Great little local spot in Saint Paul. There's a lot to like about Estelle so I'll try to keep it to what stands out: 1. The menu is wonderful, and the food comforting. The peri peri chicken was surprisingly spicy. I like spicy foods and it was teetering on a bit too hot for me, but I enjoyed the flavors and the dishes as a whole that we sampled. 2. The cocktails are divine. I had two old fashioneds and they were amongst some of the best I've had. 3. The service is impeccable. Friendly, well paced, and professional. 4. The ambiance is really comfortable. I liked that we weren't rushed, and had a really well paced meal in a nice environment. Overall I'd love to return someday. If you go be sure to make a reservation! read more

See all

Incredible experience at Estelle. We sat at the chef's counter, which was such a fun way to experience the meal. Watching the kitchen in action added so much to the night. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Everything felt really intentional and well timed. The food was outstanding. The rigatoni was a standout with an incredible sausage that was honestly to die for. We also had the soles de pollo, a chicken ravioli with fresh vegetables in the sauce, and the flavors were amazing. For tapas, we ordered the patatas bravas and rissoles, both were delicious. Such a thoughtful touch when they brought out churro bites at the end as a thank you. Amazing food, top tier service, and a really fun but romantic atmosphere. Definitely a spot worth going out of your way for read more

See all

Estelle is a cozy spot, with candlelights and flower on each table. It is a perfect spot for a date night or celebrating a special occasion, and is also just a lovely dinner spot with really good food! It is in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood so there is ample street parking nearby if you turn on any of the side streets. The restaurant does get busy at dinner, so I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. They have many unique options for cocktails and mocktails. I opted for the Slaychel which is a non-alcoholic beverage that I think of as an elevated mimosa. It is fruity, slightly tart, and delicious! The service was great! Our water was frequently refilled and never got empty, and our server asked about any allergies and dietary restrictions before we ordered. They were able to modify menu items to fit the different dietary restrictions! Two people in our party (including myself) are vegetarians and one member is gluten-free and also doesn't consume much dairy or eggs. They were able to serve the patatas bravas with the egg on the side and the grilled asparagus with the egg and cheese on the side so we were able to all share the starters. The patatas bravas were wonderful! The potatoes are perfectly crispy but still fluffy. The tomato sauce was slightly smokey and had a very slight kick (think Minnesota spice) and it balanced out well with the creamy tomato. If you're only going to try one appetizer, this is the one to try! The asparagus was also nice. The salsa verde had a slight kick (a bit more than the tomato sauce from the patatas bravas, but not super spicy. Still Minnesota level of spice). The shallots also added a nice crispy texture to the dish! The egg really stood out in this dish, with its runny yolk and batter coating. There were a lot of nice elements and textures. As for pastas, I split the Spaghetti and Radiatore with a friend. The Radiatore was nutty and tangy, and the serving size was generous. I enjoyed it, but I would order the Spaghetti over it any day! I don't even know how to describe the Spaghetti and do it justice. It was creamy, cheesy, delicious. Our server said it was a staff favorite, and I understand why. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, go with this one!! Even if you aren't a vegetarian, give it a try. It's so classic, and it's done so well. For dessert: they give free churros when you're dining in! They are served warm with a chocolate drizzle. We also ordered the Honey Cake which we enjoyed a lot! The cake itself was light, like a mousse. There was some crunch from the hazelnut praline and honeycomb toffee pieces. It was nutty and sweet but not overly sweet. It was a perfect way to finish off the meal! Estelle was delicious and the service was great! I can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Amazing food, incredibly nice people, but it was a bit loud. They provided churros to us after dinner for free!

