Mim&#x27;s Cafe

A rare absolute perfect 5. Oh my. You NEED to come here and grab the chicken shawarma. It's saucy,…read morejuicy, zesty, zingy, and the best bite you'll have. I was not anticipating it. My partner and I were super tired and needed a quick dinner. This wrap brought us up, and levitated us. We both were upset we hadn't tried this place sooner! From what I heard from him, the shop is cozy and cute, family-owned vibes. Definitely check it out! We had it to go, and will be going again.

Let's start with the positives! The atmosphere is cute and very clean. I like that they have games…read moreto play while you wait for food. The server was nice. The crispy chicken shawarma was good as well. I wasn't a a big fan of chicken 65 ( which were boneless buffalo wings), za'atar fries ( maybe could have added feta or lemon zest to it), and the garlic naan was sad and floppy. Overall cute place with okay food.

Insta wall

Fries

Zait & Za'atar: Mediterranean Dhaba - Menu

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Shish

3.9(543 reviews)

3.2 mi•Mac-Groveland

Fast paced and great food! Line could be a little long at the register but it's all worth it. I…read morepersonally didn't have to wait long to get my food but my friend had to for his falafel burger! I got chicken shawarma plate with Greek salad on the side. Everything tastes fresh and portion is really good! My only complaint is that chicken was too salty. Grilled veggies were also delicious. Vibes are just regular diner vibes but they have booths at the back if you want more privacy. Street parking is available but limited due to construction in the area.

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.

Time for a gyro

Shish Burger

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Beautiful welcoming decor and staff

Pump N’ Munch

5.0(2 reviews)

0.8 mi•St. Anthony Park

My truck broke down here and the folks running the gas station were so kind and helpful. They…read morehelped push my car out of the way and let me be inside in the warmth while I got a tow truck and made me feel comfortable during a stressful situation. There are still good people in the world! Also their food is DELICIOUS!

I did not expect to find freshly made falafel, hummus, spinach cheese pie plus more inside a gas…read morestation! It was all delicious. It is offered as a deli counter and worth the walk inside!

Everything is made fresh daily!

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Babani's Kurdish Restaurant

4.4(180 reviews)

5.8 mi•West Side

Babani's is the first Kurdish restaurant in MN. The interior is lovely. No matter where you look…read morethere is something worth seeing. Every bite of food I have had from here has be very good. I always start with the Dowjic soup. The first time I tasted it would be a favorite for life. The service is always kind and welcoming. You won't happy with anything you order, but start with the soup.

First time here and it was a fun experience. Love the simple decor of the restaurant. Didn't know…read morethat it was a restaurant from passing by every time I would go to the Girl Scout Service Center and glad that I finally tried it. Will definitely go back to try other dishes. The service was great and friendly. Prices are reasonable. If you're not big on tart food, then don't get the dowjic soup because it has a lot of lemon juice. The soup was good with bread to tame down the tartness. The food was flavorful and not overpowering with spices like Indian cuisine.

Bakla with chicken

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Emily's Lebanese Deli

4.1(282 reviews)

3.7 mi•Northeast

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

Zakia Deli

4.4(201 reviews)

2.0 mi•Northeast

Meaning to come by for years and finally got a chance to come visit during our time off…read more There are so many options to choose from and I am understanding that each day will have their daily specials. Feels like all the entree items can also be sides. We had gyro plate and lemon chicken plate. Each came with 2 sides so we ordered falafel, cabbage rolls, grape leaves and green bean veggie sides. The food is very delicious with great flavor. It has indoor and outdoor sitting and since it was nice we sits outside. Pretty busy with many customers. You would need to order by the counter and self serve style. Will come back.

First time visiting Zakia Deli and omg where have I been!?! We walked in and the two men behind the…read morecounter greeted us and asked if we had any questions. They recommended many tasty items. The shop was quaint but with room to dine in. There were pastries and deli items on display. We ordered the chicken gyro plate with rice and this delicious green bean/tomato mixture, a Greek salad, honey garlic baked chicken and ranch potatoes. Everything tasted amazing and super fresh! The cucumber sauce was outstanding! Can't wait to go back and try more, thank you!

