The Lexington

The Lexington, St Paul: Should You Book?

Grand Avenue has been one of St Paul's most reliable dining corridors for decades, and The Lexington at 1096 Grand Ave has occupied a place on it long enough to become part of the neighbourhood's identity. If you're weighing whether to make a reservation here versus one of the other spots along the strip, the honest answer is: The Lexington earns its reputation as a destination for a certain kind of evening — one that prioritises space, atmosphere, and a sense of occasion over novelty or edge.

The physical room is the first thing that sets it apart from the tighter, louder spots along Grand Avenue. The scale is generous, with enough separation between tables to hold a real conversation, a rarity in a city where most mid-range dining rooms are packed tight. If you're choosing between this and a noisier option for a dinner where the conversation matters as much as the food, The Lexington's spatial layout makes the decision easier. For groups who want a booth or a table with some breathing room, this is the more comfortable choice than Brunson's Pub, which trades in a closer, more casual atmosphere.

The outdoor and terrace dimension is worth factoring into your timing. St Paul's warm-weather window is short, and a venue on Grand Ave with usable outdoor space becomes significantly more valuable between May and September. If you're planning a summer visit, booking a spot with access to exterior seating adds real value to what you're paying for — you're not just getting a meal, you're getting the Grand Avenue streetscape as part of the experience. Plan around that window if you can.

From a value-for-money perspective, The Lexington positions itself as a step above the casual end of the Grand Ave market without reaching into special-occasion-only pricing territory. That puts it in a practical middle ground: more considered than Burger Dive on Bay Street for a quick feed, but more approachable than a full tasting-menu commitment. For a date night or a small group dinner where you want the room to do some of the work, the spend-to-experience ratio holds up.

Booking is direct. This is not a venue where you need to plan weeks in advance or refresh a reservation system at midnight. Walk-in availability is realistic on weeknights; weekends and summer outdoor seating fill faster, so a same-week reservation is sensible if you have a specific table preference.

For context on the broader St Paul dining scene, see our full St Paul restaurants guide, St Paul bars guide, and St Paul experiences guide. If you're also planning where to stay, our St Paul hotels guide covers the options closest to Grand Avenue.