Guidebook for Saint Paul
Essentials
Hot and cold deli, salad bar, fresh fruits and veggies—and an extensive collection of health and beauty products.
75 locals recommend
Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op
622 Selby AveHot and cold deli, salad bar, fresh fruits and veggies—and an extensive collection of health and beauty products.
What the nearby Mississippi Coop Market may not have, Kowalski's will. Their deli is extraordinary, and the cheese collection is more than you can take in on one visit.
166 locals recommend
Kowalski's Market
2440 Hennepin AveWhat the nearby Mississippi Coop Market may not have, Kowalski's will. Their deli is extraordinary, and the cheese collection is more than you can take in on one visit.
It's just a bit of a drive to Trader Joe's, and if you like their top-quality frozen meals, the drive is worth it.
82 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
4270 W 78th StIt's just a bit of a drive to Trader Joe's, and if you like their top-quality frozen meals, the drive is worth it.
This is a HUGE market with every known Asian vegetable, every unusual fruit, and a fish market that goes on and on.
Dragon Star Oriental Foods
633 W Minnehaha AveThis is a HUGE market with every known Asian vegetable, every unusual fruit, and a fish market that goes on and on.
Shopping
Walgreens
734 Grand AvePrescription drugs and a fully loaded generic drugstore.
The finest artists in the Midwest—and we have some extraordinary potters, textile artists, and jewelers--sell their work here.
6 locals recommend
The Grand Hand Gallery
619 Grand AveThe finest artists in the Midwest—and we have some extraordinary potters, textile artists, and jewelers--sell their work here.
Fair trade imports from everywhere, beautifully chosen and sold at a fair price. It's a great place for gifts.
6 locals recommend
Ten Thousand Villages
520 Selby AveFair trade imports from everywhere, beautifully chosen and sold at a fair price. It's a great place for gifts.
Entertainment & Activities
Pool, whirlpool, sauna, plus all the exercise equipment anyone could want.
6 locals recommend
YWCA St. Paul
375 Selby AvePool, whirlpool, sauna, plus all the exercise equipment anyone could want.
Cafeteria with the BEST desserts to offset healthy soups and salads, pizza bar, and top-notch cooking all the way.
70 locals recommend
Cafe Latte
850 Grand AveCafeteria with the BEST desserts to offset healthy soups and salads, pizza bar, and top-notch cooking all the way.
Sure, they have pizza, but you're here for the ice cream. Too many flavors to mention and on freshly baked waffle cones whose aroma wafts into the street. In summer, the line stretches way out.
27 locals recommend
Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza
750 Grand AveSure, they have pizza, but you're here for the ice cream. Too many flavors to mention and on freshly baked waffle cones whose aroma wafts into the street. In summer, the line stretches way out.
Bars Bakery
612 Selby AveHigh quality baked goods with a flair.
The museum is not to be missed—even if you don't have kids. If you do have kids, go here right away and they'll be busy for hours.
97 locals recommend
Minnesota Children's Museum
10 7th Street WestThe museum is not to be missed—even if you don't have kids. If you do have kids, go here right away and they'll be busy for hours.
Sightseeing
Capitol
It's an outstanding building designed by Cass Gilbert.
Many cathedrals I've visited in Europe don't hold a candle to this one. It's a straight shot to the Capitol and the Cathedral is on the higher hill.
95 locals recommend
Cathedral of Saint Paul
239 Selby AveMany cathedrals I've visited in Europe don't hold a candle to this one. It's a straight shot to the Capitol and the Cathedral is on the higher hill.
Known for global studies and the humanities…a top-notch private college.
16 locals recommend
Macalester College
1600 Grand AveKnown for global studies and the humanities…a top-notch private college.
Drinks & Nightlife
W. A. Frost and Company
374 Selby AveFine dining by the fireplace or on the gorgeous patio.
Extraordinary collection of vodkas, exquisite meals, lovely tiny courtyard in back.
46 locals recommend
Moscow on the Hill
371 Selby AveExtraordinary collection of vodkas, exquisite meals, lovely tiny courtyard in back.
Don't miss this sweet bar in an old firehouse, and if you go, don't just stick to drinks. Their food is pretty fine, too.
47 locals recommend
The Happy Gnome
498 Selby AveDon't miss this sweet bar in an old firehouse, and if you go, don't just stick to drinks. Their food is pretty fine, too.
Known for their walleye dinner, but competently preparing good home cooking fare, the tavern has the feel of a cozy "Up North" cabin.
11 locals recommend
Tavern On Grand
656 Grand AveKnown for their walleye dinner, but competently preparing good home cooking fare, the tavern has the feel of a cozy "Up North" cabin.
Happy Hour means $0.95 tacos, and you can have as many as you want. The beer choices are fabulous, service is quick, and the scene is both vibrant and laid back.
16 locals recommend
Sweeney's Saloon
96 Dale St NHappy Hour means $0.95 tacos, and you can have as many as you want. The beer choices are fabulous, service is quick, and the scene is both vibrant and laid back.
Food Scene
Homegrown Super coffee shop with sandwiches, salads, and a bookstore just below.
