World Street Kitchen is a counter-service restaurant at 2743 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America, in the LynLake area of Uptown. Brothers Sameh and Saed Wadi opened the restaurant in 2012 after building a following for their food truck. Travelers come for internationally influenced comfort food, especially Yum Yum rice bowls and Bangkok Burritos, rather than a formal, multicourse dinner.
What to Expect at World Street Kitchen
The signature experience is the food-truck format translated into a permanent neighborhood dining room: order at the counter, then settle in for food built around contrasting textures and assertive seasoning. The Yum Yum Bowl established the restaurant’s reputation. Its classic combination layers fragrant rice with fresh herbs, peanuts, a soft egg, spicy sauce, and a protein. It is a useful starting point for understanding the kitchen: familiar ingredients arranged for richness, crunch, heat, and freshness in the same bite. Check the current menu for available versions and substitutions.
Bangkok Burritos carry the truck-to-restaurant story into another handheld format. Sandwiches also distinguish the kitchen’s history: its opening menu included a shrimp po’boy and the MFC, a Moroccan fried chicken sandwich with North African spices, carrot salad, and preserved lemon on a buttermilk biscuit. Those dishes explain the restaurant’s approach better than a single national label. Expect cross-cultural combinations rather than a menu devoted exclusively to one country, and consult the live menu before counting on a particular sandwich.
- Yum Yum rice bowls: The restaurant’s defining dish and a practical first order.
- Bangkok Burritos: A signature carried over from the food-truck identity.
- Globally influenced sandwiches: Another core menu category alongside bowls and burritos.
- Counter-service dining: A casual format suited to an independent lunch or straightforward dinner.
- Sweets and cocktails: Options for extending the meal beyond a quick main course.
World Street Kitchen at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2743 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 |
| Neighborhood / Area | LynLake / Uptown, south Minneapolis |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission charge; food and drinks purchased separately. See the official menu for current prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30–60 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Route 4 near Lyndale Avenue S and 28th Street; look for legal street parking nearby. |
| Official Website / Phone | eatwsk.com / 612-424-8855 |
Use the Lyndale location’s hours when planning: World Street Kitchen also operates at Malcolm Yards, with a different schedule.
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive near the 11 a.m. opening for an early lunch, or choose midafternoon if your itinerary allows flexibility between conventional mealtimes. No attraction tickets are involved. For takeaway, use the ordering link on the official website, select the Lyndale branch, and check the pickup estimate before traveling. Route 4 provides a useful transit approach at Lyndale and 28th; consult Metro Transit for departure times and temporary stop changes. Drivers should read posted restrictions carefully and avoid neighboring businesses’ reserved spaces. Nearby street-parking options include 28th Street and Garfield Avenue.
For wheelchair or stroller visits, plan your approach along the Lyndale sidewalk and call ahead to discuss entrance clearance, table space, and restroom access. Ask staff about seating before joining the ordering line, especially if maneuvering room matters. In winter, allow extra time for snow and ice at crossings. After eating, walk south toward the Midtown Greenway corridor for a roughly five-minute neighborhood extension, or continue to the Lake Street–Lyndale intersection, approximately five to ten minutes away, to explore the wider LynLake dining area. These short pairings keep the outing local rather than requiring another drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when should I visit?
The Lyndale restaurant opens daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. An early lunch or midafternoon visit fits well between other Minneapolis stops; check holiday hours before making a special trip.
Is there an admission charge, and do I need reservations?
There is no admission charge. This is a counter-service restaurant, not a ticketed attraction. Pay for your meal, use official online ordering for pickup, and contact the restaurant directly about larger groups.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 30–60 minutes to choose, order, and eat. Leave additional time for a larger party, a leisurely drink, or a walk through LynLake afterward.
Is World Street Kitchen suitable for families and wheelchair users?
The informal format works for a flexible family meal. Ask about spice levels and allergens before ordering. Wheelchair users and families with strollers should call 612-424-8855 to discuss entrance, restroom, and seating requirements.
When planning your Minneapolis travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Minneapolis, pair this stop with standout local spots including Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, Hewing Hotel, Aloft Minneapolis, and The Lynhall No. 2640 Private Events & Catering (0.2 km away).
