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Tandoori chicken, mango lassi, blistered naan, aloo, and more food spread out on a table
Find everything from fresh injera to creamy lassi to a poutine-topped burger on Central Avenue
Hyderabad Indian Grill NE/Facebook

10 Excellent Restaurants Along Northeast Minneapolis’ Central Avenue

From the outskirts of Downtown Minneapolis to Columbia Heights

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Find everything from fresh injera to creamy lassi to a poutine-topped burger on Central Avenue
| Hyderabad Indian Grill NE/Facebook

Central Avenue stretches from the outskirts of Downtown Minneapolis and can go as far as the northern suburbs. However, it has had a rich and vibrant culinary history from the cuisines it houses. From tacos to Thai food, and everything in between, here are ten restaurants to visit.

Restaurants are listed in geographical order from south to north.

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Ideal Diner

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Since 1949, the quaintly small, but mighty Northeast institution has been serving loyal patrons off Central and Broadway with filling breakfast specialties far as the eye can see and $3 slices of pie. Call for takeout.

A slim diner counter with a yellow wall in the background shows the majority of the Ideal Diner’s seats available inside.
There are few seats inside the Ideal, but the American classic breakfasts are hearty
Ideal Diner [Official]

The Mill Northeast

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A from-scratch kitchen with a minimalist interior and exterior, The Mill Northeast has been serving up delicious brunch and dinner items for patrons, from beef carnitas tacos to the severely slept-on poutine burger. Reservations are available and takeout can be ordered online.

A sunbeam shines on a juicy pastrami on brown rye sandwich on a white plate
The Mill Northeast is known for its brunch, hearty all-day fare, and great cocktails
The Mill NE/Facebook

Football Pizza

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Located off 24th and Central Avenue in Northeast, Football Pizza, formerly known as Crescent Moon, has been the staple pizza spot since its inception. Not to be overlooked however, are specialties like their lamb tikka or beef kourma. Order online for carry out or delivery.

A football shaped pizza is studded with sausage and covered in cheese
Oblong pizza from this Northeast neighborhood institution
Football Pizza/Website

El Taco Riendo

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An institution that has existed as long as Central Avenue has, El Taco Riendo has been serving up the quickest and tastiest Mexican fare to satisfied patrons around the Twin Cities. From tacos to tortas, El Taco Riendo has been doing so studiously. Order online for quick pick up.

An enormous burrito weighs heavily on a small paper plate
Burrito at El Taco Riendo
Ali Elabbady

Sen Yai Sen Lek Thai

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A long time institution located in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis, Sen Yai Sen Lek has been serving up fantastic Thai dishes from the tom yum soup, to the flavorful and vibrant pad dee mao. Open for takeout only for now. Order online.

A white plate holds ground meat topped with sprigs of cilantro and garnished with cucumber slices on a leaf of lettuce.
Laarb, spicy and fresh
Sen Yai Sen Lek Thai/Facebook

Dipped & Debris

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After Sen Yai Sen Lek decided to halve its space, the addition room made for a pet project dedicated to delightful sandwiches and frozen custard called Dipped and Debris. The numerous po’ boys and satay sandwich selections are not to be missed. It opens at 4pm Monday through Saturday with online ordering.

A sub-sized loaf of bread is toasted on the inside and crammed with fried oysters, shredded cabbage, tomatoes, red onion and dripping with sauce
Massive sandwiches for a tidy little storefront
Dipped & Debris/Facebook

Chimborazo

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From saltados to ceviche, Chef Marcos over at Chimborazo has been serving vibrant and flavorful dishes to brunch and dinner patrons alike, offering a taste of Ecuador with every item. Order online for takeout.

Adama Restaurant and Awash Bakery

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Across from the iconic Heights Theater sits Adama Restaurant, serving up classic Ethiopian fare from doro wat to spicy awaze tibs. Bring the hungry squadron to tackle some of Adama’s platters served atop fresh baked injera.

A wide round of injera is piled with saucy lentils, shredded cabbage, vibrant greens, and more
Adama Restaurant Veggie Platter
Adama Restaurant/Facebook

Super Mercado Loma Bonita

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Located at the Central Plaza strip mall in Hilltop, Supermercado Loma Bonita is home to various Mexican grocery wares, and a panaderia boasting fresh baked goods. Make sure not to sleep on the restaurant side, where you can find tacos, grilled meats, elotes, and other specialties.

