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A patio at dusk, topped with bistro lights, under a tree — The Gnome just opened with an expansive patio

18 Saint Paul Patios Opening and Serving Around the City

From English garden to rooftops, these are the finest outdoor spots

by Joy Summers@JoyEstelle Updated Aug 4, 2020, 10:53am CDT

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The Gnome just opened with an expansive patio

| The Gnome/Facebook

by Joy Summers@JoyEstelle Updated Aug 4, 2020, 10:53am CDT

This summer has been unlike any other. While most things have been not great, one shining light is that there has never been more patio space for those looking for outdoor dining spaces. Below are classics, new, and expanded patios around Saint Paul for those looking to enjoy. Please plan ahead, check for openings and make a reservation. Masks are required at all Minnesota restaurants.

This map is sorted geographically from west to east.

A number of Minneapolis restaurants have resumed dine-in service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Minnesota Health Department. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Joan's in the Park

Nestled into a stretch of Snelling Avenue in Highland Park, Joan’s in the Park’s patio has long been a destination for outdoor diners. Intimate, but spaced out it’s ideal for date nights.

Open in Google Maps

631 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116

Visit Website

The Lexington

Lofted up over this Grand Avenue restaurant, the rooftop has its own entrance off the parking lot. The Lex is one of the best spots for frosé. The snacky menu differs from the more elegant dining room. It’s an ideal antidote to the steamy streets below. There always seems to be a breeze up on this rooftop.

1096 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Visit Website

Close up of a glass filled with pink slush, a peach slice and a sprig of thyme — Frosé all day when the Lex patio’s open

Also featured in:

IRON RANGER

The back patio behind Iron Ranger is a gorgeous little reprieve from Grand Avenue. The restaurant and pub is stacked with favorite dishes for anyone who grew up, or loves to visit the part of Northern Minnesota that the restaurant is named for.

1085 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Visit Website

Facing the Iron Ranger’s front window is a cutting board loaded with nachos next to a pint of beer

Also featured in:

Salut Bar Americain

Popular with shoppers along this retail-packed stretch of Grand Avenue, Salut serves hefty portions of diet-wrecking French delights.

917 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Visit Website

The French Hen Cafe

Perfect for breakfast and lunch patio goers, the French Hen has a pretty little sidewalk patio space dotting Selby Avenue.

518 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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The Gnome

Just opened by Brian and Sarah Ingram from Hope Breakfast Bar, with Justin Sutherland overseeing the menu, this patio is not messing around. It streaches around the building with a huge fireplace and dangling hammock chairs.

Open in Google Maps

498 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

A patio at dusk, topped with bistro lights, under a tree — The expansive new patio at The Gnome

La Grolla

A gated garden accompanies this little Italian bistro. A modest two levels feels like its tucked into someone’s impeccably landscaped backyard. The chill neighborhood vibes give the space the feel of somewhere your mom would love to go as well as an ideal first date destination.

452 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

The exterior of the restaurant on a sunny day with a 3 ft tall Italian-ish chef figurine out front — A gorgeous stop in a neighborhood that’s full of fabulous patios

Also featured in:

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Handsome Hog

Justin Sutherland’s relocated Southern restaurant has the most popular patio of summer (so far.) The large area is accented with florals and a couple of fire pits.

173 Western Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

New location means a new patio for The Handsome Hog

Also featured in:

W. A. Frost and Company

Mention patios in St. Paul and invariably, someone will recommend W.A. Frost. The bar and dining area behind this historic restaurant are shaded by giant trees, and surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Because it’s the most beautiful patio in the Twin Cities, it’s also the most popular. The host staff run hot and cold: sometimes welcoming and sometimes you’ll be told with a sneer that there’s no room ever, for the end of all time. Bring a little patience, a c’est la vie attitude, and deep pockets.

374 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

lush patio around a brick fire pit with whicker furniture all surrounded by lush foliage from the giant trees around it — An icon in outdoor dining

Also featured in:

Tori

New this year, this West 7th eatery has expanded its historic train car space to include new outdoor dining. Tori is known for its ramen, but the menu covers all kinds of snacks, and cocktails.

