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The Lexington Makes a Polished Case for Special Occasions

Attentive service, classic drinks and an upscale setting make this Saint Paul institution best suited to date nights and celebrations.

By Soren Whitlock4.51,796 public ratings
The Lexington in Saint Paul
James Wallin

More photos

Food and interior photo 1 at The Lexington in Saint Paul
Food and interior photo 2 at The Lexington in Saint Paul
Food and interior photo 3 at The Lexington in Saint Paul
Food and interior photo 4 at The Lexington in Saint Paul
Food and interior photo 5 at The Lexington in Saint Paul

Photos published by diners on Google, not AI generated.

What stands out

  • Attentive, occasion-aware service
  • Helpful food and wine recommendations
  • Well-paced pre-show dining
  • Rooftop patio atmosphere
  • Extensive drink selection

Worth knowing

  • Some flavors may read tart or fish-forward
  • One report of an unpleasant interior smell
  • Expensive price level

Worth a visit?

The public consensus

The Lexington presents itself as an expensive American restaurant, bar and event venue, and its public feedback largely supports that special-occasion positioning. A Google rating of 4.5 from 1796 reviews points to broad satisfaction, while the sample reviews repeatedly emphasize hospitality, careful pacing and a sense of occasion.

This is the kind of dining room people choose for anniversaries, date nights and meals before a show. One couple received a commemorative photo after staff noticed they were out for a date. Another diner described feeling welcomed from the moment of arrival and planned to make the restaurant an anniversary tradition. Those details suggest that The Lexington’s strongest advantage is not any single dish. It is the full evening built around the meal.

Service sets the tone

Service is the clearest recurring strength. Reviewers describe servers offering useful menu recommendations, providing wine samples to help with pairings and folding napkins when guests leave the table. Staff also appear capable of adjusting the pace without making dinner feel rushed. One waiter kept a party on schedule for a show, then coordinated dessert and the check efficiently.

That attentiveness matters at an expensive restaurant, where diners reasonably expect more than competent order-taking. Based on these accounts, The Lexington often delivers the polished, observant service its pricing and atmosphere promise. It also appears comfortable accommodating drink requests beyond the listed cocktail selection, adding to its appeal as a bar destination as well as a dining room.

Food, drinks and atmosphere

The food feedback is favorable overall, though the sample does not point to one universally recurring signature dish. Scallops were called impeccable, while the Lex cake dessert drew strong praise. A signature old fashioned also impressed one guest. Elsewhere, diners mention filet mignon, onion rings, salads, bread service and milkshakes, indicating a menu that spans classic steakhouse-style choices and more casual rooftop treats.

The rooftop patio earns particular notice for its atmosphere, music and friendly service. It may appeal to guests who want a livelier experience than the formal interior dining rooms. The extensive drink menu also comes up positively, reinforcing The Lexington as a place for cocktails and a longer evening rather than a quick meal.

Where opinions split

Not every preparation lands. One reviewer found the duck liver plate too tart and sour, with thick pickled onions that did not work for them. Another disliked the fish-forward character of the Caesar dressing. These are preference-based criticisms, but diners sensitive to assertive acidity or anchovy flavor may want guidance before ordering.

One review also reported a noticeable fish and carpet smell inside. That concern is not repeated in the sample, so it reads as an isolated warning rather than a clear pattern. Overall, the evidence favors The Lexington for guests who value attentive hospitality, classic celebratory dining and strong pacing. The expensive price level makes it less compelling for a casual everyday meal, but the service record gives occasion-driven diners a solid reason to consider it.

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Research-based review: our MN editor synthesized 1796 public reviews and the current 4.5-star rating, not an anonymous visit.