Do you wish you had the opportunity to entertain around the world? The international cuisine options in Minnesota are the next best thing. Some are restaurants with event space or private dining, others do catering and even food trucks. Take a tour of world fl avor with these local culinary options—no passport required.
Chino Latino
At this Uptown Minneapolis restaurant, guests get the full flavor of Chino Latino with a choice of four reservable dining spaces. A private, A/V-ready room decked with red lanterns can be booked for up to 75 at a standing cocktail reception or 50 for a seated dinner. The space also features a street-level patio in summer months. Three semiprivate dining options are also available for parties of up to 30. A dining guide with information on the spaces is available upon request. “We call our menu street food from the hot zone—all the countries right next to the equator,” says Catherine Booth, sales and events manager. “Our drinks are very strong and our food is very good. It’s a fun, upbeat location.”
Foxy Falafel
Inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, chef Erica Strait creates tempting dishes of gyros, hummus, salads and, of course, falafel. Two food trucks bring Foxy Falafel’s fresh fare, much of which is local and organic, to events around the Twin Cities. Standard catering delivery is also available. The most popular catering package is a build-your-own sandwich buffet delivered for office lunches or dinners. Guests can create the sandwich of their dreams with falafel or chicken shawarma, pita bread, preserved lemon rice pilaf, organic hummus, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes and sauces.
Ginger Hop
Located in Northeast Minneapolis, classic Asian fare is served alongside new creations in an “East meets Northeast” menu. You’ll find Thai and Vietnamese specialties along with clever takes on Chinese dishes, says Jake Polt, co-owner. In a room separated from the main dining space by French doors, groups of up to 40 can enjoy family-style offerings of the cuisine in a fun atmosphere. “We offer the same foods and drinks on our regular menu for lunches, brunches and dinners, for everything from grooms dinners and corporate meetings to baby showers,” Polt says. ”The hop side of the name Ginger Hop is we utilize a lot of beer in our cuisine. Guinness chocolate cake is one of our desserts.” For those wishing to bring Ginger Hop food to their own location, large trays are available for pickup or third party delivery services Bite Squad and Door Dash.
Rojo Mexican Grill
Rojo Mexican Grill has three Twin Cities locations, two of which offer event space. Both Edina and St. Louis Park have private dining options with A/V capabilities. Edina’s Rojo Room fits 30 guests in a completely private room. St. Louis Park’s Rojo Room accommodates 75 guests for a seated dinner or 150 for a standing reception. The space features a private patio, private entrance and its own bar and restrooms. To meet off-site catering needs, all Rojo locations offer drop-off, set-up and full-service options for guests to enjoy the traditional Mexican-inspired cuisine.
The Curry Diva
The exotic aromas, colors and flavors of Sri Lanka are The Curry Diva’s speciality. The food, which is almost entirely gluten- and dairy-free, is also influenced by Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine, as well as Ayurvedic preparations and organic ingredients. “I’m the only one in the Twin Cities who cooks Ayurvedic food professionally,” says Heather Jansz, owner and operator. Event catering is fully customizable. Choose the menu and number of courses, and even add a hands-on cooking lesson or demonstration. Can’t take the heat? Hot spice is added on the side so guests can customize the food to their own flavor preference. The Curry Diva hosts a pop-up diner in Minneapolis two days a week and caters for large groups and events. The space can be rented out for groups smaller than 18 and full service catering is available for up to 250.
World Street Kitchen
The World Street Kitchen food truck has been serving the Twin Cities since 2010, with a menu inspired by street foods from around the world. The brick-and-mortar restaurant in Uptown Minneapolis doesn’t have private dining or event space, but the food truck can come to events within 30 miles of the Twin Cities in the warm seasons. For gatherings, the restaurant offers pick-up and drop-off catering options.
