One of my favorite things about Rochester is its diversity. It’s like a microcosmic melting pot right here in Minnesota. While it is on the small side as far as cities go, it has a cultural—and as a result, culinary—richness similar to what you might find in larger population hubs, making it the perfect place to broaden your gastronomic horizons. There are some incredible international restaurants in Rochester, MN. My personal favorites? ThaiPop, First Meeting Noodle, and Bebap Korean Eats.
However, as delicious and aesthetic as these spots are (can we just pause to appreciate their immaculate vibes for a moment?), why not explore more of Rochester’s global food scene. The city’s lesser-known international restaurants deserve their day in the sun and a place on your (and my) to-eat list, too. So, I’ve made it my mission to eat my way through all that Rochester has to offer, and I’m here to share some of my favorites with you.
Don’t Miss These Hidden-Gem International Restaurants in Rochester, MN
If you want to sample some of the city’s vibrant cultural and culinary traditions, then these hidden-gem Rochester international eateries are for you. From hole-in-the-wall counter-service joints to standalone restaurants, from Mexican and Middle Eastern to African and Asian, there is something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Plus, as a bonus, you can feel good knowing that your visit supports a small, locally owned business.
Almadina Restaurant
When it comes to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food in Rochester, Nupa North and South are usually the first international restaurants folks think of. (Guilty as charged.) But they certainly aren’t the only spots where you can satisfy your craving for falafel, gyros and succulent shawarma. Located right downtown, Al Madina Restaurant is the place to go for a fresh and flavorful meal. The menu here is extensive, featuring sandwiches stuffed with beef, lamb, or chicken, as well as platters piled high with smoky grilled meats and rice. Dining with family or friends? Share one of the Almadina Feasts. Ranging from small to large, each shareable smorgasbord comes mounded with an assortment of kebabs, shawarma and lamb chops, fragrant rice and various dips and sauces to customize your plate.
Address: 101 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN
El Super Gallo #1 and El Gallo Mexican Grocery #2
One of my absolute favorite places to go, whether I’m hungry or otherwise, is international markets. Not only is cruising the aisles looking for snacks and new staples to bring home a ton of fun, but you can often find small food stands cooking up authentic dishes, just like the one inside El Super Gallo #1. Though hidden away inside a Mexican grocery store, this little counter-service spot always has several tables filled with diners whenever I’ve walked in, something that any traveler or foodie worth their salt knows is a very good sign. Stop by for classics like tacos, burritos and tortas with proteins ranging from steak, chicken, and al pastor marinated pork to more traditional meats like cabeza (beef head), tripe and surprisingly tender and tasty lengua (beef tongue). Or, opt for favorites like chilaquiles, tamales, menudo or a Mexican-style breakfast. Be sure to grab some concha bread, south-of-the-border snacks or other groceries to take back with you while you’re there. And for folks who live on the southeast side of Rochester, you’re in luck! The mercado’s sister location, El Gallo Mexican Grocery #2, sells prepared food as well.
Address: 1831 24th St NW, Rochester, MN and 2245 Park Ln SE, Rochester, MN
Francisco’s Restaurant
There’s something about the sunniness of Caribbean food that always puts me in a good mood, especially when it’s cold and dreary outside. Every bite is like a taste of the islands. That’s just what you’ll find at Francisco’s Restaurant. From small bites like meat and cheese-filled empanadas and croquettes to plates of Jamaican-style jerk chicken, braised oxtails and curry goat, as well as a range of Cuban sandwiches, the restaurant has something to satisfy your every craving. Top it all off with a slice of tres leches cake or guava cheesecake and a Cuban coffee or tropical fruit smoothie. With its bright and vibrant setting, the restaurant is a cheery spot to tuck into your meal or grab your food to go.
Address: 1137 2nd St SW, Rochester, MN
La Michoacana Purepecha
Another colorful Rochester restaurant that is sure to bring a smile to your day is La Michoacana Purepecha. Part ice cream shop, part snack stop, and all fun, this massive Mexican eatery is perfect for a laid-back meal, whether it’s warm and sunny or the depths of winter. The restaurant itself is a vibe, with pink walls and rhythmic Latin music filling the air, making it an enjoyable spot to kick back and relax for a bit. However, the big draw here is its astonishing variety of sweet treats, like fluffy ice cream and frozen paleta, or popsicles, in tropical fruit flavors (mamey is my go-to), and sliced and diced fruits zhuzhed up with sprinkles of lime juice, Tajín and sweet-sour-and-spicy chamoy. Want something savory on the side? Elote and esquite (creamy, cheesy, and tangy street corn), nachos, tortas, and Mexican-style hot dogs are also available for a full, feel-good meal.
