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1881 Eating House, Saint Paul, MN

1881 Eating House

4.2 (159)
$30 and under
American
214 4th St E suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
A century and a half ago, Eating Houses transformed train stations into more than mere transit points—they became destinations. More than restaurants, they offered warmth, connection, and a taste of home. That’s who we are: a place where history lingers, bold flavors bring comfort, and every guest becomes part of the story.

1881 Eating House is a modern gastropub nestled in the heart of St. Paul’s historic Union Depot. Here, the building’s rich past meets a lively, contemporary atmosphere—perfect for any occasion. Our menu features bold, innovative dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and local brews, all served in a stylish yet welcoming space.

Whether you’re stopping by for a laid-back night out, a first date, or a quick bite before your train, 1881 Eating House is where you gather, savor, and enjoy.

The name "1881" pays homage to the year both the original Union Depot and our partner restaurant, Lake Elmo Inn, opened—reflecting the deep historical connection we proudly carry forward.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Gastro Pub
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Fri 10:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 9:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 9:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Catering
    Lake Elmo Inn Catering (our sister company) is the exclusive Caterer for Union Depot. We are also able to cater any off-site events within the area. For information and booking please contact us at 651-779-5994
  • Neighborhood
    Saint Paul
  • Cross street
    4th Street East & Wacouta Street. Parking lot is off of Kellogg Blvd
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Union Depot Station (light rail station) is outside the front of the building. Public bus stop is at Union Depot, along with the Amtrak.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Summer Sparklers Wine Dinner

    $125.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jul 26, 2025 only
    6:00 PM
    Summer Sparklers on the Patio An Intimate Evening of Bubbles, Flavor, and Sunset Light Let the evening glow set the tone as you settle into the charm of the 1881 Patio for a night designed to captivate the senses. On Friday, July 26 at 6:00 PM, we invite you to a thoughtfully curated wine dinner where each course is paired with a sparkling selection from around the world—light, crisp, effervescent, and unforgettable. As twilight stretches across the Depot, enjoy the romance of fine dining under open skies with this six-course menu: ✨ Welcome Potato Chips with Sour Cream & Chives Laurent-Perrier “La Cuvée” Brut — Champagne, France ✨ Amuse Bouche Gazpacho with Goat Cheese, Chive Oil, Chili Oil, Crème Fraîche, Pistachio Broadbent Vinho Verde — Minho, Portugal ✨ First Course Duck Confit Salad with Orange, Blueberry Vinaigrette, Pickled Shallots, Pickled Watermelon DuoMa ‘Pet Nat’ Brut Rosé — Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico ✨ Second Course Spring Bucatini with Trout, Prosciutto, Tomatoes, Butter Sauce, Fried Skin Lini 910 Labrusca Rosso — Emilia-Romagna, Italy ✨ Third Course Char-Grilled Beef Tenderloin with BBQ Sauce, Grilled Vegetables, Potatoes Mollydooker Sparkling Shiraz — South Australia, Australia ✨ Cheese Course Assorted Cheeses with Jellies, Bread, Crackers, Nuts, and Honey Biagio Moscato d’Asti — Piedmont, Italy Let the evening linger with laughter, candlelight, and the gentle fizz of summer’s finest pairings. Seating is limited—reserve your place at the table where sparkle meets soul. *In the case of bad weather the dinner will be moved to our Upstairs Mezzanine
    Summer Sparklers Wine Dinner Photo
  • Worldly Whisky Dinner

    $75.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jun 27, 2025 only
    5:30 PM
    Worldly Whisky Dinner: A Guided Tasting Experience at 1881 Take your palate on a global journey at the Worldly Whisky Dinner, hosted at 1881 Eating House on Friday, June 27th, in our upstairs Mezzanine. This is more than a dinner — it’s an interactive whisky class led by Melissa Ginzburg, Midwest Sales Manager for ImpEx Beverages. Melissa will guide you through an exceptional lineup of four international whiskies, each thoughtfully paired with a course designed to highlight its unique character. You’ll taste your way through single malts and world whiskies from Scotland to India and beyond, gaining insight into the distilleries, flavor profiles, and expert tips on pairing whiskey with food. Expect a fun, relaxed, and flavor-packed evening made for both the whiskey-curious and seasoned sippers alike. Event Details: Date: Friday, June 27 Time: 5:30 PM Price: $75 per person Seating: Limited to 40 guests Includes a welcome drink, four-course dinner, and guided whisky education. Whisky: Filey Bay Yorkshire Glenallchie 12 Pokeno Orgin Single Malts of Scotland Caol Ila 10 Dinner: Bacon Wrapped Dates Lox Crostini Maple-Glazed Pork Belly Steak Kabobs with Chimichurri Expand your whisky knowledge. Eat well. Sip better. **tax is included, but gratuity is not
    Worldly Whisky Dinner Photo
  • The Glizzy Tower

