Rochester, MN’s Hole in the Wall Restaurants You Need to Try ASAP

We have so many great restaurants in and around Rochester, Minnesota. My husband and I love checking them out and seeing what each have to offer. But there are some restaurants out there that are incredibly good but somehow not as well-known.

Typically, people call these 'hole-in-the-wall restaurants'.

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What is a Hole-In-the-Wall Restaurant?

If we want to get specific, Brittanica defines a hole-in-the-wall as "a small place (such as a bar or restaurant) that is not fancy or expensive". Something that I would add to that definition is that regardless of it not being fancy or expensive, it's still delicious.

When people talk about hole-in-the-wall restaurants they always rave about them and love telling people about their favorite lesser-known places to go.

So where are these hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Rochester? There are quite a few, actually. Some I've heard of but others I just recently discovered thanks to other Rochesterites.

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Hole-In-the-Wall Restaurants in Rochester, MN

This list is based on a Reddit post asking about hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Let's take a look at what people recommend!

Almadina - Mediterranean food - N Broadway

Corona's Tacos - Mexican food - N Broadway

El Carambas - Mexican food - east Rochester by Air Insanity

El Samurai - Japanese Teppanyaki - food truck, can usually be found in east Rochester by Cub

El Super Gallo #1 - Mexican food/grocery store - off of W Frontage Rd. near Lourdes

First Meeting Noodle - Chinese food - off of 16th St. SW near the Apache Mall

Francisco's - Caribbean food - 2nd St. SW across from St. Mary's

Grandma's Kitchen - American restaurant - N Broadway

Hyderabad - Indian food - by Walmart North

India Garden - Indian food - N Broadway

Middle East Restaurant - Halal restaurant - Elton Hills Dr.

Muna Halal - Halal restaurant - near S Broadway, by the Olmstead Co. Fairgrounds

Novios - Cafe - by Rochester Recreation Center

Old Abe - Vegan restaurant and cafe - 7th St. NW

Opa Opa - Greek restaurant - east Rochester by Air Insanity

Pho Tai - Vietnamese - off of 37th St. NW near Best Buy

Shell's Kitchen - Soul Food - NE Rochester just off of Viola Rd. NE

Taqueria El Kora - Mexican food - right by Olmsted Co. Fairgrounds

Taste of the Phillippines - Filipino food - 1st Ave. SW near the Peace Plaza fountain