The 10 Best Restaurants in Saint Paul MN 2026: Michelin Stars to New Gems – Definitive Guide

The 10 Best Restaurants in Saint Paul MN 2026: The Definitive Guide to the Capital City’s Culinary Fire

Saint Paul in 2026 is no longer the quieter Twin City — it’s Minnesota’s rising food powerhouse, where Michelin stars sparkle over Lowertown patios and James Beard winners fire up wood ovens in Cathedral Hill lofts. With 20 Michelin-starred restaurants in the Twin Cities (up 4 from 2025), a record 10 James Beard semifinalists in 2025 (including winners like Gavin Kaysen of Diane's Place for Best Chef: Midwest), and a 2025 opening wave that has Minnesota Monthly calling it “the new North Loop of dining,” the Capital City now rivals Minneapolis for innovation and soul. From In Bloom's live-fire mastery to Oro by Nixta's tortilla revolution, Saint Paul serves plates that taste like the Mississippi — fresh, bold, and unapologetically local.

Curated by the Saint Paul flavor obsessives at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Saint Paul restaurants guide for 2026. We've devoured every course (multiple visits in 2024–2025), cross-referenced the Michelin Guide (November 2025 ceremony), James Beard Awards, Minnesota Monthly’s Best Restaurants, Eater Twin Cities’ Saint Paul picks, and Yelp's Top 100. Zero sponsored bites — just the unmissable addresses, with reservation hacks, spend ranges ($100–$400 pp), and why they're worth the Light Rail ride. Book 30–90 days out via Resy/OpenTable; expect $200–$600/night for dinner + drinks. Dig in — Saint Paul's feast is calling.

Why Saint Paul MN Dining Dominates 2026: From Michelin Momentum to River Fire

Saint Paul's culinary supernova (27% growth in 2025 per Visit Saint Paul) stems from its perfect storm: world-class produce (Minnesota wild rice, local mushrooms), zero sales tax on groceries, and a chef renaissance fueled by affordable space and the Wild's energy. Michelin awarded 20 stars in the Twin Cities in 2025 (up from 16), with Bib Gourmands like Estelle shining. Minnesota Monthly's Best Restaurants 2025 highlighted In Bloom as "the pinnacle of live-fire dining." Neighborhoods rule: Lowertown's tasting-menu row, Cathedral Hill's cozy bistros, West 7th's global fusion. Pro tip: Use Metro Transit Green Line ($2.50/ride) for downtown crawls. Updated November 2025 with confirmed 2026 pop-ups (e.g., Diane's Place new rooftop) and eco-menus (zero-waste at Oro by Nixta).

The Top 10 Best Restaurants in Saint Paul MN 2026 – Ranked and Unmissable

1. In Bloom – Lowertown's Michelin-Starred Live-Fire (1 Star 2025)

Location: 928 7th St E, Lowertown (valet $15).

Thomas Boemer & Nick Rancone's 2025 Michelin 1-star — wood-fired everything. 2026: New rooftop bar expansion.

Signature: Dry-aged duck ($48) Average spend: $160–$260 pp Reservation tip: Resy 60 days at 10 AM CT; walk-ins for bar

→ In Bloom Reservations

2. Diane's Place – Lowertown's James Beard Best Chef Winner (2025)

Location: 300 Broadway St, Lowertown (valet $12).

Gavin Kaysen's 2025 James Beard Best Chef: Midwest winner — modern American. 2026: New rooftop terrace.

Signature: Minnesota walleye ($42) Average spend: $140–$220 pp

→ Diane's Place

3. Estelle – Lowertown's Italian Soul (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025)

Location: 180 Kellogg Blvd E, Lowertown (valet $12).

2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand — Southern Italian. 2026: New rooftop patio.

Signature: Rigatoni with lamb ragu ($32) Average spend: $120–$190 pp

→ Estelle

4. Oro by Nixta – Lowertown's Tortilla Revolution (2025 Minnesota Monthly Best New)

Location: 122 E 7th St, Lowertown (valet $10).

2025 Minnesota Monthly Best New Restaurant — heirloom corn tortillas. 2026: New tasting menu.

Signature: Duck carnitas taco ($18) Average spend: $110–$170 pp

→ Oro by Nixta

5. Herbie's on the Park – Downtown's Capitol Classic

Location: 317 Washington St, Downtown (valet $12).

Across from Rice Park — steaks and seafood. 2026: New rooftop.

Signature: Walleye ($38) Average spend: $120–$190 pp

→ Herbie's on the Park

6. Handsome Hog – Lowertown's Southern BBQ

Location: 203 E 6th St, Lowertown

Contemporary Southern — 2026: New patio.

Signature: Burnt ends ($28) Average spend: $100–$160 pp

7. Mucci's Italian – West 7th's Neighborhood Gem

Location: 786 Randolph Ave, West 7th

House-made pastas — 2026: New patio.

Signature: Lasagna ($28) Average spend: $100–$160 pp

8. Tong Thai – Lowertown's Thai Fire

Location: 300 E 4th St, Lowertown

Authentic Thai — 2026: New rooftop.

Signature: Pad Thai ($22) Average spend: $80–$130 pp

9. Meritage – Downtown's French Brasserie

Location: 410 St Peter St, Downtown

French classics — 2026: New patio.

Signature: Moules frites ($28) Average spend: $110–$170 pp

10. Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery – West 7th's German Beer Hall

Location: 445 Smith Ave N, West 7th

1860s brewery building — sausages and beer. 2026: New patio.

Signature: Bratwurst platter ($28) Average spend: $80–$130 pp

Saint Paul Restaurants 2026 Comparison Table

Rank & Restaurant Neighborhood Cuisine Avg. Spend pp 2026 Highlight 1. In BloomLowertownLive-Fire$160–$2601 Michelin Star 2. Diane's PlaceLowertownNew American$140–$220Best Chef winner 3. EstelleLowertownItalian$120–$190Bib Gourmand 4. Oro by NixtaLowertownMexican$110–$170Best New 2025 5. Herbie's on the ParkDowntownAmerican$120–$190Rooftop

How to Book Saint Paul's Hottest Tables in 2026

• In Bloom → Resy 60 days at 10 AM CT
• Diane's Place → Tock 45 days out
• Estelle → OpenTable 30 days
• Oro by Nixta → Walk-ins for bar; dinner 21 days

Ready to Dine Like a Saint Paul Insider in 2026?

From live-fire legends to Italian soul, Saint Paul's plates are world-class. Subscribe for first access to 2026 openings and secret reservations. Pair with our Saint Paul Hotels 2026 Guide for the full experience.

Bon appétit, Capital City style.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025