The slap of the stick against a puck destined for the net. The roar of a hometown crowd packed into the arena. The glorious flow from the teams skating out of the box and up to the line as they gather for greatness on ice. This is Minnesota’s time to shine, as we play host to the 2026 World Junior Championships from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 — and the chance to come together to cheer on the greatest sport born of ice and determination. And to do that, we’re going to need to fuel up with food.

Here are 24 restaurants near the action worth checking out, arranged by distance from the two venues: Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis. Now, let’s play hockey.

Distance from GCA: 300 feet

This one’s a no-brainer: It’s right there, and everybody likes pizza. This variety is thin-crust and cut in squares with all the classic toppings ($19.95 and up). The rest of the menu is stacked with bar-food favorites like Buffalo wings ($16.95), burgers ($16.95) and more. Lunch, dinner, late night.

174 W. 7th St., St. Paul, zambonison7th.com

Distance from GCA: 325 feet

At the relocated and reopened Eagle Street in downtown St. Paul, owners Jim Flaherty and Joe Kasel have added new menu items that include sliders ($17 for three), bringing flavor notes reminiscent of a certain chain with a castle logo, but in their own style. There’s even a 10-pack ($50) option (sound familiar?) for a crowd, perfect for pre- or post-gaming when catching an event at Grand Casino Arena across the street. Lunch, dinner, late night.

Distance from GCA: 361 feet

Also across the street from Grand Casino Arena, Smorgie’s specializes in down-home comforts and aims to keep the food affordable — not an easy feat in this part of town on game day. Stadium snacks like onion rings, mini corn dogs and tots are all $8 and the menu features a $12 burger. The decor is vibrant and our favorite seats are the ones suspended from the ceiling that swing. Lunch, dinner, late night.

127 W. 7th St., St. Paul, smorgiesbar.com

Distance from GCA: 0.1 miles

McGovern’s is the place to choose when a group can’t all agree on one food: burgers ($16.95), chicken Alfredo ($18.95), chicken fingers ($16.50), fish and chips ($21) or strawberry chicken salad ($18.50), this menu has every craving covered. Ambience tracks, too. There are cozy tables inside the Irish pub as well as in the year-round, glass-surrounded patio. Lunch, dinner, late night.

Distance from GCA: 0.2 miles

If it’s your first time at the state tournament, you might not know that standing in line for a New York-style slice of pizza ($5.59) is a tradition. Cossetta began as a small family market, but now it’s a towering multilevel eatery. Fan favorites are the slices and a bowl of mostaccioli ($10.85) — simple pasta in red sauce with cheese. That’s good fuel for destroying the competition. Stop by the pasticceria for gelato or, if you’re a coffee drinker, affogato. (That’s where they pour espresso over the gelato and it’s one of our newest obsessions.) The grocery store inside also comes in clutch after the game if you need a heat-and-eat dinner option. Lunch, dinner.

211 W. 7th St., St. Paul, cossettas.com

Distance from GCA: 0.2 miles

When you sleep, breathe and live hockey, this is the place that celebrates that puck life. The walls are filled with jerseys, sticks, photos of the greats and TVs for catching every bodycheck, hat trick and slapshot from the pros. The menu plays second string to the game, and the staff expects the joint to be hopping all day on games. A limited menu starts in the morning with a breakfast sandwich ($15) of egg, sausage, ham and Tater Tots. Lunch and dinner menus include wings ($16.50), burgers ($14.50) and chicken tenders ($14). Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Distance from GCA: 0.2 miles

The iconic downtown St. Paul diner, familiar to parents who remember seeing it in the movie “Mighty Ducks,” still serves all-day classics. From breakfast with thick and crispy hash browns in the America’s Favorite All Day Meal ($12.99) to malts and a few new treats like baklava, Mickey’s is a St. Paul classic for a reason. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

36 W. 7th St., St. Paul, bit.ly/MickeysDiningCar

Distance from GCA: 0.3 miles

Chili fans: This is home base. For decades, the Loon Cafe has been the place to stop before or after a game in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. It has a casual, cozy neighborhood bar vibe. Besides the chili ($9.95), there are other Land of 10,000 Lakes dishes on the menu like wild rice soup ($4.50), walleye fingers ($16.95) and a turkey sandwich on cranberry wild rice bread ($14.95). The rest of the offerings are largely bar food classics and the TVs are strategically placed around the room so you can stay tuned to all the scores. Lunch, dinner, late night.

Distance from GCA: 0.4 miles

Head down closer to the Mississippi River for a little off-the-beaten-path adventure to this Brazilian grocer and cafe. Even if you’re not familiar with the cuisine, there’s plenty to find and love. There are cheesy pao bread bites ($2.50, gf), meaty empanadas ($4.50) that are a meal in themselves and a pernil sandwich ($14.70) that’s an irresistible feat of pork and cheese. Stock up on chocolate bars and other treats for later. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

230 Spring St., St. Paul, littlebrazilmn.com

Distance from GCA: 0.4 miles

Take a tropical break from the ice and snow inside this downtown institution. The restaurant recently relocated to this address, and the room is full of nods to the Southeast Asian countries that inspire the menu. Try standards like cream cheese wontons ($8) and pad thai ($18). Or, dig deeper into the rich menu with dishes like whole fried tilapia ($19) topped with fresh lemongrass, ginger and green sour mango as well as Nam Khao ($18), a salad of crispy fried rice studded with nubs of pork sausage. Lunch, dinner.

Distance from GCA: 0.4 miles

Guaranteed, you’ll smell Candyland before even laying eyes on the whimsical storefront. Stop inside for the best popcorn around and load up on road treats for the trip home. There are giant tins of Chicago Mix, handcrafted chocolates and giant lollipops that will make anyone feel like a giant kid inside this literal candy store. Open all day.