4.4 mi•Phillips, Powderhorn

Beef Lamb Platter with side if chicken curry and Zakia Salad.....all outstanding!

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Deli feel

Hamdi Restaurant

4.0(33 reviews)

We're in the area to support a neighboring Somali eatery. ICE protest going in full force on the…read morestreet, taking up an intersection with cries of the community. We got to that door just as the owners were closing up shop, so we asked for a nearby suggestion and were directed down the block, to the other side of the protest. My friend promptly forgot the name of the suggested eatery, and I was busy focusing on the protest and feeling so deeply proud of our community, so we simply meandered before arriving at Hamdi. Abdiladif had such a bright, warm grin spread across his face as he welcomed us into the space and led us to a back table that you wouldn't think there was a fight for human rights occurring right beyond the walls. Or rather, it's possible that he realizes that, yes, there was, and every voice outside and every visitor inside is proof of where this community stands in this fight. Yeah, okay, that'd be reason for me to grin, too. The menu was simple. A few protein options. A few vegetarian dishes. A few drinks. A complimentary cup of Somalian tea that you could refill at will at a station conveniently located at the middle corner between the two dining rooms. No prices beside the menu items, which was puzzling. Abdiladif was so friendly and happy to answer our many curious questions, offer clarifications and suggestions. We ordered the two goat dishes. One ended up being out of a key component, likely the happy result of several tables filling up before ours, so we ended up with two of the same goat dish. They weren't really named, so "goat" was all we went off of on the menu. My friend paired his with the spaghetti, while mine was with chapati, hummus, and creamed veggies. My friend ordered mango juice. The sweetened Somalian tea was plenty delightful for me. We both preferred the creamed veggies in the same bite as the hummus. The chapati seemed somewhat dry and needed the hummus. The goat was decently flavorful and tender, though not juicy. My friend struggled a bit with the larger bones on his pieces. We both loved the tea so much that we continued chatting while sipping on one last sweet refill, after learning that a dessert menu no longer existed. Before we leave, I leave my jacket and to-go container of lamb meat at our table to use the restroom. I return to my jacket missing. Baffled, I figure my friend had grabbed it. I turn to grab the to-go box and go pay on my way out. As I turn back towards the main dining room, a diner from a neighboring table within the room runs back in and makes a beeline for me. He's holding my jacket, folded tidily. Sheepish, he explained that he thought I'd forgotten it and had run out of the restaurant with it to look for me. It's unfortunate that painful times like these exist, but it's also beautiful to see community come together in light of that dark. There are several Somali places in this area, many other ethnic spaces to support in the Twin Cities. My friends and I look forward to getting to know a great many more.

This place has GREAT food, and very attentive service. Very vegetarian-friendly, there were several…read moreoptions to pick from if you don't eat meat or fish. We will be back

4.0 mi•Downtown Minneapolis

Private family seating area

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Naf Naf Grill

4.3(104 reviews)

Our office got Naf Naf to cater our lunch. Everything was delicious. The falafel was gone before…read moreanyone could blink. The pickles and the sauces were just amazing. I would highly recommend either going here or ordering delivery from them. They were prompt. It was delicious and the pita breads fresh, even though they're even fresher when you go into the restaurant, we're still amazing.

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.

Inside

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Happy Monday & Company

4.3(56 reviews)

2.0 mi

Happy Monday & Co. is such a cute spot! The coffee is so good, and it's the perfect place to get…read moresome work done, meet up with friends, or just hang out and enjoy your morning. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and I love how easy it is to spend a little time here. Definitely one of my favorite coffee spots when I'm looking for good coffee and a place to relax!

Pretty solid spot! I…read morelove how open it is here. It tends to be busy, so be ready for that! Lots of WFH folks and people catching up. I do enjoy that ambiance while working, but be prepared without headphones if that's not your vibe. I loved their matcha strawberry fields summer special, and grabbed a miel the second time. I really enjoy all the drinks I've had thus far, this little escape is perfect. You wouldn't think it's there with the mall being so nearby! Check this spot out for a little bit of peace, good working environment, and good drinks.

November 2024

November 2024 (cappuccino)

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Stephan S.

