It was very good. Huge place and for Saturday evening not too crowded. Service was a little understaffed and it took a few reminders to get what we wanted. But okay, it wasn't his best day. We will be back read more

I've been coming here for years, but lately it just hasn't the same. The food is still good, but not at the level it used to be. I have pretty high standards for Greek/Mediterranean food, and it just doesn't stand out anymore. The pita has been dry, although the hummus is still solid. The platters are fine overall, but nothing particularly memorable. Service has also been a bit underwhelming recently compared to past visits. That said, the atmosphere is still a highlight. The space feels very authentic with all the decor, and the belly dancers are always a fun touch. The patio is also nice if you're able to sit outside. Parking can be a little tight in their lot, but there's a ramp nearby which makes it easier. read more

Delicious falafel sandwich in pita bread and also a combination plate. This place is huge and beautiful! read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

See all

I recently visited for dinner and salsa night and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. The evening started well, as I was welcomed warmly and accommodated at a table near the stage. However, after being seated, my guest and I waited an extended period before anyone acknowledged us or took our order. Throughout the night, service was consistently slow and inattentive. We experienced delays in receiving drinks, one meal arrived significantly later than the other, and we had to repeatedly request basic items such as silverware and bread. In many cases, we had to rely on other staff members for assistance because our server was largely unavailable. The experience continued to deteriorate when it came time to pay. I was ready to close out my check long before our server returned, and when she finally did, I was left to complete the payment process on my own without much assistance. What concerns me most is that both my guest and I experienced stomach discomfort and digestive issues after our meal. While I cannot say for certain what caused it, the timing was concerning given that we both became ill after dining at the restaurant. I am typically a generous tipper and understand that busy nights can be challenging, but every customer deserves the same level of attention and service regardless of party size. I noticed nearby tables receiving far more attention, which left us feeling overlooked. This was not my first visit, which is why this experience was particularly disappointing. I still enjoy the atmosphere, entertainment, and salsa night, but I would be hesitant to return for dinner based on both the service and food concerns. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and reviews both customer service standards and food quality processes to ensure future guests have a better experience. read more

I had a take-out yesterday. One of the orders was a falafel sandwich, and I replaced fries with a Greek salad.. well, the falafel was great, but the side salad was a pathetic amount of like 5 small leafs and may be 4 small slices of cucumber.. I will attach the picture.. if the salad would be present, as per menu, then I would give it a 5 star. This was 15$, unfortunately under delivered. make sure you ask for silverware because it wasn't in the bag. read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Falafel with non -existent Greek salad. - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

My recent visit for lunch was the first in several years, and I'm pleased to report that the lunch buffet remains one of the best in the Twin Cities. I go there for the delicious Middle Eastern food, which, for a buffet, is amazingly fresh and tasty. It helps, of course, that the buffet is replenished frequently. It includes a wide variety of salads, hummus, pita, soup, protein, and desserts--and it's all delicious! If you have not been to the family-owned Mediterranean Cruise, the building itself is surprisingly large and impressive. It features a 25-foot or higher ceiling, a private dining area, and even space for belly dancing presentations. While Mediterranean Cruise offers Mezas, soups, salads, rice and hummus bowls, sandwiches, and more off the menu, you must try the buffet to truly appreciate the breadth of their offerings. Highly recommended. read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - The plate isn't large enough to hold the variety of food offered at the lunch buffet. - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

Disappointed that on show nights the menu is greatly reduced. Would have loved Saganaki. The grape leaves were just okay. Would have been better with bechamel sauce instead of watered down tomato sauce. Very bland. The kebabs were great. The filet mignon was cooked medium rare as ordered. Both the chicken and shrimp were great too. The gyros meat was dry. Try the NA Tropical drink. Fruity and fun. No Galaktoboureko here. For dessert we tried the Namoora Pie. The phyllo was soggy and the custard bland. Maybe that is how it is supposed to be??? Service was ok. They were busy. read more