The strip mall exterior
Supermercado Loma Bonita at Hilltop
Supermercado Loma Bonita/Facebook

The Hyderabad Indian Grill NE Minneapolis

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Deep in Columbia Heights and nestled in-between Discount Tire and Target is Hyderabad Indian Grill, known for serving everything from tikka masala to curry dishes far as the appetite can hunger for. Order online for takeout or delivery.

Tandoori chicken, mango lassi, blistered naan, aloo, and more food spread out on a table
A huge takeout spread from Hyderabad
Hyderabad Indian Grill NE/Facebook

Ideal Diner

Since 1949, the quaintly small, but mighty Northeast institution has been serving loyal patrons off Central and Broadway with filling breakfast specialties far as the eye can see and $3 slices of pie. Call for takeout.

A slim diner counter with a yellow wall in the background shows the majority of the Ideal Diner’s seats available inside.
There are few seats inside the Ideal, but the American classic breakfasts are hearty
Ideal Diner [Official]

The Mill Northeast

A from-scratch kitchen with a minimalist interior and exterior, The Mill Northeast has been serving up delicious brunch and dinner items for patrons, from beef carnitas tacos to the severely slept-on poutine burger. Reservations are available and takeout can be ordered online.

A sunbeam shines on a juicy pastrami on brown rye sandwich on a white plate
The Mill Northeast is known for its brunch, hearty all-day fare, and great cocktails
The Mill NE/Facebook

Football Pizza

Located off 24th and Central Avenue in Northeast, Football Pizza, formerly known as Crescent Moon, has been the staple pizza spot since its inception. Not to be overlooked however, are specialties like their lamb tikka or beef kourma. Order online for carry out or delivery.

A football shaped pizza is studded with sausage and covered in cheese
Oblong pizza from this Northeast neighborhood institution
Football Pizza/Website

El Taco Riendo

An institution that has existed as long as Central Avenue has, El Taco Riendo has been serving up the quickest and tastiest Mexican fare to satisfied patrons around the Twin Cities. From tacos to tortas, El Taco Riendo has been doing so studiously. Order online for quick pick up.

An enormous burrito weighs heavily on a small paper plate
Burrito at El Taco Riendo
Ali Elabbady

Sen Yai Sen Lek Thai

A long time institution located in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis, Sen Yai Sen Lek has been serving up fantastic Thai dishes from the tom yum soup, to the flavorful and vibrant pad dee mao. Open for takeout only for now. Order online.

A white plate holds ground meat topped with sprigs of cilantro and garnished with cucumber slices on a leaf of lettuce.
Laarb, spicy and fresh
Sen Yai Sen Lek Thai/Facebook

Dipped & Debris

After Sen Yai Sen Lek decided to halve its space, the addition room made for a pet project dedicated to delightful sandwiches and frozen custard called Dipped and Debris. The numerous po’ boys and satay sandwich selections are not to be missed. It opens at 4pm Monday through Saturday with online ordering.

A sub-sized loaf of bread is toasted on the inside and crammed with fried oysters, shredded cabbage, tomatoes, red onion and dripping with sauce
Massive sandwiches for a tidy little storefront
Dipped & Debris/Facebook

Chimborazo

From saltados to ceviche, Chef Marcos over at Chimborazo has been serving vibrant and flavorful dishes to brunch and dinner patrons alike, offering a taste of Ecuador with every item. Order online for takeout.

Adama Restaurant and Awash Bakery

Across from the iconic Heights Theater sits Adama Restaurant, serving up classic Ethiopian fare from doro wat to spicy awaze tibs. Bring the hungry squadron to tackle some of Adama’s platters served atop fresh baked injera.

A wide round of injera is piled with saucy lentils, shredded cabbage, vibrant greens, and more
Adama Restaurant Veggie Platter
Adama Restaurant/Facebook

Super Mercado Loma Bonita

Located at the Central Plaza strip mall in Hilltop, Supermercado Loma Bonita is home to various Mexican grocery wares, and a panaderia boasting fresh baked goods. Make sure not to sleep on the restaurant side, where you can find tacos, grilled meats, elotes, and other specialties.

The strip mall exterior
Supermercado Loma Bonita at Hilltop
Supermercado Loma Bonita/Facebook

The Hyderabad Indian Grill NE Minneapolis

Deep in Columbia Heights and nestled in-between Discount Tire and Target is Hyderabad Indian Grill, known for serving everything from tikka masala to curry dishes far as the appetite can hunger for. Order online for takeout or delivery.

Tandoori chicken, mango lassi, blistered naan, aloo, and more food spread out on a table
A huge takeout spread from Hyderabad
Hyderabad Indian Grill NE/Facebook

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