603 W 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

A closeup of an earthenware bowl filled with ramen, broth, and topped with half a prawn

Also featured in:

12 Essential Bowls of Ramen in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Moscow on the Hill

Those in the know will find this tucked away, private-feeling patio serving arctic-cold martinis just off Selby Avenue.

371 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Day by Day Cafe

Step out into the garden behind this little cafe and its hard to believe it’s located right on St. Paul’s busy West 7th thoroughfare. Day by Day also has a newly installed, fire-burned, outdoor pizza oven.

Open in Google Maps

477 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

13 Essential Restaurants in St. Paul's West Seventh Neighborhood

Waldmann Brewery

Located just over the high bridge and one block off West 7th, this German brewery serves snappy sausages and serious pretzels alongside the beer. The casual beer garden is a family-friendly affair.

445 Smith Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Hope Breakfast Bar

In the middle of this strange summer, the city of Saint Paul has closed down Leech Street so that Hope Breakfast Bar is able to move operations outside. This new restaurant serves breakfast all day with specialty coffee drinks and cocktails.

1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Patrick McGovern's Pub

McGovern’s is a neighborhood bar with a stunner of a patio underneath a retractible roof and this year it’s been expanded into the back of the restaurant as well. It is an oasis that just happens to serve chicken fingers.

Open in Google Maps

225 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Black Dog Cafe

This lovely sidewalk patio is flanked by the historic buildings of Lowertown and just steps away from the St. Paul Farmers Market.

Open in Google Maps

308 E Prince St, St Paul, MN 55101

Visit Website

Also featured in:

El Burrito Mercado

This St. Paul dining icon has a beautiful patio tucked into the lively restaurant space. It’s a gorgeous setting for the Mexican fare and margaritas St. Paul has long known and loved.

175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Brunson's Pub

A gorgeous patio outside a dive bar is completely unexpected, and yet, here we are. Located on the side of the building and completed sheltered from the street, Brunson’s patio feels like it could have been transported from some hip Brooklyn location. Dig in for cold beer, enormous burgers, and just enough sun to shade ratio that you can leave your sunglasses on.

956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130

Visit Website

A long, narrow patio with black metal tables and blue umbrellas facing a green, ivy covered wall — Pass through the historic bar to get to these prime seats

Also featured in:

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Joan's in the Park

631 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116

Nestled into a stretch of Snelling Avenue in Highland Park, Joan’s in the Park’s patio has long been a destination for outdoor diners. Intimate, but spaced out it’s ideal for date nights.

Open in Google Maps

631 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116

Visit Website

The Lexington

1096 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Lofted up over this Grand Avenue restaurant, the rooftop has its own entrance off the parking lot. The Lex is one of the best spots for frosé. The snacky menu differs from the more elegant dining room. It’s an ideal antidote to the steamy streets below. There always seems to be a breeze up on this rooftop.

1096 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Visit Website

Close up of a glass filled with pink slush, a peach slice and a sprig of thyme — Frosé all day when the Lex patio’s open

IRON RANGER

1085 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

The back patio behind Iron Ranger is a gorgeous little reprieve from Grand Avenue. The restaurant and pub is stacked with favorite dishes for anyone who grew up, or loves to visit the part of Northern Minnesota that the restaurant is named for.

1085 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Visit Website

Facing the Iron Ranger’s front window is a cutting board loaded with nachos next to a pint of beer

Salut Bar Americain

917 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Popular with shoppers along this retail-packed stretch of Grand Avenue, Salut serves hefty portions of diet-wrecking French delights.

917 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Visit Website

The French Hen Cafe

518 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Perfect for breakfast and lunch patio goers, the French Hen has a pretty little sidewalk patio space dotting Selby Avenue.

518 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

The Gnome

498 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Just opened by Brian and Sarah Ingram from Hope Breakfast Bar, with Justin Sutherland overseeing the menu, this patio is not messing around. It streaches around the building with a huge fireplace and dangling hammock chairs.

