Experts Dish on the Restaurant Standbys of 2017

Every year Eater reaches out to friends who cover the food scene and ask what their best —and worst — meals of the past year have been. Today food critics, bloggers, and seriously culinary fans are weighing in on which restaurants they found themselves returning to time and again. Today we ask, what were your restaurant standby’s of 2017?

Jason DeRusha,WCCO and Minnesota Monthly

Cafe Alma and Punch Pizza

Stephanie A. Meyer, culinary coach, blogger

Corner Table, The Kenwood, Young Joni, Burch, Saint Dinette, The Strip Club (RIP), Restaurant Alma/Brasa, The Bachelor Farmer, St. Genevieve. So much goodness, with healthy/gluten-free options, and great service.

Mecca Bos, GoMN.com

Always, always DeGidio's Family Restaurant for Sopranos-portion pastas and free flowing wine; and I'm split on On's Kitchen, Thai Cafe, and Saigon for the most crave-worthy Thai, but luckily we don't have to choose.

Amelia Rayno, Star Tribune

Hola Arepa, Burch, Young Joni, Tilia, Saint Dinette, World Street Kitchen, Spoon & Stable, Hello Pizza, On’s Thai Kitchen, Alma

Bad Weather Brewing / Facebook

Jess Fleming, Pioneer Press

I wish I could be a creature of habit. With all the new restaurants opening, I can barely keep up with the new stuff. Honestly, the place I probably spend most of my own money at is Bad Weather, a brewery. On beer.

Nancy Ngo, Pioneer Press

Revival St. Paul. The Lexington. iPho by Saigon. Heyday. Nightingale

Amelia Rayno, Star Tribune

Hola Arepa, Burch, Young Joni, Tilia, Saint Dinette, World Street Kitchen, Spoon & Stable, Hello Pizza, On’s Thai Kitchen, Alma

Bar Brigade / Facebook

Joy Summers, Eater Twin Cities

I think I’ve eaten at Grand Cafe almost every week since they opened. Brasa Saint Paul for take out that my kids love. Ngon, Saint Dinette, Mucci’s and Bar Brigade for every date night all year long with my husband and favorite friends. The importance of great hospitality cannot be overstated.