Named after the second largest city in the heart of Oromia State, Adama Restaurant and Awash Bakery is an Ethiopian restaurant located on Central Avenue between 39th and 40th Avenues. This family-owned mainstay has a quiet atmosphere and plenty of clearly labeled vegetarian options. Something that makes this eatery unique is the menu, which is packed with tasty-looking images featuring all of the listed items. Adama has colorful and flavorful food made from scratch, along with quick service. Highlights: Lentil sambusa (spiced pastry filled with lentils, onion, garlic and cilantro), Spicy keye firfir (red sauce with injera, a popular Ethiopian flatbread) and Zilzil tibs (strip prime beef marinated in sauce, onions, tomatoes and peppers)

Nestled in the strip mall across from City Hall on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and 40th Avenue, Great Moon Buffet is a restaurant serving Eastern Asian cuisine. Owned and operated by the Ni family, whose sons are alumni of Columbia Heights Public Schools (CHPS), their sprawling and reliable menu consists of many flavorful and filling dishes. In addition to their eponymous buffet, the longtime go-to place for Chinese food also prides itself on quick takeout service as well as the option to order food in bulk for catering. With favorable online ratings and  Highlights: Sweet & Sour Chicken (a classic dish done to perfection), Mongolian Beef (stir-fried and tender in a savory, sweet sauce) and soft-serve ice cream (always a bonus when a buffet has one)

Traditional Middle Eastern food is served like no other establishment in the Twin Cities at Filfillah Mediterranean Grill on the corner of 43rd Avenue and Central Avenue. With the option of to-go counter service or a classier sit-down experience, the Star Tribune-featured hotspot is a common get-together space during Eid al-Fitr for those who celebrate Ramadan. Also offering delivery and catering services, the options are plentiful in every circumstance, but the Turkish focus and modern spin on classic recipes are what set Filfillah apart in the crowded field of kebabs and falafel across the metro area. Highlights: Turkish bread (fresh-baked and pillowy, it’s arguably better than both pita and lavash), Mazza platter (hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, tabbouleh and stuffed grape leaves) and Lamb & Beef Shawarma (juicy and tender, it’s offered either as a wrap with fries or as a plate with rice)

Big Marina Grill and Deli is a Mediterranean all-you-can-eat buffet that specializes in fragrant Greek-style rice, full-flavored hummus and assorted fine meats. Located on the east side of Central Avenue between 47th and 48th Avenues, the Eater Twin Cities-approved locale has a wide variety of delicacies on the menu, nearly all of which can be the source of several combo plate possibilities, all served with pocket pita, or customers can enjoy a constantly refilled cornucopia of options at their in-house buffet curated by chef Abdou Gadhour. Add to this a filled-to-the-brim dessert case featuring kunafa, baklava, krima and more—leaving hungry is not a possibility at Big Marina. Highlights: Chicken gyro sandwich (seasoned and always halal on soft pita), Kofta kabob (plump, spiced meat served with rice) and Greek salad (with crisp lettuce, feta cheese, kalamata olives, peppershine peppers and more)

Located between 46th and 47th Avenues on the east side of Central Avenue, NY Gyro offers a wide range of fast-casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern customizable dishes. With a homey feel and the smell of authentic spice-centric cooking wafting through the building, the deli-style ticket service process allows for efficient and straightforward ordering akin to the classic New York quick-dining experience suggested by their name. Like the best greasy spoons in the Big Apple, NY Gyro also manages to provide much from other cultures as well, both far-flung and close to home, from fried fish and fries to butter chicken and Oreo cake. Highlights: Lamb gyro (with a creamy tzatziki sauce and the option for chopped pita), Student fries (a late-night study favorite, this is basically just cheese fries with any other topping you could possibly imagine) and Chicken rice (essentially a burrito bowl but with Mediterranean mix-ins, it hits the spot when you’re sick of Chipotle)

Tikka Masala Grill and Buffet is a newer all-you-can-eat restaurant between 48th and 49th Avenues on Central Avenue. They offer reservations, takeout and catering and with a wide variety of halal Indian cuisine. The bustling dining room features warm lighting and a friendly waitstaff, and while the welcoming wooden patio seating is closed for the season, the recently expanded menu of Bangladeshi and Pakistani dishes is arguably more than enough to make up for it. Assorted soups and unlimited hot naan in the buffet are also a game changer for winter sustenance, not to mention the vast array of vegetarian possibilities. So much for the notion that meat is necessary for a cozy Minnesota meal! Highlights: Gobi Manchurian (lightly battered marinated cauliflower with garlic, chili and soy sauce with an adjustable spice level), Chana Masala (stewed chickpeas with onions, fresh tomatoes and spices) and Mango lassi (traditional and delectable Indian yogurt drink)