Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed

4.5

1780 Reviews

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Top Tags:

Permanently Closed - The critically-acclaimed and award-winning Saffron Restaurant & Lounge is the brain child of brothers Saed & Chef Sameh Wadi. Opened in February 2007 and now nationally recognized for their fresh interpretation of traditional Mediterranean cuisine, featuring a seasonal menu with a strong emphasis on the old world tradition of sharing a meal, from the delectable Mezze/Tapas to the unique selections of Tagine and Entrées, you are sure to find something to crave.

The bar at Saffron is an ideal location to sit and relax while enjoying unique, hand-crafted cocktails, craft beer or enjoy a glass of wine from the perfectly adapted wine list with selections from around the world.

The space itself boast a vibrant, warm and inviting atmosphere, while staying casual and fun, which makes it a perfect location for dinner with family and friends, business associates or an intimate night out.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Tapas / Small Plates, Middle Eastern
Hours of operation
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday: 4:00pm - 6:00pm Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Dinner: Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Phone number
(612) 746-5533
Website
http://www.SaffronMpls.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Sameh Wadi
Catering
Saffron is pleased to offer off-site catering in the convenience of your home or office.
Private party facilities
Saffron offers dining room buy-outs with a food and beverage minimum. Multi-Course menu and wine flights to suit the most discerning tastes are available upon request. Buffet Style private party are available to.
Private party contact
Saed Wadi: (612) 746-5533

Location
123 North 3rd Street, Suite 101, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Neighborhood
Downtown / North Loop
Cross street
1st Avenue & 3rd Street
Parking details
There is metered parking on 3rd St & 2nd Ave $1 per hour (meters enforced until 11pm daily for 2 hours). A convenient secured & well lit parking ramp (Ramp C) is located on 2nd Ave between 3rd & 4th St (just across the street from our building).
Public transit
If you are taking the light rail to downtown Minneapolis, we are only 2 blocks away from the last stop at first Ave.
Entertainment
Chef's music selections.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

A Selection of Traditional Spreads$12.00
yellow lentil, smokey eggplant and spicy feta
Giant Beans$9.00
dressed in lemon, olive oil and dill
Marinated Olives & Pickles$6.00
a changing selection
Slow Cooked Green Beans$10.00
with tomato in the style of my palestinian grandmother
Grilled Kofta Meatballs$11.00
with a slightly spicy tomato sauce
Chicken & Porcini Croquettes$9.00
our take on the classic spanish dish
Octopus "A La Plancha"$11.00
cooked on a hot plate with toasted garlic, smoked paprika and sherry
Fried Cauliflower$10.00
with sheep's milk feta fondue and north african spices
Middle Eastern Sausage (Na'anik)$12.00
house made beef/lamb/pine nut sausage with lemon
Fried Beef Kibbeh$9.00
bulgur shell stuffed with spiced beef and pine nuts served with cucumber yogurt
Lamb Brain$7.00
with olive oil stewed tomatoes, garlic and parsley

Hummus

a puree of chickpeas with tahini, lemon, garlic topped with palestinian olive oil

Original$9.00
just like in palestine
Turk$10.00
with caramelized paprika butter and za'tar

Salads - Apps - Sides

Green Salad$11.00
with soft herbs, nuts, seeds, soft boiled egg and grilled lemon/shallot dressing
Figs & Foie$14.00
turkish white figs stuffed with foie gras served with aged balsamic vinegar and hazelnuts
Chicken "Bisteeya"$13.00
an aromatic saffron stewed chicken & almond pie wrapped in a phyllo pastry with cinnamon sugar
Lamb Bacon "BLT"$10.00
house made lamb bacon, saffron-tomato jam and arugula on vanilla egg bread
Coriander Potatoes$11.00
with roasted tomatoes, caramelized paprika butter and garlic yogurt
Lobster Orzo$17.00
with caramelized fennel, preserved tomato and ouzo

Entrées - Big Plates

Roasted Chicken$24.00
with eggplant lovash, tahini and exotic spices
Sautéed Parisian Gnocchi$23.00
with autumn vegetables, soft herbs and black truffle-taleggio cheese fondue
Grilled New York Strip$32.00
thick cut strip loin with "niçoise" condiment
Whole Roasted Branzino
"mediterranean sea bass" with crispy grape leaves, olive oil, lemon and herbs
- MP
Grilled Lamb Chops$42.00
marinated in greek herbs & spices, served with lemon/olive oil sauce

Tagine

a traditional slow cooked north african dish named after the cooking vessel

Lamb$34.00
with persian spices & "jewels", gold potato, pistachio and pomegranate molasses
Moroccan Duck Kefta$29.00
ras el hanout spiced duck meatballs in a sweet & spicy tomato sauce with egg yolk and chickpeas
Vegetable$22.00
autumn vegetables and legumes with preserved lemon and "spice trail" tagine spice
Seafood
a changing selection
- MP

What 1,780 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5

4.5 based on all time ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.2Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

