Oct 5, 2026 - Food and Drink

Midway Diner opens in St. Paul's United Village

Burger with lettuce and a mound of french fries on a plate, in a bright casual restaurant with a blurred colorful mural and orange pendant lights in the background. — The Smashed Midway Burger at the Midway Diner in St. Paul. Photo: Kyle Stokes/Axios

Kyle here. Midway Diner opened its doors a week ago next door to St. Paul's Allianz Field — so I had to stop by ASAP to sample the food.

Why it matters: The café is the first establishment to open its doors from a new wave of construction in the long awaited United Village development.

What to expect: A really solid smashburger — topped with a tangy sauce — anchors a lunch menu heavy on soups, salads and sandwiches.

I also sampled the pancakes from the diner's breakfast menu. They were fluffy and sweet.

The intrigue: The restaurant is the brainchild of Vincent Francoual, the chef behind downtown Minneapolis' Chloe and the former Vincent, A Restaurant, the Pioneer Press notes.

The vibe: It's cozy like a diner, but with elegant trappings like dark wood paneling, a wall-length mural and striking orange accents.

What we're watching: Dinner service begins this week.

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Midway Diner opens in St. Paul's United Village

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