Highland Grill
Highland Park, Saint Paul
Restaurant in Saint Paul, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Highland Grill is worth choosing for an easy St Paul meal when convenience and group consensus matter more than a formal dining experience. It fits casual celebrations, family meals, and repeat visits better than chef-driven special occasions; for a more deliberate night out, compare it with Myriel, joan's in the Park, or The Nook before deciding.
About Highland Grill
Is Highland Grill worth considering in St Paul? Yes, if the goal is a casual, easy-to-plan stop built around convenient timing rather than a highly specific dining agenda. Highland Grill is in St Paul, has a casual dress code, and is open daily from 7 AM into the evening, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Think of it as a practical option when timing and simplicity matter.
A practical repeat-visit pick, not the splurge dinner
Highland Grill opens at 7 AM every day and stays open until 8 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. That broad daily window makes it easier to fit into a day than places with narrower hours, especially when the schedule is doing some of the decision-making.
For a multi-visit strategy, split the decision by occasion. First visit: go when convenience and casual dress matter. Second visit: use it when the priority is an easy St Paul option rather than a more formal room. Third visit: if the meal needs a more deliberate occasion feel, compare it with other choices instead of forcing Highland Grill into a role it was not designed to play. The key is to let Highland Grill be what it is: casual, St Paul-based, and open for a long daily span.
How to decide whether Highland Grill fits the plan
Choose Highland Grill when the plan calls for casual dress and flexible timing in St Paul. Its hours and dress code are the dependable signals, making it a practical choice rather than a highly specific one.
The tradeoff is clear: Highland Grill should not be framed as a destination for a particular culinary style or special service format. Its usefulness comes from the basics that stand out. For readers comparing across the city, use the full St Paul restaurants guide to decide whether this should be the main plan or a convenient casual option.
Planning details
- Location
- 771 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116
- Website
- highlandgrill.com
- Phone
- +1 651 690 1173
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Highland Grill reads like the dependable neighborhood kitchen St. Paul households expect. The copy frames the restaurant as a community fixture on Cleveland Avenue, built for regulars rather than visitors chasing trends. That translates into a warm, relaxed dining room focused on consistency: the menu emphasizes American comfort standards and dishes that hold their shape across years. Expect an unpretentious, charming atmosphere where the service and food are steady comforts—a place people return to because it reliably delivers the familiar rather than because it seeks to amaze.
Best For
This is a spot for morning-to-evening neighborhood life. Given its positioning and the presence of brunch-forward items like Eggs Benedict and Hot Hash and Holly, Highland Grill is particularly well suited to brunch crowds and family outings. Its steady, comfort-driven menu also makes it a sensible choice for casual weekday lunches and low-key dinners with friends or neighbors. The restaurant’s orientation toward regulars makes it especially good for anyone seeking an unfussy, predictable meal in a community-minded setting.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the menu’s comfort classics: the Eggs Benedict and Hot Hash and Holly are signature picks for weekend brunch, while the Turkey Burger reads as a reliable lunch or dinner choice. The description stresses consistency and neighborhood service, so order the familiar favorites rather than hunting for trend-driven plates. If you’re visiting with family or friends, stick to the staples that have kept the place steady—they’re the dishes the kitchen has honed for repeat business.
Venue details
Ambiance
Upbeat and bustling with warm hospitality, featuring modestly decorated, folksy diner-style interior.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Turkey Burger
- Hot Hash and Holly
- Eggs Benedict
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 771 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116
Planning details
Location
Restaurant context
How Highland Grill compares in St Paul
Highland Grill is the practical choice in this set: easier for everyday meals and mixed groups than Myriel, which is the better fit when the meal needs a clearer Scandinavian-inspired point of view and more occasion energy. If the night is a meaningful celebration, Myriel has the stronger dining identity; if the group needs something relaxed in St Paul, Highland Grill is the lower-friction call.
The Nook is the closer casual peer for readers prioritizing comfort and value over polish. Choose The Nook when the meal is explicitly about a neighborhood classic feel; choose Highland Grill when the group wants broader all-day flexibility. Luci Ancora and joan's in the Park make more sense when ambience and a more intentional dinner rhythm matter.
4801 S Minnehaha Dr sits outside the immediate St Paul decision for most diners, so it is a cross-shop only if location is already convenient. For a simple St Paul meal, Highland Grill wins on ease; for a more memorable night, start with Myriel or joan's in the Park.
Explore Saint Paul
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Highland Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Highland Grill
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Grill | St Paul | , | No published awards |
| Myriel | St Paul | Scandinavian-Inspired | 2025 Food & Wine Global Tastemakers Top Restaurants · #92025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 James Beard Awards2021 Esquire Best New Restaurants · #14 |
| Luci Ancora | Saint Paul | , | No published awards |
| 4801 S Minnehaha Dr | Minneapolis | , | No published awards |
| joan's in the Park | Saint Paul | , | 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants |
| The Nook | St Paul | , | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurants2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Bars |
How Highland Grill St Paul compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Highland Grill?
Go casual. Highland Grill is in St Paul and has a casual dress code, so there is no need to dress up unless your group wants to.
Is Highland Grill good for a special occasion?
Choose it for a relaxed plan rather than a dress-up dinner. The details point to casual dress and long daily hours in St Paul. For comparison, Myriel or joan's in the Park may be useful to consider for a different kind of meal.
Does Highland Grill handle dietary restrictions?
If anyone in the group has serious restrictions, check Highland Grill's official channels before going. You can also compare it with Luci Ancora if you are weighing other dining options.
Can Highland Grill accommodate groups?
What stands out is that Highland Grill is casual and has a broad daily schedule, which may make planning simpler. For any party-size requirements, check directly with the restaurant.
Is lunch or dinner better at Highland Grill?
Highland Grill is open daily from 7 AM into the evening: until 8 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and until 9 PM Friday and Saturday. Choose the time that best fits your plan. If you are comparing dinner options more broadly, 4801 S Minnehaha Dr or joan's in the Park may be useful comparisons.
