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 visit before or after an event at the Xcel Energy Center, like a Minnesota Wild game. Here is a list of great places to try in distance order from the Xcel center, heading south on West Seventh Street.
Eagle Street Grille
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The Eagle Street Grille has a nice view over the Mississippi in the summer and cozy seating inside with a log fire in the winter. It's popular for drinks, and food; the menu is regular bar food with gangster names.
This bar has live entertainment, and when it's on the patio the sound system takes up half of it. There are also tables outside, right on the busiest intersection in St. Pau if you don't mind the activity.
174 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN, 55102
Telephone 651-225-1382
The Liffey
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The Liffey is 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. The Guinness is some of the best in the Twin Cities.
175 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-556-1420
Cossetta's
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Michael Hicks/Flickr CC 2.0
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 because this place is excellent value for money. There is a lot 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
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Michael Hicks/Flickr CC 2.0
Patrick McGovern's Pub is even darker 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 the best pint of Guinness in the Twin Cities.
225 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-224-5821
The Downtowner Woodfire Grill
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Michael Hicks/Flickr CC 2.0
The Downtowner Woodfire Grill is an 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
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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 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 Saloon
Grand Seven is a hockey pub with limited food, plenty of beer, plenty of Wild fans, and plenty of locals who drink here, occasionally around a brazier fire out on the street.
315 West Seventh Street
St Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-222-6104
The Day by Day Cafe
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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 fill anyone up through a whole hockey game.
477 West Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Telephone 651-227-0654
