You don’t need a passport to take a your taste buds on a journey around the world! Start your adventures by enjoying the flavors of the world in just one stop. From collard greens and sriracha fried rice to banh-mi and a Cajun seafood boil, we’ve got a kaleidoscope of tasty options in Minneapolis Northwest.
North America – Louisiana & Mexico
Crazy Cajun
This drool-worthy Louisana-style restaurant is a favorite among some Minnesota Vikings football players, and it’s for good reason. For some delightfully hefty portions and full-on Cajun spices in a fun, casual and laid back atmosphere, Crazy Cajun is the place to be. Owner John Nygen grew up in Texas tasting the vibrant flavors of southern cooking like fried frogs legs and homemade gumbo. He packed up his skills and expertise and opened Crazy Cajun in 2017. It’s become a hot spot ever since with its now-famous seafood boils with fresh market seafood. Choose from crawfish, mussels, king crab, blue crab, snow crab, clams, and jumbo shrimp, then pick one of two sauces – the house garlic butter sauce (Cajun-style) or the coco sauce made of sweet coconut cream, garlic, butter, and basil leaf. From there you choose your heat level – mild, medium, hot, and fire. Add corn, potatoes and sausage to your boil and you’re set to leave full and satisfied.
Hours: Open 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; open 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Tuesday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-568-7085 or order through Grubhub and select pickup.
Delivery: Through Grubhub.
Location & Contact Info: 8578 Edinburgh Center Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-568-7085.
Tacos El Paraiso
While many of us are missing relaxing all inclusive trips, Tacos El Paraiso can deliver all the flavor of Mexico, minus the baggage fees. Choose from a jam-packed menu of authentic and modern Mexican food with fish, pork, steak and chicken in creative combinations. Try the Torta Hawaiana, which is marinated pork, ham, pineapple, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and lettuce. The Torta Cubana is breaded steak, refried beans, sausage, ham, cheese, jalapenos, lettuce and tomatoes. You'll also find wonderful quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, and chile rellenos, just to name a few favorites. There's a children's menu and tofu dishes for vegetarians - something for everyone!
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-276-9379 or order through Grubhub and select pick-up.
Delivery: Order through Grubhub.
Location & Contact Info: 8582 Edinburgh Centre Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-276-9379.
Jamaica
Irie Vybz Jamaican Restaurant
"Irie" is a Jamaican adjective describing an ultimate positive, pleasing, all-encompassing quality experience. It's also a perfect way to describe the dishes at Irie Vybz Jamaican Restaurant. Try authentic Jamaican cuisine like jerk chicken, drunken jerk shrimp, curry goat, oxtail or the Caribbean jerk chicken wraps. This locally owned eatery was recently named one of the best Jamaican restaurants in Minnesota! For those who prefer a stateside menu, enjoy a wide selection of American options like BBQ ribs and burgers.
Hours & Procedures: Open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday; 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-496-1861 or use the delivery options below and select pick-up.
Delivery: Order on Grubhub, Uber Eats, or Bite Squad.
Location & Contact Info: 6056 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN. Phone: 763-496-1861.
Africa – Liberia, Nigeria & Kenya
Jambo Africa
Enjoy slow-cooked collard greens, perfectly spiced goat curry, and tender Kenyan flatbread at Jambo Africa. Delicious, authentic African recipes are made from scratch and include oxtail, curry stew, chicken wings, jollof rice, plantains, sambusas and more. Also enjoy African coffee, tea and wines. Apart from being a destination for tasty African cuisine in the Midwest, Jambo Africa is a center for experiencing African culture thousands of miles from the continent.
Hours & Procedures: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-208-1456 or order online here.
Delivery: Order through Postmates, and Bite Squad.
Location & Contact Info: 1601 Freeway Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN. Phone: 763-208-1456.