40 locals recommend
Nina's Coffee Cafe
165 Western Ave NHomegrown Super coffee shop with sandwiches, salads, and a bookstore just below.
This is not just a restaurant. It's a full Italian bakery, grocery, cafeteria, exquisite upstairs restaurant, and rooftop bar with a great happy hour.
68 locals recommend
Cossetta
211 7th St WThis is not just a restaurant. It's a full Italian bakery, grocery, cafeteria, exquisite upstairs restaurant, and rooftop bar with a great happy hour.
Meryl Streep pronounced their Borgata the best pizza she'd ever tasted in all her travels. And Meryl was right.
29 locals recommend
Punch Pizza Grand Avenue
769 Grand AveMeryl Streep pronounced their Borgata the best pizza she'd ever tasted in all her travels. And Meryl was right.
It's Tibetan, Indian, and vegetarian, and the lunchtime buffet is to die for.
14 locals recommend
Everest on Grand
1278 Grand AveIt's Tibetan, Indian, and vegetarian, and the lunchtime buffet is to die for.
If you want a hole in the wall with OUTSTANDING Vietnamese fare, this is it.
10 locals recommend
Trieu Chau Restaurant
500 University Avenue WestIf you want a hole in the wall with OUTSTANDING Vietnamese fare, this is it.
iPho by Saigon
704 University Ave WSt Paul's extensive Cambodian and Vietnamese community eats here.
Pizza Luce delivers!! Their Athena pizza is my favorite, but I've never had a bad meal from the Luce.
99 locals recommend
Pizza Luce
2200 E Franklin AvePizza Luce delivers!! Their Athena pizza is my favorite, but I've never had a bad meal from the Luce.
Stroll over to the Mango and sit outside if weather permits. The place is small, clean, and a purveyer of terrific food. Their noodle dishes are the best.
Mango Thai Cuisine
610 Selby AveStroll over to the Mango and sit outside if weather permits. The place is small, clean, and a purveyer of terrific food. Their noodle dishes are the best.
I love this place for breakfast: sumptuous, delicious, and too many to choose from.
12 locals recommend
The French Hen Cafe
518 Selby AveI love this place for breakfast: sumptuous, delicious, and too many to choose from.
HUGE menu of consistently delicious meals at ridiculously low prices. Try the soups on a winter day and you're restored.
7 locals recommend
Cheng Heng Restaurant
448 University Ave WHUGE menu of consistently delicious meals at ridiculously low prices. Try the soups on a winter day and you're restored.
This is where F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald went to drink, and it's done up to look as it did when they were clinking their glasses. If you want to eat at the restaurant, make reservations WAY in advance. Or just stop at the bar and have a drink with some luscious appetizers. That serves as dinner for many of us, and I'm sure the Fitzgeralds would agree.
14 locals recommend
The Commodore Bar & Restaurant
79 Western Ave NThis is where F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald went to drink, and it's done up to look as it did when they were clinking their glasses. If you want to eat at the restaurant, make reservations WAY in advance. Or just stop at the bar and have a drink with some luscious appetizers. That serves as dinner for many of us, and I'm sure the Fitzgeralds would agree.
This restaurant is in the Little Mekong neighborhood, so named for its many Vietnamese restaurants. Although Bangkok is Thai, you will find Vietnamese and Cambodian treats on the exhaustive menu. This is where the natives eat, so you know it's good.
Bangkok Thai Deli
333 University Ave WThis restaurant is in the Little Mekong neighborhood, so named for its many Vietnamese restaurants. Although Bangkok is Thai, you will find Vietnamese and Cambodian treats on the exhaustive menu. This is where the natives eat, so you know it's good.
Arts & Culture
Hang out with the coffee you bought upstairs, but do walk through this amazing building that was once a hangout for gangsters.
Subtext Books
6 W 5th StHang out with the coffee you bought upstairs, but do walk through this amazing building that was once a hangout for gangsters.
The Ordway itself is an exquisite building with windows facing a lovely park and shows from all over gracing its outstanding stages.
65 locals recommend
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington StThe Ordway itself is an exquisite building with windows facing a lovely park and shows from all over gracing its outstanding stages.
What started out as an intimate space for our extraordinary local performers to work has grown into a world class small theater—still intimate, always terrific.
10 locals recommend
Park Square Theatre
20 W 7th PlWhat started out as an intimate space for our extraordinary local performers to work has grown into a world class small theater—still intimate, always terrific.
History Theater
30 10th St EIf history is your passion, this theater should be your mission.
Minnesota history housed in a gorgeous granite monument. In the summer, there are ethnic music and dance Tuesdays on the lawn.
History Center Lot
Minnesota history housed in a gorgeous granite monument. In the summer, there are ethnic music and dance Tuesdays on the lawn.
The changing displays are always outstanding, but the Omni Theater is a real standout. Come for an hour and you'll stay for a half day.
235 locals recommend
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg BlvdThe changing displays are always outstanding, but the Omni Theater is a real standout. Come for an hour and you'll stay for a half day.
Grandview Theatre
1830 Grand AveI small, old, charming theater with two screening areas.