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1881 by LEI, Saint Paul, MN

1881 by LEI

4.5
4.5
96 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 17 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
Lake Elmo Inn is opened a new restaurant at Union Depot in Saint Paul. Owners Chef John and Christine Schiltz named 1881. The name “1881” pays homage to the year both the original Union Depot and Lake Elmo Inn opened, reflecting the deep historical connection the restaurant hopes to foster.

Offering a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn will merge the charm of a storied past with a modern culinary flair, becoming a destination for both locals and visitors.

1881 by Lake Elmo Inn is to be a place where families can build lasting memories. We want to offer an experience that generations can cherish, from proms to graduations to weddings, we’re here to make moments unforgettable.

The Menu is inspired by the success of the original Lake Elmo Inn and will include both favorites from the flagship restaurant as well as exclusive new offerings hand-crafted from fresh, local

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of Operation
    Wed–Fri 10:00–14:00 Wed–Sat 16:00–21:00 Sat, Sun 09:00–14:00 Sun 16:00–20:00
  • Phone number
    (952) 698-1881
  • Website
    http://www.1881bylei.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Ash Wolf
  • Catering
    Lake Elmo Inn Catering(our sister company) is the exclusive Caterer for Union Depot. We are also able to cater any off-site events within the area. For information and booking please contact us at 651-779-5994
  • Location
    214 4th St E suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101
  • Area
    St. Paul
  • Cross Street
    4th Street East & Wacouta Street. Parking lot is off of Kellogg Blvd
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Union Depot Station (light rail station) is outside the front of the building. Public bus stop is at Union Depot, along with the Amtrak.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 96 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Best Overall

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Best Food

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Best Service

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Best Ambience

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Best Value

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Good for groups

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Healthy

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Good for special occasions

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Lively

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
1881 by LEI offers a unique dining experience in the historic Union Depot with a compact, diverse menu that caters to everyone. Guests rave about "excellent food and service," particularly the "amazing Reuben truffles and duck risotto." The ambiance is nostalgic and lively, reminiscent of classic train travel days.

96 Reviews

  1. RobH

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Food was excellent - sunfish and seafood medley!!! Wait staff was very slow, almost seemed "out of it". All other staff was great. Once you remember you are in an old train station, you realize that's the atmosphere. That part of it was not my favorite.

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  2. Elizabeth

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed a wonderful dinner after riding the North Pole Express out of Union Depot.

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  3. Anna

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and atmosphere were excellent! A wonderful addition to the bustling, historic depot.

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  4. Robyn

    Minneapolis

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sunnies, squash Ravioli, and French Onion Soup were wonderful. Server was joyful & conscientious. Delightful time spent.

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  5. Paul

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoyed visit. Good breakfast, reasonably priced. Union Depot is a great location.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Amy

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We had such high hopes but the filets were cooked too done, looked like canned mushrooms for $5 extra, boring mash potatoes and sad asparagus. Our drinks were made incorrectly from the dirty martinis to the French 75 and very watered down espresso martinis. We came prior to the show and hoped for a better experience.

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  7. Patti

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious, flavorable and done to perfection. Dessert “Sinful” was melt in your mouth. Presentation was very appetizing.

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  8. Elen

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was good but there was nothing special about it at all. I would expect a restaurant in this price range to have a unique twist on a recipe but there wasn’t any of that. It was good, just boring. We expected holiday decorations and some festive drink or food options because it’s 2 1/2 weeks to Christmas. None of that either.

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  9. Jane

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 5 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, great atmosphere, attentive staff. Really a wonderful experience for all of us.

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  10. Roxann

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The server was very attentive, and our lunch meals were so delicious. I expected no less from Lake Elmo Inn. I am so glad to have this restaurant downtown St Paul where I live. Also, like to comment on the excellent Thanksgiving dinner I ordered. It would be nice to pick up a Christmas dinner at the Union Depot if is offered.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

1881 by LEI is rated 4.5 stars by 96 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 17 times today
Google Map for 1881 by LEI

214 4th St E suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    4th Street East & Wacouta Street. Parking lot is off of Kellogg Blvd
  • Area
    St. Paul
  • Hours of Operation
    Wed–Fri 10:00–14:00 Wed–Sat 16:00–21:00 Sat, Sun 09:00–14:00 Sun 16:00–20:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Union Depot Station (light rail station) is outside the front of the building. Public bus stop is at Union Depot, along with the Amtrak.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Ash Wolf
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.1881bylei.com/
  • Phone number
    (952) 698-1881
  • Catering
    Lake Elmo Inn Catering(our sister company) is the exclusive Caterer for Union Depot. We are also able to cater any off-site events within the area. For information and booking please contact us at 651-779-5994
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