Cossetta Alimentari

Cossetta’s is a staple for anyone that grew up in St. Paul. It’s right up there with DeGidio’s or Mancini’s when it comes to old school St. Paul food. The big difference is that Cossetta’s has tried to grow and the others kind of stayed behind. Their sauce isn’t for everyone. It’s a sweet, sugar added sauce that cuts the acid and the need for long simmering cook times. If you’re looking for authentic, go try The Little Oven on the East side of St. Paul, but if you aren’t jaded by «Pretend Authentic», Cossetta’s is a great place to pick up some pasta and pizza. Also, their dessert store is amazing!

Meh. Huge place, quick to get food and easy to find seating even during busy rush. Food quality wasn’t anything special.

Best Italian food around. In love with this place, the lasagna, penne pasta and Stromboli are my favorites. Family tradition is to go here Christmas Eve and we’ve never been disappointed once. Consistent amazing food, atmosphere is beautiful. I could eat here everyday.

I’ve been going here for the longest time. It’s just as good now as it was then. Delicious Italian food! It can get pretty busy and packed. That should tell you something!

Before you go check to see if the Wild are playing that night because if they are, get ready to search for a place to sit and wait in line longer than usual. Saying that, I would still highly suggest it. The pizza and lasagna and great. Even on busy nights they do have remarkably fast service. If you are still hungry after your meal go over to where they have their desserts and get yourself something. You won’t regret it! However if you try one of their desserts once… you’re going to want to get one every time you go. SO GOOD!

Came here not knowing what to expect, I was instantly surprised at the big crowds and buffet style ordering. Got a small caesar salad and some pizza. Asked if we could do a few slices just cheese and the rest pepperoni and sausage. She said sure and off we went to pay. When we got to the pay counter they charged us for 2 toppings, not 1 topping even though we got half pepperoni and half sausage (we had a vegetarian with us). LAME. If I would of known I would have just gotten the whole thing pepp and sausage and gotten a slice of cheese on the side.
Sat upstairs and got some plates and forks and knives and noticed it was all disposable. I broke my fork twice, and one of my dining partners did the same. We were just trying to cut into a slice of pizza…
Overall the food was VERY good, but the atmosphere and choice of utensils reminded of a kids birthday party, just needed a clown to run around. Very loud with screaming kids pretty much everywhere.
I tend to rate for food over all else though so still 4 stars, maybe bring your own silverware in with you and some ear muffs… or get take-​out.

Let’s start off with the positives
Cheese pizza was good, desserts were amazing
Negatives and reasons for 2 stars
1. Charge you for two toppings when you split a pizza. If we had known that, we would have gotten 2 toppings on the whole thing. Poor communication to customers on products.
2. This restaurant is in downtown Saint Paul, not Podunksville. LABEL YOUR VEGETARIAN OPTIONS. We chose this thinking because of the location and serving Italian food, they would be vegetarian friendly, NOPE. The poor kids working behind the counter also had no idea which items did not have meat products. If you have a vegetarian in your dining party. Go to Pizza Luce, not only do they label their food but offer real vegetarian along with meat choices.
3. Loud. Everyone was crowded into the half the dining room upstairs because the second half was not labeled with an «more seating sign». I could barely hear anything
4. Dirty — The poor kids who work their were working their tails off to keep the place clean but there were just too many people in a small space for them to do their work. Again, a sign directing people to the extra seating would have solved this problem
In the end, the lack of simply writing a small V next the vegetarian items really is what brings this place down. I love meat, it is tasty but I’m trying to be a better person here by not eating meat and Cossesta’s you aren’t making this any easier. In the future, I will veto Cossetta if someone suggests our party dine there.

The gelato is my favorite and the overall pastry bar is very good. They don’t scowl at you when you ask for samples but even if you go with your heart it will most likely be great, the mint kind is always a favorite!
I have to say though, the pasta bar can be so-​so. The fact that it’s under heat lamps for how ever long (probably not too long because it can get busy) is kind of a turn off because the pasta can get a little more soggy. But it still is very original and tasty. It’s also family-​run and has very rich, long lasting history. Seating is good as well.