Mama Ti’s African Kitchen
Just a few miles from Jambo Africa, you’ll find Mama Ti’s African Kitchen, also serving up some of the best African dishes in Minneapolis Northwest. Kabobs, seasoned wings, fried fish, jollof rice, oxtails, couscous, fried okra, collard greens and more provide a wide range of choices. You can purchase select food items from their store, such as palava sauce, palm butter soup, kitily torborgee and cassava leaf, so you can bring African flavors to your home. With any meal, you’ll want to pick up Mama Ti’s West African Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic). For centuries, cultures have used ginger for its medicinal benefits extracted from ginger root. Adding water, sugar cane juice, crushed pineapples, and lemon make Mama Ti’s Ginger Beer the perfect beverage to pair with your meal.
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-566-1009 or order online here.
Delivery: Order through Grubhub and Postmates.
Location & Contact Info: 7800 Zane Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-566-1009
Asia – Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China & India
Lemon Grass Thai
Lemon Grass Thai in Brooklyn Park offers more by keeping things simple and local. Head Chef and Owner Ann Sengmavong has fused Thai with global palates since 2005 and is inspired by her travels across the U.S., Asia and Europe. The result of her creativity and expertise is colorful and original dishes that transport customers to other worlds. "This is not the typical Thai restaurant," says Ann. And with globe lights and fresh flowers in the renovated dining room, you'll have a unique urban dining experience right here in the northwest metro. The menu at Lemon Grass Thai is as varied as Chef Ann’s travels around the globe. Everything from curries and rice entrees, to finger-licking appetizers and lunch specials, there is truly something for everyone. In addition to the many Thai favorites on the menu, customers can enjoy watching the magic happen at the sushi bar, as chefs expertly craft beautiful, fresh sushi rolls. Traditional favorites like the Unagi Roll, California Roll and Spicy Salmon Roll are sure to satisfy, but if you want to dine outside the box, opt for one of the many specialty rolls.
Hours & Procedures: Open 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-494-8809.
Delivery: No
Location & Contact Info: 8600 Edinburgh Centre Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-494-8809.
Mi-Sant Banh Mi
Mi-Sant Banh Mi takes its customers on a journey to both Vietnam with flavors like pickled carrots and daikons, cucumbers and cilantro, as well as France with fresh breakfast croissants, pastries and baguettes. Grab a bite to eat with its drive-through window and enjoy the satisfying crunch, taste and textures of the classic banh mi sandwich, made with fresh baguette, along with crisp and fresh vegetables and perfectly seasoned meats like grilled pork, Vietnamese ham or bulgogi beef. And you can't go wrong with its fresh noodle bowls. Grab the Mi-Sant Special bowl for the perfect sampling of flavors with your choice of rice or noodles, lettuce, cucumbers, mint, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikons, grilled pork, fried egg, peanuts, plus an egg roll. Don't forget to grab an order of spring rolls, always made fresh, on-the-spot, and bursting with flavor, whether its Korean bulgogi, lemongrass chicken, shrimp, nem nuong (grilled pork sausage) and more.
Hours & Procedures: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday.
Takeout: Must pick up orders at drive-thru window. View the menu here and call 763-355-5947 or order online here.
Delivery: Order through Grubhub and Postmates.
Location & Contact Info: 8540 Edinburgh Centre Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-355-5947.
Que Viet Village House III
The Vietnam adventure continues at Que Viet Village House III, the longest-running Vietnamese Restaurant in Minnesota. Que Viet is known for its pho, but the handmade egg rolls are the real scene-stealer! Created from a simple home recipe, these egg rolls are a real standout, bursting with ground pork and vermicelli in a crispy shell and served with an unforgettable fish sauce dip. At the end of summer, you can find this appetizer as giant egg rolls on a stick at the great Minnesota Get-Together, the Minnesota State Fair! This State Fair specialty made Food Network’s list of “America’s Best Foods on a Stick.”
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and 4 to 7:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday; open 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-560-0215 or order online here.
Delivery: Order through Postmates.
Location & Contact Info: 6100 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN. Phone: 763-560-0215.
MT Noodles
Final stop on the Vietnam flavor tour — MT Noodles! Family and traditions intermingle to create unforgettable homemade recipes and handmade sauces at this family owned eatery. With more than three decades of experience, there’s a story behind every dish. MT Noodles is named after Mỹ Tho, a city in South Viet Nam where Chef Anh Bui was born. This highly-regarded restaurant has gained a strong following and its fair share of media coverage. MT Noodles was voted Best Vietnamese Restaurant in the Twin Cities 2017 and has been featured on Twin Cities Live, and in City Pages and Eater Minneapolis.
