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joan's in the Park

$50 and over

American

631 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN 55116

Make a reservation

joan's in the Park

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 9, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem
Romantic

joan's in the Park restaurant and full service bar is an elegantly cozy dining destination, located on Snelling Avenue in Highland Park. We offer a 4 course menu designed by Chef /owner Susan Dunlop, which includes distinctive American cuisine . We offer only the finest ingredients, sourced locally when possible. Maître d'/owner Joan Schmitt (and Highland Park native) offers first-class hospitality. Our carefully selected wine, beer and signature cocktail list will also appeal to all tastes. joan's is a must try, if you enjoy great food and amazing hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

OpenTable Icon

2026

From the OpenTable editors: Joan's in the Park is a small, four-course prix-fixe restaurant in St. Paul's Highland Park, built for a proper night out. The menu changes with the seasons, but poached shrimp in carbonara cream with smoked trout roe and salmon gravlax with horseradish cream are two reasons regulars keep coming back. The all-American wine list includes a pairing option that you should consider adding on. Owners Susan Dunlop and Joan Schmitt have earned James Beard semifinalist recognition for a reason, and a meal here makes that clear.

Executive chef: Susan Dunlop

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Hours of operation
Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(651) 690-3297
Website
http://www.joansinthepark.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
631 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN 55116
Award-winning
1. OpenTable Icons 2026
Neighborhood
Saint Paul
Cross street
Bayard
Parking details
Neighborhood parking available. We also have a small lot behind the restaurant
Public transit
Snelling Avenue @ Ford Parkway
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

FILET MIGNON
POTATO PUREE, HONEY GLAZED CARROTS, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, RED WINE BORDELAISE
MARKET FISH
CHANGES DAILY
LAMB CHOP
8oz PORTERHOUSE CUT, ORZO, SUMMER SQUASH, TOMATO CONFIT, DEMI
SEARED DUCK BREAST
BUTTERNUT SQUASH PAVE, PORT POACHED FIGS, FIVE SPICE
BRAISED SHORT RIB
red pepper soubise, roasted fingerlings, parsley garlic sauce

DESSERTS - $12

CHARRED LEMON PANNA COTTA
olive oil snow, pink peppercorn
BROWN BUTTER PUDDING
CHOCOLATE CARAMEL, WHIPPED CREAM, SEA SALT
CHOCOLATE CAKE
SHERRY CREAM, RASPBERRY
CREAM CHEESE TART
SPICED PEAR COMPOTE, VANILLA BEAN CREAM, BALSAMIC

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at joan's in the Park.

5.0

(2289)

5.0Food
5.0Service
4.8Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Minneapolis - St. Paul
Best Overall
Minneapolis - St. Paul
Best Food
Minneapolis - St. Paul
Best Service
Minneapolis - St. Paul
Romantic
Minneapolis - St. Paul
American
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Best Overall
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Best Food
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Best Service
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Best Ambiance
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Best Value
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Innovative
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Neighborhood gem
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Great for fine wines
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Great for outdoor dining
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Romantic
Twin Cities / St. Paul
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Joan's in the Park is a gem in the Twin Cities, renowned for its "exceptional dining experience." Guests rave about the "phenomenal food," "impeccable service," and "intimate atmosphere." The prix-fixe menu offers "creative, delicious" dishes with perfect wine pairings. It's a favorite for special occasions, offering a warm, welcoming experience.