See all

First time here. Stopped in for dinner with a few other people. It's a big place, with a large central dining room. It's well designed and gives you the impression that you may be in a different country. There are many different-sized tables, and in the middle is a platform used to showcase belly dancing performers who entertain throughout the evening. When we arrived, the main dining room was about three-quarters full. Between the group conversations at the tables and the loud music, we decided to sit outside. It was a nice evening, so that turned out to be a good choice. There was a firepit in the area, and once in a while you'd feel a bit of the warmth -- nice! We were seated right away with waters and menus. We decided on a hummus trio sampler for the appetizer. It came out very quickly, along with a basket of small pitas. The hummus was very good, but the small pitas were just okay. We would have preferred the larger, puffier pitas that are sometimes freshly baked in other restaurants. Because the appetizer came so fast, we asked (and were promised) that our meals would not be rushed out (we were enjoying the conversation). We ordered some gyros and a lamb shank. And guess what? The food came out in less than 10 minutes, before we had even finished the appetizer. There was a bit of confusion as we made room for all the additional food. The food itself was good. Big portions on the gyros, everything was hot, with good flavors. The fries on the gyro plates were okay -- some other places coat their fries for extra crunch, but these were pretty standard. The lamb shank was very tender, although it wasn't as flavorful as others I've had. Overall, the experience was a bit disappointing. There are lots of other very good Mediterranean restaurants around, and I don't think this one made the "come back to" list. read more

See all

We used to love this place and we took so many people here. I'm not sure if it changed hands or the owners just gave up on having Greek food in Burnsville. What used to be an eight or so page menu, then an overloaded front and back page menu, is now a two sided menu written in such huge font so that it looks like a children's menu. Gone are almost all the Greek or Mediterranean items except gyros, one lamb dish, and shawarma. Instead, there are now fish tacos and rice bowls. Then the food. Meh. My husband got the closest he could to Greek food by ordering the Greek sampler platter. (There used to be several sampler options.) It was not even served with any pita and the rice seemed like it had been made a day or two ago and reheated. The meats were meh. My son's gyro meat was pretty much what you can buy at Trader Joe's. My chicken shawarma was dry and overcooked. And the service, sigh. Our son is a type 1 diabetic and he ordered a Diet Coke. At the end of his first glass, we noticed residue in the glass as his blood sugar skyrocketed. He ordered another glass, and when it came, I asked if it was diet. Oops, again it wasn't. When we wanted to order pita (maybe it didn't come with the gyro or the platter), it took 10 minutes to get the server's attention, as he was chatting in the back of the restaurant with a guest. Oh, and both my husband and son were put off by the smell from the clogged urinal in the men's bathroom. They didn't go into details with me, but my son said it stank in there. We had come here to celebrate my husband's birthday, as we had always enjoyed the service and the food before. Now it's just a blah restaurant with no real Greek nor Mediterranean cuisine. Sad. read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - What happened to our son's blood sugar with the not Diet Coke - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

See all

A good friend recommended this place, so my wife and I met up with him and his wife for dinner and drinks. The parking lot was full, but I appreciated that the restaurant offers a free parking ramp. If it hadn't been raining, the walk would have been even more enjoyable. When we arrived, we let the host know we had a reservation, and we were seated right away. Our server was new and made a few mistakes, but that's understandable. The food was fantastic, the appetizers were great, and the restaurant's décor was nicely done. The menu is a bit busy, but it offers a lot of great options to choose from. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner and his son, both of whom were very friendly and welcoming. The belly dancer and live performances were a fun touch--she even invited guests, both kids and adults, to join her on stage and learn a few moves, which was really cool to see. We'll definitely be back! So glad we finally got to try this hidden gem. read more

See all

Pretty amazing food! You can't go wrong with any item. I forget the type of old fashioned I ordered, but it had coffee in it and it was super smooth. I'm not sure it the breads were miniature naan or pita breads, however they are little pillows of deliciousness, I could eat a whole basket of them. The service was very responsive and tended to all our needs. Above the bar they had the games on TV's and for Sunday games happy hour is all day long, might only be for home games though. read more

