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Where to Eat and Drink Near St. Paul's XCel Energy Center

by Claire Stanford
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by Claire Stanford
Photo: Bulldog Country

The weather has finally turned to spring, and with it comes a season full of concerts and events. And so, in the spirit of all things hockey and Beyoncé, we present this guide to where to eat and drink near St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center. Whether you're craving sophisticated French cuisine, a steaming plate of pad Thai, or a juicy bacon cheeseburger, we've scoped out 10 great places to try, all located within easy walking distance of the Xcel and surrounding parking ramps.

Did we miss your favorite pre- or post- event eats? Let us know in the comments.


—Sophie Rupp

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. The Liffey Irish Pub

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175 7th Street West
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 556-1420
(651) 556-1420
Visit Website
Right across the street from the Xcel Energy Center, the Liffey offers an outdoor terrace complete with a full bar. Grab a table outside and take in the view while sipping a cold pint of beer or a glass of vino. The Liffey is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves late-night appetizers every night until midnight.

2. Cossetta Italian Restaurant And Market

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211 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-3476
(651) 222-3476
Visit Website
This family-friendly (and newly renovated) institution offers a mean pizza pie and an array of salads and pastas. Order a pizza to go or load up your tray with a bowl of mostaccioli pasta and a loaf of hot garlic bread and grab one of the many tables upstairs.

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3. Louis Ristorante & Bar

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211 7th Street West
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-7378
(651) 222-7378
Visit Website
Part of the Cossetta's Italian emporium, Louis serves sophisticated Italian fare and offers stunning views of both the river bluffs and the Cathedral of St. Paul. Start your meal off with the misticanza salad, then enjoy the “Louis” brick chicken. Louis is open seven days a week beginning at 3 p.m.

4. Eagle Street Grille

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174 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 225-1382
(651) 225-1382
Visit Website
When there’s an event at the Xcel, Eagle Street Grille is sure to be lively. Take a seat in the sprawling restaurant or snatch a table outside on the patio and order from the Minnesota-themed menu (each dish is named after a ‘sota icon). Warm up your stomach with the “Sec. 108” (jalapeno cheese curds) or the “St. Paul Winter Carnival” (walleye fingers) appetizers, then order the Big Sexy burger. Enjoy your meal while listening to live music (check Eagle Street’s Facebook page for performance times).

5. Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar

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350 Saint Peter St
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-0185
(651) 224-0185
Visit Website
This popular Japanese eatery has been frequented by St. Paulites for over 20 years. Grab a table and snack on pork gyoza (dumplings) and edamame, then select from Sakura’s extensive sushi menu, made-to-order by the sushi chefs behind the counter. Not a fan of sushi? Opt for a tempura or teriyaki entrée. Sakura also has many vegetarian options.

6. St. Paul Grill

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350 Market St
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-7455
(651) 224-7455
Visit Website
This St. Paul establishment is located next door to the Xcel Energy Center, inside the St. Paul Hotel. Start your meal off with a plate of the sizzling bacon, then choose from one of the many meat and fish entrees on the menu (pro tip: get the rotisserie chicken). If you’re thirsty, grab a seat at the mirror-clad bar and order one of the Grill’s many signature cocktails. The St. Paul Grill is open seven days a week for lunch (brunch on Sunday) and dinner.

7. Pazzaluna

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360 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 223-7000
(651) 223-7000
Visit Website
Swing by Pazzaluna and satisfy your pasta craving with the homemade pappardelle with wild boar ragu or the chicken saltimbocca served over linguine. Pasta not your thing? Opt for the margherita pizza or the veal medallions. They've got a ton of veggie and seafood options, as well. The popular eatery is open for dinner seven days a week beginning at 5 p.m., and offers daily happy hour specials between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

8. Meritage, a Brasserie

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410 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-5670
(651) 222-5670
Visit Website
Duck into Meritage for a meal of classic French onion soup and a basket of pommes frites, or sample the tasty eats off the bar menu (happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday). The bustling restaurant serves lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant, but the Oyster Bar is first come, first serve.

9. Mickey's Diner

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36 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 698-0259
(651) 698-0259
Visit Website
The Mighty Ducks knew what they were doing when they visited this iconic St. Paul dining car. Mickey’s is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and serves breakfast all day (and night). Stop by and dig into a bacon cheeseburger with a side of hashbrowns, and wash down your meal with a hand-dipped chocolate malt topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

10. Ruam Mit Thai Cafe

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475 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-7871
(651) 222-7871
Visit Website
This hidden gem is located just a few blocks from the Xcel, and serves up authentic Thai cuisine seven days a week. If you’re craving something spicy, the Matsaman curry will hit the spot. Polish your meal off with fresh mango and sweet sticky rice (offered seasonally).

