In today’s restaurant culture, between breakfast cafes and neighborhood dinner joints, a good lunch can be hard to come by. But if there’s one place that’s arguably designed around serving lunch, it’s the downtown skyways.
Over the past six months or so, I’ve endeavored to eat at every independent lunch spot in the skyways, and many of them several times over. (I skipped the chains. Sorry to all the Subway-heads out there.)
There are, of course, plenty of worthwhile meals to be had at street-level restaurants and cafes that can be accessed via the skyways (see: 1881 Eating House at Union Depot; HepCat Coffee at Osborn370; the Saint Paul Grill at the Saint Paul Hotel), and longtime skyway staple Pino’s Pizzeria has since moved down to the street level and remains very much worth a visit.
However, this guide focuses specifically on the skyway level, organized by building.
Securian Financial 401 Building
Skyway Grill: No funny business: It’s a grill in the skyway. The wide variety of burgers are all top-notch, as is the gyro, which was one of my favorite lunches of 2025. Two of owner Scott Johnson’s favorite menu items are technically breakfast foods, but he serves breakfast all day, so I think it counts: He recommends The Boss (sausage, egg, jalapeño bacon, pepperjack and chipotle cream cheese on an everything bagel) or The Scoots, an potato-and-egg scramble he used to make at home when his son was younger. Good stuff. (Suite 223; 651-243-4578; skywaygrillanddeli.com)
A pesto chicken panini is held up in front of the sign for Maison Darras, a restaurant in the downtown St. Paul skyways, on June 11, 2025. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)
Maison Darras: After nearly two decades as a daily presence behind the counter, founding owners Xavier and Dee Darras quietly sold their longtime French lunch spot last month, but the new owners plan to keep things consistent. And lucky for us, because this has been one of our favorite skyway lunch spots for years now. Just on the well-curated panini menu alone, there’s something for everyone; not to mention the salads and soups. (Suite 205; 651-666-7463; facebook.com/maisondarras)
Pizza Deliciosa: Sometimes it’s a pizza or pasta day, you know? And at $3.99 for a quite large slice, it’s one of the best values around, too. (Suite 207; 952-297-0005; pizzadeliciosa.com)
A bowl of pho from Mai Lam Vietnamese Restaurant in the St. Paul skyways is served on Nov. 4, 2025. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)
Mai Lam: There’s no shortage of Asian options in the St. Paul skyways, and Mai Lam has some staples like General Tso’s chicken, but you should skip to their Vietnamese menu. Go for a banh mi, stir-fried noodles or a bowl of pho: The broth is sweeter and more onion-forward than many others I’ve tried around town at street level; it’s a chilly day go-to. (Suite 203; (651-330-7965; mai-lam.com)
Town Square
Mi Mexico Querido: If there were a prize for the most colorful skyway lunch spot, Mi Mexico Querido would have it in the bag. A brief closure in early 2025 was worrisome, but they’re once again going strong with bold entrees that, I think, rival sit-down Mexican spots. (Suite 202; 651-237-3770; mimexicoquerido.com)
Steven D’s: Sadly we’ve lost more skyway restaurants than we’ve gained recently, so it’s delightful to see a new kid on the block. A couple months ago, Kim Reid and Steve Fiebiger spun off their food truck into a full-fledged lunch counter in the old Cassie’s Deli location, a sizable space in a prime corner. Their menu is classic American (think burgers, grilled chicken, salads and the like) but the real move is the soup selection Fiebiger makes every morning. If vegetable beef barley is on the menu, it’s going to be a good day in my world. (Suite 227; 651-399-7459; facebook.com/StevenDsmn)
Entree options await hungry customers at Ho Fan, a restaurant in the St. Paul skyways, on July 31, 2025. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)
Ho Fan: When lunchtime hits, this spot is always fast and always friendly. The black bean chicken, with green beans and mushrooms, is a favorite. There are some misses — I found the kung pao chicken a bit too soft and too sweet, and the breading on the orange chicken a bit too tough — but their vegetable entrees don’t skimp, which I love. (Suite 225; 651-347-4895; hofanmn.com)
The signature chicken masala dish from Skyway New Masala in downtown St. Paul is served on July 31, 2025. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)
Skyway New Masala: This Indian/Middle Eastern spot is tucked away near the now-shuttered bridge to the Alliance Bank Center, so it’s a bit hard to find and it’s on the pricier side for skyway lunches, but the hefty portion size makes it worth both the time and money. Their signature dish, the tomato-roasted chicken masala, is delightfully spicy. Oh, and I would buy their cilantro chutney by the bottle. (Suite 216)
U.S. Bank Center
Kitchen 601: Every time I’ve eaten here, the dining room is busier than every other skyway restaurant and business I pass on the walk over. This is inexplicable to me; my experiences here have consistently been characterized by bland food on unnervingly greasy plates, but it is one of the skyway’s most comfortable, airy lunch spots with a wide-ranging menu that’s ideal for groups. (Suite 220; 651-245-9171; kitchen601.com)
Bambú: Tragically, this Asian spot is also tucked in a back hallway en route to the now-abandoned Alliance Bank Center, so what was once a central thoroughfare is now desolate. For this reason, as I have learned, you should order something from the menu board on the wall rather than one of the pre-prepared entrees held hot under the glass; the menu is more creative, anyway. (Suite 285; 651-602-7960; bambuonline.com)
Wells Fargo Place
A meal from Lee’s Express in the downtown St. Paul skyways is served Oct. 30, 2025. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)
Lee’s Express: Arguably the most hidden-gem of all the hidden gems. You’ll have to head up the escalators toward the third-floor Children’s Museum skyway for some of the best classic beef and broccoli around. The fried rice has a nice smoky edge, too. The hunt is worthwhile. (Suite 318; 651-493-3341; leesexpress.square.site)
First National Bank Building
Catrina’s: Build your own tacos, burrito, bowl, quesadilla or torta sandwich; I personally love the smoky chicken tinga, but you do you. Keep an eye out for their rotating daily specials, too; those enchiladas rock. (Suite 233; 651-330-2418; catrinasgrill.com/skyway)
Bonus: Pioneer Endicott
Legacy Chocolates: The downtown chocolatier makes delightful chocolate- and coffee-based beverages and great pastries. I know this guide focuses on lunch spots, so maybe this is more of a breakfast or dessert option, but — hey, I can eat chocolate for lunch! Who are you, my mother? (Suite 229; 651-340-5252; legacychocolates.com)
More from Double-Decker Downtown
Read our deep dive into the past, present and future lives of the St. Paul skyways, and explore more profiles of skyway businesses:
After 43 years, Paul Hartquist’s personal service keeps skyway jewelry store shining
At Skyway Grill, owner Scott Johnson feeds everyone
Blue Hummingbird Woman brings native culture and wellness to the skyways
Paper is hotter than ever at skyway print shop Cedar Printing
At skyway barbershop, Mr. B aims to empower through haircuts
Through clothing, skyway tailor Patricia Caldwell aims to beautify the world
Cycling Museum of Minnesota brings over a century of two-wheeled history to the skyway
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