2,289 Reviews

A
Alicia
Minneapolis14 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
There wasn’t a bad choice on the menu and in fact, some of the best dishes I’ve had for a long while. Plus the service is personable and professional. The entire experience was delightful.
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R
Robert Macdonald
New Orleans9 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food. Chef has great sense for flavors!!
Is this helpful?
K
Karen
Minneapolis3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Once again, loved my Joan’s in the Park experience! Wonderful, friendly, welcoming staff and exceptional food! Such a wonderful array of choices and the quality for the price is unbeatable! Thanks so much for a wonderful experience! I will be back!
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J
John
Minneapolis1 review
5.0
Dined on October 30, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was an outstanding experience. We will go back again soon!
Is this helpful?
K
Katherine Gold
Chicago15 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 30, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Magical, everyone should go not just once but regularly
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K
Kevin
Minneapolis9 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 29, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The dining room was cute and inviting. The food was creative, delicious and a good value. We’ll be back.
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M
Michael Gold
Palm Springs7 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 25, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really fantastic experience Polished service Delicious food
Is this helpful?
P
Penny
Minneapolis3 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 24, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have never had a bad meal at joan's. This is an excellent place to celebrate a special occasion. The service is amazing, as is the food.
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J
Joseph Gold
South Carolina3 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 22, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Joan’s is the crown jewel of Twin Cities restaurants. The food is phenomenal and the service is always amazing. Joan, Susan, and their staff lovingly take care of you in a way that is so professional and attentive and that, at the same time, also makes you feel at home, as though you are dining at the home of dear friends. Few restaurants can do this and it makes you want to go back again and again. I absolutely love this place and can’t wait to return.
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D
Debbie
Manitoba1 review
5.0
Dined on October 10, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was excellent. A level above most restaurants. Staff was warm and knowledgeable.
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
American, Seafood, Steak
Hours of operation
Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(651) 690-3297
Website
http://www.joansinthepark.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
631 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN 55116
Award-winning
1. OpenTable Icons 2026
Neighborhood
Saint Paul
Cross street
Bayard
Parking details
Neighborhood parking available. We also have a small lot behind the restaurant
Public transit
Snelling Avenue @ Ford Parkway
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, Joan's in the Park offers patio seating, and guests often praise the patio as a stunner in summer for dining al fresco.

Business casual is the guide at Joan's in the Park, aim for neat, polished clothing rather than formal wear, keeping the tone comfortable and appropriate for anniversaries and special nights out.

Joan's in the Park feels cozy and casually elegant, an intimate, warmly appointed dining room where the owners are present and service is attentive, making it a calm, special‑occasion spot.

Yes, Joan's in the Park is a wonderful choice for date night, with an intimate, cozy atmosphere, multi‑course dining and thoughtful wine pairings that guests celebrate on anniversaries.

Joan's four‑course menu is plated in right‑sized, satisfying portions, guests frequently describe the courses as perfectly paced and leaving them comfortably satisfied.

Joan's in the Park often fills up, guests report every table and many bar seats being taken and the small dining room feeling quite full; other reviewers also describe calm, relaxed visits where conversation flows easily.

Thursday evenings are a favorite for celebrations, guests report excellent anniversary dinners there, and summer Saturdays on the patio also earn strong praise.

Joan's in the Park is especially lovely on summer evenings, guests call the patio “a stunner in the summer, ” making warm-weather nights a great choice for an outdoor, celebratory dinner.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a reservation

joan's in the Park

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 9, 2026

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

joan's in the Park

Make a reservation

joan's in the Park

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

OpenTable Icon

Additional information

First

PARMIGIANO REGGIANO CHEESE BREAD

ONION KNOTT BREAD

VIENNESE PASTRY

SAVORY CHOCOLATE BABKA

Second

POACHED SHRIMP

HEIRLOOM TOMATO

BEEF STEAK TARTARE

GLAZED PORK BELLY

Third

MASA CORN DUMPLINGS

CAVATELLI

SPAGHETTI

TOASTED FARRO

Fourth

FILET MIGNON

MARKET FISH

LAMB CHOP

SEARED DUCK BREAST

BRAISED SHORT RIB

DESSERTS - $12

CHARRED LEMON PANNA COTTA

BROWN BUTTER PUDDING

CHOCOLATE CAKE

CREAM CHEESE TART

Loved For

Review summary

Additional information

FAQs

Does this restaurant have outdoor seating?

What is the dress code for Joan's in the Park?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

Is this a good pick for date night?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

When is this restaurant busiest and quietest?

What is the best day to go to Joan's in the Park?

When is the best time to go to Joan's in the Park?

Make a reservation

joan's in the Park

Make a reservation