Pajarito is a permanently closed contemporary Mexican restaurant formerly at 605 7th St W, in the West Seventh neighborhood of St Paul, Minnesota, United States of America. Chefs Stephan Hesse and Tyge Nelson opened it in December 2016, turning the former Glockenspiel restaurant into a destination for inventive tacos, agave cocktails, and chef-driven Mexican cooking. Its permanent closure was announced on March 16, 2026. Travelers should not visit this address expecting Pajarito service; the brand’s Edina restaurant remains the alternative for a meal.
What to Expect at Pajarito
The St Paul restaurant combined neighborhood informality with a deliberately restrained interior. Its renovation revealed original brickwork beneath earlier finishes, retained a pressed-tin ceiling painted warm gold, and introduced natural wood planks and a simple black bar. A Día de los Muertos mural greeted arriving diners. Removing a dividing wall created one continuous dining space, with booths toward the back and an installation of wheels above a service station. These details describe its opening-era appearance, documented in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s preview, rather than an interior currently available to tour.
The kitchen’s identity extended beyond tacos. One defining dish was Brussels sprouts treated like Mexican street corn, with lime-and-hot-sauce aioli. The preparation emerged when the restaurant’s delayed December opening pushed a planned corn dish out of season. Grilled Spanish octopus became another notable order, illustrating the chefs’ willingness to move beyond familiar neighborhood Mexican menus. Edina Magazine’s interview with the founders explains those dishes’ development. They remain useful clues to Pajarito’s culinary character, not promises about today’s Edina menu.
- Chef-led beginnings: Hesse and Nelson established the original restaurant in late 2016.
- Mexican-inspired cooking: Tacos, salsas, and grilled dishes anchored its identity.
- Signature vegetables: Elote-style Brussels sprouts became an especially recognizable preparation.
- Agave-focused drinks: Margaritas and other cocktails complemented the food.
- Distinctive historic interior: Exposed brick, a gold-toned tin ceiling, and a mural distinguished the former dining room.
Pajarito at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Former location: 605 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102. |
| Neighborhood / Area | West Seventh, at Western Avenue and West Seventh Street. |
| Operating Hours | Permanently closed; no current St Paul service hours. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission or restaurant bookings available at this location. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | No dining visit possible; allow 45–90 minutes for an optional neighborhood walk. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Use West Seventh and Western Avenue as the location reference. Historical restaurant parking was street parking; no current Pajarito parking facility operates here. |
| Official Website / Phone | Pajarito official website. Former St Paul number: +1 651-340-9545; do not rely on it for reservations. |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
There is no useful arrival time for dining at the former St Paul location, and historical hours should not guide your plans. The March 2026 closure announcement followed a temporary shutdown earlier that winter. For Pajarito itself, start with the official website and select Edina before checking menus or making arrangements. Edina is a separate destination, not a walkable continuation of this visit. For a West Seventh outing, check your exact departure and destination through Metro Transit; avoid planning transportation around an obsolete restaurant listing.
If you are already nearby, alternatives roughly within a 5–15-minute walk include Bad Weather Brewing on West Seventh, Waldmann Brewery on Smith Avenue, and the Schmidt brewery complex farther southwest along West Seventh. Treat these as separate stops and check opening or event access before setting out. Street parking was the original restaurant’s documented arrangement, rather than a dedicated visitor garage. Pajarito no longer offers a dining room, restroom, wheelchair entrance, or stroller route for customers here. Anyone needing step-free entry or accessible facilities should obtain details from the operating business they actually intend to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pajarito in St Paul open, and when should I visit?
No. Permanent closure was announced on March 16, 2026. There are no current opening hours or recommended dining arrival times for this address.
Does Pajarito charge admission, and can I reserve a table?
This was a restaurant, not a ticketed attraction. St Paul reservations are no longer available. Consult the official website for the separate Edina restaurant’s current booking options and meal prices.
How much time should I budget?
Do not allocate dining time to the closed location. An optional West Seventh walk can occupy 45–90 minutes, with additional time for any operating brewery or restaurant you choose.
Can families or wheelchair users visit?
There is no customer access to Pajarito at this address, regardless of age or mobility. For Edina or a neighborhood alternative, check that specific venue’s family arrangements, entrance, seating, and restroom accessibility before traveling.
When planning your Saint Paul travel guide or browsing verified mexican restaurant in Saint Paul, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Lexington, Big River Pizza, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St Paul Downtown, and Tori (nearby).
