Daily Cairo Grill

When your wife and in-laws are Lebanese and make the best authentic versions of the food you've…read moreever had there's always the quest to find something close to that bar, and going to many different Lebanese restaurants around the world looking for that same quality never stops but is never met.... until that one night and one restaurant knocks you out of your chair and you can't stop thinking about the amazing cuisine right in your own backyard. This was that such night! The Awaijane family has brought their family tradition in great Lebanese cuisine since 1973 and maintained by their children generation after generation, and through their fresh grape leaves, perfectly pan baked Kibbeh (OMG and the raw!!!!), lemon kissed Tabbouleh, & authentically cured Labneh, we intended to take it to go but it was so irreisistable we sat down and ate half of it on site. Don't let the quaint store front on University pass you by, the the truly authentic food amaze you, and the family friendly service bring you back!

How is it that I have never reviewed Emily's before now? I have been a loyal customer for over 30…read moreyears and have always enjoyed this small, yet mighty restaurant. For ambiance, well, let's say it's authentic in types of a typical Middle Eastern Restaurant that is in the Middle East (not the US) meaning that it is sparse. Whatever, that's not why you come here. There used to be a woman who occupied one table peeling about 10,000 garlic cloves. Again, typical (sadly, I have not seen her lately). Service is good. There are not very many tables, so it's not much of a challenge to see the entire restaurant at one time. However, they are attentive and happy to answer all questions. Food: This is why you here. They literally (and I do mean literally) have the best Tabouli salad I have ever tasted anywhere in the world. The menu says it is made fresh every day and it is. Freshness is the absolute key to good tabouli and if it's not fresh, it's not worth eating. Let me say this again: This is the BEST tabouli you can find and if you think you don't like tabouli, at least give theirs a try. But Emily's has much more than tabouli. I love their lamb shish kabob. If you are not a fan of lamb, their chicken kabob is also excellent. Both of them come with an excellent rice pilaf. Pro Tip: You can get a full portion that comes with soup or salad, just a skewer, or half a skewer. Their humus is good, but perhaps not as favorable as other versions I've had. I can also vouch for their spinach pie, which is a great price too. And of course, you can't go wrong without a piece of baklava for dessert. They do have an upstairs eating area that is used for groups. I had not seen this until I went upstairs to use their restroom and saw it on the way. This is a neighborhood gem of a small, family owned quality restaurant. I hope they stay in business for another 50 plus years!

Stuffed Grape Leaves

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Pita Bread

Spitz - Minneapolis

4.3(344 reviews)

1.9 mi•Northeast

Great fast casual bite! My first time having it but my brother frequents this spot…read more Great rice bowl - tons of Mediterranean flavors from roasted chickpeas to cucumber, sauces and meat. I went with one of their signature bowls with chicken. Quick and easy - we'll be back!

If you love French fries + Mediterranean food, the. I highly recommend you order their gyro. Very…read moredelicious components of meaty goodness, sauce, and vegetables all wrapped up for you to enjoy. As my hunger demands, I had also decided to opt in for a side dish and was curious about their fried pita strips. It was worth it. Highly recommend: nicely seasoned, crispy bread, and the hummus sauce is always delicious to me. Need to come back to try their other dishes and perhaps desserts.

1.3 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Bar area

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Sweet Potato Fries (large)

Mara

4.2(185 reviews)

The brunch has been on my list for a long time and I'm so happy I finally got the chance to go…read more There were so many options to choose from, and plated all so beautifully. There was even a chocolate fountain! The restaurant itself is beautiful and the waitstaff were patient and kind. Upon arriving, you get to complete an egg card for custom made eggs brought to table. This was explained by our waitress, and she explained what the brunch items included and even mentioned for us to visit for their tea experiences

I ate at Mara following a Candlelight Concert at the Four Seasons. I sat at the bar and had the…read morebest service from the bartender (a young gentleman, wish I could remember his name)! I started with a glass of white wine and then tried the Potato Croquettes, at the suggestion of the bartender. They were delicious! They came topped with prosciutto; it was too much for me, but it was easy to take off. The light sauce that accompanied was amazing, and the Parmesan cheese on top was a delicious touch. I was alone so it made most sense to sit at the bar during my visit (and the ambiance was beautiful), but I'd love to return and try out their dining room and other items on the menu! Parking was also convenient with the attached underground parking garage!

1.0 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Dining room

Lamb Chops

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Lobby of the Four Seasons outside of the entrance of Mara

Naf Naf Grill

4.3(103 reviews)

I was so eager to start eating I almost forgot to write a review ....so as you can see i am almost…read moredone with my meal so i am only sharing 1/5 of my bowl as the rest is almost all gone!!! Want fresh delicious, yet quick and ready to eat? Eat here! The falafel was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

On time delivery & everything was perfect! Each component was spot on and all the flavors blend…read moreperfectly. Loved that the sauces come on the sides now for a to-go order.

