Pho Pasteur – 3 min walk
Located just down the street from Anderson Center, Pho Pasteur is a Hamline staple. Its menu contains various delicious Vietnamese foods, from dumplings to pho. Entree prices are around $13-$15, and you get an excellent sit-down experience without breaking the bank. There’s something for everyone. Some student favorites include a (Banh Mi, a classic Vietnamese sandwich, Pad Thai and their diverse range of boba smoothies. On their website, they flaunt that their chef has over 20 years of experience cooking in the finest of restaurants, as shown by the plethora of Hamline students at every meal. It could be argued that you aren’t truly a Piper until you’ve dined there. The only downside is that they are closed on Tuesdays, however, their hours, 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. give students ample time to visit in between and after classes.
Ginkgo Coffeehouse – 2 min walk
One of the most heard phrases on campus is “Ginkgo after class?” Ginkgo Coffeehouse is the perfect spot for early-morning coffee runs, late-night study sessions, first dates and everything in between. Open for over 30 years, Ginkgo has been crucial to caffeinating Hamline students with its stellar drinks and invigorating them with its warm atmosphere. This ambiance includes mural-filled walls, music performances, local art displayed and little knick-knacks and novelty stickers for sale. Drinks are anywhere between $2 – $6 depending on the item and size, while meals range between $4 – $7. Although drinks are their specialty, their menu also includes pastries, lunch items and even ice cream. Gingko’s is open for over thirteen hours each day, opening at 6:30 a.m. or 6:45 a.m. depending on the day, then closing at 8 p.m.
Mirror of Korea – 1 min walk
Mirror of Korea gives Hamline remarkable access to authentic Korean food right next to campus. Not only is it a second-generation family restaurant, but it was also initially owned by chef Yong Lee, who has been part of the Korean restaurant business for the last 40 years. Their best seller is the Bi Bim Bob, described as “steamed white rice mixed with red pepper sauce, an assortment of seasoned vegetables, beef and fried egg.” The prices for appetizers are around $7, whereas entrees range between $12-$19. They also deliver if a winter storm or busy schedule prevents you from stopping in.
Black Sea – 2 min walk
A family-owned restaurant offering both traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines, Black Sea is a neighborhood favorite. All single-person entrees range between $10-$14, with various options like kebabs, gyros and falafel. Black Sea serves as a break from the constant late-night Taco Bell and McDonald’s while still staying affordable for those living on a college budget. Some of their traditional Turkish dishes described on their website are Borek, “thinly rolled pastry, often the paper thin variety known as yufka, is wrapped around various savory fillings or arranged in layers,” and Doner Kebap, “slices of marinated lamb on a tall vertical spit and grilled as it slowly turns.” For my vegetarian friends, Black Sea emphasizes the importance of vegetables in Turkish cuisine and even flexes on their website how this practice “makes vegetarians happy.” Black Sea is open Mon. through Fri. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., a perfect time range for students and their diverse class schedules.
Snelling Cafe – 6 min walk
With a little bit of everything, Snelling Cafe is the perfect blend of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and American cuisines. Some options include chicken wings, burgers, curry and spaghetti. The restaurant aims to provide an environment that reflects the heritage of East Africa while including American influences. One eye-catching meal was the Doro Tibsi, which is marinated chicken chopped and sauteed with onions, jalapenos, tomato, garlic, and simmered with berbere sauce. Entree prices are in the $15-$17 range, while sandwiches and wraps are around $10. Compared to previous restaurants, Snelling Cafe as the most diverse hours, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at either 10 p.m. or 12 a.m. depending on the the day.
A little further away:
Checker Board Pizza – 12 min walk
Groundswell – 13 min walk
Sabrina’s Cafe & Deli – 15 min walk