Address: 28 9th St SE, Rochester, MN
Lee Market
If I had to choose between Latin markets and Asian markets, it’s the latter that would come out on top ever so slightly. Why? It’s all in the snacks! With pillowy, cloudlike breads, uniquely flavored chips, cups of noodles, and so much more spread across multiple rooms, Lee Market has a lot to offer. Towards the back of the store, you can even find a small counter-service stand pumping out Vietnamese bánh mì and boba drinks. Although there are a few different Vietnamese restaurants in Rochester, this is one of only two places in the city where you can find these traditional sandwiches. And let me tell you, they are a great deal. Filled with a variety of chopped proteins, pickled veggies, aromatic herbs and creamy mayonnaise, each bánh mì is only $6(!). Stop by on Fridays for a broader selection of prepared foods.
Address: 1116 9th St NE, Rochester, MN
Middle East Restaurant
For a meal that feels like a world away from Rochester, MN, don’t miss Middle East Restaurant. Stepping inside this halal eatery, with its fabric-draped walls and ceiling, is like being whisked away to a Bedouin tent in some far-off desert oasis. It’s incredibly atmospheric and a delightful setting for enjoying a range of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. Along with classics like kabab and shawarma platters, you can also enjoy authentic bites like fattet hummus, which is studded with fried pita bread, Lebanese-style saj flatbread and more. In the mood for dessert? Save room for a sweet crêpe to finish your meal.
Address: 303 Elton Hills Dr. NW, Rochester, MN
Muna Halal
Home to a thriving Somali community, Rochester also boasts a few different East African restaurants. Attached to a small grocery store, Muna Halal cooks up generous portions of lightly spiced meats (the goat is a favorite) atop fragrant rice or spaghetti, meat-and-onion-filled sambusas and breakfast stew with fermented, pancake-like anjero bread. Wash it all down with a steaming cup of shaax, a Somali spiced tea perfumed with ginger and cardamom. Fear not if you aren’t into spicy food, as dishes here are flavored with warming spices instead of blazing chili peppers. That said, you can drizzle on a green sauce if you want to kick things up a notch. And don’t forget the banana!
Address: 1352 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN
Nile Restaurant & Café
Another Rochester Somali eatery that is well worth a visit is Nile Restaurant & Café. This frills-free counter-service restaurant offers hearty helpings of East African cuisine classics like beef, chicken, tilapia, or goat mounded over Somali-style rice, traditional wraps made with unleavened jabati flatbread, and breakfast dishes featuring goat stew, goat liver with a medley of peppers, onions and cilantro, and anjero bread. Feeding a group? The sports platter is a great deal and comes with your choice of protein and a side to share. As is Somali custom, each dish is accompanied by a banana to eat alongside your meal. Pro tip: Don’t just save the banana until the end for dessert. The fruit is actually meant to be used as both a condiment and an eating utensil, as eating with your hands is customary in Somali culture. However, if you would rather not pinch off a piece of banana to use as an edible (and admittedly messy) scoop, you can also break off bits and mix them in with each bite to balance out the spice of the food.
Address: 1205 7th St NW, Rochester, MN
Taste of the Philippines
Nestled off the street in the 100 First Avenue food court, Taste of the Philippines is the epitome of a hidden gem. What Rochester’s only Filipino restaurant lacks in ambiance, it more than makes up for with delicious food and gracious hospitality. The women at the counter are incredibly friendly and eager to share the available dishes, offering up samples of items if you’re unsure what to choose. And if the lumpia have been sitting out too long, you can usually wait around five minutes for some to be made fresh. Dishes come with your choice of either white rice or pancit, a type of stir-fried rice noodles—or, if you can’t decide, opt for half and half. Each is a tasty base for proteins like chicken and pork adobo. Be sure to save some room for something sweet, like the creamy, coconutty and very refreshing buko pandan.
Address: 100 1st Ave SW, Rochester, MN
What are your favorite international restaurants in Rochester, MN? Leave a comment below!
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