Elite 24

236

228

3014

3 years ago

I visited Mim's Cafe today and once again, it exceeded my expectations. The chicken shawarma I had was absolutely delightful, bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. It's evident that they consistently maintain their high standards of quality. The service remains impeccable, with the staff displaying genuine care and efficiency. Despite the bustling atmosphere, they handle everything with grace and attentiveness. Mim's Cafe continues to impress with its delicious food and exceptional service. It's become a favorite spot for me, and I'll definitely be returning for more of their fantastic dishes. Highly recommend! read more

Dan S.

11 months ago

Whatever you do, don't joke around inside this establishment. They are very serious people. Got kicked out for making not even that bad of a joke. Good luck in life taking everything so serious even from someone you don't know. The longer I have been thinking about it I realize that this establishment is against freedom of speech. How are you going to not serve somebody because of something they said you don't like. I love America and I love freedom of speech if you love freedom of speech, do not support this establishment. read more

David P.

11 years ago

Great place! The food was excellent and the customer service even better! The chef obviously cared about his cooking. We had never had Middle Eastern food before and they more happy to explain the different dishes to us. read more

Merle G.

11 years ago

Only had chicken sandwich no lamb meat so tried it . sandwich was terrible.mini plate very small portion in my opinion.

Mark R.

2 years ago

Great delicious food! Great service!! And such a great price! This place is a must and the location is perfect.

Antonio P.

3 years ago

This place is a Gem I love this place and this is my favorite spot in St Paul MN I could eat here everyday!

Deb K.

10 years ago

The food here is wonderful. Great prices too. Love this place.

SchaOn B.

586

11 years ago

Always great service and great food!

Mim's Cafe - mideastern - Updated October 2026

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Love this small family owned business specializing in manakeesh. I'm partial to the meat or meat…read moreand cheese. Just because I'm a protein brat. But the zataar and zataar and cheese r yum too. Anyhow, I love that they have a little cute seating and some groceries available the staff is always so welcoming they feel like I'm dropping in to see family. Whenever I'm in town it's a short ten minute drive from the airport and a must have.

Two pieces of advice for when you visit Ajeen Bakery. First, if your budget allows, try a little of…read moreEVERYTHING, as it is all amazing! Even if it means coming back a time or three, be sure to try the mana'eesh, the soups, the condiments, the drinks, and the desserts. All authentic and all DELICIOUS! From my 11 year old son to my 70 something mom, everyone was talking about coming back ASAP. Second piece of advice, be prepared to receive a level of hospitality that is rare these days. Waseem (sp?) and his staff treated us like family and shared about their culture and food with passion and kindness. If you are anywhere close and haven't tried it, find the time and stop. You'll be glad you did. There's a cute space to sit and eat in!

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This place is delicious! We ordered pick up through their website, I was impressed by the text…read moremessage updates so we knew when our food was ready. The flavors of the beef and chicken shawarmas was incredible. We got the lamb beef kabab plate as well and loved it. Portion size for each plate was enough for two people and the price was very reasonable. Can't wait to eat here again.

My husband had come here for a work lunch and loved it so much he took me a few weeks later. The…read morestaff were friendly and helpful. We loved our food. I really enjoyed the chicken kufta and garlic dip. I don't think there was a single thing my husband didn't love. There are plenty of beautiful things to look at, the seating is comfortable and it was very clean.

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This is a great neighborhood spot for casual Mediterranean food that tastes really good…read moreLots of choices to choose from - their spicy sauces are no joke- definitely not midwestern spice so note that Fries really good too, I liked the Greek donuts they had at one point but I think the menu changes Cute interior - very fast service and nice staff

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Husband and I came across this restaurant in search of local Mediterranean places nearby and glad…read morewe gave it a try! I ordered the beef kabobs and my husband ordered the gyro platter. I didn't want the small side salad so they were nice enough to let me sub for fries. The food was prepared quickly and came out piping hot! My husband loves tzatziki sauce and we were able to get two small containers without being charged which was super nice of them! The staff seemed like a lot of fun and we liked their good natured vibe. My husband really enjoyed his gyro plate and my beef kabobs were pretty good! It was a bit dry and the tzatziki sauce was strangely thick but overall not bad. We ate in the restaurant which was very clean and had enough seating for about 20-25 folks. Not huge but spacious enough!

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