We went to go and celebrate my birthday here, we got to sit at the bar, which is my favorite place to always sit, and ate a delicious meal. It was fun to watch all of the cooking get done. They have a delicious hamburger and awesome pasta - we will be going back read more

Where do I even start? Estelle is, without question, my absolute favorite restaurant in Minnesota. Going here always feels like a true treat, and I genuinely cannot recommend it enough. The photos included in this review are from my most recent visit, which also happened to be my milestone birthday, an experience made even more special by everything Estelle does so exceptionally well. As incredible as the food is, the staff somehow manages to be even better. They are truly outstanding. Every single person is knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. After countless visits, I've never once been disappointed by the service. They know the menu inside and out, handle my food allergies with complete ease, and are always polite, accommodating, and warm. When I recently brought my family to Estelle, the first thing they raved about afterward was the service. Now, the food. I genuinely dream about the patatas bravas. I hope they never leave the menu because they are the most perfect appetizer. Crispy fried potatoes topped with a smoky, spicy red sauce and aioli, absolute perfection. If you go to Estelle, PLEASE order them. You will not be disappointed. My favorite entrée is the Piri Piri chicken, a dish I think about nearly every day of my life. The spice is perfectly balanced and keeps you coming back for more. It's incredibly flavorful, unique, beautifully plated, and simply divine. Other standout favorites among people I've dined with include the Pica Pau, the Rigatoni, and the pesto (proof that there's truly something for everyone here). Estelle has something truly special going on. The space is small but mighty, also very romantic for a date or celebration dinner. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or just looking for an exceptional dinner, this is the place. I couldn't recommend it more. read more

See all

I've been wanting to try Estelle for a while now & it did not disappoint! They have a stunning patio, delicious food, and we had the sweetest, most attentive server! The cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates melted in your mouth. The cocktail was flavorful, dimensional- would get again. And there were no leftovers! Our server brought complimentary birthday churros for my mother in law, and they were delicioussss. This is a great place for birthdays and anniversaries - it calm, airy and classy, but not formal unless you want it to be! - street parking - kids menu - recommend a reservation for the weekends! read more

See all

Amazing!! Came to Estelle for a birthday and was not disappointed. Excellent food, creative cocktails, and attentive service. Made a reservation online a few days in advance and had the option for dining room, patio, or chef's counter. Street parking can be tricky. The dining room was a little hot due to the open kitchen, so sit in the bar if you want it a little cooler. I ordered the Straight Cash, Homie mezcal cocktail and loved it. A perfect bright drink for summer, but still with some depth. The heirloom tomato salad and radiatore with jalapeño pesto were my favorite foods. Both had such fresh flavors. We were too full for dessert, but our server brought us some cava and mini churros for the birthday - so kind. I can't wait to come back and try other things in the menu! read more

See all

Amazing food, great service. Recommend sitting at the kitchen bar. Dinner and a show!!

This place might be the best hidden gem in St. Paul. If you're looking for some incredible pasta, you must come here. I'm a pasta / Italian food snob, and this place gets two-thumbs up. Pasta was AMAZING. Service was incredible. Gabe was awesome as a server and had excellent customer service. Great vibe. read more

This is such a fantastic spot in the area. The service was incredible and the space itself is nice! We started off with drinks - I got the Scrump Diddley and it was very good and enjoyable. My sister got the Lady Brett Ashley that was non-alc and it was so good! For the tapas, we went with the Patatas Bravas and the Shrimp Al Ajillo. The Patatas Bravas was a huge portion and I thoroughly enjoyed these. They were crispy and paired so well with the tomato sauce. The Shrimp Al Ajillo was also very refreshing. For the mains, we went with the Radiatore pasta and the Pan Seared Rainbow Trout. The Radiatore pasta was delicious and I highly recommend this one! The sauce was a nice jalapeno pesto and it coated so well on the radiatore pasta. The Pan Seared Rainbow Trout wasn't bad but wasn't my favorite. It was pretty basic with a light gastrique sauce. There were a lot of bones in the fillet that we got. We ended the meal with the Creme Fraiche Cheesecake and since it was my sister's birthday, they also added a cute little candle to the side! We really appreciated this. The kitchen also shared some chocolate churros with us. This is definitely a great spot to celebrate or for a nice dinner. They have limited parking spots on the east side of their building. read more

See all

1000000% my favorite restaurant of all restaurants. Food is spectacular, drinks are incredible, service is the best of the best. The vibe is upscale, but family friends and you are allowed to have fun. Give it a try if you haven't done so yet! read more

See all

We had been meaning to go to this restaurant for a few years. It is situated in the quiet neighborhood of Macalester-Grove. Parking is on the street. The restaurant side is a warm cozy atmosphere and the servers were very attentive. Appetizers: Papayas bravas, shrimp al ajillo and the pica pau were delicious. Our mains were the rigatoni, grilled piri piri chicken, and radiatore. We had two lovely deserts. Overall the food was great. Service was great. We will be coming back. read more

