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

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Boca Chica Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1420)

$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

bjoern

Dined 5 days ago

Good food. Overall good experience. Will somit again if we are in the area.

The Lexington

4.8

4.8 (3110)

$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

Daniel

Dined 1 day ago

First time on the rooftop and loved it. Will be back soon! Very cozy, nice ambiance and always great service!

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4.8

4.8 (147)

$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

Hector

Dined 5 days ago

We went to celebrate our anniversary and were absolutely delighted. From the moment we arrived, the staff made a beautiful gesture by decorating our table with little hearts and welcoming us with two glasses of delicious sparkling wine. The food was outstanding from start to finish. The appetizer—crispy pork belly with guasacaca sauce—was bursting with flavor. For the main course, the fish was perfectly cooked with fresh, well-balanced flavors, and the “Domingo” grill was amazing: juicy meat, flavorful sausages, and the morcilla was simply perfect. The cocktails were also a highlight—very tasty, fresh, and beautifully served with attention to detail. And the dessert… what a treat! It was one of the things we loved the most. The combination of flavors was incredible and the perfect way to end a night of delicious food. The service was impeccable. The entire staff was kind, attentive, and gave us great recommendations. We absolutely recommend this place 100%. From today on, it’s officially one of our favorite restaurants. An experience worth repeating!

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Experience

Paella & Sangria Sundays

Experience

Paella & Sangria Sundays

Experience

Date Night Wednesdays!

Holman's Table

4.7

4.7 (751)

$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

Lani

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Always a great spot for a special occasion or casual get together.

Parlour St. Paul

4.7

4.7 (70)

$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

Bradley

Dined 7 days ago

I must say we had a wonderful time and experience at the Parlour St. Paul location. We went out to celebrate my wife's birthday and when we arrived there was a hand-written colorful birthday card for my wife already on the table they had reserved for us after I made the reservation. Our server, Samantha M, was very attentive, made wonderful suggestions for cocktails and food, and provided my wife with a complimentary drink and dessert for her birthday. The food was delicious, as always, and the atmosphere and service was spectacular. I love all the food items but I especially go there for the Parlour burger, cocktails, and popcorn. We had a wonderful experience and I would definitely return again and recommend the Parlour St. Paul location to anyone. Thanks again for the wonderful experience and service.

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Experience

Parlour Beer Dinner with Pryes Brewing Company

Kincaid's - St. Paul

4.5

4.5 (5094)

$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

SariVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely staff and wonderful food selection! Great location in St. Paul

Bullvino's Churrascaria St. Paul

4.5

4.5 (1341)

$31 to $50

Brazilian Steakhouse

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Bullvino's Churrascaria is a family owned traditional Brazilian steakhouse located in Lowertown St. Paul, MN. Churrascaria, which translates from the Portuguese word "barbecue" is served all-you-can-eat. Roving waiters serve the barbecued meats from large skewers directly onto the seated diners' plates allowing each guest to enjoy a variety of options. Included in our flat rate pricing is our large self serve salad bar which has a wide range of salads, soups, meats, and cheeses.

Bullvino's Churrascaria was established in the spring of 2021 by two partners who each have a lifetime of experience working in churrascaria style restaurants. Through their experience they have assembled a dedicated team of service professionals who have perfected the art of churrascaria down to the finest detail.

Bullvino's Churrascaria is the product of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, and Brazilian pride. We welcome you to come visit and enjoy the heart o

Top review

Alexander

Dined 6 days ago

One of the best places to eat if you’re a fan of unlimited perfectly cooked steak served by a very attentive well trained staff, try this place

Bennett's Chop & Railhouse

4.4

4.4 (1371)

$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

Amy

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome service, amazing food!! We absolutely love going here.

The Handsome Hog

4.4

4.4 (201)

$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

fredVIP

Dined on May 30, 2025

Fun fun time on a beautiful patio Great HH food and beers

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Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich

1881 Eating House

4.3

4.3 (156)

$30 and under

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Lori

Dined 2 days ago

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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