See all

I went with a group of friends and we had to pay 20 dollars to get in I guess because it turns into a club after a certain time with a belly dancer that looks like she needs to at home playing with her grandbabies . Then we sat and waited all most 20 minutes before a waiter came after I had to go say something the bar tender was a bit rude but then the waiter we had was sweating a lot I was scared for him to bring my food out .lol however their chicken and lamb chops were delicious and the the drinks were okay they have the best gyro I've tasted in awhile over all nice place if your looking to salsa nice dance floor cool music I think I need a second experience though... read more

I am really astounded by the high Yelp ratings. I wonder if I was in an alternate universe as my experience here was horrible. I met a colleague for a luncheon meeting at his suggestion. We both had the buffet. It was 12:30 and everything was almost gone and there seemed to be no effort to replenish. That was fine with me as the food was so unappetizing I didn't really want anything more. Certainly not a return. Ambiance is okay. The space is large and there were few other diners so there was a kind of ghost town feel. It is hard to assess the service as all our server did was bring us our water and check. The water was great even had some ice cubes. The check was very pricey for the low quality of the food. Lastly it is hard to find even though it is right off Nicollet. I will try to never return and can in no way recommend this establishment. read more

We had a wonderful service, thank you Katie! The food was Terrible; the Greek salad was not fresh ( a lot of old mixed greens); the spanakopita was mushy and the entree was not hot but lukewarm. The place was super busy. Will not go back- it's not what it used to be over the years. read more

If you are looking for a good Mediterranean food, this is one of the best in the TC. Menu is extensive and plenty to choose from. Our orders are bountiful in size (combo platter and Lamb shank). The lamb is very tasty and soft, the meat peels peel from the bone. Service is great and the price is very decent considering the amount of food served. read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Mediterranean combo platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

See all

Normally I really like this place and stop in 2-3x/month for the lunch buffet. I went today and didn't know it was the "EID holiday." Due to this holiday, they charged nearly double for the buffet and it was not mentioned nor displayed on signage. There was a sign up advertising a future specially priced "Easter buffet," but nothing about "EID." It was $70 (!!!) for 2 lunch buffets, no drinks or anything else ordered. Usual lunch buffet is $20. The food on the buffet was literally the exact same stuff they always have so it's not like they had more expensive/special items out there. I feel ripped off and taken advantage of and don't think I'll be back. read more

I'm very disappointed in your customer service...it used to be excellent few years back.we used to come here a lot.no smiling no one took our dirty dish's,it took forever to order no one paying attention to customers .and it wasn't busy ..the food was good. read more

Excellent service, great food, large portion servings, nice ambiance and fun entertainment. read more

We came Sunday at 11:30 for the buffet. It was outstanding. So many options to choose from and it all was very tasty. Easy to get to with Google maps. read more

See all

Loved it , food was great and the belly dancing was so entertaining ! Our bartender Juan was so sweet as well! read more

See all

I have been here several times and am mostly posting this review based on a cumulative experience--which is to say that, this family run establishment is a staple in the south metro that should absolutely be frequented if you like Mediterranean food...even more so if you are there during the lunch buffet (sample more stuff) or on a night when dancers are there (entertaining). On the most recent visit we had a basic salad with a hummus sampler and some drinks. The ambience is inviting, servers are friendly, prices are reasonable and the entertainment is unique in the Midwest. Can't think of anything I'd change...so 5 stars. read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Hummus sampler - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

See all

After years of on again, off again, visits, today's visit was amazing. The food has always been tops but service has left a lot to be desired. Today was different. Julie was our waitperson and she made up for all past disappointments. For me, a dedicated foody, 1/3 of my dining experience is the level of service, 2/3 menu and flavor. I had the lamb chops and my partner enjoyed the noontime buffet. The only suggestion I can make is, considering the aging of America, more dedicated handicapped parking spaces. Did I mention the ambiance. Superb. We'll be back soon for the amazing menu and a hopes that Julie will be there to serve us. read more