Absolutely phenomenal restaurant to visit. Sat at the Chef's table and couldn't be happier watching the Chef's cook and the expo making sure everything runs smoothly. Service was perfect. Menu was explained well and my server was super nice. Food was the absolute star of the night. Bacalo was a great way to start and the rigatoni was one of the best pasta dishes I've had in awhile. And I just came back from Italy 4 weeks ago!! Super saucy, great portion size and the cook of the pasta was perfect. Ended the night with the honey cake and some complimentary churros. Both were perfect and shout out to the pastry chef on the honey cake. Sweet, crunchy and creamy all in one bite. Estelle is a must visit. I'll be back for that phenomenal looking cheeseburger. read more

See all

Finally made it here. Always passed by it. Now we are here. Walk in ok. The service is great. Ambiance is chill with enough excitement coming thru the open kitchen Food are amazing. Must order: *chicken liver with olive tapenade. Because it comes with the fluffiest bread that is just out of this world. Kudos to pastry chef that baked this "out of this world" bread *Honey cake is very light not too sweet. With some crunchy honeycomb just perfect ends to meal. This pastry chef I heard her name is "NoK" should win an award. She'll definitely gets from me read more

See all

We had a lovely dinner here! Food and drinks were delicious and service was superb! Loved the patio area outside. If you're in the market for some more upscale dinning, I highly recommend! read more

See all

Phenomenal dinner and customer service. We were greeted warmly when we arrived and from there, the exceptional and intuitive service continued. The food arrived at a nice pace and it seemed like our waiter (I believe his name was Gabe) could just read our minds and was always a step ahead. The team servicing us in general was great, from checking in on our food and filling up water and offering to box up the appetizers that we enjoyed (and wanted to set aside to save room for our main courses). The food itself was exciting - great flavors / spices and perfect texture. The grilled chicken piri piri was my husband's favorite, cooked tenderly with a yummy kick to it (I like that they give people a heads up on the spice, we love spice but people who don't enjoy mild to medium spice might find it too spicy). The rigatoni was my favorite and a dish I will crave regularly, with its amazing sausage and sauce. The game-changing touch tonight was when they brought us their complimentary churro dessert bites and said they made mine without cinnamon sugar. Before you judge, I have an uncommon and annoying cinnamon sensitivity, and many restaurants understandably cannot accommodate that restriction. It was such a non-issue and I loved the special churro bite to wrap up the meal. A tad on the pricier side (the rigatoni was $30 which surprised me a little) but worth the service and tasty food. I've already texted my friends rave reviews about Estelle and will be back to try the burger and honey cake I saw on the menu. Thanks for the great date night! read more

See all

Wow! Just wow! One of the best meals we have ever had. We went to dinner at Estelle to celebrate our anniversary. They offered complimentary toast to celebrate our anniversary. So nice! We had already looked at their menu and had a plan for what we would like to order. We started with the Falafel.  The Falafel was excellent! Better than some falafel we have had at Lebanese restaurants. Then came our Patatas Bravas. Such a simple dish, but oh so tasty. Crispy potatoes with a slightly spicy sauce cooler with streaks of creamy mayo. Then came the Rissoles. The first time we had confit chicken was at a restaurant in Atlanta. It was a memorable experience. So was this dish. Crispy on the outside. Inside the chicken is meltingly tender. A little spice from the poblano and notes of cilantro help cut the richness of that confit chicken. We then tried the Bucalao. You get the texture of the fish without a fish taste. The habanero tartar sauce is the perfect compliment and is not nearly as hot as it sounds. We were already pretty full at this point however we needed to try one of their staple dishes. The Radiatore. Oh my goodness! First of all, nothing like fresh pasta. The jalapeno pesto again is not as spicy as you might think, yet provides a little heat that cuts the richness of the pesto. The smoked almonds provide a beautiful crunch contrast to the creamy pasta. Outstanding dish! Since it was our anniversary, we decided to get two desserts. Well actually three as the first item to hit the table was their complimentary Churros. I love, love churros! These churros were unlike any churro that I have ever had. They were light and crispy. Not doughy at all. Easily addictable. Then came their Creme Fraiche Cheesecake. This made me forget that I had wanted to try their no longer available Star Bar. This cheesecake was so good. The roasted strawberries were amazing. The cheesecake was light and creamy with a crunchy biscuit crust.  We took a piece of their honey cake home with us. Their honey cake was rich and creamy. The cake came with some hazelnut praline and honeycomb toffee which provided a nice crunch to accompany the creamy cake. Outstanding meal! Outstanding service! Two other servers stopped by our table to say congratulations. They also did a wonderful job of staggering our dishes so they came out as we were finishing the current dish. We sat on their comfortable covered patio. We are already planning our return trip. This is a special place! read more