Open in Google Maps

498 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

A patio at dusk, topped with bistro lights, under a tree — The expansive new patio at The Gnome

La Grolla

452 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

A gated garden accompanies this little Italian bistro. A modest two levels feels like its tucked into someone’s impeccably landscaped backyard. The chill neighborhood vibes give the space the feel of somewhere your mom would love to go as well as an ideal first date destination.

452 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

The exterior of the restaurant on a sunny day with a 3 ft tall Italian-ish chef figurine out front — A gorgeous stop in a neighborhood that’s full of fabulous patios

Handsome Hog

173 Western Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102

Justin Sutherland’s relocated Southern restaurant has the most popular patio of summer (so far.) The large area is accented with florals and a couple of fire pits.

173 Western Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

New location means a new patio for The Handsome Hog

W. A. Frost and Company

374 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Mention patios in St. Paul and invariably, someone will recommend W.A. Frost. The bar and dining area behind this historic restaurant are shaded by giant trees, and surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Because it’s the most beautiful patio in the Twin Cities, it’s also the most popular. The host staff run hot and cold: sometimes welcoming and sometimes you’ll be told with a sneer that there’s no room ever, for the end of all time. Bring a little patience, a c’est la vie attitude, and deep pockets.

374 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

lush patio around a brick fire pit with whicker furniture all surrounded by lush foliage from the giant trees around it — An icon in outdoor dining

Tori

603 W 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

New this year, this West 7th eatery has expanded its historic train car space to include new outdoor dining. Tori is known for its ramen, but the menu covers all kinds of snacks, and cocktails.

603 W 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

A closeup of an earthenware bowl filled with ramen, broth, and topped with half a prawn

Moscow on the Hill

371 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Those in the know will find this tucked away, private-feeling patio serving arctic-cold martinis just off Selby Avenue.

371 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Day by Day Cafe

477 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Step out into the garden behind this little cafe and its hard to believe it’s located right on St. Paul’s busy West 7th thoroughfare. Day by Day also has a newly installed, fire-burned, outdoor pizza oven.

Open in Google Maps

477 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Waldmann Brewery

445 Smith Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102

Located just over the high bridge and one block off West 7th, this German brewery serves snappy sausages and serious pretzels alongside the beer. The casual beer garden is a family-friendly affair.

445 Smith Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Hope Breakfast Bar

1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102

In the middle of this strange summer, the city of Saint Paul has closed down Leech Street so that Hope Breakfast Bar is able to move operations outside. This new restaurant serves breakfast all day with specialty coffee drinks and cocktails.

1 S Leech St, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Patrick McGovern's Pub

225 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

McGovern’s is a neighborhood bar with a stunner of a patio underneath a retractible roof and this year it’s been expanded into the back of the restaurant as well. It is an oasis that just happens to serve chicken fingers.

Open in Google Maps

225 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102

Visit Website

Related Maps

Black Dog Cafe

308 E Prince St, St Paul, MN 55101

This lovely sidewalk patio is flanked by the historic buildings of Lowertown and just steps away from the St. Paul Farmers Market.

Open in Google Maps

308 E Prince St, St Paul, MN 55101

Visit Website

El Burrito Mercado

175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107

This St. Paul dining icon has a beautiful patio tucked into the lively restaurant space. It’s a gorgeous setting for the Mexican fare and margaritas St. Paul has long known and loved.

175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107

Visit Website

Brunson's Pub

956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130

A gorgeous patio outside a dive bar is completely unexpected, and yet, here we are. Located on the side of the building and completed sheltered from the street, Brunson’s patio feels like it could have been transported from some hip Brooklyn location. Dig in for cold beer, enormous burgers, and just enough sun to shade ratio that you can leave your sunglasses on.

956 Payne Ave, St Paul, MN 55130

Visit Website

A long, narrow patio with black metal tables and blue umbrellas facing a green, ivy covered wall — Pass through the historic bar to get to these prime seats

Related Maps