As a Saint Paul native but a current Minneapolis resident, I always end up traveling all around the metro area to meet friends and family for a bite to eat or a drink out. One of the requests I get most often is for a list of local recommendations from friends and blog readers. So, I thought I’d finally put together a list of places that I typically choose from when I’m out and about, from breakfast to dinner to drinks to espresso shots in between. I plan to keep updating it as I discover new favorites, or remember old classics. Buon appetito!

Saint Paul

Downtown

• Cossetta’s: ever the establishment for Italian comfort food, Cossetta’s feels like home. I’ve had many a family dinner there, in good times and bad, and there’s just something so special about the history (and the mostaccioli).
• Louis Ristorante & Bar: placed above Cossetta’s after its big remodel, Louis’s is another great option for Italian dining downtown. The rooftop (one of the few downtown) is magical, I’m vowing to spend more time there this summer.
• The Liffey Irish Pub: as Irish pub-like as it gets, with one of the best rooftop views of the Cathedral. Great spot for a fresh salad in the summertime, or a cozy meal of fish and chips inside the pub. Try a big ginger while you’re there to really get into the Irish spirit(s).
• Pajarito: I still haven’t been to this Mexican joint, the new kid on the block down West Seventh, but my parents love it!
• Cafe Astoria: if you like lattes dripping in gold, this is the place for you. It’s often packed full of people trying to get the right shot for their Instagram, but I prefer to head there for an americano (they use Italian coffee) and a savory crepe. It’s one of the few places where you can find a well-made crepe, perfect on a rainy or snowy day!

Lowertown

• Barrio: the only place I go when I’m craving a margarita. With its prime location on Mears Park, you’ll want to consume all the chips and guac while the cool summer breeze blows in through the open windows. Additional locations throughout the metro.
• Black Dog Cafe: another Lowertown staple, I almost don’t want to share this spot because it’s become a very (not-crowded) favorite. I love it for a simple breakfast between church and hitting the market, and they also often have live music at night.

Cathedral Hill

• The Gnome Craft Pub: this patio in the fall, when the fire is roaring and the string lights are on, is one of my favorite places in Saint Paul. Their seasonal menu is always full of surprises, but some tried-and-true favorites are the baby kale salad and the tater tots during happy hour.
• Red Cow: a staple in the world of burgers, but I like them for their ample plant-based options! Order the impossible burger for the most realistic taste, but vegan. Additional locations in Uptown and the North Loop.
• La Grolla: another favorite Italian establishment (I have a few in the metro area), especially for celebrating special occasions. They always deliver perfect ambiance and service. For a real Italian experience, end your meal by sipping limoncello and making toasts with your dinner dates.
• Nina’s Coffee Café: it’s hard to put into words this place, my favorite cafe and the place where I have spent countless hours writing, blogging, doing homework, catching up with my sister over a latte…it is effortlessly a coffee shop and a gathering space for writers and creatives from all over. I love the vibes and the staff and the church pew tables by the windows.
• The Commodore: housed in the same apartment building that F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived in during their time in Saint Paul, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve completely stepped back into the jazz age in this popular bar and restaurant. I love it because they have rare Italian liqueurs on hand at the bar for a proper digestivo.
• Pizza Lucé: a little further down Selby, Pizza Lucé is a real crowd pleaser. I love their “rinotta” cheese, it’s vegan ricotta that really tastes like the real thing. They have a menu that extends far beyond pizza, if you’re looking to please everyone. Additional locations all over the metro, with free delivery.

Highland Park

• Punch Neapolitan Pizza: the original location and the only one with servers and an expanded menu. Try the burrata to start! Additional locations.
• Due Focacceria: the duo behind Italian Eatery have opened a second location and based on their Instagram alone I can’t wait to visit! They took over the small corner lot on Fairview and Randolph and have made it into something beautiful. Word on the street is that everything is divine, and there is a walk-up take-out window involved.

Grand Avenue

• Punch Neapolitan Pizza: if you know me you know my love for Punch. I actually worked at one of their locations for a year during college (two free meals from Punch a week? Basically my dream job.) Love this location’s patio. If you’ve never been, start with the Punch salad and opt for a Toto or Toscano pizza. If it’s a hot summer day, go with the Mimi. Additional locations.
• Cafe Latte: Saint Paul’s most popular cafeteria -style restaurant. It’s my favorite place on a fall day, their soups (especially the black bean chili) are truly some of the best. And somehow their Tres Leche cake has become our official family birthday cake. It’s easy to see why once you’ve tried a slice.
• Bread & Chocolate: Cafe Latte’s sister, located just across the street, is a the best place for a fresh croissant or pastry, paired with an expertly crafted espresso drink. Don’t forget to ask for homemade whipped cream on top of your drink.
• Red Rabbit: Grand Avenue’s newest addition which quickly became a family go-to, for brunch and dinner alike. We love to start with their toasts, and each time I go it’s a hard decision which pasta to go for. If you’re in the mood for pizza, try the margherita with burrata. Additional location in the North Loop.
• Colossal Cafe: this is my favorite spot for breakfast when catching up with friends. Their coffee is really good, which calls for ample refills, and their pancakes are unlike anyone else’s. My favorite are the ones stacked high with fruit. Their omelets are some of the best I’ve ever had, too.
• Hyacinth: relatively new, this little Italian joint has taken the neighborhood by storm. Reservations are hard to come by, as the space is small, but once you’re there you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean with the crisp white walls, antique dishes, and pops of blue. The food was really good, I’d go back in a heartbeat.
• French Meadow Bakery & Cafe: my go-to spot for large group brunches or to meet a friend with dietary restrictions, because the menu is so accommodating and the atmosphere is cozy and warm, no matter the season. Their greens are magical, I get them as a side whenever I go! Additional location in Uptown.
• Shish: this spot has seen a revival with its recent remodel, but it’s delicious Mediterranean food has stayed the same, and I’m so glad! It’s the best place to cure a craving for a gyro, and don’t forget to try their fries (the special seasoning on them is addicting).

