Best Fun Restaurants in Downtown St. Paul

122 restaurants available nearby

1. Billy After Dark

new

5.0

Exceptional(155)

Price: Moderate

• Speakeasy • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 37 times today

“Our Cocktail Philosophy”Billy After Dark cocktails are inspired by the twenty-four micro-seasons that define the flow of life in Japan. Enter a world where you are brought back to your best memories. Reminding you of that the feel & flow from each one.Perfected classics like the Manhattan and Negroni, riffs on some of Japan’s most beloved cocktails such as the Whisky Highball, and even alcohol-free drinks influenced by ingredients such as yuzu, and umé round out the collection. Through all of this, we want everyone to indulge in enjoyable recollections of the past with our entire cocktail menu being named after great albums from the 90’s & 2000’s.

2. Tullibee

4.7

Exceptional(1413)

Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Downtown / North Loop

Tullibee celebrates the lakes and woods cuisine that is so deeply woven into the fabric of Minnesota. Named for a fish native to our Minnesota waters, Tullibee is a tribute to our beautiful state and brings its fresh and authentic flavors to each dish we serve. Under Chef Marque Collins lead, Tullibee's new menu is curated with intention to allow guests to try multiple items on the menu. We will be serving more smaller portions of the menu items meant to be ordered many at a time on a rolling basis throughout the meal allowing guests to experience different options. Come and experience the flavors of the North! Tullibee is a taste of Minnesota. *Reservations are for Tullibee only. Our lounge and rooftop bar are seated on a first come, first served basis.

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

3. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1107)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 76 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.

A photo of Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis restaurant

4. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(5707)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 111 times today

Comfort food with an upscale twist...In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, appropriately located in a beautiful underground space, you'll discover Hell's Kitchen, an employee-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks 7 days a week, and enjoy REAL comfort food made by chefs who care, described by food writers as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy". Almost everything is made from scratch, from our award-winning peanut butter to our unique dips and dressings, winning us over 67 "best" awards as well as accolades in Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and other national magazines. And bring the kids along... you should see the cheeky notes they write to us!"Rather than rave on, let us just say if you're in Minnesota and want to wow your tastebuds, go to Hell's Kitchen. It is inspired and inspiring." (Jane & Michael Stern, NPR)

5. Young Joni

4.7

Exceptional(811)

Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Northeast Minneapolis

Booked 71 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.

A photo of Manny's Steakhouse restaurant

6. Manny's Steakhouse

4.7

Exceptional(8426)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 81 times today

Masculine, bright, accented with wood & leather, Manny's evokes the great steakhouses of New York & Chicago - & eclipses them in critical & popular acclaim. Rated Top Five in the U.S. by the Zagat Guide, named one of America's top Steakhouses by the Knife & Fork Club, Men's Journal & the Independent Cattleman's Association, & a perennial winner of newspaper & magazine reader polls, Manny's commands a fanatical local following & a national reputation. Wrote the New York Times: "There's good news in Minneapolis for those who still share the secret pleasures of red meat, well-cut & seriously served." In addition to USDA-certified, dry- aged, center-cut beef, Manny's offers chops, chicken, fresh seafood & a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list.

A photo of Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge restaurant

7. Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge

4.8

Exceptional(6204)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 52 times today

Welcome to Murray's Restaurant. Minneapolis' original restaurant for steak since 1946 & home of the award winning Silver Butterknife Steak dinner for two. Also known for mouth watering garlic toast, Hickory Smoked shrimp appetizer, and home baked pies. Well into its third generation of family ownership, Murray's stands out among local and out of town diners alike as a true Twin Cities landmark & continues to provide the best in food and service as it did in 1946.

8. Blondette

3.9

Excellent(107)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 8 times today

Blondette is a French-inspired restaurant, concepted by award-winning Chef Daniel del Prado, offering traditional French cuisine fused with Pacific Northwest ingredients. Housed in a glass-covered atrium complete with an outdoor terrace and one of Minneapolis’ only retractable roofs, Blondette invites guests to mix and mingle under the stars all year long. In addition to dinner daily, each Saturday and Sunday, Blondette serves up elevated brunch fare from 9am - 2pm. Reservations recommended but not required. We also offer curated holiday menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter and Mother's Day. LOCATION: Blondette is located on the 5th floor of the iconic Rand Tower Hotel, conveniently attached to the Downtown Minneapolis Skyway. Each of Rand Tower Hotel’s restaurants and bars is a destination all its own, offering locals and travelers a unique culinary journey they won’t find anywhere else.PARKING: $10 valet parking is available with dining validation.

9. Milwaukee Road

4.1

Excellent(216)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 17 times today

Milwaukee Road is a hit with guests and locals alike! With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, it's perfect for a romantic date night or a relaxed family meal. The chef combines local flavors to create a unique dining experience. The reviews consistently highlight the fantastic service and great food, with one customer even stating it's 'the best Valentine’s Day we could have asked for'.

A photo of The Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

10. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(2866)

Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 79 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
John
Minneapolis - St. Paul •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The whole experience was wonder full! Love the staff, everybody friendly and helpful! Will return
More info
TullibeePrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
T
Theresa
Minneapolis - St. Paul •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
A great place for a special occasion always -- but esp. at the Holidays. Great decor, lovely free music, cool drinks, great service and the photo booth all make for a fun time. And being employee owned is a cherry on the top of the sundae. I wish they had more vegan dishes. There is very little there for me to eat.
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Hell's Kitchen MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
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
S
Steve
Kansas City •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Amazing food. Service was just okay. Could have been a bad day for our server.
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Young JoniPrice: Expensive• Pizzeria• Northeast Minneapolis
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 Dec 2024
“Walking into Billy After Dark felt like stepping into another world—a perfect blend of mystery, energy, and charm. From the moment we arrived, the vibe was electric. The space is impeccably designed, with just the right amount of cozy intimacy and upbeat energy. Our server, Maddie, was phenomenal—attentive, personable, and had excellent recommendations. You could tell she genuinely loved what she was doing, and it made our experience all the more special. The food? Absolutely incredible. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, bursting with flavor, and perfect for sharing. It’s rare to find a place that nails both the food and the atmosphere so flawlessly. Hats off to the ownership and staff who have clearly poured their hearts into this place. They’ve created something truly exceptional—a fun, high-quality experience that works whether you’re celebrating with a big group or having an intimate night out. I can’t wait to come back!”
More info
Billy After DarkPrice: Moderate• Speakeasy• Downtown / North Loop
•
5

Best Fun Restaurants in Downtown St. Paul

Price

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Regions

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Top Rated

Dining Options

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Accessibility

122 restaurants available nearby

1. Billy After Dark

2. Tullibee

3. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

5. Young Joni

6. Manny's Steakhouse

7. Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge

8. Blondette

9. Milwaukee Road

10. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

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