What a cool spot! I was driving through Burnsville and decided to look for somewhere new to try. This place popped up and I wasn't disappointed to have Greek for lunch! I'm looking over the menu I was immediately drawn to the garlic spicy gyro. No surprises there - I love my gyros and anytime something says spicy or includes jalapeños I'm pretty much locked in. Let's just say this right away - the sandwich was delish. I made that thing disappear really quickly and enjoyed every bite. The gyro meat was tender and flavorful, and I also loved the addition of the grilled onions and mushrooms. It wasn't overpowering from a garlic lens and the spice level was pretty modest. All in all - I loved it and would visit repeatedly if I were a south sider! Only thing I wish would have been a bit more kick, but that's pretty typical for me! read more

I met up one afternoon with my family for a late lunch. It wasn't super busy at the time and we had a reservation and they called to confirm but still took a little bit to get a table. And throughout the meal the service was good and friendly but seemed to move at a slow pace. The food makes up for the speed though!! We all thoroughly enjoyed what we had! The hummus is a must!!! I tried babas hummus at the mn state fair in their adorable airstream. It's so perfectly smooth and creamy!! The truffle flavor was delicious too and good prices to buy at the restaurant! The gyro meats were nice and the pitas warm and soft. I also enjoyed the falafel and salad. Would def go back! Just make sure you have a bit more time or a group you don't mind the extra socializing with:D read more

See all

A large group of us ate at Mediterranean Cruise Cafe on a Friday night in December. We had a wonderful waitress who was able to keep on top of all our orders and miscellaneous requests. Our drinks came out quickly, and we didn't wait long for our food to arrive either. My partner and I shared a twin gyro plate which came with two servings of your choice of gyro meat (we went with chicken and lamb/beef). It was a lot of meat but very tasty. The rest of our family enjoyed their meals as well. Some notable mentions include the chicken wing appetizer and the gyro wraps. What was a little interesting about our experience was that our waitress offered our table jello shots after we paid the bill. The explanation was a little hazy and hard to understand, and out of all the tables, we were curious why they had offered them to us. We were given roughly 10 jello shots but only a few were eaten; they were pretty strong and we're not fans of jello. Also to note: They use to have belly dancers on Fridays and possibly weekends, but it sounds like that has stopped (as of Dec. 23, 2022 when we were there). read more

See all

It was a dark and cold night and we wanted food. I have seen this place multiple times online and when attending events in the area. The location is very beautiful when you walk in you feel as if you have entered an old palace on Egypt. It had every high ceiling and this place has a very impressive bar. We were seated right away. The service was spectacular and on top of everything. The food however some of the items were not up to what I have had in my travels of the middle east. The pickles was a strange one the menu said pickles and we asked right away if all that was in it was pickles or if it was pickled veggies. We were told it was a bunch if veggies like beans and beats and other things. Behold the pickles most of our plate was just pickles and we did get some colflower and olives. To be fair it had lots more pickles ans olives I was just late at taking the photo. The pickles were very very salt like If I was eating the sands of Egypt or sipping water from the dead sea itself. It had toooo much salt. The meat the khufta was salty also so if you have issues and need to watch your salt intake then this is not the place for you since almost everything we had was loaded with salt. The peta bread was fabulous! The flavour and the texture and just the taste was absolutely divine as if it was sent from the heavens. The garlic well was very lacking in garlic it's like someone didn't stir or mix it well and gave us the top. It had lots of salt too but not as much as the other items but the flavor was good the consistency was a bit off. It was like garlic that you would use as salad dressing and not to smother onto your meats or peta. The rice was cooked well and fluffy but was lacking those amazing flavors of the middle east. Lots of the dishes came already with lots of the "pickles" in them so pro tip if you want the pickles skip them you get plenty of them with other items. The wine menu was good as well as the drink menu so you could wash the salt down with plenty of options. I was very optimistic about this place but once I arrived I was disappointed. The service however was second to none. I may give this place another chance and review it again because the chefs may have had an off night. I'm not the type to complain about the food and have the staff do it over and sound like the crazy Hispanic so i just device to leave a review. If on my next visit its good or things change then i will update the review. Our server gave us a baklava on the house to take with us. I gave it 3 stars bases on the service provided and how nice and friendly the people were. It was a very warm and welcoming place. read more

