Baba's Hummus House & Mana'eesh Bakery
Middle Eastern restaurant · Lowry Hill East ·
Modern Middle Eastern eatery with hummus bowls, mana'eesh & marketplace
Modern Middle Eastern eatery with hummus bowls, mana'eesh & marketplace
"Local hummus brand Baba’s was a grocery store sensation before Palestinian American siblings Rana Kamal and Khalid Ansari turned a Lyndale Avenue storefront into a mod, dreamy hummus house and mana’eesh bakery. Baba’s hummus bowls, made with a base of exceptionally creamy Jerusalem-style hummus, are at the heart of the menu, topped with everything from fresh falafel and pickles to tangy buffalo chicken. There’s also an oven churning out hot mana’eesh; salads like spinach tabbouleh and fatoush, and sandwiches, plus rosewater lattes and cardamom-laced espresso." - Eater Staff
"Palestinian American siblings Rana Kamal and Khalid Ansari founded their hummus brand in 2018 as a tribute to their father (or “baba” in Arabic) — in 2023, they opened Baba’s Hummus House & Mana’eesh Bakery, which serves up soulfully crafted hummus bowls and coal-fired mana’eesh — the beloved Middle Eastern flatbread. Using simple, high-quality ingredients, Baba’s offers dishes like hummus bil lahme with minced beef shawarma, lemon sauce, parsley, and almonds; or jibna and za’atar mana’eesh, topped with Arabic cheese and aromatic za’atar. The exceptionally creamy, Jerusalem-style hummus combines chickpeas, lemon and garlic with copious amounts of tahini. With vibrant murals, cozy textile booths, rattan lamps, and local art, Baba’s offers a “modern Middle Eastern” culinary experience that has made waves across the Twin Cities and beyond." - Matthew Awad
"Nosh on hummus bowls and fresh hot mana’eesh on Baba’s small patio, right on Lyndale Avenue." - Justine Jones
"I watched trays from Baba’s Hummus House—wrapped falafel sandwiches in sunny yellow-and-white checkered paper—become one of the quickest hits at the encampment; a steady line formed and the falafel didn’t last long. Co-founders Rana Kamal and her brother Khalid Ansari said they’ve been in “complete awe” of the student organizers, and described Baba’s as a love letter to their Palestinian roots and a bridge between their American and Arab identities, noting that sharing hummus and meals has allowed both Palestinians and Israelis to connect in their cafe." - Justine Jones
"Part of Lyndale's culinary improvement, Baba’s Hummus House is highlighted as one of the spots offering some of the tastiest foods in the metro and contributes to the street's growing reputation." - Eater Staff