Babani's

Excellent Kurdish lunch! Had the dowjik soup, beef kabobs, and sheik Babani (eggplant stuffed with meat). Meat is halal. Each dish was super flavorful and different - we felt like we got a great variety. Baklava was a bit soft (prefer it crispy) but quite tasty. Lady serving was friendly and efficient and helped with recommendations. Atmosphere is relaxed and homey. A great visit and would definitely recommend this place!

Excellent Kurdish lunch! Had the dowjik soup, beef kabobs, and sheik Babani (eggplant stuffed with meat). Meat is halal. Each dish was super flavorful and different - we felt like we got a great variety. Baklava was a bit soft (prefer it crispy) but quite tasty. Lady serving was friendly and efficient and helped with recommendations. Atmosphere is relaxed and homey. A great visit and would definitely recommend this place!

Babani's is a cozy restaurant tucked away in Saint Paul, and it has been on my list of places to try for some time. Enter the space and you'll be greeted with warm rich colors, Kurdish decor, and a relaxing atmosphere. On Saturdays they are open from 2 to 7:30, and when I walked in there were already people here for late lunches and early dinners. I was promptly greeted and taken to my seat. Throughout my visit the staff was attentive and sweet - she checked on me often, which I appreciated. I ordered the Bajan Reshk for my appetizer, and my, was it delightful. Something you'll notice about Babani's is that ALL the produce used is ridiculously fresh - it tastes honestly like it came out of someone's backyard garden, and it's the middle of winter, so I KNOW they've got a good supplier. The eggplant was a succulent, perfect texture, and the jajic paired wonderfully with the cucumber. It was so refreshing and a perfect start to the meal. Additionally, I tried their Kurdish lemonade, which was tart and tasteful. My entree came with soup, so I tried the Dowjic as well, which was tangy and creamy. The chicken tawa is one of their staple entrees, and honestly, I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant and had chicken that fell off the bone. I'm talking I POKED it with a fork and it just peeled away in these rich, succulent layers. This dish is the ultimate comfort food. I loved every bite. To finish off my meal, I had the baklava, which was sweet and served piping hot. There's a lot to love about Babani's, but don't just take my word for it - try it yourself!

Babani's is a cozy restaurant tucked away in Saint Paul, and it has been on my list of places to try for some time. Enter the space and you'll be greeted with warm rich colors, Kurdish decor, and a relaxing atmosphere. On Saturdays they are open from 2 to 7:30, and when I walked in there were already people here for late lunches and early dinners. I was promptly greeted and taken to my seat. Throughout my visit the staff was attentive and sweet - she checked on me often, which I appreciated. I ordered the Bajan Reshk for my appetizer, and my, was it delightful. Something you'll notice about Babani's is that ALL the produce used is ridiculously fresh - it tastes honestly like it came out of someone's backyard garden, and it's the middle of winter, so I KNOW they've got a good supplier. The eggplant was a succulent, perfect texture, and the jajic paired wonderfully with the cucumber. It was so refreshing and a perfect start to the meal. Additionally, I tried their Kurdish lemonade, which was tart and tasteful. My entree came with soup, so I tried the Dowjic as well, which was tangy and creamy. The chicken tawa is one of their staple entrees, and honestly, I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant and had chicken that fell off the bone. I'm talking I POKED it with a fork and it just peeled away in these rich, succulent layers. This dish is the ultimate comfort food. I loved every bite. To finish off my meal, I had the baklava, which was sweet and served piping hot. There's a lot to love about Babani's, but don't just take my word for it - try it yourself!

The atmosphere is either a place to dine because of it, or in spite of it. Simple, almost utilitarian ambience, you're coming to Babani's for the food and nothing else. The Haute Plates Dining Reviewers tried a variety of dishes, from the two soups to the "Striped Trousers" dish, with salads, bread, and more entrees also in the mix. All were dishes not shy of flavor, and came out (at staggered times) fresh from the kitchen just a few steps away. Service was curt (upon being greeted for our 6:30 reservation, the first words were, "We close at 7:30"), and there are two people -- the cook and the server/manager/owner -- but it is authentic as can be, and the food is hearty without being heavy. If you want candles and fresh flowers, don't bother. But for the foodie? Highly recommend.