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1881 by LEI, Saint Paul, MN

1881 by LEI

4.4
4.4
100 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
Lake Elmo Inn is opened a new restaurant at Union Depot in Saint Paul. Owners Chef John and Christine Schiltz named 1881. The name “1881” pays homage to the year both the original Union Depot and Lake Elmo Inn opened, reflecting the deep historical connection the restaurant hopes to foster.

Offering a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn will merge the charm of a storied past with a modern culinary flair, becoming a destination for both locals and visitors.

1881 by Lake Elmo Inn is to be a place where families can build lasting memories. We want to offer an experience that generations can cherish, from proms to graduations to weddings, we’re here to make moments unforgettable.

The Menu is inspired by the success of the original Lake Elmo Inn and will include both favorites from the flagship restaurant as well as exclusive new offerings hand-crafted from fresh, local

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Fri 10:00 am–2:00 pm Wed–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (952) 698-1881
  • Website
    http://www.1881bylei.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Ashe Wolf
  • Catering
    Lake Elmo Inn Catering(our sister company) is the exclusive Caterer for Union Depot. We are also able to cater any off-site events within the area. For information and booking please contact us at 651-779-5994
  • Location
    214 4th St E suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101
  • Neighborhood
    Saint Paul
  • Cross street
    4th Street East & Wacouta Street. Parking lot is off of Kellogg Blvd
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Union Depot Station (light rail station) is outside the front of the building. Public bus stop is at Union Depot, along with the Amtrak.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 100 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • 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

    Good for groups

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Healthy

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Neighborhood gem

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Good for special occasions

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Lively

  • Twin Cities / St. Paul

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
1881 by LEI offers a unique dining experience in the historic Union Depot with a compact, diverse menu that caters to everyone. Guests rave about "excellent food and service," particularly the "amazing Reuben truffles and duck risotto." The ambiance is nostalgic and lively, reminiscent of classic train travel days.

100 Reviews

  1. Doug

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We had lunch at Union Depot on a busy Saturday in December. Highlights: French Onion soup, BLT, Turkey Club sandwich, fries. These were all decent, although we thought the meal took too long to come out due to the French onion soup needing to be broiled. The sandwiches were good, not spectacular. Lowlights: Portabello sandwich, chicken wild rice soup. Because the meal took a long time to arrive, the portobello sandwich and cup of soup were not hot. Also the portabello was really small and dried out. We were expecting a big fat mushroom and it looked like a dried out hockey puck on a slider bun. The soup was warm, not hot. Overall, worth another try to see if dinner is better. The ambience was lively and festive. Our server was so new he couldn't answer questions about the men. For a place with LEI pedigree, the meal was inconsistent and ordinary for the value.

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  2. Sherrie

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We really enjoyed this beautiful restaurant and the view inside the Union Depot. We all ordered different food items on the menu from soups and salads to steaks and fish. Everyone one of us enjoyed our meal. The prices are very reasonable. I love going to restaurants where potatoes and vegetables are included with the entrees. We will be back. I have been recommending this restaurant to everyone looking for a new place to try.

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  3. Deb

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was amazing! Service was great but just a little slow. The place was awesome we enjoyed the ambiance.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Don

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Competent, prompt and pleasant service. Had a quick & effective solution for our tippy table. I was impressed. Food was local and tasty. Very good small dessert.

    Is this helpful?

  5. RobH

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Food was excellent - sunfish and seafood medley!!! Wait staff was very slow, almost seemed "out of it". All other staff was great. Once you remember you are in an old train station, you realize that's the atmosphere. That part of it was not my favorite.

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  6. Elizabeth

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed a wonderful dinner after riding the North Pole Express out of Union Depot.

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  7. Anna

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and atmosphere were excellent! A wonderful addition to the bustling, historic depot.

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  8. Robyn

    Minneapolis

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sunnies, squash Ravioli, and French Onion Soup were wonderful. Server was joyful & conscientious. Delightful time spent.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Paul

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoyed visit. Good breakfast, reasonably priced. Union Depot is a great location.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Amy

    VIP

    Minneapolis

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We had such high hopes but the filets were cooked too done, looked like canned mushrooms for $5 extra, boring mash potatoes and sad asparagus. Our drinks were made incorrectly from the dirty martinis to the French 75 and very watered down espresso martinis. We came prior to the show and hoped for a better experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

1881 by LEI is rated 4.4 stars by 100 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Google Map for 1881 by LEI

214 4th St E suite 300, Saint Paul, MN 55101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    4th Street East & Wacouta Street. Parking lot is off of Kellogg Blvd
  • Neighborhood
    Saint Paul
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Fri 10:00 am–2:00 pm Wed–Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Union Depot Station (light rail station) is outside the front of the building. Public bus stop is at Union Depot, along with the Amtrak.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ashe Wolf
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.1881bylei.com/
  • Phone number
    (952) 698-1881
  • Catering
    Lake Elmo Inn Catering(our sister company) is the exclusive Caterer for Union Depot. We are also able to cater any off-site events within the area. For information and booking please contact us at 651-779-5994
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