Mediterranean Cruise Café of Burnsville TODOTC.com To Do in the Twin Cities Restaurants

Mediterranean Cruise Café of Burnsville

Date: Nov 21, 2025

12500 Nicollet Ave

Burnsville, MN 55337

Phone: (952) 641-6222

www.medcruisecafe.com

What does one tip a belly dancer? This and many more questions we seek to answer on ToDoTC just for you.

We were looking for a interesting place you might also enjoy. E saw the Mediterranean Cruise Café of Burnsville on TC Live and saw that they had belly dancers, which was different for us, so we said why not.

So on Friday night after the wine tasting, we made the trek south of the river to Burnsville. If you know Burnsville we were just off of 13 right next to Ames Center. The Mediterranean Cruise Café is a big building as is the inside. The place is very tall like a temple of sorts with art to the roof. It’s a good see.

E had problems getting through their reservation system. Apologized to me for that. I had a professor in Marketing class that said provide a good product and make it easy for customers to give you money and you will be successful. The need for reservations were not a problem when we showed up at 7:30 on a Friday. We sat on higher tables overlooking the dance/performance area.

We were introduced to Med/Arab food about five years ago. Not much can be found in WI & SD where we grew up. But we are regulars at Olive & Lamb and the Greek Festivals in the area. We like Med/Arab food now.

So, we arrived at Mediterranean Cruise Café of Burnsville at about 7:30. The car computer said it is a 22-minute drive from downtown Mpls. We parked for free in a well-lit parking lot. Being next to Ames Performance Center, there is plenty of free parking if there is not a Ames performance going on.

Last week I made some comment about kids in a brewery type of place. There were a dozen kids here, dancing on stage and at this place they seemed like they were expected and fit in.

We sat next to the bar and a few tables from the dance floor. Mayci our server brought us cold water and menus and she was very sweet. I did my normal taking pictures of the entire menu drinks and food so you could see our options.

E was first to the wine list with about six good red wines. She got a Sonoma Kendall Jackson Cab. We toured Kendall a few years ago when we went to wine country, super nice people with great wines. Actually about 14 wines tasted before 11 AM… what a way to start a day, we had a driver.

I have not had a good Australian Shiraz (a hot weather grape) in probably six months. Barossa Vallet Estate is known for their Shiraz and it did not disappoint.

They have a good wine list with reds including Cabs, Noirs, Blends, Malbec & Shiraz. From wineries including Kendall, J Lohr, Barrossa Valley and dare I forget Apothic! They have a nice white list too. Including wine from the Greek & Arab world.

In addition to wine, they have 8 domestic beers, 6 imports, 9 beers on tap including multiple TC labels and NA Beer. They have a dozen juices and non-alcoholic drinks and a dozen specialty cocktails.

Next the food. We counted 102 separate things you could order from the menu. Don’t like Arab/Med food? They have a Ribeye, burgers and wings, you need not go hungry. But endulge, when in Rome… Mayci was a great help in choosing.

We never leave a restaurant hungry and rarely pay much more than $100 total for both of us WITH drinks. But in this case, we ate so much we debated canceling the last course. But that would have been wrong. So, we nibbled on it, but ended up almost finishing it.

We ordered only two things from the menu, yet we got about five plates/platters. We ordered a Mediterranean Combo platter: Gyros, falafel, hummus, fries, Greek salad for $19. And a Gyro Stir Fry: Gyros, sautéed vegetables, house savory sauce, rice with a side Greek Salad for $27. We even ate HUMMUS! The have Vegetarian options too. And of course, we share everything, which was way too much food. THIS is the ULTIMATE DATE PLACE!

It was all VERY good. And it is ALL FRESH & healthy. OK it took us a few years to get over eating lamb, but that too will pass.

Now let’s talk about the Mediterranean Cruise Café. The decor was like we fell into the book the Tales of the Arabian nights. E and I argued: don’t you think a seven-foot-tall Genie pot made of lights would look great in our living room, dare I digress.

There was murals all over the walls and bar. The Mediterranean Cruise Café is itself a work of art.

Then came out Emalee the “piece de resistance” the belly dancer. Now I am no professor of Belly dancing but to this point in my life all belly dancers had “Muffin Tops.” I had spent all week expecting it. Now far be it for ME to argue, they could have been in better shape if they were promoting, you know “The Belly!”

Emalee OMG looked like she had just walked out of a Pilates class. And she was SUCH a nice person. Emalee talked to E & me a few minutes. I have included her card in case you are in need of a Belly Dancer. And GOD could she dance. Not a person moved for the ten minutes while she was performing. What a great show. And she even had the kids that came to see her, were encouraged to dance with her.

Emalee walked around and talked to all the tables and gathered her tips. E & I rarely carry much cash anymore so when E asked if I had any cash I just handed her my wallet, I was eating! I had no idea what was in my wallet. E said a $10 & a $20. Sorry Emalee I promised we’d anomalously donated $20 to a neighbor’s food shelf. Tonight Emalee would get $10 hopefully more if you go see her.

After Emalee got done the band of the night tuned up their instruments. Then a Japanese couple put on an incredible Swing dance to a couple of songs. It was like we were at the Orpheum or Chanhassen. The entertainment was great.

As we were leaving for the night, the Japanese dance couple filled the dance floor with student/guests teaching them swing dance.

Our bill was $76 for drinks, great food, great art, belly dancing, swing…. OMG we will be back!