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

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

joan's in the Park

5.0

5 (2133)

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

joan's in the Park restaurant and full service bar is an elegantly cozy dining destination, located on Snelling Avenue in Highland Park. We offer a 4 course menu designed by Chef /owner Susan Dunlop, which includes distinctive American cuisine . We offer only the finest ingredients, sourced locally when possible. Maître d'/owner Joan Schmitt (and Highland Park native) offers first-class hospitality. Our carefully selected wine, beer and signature cocktail list will also appeal to all tastes. joan's is a must try, if you enjoy great food and amazing hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Maria

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful dining experience! The flavor profiles of the dishes were amazing and the wine pairings were perfect!

Crasqui

4.8

4.8 (127)

$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

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

One of the tiniest dining experience we have had in the twin cities

DeGidio's Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (23)

$30 and under

Italian

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Family owned Italian restaurant

Top review

Nikki

Dined 3 days ago

Stopped here while on vacation due to wanting Italian and the reviews were quite high. The portions were quite large, the food was delicious, and the red sauce reminded me of my Nonas. We’ve definitely saved this spot as a must return when we’re back out in Woodbury. Great service, wonderful food, and the overall vibe was so warm and welcoming.

The Lexington

4.8

4.8 (3081)

$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

SteveVIP

Dined 5 days ago

i have been coming here for 50 yrs it is still wonderful true it’s past loverenovation

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Boca Chica Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1415)

$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

Aimee

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

The food was great. Our waitress was very attentive and overall I really liked it.

Holman's Table

4.8

4.8 (707)

$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

Marty

Dined 5 days ago

Everything was great! We both went for the $300 Burger (satire alert), and it was a delicious, unique burger experience!

Parlour St. Paul

4.8

4.8 (59)

$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

EnriqueVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Burger and roasted pepper tomato soup were the best I’ve had. Great service by Tim and will definitely come back

The Handsome Hog

4.8

4.8 (195)

$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

Rebecca

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

You must get the fried green tomatoes and ask for the remoulade on the side. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything that you order. Cocktails were delicious and had hilarious names, we tried C.R.E.A.M. And 2 Bananas, 1 Hammock.

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Popular dish

Chicken 'n' Waffles

Popular dish

Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich

Popular dish

Spare Ribs

Back Bar

4.6

4.6 (6)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Sheridan

About the restaurant

We like to keep the vibes relaxed and communal at Back Bar. To keep the vibes vibin’, we’ve decided to no longer offer reservations for Back Bar via OpenTable so that we can be your go-to for a spontaneous meet-up with friends or pre-dinner drink. We will honor all current reservations.

Look for the red light in the alley. When the light is on, the back bar is open.
We open at 4 pm Wednesday - Saturday.

Top review

Anders

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

Cozy and uniquely gorgeous little speakeasy. Lively, but not overcrowded at all, even on Valentine’s Day. Great spot for conversation, though it’s possible you’ll be seated close to others with some unconventional seating (not bad however). Pizza and cocktails are incredible. Music plays on film reels. The drink menu changes occasionally and always fun and totally unique.

Downtowner Woodfire Grill

4.7

4.7 (3866)

$31 to $50

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

"simply beyond the ordinary"
"****" - Kathie Jenkins - Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Downtowner Woodfire Grill specializes in Persian fire roasted meats, grilled steaks and chops, and gourmet wood-fired pizzas. The atmosphere is warm & lively offering 2 fireplaces, a full bar with 3 fountains and live jazz. The restaurant offers free parking with convenience to both the Xcel Energy Center & Ordway Theater. Downtowner Woodfire Grill also provides a full menu for breakfast & lunch, and a children's menu. This cozy restaurant serves a great plate as well as provides an experience to savor.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 4 days ago

As always, wonderful service and a great menu, nice atmosphere. Thanks, Downtowner staff.

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