1.1 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Inside

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Fhima’s Minneapolis

4.3(282 reviews)

•$$$

Is this the best dinner I've had in Mpls? It might be!…read more Came in for Valentine's Day on an almost accident. My partner said, "ever been to Fhimas? I think it's French?" And I was on board. We made reservations without another thought. I ended up googling the menu and realizing my partner was a little off on what type of cuisine this was and I was in unfamiliar territory though still excited to try. We loved every second of our experience here! The decor was amazing, the service was exceptional, the food was to die for. They had a special Valentine's Day menu which included beef Wellington for two, so we got that. Asked if it had sides and they said no. I asked if a veg was possible, expecting frozen, microwaved bland veggies. We got beautifully roasted, seasoned veggies that were amazing. Plus the beef Wellington was melting in our mouths. Cocktails were also exceptional. We had an espresso martini and old fashioned which came with a table side experience. We ended our adventure with the sticky toffee torte which was another exceptional dish. Our server was so kind and so so knowledgeable about every item and restaurant in the owners catalog. Very impressive all around.

Wanted to like this place. Inventive cocktail menu. Interesting M.E. Food options. Ultimately not…read moreserved water for 30 minutes until flagging someone down. Tables all around the restaurant, including the bar, left from previous patrons. Looks like a bomb went off. After 1+ hour, most of the tables are still covered in dirty plates and napkins. It's not that busy, maybe 10-20% full from 8:30 pm and beyond. Vibes = 2/10. What about the food? I've traveled all over the Mediterranean and Middle East. I'd give the Shashuka a 5-6 out of 10. It was supposed to be served with crepes and I had visions of Saluf and Sons Yemeni restaurant in Tel Aviv (now closed). Here it was served with a French bread / hot dog bun. Crepe???? I guess French bread and crepes are from the same country, but count me as unimpressed.

1.2 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

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Trieste Café

4.6(169 reviews)

Just started working downtown and tagged along on a lunch run since I'd never been. It's a small,…read moremainly to-go spot with a definite "mom and pop" vibe. Everything is on a chalkboard and prices may or may not end up being what you expect. $22 for a lunch box is highway robbery in my book. Got a Falafel Lunch Box and the salad was the best part; mainly because of all the oil. The falafel (4 small) was pretty bad. Texture and (I assume) taste of a dish sponge. I assume they come frozen from a wholesaler. The hummus (~4Tbsp) was fine, but nothing to write home about. The dolma were also "ok". Not really any flavor other than oil. The pita was also standard packaged type. If this box was $11-12 I would be thrilled, but charging 2x that is criminal. Maybe the shawarma is worth it, but I don't eat much meat so I don't think I'll be back.

We've been wanting to come here for a long time because of how cute the inside looks and where it's…read morelocated. I'm so glad we remembered to come today. I'm only half way through eating my food and I feel compelled to make this review. My gyro is so good dude the sauce is so uniquely garlicky... and the portions are very generous. They were super nice to me and even gave me a sweet chocolate treat. Can't recommend enough

Feta pasta

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Line to order. Taken at the door.

Café Cairo: Greek And Egyptian Street Food Truck

3.3(6 reviews)

1.5 mi•North Loop

This food truck is pretty decent The chicken schwarma wrap…read moreand fries was a good serving, fries were crispy and flavorful The wrap was hard to eat as overstuffed and not a lot of napkins at a food truck festival

Saw the had their food truck around or building and Thought…read moreI'd give it a try. Service was fast and friendly. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma. It's a full pocket pita stuffed with garlic spread and chicken shawarma prepared fresh and mixed with many blended spices, lettuce, onions, pickled cucumbers, and tahini sauce served with fries. All flavors blended were delicious The fries were also crispy and delicious. The flavor reminded me of the Arby's curly fries which are also yummy!

1.0 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Chicken Shawarma

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Chicken Shawarma

Roti

3.8(79 reviews)

I found Rōti while looking for a quick lunch while visiting Minneapolis. I love a healthy,…read moreflavorful Mediterranean bowl and Rōti delivered. This bowl was huge with lots of flavor, tons of toppings, crispy falafel, and pita on the side. The workers were helpful recommending sauces and serving up a big portion, it's inside a courtyard so there are lots of tables to dine at or you can get your meal to go. I will be back next time I'm in town!

I like the concept as a quick lunch spot, though their execution is a bit hit-or-miss. If you're…read morelooking for a light salad bowl, perhaps with falafel, Roti may hit the spot with their nice salad/rice bowls and options for toppings. On the other hand, their proteins are a bit disappointing. Tiny smatterings of steak or chicken, which are often severely overcooked and dry. The proteins will really make you enjoy their tasty iced teas and/or lemonade. The ambiance is...well, a little better than a mall-based food court, but it doesn't matter as this is a grab-and-go destination. And you won't stay long thanks to their prompt service.

0.9 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Za'atar chicken bowl

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Spicy Feta

5.0(1 review)

Oh my this place is great and the food was wonderful. Staff were welcoming and superb! Highly…read morerecommend it. Parking was easy on the street behind. Definitely will go many times before a gopher game.....