See all

Stopped in recently for a birthday dinner. Got a reservation for the "chef's counter", which is basically a bar top overlooking the kitchen. As someone who loves to cook and usually looks at all the food coming out of the kitchen to see what others order, this was heaven for me. Had the patatas bravas for an appetizer. I could have had a second of those for sure. The sauce was delicious. Ordered the pesto radiatore and the calabrian Chile rigatoni for our meals. Both were out of this world tasty. Also tried the honey cake for dessert and they offer small churros to everyone post-dinner. I can't wait to go back and sit at the chef's counter again! read more

See all

The food, service and vibe is terrific. The drinks well curated, we had the sangria which was delicious. Recommendations the falafel, the dates wrapped in bacon, the phenomenal patates braves, the charred artichoke salad with great green goddess dressing. The Pau Pi beef was so tasty as was my wife's shrimp dish. So full we didn't order dessert, but as a surprise gift from the restaurant they serve the most delicious mini churros. The waitstaff is friendly, knowledgeable and extremely efficient. The management can't be better and the restaurant is comfortable and clean can be. read more

Pica pau tapa was absolutely delicious!! The wine the server recommended was a great match to our pasta. We'd highly recommended the Rigatoni! Ambience was great out in the patio and service was phenomenal! Enjoyed our time here, things were just a little pricey-- but it was expected! read more

See all

Everything was perfect, service food and atmosphere! Highly recommend! Perfect date night

Visited Estelle with a group of friends and we ordered several dishes and shared them family style. The service was excellent everything arrived as ordered and in a very timely fashion. I had a margarita that was perfect! We also shared the Potato Bravas, Rigatoni , and a few other dishes all were very good the consensus at the table was the rigatoni took the overall best spot. But was not an easy decision. For dessert we had the Butter Cale and Churros both very good. Great meal great service and a good time had by all ! read more

See all

The staff was able to accommodate a last minute reservation for six while we were in town visiting. The food, staff, atmosphere, and selections were all outstanding. We look forward to our next visit. read more

My two girlfriends and I had dinner reservations right at 5pm this past Friday night. We sat at the "Chef's Table" which is the high top bar looking right at the open air kitchen. Sitting at the Chef's Table has another fun perk other than watching all the dishes get plated - you get a free little appetizer before your main entrees are served! We were served a baguette slice with what tasted like a homemade cheez whiz spread topped with crispy pork belly and finished with balsamic reduction glaze. WOWIE was that fun yummy surprise. The atmosphere created an intimate dining experience which kept the noise level down and we didn't feel strained trying to converse. We enjoyed sharing everything we ordered so we could taste as many delicious dishes as possible. As everyone else has said in their reviews, you can't leave without ordering the Patatas Bravas. Think spicy tomato soup poured over big breakfast potatoes and topped off with a delicious creamy mayo. I don't know how it works but it does!! If you're a Rigatoni lover, it was one of the best I've had. I enjoyed that the sausage in the Rigatoni were in the shape of little meatballs. To end the meal, they bring complimentary churros to everyone which was a lovely way to finish. I'd also recommend ordering the Honey Cake - I haven't tasted anything like it before!! I'm still dreaming of the honeycomb toffee. Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot and the street parking seemed to be 1 hour limit. I ended up parking in a nearby neighborhood 3 blocks away. read more

