Aloha Island Grill
Spokane might be one of the last places you'd expect to feel like you're in a tropical paradise. Thanks to the wonderful people of Aloha Island Grill, our neck of the woods gets transformed into a beach with their Hawaiian cuisine. It's the only place in Spokane to get Moco Loco, the classic Hawaiian dish that mixes rice, Spam and a fried egg; you can also nibble on island favorites like teriyaki, macaroni salad and chicken katsu. 1220 W. Francis Ave.• 413-2029 | 1724 N. Monroe St. • 327-4270 • eataloha.com
Cafe Carambola It's easy to drive right past Cafe Carambola, tucked into a strip mall, but you'd be missing some of the freshest, most authentic Latin food in the Inland Northwest. The menu emphasizes local produce, with an assortment of salads, soups, tortas (Mexican sandwiches) and wraps. An Incan quinoa salad alongside a Cuban sandwich? It can happen here, but you have to love lunch — they're only open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm. 610 W. Hubbard St., Suite 110, Coeur d'Alene • 208-676-8784 • cafecarambola.com
Das Stein Haus Got a craving for German food? Thanks to Das Stein Haus, you only have to journey to Francis to drink German brews and eat authentic homemade German food, such as housemade schnitzels and bratwurst. The restaurant is filled with cute German trinkets, and polka music pumps out through the speakers. 1812 W. Francis Ave. • 326-2214 • dassteinhaus.net
Grille from Ipanema Dining at one of the few area Brazilian-style steakhouses is an experience. It involves food, of course, and a lot of it, but also a little cultural exchange. The smorgasbord of self-serve cold salads and hot dishes ranges from South American rice and beans to Italian gnocchi to a tangy tropical slaw with raisins and mango. Then there's the meat: beef, pork and poultry grilled over open flame while you wait, brought to your table on special skewers until you say "No more!" 601 Front St., Suite 101, Coeur d'Alene • 208-676-1122 • facebook.com/grillefromipanema
Queen of Sheba Queen of Sheba knows a thing or two about preparing vegetarian food that you're not going to find anywhere else, but there's plenty for meat lovers as well at this eatery specializing in authentic Ethiopian cuisine. The "yemeshir kik wat" (split red lentils cooked in berbere sauce) and the "kifto" (lean steak marinated in butter and chili spices) are both hard to beat, scooped up by hand using spongy injera bread. The Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon Ave., Suite 426 • 328-3958 • queenofshebaspokane.com
Rio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse A welcome addition to Spokane's South Hill, this place specializes in the flavors of Brazil and its Latin American neighbors. The hand-cut steaks are all USDA Prime, the produce is fresh, and this is one of the few Brazilian steakhouses you'll find with a "small plates" menu so you can sample plenty of empanadas or ceviches, along with flavor-packed tri-tip sandwiches or veggie burritos. The entrées include steaks, leg of lamb, shrimp and linguica, a Portuguese sausage. 5620 S. Regal St. • 919-3588 • riogrillrestaurant.com
Taste of India This place is all about options. Order individual dishes off the menu, or hit up the lunchtime buffet and nibble on the ever-changing array of dishes like chicken biryani (spiced chicken with basmati rice), aloo palak (potatoes, spices and spinach) and daal makhni (lentils, spices and butter). No matter what you decide, don't forget the naan; the traditional Indian bread is delightful. 3110 N. Division • 327-7313 • tasteofindiaspokane.com
Top of India This Spokane Valley gem offers an authentic Indian menu in a quiet, welcoming environment ideal for enjoying kormas (try the mushroom), paneers and pakoras. The recently redesigned interior boasts modern, clean lines that dominate the space, while rich colors add a touch of the exotic. The cuisine is equally well thought out and beautifully prepared; try the buffet to sample as many flavors as possible. 11114 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • 927-0500 • thetopofindia.com
