Step through the doors of The Lexington, and you enter a St. Paul institution. This Summit Hill landmark has been serving classic steakhouse fare with a side of neighborhood charm for decades.
The aroma of seared steaks and sizzling sides hits immediately, hinting at the care behind every plate. Thick cuts, perfectly seasoned, arrive with crusts that crackle and interiors that melt with each bite.
Even the simplest dishes feel like a celebration of comfort and craft.
The dining room hums with familiarity. Locals linger over cocktails, swapping stories, while first-timers marvel at how effortlessly tradition and warmth coexist.
Every detail—from the polished wood to the attentive service—makes a meal here feel personal.
Whether you’re chasing a legendary steak, a classic martini, or a slice of Americana, The Lexington proves that some restaurants don’t just serve food—they serve moments worth savoring.
A brief history and neighborhood legacy
The Lexington has anchored Grand Avenue since the 1930s, weathering trends while keeping a neighborly soul. You feel it the second you pass the coat check and hear the low clink of glassware, a promise of classic hospitality.
Locals bring visiting friends here to say this is St. Paul, and they mean it.
Its supper club spirit is not a gimmick, it is the operating system. Dark wood paneling, vintage mirrors, and framed photos set an elegant stage without stiffness.
You can dress up, relax, and still feel like you belong.
Servers trade in memory and detail, remembering anniversaries, favorite martinis, even the corner table you love. Regulars swear by that lived in glow, while first timers quickly understand why.
The Lexington’s best magic is how it makes old traditions feel new again.
Despite four dollar sign pricing, value shows up in consistency, pacing, and care. Splurge nights carry less risk when execution is this steady.
If you are in Summit Hill, consider this your landmark, your next story, and maybe your new ritual.
How to book and when to go
Reservations are smart for prime nights, especially Fridays and Saturdays after 6. The dining room fills quickly and the jazz bar hums, so book a week ahead for two and longer for groups.
If you strike out online, try calling after 3 when hosts can see live movement.
Hours run 4 to 10 pm most nights, stretching to 11 pm Friday and Saturday. Early birds catch a calmer room and the soft glow of sunset on Grand Avenue.
Night owls find energy, clinking coupes, and a kitchen still firing steaks perfectly.
For walk ins, the bar and rooftop are your friends when weather cooperates. Perch by the kitchen to watch plating choreography or slide into a corner booth for intimacy.
Valet helps smooth arrival, especially during snow season.
Anniversaries and birthdays get a little extra sparkle, so mention the occasion. If you want the jazz bar, request it kindly but stay flexible.
A thoughtful plan and a touch of spontaneity play beautifully here.
Signature steakhouse experience
The steak program is the heartbeat, with cuts seared to a savory crust and finished with lush butters. Order the center cut ribeye rare with bone marrow butter if you crave deep, beefy decadence.
Steaks arrive rested, juices intact, and seasoned with confidence rather than bravado.
Steak Diane channels table side drama without fuss, pan sauce glossy with cognac and mushrooms. Filets stay tender and restrained, perfect for those who value balance over excess.
If you like to share, split a larger cut and build the sides like a playlist.
Pair with au poivre cravings, a classic béarnaise, or simply sea salt and cracked pepper. The kitchen respects temperature calls, so be precise with medium rare versus medium.
Your server will guide you like a trusted friend.
Price points lean celebratory, yet the value lies in execution, timing, and the room’s glow. You will leave feeling cared for, not hurried.
That is why people return for milestones and make new ones here.
Seafood standouts and Midwest favorites
The Lexington surprises with seafood that respects the Upper Midwest palate and pushes it gently. Walleye cakes win raves, crisp edged and tender, with just enough seasoning to let the fish sing.
Salmon Oscar brings buttery crab, asparagus, and béarnaise in a comfort forward arrangement.
Lobster spaghetti leans rich and celebratory, thick noodles carrying sweet lobster in a balanced sauce. When seasonal whitefish specials appear, expect a golden crust and bright acidity for lift.
Portions feel generous without blunting finesse.
Start with lobster and cauliflower dip if you want a warm shareable bite, then pivot to seafood or steak. The kitchen dials in textures so nothing arrives soggy or overworked.
That reliability anchors higher pricing with trust.
If you crave variety, split seafood as a starter and move to beef for the main. Servers are adept at pacing courses so you are never rushed.
You will leave satisfied, not weighed down, ready for dessert.