Interesting place. They’re cafeteria style. You order behind a counter. They scoop the food from stainless trays.
I ordered veal parmigiana. Sauces are great. Meat was ok. I don’t have a point of reference. But I would try something else
There’s an Italian grocery store. A bakery. So plenty of other things to try for next time

If you didn’t give Cosetta’s a 5-​star, it’s because you hate delicious Italian food or you ate someone’s leftovers out of the garbage. Or maybe you just have differing taste but we all know that’s not possible.
Anyway, this was my second time coming here on my second trip to the twin cities with the significant other (who swears by this place). The first time I was mildly impressed, but this time I was super pleased. We came before a Wild game (like every other Wild fan), so it was packed, but the front of house management was visibly keeping everything moving fluidly. I had the Ravioli Bolognese with the complimentary butter-​drenched garlic bread, and a slice of cheesecake. It is safe to say it was all devoured. No shame. Also, they provide styrofoam cups and water pitchers for your convenience. The deli, bakery/​sweets shop/​and mercantile type shop really just make this place kind of magical… I’m putting this on my must-​do-​in-​Minnesota list.

I can’t complain about their food… it’s pasta, salad, an assortment of sides, pizza, dessert and all in a cafeteria, grab-​a-​tray, seat-​yourself setting. It embodies the meaning of fine, high quality comfort food (but lacking mashed potatoes). Great spot to meet some friends and chat for a bit or stop in for food to go. There’s plenty of seating available, except maybe if you go before or after a Wild Game since it is within viewing sight of the Xcel. But nevertheless, I can only give Cossettas three stars because… EVERYTHING IS DISPOSABLE. Food is served in to-​go containers, if you want a glass of water, help yourself to a Styrofoam cup, and cutlery is all… you guessed it… plastic. I don’t even want to imagine how much waste this restaurant generates. Come on Cossettas, get with the times!

Yum! Yum! Yum!
I’ve never had anything here that I didn’t love. The chicken parm… amazing! The Caesar salad… delicious! Pizza is delicious. the chocolate chip gelato was amazing and is a crowd favorite at our house.
The staff are super nice when you show up with multiple kids. They will bring your food up to the seating area for you. So nice and sweet. :)
This place is a must stop before the hockey game.

The best Pizza, Pasta and Salads in town. Oh ya and the Bakery Deli and Pastry Shop top notch.

This place is amazing and an authentic St. Paul Italian eatery. They remodeled since the last time I was here and the positive upgrades are numerous! It’s cafeteria style, which is really great because everyone can get what they would like (many Italian restaurants are family style).
There is also a small patisserie (delicious cannoli) and a great grocery store!

Unilocaler Kaitlyn F. recommended this place to me and it was everything she described. There are SO MANY options that it was actually a bit overwhelming initially. We came on a Saturday and the lines were up to the doors — about 30 – 40 minutes just to get food. The parking situation, while free (surprising!), was no better. Inside, the longest lines are for their pasta — the pizza line is shorter.
While they have a set menu, they also have a daily specials menu it seems. I honestly can’t even tell you what it was that I ate other than it was truly excellent. I’m also terrible in naming Italian food in general — it all pasta to me. Please see the picture below and please let me know if you know! Prices were reasonable and on par with most Italian food (somewhat expensive).
The highlight of the experience is really the seating, particularly on the outdoor balcony that faces east towards the Mississippi. Make sure you get these seats! Hopefully your day will be as sunny as ours!

So … Cossetta’s is basically a St Paul fixture. Have I had better Italian food? Yes. Why did I give this 4 stars then?
MAINLY their bakery! Omg!!! All of the picture perfect confections, the gelato selections, coffee drinks, and beautiful ambience (including the super friendly staff, and crooner music). Their treats are like works of art, which can explain why they may seem a bit spendy… but DUH, you can see that every fine little detail is VERY time consuming to make, and the most important thing… the flavor is on point.
Second, I love that the cafeteria style setting they have going really works for me! The food is still very fresh tasting. They aren’t super fancy or exquisite dishes, just the traditional fare like pasta, salads, hoagies, and pizza. It’s quite affordable and fast. You do have quite a selection of beverages including beer and wine. And the best part??? You don’t have to tip a server! I took 5 teenaged boys and 2 adults here for dinner last week and it cost me well under 100 $ and this included treats from the bakery. *drool …
In summary… If you want an affordable meal that is fast and decent … Check it out!

Foundation: Chewy, flexible
Mortar: Traditional, tomatoey, delicious.
Bricks: Just the right amount.
Roof: Stretchy, plentiful
Style: New York
Call me traditional, but I preferred the smaller Cossetta’s, before they expanded, added the gelatoria, and started charging higher prices. Still, this Italian café and market is a must-​do when you have time in St. Paul. It has a lot of character, and the food really is good.
We almost always order pizza (it’s available by slice or pie). It’s New York style. Both we and our children love it. The deli salads are great too. If you’re looking for authentic Italian market-​fare, Cossetta’s will have it. The gelato is good, but expensive if you have a family.
Cossetta’s is a great place for a date or for a group. It’s a fun place to eat and experience.

