Saffron

Saffron is chef Sameh Wadi's celebrated return to Minneapolis dining, now open at 165 13th Ave NE in the former Young Joni space in Northeast Minneapolis. The restaurant draws on Wadi's Palestinian heritage and family recipes, with ingredients imported directly from Palestinian farms, including olive oil and spices. Levantine and Palestinian dishes are cooked over live fire: wood-fired Arabic pizza, charcoal-grilled meats, and a mezze spread that leans heavily plant-forward. For vegan diners, Saffron's mezze section is the main draw. The hummus arrives with tatbileh and house Palestinian olive oil. The muhamara is a charred pepper and toasted nut dip with pomegranate molasses. Rummanieh is a lentil and eggplant salad steeped in pomegranate. Slow cooked green beans, burnt bread fattouch (heirloom tomato, cucumber, sumac), and the Palestinian olive oil and za'atar pizza round out a solid plant-based spread. The vegetable section also includes glazed carrots and a freekeh stuffed pepper. This is not a vegan restaurant, but plant-based diners can eat well here with careful ordering. Q: Does Saffron Minneapolis have vegan options? A: Yes. Saffron at 165 13th Ave NE has a strong selection of vegan mezze and vegetable dishes. Confirmed vegan options include the hummus (tatbileh, Palestinian olive oil), muhamara (charred pepper and nut dip, pomegranate molasses), rummanieh (lentil and eggplant salad), burnt bread fattouch, slow cooked green beans, and the Palestinian olive oil and za'atar wood-fired pizza. The restaurant is not 100% vegan, but the plant-based options are some of the most distinctive in the Twin Cities. Q: What should I order at Saffron if I am vegan? A: Start with the hummus and muhamara as dips alongside the wood-fired sourdough pita. Order the rummanieh (pomegranate stewed lentils and eggplant) and the burnt bread fattouch as mezze. For a main, the Palestinian olive oil and za'atar pizza is fully plant-based. The glazed carrots (mishmish glaze, pistachio dukkah) and freekeh stuffed pepper round out a filling vegan meal. Q: Where is Saffron and when is it open? A: Saffron is at 165 13th Ave NE in Northeast Minneapolis, in the former Young Joni space. Open Sunday through Wednesday 5pm to 9pm and Thursday through Saturday 5pm to 10pm. Reservations recommended via saffronmpls.com.