Cocktails, jazz, and the bar scene
The jazz bar is where time loosens its tie. Notes drift over polished wood while bartenders shake French Martinis, Last Words, and Old Fashioneds with quiet precision.
Pull up a stool and watch Andrew and crew work like practiced hosts.
Classics take center stage, garnishes are thoughtful, and mocktails get real creativity, not afterthought energy. Ask for cherries in that French Martini if that is your joy.
Prices run premium, but the pour and craft match the tag.
Live jazz nights turn conversations into easy murmurs, perfect for dates or catching up with friends. If you like to graze, order mussels and fries or lamb meatballs and linger.
The vibe stays elegant, never stuffy.
Seats disappear fast on weekends, so arrive early or be flexible about bar versus high top. Let the staff steer you toward something seasonal.
You will leave humming, glass polished clean, already plotting your return.
Desserts worth lingering over
Save room because dessert feels like a finale here, not an afterthought. Grasshopper pie channels mint chocolate nostalgia with a grown up finish.
Classic cheesecake, chocolate cake, and celebratory ice cream touches keep birthdays smiling.
When anniversaries or milestones are noted, the team often adds a sweet gesture. That generosity lands the experience softly, like a final chord in the jazz room.
If you lean savory, split one dessert and two spoons still feel right.
Coffee service is polished, and after dinner drinks appear with effortless timing. Consider an amaro or a thin ribbon of crème de menthe to echo the grasshopper’s charm.
The staff reads the table and paces accordingly.
Prices remain in line with the room’s caliber, and portions are share friendly. If you want a photo moment, the plating cooperates beautifully.
You will leave with the last bite lingering and no regrets.
Service, pacing, and hospitality
Service at The Lexington blends old school polish with modern warmth. Valet greeting, coat check, and a confident host set an easy tone.
Servers are attentive without hovering, moving like stagehands in a well practiced play.
Ask for guidance and you will get thoughtful, personal answers, not scripts. Timing matters, and courses land with impressive consistency even on packed nights.
If you have dietary needs, say the word and the team navigates swiftly.
The staff collaborates across sections, so water, bread, and checks never languish. Managers circulate quietly, smoothing edges before you feel them.
It is the kind of hospitality that makes splurges feel smart.
When things misfire, they correct with grace and ownership. That integrity keeps regulars loyal and newcomers charmed.
You leave feeling known, which is a rare luxury.
Pricing, value, and what to order
Value emerges through consistent cooking, refined pacing, and that intangible supper club glow. Order with intention and you will feel your dollars working.
Anchors include the ribeye with bone marrow butter, Steak Diane, walleye cakes, and salmon Oscar. Add a classic cocktail and one shared dessert to build a well rounded arc.
If you prefer comfort, the chicken pot pie delivers with nostalgia and craft.
Balance cost by sharing sides and choosing either appetizers or dessert, not both. The bar menu can also offer a lighter lift with mussels and fries or meatballs.
Ask for the server’s honest take and you will get it.
For celebrations, lean into the full experience and let the night stretch. For casual evenings, sit near the kitchen or rooftop when open.
Either way, you will walk out satisfied.
Private events and memorable moments
The Lexington shines for intimate weddings, anniversaries, and milestone birthdays. Rooms like the Williamsburg set a tailored backdrop with vintage grace and attentive staff.
Guests feel celebrated, not processed.
Event planning support is responsive and detail oriented, from timelines to special menus. Bartenders turn service into theater, sometimes even crafting playful mocktails for kids.
Those extra touches create stories guests keep retelling.
If you are planning from out of town, communication stays steady with photos and videos. The team anticipates needs you have not considered, which calms nerves.
Day of execution feels seamless, like a well conducted orchestra.
Book early for peak months and share your vision clearly. Provide dietary notes upfront and trust the kitchen’s seasoned hand.
Your reception or dinner will feel timeless, rooted in this historic St. Paul landmark.
Ambiance and seating that set the tone
From the moment you step inside, the lighting whispers stay awhile and the mahogany accents do the rest. Booths feel like a gentle hug, offering privacy without losing the buzz.
You can chat easily, hear laughter from nearby tables, and settle into a relaxed rhythm.
The music sits low, letting conversation lead without shouting. Tables are spaced thoughtfully, so your elbows are not negotiating with strangers.
Whether you slide into a booth or choose a table by the window, the room flatters you. It is the kind of setting that makes everything taste a little better.