See all

I wanted to love this place so much but I didn't. We went for a date night. Loved the ambiance, the service, and the open kitchen area.The food just didn't hit the spot for us. There's street parking and l a lot seating area but I could see myself coming for a drink if I'm in the area again. read more

See all

So good! A fun vibe in St. Paul, parking was easy and the service was seamless. My friends and I had Rigatoni, Patatas Bravas, Heirloom tomato salad, and Grilled Peri peri chicken- highly recommend! read more

Estelle was exceptional. From the ambiance, to the service, to the food. If we were locals, we would absolutely have it as a regular place to visit! Our server, Gabe, deserves a special shout-out for his care and attention. The patatas bravas, although a class, was a stand out from any I have had before. The pork belly literally melts in your mouth and the mustard sauce was to die for. The jalapeno pesto was just the right amount of heat and had a large enough portion to fill us right up! It was so good I literally forgot to take ANY PHOTOS! read more

We sat at the bar and started with cocktails before sharing a few tapas. The ambiance, service, and drinks were all excellent, but the tapas--though beautifully presented--were a bit underwhelming and lacked flavor. I'd recommend Estelle for drinks, but for authentic, flavorful Spanish tapas, head to Rincon 38. read more

My first experience at Estelle was over two years ago, and although the night has blurred with time, I remember thinking, "I need to come back." The second time was more recently, when we sat at the bar just after happy hour on a Saturday. The environment is back lit by high windows that direct light down on a cool, white marble bar, with a neat row of high top bar stools, and just enough space to wait single file for a highly coveted seat. Although some may be discouraged by pasta dishes priced in the 30 dollar range for a neighborhood spot, I urge you to wait and taste before passing judgement. High quality oozes from the noodles and the dishes are approachable yet creative. My two favorite dishes were the patatas bravas (of which I will judge every other patatas bravas dish of my life) and the Radiatore. First, the patatas. Don't ask questions, just order the tapa for the table. The potatoes are well seasoned, crispy, and piping hot. They are doused in creamy Duke's mayo with hints of lemon and parsley. The base consists of a fresh, somewhat spicy, tomato sauce that pairs well with the mayo, bringing down the heat from both the sauce and potatoes themselves. The portion is large, the flavor combination is addicting, and you will surely be satisfied even before your mains hit the table. The Radiatore matches the patatas in some of its flavor profile, again with lemon and parsley. But that's where it ends. The Radiatore noodles are short and stout, with little waves that soak up all the goodness from the sauce - jalapeño pesto and smoked almonds. The pine nuts from the pesto and the smoked almonds mix in a nutty, spicy, delicious bright green blanket. Each bite is better than the last and the portion size is plenty for two, especially after a healthy serving of the patatas. I love that you can experience two completely different vibes in each space, the cozy main dining room and the relaxed yet seemingly upscale and intimate bar. For sure a staple spot that I will return to again and again. read more

See all

Estelle was a great restaurant, one of my favorites in the Twin Cities. It carries off its flannel, casual elegance with panache, without a whiff of pretension, unlike other Twin Cities restaurants I have disliked in the past. The now shuttered Haute Dish comes to mind. We sat at the bar and immediately noticed the eclectic crowd. An older couple was on our right, perhaps not as old as us, but close. To my left, two dudes sat with their hoodies on, looking like they were avoiding CCTV cameras. A younger couple, enjoying date night, sat at the end. It was an interesting group. Estelle is a neighborhood joint. Dylan was our bartender/server, and while busy with the packed crowd, took time to talk and help us with the menu. We ordered an assortment of food as Estelle's menu encourages. I loved the Bacalao. The Twin Cities serves a lot of Salt Cod. We both were ecstatic about the Piri Piri Chicken, Radiatore surprised me with its herbaceous nature. It was delicious, reminding me of the kitchen at La Condesa, a Mexican/French Michelin starred restaurant in Paris, who uses verdant sauces and spices in its cooking. The Radiatore was my favorite dish of the evening. My spouse found the Rigatoni good, but not great. Later in the evening, the bar at Estelle became an industry hang out. They all had food, the ultimate stamp of approval. Estelle is one of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities. read more

See all

Came here for dinner with friends the first night we were in from out of town for a wedding. Got here early for dinner we got to hang out in the bar area until the dining area was open. The customer service was great. The food was tremendous. The chicken liver mousse and butternut squash salad was very good. Then I ordered the spaghetti which was also good. read more

