African Stores in Minneapolis
The Twin Cities are home to the largest Somali community in the United States, plus major Oromo, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Liberian populations. This guide covers African grocery stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul — including the Karmel Square Somali Mall, Midtown Global Market, and shops along Lake Street and Snelling Avenue stocking xawaash, basbaas, anjero, injera, sambuusa wrappers, halal goat, and pan–East African staples.
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Somali xawaash spice blend (cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves) and basbaas chili sauce for bariis and suqaar.
Somali anjero, Ethiopian injera, brown and white teff flour, berbere, and niter kibbeh.
Premium basmati, sela basmati, and long-grain rice for Somali bariis iskukaris with goat.
Frozen sambuusa pastry wrappers, beef and lentil filling spice, and pre-made frozen sambuusas.
Zabiha halal goat, lamb, and (at select Karmel Square stalls) camel meat — fresh-cut for weekend orders.
Medjool and Saudi dates, frankincense for bakhoor, and loose-leaf shaah cadays (spiced black tea).
Karmel Square (the Somali Mall on Pillsbury Ave S) and shops along Lake Street and Snelling — xawaash, basbaas, anjero, sambuusa wrappers, and halal goat.
Injera, teff, berbere, niter kibbeh, shiro, and Ethiopian coffee — concentrated along Snelling and in St. Paul's University Avenue corridor.
Shared inventory with Ethiopian/Somali shops plus Oromo specialties — chechebsa spice and anchote.
Smaller Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Liberian shops carrying garri, palm oil, suya spice, and country rice.
Zabiha halal butcher counters at most Somali markets; Karmel Square hosts multiple stalls cutting goat and lamb to order.
Karmel Square (the Somali Mall on Pillsbury Ave S in Minneapolis), Midtown Global Market on Lake Street, and shops along Snelling Avenue in St. Paul are the Twin Cities' largest African grocery clusters.
Karmel Square is the central Somali grocery and retail destination in Minneapolis, with multiple grocers, butchers, and prepared-food stalls. Additional Somali shops line Lake Street and Cedar–Riverside.
Yes — St. Paul's University Avenue and Snelling Avenue corridors have several Ethiopian and Eritrean grocers selling injera, teff, berbere, and Ethiopian coffee.
Almost every Somali, Ethiopian, and West African market in the Twin Cities has a zabiha halal butcher — goat, lamb, beef, and chicken cut to order.
Several Karmel Square vendors take phone orders for local delivery; for nationwide shipping see our online international grocery delivery guide.
Karmel Square (the "Somali Mall") at 2910 Pillsbury Ave S in Minneapolis is the largest Somali commercial center in the US — a multi-floor mall of grocers, butchers, restaurants, tailors, and retail shops.