Minneapolis

Uptown

• Hammer & Sickle: if you’re Polish then you know, good pierogi are hard to come by. But this place does them right, with a modern take on their fillings and toppings. Plus it’s hard to beat two-for-one mules and their long happy hours in a moody atmosphere.
• Rinata Restaurant: I almost didn’t want to include this place because it’s my secret spot, but it should be shared with the world. Located right on Hennepin, the business of Uptown is lost once you walk through the door, and it feels like you’re in a small Italian trattoria instead. From the drinks to the food to the great happy hour pricing, there’s every reason to return. They even do a great Sunday date night menu, and the same on special holidays like New Years Eve.
• Moto-i: I just discovered this Japanese spot last summer when my friend and I were searching for a patio, and it is perfect! The food is delicious, with a lot of small plate options that are great for hot summer days.
• The Lynhall: one of my favorite places to post up and get some work done, preferably with one of their iced matcha lattes. They also hold special workshops and host different chefs, so check out their website to see what’s happening before you go.
• Amazing Thailand: cheesy name but I love their huge menu (okay, all Thai places have huge menus). They have a delish pad thai and a great lunch deal if you’re ever in the area for lunch!
• Fig + Farro: relatively new, this spot on a prime corner in Uptown serves up plant-based dishes loaded with flavor. The space is cozy and eclectic and actually quite big, so reservations aren’t always required.

Linden Hills

• Martina: I haven’t been yet but I’ve heard that this place is the real deal. Three of my friends went and they all ordered the gnocchi, so yeah, order the gnocchi.
• Naviya’s Thai Brasserie: I have many happy memories here, eating the best Thai food in their simple yet chic interior. Everything on the menu is good, so don’t hold back! Make a reservation if you’re headed there on the weekend with more than two people.
• Broder’s Pasta Bar: yes, this is another Italian restaurant, but let me tell you-it’s so worth the wait. The menu is highly authentic and inventive, and people go crazy over it (hence the wait since they don’t take reservations).
• Pizzeria Lola: another spot with a lot of hype but one that it fully lives up to. Inventive, Neapolitan style pizzas are one of my favorite things on this Earth.

Loring Park

• Café and Bar Lurcat: a delicious place if you want to have a really nice dinner. My cousin and I celebrated the New Year with a three-course dinner (we both had holiday gift cards from work) and limoncello toasts. Read our New Years tradition here.
• The Bird: my friends and I stopped here for a Saturday morning snack after visiting a nearby craft fair. I had a delicious latte while they sipped mimosas, and we snacked on mini donuts (with chocolate, so very churro-style) and chips and guac. A lovely place to spend a sunny weekend morning in Loring Park.

Eat Street

• Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza: this is a joint known for its pizzas, but I mainly go for their house salad, it’s so delish! Great spot if you’re with a group and want to split a few delicious pizzas. Additional locations in Saint Paul, the North Loop, and MSP Airport (surprisingly affordable for being in the airport, too!).

Northeast

• Norseman Distillery: this warehouse space-turned-distillery is a fun spot for a drink, especially in the summer when they’re serving their specialty cocktail slushies.
• Sociable Cider Werks: a favorite among gluten-free friends, Sociable has a very laid-back and rustic vibe but the flights of flavorful cider make it worth the picnic table seating.
• Young Joni: this place is SO popular, it’s best to have a reservation. I’ve heard the drinks are as delicious as the out-of-the-box pizzas. The interiors make you feel like you’ve escaped into a chic jungle.
• Centro at Popol Vuh: I’m not usually into tacos but I totally was when my friends invited me to meet them here for a late dinner one night. The fish tacos were super tasty and the atmosphere was really fun and young.
• Betty Danger’s Country Club: the best place if you want to feel like a kid at the carnival. Their drinks are fun and riding the ferris wheel gives you the feeling that you’re 16 again, or in that famous scene in The Notebook. Plus the views are hard to beat. There’s mini golf, too, and old fashioned ferris wheel seating.

Lake Nokomis

• Italian Eatery: I’ve been wanting to try this place for sooo long because their Instagram is fire, and I finally had the chance this summer. It’s definitely on my list for favorite Italian restaurants, and the prices were reasonable for the quality. I thought it was delicious, the patio was lovely, and the service was timed just like it is in Italy, nice and slow so you can actually enjoy your company.

Longfellow/Hiawatha

• Sea Salt Eatery: go for the relaxed atmosphere of the park at Minnehaha falls, and stay for the seafood and fresh lemonade.  
• Longfellow Grill: a great gathering spot for friends, this restaurant lies just across the river from St. Paul and is a neighborhood staple. The patio is great for lingering brunches.