The 15 Best Restaurants on Grand Avenue

It’s hard to pinpoint just what exactly makes Grand Avenue such a hotbed of good times in St. Paul.

Some might say it’s all the great shops lining the street’s 3 miles of charming block after charming block. Others might decide it’s merely an overflow of all that history, just one block over. (Hint hint – Summit Ave) 

But ask us foodie bloggers, and we know the real answer.

It’s that Grand Avenue boasts one of the best collections of restaurants… not just in St. Paul, but across the entire Twin Cities.

Better yet, not only does the landmark street have such a great selection of restaurants by number, but our favorite strip also brings the variety, too.

From mouth-watering local sandwiches to international fare that will have you feeling half-way across the world, here’s our picks for the 14 best restaurants on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. (Organized by what you’re in the mood for, because that’s what really matters when the hunger hits!)

P.S. – Don’t miss our companion guide, The 14 Best Shops on Grand Avenue!

Best Award-Winning Restaurant on Grand Ave: Hyacinth

Hyacinth just so happens to be Grand Avenue’s only James Beard Award-winning restaurant. But after our first visit here, we were singing the praises too. In the quaint, tiny location, Hyacinth’s talented chefs whip up some of the city’s most amazing pasta dishes. You can read our full Hyacinth review here.

• Address: 790 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Hyacinth

Best Pizza on Grand Avenue: Punch Pizza

Yes, this place is a local chain. But sometimes places become chains because the food is so dang good that one location can’t keep up with demand all by itself. Punch is one of those rare unicorns – this pizza is the real deal!

Punch is famous for their delicious thin-crust, wood-fired, authentic Neapolitan style pizza. Speaking of which, you know that authentic claim is legit, as Punch is one of the only places around that allows you to top your pizza creation with Mozzarella Di Bufala cheese. (That’s Mozzarrella cheese made directly from the milk of Italian Mediterranean Buffalo! Talk about dedication!) The result is a cheesy, always fantastic thin crust pizza.

• Address: 769 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Punch Pizza

The Most Interesting Menu: Bar Cart Restaurant & Lounge

And we don’t mean “interesting” in the way Minnesotans like to say it when they think something is terrible. Bar Cart is an absolutely awesome little restaurant / bar / lounge with one of the most creative (and flat out delicious) menus in town. Where else can you get legit oysters along next to a legendary Coney Island Hotdog? Nowhere on Grand, that’s for sure, which is exactly why we love this quirky place so much. Oh, and they know exactly how to speak our love language – they have an entire section of the menu dedicated to dips and spreads, and the bread pudding might be the single best dessert in town. 

• Address: 1571 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Bar Cart

Best Nepalese & Tibetan Food: Everest on Grand

Everest on Grand boasts “The Tallest Taste” and after taking one bite of those legendary momos, it’s easy to see why. This authentic spot with a unique blend of Nepalese, Tibetan, and North Indian flavors is hugely popular with the neighborhood. From noodles to momos to authentic curries, Everest on Grand is always a good choice.

• Address: 1278 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Everest on Grand

Best Indian Food: India House

India House has been a Grand Avenue staple for years, and that’s because they serve some truly incredible authentic Indian food. We judge an Indian place by their Chicken Makhani (butter chicken) and Naan bread, and India House knocks it out of the park for both of those.

• Address: 758 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: India House

Best Mediterranean Food on Grand: Shish Mediterranean Grill

Located on the western edge of Grand Avenue, near Macalester College, this counter-service spot is one of the best restaurants in St. Paul, let alone on Grand Avenue. There’s just so much done right here. The hummus and pita is exactly as silky smooth as you’d hope, the Gyro & Chicken Shawarma is as sinfully delicious as your dreams, and even the Falafel Burger is one of the greatest bites around. Not to mention, we’ve had some seasonal soups here that totally blew us away, and the Turkish Coffee is a must-sip. Shish is a legend in our eyes, and one of the easiest additions to this list.

• Address: 1668 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Shish

Our Favorite Sandwich: Iron Ranger

Iron Ranger is a cool little craft pub that we had to include for one simple reason: The Classic Porketta sandwich. This ‘ode to yesteryear’s Minnesota iron range workers should really become some sort of unofficial sandwich for our state. It features slow-cooked shredded porketta and tangy giardiniera peppers, all smothered in a mess of melty provolone cheese. It’s the closest thing Minnesota has to our own take on a Philly cheesesteak, and it’s absolutely incredible.

• Address: 1085 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Iron Ranger

Best Sushi & Japanese on Grand Ave: Saji-Ya

I always get a little nervous whenever a sushi spot leans heavily on the teppanyaki side. (It’s usually a sign that the sushi is subpar.) Not so here. Saji Ya is a surprisingly great Japanese restaurant, located right on Grand Avenue. The spot boasts all the usual nigiri sushi you’d expect to see, not to mention a solid collection of traditional Japanese dishes.

• Address: 695 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Saji-Ya

For upscale bar food: Russel’s

If Grand Ave was personified in a bar menu, we think it’d look a lot like Russel’s. Classic, familiar, but with a touch of nearby Summit Avenue sophistication. French fries? They’re topped with pecorino romano cheese. Nachos? You betcha, and they’re crafted with Minnesota Walleye, of course. And forget the usual ground meat for burger patties, Russel’s springs for brisket and short rib in their mixture.

• Address: 656 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Russel’s

Best Desserts: Cafe Latte

Anyone who’s ever seen a line out the door of this corner cafeteria on any given night might wonder what all the commotion is about, but take one look at the dessert counter and you’ll know why. Lit underneath the warm glow of counter lighting, you’ll find the city’s most extensive collection of cakes around. And yes, they’re all as delicious as they look…

• Address: 850 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Cafe Latte

The Fanciest Restaurant on Grand: The Lexington

If you’re looking for an upscale dinner, The Lexington on Grand is as upscale as it gets. Established in 1935, this absolutely stunning indoor space features mahogany wood-paneling that will take you back to the turn of the century, with bright, sophisticated modern touches like their Chef’s Dining Room – a room with a window to the renowned kitchen!

• Address: 1096 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: The Lexington

Most Popular Ice Cream Shop: Grand Ole Creamery

Grand Ole Creamery is a classic ice cream shop that takes you back to another era. The quaint location on Grand Avenue is known for its lengthy selection of ever-changing ice cream flavors, not to mention a line wrapped around the block when the weather is nice! It’s a crowd that’s even included President Obama!

• Address: 750 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Grand Ole Creamery

Most unique Ice Cream: Treats

If Grand Ole Creamery above is the classic ice cream shop, Treats is the funky young up and comer. Step inside this trendy spot on Grand Avenue, and you’ll not only notice the ice cream choices, but also the wall of cereal behind them. That’s because Treats is known for blending that cereal into their ice cream flavors, right on the spot! Froot Loops ice cream, made fresh to order? Yes, please!

• Address: 770 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
• Website: Treats

Best Vietnamese Food: eM Que Viet

Que Viet, the iconic Minneapolis Vietnamese restaurant and State Fair favorite, recently brought their legendary Egg Rolls to Grand Avenue! Em Que Viet promises to be the younger, sassier version of the old favorite. We visited on opening week, and loved every single bite! This is an awesome addition to the neighborhood! You can read our full eM Que Viet review here.

• Address: 1332 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55105
• Website: eM Que Viet