Best Ethnic Cuisines in Youngstown, OH

Expanding your culinary horizons in the Youngstown, Ohio, area is an easy undertaking, thanks to the many ethnic restaurants that call the city home. If you’re looking for a taste of the old country or you want to try something new to you, check out these fantastic restaurants around town.

Aladdin’s Eatery — Lebanese

Aladdin’s Eatery is a small Ohio franchise that serves up great Lebanese-American food. The first Aladdin’s was opened in 1994 over in Lakewood. Since then, it has grown into a go-to ethnic food destination. From the handsomely decorated Lebanese-style dining area to the food, Aladdin’s Eatery never disappoints.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly menu, Aladdin’s should be at the top of your list. The restaurant offers over 40 vegetarian dishes and 30 vegan dishes, but you’ll also find a great variety of meat dishes. If you want a crash course in Aladdin’s food, go for the Aladdin’s Favorite Combo, which comes with beef kafta, a shish kabob, and shish tawook on brown rice and vegetables. For a great to-go option, try one of the rolled pitas or pita “pitzas.”

Cafe India — Indian Food

If you’re on the hunt for some of Ohio’s best Indian food, check out Cafe India. The head chef of this restaurant, Nepal-born Birendra Thapa, studied Indian cooking in India before opening this authentic restaurant.

On Cafe India’s menu, you’ll find plenty of delicious options to choose from. One of our favorite dishes is the chicken tikka masala, but you can’t go wrong with the classic chicken curry, malai kebab, or tandoori shrimp. Each of the restaurant’s offerings has been given the same care and attention to authenticity as the last, and each is a sensory experience worth exploring.

El Vallarta — Mexican

For a more authentic Mexican cuisine experience, be sure to pay El Vallarta a visit. You’ll find a little bit of everything on El Vallarta’s menu: burrito, fajitas, enchiladas, chiles relleno, tacos, and more. Whether you’re looking for steak, chicken, or vegetarian options, you’ll find something to suit your palate at El Vallarta. The restaurant’s fun and festive atmosphere makes it one of our favorite places to get dinner with the family, especially when we have a hunger that just won’t quit.

Izumi — Japanese

Youngstown’s Izumi is where you need to go if you want great sushi and other Japanese fare. For a filling dinner, try Izumi’s teriyaki dishes, yaki udon, or soba. If you’re here for the sushi, you have your work cut out for you with all the excellent options. Peruse their special roll menu to find the spicy Fire Work Roll and the large Phoenix Roll with shrimp tempura, avocado, eel sauce, and more. If you prefer to keep things simple and clean, Izumi also has a sizable sashimi selection. If you’re looking for the perfect dinner-for-two romantic setting, Izumi is a strong choice.

Mission Taco — Tex-Mex Food

Image via Flickr by stockcatalog

If you’re looking for some of the freshest, tastiest tacos Youngstown has to offer, be sure to visit Mission Taco. This restaurant specializes in build-your-own tacos, offering plenty of locally sourced ingredients and homemade salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Fill in your choice of tortilla with house-made chorizo, five-spiced roasted cauliflower, blackened catfish, beef brisket, and more. Top it with chopped cilantro, guac slaw, queso fresco, or any of their salsas and sauces. Throw in one of Mission’s famous hand-squeezed margaritas and you’ll be doing Taco Tuesday right.

In addition to delicious tacos, Mission also serves up top-notch empanadas, quesadillas, build-your-own nachos, and more. The funky atmosphere that Mission’s dining room offers lends itself well to a great Tex-Mex dinner.

Shang Hai River — Chinese

Shang Hai River offers that classic Chinese takeout experience that always hits the spot. Their menu is full of all the Chinese-American classics and combos you’d expect, from sweet and sour chicken to Kung Pao shrimp. Be sure to get your favorite dish with a side of spring rolls or crabmeat cheese rangoons to round out the experience.

Pho Saigon — Vietnamese

When you get a craving for pho, nothing else will suffice. When that craving calls, head to Pho Saigon for some of the best Vietnamese food in the area.

We suggest going for the vermicelli rice noodles or pho with bean sprouts, basil, lime, and herbs, but Pho Saigon also offers great Chinese-inspired dishes. Be sure to show up for one of the restaurant’s lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m from Tuesday to Friday to get a great deal on lo mein, chow mein, and, of course, great pho.

Sauceeino — Mediterranean

If you’re looking for a fast, healthy lunch, consider Sauceeino. This tasty Mediterranean-inspired lunch destination is the perfect place to find fuel to take on your day without weighing you down. This goes doubly for vegetarians and vegans who are looking for a great ethnic restaurant. Baba ghannouj, vegan falafel, tabouli, or hummus — if you love Mediterranean food, Sauceeino has you covered. You’ll also find rotisserie-cut chicken, lamb, pork, and steak pita wraps filled with fantastic ingredients and topped with the sauce of your choice.

Zenobia Cuisine & Bar — Middle Eastern

Over in nearby Canfield, you’ll find Zenobia Cuisine & Bar, one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants you’ll find anywhere. Find a table on the beautiful patio or enjoy the atmospheric interior rooms and explore the world of delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.

Start your dinner off by sharing an order of baba ghannouj or falafel. For lunch, try the chicken or beef gyros. On date night, order the racks of lamb, grilled tuna with rice, or artichoke mix salad with lamb or chicken. The entire Zenobia experience makes it one of the best restaurants to check out if you’re looking for a dinner you’ll never forget.

#1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown doesn’t hold back when it comes to delicious ethnic food, but these restaurants are just the tip of the iceberg. After you try these out, be sure to expand your search to try all the restaurants that make up Youngstown’s world of cuisine. Let us know which are your favorite go-to ethnic food restaurants.