Stillwater Proper

Stillwater Proper

227 S Main St Suite B, Stillwater, MN 55082, United States

+1 651-342-2053

Restaurant
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About This Place

Nestled in the heart of downtown Stillwater, Stillwater Proper offers a vibrant and inventive dining experience that masterfully combines comfort with culinary creativity. This restaurant is a true gem for those craving an eclectic menu that spans from hearty, soulful dishes to refined, flavor-packed bites, all within a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The cuisine at Stillwater Proper is an artful fusion that embraces bold flavors and diverse influences. Diners rave about signature dishes like the creamy, luscious Burrata—a perfect start that delights the palate with its silky texture and fresh accompaniments. The Fried Chicken Sandwich boasts a crisp, golden crust and juicy meat, delivering every bit of the satisfying crunch one hopes for in a classic comfort food. For those who seek a touch of coastal flair, the Fish and Chips offer a perfectly battered, flaky fish accompanied by golden, crispy fries, echoing traditional British comfort with a modern twist.

Adventurous eaters will appreciate the thoughtfully crafted rice bowls, such as the Pork Belly Sticky Rice Bowl and the fresh and vibrant Tuna Bowl, which strike the ideal balance between hearty and light with layers of texture and flavor that linger delightfully on the tongue. The menu is rounded out by inventive sandwiches like the Bacon, Tuna Bowl, Udon and the indulgent Bronson Burger—each bite delivering a satisfying complexity that keeps guests coming back for more.

Cocktail enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike will find a carefully curated selection of libations that stand out just as boldly as the food. From the famed Proper Margarita to the unique and memorable "Well I Guess This is Growing Up" Old Fashioned spin, each drink is crafted with precision and flair. Guests often highlight the spicy vodka cocktails, such as the tantalizing Cobra Verde, and the delightful Blood Orange Margarita, which perfectly complement the lively menu.

The atmosphere at Stillwater Proper exudes an inviting charm defined by exposed brick walls, nostalgic old signs, and eye-catching tiled flooring that infuse the space with character and warmth. It’s a laid-back yet stylish setting that encourages lingering, sharing bites with friends, and savoring thoughtfully crafted cocktails, making it equally ideal for casual outings or special occasions.

Patrons consistently praise the impeccable fusion of taste and vibe, with comments like “the food was 10/10” and “the ambiance combined with the excellent food easily makes Stillwater Proper one for the books.” Whether it’s the Filipino Chicken Wings bursting with flavor or the inventive truffle-infused fries, every dish maintains a perfect harmony of rich textures and bold, memorable flavors. The staff’s dedication to quality and the innovative menu have clearly made Stillwater Proper a beloved spot within the community.

Overall, Stillwater Proper stands as a culinary destination that ignites the senses and satisfies a wide spectrum of cravings through its inspired menu and welcoming environment. For locals and visitors alike, it promises not just a meal, but a memorable dining adventure filled with flavor, fun, and a touch of local charm.

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Great dessert Great wine list Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Happy-hour drinks Small plates Spirits Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Historic Trendy
Crowd
Groups Tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Paid parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Preston Weismann
    1 month ago

    Stillwater Proper is a great place to eat and drink right downtown. They have so many drink options, along with unique food such as rice bowls, hot dogs, and great appetizers. My favorite drink, so far, is the "Well I Guess This is Growing Up," which is a spin on the Old Fashioned, and it did not disappoint. Definitely recommend it! My wife loves all the Rice Bowls, and I was simply craving a burger, and they nailed that as well. I can't wait to go back!

  • Kristen Martinez
    1 month ago

    Our experience here was great. Food was 10/10. We had the Filipino wings, pork belly bowl and fried chicken sandwich. All were incredible and full of flavor. Also the Proper Margarita is honestly one of the best margaritas I’ve ever had. Top notch all around. Atmosphere inside is awesome with the exposed brick, old signs and cool tiled floor. Would definitely recommend and return!

  • Kassidy
    1 month ago

    They always have amazing cocktails here! Also, good food that doesn't disappoint and a nice atmosphere. Happy to see they brought back their lettuce salmon wraps. We enjoyed checking out their happy hour! Highly recommend the blood orange margarita.

  • Jena DeRung
    1 month ago

    The ambiance combined with the excellent food easily makes Stilleater Proper one for the books. We loved the fried garlic noodles and bahn mi hotdog. We're excited to try more of the menu when we visit next!

  • George M
    2 month ago

    I met a friend here for lunch on a saturday. I loved the vibe of the place as soon as I walked in. I sat and ordered a spicy vodka cocktail. First, I must say, spicy cocktails are always hit and miss, but SP nails it. It was delicious and I would get it again. I think it was called Cobra Verde. For food I ordered some truffle fries as an app to get started. The frys were very good, I would have liked them a bit thicker cut, but the flavor was great and they were fried so well, crispy but edible! For food I got a rice bowl it had Pork Belly with it. The pork belly was awesome, but the rest of the bowl was unimpressive. The veggies were just kind of bland (I was hoping they would have been pickled) and the rice was just well rice. There was a small spattering of some kind of aioli in the rice, but not enough to spread through the dish. Service wasn't great but it wasn't bad. It just kinda was mid. I saw my server 3 times over the hour and a half we were there. 1)When I first got there ordered cocktail and fries 2) When my friend got there and we ordered our food 3) when I flagged him down for a 2nd drink and the bill. All in all, it was a great spot to have a cocktail and some ok food to go with it, definitely better than a dive bar would be.

  • Tana Walz
    2 month ago

    Great food and atmosphere. Kids cheeseburger was super tasty, and so were the garlic noodles.

  • Molly H
    4 month ago

    Stopped in for dinner during harvest fest. Super busy, but we were able to get two seats a the bar. Our server was super nice and helpful! I tried the house-made root beer and it was delicious! My husband got a drink with “at risk” in the name and he really liked it! For an app we tried the ahi tuna. It was very tasty, but a bit spicy for me. For dinner we got the tallegio grilled cheese and the fried bahn mi dog. My husband really liked his bahn mi dog! For the grilled cheese….it didn’t taste like much. Not much honey or cheese flavor. The egg was overpowering. The bread was really tasty. I was only able to eat half of the sandwich slice on the second half I found red paper in the sandwich. I could see the print of words on it. We told the waiter and she asked the chef about it and we could hear him say “it’s just the cheese rind, it’s edible”. My husband chewed on a bit to test it and it definitely had paper texture. Even if it is “edible” it’s not pleasant to eat. So maybe don’t put the rinds in a sandwich . The water nicely asked if she could get me anything instead and we got dessert. The croissant beignets were amazing! So tasty! The waiter ended up taking the grilled cheese off the bill since she had never seen that paper in the sandwich before. Super nice.

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