What it's actually like
Herbst Eatery is widely celebrated as a hidden gem and top-tier dining destination in the Twin Cities with exceptional farm-to-table cuisine, thoughtfully curated cocktail program (organized by proof levels), and warm, knowledgeable service. Most reviewers rave about the creative, seasonal menu and beautiful atmosphere. Primary criticisms center on high pricing relative to portion sizes and occasional inconsistency in value perception, though food quality itself receives nearly universal praise.
farm-to-tableneighborhood gemcreativewarm and welcomingmodern understatedlocally-sourced
Diners keep mentioning
duck waffle (brunch)egg and pork belly breakfast sandwichhash brownsfried chicken with brown butter pistachios and dillhamachi crudoblack codrisottofocacciascotch eggDanish pancakes (æbleskivers)
Ambiance
upscale-casual
Noise level
moderate
Dress code
smart casual
Outdoor seating
Yes
Good for
date night, brunch, celebration
Reservations
Tock
Wait reality — Reservations strongly recommended as the restaurant books up quickly, especially on weekends. Weekday early dining may be accommodated without a reservation. Capacity of ~65 keeps the space intimate and not cramped.
Derived from 80 recent Google reviews — not marketing copy.
What's cooking
Appetizer
★ beef tartaredairy free$20
Dover Producers beef, preserved pepper aioli, potato chips
ricotta toastvegetarian$18
charred onion, squash tempura, pear espelette jam
Salad
grilled beetsvegetariangluten free$20
citrus, preserved strawberry vinaigrette, stracciatella, almond
heirloom potato saladdairy free$20
trout roe, dill, rye, dijon vinaigrette
Pasta
agnolottivegetarian$31
turnip, peanut miso, mushroom broth, kale, calabrian chile oil
lumache verde$31
bolognese, parmesan cream, fennel
risottogluten freevegetarian$31
brie cream, roasted celery root, pomegranate, hickory nuts
Entree
★ brunch burger$19
double smash patty, red rock cheddar, dijonaise, caramelized onion, focaccia bun
★ brunch risottovegetarian$21
mushroom conserva, hollandaise, poached egg, herb salad
Danish pancakesvegetarian$13
seasonal jam
★ dry aged duckgluten free$44
sunchoke, sage, mediera jus, amaranth
★ eggs benedict$21
poached eggs, ham, mushroom duxelles, hollandaise, arugula
★ french omelettegluten freevegetarian$21
stracciatella cheese, herbed vermouth sauce, arugula
herbst breakfast$20
2 eggs your way, chicken sausage, ham, or pork belly, hashbrowns, toast
waffle$24
duck confit, spiced maple syrup, meyer lemon jam
Wild Acres half chickengluten free$37
bagna càuda, grilled daikon
Steak
★ Dover Producers butcher's cut steakgluten free
maple glaze, fried hominy, preserved jimmy nardello jus
Side
bread, butter, jamvegetarian$8
chicken maple sausagegluten freedairy free$9
grilled carrotsgluten freevegetarian$15
harissa yogurt, sunflower seed dukkah, pickled sultanas
grilled focacciavegetarian$7
whipped butter
hashbrownsgluten freevegetarian$10
la ratte fingerling potatoesgluten freedairy freevegetarianvegan$12
garlic vinaigrette, bean puree, lemon
smoked pork bellygluten freedairy free$11
★ two eggs, any waygluten freevegetarian$6
Waxwing Farms spinachvegetariangluten free$10
shallot confit, salted daikon
Dessert
bombolonevegetarian$5
oatmeal chocolate chip cookievegetarian$3.50
oat milk panna cottadairy free$15
poached apple, oat streusel, caramelized sunchoke
olive oil cakevegetarian$15
cardamom black tea, pomegranate sabayon, white chocolate
seasonal sconevegetarian$6
Cocktail
Cold Brew Martinivegandairy freegluten free$16
organic vodka, coffee liqeur, amaro, cold brew coffee
Wine
Los Bermejos Malvasía Volcánica Naturalmente Dulcevegandairy freegluten free$11
Lanzarote, Spain (2 oz)
Lustau Amontillado Los Arco dry Jerez Sherryvegandairy freegluten free$11
Spain (2 oz)
Robert Sinksy Late Harvest 2023 Organic Muscatvegandairy freegluten free$12
Los Carneros, CA (2 oz)
Non alcoholic
Dogwood French Pressvegandairy freegluten free$17
Sacred Blossom Herbal Teavegandairy freegluten free$5
Hot or Iced
Other
Cardamarovegandairy freegluten free$10
Casoni Finale Emiliavegandairy freegluten free$10
Fernet Brancavegandairy freegluten free$10
Forthave Marseillevegandairy freegluten free$15
Negroni Antica Amarovegandairy freegluten free$10
Petovia Pelinkovecvegandairy freegluten free$9
Seafood
★ grilled snappergluten free$39
le puy lentils, preserved kumquat, fennel, spiced pepitas
Find it
Address
779 Raymond Ave, Saint Paul, MN
Phone
651-340-0254
Restaurant group
independent