15 under-the-radar restaurant gems in the Twin Cities that deserve your attention

Nothing compares to the deep, abiding love true food fans harbor for under-the-radar gems — the restaurant names we trade like industry secrets, sharing only with those who can appreciate something special.

As independent restaurants continue to struggle, we wanted to share our love for these treasured eateries. They are the places where special occasions are celebrated, where we take solace after onerous workdays and the dishes we dial up when only the comfort of takeout will suffice.

They might be called off-the-beaten-path to those who don’t live nearby, but we will always say an exuberant “yes!” to visiting. Amid the ongoing uncertainty in the industry, know that hours and menus can change quickly — social media often has the most up-to-date information.

What’s your underrated favorite? Let us know in the comments.

One of the great delights in eating a homemade sambusa is the way each tells a story of the maker and the care they put into the ubiquitous dish. With whisper-thin pastry fried delightfully crisp and an abundance of fillings (we love the creamy lentils), it’s evident that Fardowsa Ali puts that care into every detail of her food and restaurant. Diners are welcomed into the beautiful setting like they are entering her home, with tea in gorgeous glassware and a room that attracts every ray of Minnesota’s winter sunlight (which sometimes can feel in short supply). The desserts are equally beautiful and tempting, while each visit feels like we’d be welcome to linger just like old friends.

1411 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., albikitchen.com

This family-run St. Louis Park restaurant serves Greek-style street food along with a few Afghan recipes, including the aromatic and irresistible chicken korma. Made from scratch, the curry sauce blends coriander and cumin into a comforting, rich dish. The room isn’t big, but it is warm with gorgeous lighting and wood tabletops that welcome diners to order and stay a bit. No visit is complete without a little sweet treat, but the conundrum is choosing which variety of pistachio-studded baklava or cake will be today’s winner.

This day-into-night cafe on University Avenue welcomes in the neighborhood with freshly made Thai tea, Vietnamese coffee and other day-brighteners along with flavorful dishes from the kitchen. The scene is set with tables draped in rich fabric, florals and green plants, but it’s the food that keeps the steady stream of customers coming back. Entrees like crispy Khao Mun Gai Taut — crispy chicken thigh over rice — is sliced into strips and topped with crunchy garlic bits, served alongside chicken fat-colored rice (golden) and a housemade gingery sauce. It’s accompanied by a cup of soothing broth for sipping, too.

585 University Av. W., St. Paul, 585basilcafe.com

Rekik Abaineh and Solomon Hailie had established Bolé as a destination for Ethiopian cuisine on University Avenue before a fire forced them to relocate. The new spot between the fairgrounds and Como Park Zoo gave a new neighborhood the chance to fall in love with its tangy injera, rich tibs and the bonus of some of the best vegan eats around. The restaurant fills with bright sunlight midday and the generous hospitality makes it a consistent bright spot in St. Paul dining.

1341 N. Pascal St., St. Paul, boleethiopiancuisine.com

It’s hard to know what to rave about first on this menu. Is it the blistered, crisp empanadas that could be ordered by the bucketful? Maybe the long-stewed meats as tender as a mother’s love? Even the humble black beans and rice are so expertly rendered that the side dishes alone could make a whole meal. It’s probably best to just go back and order one of everything from this cozy Cuban/Dominican restaurant again just to be sure.

When a friend expressed a longing for Burmese tea leaf salad, it was as if the heavens opened: they were about to get the gift of experiencing this cafe for the first time. The restaurant, named for the friends who founded it, is filled with Thai and Burmese dishes that make it hard to choose a favorite: Siamese-style samosas, boat noodle soup, green papaya salad and so many more. The decor is simple, and on busy days the tables are filled as others stream in and out with treasures wrapped in takeout containers. It’s an aptly named restaurant hub for friends who love great food.

1711 Rice St., Roseville; Facebook

On days when it feels the world’s been using you as a punching bag, there are places like Giuseppe’s, with old school Italian American comforts, that can help us rally for another round of whatever is coming our way. Cue Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” and tuck into a welcoming order of bread and herb-infused olive oil. From the oilcloth protected tables to the sheer abundance of saucy pasta options, every corner of this dining room projects the kind of comfort that’s needed right now.