See all

Let me start off by saying the decor was a Hit! Mediterranean vibes all the way. From the chandelier to the details on the wall. I loved it. The food was a hit on all my favorite flavors. We had the Palestinian chicken called Msakhan and a salmon rice bowl. To start off we did the Dolmas along with a No-jito (Virgin mojito) the No-Jito was nothing to beach about. the mint leaves didn't let off much flavor. So it tastes like a sprite. Our Server (Aiyana) was very delightful and attentive. Thank you! we will be returning back read more

See all

Solid service and great food! I love that I have found a great restaurant like this a little closer to home read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

Great service & exceptional food. So many great choices! Started with the hummus sampler and saganski. Gyro Shawarma dinner and finished with crème brûlée cheesecake Belly dancers on Friday and Saturday Highly recommend! read more

See all

I came here with my husband before seeing a comedy show across the street at the Ames Theater. It was obvious that this is a go-to spot for patrons of the theater, and I appreciated that our waitress got us out in time for the show! Now onto the food - my husband and I did the Mediterranean for Two meal and started with the most delicious bowl of tomato basil soup I've ever had. I slurped it up and couldn't get enough! From there we ordered the spanikopita and hummus. Both were good but nothing to write home about. For our entrees, we had the gyro stir fry and shwarma dinner. They give you a lot of food so expect leftovers or come hungry. We both enjoyed our food and ended with dessert, crème brûlée. We were so stuffed that could barely eat the dessert! The restaurant is very big and was hosting a large private party. The bar area looks fun so I'd definitely come back for a cocktail or two! read more

Nice decor, hit and miss service, ordinary food. Checked this place out because it was recommended as one of the best Mediterranean food in the area, but there are better options imo. I'd visit again if it was convenient, but would not go out of my way to. read more

The Gyros are the best. Fantastic made on site humus with fresh Nan. Drinks are top notch. Cool spot. Lots of fun.

First of all, I just want to say the inside is stunning! The decor really gives off the Mediterranean feeling! We came here with a group of 8 for a birthday dinner. We ordered the small super appetizer (subbed hummus with baba ganouje), hummus bi lahme, and two of the mock tails (the cruise one & mojito). The hummus bi lahme and baba ganouje were pretty good--they use baba's hummus for all the dips in the restaurant. The mock tails weren't really worth it tho, they just tasted like airplane juice lol (mojito was alright). From the super appetizer, we liked the falafel, gyro, and spanakopita. Everything else wasn't as memorable, and the saganaki/flaming cheese was just normal mozzarella lol (it was fun to see them light it up though). My parents got the Mediterranean for Two: I really liked the chicken & shrimp kabobs (they were perfectly seasoned & tender), but the lentil soup was a bit bland. We all loved the seasoned pita puffs, which went perfect with everything and had free refills! The service was alright. Staff kindly answered questions and gave recommendations, but they seemed a bit uncoordinated. Food took a while to come out, but we were also a large party. They forgot to sub our hummus with baba ganouje and never gave us the tabouli (both things were fixed before leaving though). They also accidentally gave us someone else's order, and another server was yelling at the server who messed up in front of us, which was a bit awkward. When they noticed we didn't finish the saganaki, a server got very upset and ended up giving us extra pita puffs and hummus (which we didn't really want). They are accommodating but can come off as pushy. The belly dancing was nice--not entirely authentic but the outfits were very pretty--wish the crowd was more enthusiastic, though! Overall the food was mediocre. I don't think I'd come back, but I want to check out their sister company Baba's! read more

This is my go to Mediterranean restaurant for some good food. They used to have huge buffet menu before inflation. Now they cut down by half of the items they put on the table. There food is really amazing. There alacarte menu also have lot of items in there and it's all worth trying out. They have a really good bar. I would recommend this restaurant. There place is large and maintained well. Tip- Yelp check in have a 10% off on the bill. read more

See all

Great food ! the gyros are so good and also their hummus plates fantastic. You can buy there amazing hummus to go. Lots of good flavors read more

