Wrestaurant, a collaboration between Detroit-style pizza phenom and First Avenue, offers chef Jeff Rogers’ popular cheesy-edged pizzas (expect funky combinations like garlic butter and Oaxacan cheese; pastor bacon and pineapple relish; or broken spaghetti with black pepper and mascarpone) plus an expanded menu of sandwiches (pork belly Ruebens, artichoke parms, etc.), pastas, and salads. It’s a great option for a not-too-fancy meal that still feels like a special occasion.

Meritage is a shining star of St. Paul dining, no matter the occasion. The bar is just a short jaunt to the Fitzgerald, offering impeccable service that’s mindful of curtain times. Order an array of snacks like escargot, French onion soup, and those famous fries served with Bernaise sauce in Meritage’s classy brasserie setting — if you haven’t made a reservation for the dining room, grab a seat at the crescent bar for oysters and cocktails.

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Abdirahman Kahin’s St. Paul staple, Afro Deli, is a great option for a pre-theater meal in a pinch — but fast service times don’t compromise quality on this menu of yassa chicken, flavor-packed beef sambusas, and bursting-at-the-seams Somali steak sandwiches. If you’re making frenzied dinner plans an hour before curtain time, head here, and save room for a slice of baklava or tres leches cake.

Giulia, the quieter relative of chef Steven Brown’s restaurants Tilia and St. Genevieve, offers Italian deliciousness pound for pound. Slip into a bar seat for a Caesar and a cocktail, a plate of silky sunchoke gnocchi, or a crackly pizza topped with chili and delicate shaved fennel. This menu is understated and skillful, and there’s enough seating that walk-ins are fair game (though no promises; call ahead).

Fhima’s curved bar at the front of the restaurant makes for a lovely vantage point of the art-deco, French Moroccan-influenced restaurant. Pair a cocktail (or a glass of wine; the Fhimas are excellent curators) with paella or lamb shank confit.

Manny’s Steakhouse offers a classic and classy steakhouse experience, if you’re in the market for a $84 bone-in ribeye. But you can grab a seat at the bar for a more casual dinner, too, like a New York-style steak sandwich or a towering wedge salad. Save room for an order of fresh strawberries and cream.

Despite the gimmick, conveyer belt chain Sushi Train is a great spot to spot to grab dinner before a Minnesota Orchestra concert. With the usual maki and nigiri options as well as a few creative hits like the “Green Haven,” with serrano peppers and avocado, the food alone is worth a stop.

The Butcher’s Tale, which specializes in house-smoked meats and handmade sausages, offers a laidback steakhouse experience. Slip into the beer garden for an snacky pre-show meal of fresh oysters, smoked cheddarwurst, and fried chicken sandwiches — the restaurant offers one of the most extensive whiskey lists in the Cities.