14600 10th Av. S., Burnsville, giuseppesrestaurant.org

When the world feels cold, George & the Dragon’s hospitality warms the heart with the way they care for customers. Even better is that the bar is well-stocked with an affordable selection of grown-up beverages, with wine, beer and NA options. The food is unabashedly cozy and appeals to the diverse neighborhood that mixes single-family homes, retirees and young renters. Most have a favorite bite, like the lumpia or the Uncle Bryan Burger with blue cheese and bacon.

This is the stop for a midwinter wakeup call to the tastebuds. There’s nothing like the wondrous heat of Szechuan peppercorns that start with a little tingle before blossoming into an encompassing burn that triggers the craving for another bite as the heat crescendo builds. The restaurant is set in a simple strip mall, but inside the decor mixes deep red walls with black tables and gold accents that contrasts the suburban setting.

10602 France Av. S., Bloomington, grandszechuanmn.com

Ordering from this food trailer that resides at Forgotten Star Brewing feels like all the fun the friends and business partners behind Fit Foodie Finds must have had when they put this collaboration together. While the dishes are familiar, the delicious little twists on the classics have made them new again. There’s the Bavarian pretzel with requisite beer cheese for dipping, top-notch smash burgers and sweet potato fries that make us wonder why they ever waned in popularity. The taproom setting is geared to gather with the whole gang, including four-legged buddies.

38 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley, hodgepodgeeats.com, forgottenstarbrewing.com

There are few options for fantastic Sri Lankan cuisine in the Twin Cities, which makes this family-owned restaurant in the south metro all the more precious. Immerse those frozen taste buds in the abundance of aromatics and rich blankets of velveting sauces. Start with the ratu ala and realize that beets have achieved a whole new way of leveling. Next, order one of the house specialties like the pol roti, pillowy flatbread with savory/sweet or spicy sauce with roast fish. Dine in for the full experience in the recently refreshed dining room (beer and wine are available) or order ahead for feasting at home.

Jyotiee and Andy Kistner opened their Edina restaurant after years of tempting customers to drive all over town for dishes from their food truck. Now, Jyotiee’s Maharashtrian cuisine, including the street food staples vada pav and sabudana vada, has found a home. The couple, who are usually the ones running the restaurant, enthusiastically welcome diners in to enjoy their handiwork. Vegan and vegetarian dishes — the fried and saucy Gobi Manchurian was a past favorite — offer the best excuse to eat your vegetables. For those who want a meaty meal, Bombay Kheema, Parsi-style minced lamb stuffed into three buttery rolls, is unmissable.

7015 Amundson Av., Edina, muddytiger.com

More often than not, the restaurant that fits just about any mood when dining near Uptown is Nightingale. Long known for its late-night menus, classic cocktail offerings, small-plate options and an excellent spot to meet a first date, Nightingale continues to deliver. When chef Carrie McCabe-Johnston and Jasha Johnston opened the restaurant in 2012, the neighborhood and its needs were different. But what hasn’t changed is that it’s still often cited as a crowd favorite. With a menu that changes just enough with the seasons to offer new bites, but retains the most beloved classics, Nightingale strikes an enduring and alluring balance.

2551 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., nightingalempls.com

If St. Paul had an official soup, it would have to be pho. With an abundance of restaurants offering deep bowls of that aromatic broth, Tay Ho remains a solid choice. Plus, the menu goes even deeper into traditional Vietnamese dishes. On weekends, bun rieu runs as a special: pork and tomato noodle soup bolstered by sweet crab meat. There’s also com tam — the broken rice platter of Ho Chi Minh City with choice of grilled meats and fragrant chive oil drizzled over top of the rice. Inside this welcoming, long-standing restaurant, it’s hard to choose just one dish — which is why it’s easy to return often.

Rice Street has a wealth of great eating, but it’s hard to drive down this popular thoroughfare without planning a stop at this Mexican eatery. Even in the depths of winter, the aromas reach out from the kitchen and down the block tempting anyone in the vicinity with spit-roasted meats. The interior is adorned with hand-painted murals and if you squint really hard and breathe deeply, it’s possible to imagine you’re in Mexico. The menu sports tortas, burritos, caldos, enchiladas and more, but no visit is complete without at least three al pastor tacos on freshly griddled corn tortillas.

1322 Rice St., St. Paul, tromperiaelzac.com

What’s your favorite restaurant gem? Let us know in the comments or email taste@startribune.com for possible inclusion in a future story.