Estelle - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Quite possibly the best dining experience I've had in the States! The service was excellent from the moment we entered and were greeted to our server who helped recommend delicious drinks and food while explaining beautifully what we could expect from each dish. The vibe reminded us of our recent experiences dining in Copenhagen. 10/10 will will go back again! No wonder reservations get full so quick! read more

Estelle - Pasta and a drink - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

See all

Second time here. Not as impressed this time. Good but not 5 stars like before. For me this would be a 3 experience but only because of the meal I chose. The drink - running of the goats $16 very good. Dark rum, fino sherry Wine - Xarmant Txakoli basque Spain - it was more citrus for me, I do not care for that, wine was fine otherwise. Dry Tortoloni $30. Foie gras, Aldo verde, kale,radicchio, snap peas, chorizo, balsamic roasted onions. The chorizo is buried in the middle and I did not find it until I had eaten about a 1/4 of the tortoloni. It was dry and tough. The foie gras was very mild and did not stand up to the leek and other flavors. I also thought the pasta was too thick for the flavor balance for the foie gras. The broth was very nice. The dish was very elegant but not for my taste. We ate on the deck outside and that was fine. About half of the others were very happy with the meal. Rigatoni was very liked. My wife did not care for the hot trout put onto the cold beans. Both were OK by themselves but she did not like the mix. Service from Rico was fine. read more

A wonderful first experience at Estelle. We came for my best friend's birthday and sat at the chefs counter and highly recommend this experience. The food was delicious. Hands down. There is no other way to say it. Every bite was simply yummy. The staff was kind and attentive without being overly hovering. Sitting at the chefs counter allowed us to see how each dish was prepared, the care and attention to detail put into the food. We also were given some delicious extra unexpected bites from the chefs. The staff made sure to help make our experience special and memorable. Highly recommend. Would recommend making reservations in advance. A bit tricky to navigate if you have mobility challenges but not impossible. Street parking. read more

See all

What a great restaurant! Staff is friendly, efficient and wecoming. Food is delicious!! Bring me one of everything on the menu, especially the amazing rigatoni! I highly recommend this neighborhood gem!! read more

This was our first time at Estelle and everything was delicious. Our server was very attentive and helped us with the layout of the menu. We got patatas bravas to start which was very good. My husband got the piri Piri chicken which we were told was going to be on the spicier end from our waiter and it was, but it was delicious and the sauce that accompanied helped cool it down. I got the rigatoni and it was super creamy and the sausage pieces were tasty. Would recommend all three dishes! The wine list is also fantastic! read more

See all

4.5 stars - Flavorful food, warm service, and an intimate vibe perfect for special occasions. Service: Our server was incredibly kind and attentive to our needs. As a group of five young adults celebrating the end of our fast and Easter (a major holiday for us as Orthodox Christians), we really appreciated how respectfully and equally we were treated. Sadly, that's not always the case at other restaurants, but here, age didn't affect the quality of service -- which meant a lot to us. Food: I tried everything our table ordered, and each dish was packed with flavor. Over time, some of the flavors did feel a bit strong or heavy, so I'd recommend keeping water or something refreshing nearby to reset your palate. Portion sizes were moderate but fair for the price, and it felt worth it knowing the food is made fresh. Ambience: The space has dim lighting and a cozy, intimate atmosphere -- quiet enough for easy conversation. It felt homey and relaxed. Most guests were dressed smart casual, which matched the vibe. While there's no strict dress code, you might feel out of place in super casual or streetwear. Tips: * Street parking only, so allow extra time to find a spot. * Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner -- the space is limited. * For parties of 6-8, you have to call ahead to book a table (they don't allow online bookings for larger groups). read more

See all

I enjoyed the food and the environment here. The purple Yam tastes fantastic! The chef also shared how they cook them. The flavors are delicate. Great food and presentation. I had a really bad date but at least the food/staff made my day! read more

Estelle - Wine Bars Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We went for grandpas birthday. From 6-68 everyone enjoyed the food. Great share plates. Amazing service. Every dish is perfect. And the sangria always hits the spot. read more