674)

$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

MichelleVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was wonderful. The food was delicious, the cocktails were perfect, and the service was outstanding.

Back Bar

4.7

4.7 (6)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Sheridan

About the restaurant

We like to keep the vibes relaxed and communal at Back Bar. To keep the vibes vibin’, we’ve decided to no longer offer reservations for Back Bar via OpenTable so that we can be your go-to for a spontaneous meet-up with friends or pre-dinner drink. We will honor all current reservations.

Look for the red light in the alley. When the light is on, the back bar is open.
We open at 4 pm Wednesday - Saturday.

Top review

Anders

Dined on 15 Feb 2025

Cozy and uniquely gorgeous little speakeasy. Lively, but not overcrowded at all, even on Valentine’s Day. Great spot for conversation, though it’s possible you’ll be seated close to others with some unconventional seating (not bad however). Pizza and cocktails are incredible. Music plays on film reels. The drink menu changes occasionally and always fun and totally unique.

Downtowner Woodfire Grill

4.7

4.7 (3844)

$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

Debra

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and service! A wonderful place to celebrate my father's birthday!

The Handsome Hog

4.8

4.8 (191)

$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

JoAnn

Dined on 20 Feb 2025

First time at Handsome Hog and the food was delicious. We celebrated our son birthday and they did an amazing job. We will definitely go back.

Discover more

Popular dish

Chicken 'n' Waffles

Popular dish

Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich

Popular dish

Spare Ribs

Kincaid's - St. Paul

4.6

4.6 (5055)

$30 and under

Seafood

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Artfully serving quality steaks, and fresh and innovative seafood since 1986. Enjoy lunch, dinner or perhaps a special business or romantic occasion in our warm and inviting dining room.

Top review

HelenVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Dining at Kincaid’s is always a wonderful experience. I go there frequently with friends and we always find the food, ambiance, service and management to be top rate. While I dine there with a variety of people, they all always agree that Kincaid’s is the best. Helen Wagner

Discover more

Popular dish

Walleye

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

Explore more Diners' Choice lists