Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown St. Paul

67 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

1. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1108)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 74 times today

**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. Marty has owned over 10 restaurant concepts in Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City and Columbia, MO, and Iowa City, IA. Brett and his family have owned and operated The Hilltop Restaurant for the past 40 years. Pete, the head chef, brings his most recent culinary experience and creativity from California to NOLO’s, The Rooftop Bar and The Basement Bar. His culinary vision and passion for local ingredients create new modern comfort food dishes. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.

2. The Smack Shack

4.5

Awesome(1740)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 42 times today

Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for dining room only, patio seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please check in with hosts upon arrival for patio seating.Although named for the boats used to catch lobster, Smack Shack was launched as a food truck in 2010 serving lobster rolls from a land-locked downtown Minneapolis parking lot. Owner Josh Thoma had a great recipe and a belief that appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild caught or farm raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.

A photo of Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis restaurant

3. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

4.3

Awesome(5079)

Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 160 times today

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

A photo of The Butcher's Tale restaurant

4. The Butcher's Tale

4.8

Exceptional(988)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 37 times today

The Butchers Tale presents a fresh approach to the culinary world of artisanal meats, bringing back favorites and introducing new tangy, melt-in-your-mouth options including Wagyu beef, double-cut smoked pork chops, our smoked beef long rib, grilled oysters and other extensive seafood offerings. The Butchers Tale has every mood, taste, budget, and craving covered, from specialty meats and steaks like Wagyu and prime steaks in our main dining room; to juicy burgers, fried chicken and handmade brats on our award-winning patio and beer garden. The Butchers Tale has everything needed to spend memorable time with family, friends and neighbors. We also feature 3 great private dining and event spaces that accommodate groups from 8 people up to 120.

5. Young Joni

4.7

Exceptional(811)

Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Northeast Minneapolis

Booked 69 times today

Young Joni is James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim's restaurant located in the Arts District of Northeast Minneapolis. The menu is inspired by wood fire cooking and features an array of globally influenced dishes and signature pizzas. Dining Room reservations are offered for dinner and weekend brunch; walk-ins are available at our bar and community table.Young Joni is the recipient of 2019's James Beard Award for "Best Chef Midwest"; it has been featured in the New York Times and Vogue, and on Netflix's "Chef's Table: Pizza." Tucked discreetly behind Young Joni is the back bar, serving full and no-proof craft cocktails and pizzas in a warm, analog setting. Esquire named it one of 2019's Best Bars in America and Eater called it an "Essential Minneapolis Bar." Walk down the alley alongside Young Joni and look for the red light; when the light is on, the back bar is open. Back bar reservations are available, and walk-ins are always welcome.

6. noa

4.4

Awesome(159)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 7 times today

Noa, situated in the IDS Center in the heart of Minneapolis, provides guests with chef-crafted dishes in a welcoming and expansive setting. The restaurant exudes a cozy ambiance and vibrant energy, offering a selection of upscale yet accessible menu options. Featuring earthy hues and abundant natural light and greenery, Noa creates a relaxed environment for visitors throughout the year. Additionally, the establishment includes a private dining space for hosting events and is capable of handling large orders and accommodating special requests.

7. Milwaukee Road

4.1

Excellent(216)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 17 times today

Milwaukee Road at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot is a favorite among guests as well as Twin Cities residents, featuring distinct menus with specialized and local flare. You can always count on Milwaukee Road for a hearty breakfast buffet to start the day, followed by unique regional lunch and dinner entrées.Our chef combines the best of regional culinary specialties with memorable dishes and tempting desserts – any of which pairs beautifully with a selection from our wine list or one of our many regional craft ales. Enjoy your meal in the gorgeous restaurant dining room or our outdoor seasonal patio; you'll find either setting to be warm, welcoming and distinctly Minnesota.