Med Cruise Cafe has been a long time favorite for my family and friends because they've always been there to help us celebrate special moments. Whether it be the surprise birthday party we hosted for my mom or the bachelorette dinner we enjoyed for my friend at their beautiful restaurant while belly dancers performed, they always deliver wonderful food and service! We've had Med Cruise Cafe cater a number of events from graduation parties to weddings, and they get it right every time. The staff has great catering recommendations, and they'll even deliver and help set up the food. So whether you're going just for lunch or to celebrate a special occasion, you can trust Med Cruise Cafe to provide delicious food and superb service. read more

Dining during COVID times is always nerve wracking, especially at a place that's new-to-you. I called in advance to verify that the restaurant was at 50% capacity and that they were enforcing distancing and they stated they were. I was pleasantly surprised that the restaurant was very empty and at the 40% full mark - granted, it was a Sunday night. All the employees and many patrons were wearing masks when not eating. Reassuring! The service was great and the food was also impeccable. Not super oily compared to other mediterranean places, which was great. I loved every single thing on our Cruise platter. The chicken was tender and had a lot of flavor. The shawarma meat was juicy. Hummus was delicious. And lastly, I loved the veggies , rice and the dips included. I actually wish there were more veggies on this plate - it was that good! Servings are huge here. I split this plate with my husband and we had enough for both of us. Probably would have had leftovers too if we weren't so starving! I have a feeling this restaurant will be a staple for us. Definitely a gem in the south suburbs. read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Cruise plate - delicious! - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

We had an AMAZING experience here a few weeks ago and I cannot stress how great it was and how we cannot wait to come back! My fiance and I's anniversary lands on Restaurant Week every year so we always try to pick one place we've been meaning to try and make a night out of it! This year we picked MCC and went a little earlier than normal to beat the crowd. When we arrived we were promptly sat and congratulated on our anniversary! We ordered a bottle of wine to split and put our order in from the Restaurant Week menu and we were on our way within a few minutes of being sat. It was a great atmosphere, our server knocked it out of the park! It was clear she was handling a ton of tables at the time, with much bigger parties than our party of two and yet she never made us feel like we were an inconvenience or not a top priority as we were a smaller group. She was incredible and I cannot say enough about her! The wine was a Riesling, can't remember the name but it was delicious and stayed cold all throughout dinner! We weren't expecting the salad and bread prior to the Restaurant Week menu so that was a nice surprise, only wish I had a little more room as I felt like there was so much food that we got! Literally everything that Dan and I ordered was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. Towards the end of our meal the belly dancer came out and that was a nice treat as we weren't expecting it! MCC also hooked us up for our anniversary (something we weren't expecting at all with it being Restaurant Week) so for that we are SO thankful and appreciative! We were happy just to be there and celebrate during Restaurant Week so that was a nice surprise! The whole evening was exactly what we were hoping for and more, we cannot wait to come back and visit again! read more

See all

This spot is the best Greek restaurant south of the twin cities in my opinion. Every time I visit here I always get the Twin Gyros, which comes with gyro and chicken meat, grilled veggies (usually zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms) and rice. There's an extra charge for a side salad ($3.00) but it's definitely worth it because it's a good size salad and is served with warm pita bread. The only alcoholic drink I've tried here is their Mediterranean Kool Aid, and it's very good! If you're a light weight, you'll certainly feel it's effects quickly. Service is always great, even when it's really busy. There's belly dancing on select nights (check website for schedule) and theirs usually a buffet for weekend brunch. We visited last evening and sat outdoors on the patio. It was relaxing and the staff took necessary precautions on keeping staff and employees safe during this time of COVID-19. Overall, I'm always impressed with the food, service and cleanliness and is a regular eatery I visit whenever I'm craving authentic Greek good! read more

Mediterranean Cruise Cafe - Outside patio area - Mediterranean Near Me - Burnsville, Minnesota

Had an amazing first experience. Everything from the food to the outstanding service. I was craving shawarma and this place hit the spot. Price is very reasonable for the food and ambience. Will be back soon. read more