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1. The Liffey Irish Pub

175 7th Street West, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Right across the street from the Xcel Energy Center, the Liffey offers an outdoor terrace complete with a full bar. Grab a table outside and take in the view while sipping a cold pint of beer or a glass of vino. The Liffey is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves late-night appetizers every night until midnight.
175 7th Street West
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 556-1420
Visit Website

2. Cossetta Italian Restaurant And Market

211 7th St W, Saint Paul, MN 55102
This family-friendly (and newly renovated) institution offers a mean pizza pie and an array of salads and pastas. Order a pizza to go or load up your tray with a bowl of mostaccioli pasta and a loaf of hot garlic bread and grab one of the many tables upstairs.
211 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-3476
Visit Website

3. Louis Ristorante & Bar

211 7th Street West, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Part of the Cossetta's Italian emporium, Louis serves sophisticated Italian fare and offers stunning views of both the river bluffs and the Cathedral of St. Paul. Start your meal off with the misticanza salad, then enjoy the “Louis” brick chicken. Louis is open seven days a week beginning at 3 p.m.
211 7th Street West
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-7378
Visit Website

4. Eagle Street Grille

174 7th St W, Saint Paul, MN 55102
When there’s an event at the Xcel, Eagle Street Grille is sure to be lively. Take a seat in the sprawling restaurant or snatch a table outside on the patio and order from the Minnesota-themed menu (each dish is named after a ‘sota icon). Warm up your stomach with the “Sec. 108” (jalapeno cheese curds) or the “St. Paul Winter Carnival” (walleye fingers) appetizers, then order the Big Sexy burger. Enjoy your meal while listening to live music (check Eagle Street’s Facebook page for performance times).
174 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 225-1382
Visit Website

5. Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar

350 Saint Peter St, St Paul, MN 55102
This popular Japanese eatery has been frequented by St. Paulites for over 20 years. Grab a table and snack on pork gyoza (dumplings) and edamame, then select from Sakura’s extensive sushi menu, made-to-order by the sushi chefs behind the counter. Not a fan of sushi? Opt for a tempura or teriyaki entrée. Sakura also has many vegetarian options.
350 Saint Peter St
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-0185
Visit Website

6. St. Paul Grill

350 Market St, St. Paul, MN 55102
This St. Paul establishment is located next door to the Xcel Energy Center, inside the St. Paul Hotel. Start your meal off with a plate of the sizzling bacon, then choose from one of the many meat and fish entrees on the menu (pro tip: get the rotisserie chicken). If you’re thirsty, grab a seat at the mirror-clad bar and order one of the Grill’s many signature cocktails. The St. Paul Grill is open seven days a week for lunch (brunch on Sunday) and dinner.
350 Market St
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-7455
Visit Website

7. Pazzaluna

360 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Swing by Pazzaluna and satisfy your pasta craving with the homemade pappardelle with wild boar ragu or the chicken saltimbocca served over linguine. Pasta not your thing? Opt for the margherita pizza or the veal medallions. They've got a ton of veggie and seafood options, as well. The popular eatery is open for dinner seven days a week beginning at 5 p.m., and offers daily happy hour specials between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
360 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 223-7000
Visit Website

8. Meritage, a Brasserie

410 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Duck into Meritage for a meal of classic French onion soup and a basket of pommes frites, or sample the tasty eats off the bar menu (happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday). The bustling restaurant serves lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended for the restaurant, but the Oyster Bar is first come, first serve.
410 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-5670
Visit Website

9. Mickey's Diner

36 7th St W, Saint Paul, MN 55102
The Mighty Ducks knew what they were doing when they visited this iconic St. Paul dining car. Mickey’s is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and serves breakfast all day (and night). Stop by and dig into a bacon cheeseburger with a side of hashbrowns, and wash down your meal with a hand-dipped chocolate malt topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
36 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 698-0259
Visit Website

10. Ruam Mit Thai Cafe

475 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
This hidden gem is located just a few blocks from the Xcel, and serves up authentic Thai cuisine seven days a week. If you’re craving something spicy, the Matsaman curry will hit the spot. Polish your meal off with fresh mango and sweet sticky rice (offered seasonally).
475 Saint Peter St
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-7871
Visit Website

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