Head into Woody's Oasis Bar and Grill, 211 E. Grand River Ave., on a Wednesday night and you'll find customers passing around an ornately decorated water pipe to smoke flavored tobacco called Hookah.

"It's a cultural thing," said Jilnar Mansour, who is Lebanese and an employee at the restaurant.

The pipe and Mediterranean food make Woody's one of downtown East Lansing's internationally-accented restaurants that might offer students a different taste than those they've grown up with. Many, like Woody's, are located close to campus.

The owner of Woody's is Lebanese and so are the recipes, Mansour said.

"We have a grandmother who comes in twice a week to make special dishes that we have here," she said. "Our fries are fresh-cut here, too."

One of the most popular dishes is the chicken shwarma, Mansour said. It consists of chicken that is cut off the rotisserie and marinated. When finished, it is wrapped in pita bread with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickled turnips and a ground sesame seed sauce.

But Woody's is also known for its many vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals, Mansour said.

Meat or no meat, the food is delicious, said Jeanne Drewes, assistant director for access and preservation for the MSU libraries, who was eating in the restaurant.

"I like the stuffed grape leaves and the hummus is probably the best I've had," she said. "It's really reasonably priced for really good food."

For those who are over 21, Woody's serves alcohol at night with a variety of mixed drink specials, beers and wines.

On the street behind Woody's, El Azteco, 225 Ann St., serves Mexican food with recipes from the owner's childhood, said Manager Heather Holguim.

"It's more authentic than the chain restaurant," Holguim said. "People are addicted to the hot sauce. It's really hot."

Holguim said the restaurant is in its 27th year in East Lansing and it has always been popular with students. She said the frijoles, bean burritos and the cheese sauce, are long-time favorites.

Down the road, India Palace, 340 Albert Ave., has a buffet for casual dining in the afternoon and menus for the evening meals. Meals are adjusted for each customer, said Arvind Chaudhary, an employee and son of the owner.

You can have it as spicy as you want, or mild," he said. "It's perfect."

Chaudhary said many students frequent the restaurant to study and drink the Masala Tea, which is similar to Chai Tea. Students also receive 15 percent off everything they buy. Prices range for the meals which can include ingredients such as curry, spinach, and various meats.

Walking outside India Palace, MSU May graduate Robin Weerts said he enjoys some of the international dining around campus.

"It seems like we have everything is pretty much covered," he said, listing off Chinese, Indian, and other restaurants around town.

"I think sushi is pretty well-covered," he said, but added he would like another Mexican restaurant.

"A good Mexican place would be good," he said.