A photo of Butcher & the Boar restaurant

8. Butcher & the Boar

4.6

Exceptional(82)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 66 times today

We are fine-casual dining with a fire at the core of its heart. Through the smoke and whiskey ashes of the previous iteration which closed its doors in 2020 rises a new haze of smoke and whiskey as we bring back this iconic brand, smoked meats, bourbon, beer, deep hues, and various spaces to a new location in the North Loop. Butcher & The Boar will honor its beloved roots, while spreading new ones in the fresh foundation that will help our guests embark on a journey with notes of nostalgia that carry the torch forward with new tastes and experiences. With immense gratitude, we invite you to Live Full Boar with us.

A photo of Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis restaurant

9. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(5263)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 28 times today

Café and Bar Lurcat, located next to Loring Park, is a hip, urban venue that boasts serious food and voguish design. Café Lurcat is a perfect blend of classic old world style with a Noveau twist. The expansive bar and lounge is ideal for casual cocktails and a la carte bites, while the romantic dining room creates the perfect ambiance for an exceptional foodie experience featuring sophisticated comfort food. We offer the perfect event venue for family celebrations, trendy parties, marriages, Bar Mitzvahs, showers, charity events, galas, graduations and black tie events. This iconic Minneapolis restaurant continues to age like a fine wine as it approaches its 20th year.

10. Zelo

4.9

Exceptional(4070)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 39 times today

At Zelo, we serve simple, fresh Italian cuisine made from local ingredients. Our handcrafted meals accompany a thoughtful, approachable wine selection. We believe dining is more than a menu: it is an experience, and ours is quality. When you’re our guest, our staff learn your name and remember your favorite glass of wine. We passionately commit to bring you the full dining experience – quality food and wine presented with welcoming service. Every meal. Every day. Please join us. An enduring Minneapolis destination, Zelo was opened in 1999 by Rick Webb, a Minnesota restaurateur whose pursuits have set the standard in Twin Cities dining for over 40 years. Looking for another unparalleled dining experience in the south metro? Visit Rick Webb’s acclaimed Ciao Bella, the restaurant that inspired Zelo’s handcrafted food and dedicated service.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Josh
Greater Boston •1 review
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
The pizza, which is what they are known for, was excellent. We had the umami mama which had lots of mushrooms and was really rich. We also had the wings, the prawns, and the savoy cabbage. The cabbage was also really tasty. The wings and the prawns were each fine not as good as I would expect for this caliber of restaurant. Go for the pizza but skip anything else.
More info
Young JoniPrice: Expensive• Pizzeria• Northeast Minneapolis
•
4.7
J
JenniferVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Jordan and Emily were great! So kind and professional! The gauchos are awesome too! It was nice of everyone to work on Christmas. Was a little surprised with the holiday pricing being $67.50 for the full dinner and $36 for the market table!
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Fogo de Chao - MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• Brazilian• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.3
B
Brenda
Minneapolis - St. Paul •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Ww enjoyed the meal, cocktails, and excellent service! Perfect start to celebrating the holiday week!
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Nolo's Kitchen & BarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
F
Fred
Minneapolis - St. Paul •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Every employee there is so energetic and engaged. You couldn’t help but feel extremely welcomed. I’d say that was just the Holiday spilling over, but that’s always the way it is at Smack Shack when I’ve been there in the past. Our server was completely attentive, even when we threw him a couple of ‘audibles’. Even the big guy bringing the food out was outstanding. Great team! And then there is the food. Without hesitation, I would say second to none!!!
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The Smack ShackPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.5
M
mickey
Minneapolis - St. Paul •37 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Staff were very friendly and attentive. Great waitress who was helpful with recommendations and checked in often. We appreciated her checking in with us regarding any time constraints since we had a show to attend afterwards. Food was all really good!
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The Butcher's TalePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.8

Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown St. Paul

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67 restaurants available nearby

1. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

2. The Smack Shack

3. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

4. The Butcher's Tale

5. Young Joni

6. noa

7. Milwaukee Road

8. Butcher & the Boar

9. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

10. Zelo

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