Highest-rated Middle Eastern restaurants in Minneapolis by diners

The aromatic spice combinations of Middle Eastern cuisine can make your mouth water and your stomach growl. It stems from ancient civilizations influenced by the Mediterranean along its western border, the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria, and the mountains of Afghanistan in the eastern part of the region.

That said, it's easily confused with its geographic neighbor, Mediterranean cuisine. Although the two have some foods in common, like pita bread or stuffed grape leaves, Mediterranean food tends to use herbs. At the same time, Middle Eastern fare is flavored with bolder spices like sumac, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cardamom.

As consumers lean toward healthier fare, Middle Eastern restaurants are poised to have a moment. The cuisine's plant-heavy options include hummus, falafel, and fattoush salad. Lentils have been another Middle Eastern staple since To satisfy a sweet tooth, options like baklava and halva fit the bill.

Middle Eastern dining emphasizes a shared experience, with many dishes designed to be eaten communally so that everyone at the table can build relationships through food. Mezze platters of bite-sized options and family-style stews are perfect for a night out with family or friends.

Although Middle Eastern restaurants aren't as prevalent as other ethnic cuisines, there are over in the United States where you can sample this region's delights.

compiled a list of the highest-rated breakfast restaurants in Minneapolis based on diners' reviews on as of July 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "Middle Eastern" on Yelp and within a 10-kilometer radius of Minneapolis were included. Some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides breakfast food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 10 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.

Keep reading to see if your favorite restaurant made the cut, and to discover new spots you haven't been to yet.

Naf Naf Grill

1 / 14

#14. Naf Naf Grill

- Rating: 3.5/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 60 East Broadway Ste C326 Bloomington, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Salad, Falafel
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New York Gyro

2 / 14

#13. New York Gyro

- Rating: 3.7/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4621 Central Ave. Northeast Columbia Heights, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Indian, Pakistani
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Naf Naf Grill

3 / 14

#12. Naf Naf Grill

- Rating: 3.7/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3340 Central Park Village Drive Ste 100 Eagan, Minnesota
- Categories: Falafel, Middle Eastern, Salad
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Shish

4 / 14

#11. Shish

- Rating: 3.9/5 (535 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1668 Grand Ave. Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Breakfast & Brunch, Mediterranean
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Marhaba Mediterranean Grill

5 / 14

#10. Marhaba Mediterranean Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2801 Nicollet Ave. South Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Buffets, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
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Emily's Lebanese Deli

6 / 14

#9. Emily's Lebanese Deli

- Rating: 4.0/5 (269 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 641 University Ave. Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Delis, Lebanese
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Wally's Falafel and Hummus

7 / 14

#8. Wally's Falafel and Hummus

- Rating: 4.0/5 (325 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 417 14th Ave. Southeast Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Falafel
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Filfillah Mediterranean Grill

8 / 14

#7. Filfillah Mediterranean Grill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (255 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4301 Central Ave. Northeast Columbia Heights, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Turkish, Mediterranean
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Naf Naf Grill

9 / 14

#6. Naf Naf Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 South 6th St. Ste 110 Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Salad, Falafel
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Zait & Za'atar: Mediterranean Dhaba

10 / 14

#5. Zait & Za'atar: Mediterranean Dhaba

- Rating: 4.4/5 (213 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1626 Selby Ave. Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian
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Zakia Deli

11 / 14

#4. Zakia Deli

- Rating: 4.4/5 (190 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2412 Kennedy St. Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Mediterranean, Lebanese
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Ariana Kabob & Gyro Bistro

12 / 14

#3. Ariana Kabob & Gyro Bistro

- Rating: 4.4/5 (336 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7115 Cedar Lake Road Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Mediterranean, Greek, Middle Eastern
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Mim's Cafe

13 / 14

#2. Mim's Cafe

- Rating: 4.5/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1435 North Cleveland Ave. Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Cafes
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Baba's - Minneapolis

14 / 14

#1. Baba's - Minneapolis

- Rating: 4.7/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2220 Lyndale Ave. South Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Coffee & Tea, Mediterranean
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 102 metros.

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