In Saint Paul, comfort means stick-to-your-ribs plates, Scandinavian and Midwestern nostalgia, and modern bistros that honor tradition.
Cold winters sharpen the appetite for pot roasts, hotdish nods, and soups that steam up your glasses.
The Nook
A Highland Park institution, The Nook is home to some of the Cities’ most beloved Juicy Lucys—burgers stuffed with molten cheese that are the definition of comfort.
Fries are crisp and plentiful, cheese curds squeak and crunch, and milkshakes lean thick.
The basement bowling alley adds pure Minnesota charm. Order the Juicy Nookie with American cheese and let it drip—napkins required, smiles guaranteed.
Mancini’s Char House
Old-school in the best way, Mancini’s is red booths, sizzling steaks, and garlic toast that arrives endless and buttery.
The prime rib is a winter ritual, and the walleye—lightly fried or broiled—is a Minnesota must.
Sides like hashbrowns, baked potatoes, and au jus-drenched mushrooms complete the nostalgic picture.
Live music on weekends and a supper-club vibe make it comfort dressed in its Sunday best.
Colossal Cafe
A breakfast-and-lunch favorite, Colossal turns morning comfort into an art form.
The flappers (yeast-risen pancakes) are pillowy, the biscuits are tall and flaky, and the hash browns are famously crispy.
Seasonal scrambles and hearty sandwiches keep regulars loyal, while the hotdish specials and soups nod to Minnesota’s cozy canon. It’s small, cheerful, and consistently delicious.
Grand Catch
When comfort calls for spice and steam, Grand Catch delivers Cajun seafood boils that warm you from the inside out.
Pick your seafood—shrimp, crab, mussels—choose a sauce (Minnesota Nice to Ragin’ Cajun), and dig into bags of buttery, garlicky goodness with corn and potatoes.
The fried catfish po’boy and hushpuppies round out the comfort spread. Messy? Sure. Satisfying? Completely.
Holman’s Table
Housed in the historic St. Paul Downtown Airport, Holman’s pairs a sleek room with plush comfort plates.
The chicken pot pie is golden and creamy, the short rib over polenta is rich and restorative, and the tomato soup with grilled cheese soldiers is pure nostalgia.
Views of small planes coming and going add a unique, quietly cinematic backdrop to the coziness.
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