Being the smaller of the Twin Cities, we who live and work in the Capitol City have accepted that there will be things that Minneapolis will get first.

Instead of being offended, we prefer to think, especially in terms of restaurants, that restaurateurs use their first spot to work out the kinks, then bring better versions of that concept to St. Paul.

Here, in alphabetical order, are our 10 favorite restaurants that started in Minneapolis, but are now firmly a part of St. Paul’s dining scene.

BIRCH’S LOWERTOWN

One of the most recent transplants, Birch’s actually started in the western burbs and brought a new version of its popular brew pub to Lowertown in 2018. Instead of the original’s supper club vibe, this Birch’s has fabulous bar food, cooked by chef Shane Oporto of Octo Fish Bar, which is a co-tenant in the Market House Collaborative. The beer here is great, particularly the barrel-aged versions, and the space is large enough to accommodate groups. The other group-friendly feature? Because it’s a brew pub, Birch’s can serve wine and liquor and has some good cocktails. But perhaps our favorite part about the St. Paul version of Birch’s is the downstairs speakeasy-style Barrel House, with a piano bar for some serious sing-along fun. We are endeavoring to be regulars when the fabulous Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs are playing.

Birch’s Lowertown: 289 E. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651-432-4677; birchslowertown.com

BLACK SHEEP PIZZA

Black Sheep’s first restaurant opened in Minneapolis over a decade ago — back when the white-hot North Loop was less than hot and still called the Warehouse District. A few years later, in 2011, the St. Paul location was born, and we have never looked back. Crisp-chewy crusts, charred perfectly by coal fire and topped generously with items like salami, cracked green olives, meatballs and ricotta and harissa, these are some seriously delicious pies. Now we just have to hope that the St. Paul location soon gets the cocktails served at both Minneapolis spots.

Black Sheep Pizza: 512 N. Robert St., St. Paul; 651-227-4337; blacksheeppizza.com

BRASA

Brasa might have started in Northeast Minneapolis, but St. Paul has embraced it so thoroughly that it’s easy to forget that. Nearly a decade since opening its bright, bustling spot on Grand Avenue, Alex Roberts’ ode to roasted meats and flavorful sides is still packed all the time. We love it for eating with a crowd, cheap date night and especially for nutritious and delicious takeout. The St. Paul location is bigger than the original and also serves a few dishes not available across the river, like yellow curry bowls, mac and cheese, and cornmeal-crusted catfish.

Brasa: 777 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-224-1302; brasa.us

KYATCHI

When sleepy, delicious little Tanpopo noodle shop closed, the only salve for the wound was that Lowertown was getting a version of the popular sustainable-seafood sushi spot Kyatchi. Not only is the sushi great, but there also are rice and noodle dishes, a whole host of delicious small plates and, of all things, fancy hot dogs. The menus are the same in Minneapolis and St. Paul, but our location got the very welcome addition of a Japanese whiskey program. We love the flights for discovering new favorites, but the cocktails are delicious and well-balanced, too.

Kyatchi: 308 E. Prince St., No. 140, St. Paul; 651-340-5796; kyatchi.com

PARLOUR ST. PAUL

Parlour started as the basement craft cocktail bar for Borough in Minneapolis. That Parlour is still there, but the new, improved St. Paul version opened this past year on West Seventh Street and includes a cocktail bar reminiscent of the Minneapolis one, but also a “finer diner” and a few other rooms — the establishment takes up four storefronts. The best thing on the food menu is the same as in Minneapolis, the outstanding double-decker burger, but St. Paul has lots of additions, like the roasted half-head of cauliflower, which was one of our favorite dishes of the year, and fried chicken livers that will make even liver haters swoon. And the cocktails, of course, are as good as they are in Minneapolis.

Parlour St. Paul: 267 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-207-4433; parlourbar.com

RED COW

This upscale burger joint is so popular with St. Paulites that it is easy to forget that it started in MInneapolis. Burgers, fantastic beer, wine and cocktail lists and a casual, yet contemporary vibe is what keeps neighbors coming back to Red Cow. The St. Paul location is special for its two-story layout — the upstairs is great for a quieter meal or for accommodating a group.

Red Cow: 393 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-789-0545; redcowmn.com

RED RABBIT

This newcomer to Grand Avenue, which is from the same owners as Red Cow, started in the North Loop and was instantly popular for its casual, tasty Italian menu and vibe. The St. Paul restaurant, in the former Wild Onion space, is a serious upgrade from the previous tenant, and neighbors have immediately embraced the change. Red Rabbit’s St. Paul space, which has a welcoming, open-concept feel compared with the Minneapolis eatery, has been hopping every time we’ve visited.

Red Rabbit: 788 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-444-5995; redrabbitmn.com

REVIVAL

Perhaps our favorite example of a St. Paul upgrade, Revival St. Paul added a full barbecue program and full bar when it crossed the river. There are now two St. Paul locations of Revival, one that serves just smoked meats, sandwiches and sides, in Keg and Case West 7th Market, and the original St. Paul spot on Selby Avenue. The Selby location also serves the fried chicken that put Revival on the map, and it’s still one of our favorite places to get together with friends. Everything is served family style, and who doesn’t like fried chicken? At Keg and Case, the counter-serve eatery is serving up the best ham and cheese sandwich we’ve ever eaten and a smoked whitefish salad that is simply fantastic.

Revival: 525 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-340-2355; 928 W. Seventh St., St. Paul (Keg and Case West 7th Market); revivalfriedchicken.com

ROSE STREET PATISSERIE

In 2018, there was much rejoicing when St. Paul Francophiles could finally get their hands on master baker John Kraus’ signature croissants, baguettes, macarons and so much more. The little Snelling Avenue storefront in a former Starbucks opened this fall, as did a confections counter in Keg and Case West 7th Market, so suddenly Kraus’ treats were being sprinkled like fancy, sweet fairy dust all over the city. At Keg and Case, a pretty box of truffles or macarons is just the thing to give a teacher, a boss, as a host or hostess gift, or to your sweetie for any occasion.

Rose Street Patisserie: 171 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651-556-4488; also 928 W. Seventh St., St. Paul (Keg and Case West 7th Market)

SALTY TART

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New eateries set up shop at malls around the metro Salty Tart was a Minneapolis (and airport) only thing, with no plans of coming to St. Paul, until owner Michelle Gayer was wooed by chef Tim McKee to join his Market House Collaborative project in Lowertown. We can’t thank McKee enough, because we can now get a wholesome loaf of bread, a pastry, confection or really fantastic cup of coffee without a commute. St. Paul is also the only place where Gayer is serving a sweet little cafe menu with fancy toast, shirred eggs and other simple, delicious meals, including one of our favorite lunches in town, Gayer’s ham sandwich.

Salty Tart: 289 E. Fifth St., St. Paul; 612-874-9206; saltytart.com