Eat Street Walking Tour Preview

Black Forest Inn

in 1965, a German immigrant named Erich Christ took over the former Swinging Door, and turned it into the the Black Forest. Fifty-two years later, The Black Forest still draws healthy crowds for its classic Bavarian bierstube ambience, its delightful shaded patio, and the best German cuisine in the Twin Cities. Christ, who trained as a butcher in his native Germany, still makes some of the bratwurst specialties in house. Other recommended dishes include the Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel.

My Huong Kitchen

Tracy Wong and her husband operate this tidy little Vietnamese cafe, which features a good assortment of banh mi sandwiches; pho (beef noodle soup) and other soups; com tam (broken rice plates); bun (noodle salads), spring rolls, egg rolls and specialty dishes such as banh mi bo ko (beef stew with French baguette) and Hai-nam chicken, plus bubble teas, smoothies and French crepes.

Rainbow Chinese Restaurant

Tammy Wong's combines traditional Chinese and Vietnamese flavors with local ingredients.

Pho 79 / Caravelle

Pho 79 / Caravelle is two restaurants in one: a traditional Vietnamese Pho house in front, offering a big selection of noodle soups, and a full-menu Chinese / Vietnamese restaurant in back, with authentic Vietnamese specialties, and popular Chinese fare.

Christos Greek Restaurant

Gus Parpas, a native of Cyprus, opened Christos with his wife Carol in 1988, Twenty-nine years later, they both still work at the restaurant, and their newer location in Minnetonka. But a new generation of immigrants has taken over in the kitchen. Executive chef Mohamed Armeli is Palestinian, and most of the kitchen crew is from Ecuador. Many of the classics of Greek cuisine, from stuffed grape leaves and spinach pie to moussaka and kabobs are offered, along with regional specialties from Cyprus. Daily lunch specials offer excellent value.

Harry Singh's Original Caribbean Restaurant

Harry Singh’s Original Caribbean Restaurant, 2653 Nicollet, was one of the first and most popular ethnic restaurants in the Twin Cities, famous for its West Indian rotis and spicy curries. The irrepressible Singh, a native of Trinidad, has mellowed at least a little over the past 40+ years, but his legendary hot sauces have not.

Khun Nai Thai Cuisine

More authentic than its Uptown counterparts, this Thai restaurant offers a wide range of curries, stirfries, noodle and rice dishes.

Jasmine 26 Restaurant & Bar

Marhaba Middle Eastern Grill

At Marhaba Mediterranean Grill, 2801 Nicollet, the name is new, but it’s really a continuation of the old Java restaurant, a fixture on Eat Street for decades. Marhaba is also busy these days, attracting a mostly Somali and East African clientele for an extensive menu and all-day buffet of mostly Middle Eastern fare.