Mesa gets underappreciated for what it brings to the greater Phoenix metro area. It might look less cosmopolitan than Phoenix, have a lower average income than Scottsdale, or a less trendy population than Tempe, but it has its own unique charm.

Aside from spanning a surprisingly large geographic area with some serious natural beauty, Mesa has some amazing places to eat food from around the world. Here are my top picks in a few different regions.

South American: Republica Empanada

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This is one of the first places I tried after moving here and it’s still just as good two years later. I love how affordable their menu is, especially with the vegetarian and dessert empanada options. My favorite is the guava and cheese.

Eastern European: All Pierogi Kitchen

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Despite their name, this is not a place of exclusive pierogi production. They have a lot of great Polish and Eastern European choices (but I still recommend the pierogis). It’s also attached to a cute little market.

Thai: Thai Spices

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There are several pretty good Asian options in this strip mall area, but this is my favorite because of their generous portion sizes and great service. Their Thai tea-tini is a delicious alcoholic spin on a classic.

Chinese: Dim Sum Café

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This is my favorite place to grab dim sum in Mesa. There’s no nonsense, no frills, and nothing on the menu that’s not delicious. My best friend swears by their crab rangoon as the ultimate hangover cure food.

Mediterranean: Green Corner Restaurant

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Located near MCC, this is a great spot for a casual meal. Their menu isn’t gigantic but they have all the Mediterranean classics. I’m a huge fan of their baklava.

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Don’t let Mesa’s reputation fool you – it’s not all fast food or Mexican! This is the third largest city (by population) in Arizona and it has the diversity to prove it.

It’s worth a trip out of the city to check out any of these places – not to mention the bomb Mexican spots all around the area that deserve their own post.