Nestled on the edge on the Twin Cities U of M campus, Caspian Bistro is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant and grocery store.

Upon entering, I couldn’t help but peruse the few isles for ingredients, spices, teas, delicacies and desserts from the Middle East. Decently priced, you can find feta, olives, fresh dates, cookies, fruits, and desserts indicative of the area. Reasonably priced, it is almost always worth it to pick up a little something to spice up your kitchen cabinet, though I wouldn’t advise bringing your entire grocery list.

The dining itself is quite nice. Both the ambiance and service are great, and the tables are adorned with sugar cubes instead of packets. The tea is not to be missed, nor is the bread with spices and olive oil, brought to the table with every meal. My advise is to order something authentic and/or something that you wouldnt make at home. For me, that was the lamb. Long strips were well seasoned, yet didnt undermine the delicate taste of the lamb. Both my and my partner’s dishes were served along with a mountain of jasmine rice. I’m a meat and veggies guy, so the rice went in the doggie bag.

Overall, a nice place, with a palatable price tag to boot. With free parking in the back, whether your a student or a neighborhood resident, this place is worth a visit.