1,598 Reviews

C
Chewy
Minneapolis
12 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 3, 2016
overall4food4service2ambience4
Tagine was very good. ..owner friendly. .bar staff attentive to friends. .no one server thus poor service
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JB
JBoz
Minneapolis
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 3, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic restaurant and very sad it is closed now.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2016
overall5food5service3ambience5
Too bad Saffron has closed! It was a gem serving authentic Moroccan cuisine and amazing ingredients. Hopefully Chef will open another version somewhere else in the future.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 2, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sad to see such a fantastic place come to an end. Glad we got in one last meal. It was epic as always.
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OC
OwenC
Minneapolis
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2016
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food was fantastic. Service was friendly and efficient. Owner made us feel like lifetime friends. Too bad it'seems closing. Wish we had known about it sooner. We would have been regulars.
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DL
DrLou
Baton Rouge
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience4
Fabulous, creative ethnic cuisine. Sorry that it won't be available any longer (closing due to landlord issues), but we look forward the chef-owner's next venture. We bought his cookbook, so we can try some some of his recipes at home.
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J
Jupiter
Minneapolis
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
We all agreed this was our favorite Saffron meal, we loved the Duck Meatball Tangine, and the Lamb Shank, tender and moist, also loved the rich hummus and slow cooked green beans perfect starters.... all with the Chef Wadi wonderful spicy, smoky touch. We will miss this restaurant and hope we don't have to wait too long before Saed and Sameh open a new place soon.
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R
Rich
Chicago
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2016
overall5food5service4ambience5
Quite an awesome cocktail list and great food!
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BB
BillB
Minneapolis
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of our favorite restaurants not just in Minnesota but in this country. We were frequent guests, eating there about eight times per year, and are very sad the restaurant is closing on Dec. 3.
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m
mplsgirl
Minneapolis
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another amazing meal, start to finish. What a shame to lose such a gem of a restaurant. Sameh Wadi & co. you will be sorely missed in this space. :(
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R
Ricardo
Minneapolis
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great as usual! Saffron will be sorely missed.
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F
Foodie
Minneapolis
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous restaurant with an intelligent and helpful staff. So very sad they are losing their lease. Hope they relocate to an even better place soon.
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BS
BobS
Minneapolis
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2016
overall5food5service4ambience4
Food was phenomenal! Especially the Fried Cauliflower with yogurt dipping sauce and the Lamb Bacon tomato sandwich. Best Middle-Eastern tapas anywhere!
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SF
SusanF
Las Vegas
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2016
overall4food4service5ambience3
I have eaten here before and the food was as good as I remembered. The tangine dishes are great and come in a small and a large. Starters and sides are nicely different than the norm. Waiter was knowledgeable and helpful.
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MC
MochaCyn
New York Area
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience5
Food is tasty and we enjoyed very much. More of a "boutique" restaurant. I wanted more!! The croquette with crispy brussel sprouts was oh so good.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very authentic and flavorful place, loved it!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2016
overall2food1service5ambience3
The service was amazing and they were very attentive, that's the only reason they got 2 stars. The food was extremely over priced for the quality and amount received. The gnocchi was bland, extremely tiny, and had well over cooked food (almost burnt). Our dessert was a joke for the price ($10), it was essential 3 bite sized pieces of chocolate. I am totally fine throwing down money for a nice dinner out but paying $90 for two people who shared all their food for a 3 course meal is ridiculous for the quality we received.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 29, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was a unique and modern Mediterranean food. Best gnocchi dish I've ever had and the traditional dessert was amazing.
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AM
AnnieM
Minneapolis
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2016
overall5food5service3ambience3
The food at Saffron is perfectly prepared Mediterranean food. The roasted chicken is the best chicken I have ever had and the Turk hummus is lovely. Our server was inattentive but the expo was very attentive.
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NG
N8Gard
Minneapolis
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Extraordinary. We have our next five trips planned around the seasonal menu. Chris was an excellent server and helped us find exactly what we wanted; including things we wouldn't had thought to order.
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F
Formerfoodie
Minneapolis
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent meal again! We introduced friends to the Saffron experience. I know they will return.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2016
overall4food3service5ambience4
Food is good but was not wowed - could be because I am from Mediterranean region and those felt limited in options and nothing too exotic. The staff is great and the service and drinks are awesome.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great experience... Service staff and food!!!!
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t
twinsister
Minneapolis
24 reviews
vip
3.0
24 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2016
overall3food3service4ambience4
Food was not as expected. Lamb with orzo has too much tomate and the intensity of the citric kills all the others flavors. Dessert with chocolate and baklava was also so intense dark chocolate and did my have the consistency of a custard it was more like a froZen mousse.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 20, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was very good. Good variety good service. Really enjoyed the andsangria.
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RS
RobertS
Minneapolis
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2016
overall5food5service4ambience4
Amazing and creative food. Always a good time. Just go and enjoy.
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EE
EEMH
Minneapolis
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 19, 2016
overall3food3service3ambience2
Attended for restaurant week. Both of us ordered the lamb, and they served us basically pot roast but offered no explanation.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 18, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
My first time visiting and had a wonderful evening! It was a busy Tuesday night due to Restaurant Week so we sat at the bar for dinner. The bartenders were awesome and lively with personal recommendations that made our experience even better. LOVED the decor - the bar wall mural is super cool and there are interesting light fixtures throughout the place. Overall, delicious with a great vibe!
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B
Bobdee
Minneapolis
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on October 17, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience4
We returned to Saffron for Restaurant Week and were delighted with the results. My wife and I ordered different dishes for each course and were thus able to sample 2/3s of the offerings. We both enjoyed our respective orders and decided that there was not a loser among them. The room remains charming and the noise levels seemed lower than in similarly sized and populated restaurants. We especially enjoyed being seated at the corner banquette table, lolling on the pillows.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 17, 2016
overall4food4service5ambience4
The food was well prepared, healthy and used ingredients in an imaginative way. The service was very good. it was attentive without being intrusive.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on October 15, 2016
overall1food1service3ambience1
I will never go to this restaurant again. Service was ok took along to be greeted and to get our bill. Food was ok the cauliflower appetizer was so hard that when you tried to cut it flew off the plate.
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C
Cynthia
Chicago
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2016
overall5food5service4ambience4
We are from Chicago and in the area visiting with our son who attends U of M. The food was absolutely delicious, very creative and presented well. What a treat it was dining here as all of our food was extraordinary. We will be back.
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JA
JudyA
New York Area
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2016
overall5food5service4ambience4
Great place to share small plates of delicious Mediterranean food. Interesting cocktails. We have a tendency to over order here - pace yourself
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Adelaide
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great find for a night out with girlfriends! No pressure to end the night quickly and a wonderfully patient server make this a great spot.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 12, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food. Great flavors. One of our favorites for vegan dining. It's a must stop!
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CC
CivicCenterDiner
Des Moines
32 reviews
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food. Warm atmosphere. Excellent service. We will be back!!
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m
midtowndiner
Atlanta Metro
42 reviews
vip
4.0
42 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience4
Fun place to go for tapas. Didn't get to try the whole menu (obviously), but what we had was pretty good and there were other things we had wished we'd gotten as well.
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R
Ricardo
Minneapolis
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Creative cocktails, wonderful food and exceptional service. A gem.
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JJ
JohnJ
Minneapolis
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2016
overall2food3service2ambience2
Good menu but very small portions. Service slow in all respects. Loud environment.
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P
Patrick
Minneapolis
44 reviews
3.0
44 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2016
overall3food3service5ambience2
The food was good, and the service was excellent (Molly's one of the better servers we've ever encountered in a restaurant), but the items were very overpriced. My tagine had one small boneless lamb shank, floating in a thin broth, with a few very small potatoes. For $32?! Give me a break. Thankfully, they served plenty of pita to dip into the broth, but not the best tagine I've had. Faces Mears Park serves a much better dish.
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FAQs

Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (612) 746-5533.

Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed is rated 4.5 stars by 1780 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed

123 North 3rd Street, Suite 101, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Additional information

Cross street
1st Avenue & 3rd Street
Neighborhood
Downtown / North Loop
Hours of operation
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday: 4:00pm - 6:00pm Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Dinner: Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Tapas / Small Plates, Middle Eastern
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
There is metered parking on 3rd St & 2nd Ave $1 per hour (meters enforced until 11pm daily for 2 hours). A convenient secured & well lit parking ramp (Ramp C) is located on 2nd Ave between 3rd & 4th St (just across the street from our building).
Public transit
If you are taking the light rail to downtown Minneapolis, we are only 2 blocks away from the last stop at first Ave.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Sameh Wadi
Entertainment
Chef's music selections.
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.SaffronMpls.com/
Phone number
(612) 746-5533
Catering
Saffron is pleased to offer off-site catering in the convenience of your home or office.
Private party facilities
Saffron offers dining room buy-outs with a food and beverage minimum. Multi-Course menu and wine flights to suit the most discerning tastes are available upon request. Buffet Style private party are available to.
Private party contact
Saed Wadi: (612) 746-5533

Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed

Permanently Closed

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

To Share Mezze - Tapas - Snacks

A Selection of Traditional Spreads$12.00

Giant Beans$9.00

Marinated Olives & Pickles$6.00

Slow Cooked Green Beans$10.00

Grilled Kofta Meatballs$11.00

Chicken & Porcini Croquettes$9.00

Octopus "A La Plancha"$11.00

Fried Cauliflower$10.00

Middle Eastern Sausage (Na'anik)$12.00

Fried Beef Kibbeh$9.00

Lamb Brain$7.00

Hummus

Original$9.00

Turk$10.00

Salads - Apps - Sides

Green Salad$11.00

Figs & Foie$14.00

Chicken "Bisteeya"$13.00

Lamb Bacon "BLT"$10.00

Coriander Potatoes$11.00

Lobster Orzo$17.00

Entrées - Big Plates

Roasted Chicken$24.00

Sautéed Parisian Gnocchi$23.00

Grilled New York Strip$32.00

Whole Roasted Branzino

Grilled Lamb Chops$42.00

Tagine

Lamb$34.00

Moroccan Duck Kefta$29.00

Vegetable$22.00

Seafood

Featured Items

The New Mediterranean Table$28.00

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Saffron Restaurant & Lounge - Permanently Closed restaurant rated?

Permanently Closed

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information