    $55.00 per party

    Mar 28, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025
    THE GLIZZY TOWER HAS ARRIVED. Seafood towers are out — hot dog towers are in. Gather the crew and take on the Glizzy Tower. Each tower comes stacked with 8 hot dogs, a mountain of fries, and signature condiments to dunk, drizzle, or drown. Hot Dogs can be served traditional dog or dog of the day. This is your new pre-game tradition. Limited time only. Weekends only.
    The Glizzy Tower Photo

What 159 people are saying

1881 Eating House reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.0Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Best Ambiance

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Good for groups

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Good for special occasions

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
1881 Eating House offers a memorable dining experience at Union Depot, blending "elegant and historical ambiance" with a unique menu that caters to all tastes. Guests appreciate the "excellent service" and diverse options, from brunch to dinner. "Amazing food and service" make it a "gem" worth revisiting.
159 Reviews
  1. Marc

    Minneapolis - St. Paul21 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    While we enjoyed the food and the server did her best. The timing of the meal was terrible. We arrived for an 8:00 reservation and did not receive food until 9:00. It was not busy at the time. There were perhaps four tables and two people at the bar. The drink order took forever, and the food took much longer. Hunter Pie was quite tasty. The meat was tender and well seasoned. The cheesecake was quite good. Given that this is a offshoot of the lake Elmo inn, it's hard to understand the inattention to service. We don't plan on returning.

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  2. Laurie

    Minneapolis - St. Paul9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmosphere and wonderful food! Loved our first visit there!!!

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  3. Madeleine

    Minneapolis - St. Paul2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    It was mediocre.This is my third time dining and wont be back. Really wanted to love it since I live downtown but the service is not good.

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  4. Lori

    Minneapolis - St. Paul1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We visited 1881 Eating House for a work gathering to celebrate the retirement of a co-worker. Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. The sandwiches were all exceptional, including the cranberry turkey, chicken salad croissant, and the avocado BLT. The service was also exceptional. Our server Alyssa was friendly and very helpful. We all would recommend this restaurant for a lunch or evening dinner.

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  5. Jim

    Mississippi1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great server in Chris and we shared all of our dishes with our group. French onion soup, wedge, hamburger and sunnies and chips was all delicious. Enjoyable dinner

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  6. Lydia

    Minneapolis - St. Paul1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service and food were excellent! We will be back for sure!

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  7. Juli

    New Orleans / Louisiana3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed a wonderful brunch on the patio. The service was exceptional and the atmosphere was exactly what we were hoping for. I can’t wait to return!

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  8. Gerilyn

    Minneapolis - St. Paul1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fantastic. Some common entrees with Lake Elmo Inn and some new and seasonal items. The provoleta appetizer deserves a special call-out. The location in Union Depot is beautiful as well. Lots of people and many activities at the depot. Will definitely come back to 1881.

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  9. Grant

    Minneapolis - St. Paul1 review

    1.0

    Dined on May 30, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The drinks took forever to get because the bar was “swamped” (there were 2 people at the bar). The filet mignon was undercooked and cold in the middle and they forgot to serve it with their bernaise sauce and mushrooms (which took about 20 minutes for them to get after our entree’s were brought to us). I will definitely not be back.

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  10. Deb

    Minneapolis - St. Paul2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was great, one of the best breakfast sandwiches we've ever had. Had a small issue with the salad ordered but they made it right and was very apologetic. Great service!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

1881 Eating House is rated 4.2 stars by 159 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Minneapolis - St. Paul
  4. Twin Cities / St. Paul
  5. Saint Paul

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for 1881 Eating House

214 4th St E suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    4th Street East & Wacouta Street. Parking lot is off of Kellogg Blvd
  • Neighborhood
    Saint Paul
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Fri 10:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 9:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 9:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Gastro Pub
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Union Depot Station (light rail station) is outside the front of the building. Public bus stop is at Union Depot, along with the Amtrak.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Lake Elmo Inn Catering (our sister company) is the exclusive Caterer for Union Depot. We are also able to cater any off-site events within the area. For information and booking please contact us at 651-779-5994
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