Gardens of Salonica New Greek Café & Deli

3.8(148 reviews)

1.9 mi•Northeast

Authentic Greek food and service at Gardens of Salonica! I appreciated the one-man service who wore…read moremany hats during our dining experience - server and chef! Tasty food. I recommend the fried feta. Our table also had the lamb, mousakas, and pastitsio! Cute place for a casual date night or catch up with friends. I felt like I was abroad during this meal.

This is an institution in NE. My friend and i were so excited to see they were still open. We'd…read morebeen to Gardens many times during college and shortly after but hadn't been there in years. Unfortunately the place is showing its age. The sign out front is no longer readable and it really needs a scrub down and freshen up. The food is still very good and very authentic, different from what you see at many Greek restaurants. Our server was lovely, helpful and knowledgeable. Finally, I used the restroom while I was there, which also needs a scrub down, and they were out of paper towels. On my way out one of the staff members was taking a break on his phone, which is fine, and I quickly mentioned the towel situation. He started getting up and said, "oh I'll take care of that right away." About 15 minutes later I returned to the restroom to wash my hands and the staff member was sitting in the same place. The restroom still did not have towels. Boo. While this isn't a dealbreaker it just didn't present the restaurant well. Not sure we'll return.

Bar area

Shrimp Saganaki

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Inside

Daily Cairo Grill - mideastern - Updated September 2026

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I met one of the kindest cooks/cashiers at Karibu! And he made the most amazing (and affordable!)…read moreSambusas. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. So considerate, I was asked, "Do you mind waiting 5 minutes while I make your order?" Then we had a great conversation about giraffe preserves on the Somalian/Kenyan border-- a beautiful story from a young man who graduated from Johnson HS. The store was bright colored and really casual. What a great restaurant to have in the Payne/Phalen neighborhood!

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Love this place and have been going for my whole life. Eritrean-owned restaurant with quality…read moredishes that are true to culture. It's definitely a spot for East Africans to hang out, and very reminiscent of back home. Service is great, usually the family working plus a few people. The coffee, food, and ambience combined make me feel like I'm back home, and I think that's what the owner was going for with this one. Soccer games are watched en masse here, pool in the back and plenty of parking. Good beer selections and honestly just a solid spot to hang with your people for an affordable price.

Snelling Cafe is an old-school Ethiopian hole-in-the-wall where regulars of all ages and…read morebackgrounds stop by, chat with the owner, and flip through the tv channels. Don't try to order anything from here online, because I don't think they accept online orders. We came because it's one of only 8 places in the Twin Cities where you can get foule (sometimes spelled "ful" and sometimes augmented with the word "medames"), a fava bean dish served with baguette. The foule ($10.50) can be made vegan if you omit the sour cream. Make sure to ask questions because the menu doesn't state any of the ingredients. This dish tasted good, albeit akin to refried beans with toasty baguette. That said, I liked it. The miser wat ($12) and ater kik ($12) are both vegan by default and tasted good. They were light, fresh and understated, but somehow still didn't wow me. But I liked them, don't get me wrong. We also had an Americano ($3) which was strong and tasty. I like Snelling Cafe. It's a throwback to the pre-internet era and a solid spot for Ethiopian food. I would rank it near the top, along with Agelgil in St. Paul and Katar River in Minneapolis. Fasika and Bole, in my opinion, have both declined in quality and are overrated.

Sambusa King

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Hole in the wall E African restaurant. I stopped by here since it was a quick 10 min away from work…read moreon my way home. There is construction actively going on due to the new train station with denser housing and businesses being built, so be aware when you drive in. The establishment is not a vibe, it's an American dream in the making. The building is rustic as food is filling. The staff was brisk in taking orders and the environment is lively. Some places to sit, but more of a take out kinda place. I ordered a Sambusa and Goat Meat plate with rice. I'm still new to E African cuisine, so my reviews is more biased with my background versus experience. Sambusa; fried patty filled with meat which I'm gonna assume is beef? It has a nice spicy kick to it, but is drier than my preference. Nice and crispy. Goat Meat with Rice; the star of my dinner and my favorite of the 2. It comes with a salad which is forgettable. The real appeal is the tender goat atop the rice. The rice soaks up the juice and is so flavorful. The goat has bones, so can be annoying to some diners, but allows for a richer flavor. It appears to be pressure cooked finished off with a tomato and onion stir-fry, the crunch of the onions pairs well with the tenderness of the goat. Fun place to pick up food to eat at home if you're tired of cooking. Would stop by and try the other dishes.

I love it Somali food in general yes the portions are huge but I'm Somali and it's really common to…read morehave portions that huge the hot sauce is really good for the average person it's really spicy but I have Somali blood in me I can handle it I love Sam USA but putting fish in it and not making it spicy should be illegal if you're vegetarian almost everything has meat in it but overall it's amazing

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Always delivers great food and a good vibe…read more We get take out and have friends who have done catering. Hummus, falafel and the chocolate dessert was awesome. Except way more than market rate! Enjoy. Parking on street and lots of other shops nearby.

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Not sure if they treat people of different nationality different, but the gyro meat was hard and…read moregross. I was very disappointed. I have no rating for this place.

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