If you spent any time in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill between the early nineties and 2018, you knew the spot. The heavy doors at 400 Selby Avenue. The green awning. The smell of popcorn and old wood. Fabulous Ferns Restaurant St Paul wasn't just a place to eat; it was the neighborhood’s living room.
Honestly, it’s rare for a restaurant to hold a city’s heart for nearly three decades, but Fern’s did it. It wasn't trying to be the trendiest bistro on the block. It didn't care about "fusion" or "deconstructed" anything. It was just Fern’s. And then, suddenly, it was gone.
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The Cathedral Hill Staple That Welcomed Everyone
Walking into Fabulous Ferns felt like a hug from a slightly eccentric aunt. The place was famous for being a "melting pot." You’d see a state senator in a sharp suit sitting two stools down from a guy in a paint-stained sweatshirt. It was that kind of place.
The restaurant occupied a prime slice of real estate in the Blair Apartments building. For 26 years, it served as the anchor for a neighborhood that was changing rapidly around it. While other spots were getting pricier and more pretentious, Fern’s kept the lights low and the vibes approachable.
The Menu We Still Miss
What did people actually eat there? It was all-American comfort food, but done with a certain reliable soul.
- The Sunday Brunch: This was legendary. People talked about the waffles—regular and apple cinnamon—for days.
- The Popcorn: A basket of salty popcorn on the bar was a non-negotiable part of the experience.
- The Bar Scene: It was one of the last places in the area where you could get a "two-for-one" and actually hear yourself think over the music.
The "two-for-two-for-two-for-two-for-ones" (as some regulars jokingly called them) were the stuff of local lore. It was a place for late-night happy hours and the kind of "no-nonsense" service that’s getting harder to find.
What Really Happened to Fabulous Ferns?
The end didn't come because people stopped loving it. It was more complicated than that. In September 2017, owner Dan Dahlin filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He was trying to reorganize and keep the ship afloat, but the headwinds were brutal.
Dahlin had lost his longtime business partner, Charles Senkler, in 2015. Running a massive operation like Fern’s solo, while dealing with his own health challenges, proved to be an uphill battle. By the time May 2018 rolled around, the writing was on the wall.
On May 30, 2018, the doors closed for good.
It wasn't just a business closing; it felt like a death in the family for Cathedral Hill. People flooded social media with stories of first dates, 21st birthdays, and Sunday mornings spent nursing hangovers with those famous sausages. The closure happened alongside other neighborhood staples like Ward 6, marking a shift in the St. Paul dining landscape that we're still feeling in 2026.
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The Ghost of 400 Selby
After Fern’s left, the space didn't stay empty forever. Yumi Japanese Restaurant + Bar eventually moved into the historic Blair building. It’s a great spot—high-quality sushi, sleek interior—but for the old-school crowd, the "Fern’s" shaped hole in the neighborhood remains.
You can still see the bones of the old place if you look closely. The history of the building, which dates back to the late 19th century, is etched into the walls. Before it was Fern's, it had lives as a saloon and a taproom.
Why We Still Talk About It
We talk about Fabulous Ferns because it represented a version of St. Paul that felt authentic. It wasn't curated for Instagram. It was built for people.
Today, as menu prices climb and "hospitality fees" become the norm, the memory of a $7.95 brunch and a friendly bartender named Ed feels like a dream.
Moving Forward: How to Find That "Fern's Feeling" Now
If you’re looking for that same unpretentious, neighborhood-first energy in St. Paul today, you have to look a little harder, but it’s there.
1. Seek Out the "Old Guards"
Places like The Nook or Casper & Runyon's Shamrocks still capture that "everyone is welcome" spirit. They aren't on Selby, but they have the soul.
2. Support the Locals Before They're Gone
The biggest takeaway from the Fern’s saga is that favorite spots aren't guaranteed. If there’s a place you love, go there. Tip well. Tell the owner you appreciate them.
3. Explore Cathedral Hill’s New Chapter
While Fern’s is gone, the neighborhood is still one of the most beautiful in the Twin Cities. Walk the Selby-Western corridor. Grab a coffee at Nina’s. The ghosts of the old St. Paul are still there, tucked between the new storefronts.
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Fabulous Ferns reminded us that a restaurant is more than just a kitchen and some tables. It’s a witness to the lives of the people who walk through its doors. Even though the popcorn machine is silent, the memories of those 26 years are still very much alive in the stories told by the people of St. Paul.