There simply is nothing not to like about Cossettas. Delicious Pizza, wonderful desserts in the newish pastry shop and wonderful, authentic Italian foods in the grocery store. I seem to find myself making my way from the west side of the twin Cities to St. Paul at least monthly to stock up.
My visits always start with a slice of Pizza — usually sausage but sometimes Pepperoni (that’ the line on the right for those visiting for the first time), then head upstairs where there are lots of tables. After my meal, I must stop in the grocery for cheese, salumi, dried pasta, fresh Italian bread and more. I love the tuscan salumi (you can get a taste before you buy) and always find some great pecorino, Parmesan or other cheese that I need to buy. Often I get a pound or two of the tasty meatball mix and whip up some meatballs at home or stick it in the freezer to get me through until my next visit.
If I’m in for a splurge, I might get a gelato in the gelateria or some fresh Italian pastries to bring home for desert. My absolute favorite place in St. Paul and an iconic part of its history.

Absolutely love this place! A great atmosphere and fun place to go when in the Twin Cities. Great options for everyone from
salads, Italian subs, pastas, and pizzas. The Italian bakery is awesome and chocolate cannoli is probably one of the best I’ve ever had. The Italian grocery store is fun also all sorts of great finds here. Plenty of seating for small groups and larger groups. Also love to seat on the balcony a pretty cool view of 7^th street in St. Paul.

Cossetta must mean McDonald’s in Italian! I would say it must mean Burger King, but at least there you can have your food your way!
I ordered Chicken Parmesan, which is an Italian staple, right?! It was not very good, and the «lunch lady» behind the counter wouldn’t let me have any pasta on the side. «You must have the old, basic raggedy pasta» (paraphrased), she said! I offered to pay an up charge and she offers that I can buy a second meal!!!
I asked to speak to a manager. Not worthwhile. He was just as rude and the woman in a hairnet. He said, «It’s the rule!» Hmmm… so the menu sign says NOTHING about no substitutions. And everyone was eager to take my payment, but not so much to provide good service.
I don’t anticipate that I will ever return to this place, and unless you want a dessert item I wouldn’t recommend you do either! You can use your own «shaker cheese» at home… yeah, that’s right. It wasn’t even good Parmesan (see photos)!

Cafeteria style. Go in, pick what you want, go to the cash register, then find a place to sit on the second floor.
I had the chocolate cannoli which was so good! I saw a few Unilocal reviews mentioning it and I just had to try it. It was the best cannoli I’ve ever had.
Also I had the supreme pizza which had fresh green peppers, onions and black olives. The pieces are very big so one slice was enough for me!
I’d go here again and recommend it to anyone.

Cossetta… the St Paul landmark Italian joint that it’s almost a sacrilege to speak ill of without getting someone in your face.
After having my ass handed to me again in bowling, some pity pasta was in order and Cossetta for an early dinner/​dessert seemed great.
The location is exquisite post re-​model. A great, far more open and far more inviting inside than what it used to be. The cafeteria style eating arrangement is a bit of a mess. Especially with very few people directions and if you make one wrong turn.
I went with the lasagna while the woman went with the chicken parm.
Grabbed a spot and dug in. Lasagna was absolutely amazing. Perfect flavor mix between the sauce, cheeses and sausage. The pasta was also done perfectly without any crunch spots or being too over done and mushy. The standard mostaccioli con ricotta that comes with it was also amazing. Wish the proportion was a bit bigger, but, think that’s just because I was that hungry. Chicken parm was really good. Great breading to the chicken, little bit of spice in the dredge that gave an extra spicy component.
The garlic bread was a miss. Rock hard, cold, and like eating a salty garlic chair leg. How do I know what that is like? Maybe I was dog in a past life, who know’s, but the bread was barely touched by either of us for fear of chipping teeth and dying on the spot of salt induced dehydration.
Not so fast my friends!
Time for dessert. Lampone (raspberry) sorbet and Cioccolata Al Latte (milk chocolate) gelato together with a piece of strawberry cheesecake. The sorbet and gelato were amazing. Great mix together. While the cheesecake was a lighter style cheese cake (not the hard kind) with a great grahamy crust.
Great stuff all around. Just wish the bread was on point.