Cossetta’s St. Paul Old World Italian | The Best Food in Town
Looking for some old world Italian without breaking the bank? Head out to Cossetta’s Alimentari in St. Paul. We stumbled upon this place while we were venturing through St. Paul this past weekend. We had a failed attempt at going to the Back To the 50s. Got there too late in the day and after an hour of searching for parking, we gave up. Note to self, go first thing in the morning next year. We realized it was lunch time and needed something quick that would also ‘DayTrip worthy’ since we promised the kids a fun time. We decided that we should embrace St. Paul Dining.
Cossetta’s
Cossetta’s has been servicing the St. Paul community since 1911. Located on 7th Street, it started out as a tiny food market and has grown to a couple restaurants, bakery, Italian market and catering company all housed in one building. The newest addition to its brand is Louis Ristorante & Bar, located on the third floor. A little higher end but still a casual sit-down restaurant. They opened in 2013. Louis added a new twist on the same of the flavors you will find downstairs but still provides a balance of a relaxed dining but also makes you feel special.
Their marketplace is where to go to find exclusive Italian Grocery. Cossetta’s has a full collection of grocery and specialty items. They also offer a wide variety of different meats. If you love to bake specialty foods, you’ll want to remember this place.
Eatery & Pizzeria is a la carte style food. Similar to a cafeteria style dining where you collect your tray and make your way through the lines. Just stop up at the counter to order your freshly prepared food and pay up at the front. They provide simple Italian comfort foods ranging from Pizza to Sandwiches, Salads and all the pasta’s you could imagine. We enjoyed the Pizzas and Salads. My kids ended up splitting a giant slice of pizza. The salads and sandwiches are all made fresh for you. I ended up getting one of their spinach salads.
For your sweet tooth, check out Pasticceria. They serve the most amazing fresh pastries and gelato. Walking in, you can smell the freshly baked sweets. Some describe it to the smell of walking in France. If I ever get to go to France, I’m in trouble because that smell was intoxicating. It is enough to entice even the strongest willed dieter. We had to get one of their cannoli’s for dessert. It didn’t disappoint. As we ate it, we were trying to figure out how to recreate the flavors and crunch at home. Come to think of it, it might be easier just to buy it the next time I’m in St. Paul.
Next to the food, one of the best parts of Cossetta’s is the ambiance. They have a prime location down by the Xcel Center. They offer free parking in a lot just behind the restaurant for those that hate downtown parking! From 7th street, turn onto Chestnut and take the first right where an attended will greet you. Once inside you enter a world of fresh baked bread’s and old world feel. They have some seating on the main level, but most of the tables are all upstairs. Since it was a beautiful day, we ate outside on the balcony. The views overlooked the street. Next time you are in St. Paul and are looking for a bite to eat, check it out.
