By Sally English
One of the things I tell buyers who are new to St. Paul is that the brunch scene here will convert them faster than almost anything else. This city has a deep bench of independent restaurants, and weekend mornings are when they shine. Whether you're settling into a new neighborhood or scoping out a few before you decide where to buy, a Saturday brunch tour of St. Paul is one of the best ways to understand what makes each area tick. Here are some of my favorites.
Key Takeaways
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St. Paul's best brunch spots are independently owned and neighborhood-rooted; you won't find chain restaurants dominating this list
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Grand Avenue and Cathedral Hill are the highest concentrations of well-regarded brunch destinations
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Several spots offer a distinctly St. Paul take on classic brunch dishes, drawing on the city's diverse food culture
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Brunch here tends to be relaxed and community-oriented; expect to linger
Grand Avenue: St. Paul's Brunch Corridor
Grand Avenue is the spine of St. Paul's food scene, and brunch is where it earns that reputation. Running through Summit Hill and Mac-Groveland, the avenue is lined with independent cafes and restaurants where the weekend crowds are regulars, not tourists.
A few spots that consistently stand out:
A few spots that consistently stand out:
Grand Avenue Brunch Worth Knowing
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The Buttered Tin: A beloved neighborhood staple serving brunch daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., known for its eggs Benedict variations — the chorizo version with poached eggs on cornbread has a devoted following
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Colossal Cafe: A longtime Mac-Groveland institution on Grand Avenue, serving breakfast and lunch with house-made pastries and a menu that changes with the season
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Red Cow: A Grand Avenue staple with weekend brunch service starting at 9 a.m., strong on burgers and patio dining when the weather allows
Cathedral Hill and Selby Avenue
Cathedral Hill sits just north of Summit Hill and carries its own distinct restaurant culture — slightly more eclectic, a little more East Side in spirit. Selby Avenue is the main corridor, and it punches well above its size when it comes to brunch options.
Cathedral Hill and Selby Picks
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W.A. Frost & Company: A Cathedral Hill institution since 1975, housed in a turn-of-the-century building with wood-burning fireplaces and what many locals consider the best outdoor patio in St. Paul. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m., with a menu built around locally and organically sourced ingredients
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Tongue in Cheek: On Payne Avenue on the East Side, this neighborhood gem is widely considered one of St. Paul's most underrated restaurants. Brunch is served every day they're open, with rotating eggs Benedict variations, a farmer's omelet that changes seasonally, and strong breakfast cocktails
Neighborhood Spots Worth the Drive
St. Paul's brunch scene isn't limited to the Grand Avenue and Selby corridors. A few neighborhood-rooted spots draw regulars from across the city:
Beyond the Main Corridors
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French Hen Café: Serves brunch Thursday through Sunday, known for creative French toast and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere
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Big E: Daily brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a 90s retro vibe and oversized, made-to-order egg sandwiches; a local favorite for its generous portions and no-fuss energy
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to go to brunch in St. Paul to avoid a long wait?
Most popular spots see their heaviest traffic between 10 a.m. and noon on weekends. Arriving before 9:30 a.m. or after 12:30 p.m. significantly reduces wait times at places like The Buttered Tin and Colossal Cafe. Weekday brunch at spots like Big E is a much lower-pressure experience and still worth making a point of.
Are St. Paul brunch spots good for groups?
Most spots can accommodate a group; just call ahead rather than showing up and hoping for the best. W.A. Frost handles larger parties well and has the space to back it up. The Buttered Tin is a smaller room that fills fast on weekends, so it's better suited to a table of two or three than a crowd of eight. Tongue in Cheek is more flexible than it looks from the outside.
Can brunch spots help me figure out which St. Paul neighborhood is right for me?
They really can. Grand Avenue's restaurant density reflects the walkable, community-rooted feel of Summit Hill and Mac-Groveland. Cathedral Hill's spots (W.A. Frost, the French Hen) have a more intimate, historic character that matches the neighborhood itself. If you're still deciding where to buy, spending a Saturday morning in a few different areas is one of the more enjoyable ways to narrow it down.
Contact Sally English Today
Exploring St. Paul's neighborhoods (and its brunch spots) is one of the best ways to figure out where you want to live. If you're in the process of deciding, I'd love to help you connect the lifestyle you're looking for with the right neighborhood and the right home.
Reach out to me, Sally English, and let's find your place in St. Paul.
Reach out to me, Sally English, and let's find your place in St. Paul.
