Come by Saint Dinette for a hearty brunch after squash shopping at the St. Paul Farmers’ Market. Here, you can store your just-bought gourds in their walk-in cooler, drink bourbon-spiked cold press coffee, and feast on scrambled eggs and hash browns. A lot of the menu is apparently inspired by the St. Lawrence River, but it’s easy to miss those details when the move is to get the cheeseburger.

Nestled in the heart of downtown St. Paul, this sleek, dimly-lit spot does an upscale take on diner classics. Perfect for dates and big groups alike.

While Lowertown has always been a food destination anchored by the Saintly City’s best farmers’ market, the neighborhood’s restaurant scene has been a bit volatile. Neighbors come and go, chefs dip in and dip out, but Saint Dinette stands its ground as a welcoming spot for an elevated meal. In the past decade, which has been so focused on chef culture, this spot has been watched over by owner Tim Niver, a true hospitalitarian who has made sure that, while the names at the stove may rotate, the mission remains: interesting and playful plates—twists on what it means to be fried fish for Lent at one turn, then a textbook French omelet at another—all in service of a humble curiosity that puts the eater first.

My husband and I ended up eating an accidentally vegetarian meal here recently, because those are the dishes that sounded good to us. Chef Adam Eaton is great at cooking with the seasons, so your options might be different, depending on the time of the year, but we enjoyed a fresh, bright tomato tartare — thinly sliced, juicy tomatoes garnished with giant slices of salty capers and a rich aioli. And a ratatouille flatbread, loaded with roasted eggplant, zucchini, sweet peppers and tomatoes, was enlivened by a kicky harissa and creamy manchego cheese.

Located just a few steps away from Saint Paul’s iconic farmer’s market (one of the few in the state who stock entirely local products), and CHS Field where the St. Paul Saints play, Saint Dinette is an exquisite taste of the city. The kitchen churns out a mix of low and high-brow dishes, all with just a touch of French flair. The ultra-rich, buttery burger is the stuff of legends, and the bologna sandwich covered in oozy cheese is perfect for a pre-game bite.

Saint Dinette: I’ve never had a bad meal at this finer diner in Lowertown, which unfortunately might be closing this spring. The drinks here are spectacular and the French-inspired menu changes frequently, except for the standout, butter-spiked burger and fabulous bologna sandwich. Brunch here is on point, too — order the perfect French omelette and a Canadian Cold Press spiked with bourbon for a kick-start to your Saturday or Sunday funday.

If you have food- and cocktail-snob friends who also like a good time and a best-in-class burger, Saint Dinette is where you take them. The menu changes frequently but chef Adam Eaton and restaurateur extraordinaire Tim Niver know better than to take that burger or the outstanding bologna sandwich away from adoring fans. We have never had a bad meal, or even an off morsel from this place, so order whatever sounds good to you.

Saint Dinette offers a wide-ranging menu featuring American fare with updated takes on classic dishes and cocktails. This restaurants offers tastes from places such as the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, through the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, and to the jungle coast south of the border. Don’t pass up the chance to experience this creative fare (and an amazing burger) in a classic setting.

Cuisine Type: New American RestaurantLocation: 261 5th St E, St. Paul, MN 55101Website: Saint Dinette. Saint Dinette is a popular New American restaurant known for its creative and innovative dishes, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience. From their signature burgers to their flavorful seafood options, Saint Dinette is a culinary destination that showcases the best of American cuisine.

Favorites worth a revisit in the area are breakfast and lunch vibes at the Buttered Tin, quick bites from Afro Deli and Pino's Pizzeria, fun times and music at Amsterdam Bar & Hall, the classics Meritage and St. Paul Grill, Italian emporium Cosetta's, Lowertown's Saint Dinette (with a new chef) and Big River Pizza, and, of course, the abundant St. Paul Farmers Market.

Chef Adam Eaton, formerly of La Belle Vie, crafted Saint Dinette’s menu from North American culinary cultures. You can find a bologna sandwich that will taste nothing like what you expect. And in contrast, Saint Dinette also serves a classic cheeseburger — although different in styles, they both taste divine.

Saint Dinette - Located just a few blocks from the Xcel Energy Center, Saint Dinette is a cozy and stylish restaurant that serves contemporary American cuisine. The menu includes dishes like smoked pork belly, fried chicken, and grilled octopus, as well as a selection of craft cocktails.

Saint Dinette’s food menu includes octopus, pork en croute, shrimp and grits, and dumplings filled with goat cheese, kale and wild mushroom. If you’re up early enough on Saturday and Sunday, also make sure to check out their delicious brunch menu.

261 5th St E, St Paul, MN 55101Phone: 651-800-1415 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Saint Dinette (@saintdinette)