Restaurants and Watering Holes

Close to the hotel

St. Paul Grill (right in the hotel lobby). Popular dinner spot for classic steakhouse fare. Very busy on nights with events in town. Reservations recommended.

Meritage (410 St Peter Street). French bistro with oyster bar and outdoor patio.

The Loon Cafe (426 St. Pater Street). Lunch or dinner spot for casual fare in an historic building.

Afro Deli and Grill (5 W 7th Place). Great spot for lunch.

The Bar at The Celeste Hotel (26 E Exchange Street). Specialty cocktails and small plates. Lovely bar in a boutique hotel renovated from an historic convent and music conservatory.

Further afield

W.A.Frost (347 Selby Ave). Beautiful, historic building with a large outdoor patio. (Selby Ave, about fifteen minutes from the hotel, is home to several restaurant and coffee shops )

Cosetta’s (211 7th Street West). Long-standing favorite Italian Eatery in Downtown. Eat-in or takeaway.

St. Dinette (261 5th Street East). A Lowertown gem for dinner or Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended.

Hope’s Breakfast Bar (1 S Leech Street). Known for great breakfast fare. (They also donate 3% of thier profits through their non-profit Give Hope.)

The Apostle Supper Club (253 Kellogg Blvd). 1960s Palm Springs-inspired Supper Club. Relatively new to town but getting some good buzz.

Emerald Lounge (455 7th Street West). Cozy cocktail bar with small plates. Popular happy hour.

Holman’s Table and Cora’s lounge (644 Bayfield Street). Aviation enthusiasts will love this spot. Located in the historical terminal at St. Paul’s regional airport, Holman’s table offers classic dinner fare. For craft cocktails & modern bar snacks, make a stop at Cora’s Lounge—named for the first woman licensed to pilot an airplane in Minnesota.

Attractions

Cathedral Hill/Summit Ave Neighborhood
The Cathedral of Saint Paul is recognized as a historical landmark and stands proudly as gateway to the city’s most scenic and historic neighborhood. Here the Victorian era’s movers and shakers, immigrants and servants, and priests and industrialists created a slice of St Paul that defined the golden age. Stroll past stately mansions on Summit Avenue and learn how residents such as James J Hill, F Scott Fitzgerald, and Cass Gilbert created the city’s colorful past.

St. Paul Cathedral (239 Selby Ave)
The Cathedral is one of the most prominent buildings in the city. One-hour guided tours are offered with a Catholic Docent Tuesday through Friday at 1:00 (except holy days and civil holidays). $2.00 suggested donation.

James J Hill House (240 Summit Ave)
Built for railroad titan James J. Hill, this 36,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion was once the largest private residence in the state. With 13 bathrooms, 22 fireplaces, 16 chandeliers, a reception hall nearly 100 feet long, sophisticated technical systems, and a two-story, skylit art gallery, the house was a symbol of success, personal taste, and family life.

Summit Avenue

Start at the James J. Hill House and take a leisurely walk along the sidewalks of Summit Ave, home to the longest stretch of Victorian-era homes in the United States.

Feeling more ambitious? Check out this self-guided tour or join a tour offered by the Minnesota Historical Society. 

Minnesota State Capital Building (75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard)
The 1905 Cass Gilbert masterpiece is open for visitors. Daily guided tours are offered Mon-Fri starting at 9:00 am. Last tour at 4:00 pm. Saturday tours start at 10:00 am with the last one at 2:00 pm.

Rice Park
Just outside the St. Paul Hotel, stroll through one of St. Paul ’s oldest public parks: Rice Park, located in the heart of the cultural district in downtown. Flanked by architectural and cultural giants: Landmark Center, the Saint Paul Hotel, the Central Library, and the Ordway, this park is beloved as an oasis of green space, beautiful landscaping, and as a site of public art.

Sightseeing cruises (River Rides)
Explore the Mississippi River—on a Riverboat. Spot bald eagles, herons, egrets, and falcons as you travel back in time from St. Paul’s bustling downtown harbor through the Mississippi National Great River Park.

Como Park Conservatory and Zoo (1225 Estabrook Dr St. Paul)
The stunning conservatory gardens include seasonal flower shows, tropical gardens, orchids, ferns, bonsai and a world renowned Japanese Garden. At the zoo you’ll find gorillas, giraffes, polar bears and more. Free Admission. Voluntary donation appreciated.

Como Lakeside Pavilion
A ten minute walk from the conservatory, alongside Como Lake, is this lovely pavilion featuring the Dock and Paddle restaurant and live music many evenings throughout the summer. While there, rent an instagram-worthy Swan paddleboat for a spin on the lake.