West Seventh Street, leading southwest out of downtown St. Paul from the Xcel Energy Center, is the best place to find restaurants, pubs, bars, coffee shops and sandwich shops, all very convenient for a meal, snack, or drink before or after an event at the Xcel Energy Center.
Here's where Republican National Convention-eers, Minnesota Wild fans, and Xcel concert-goers can visit, all on West Seventh, within a short walk of the Xcel Center.
The venues are in distance order from the Xcel center, heading south on West Seventh Street.
Eagle Street Grille
The Eagle Street Grille has a nice view over the Mississippi in the summer, and cozy seating inside in the winter. It's popular for drinks, and food; the menu is regular bar food with gangster names.This bar has live entertainment, when it's on the patio the sound system takes up half of it. There's also tables outside, right on the busiest intersection in St. Paul. Hey, we are city dwellers, we don't care!
174 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN, 55102
Telephone 651-225-1382
Blink Bonnie
This cafe is one of three Blink Bonnie locations in downtown St. Paul, serving sandwiches, subs, salads and coffee.
182 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-229-0000
The Liffey
A large Irish pub kitty corner to the Xcel center. Inside is dark wood tables and paneling, and the rooftop patio is wonderful, with a view of the Xcel, and St. Paul's Cathedral. I've bumped into a table on more than one occasion when walking down from the brilliant sun outside into the dark interior.
75 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-556-1420
Cossetta's
A beloved West Seventh institution, this Italian market, deli and cafeteria-style restaurant makes incredible pizza. Even when there's no event at the Xcel Energy Center, this place is usually still full of locals becasue this place is excellent value for money. Lots of room on two levels inside, a couple of table on the street, but no patio.
211 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-222-3476
Patrick McGovern's Pub
Patrick McGovern's Pub is even danker than the Liffey inside, but with an equally attractive patio, albeit with a slightly less good view. They do a great plate of Irish stew, and my favorite pint of Guinness in the Twin Cities.225 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-224-5821
El Patio Mexican Grill
Very popular Mexican restaurant with a good value buffet, lots of beers, and happy hours. And the namesake patio is very pleasant too, separated from the busy street and usually filled with flowers in the summer.
242 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-209-9210
The Downtowner Woodfire Grill
Upmarket restaurant serving great grilled American food, slightly less great Persian dishes, an extensive wine list, and live music at the weekend.
253 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-228-9500
Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub
As the Xcel Energy Center is arguably the finest ice hockey venue in the country, St. Paul has a worthy claim on the title of Hockey City. Join regulars, who often include current and former NHL players, for good beers, and bad bar food in the hockey-memorabilia packed interior, or on the patio.
258 West Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-292-9916
Grand Seven
Another hockey Pub. Limited food, plenty of beer, plenty of Wild fans, and plenty of locals drink here.315 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-222-6104
Seventh Heaven
This is mostly an antique and collectibles store, but has a coffee bar and restaurant open morning through late afternoon. Look for the triangular shaped building just after the intersection of West Seventh Street and Grand Avenue.
325 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-222-0122
The Day by Day Cafe
About 10 minutes walk from the Xcel Energy Center, the Day by Day cafe makes fine breakfasts and lunches, served all day and into the evening on weeknights. Plenty to full anyone up through an eternal delegate speech or a whole hockey game.
477 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-227-0654
