Black Sea Restaurant

The Black Sea Restaurant is an amazing place. The owners are the only people working there. when you walk in you are greeted warmly and shown to your seat promptly (everything is prompt here, since it's such a tiny place). The food is terrific, the prices are amazing. You can get decently fed under 5 bucks! And it's always service with a smile and an occational pat on the back! more

This is an awesome place to know about if you are living in the Twin Cities. A Turkish couple owns the restaurant and they live in an upstairs apartment -- so the restaurant is a very comfortable and fun place to eat because they really make you feel like you are guests in their home. They take off for about a month every summer to go back to Turkey and close up shop so that sucks because you go into withdrawal when they're gone. The food is really tasty and super cheap so it's perfect for poor college students. Everything on the menu (including the fries) is worth trying at least once. As best as I can remember you can't pay with plastic so take cash with you... more

When you enter the Black Sea, owner/chef Ali Akilli will always cheerfully greet you and this opening jesture is an presage of the dining experience you'll find tucked into the Hamline Unversity neighborhood. There are other very notible Mediterranean cooking establishments in the Twin Cities and you might find items on Greek, Lebonese, and a variety of falfaffel joints indistinguishable but this was one of the first and only Turkish restaurants in the metro. The food here is plentiful and great for sharing with a date or groups out for the night. If you order a Meze Platter for 2 ($4.95) you will get a heaping plate of hummus, feta, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage rolls, and olives served with peta bread. Snack on this for a while and you'll get up and walk home thinking you ate dinner. But wait, there's more to be had for a few dollars. Grilled chicken, beef, and lamb gyro-style sandwiches called Doner Kebab or Tavuk Kebab (Chicken) are all on the menu for under $4. You can order plates of rotisserie beef, chicken and lamb for $6.65 that are a kings portion. A large piece of baklava is only $1.75. The wait staff is always friendly and the unisex bathroom is memorable more

Incredible food, great service, incredibly inexpensive! Ali and his wife own and operate this gem of a Turkish restaurant. It is rare to find such tasty, authentic food, at such a reasonable price. The interior is not fancy, but is decorated with maps and photos of Turkey. The friendly service and tasty food combined with the low price make this one of my Twin Cities faves. more

I love this restaurant. It is a small place, run by a husband and wife. They are always friendly and cook awesome food. Turkish food is always delicious, but the food here always seems a little bit more delicious than at other places. All the ingredients are very fresh, the tomatoes are ripe, and everything just seems perfect. It’s an inexpensive restaurant with great food. more

The Black Sea Restaurant is an incredible find! It is the first Turkish restaurant in Minnesota. This family owned small shop, tucked in the middle of the block just south of Hamline University. The food is great, the prices are very low, but one of the best things is that it is family run. Ali and his wife will greet you when you walk in, will take your order, will prepare your food, serve it to you, and clean up after you – all with a smile. They obviously take a lot of pride in what they do and they do it well! more

Travel the busy streets of almost any city in Western Europe, and you will find vendors selling street food that rivals many fine local restaurants. A favorite for most former backpackers is the Doner Kabob. I have eaten variations of this street treat, which is similar to a gyro, in England, Germany, Scandinavia and beyond, but have had trouble finding quality Doners in the Twin Cities. The Black Sea Restaurant in St. Paul has fortunately put an end to my stateside search. The Black Sea is a small, hole-in-the-wall Turkish spot on Snelling Avenue, right across the street from Hamline University. Hamline students and locals flock here for succulent Doner Kabobs made with tender, aromatic lamb and tangy, refreshing cucumber sauce. The pitas used here for doners, falafel sandwiches, and other delicious dishes are soft, fresh, and substantial. Pair any of their freshly made sandwiches with a serving of crispy, spiced fries, and you have a fantastic, filling meal at student (or backpacker) friendly prices. To make the deal even sweeter, the owners of this popular gem are also the full-time cook and server. Every time you come into the Black Sea, they will personally see to it that your food and your experience are exceptional. more