435 N. Wabasha St., St. Paul, candylandstore.com

Distance from GCA: 0.6 miles

For the two weeks of the hockey championship, chef Mik German of St. Paul Park’s 328 Grill will be in residence in Lowertown, bringing his over-the-top burgers to the grill at the 76-year-old bar Alary’s. Try the MN Poutine, topped with cheese curds and chicken wild rice soup; or the Fo’ Cheezy, a grilled cheese and burger mashup served on Parmesan-crusted bread. Lunch, dinner, late night, weekend breakfast.

Distance from arena: 0.3 miles

The purveyor of one of Minneapolis’ favorite bành mí sandwiches is known for getting the bread right and making the pâté in house. There are three locations, with the University of Minnesota outpost within walking distance of the hockey action. Lunch, dinner.

309 SE. Oak St., Mpls., lusandwiches.com

Distance from arena: 0.3 miles

Every campus needs its quintessential neighborhood bar and grill, and this long-established spot fills that niche in the Stadium Village area. Popular among the college crowd and those headed to nearby sporting events, Stub and Herb’s has wings, wraps, sandwiches and burgers. Plus, there always seems to be a drink special. Lunch, dinner, late night.

Distance from arena: 0.4 miles

The most in-demand alley restaurant in Minneapolis, Al’s Breakfast is known for its massive blueberry pancakes, limited number of counter bar stools and gruff kind of hospitality that is all part of the charm. At only 10 feet wide (total) it’s not always easy to just slide into one of the 14 available seats. Bring patience and good humor to get the reward: a classic Americana diner breakfast so good that University of Minnesota grads are known to make pilgrimages back just for one more taste. 6 a.m.-1 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun.

413 14th Av. SE., Mpls., alsbreakfastmpls.com

Distance from arena: 0.4 miles

Generations of families have been picking up their kids on campus to head to this vintage Dinkytown spot known for its well-executed Cantonese dishes and standout fish and seafood menu (highly recommended: the steamed walleye with black bean sauce). While you can order individual entrees from lunch specials to stir-fries, the spot also easily accommodates family-style dining — a fun way to try a variety of menu items. Lunch, dinner.

Distance from arena: 0.4 miles

Coconut milk, curry and cardamom can be found on clay-oven-fired naan at this Minnesota mini-chain with three locations, one of which is in Dinkytown. It keeps its hours consistent with the neighborhood’s reputation for late-night revelry (it’s open until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11 p.m. on other nights). Lunch, dinner, late night.

409 14th Av. SE., Mpls.,pizzakarma.com

Distance from arena: 0.4 miles

This Vietnamese eatery in the heart of Dinkytown is where students head for a piping-hot bowl of pho. But there’s much more to this operation. In addition to beef noodle soups, you’ll find bánh mì sandwiches, rice platters and noodle salads. For starters, the spring rolls, which get stuffed with a deep-fried eggroll wrapper coiled into a thin cigar that adds a great crunch, are not to be missed. Lunch, dinner.

Distance from arena: 0.4 miles

If it feels like fried chicken tenders are everywhere lately, well, they are. Nashville Coop is largely to thank for kickstarting the trend locally, and its Stadium Village location is a reliable spot for tenders with an Ethiopian-spiced spin. For those averse to the true meaning of Nashville hot, there is a “MN Nice” level. Lunch, dinner.

856 Washington Av. SE., Mpls.,nashvillecoop.com

Distance from arena: 0.7 miles

One of the most celebrated Chinese restaurants in Minneapolis, the menu offers a wide array of dishes from steamed bao and Szechuan-spiced bites to lavish entrees and even Chinese American classics. The dining room is a popular stop for University of Minnesota students and their visiting parents. Stop by on the weekends for a special breakfast menu that includes Chinese fried dough and the crispy, stuffed chive pancake. Lunch, dinner.

Distance from arena: 0.9 miles

Burgers take center stage at this pub, the star attraction being the “blucy.” These cheese-stuffed burgers — which are sometimes stuffed with other ingredients, too — are the restaurant’s version of the Minneapolis classic Juicy Lucy burger. In addition to the burgers, there are always the tots that come with a variety of toppings and some seriously saucy wings. Wash it all down with a cold beer. Lunch, dinner.

1514 Como Av. SE., Mpls., thebdp.com

Distance from arena: 1 mile

This continually evolving food hall currently has a strong lineup, with Bebe Zito’s burgers and ice cream; DelSur empanadas; pastrami sandwiches at Kinsley’s Smokehouse Deli; scallion pancake wraps from Saturday Dumpling Co.; Wrecktangle’s Detroit-style pizza; World Street Kitchen’s Yum Yum Bowls; and more. There’s also a full bar and a pour-your-own beer and wine wall.

Distance from arena: 1.1 miles

At this enormous brewery, you’ll find the downstairs pub, which serves hearty fare like tacos, burgers and giant platters of fried goodies to share with friends, or vegetarian bowls with options that include smoked tofu. Upstairs has a selection of divine pizzas, thin-crusted and charred on the edges. And the bars, of course, provide easy access to Surly’s selection of brews and hard seltzers made onsite. Late-lunch, dinner, weekend lunch and dinner.

520 Malcolm Av. SE., Mpls., surlybrewing.com

Distance from arena: 1.3 miles

At more than 80 years old, this U-area bar and restaurant is a stalwart for classic pub fare, beer and cocktails, and late hours. Start with wings or nachos and make your way to the half-pound, hand-pattied burgers cooked to order. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night.

Prices and hours are subject to change. Please check with the restaurants for up-to-date info.