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Wednesday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-315-3055 or order online here.
Delivery: No
Location & Contact Info: 8459 West Broadway, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-315-3055.
Rolls & Bowls Asian Cook House
The unique cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam and Japan unite at Rolls & Bowls Asian Cook House. You’ll be welcomed with bright colors and plenty of quirky décor that makes you feel like you’re somehow in multiple countries all at once. The menu is filled with a variety of bowls you can choose from like pho, poke and ramen. Rolls & Bowls is known for its different options that will broaden your taste, such as Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, four season rolls and house special meals. If you love to customize your own food, build your own poke bowl, loaded bowl, or noodle salad bowl Finish off with some traditional Vietnamese coffee and freshly made sweet dessert, or refresh with a smoothie filled with tapioca pearls or gummies. Stop in for happy hour and enjoy freshly infused sake in flavors like watermelon and pineapple.
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-762-8931 or order online here.
Delivery: Order through Grubhub.
Location & Contact Info: 9656 Colorado Lane N, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-762-8931.
Tandoor Indian
Fine Indian cuisine is just minutes away at Tandoor Indian. Start out with some freshly made naan bread baked in a traditional Tandoor oven. Go with the house naan or spice it up a bit with garlic or cheese options, or pashwari naan, made with raisin, pistachio and ghee. It uses the freshest ingredients and makes everything from scratch daily. With their variety of classic dishes, like tandoori and biryani, Tandoor’s goal is to provide the absolute finest dining experience. The restaurant also has a kids menu for pickier eaters.
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; open 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-898-3805 or order online here.
Delivery: Order online here.
Location & Contact Info: 15607 Grove Circle N, Maple Grove, MN. Phone: 763-898-3805.
Pizza Karma
Pizza Karma brings together a very unique flavor combo — pizza and Indian food! So, it's kind of like a trip to India with stop in Italy. Pizza Karma makes its pizzas with the highest quality ingredients and spices from around the world all on top of its signature naan crust. Enjoy a paneer or tandoor-roasted veggie pizza, or build your own with a variety of unique toppings.
Hours & Procedures: Open 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; open 11:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday; open 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-520-9800 or order online here. They also have a curbside pickup option.
Delivery: Order through Bite Squad, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Postmates, and Slice.
Location & Contact Info: 15607 Grove Circle N, Maple Grove, MN. Phone: 763-898-3805.
Europe – Italy & Greece
Sweet Taste of Italy
Speaking of Italy.... Hop in your Vespa scooter and head to Sweet Taste of Italy for impressive Italian dishes made from scratch every day, from the fresh bread that's baked in store to whipping its own butter and grinding the cheese for homemade lasagna. Come into the quaint restaurant for a delicious pasta dish with its secret red sauce, or try a sandwich loaded with hand-sliced meats and cheese.
Hours & Procedures: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-493-4733 or order online here.
Delivery: Order through DoorDash.
Location & Contact Info: 9576 Noble Pkwy N, Brooklyn Park, MN. Phone: 763-493-4733.
Olympia Café and Gyros
Close your eyes and imagine you're sitting at the top of the Greek Island of Santorini, looking down at the deep blue sea as you're surrounded by the colorful Greek homes... Even though you can't commit to a full trip to Greece, you can dine on fresh foods made from scratch by Greek chefs at Olympia Cafe and Gyros. The restaurant in downtown Osseo offers a plethora of traditional Greek items like gyros, Greek salad, spanakopita and more, plus a delicious full breakfast menu available no matter what time of day. And for those not so inclined to experience Greek food, Olympia also has a strong lineup of American classics, including wraps, burgers and ribs.
Hours & Procedures: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.
Takeout: View the menu here and call 763-424-3935.
Delivery: Order through DoorDash.
Location & Contact Info: 247 Central Ave, Osseo, MN. Phone: 763-424-3935.
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