five of us were there for an hour crowded into a four person table, ordered 2 pots of hot tea, 3…read morecold drinks, and an appetizer. we received only the initial free naan with feta, radish, and mint; hot tea; and one bottled drink. we never even got ice water. the hostess told us about halfway through they were out of clean glassware and having trouble getting everything washed, but that was the only explanation we got until we decided to leave, when she said they were understaffed and the kitchen was focusing on online orders rather than the restaurant. the location was pretty and everything was clean and well-kept, but it was too warm, there was a strong glare from the unshaded windows, and it was very loud. it seemed mostly to be set up for family groups.

Stopped into Shandeez Grill on Anderson Mill when I wanted something that felt home-cooked but…read morestill restaurant-level (and I didn't feel like doing the "where should we eat?" loop for 30 minutes). Atmosphere: Quiet, comfortable, and more "family dinner" than flashy date-night. It's a simple dining room, but it's clean and relaxed--easy to actually talk without yelling over music. The kind of place where you can tell regulars come in a lot. Food: This is what you come for. I went the kabob route--juicy, charred in the right spots, and seasoned so you actually taste the meat (not just smoke). Rice was fluffy and came out hot, and the grilled tomato/veggies were a perfect add-on. Also grabbed a yogurt-based side (maast style) and it was super refreshing between bites--especially if you're doing anything spicy or super savory. If you've never had Persian food, this is a solid entry point: it's flavorful without being intimidating, and everything feels filling without being heavy. Service: Friendly and patient--no rushing, no weird attitude, just genuinely helpful. They'll explain dishes if you're unsure, and everything came out at a good pace. It felt like they wanted you to enjoy your meal, not just flip the table. Wrap-up: If you're in NW Austin and want legit Persian comfort food--kabobs, rice, stews, the whole deal--Shandeez is a really easy recommendation. Great "treat yourself" dinner that still feels warm and low-key.

The food was unique and tasty. Everything was cooked just right and the flavors were aromatic!…read more The eggplant dish (vegetarian) -- Kashke-o-badenjan -- was really interesting and I highly recommend. The Turkish kofte kabobs were grilled to perfection and juicy! Pizza was a treat. Will be back!

This is a fun place to chill out a group of friends after a long week or day. The drinks are very…read morefresh. I loved their mango smoothie. The food is also very well seasoned. It was a good accompaniment to the experience. I also enjoyed their various hookah flavors. This place is a one stop shop for dinner, drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. The service is friendly and quick and they also have a DJ that plays music. Very fun for a Friday night

Checked the place out based on Yelp reviews and was absolutely floored. Clean space, friendly…read morestaff, quick service, and excellent food! We ordered the half order falafel with hummus, mint lemonade, lamb kabob platter, and beef kabob platter. Everything but the salad came in large Texas style portions. I requested the beef be cooked to medium and the temperature was perfect. Tips: Substitute the tahini in the kabob platters for tzatziki and request garlic sauce on the side. The garlic sauce enhances the flavor of rice.

Food is very good, service not so good... I can tell people…read morecome for the food alone. The place is nice and has a nice layout. However, I'll think about coming here again because I didn't feel a good vibe with the service. We had to go look for someone to show us the table even though the place was empty for early lunch. Then, to get drinks or even the order was a problem. It took so much longer than usual. Our waitress was rude, and seemed bothered that we showed up. Then someone else came as the waitress and she was preoccupied with other tables and barely checked on us. A regular lunch which would've been one hour became almost two because of the lack of service. My friend had to stand and look for someone to give us a box to take out the good we couldn't eat because it was getting late and also to get the check because No one came in to check on us at all. It was almost like pulling teeth to get a regular service let alone good service. Again, the food was really good, and that alone was the only positive.

A Fantastic Introduction to Mediterranean Food!…read more I recently visited Levant Halal Restaurant and brought my parents, who are visiting from India. It was their very first time trying Mediterranean food, and they absolutely loved it! We started with two different types of hummus served with pita. The hummus was incredibly flavorful, and the pita was exceptionally fresh. We also ordered the falafel, which was perfectly prepared and delicious. For the main course, we shared the Chicken Shish Taouk with sides of beet salsa and Lebanese potatoes--everything was cooked beautifully and tasted amazing. Honestly, the highlight of the meal for us was the drinks. The mint juice and beet juice were so refreshing and easily the best part! We finished our meal with baklava and basbousa for dessert, and both were fresh, sweet, and incredibly tasty. Beyond the fantastic food, the ambiance is very neat and clean, and the staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend Levant Halal, especially if you are looking for a great place to introduce family to Mediterranean cuisine!

My first time here and everything is laid out beautifully. Levant is the French name for Lebanon…read more The place was super clean and I didn't feel grunge while there. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. But because I was early there was plenty of seating and I chose indoor. The counter server talked me thru everything and gave me samples of the different side dishes. I chose not to get rice nor bread and stuck to the sauces and veggies. I ordered the Chicken and Lamb Levant bowl. The mixture of all the different flavors was exceptional. Thank you Levant Cafe & Grill for a wonderful dining experience. May 2026 bring you much success! Happy New Year everyone.

I'd been wanting to check this place out for quite some time. There's another location in Round…read moreRock, but many reviewers said the original spot is much better, so we decided to start with the OG location. Parking is plentiful right in front of the restaurant. We came by on a Saturday around 1 PM, worried it might be packed, but it was actually pretty quiet. You can sit anywhere you like, grab a plate, and pay when you're done. The space is large and open, with three full rows of food and drinks plus a dedicated station for fruit and desserts. Everything was fresh, not overly salty, and there were plenty of options. My favorites were the hummus with eggplant (so flavorful with great texture), the salad and cucumber salad (fresh and refreshing), the dolma (perfectly done), gyro (tender and tasty), baked cauliflower (so good), fried chicken (juicy, crispy, and not salty), falafel (extra crunchy), and the lentil soup (simple but delicious). And don't miss their coffee at the checkout--it has a hint of warm spice and is the perfect finish after a meal. Surprisingly, I ended up loving the vegetable dishes even more than the meats. Overall, yes, $26 per person is on the higher side (what doesn't cost these days, right?!), but it's a great spot to try a variety of Mediterranean dishes that are fresh, simply seasoned, and let the ingredients shine--perfect whether you're new to the cuisine or just want a bit of everything.

Thanksgiving came around and we had zero desire to cook or clean. Our "plan" (and I use that word…read moreloosely) was Golden Corral. We figured if we got there early, we'd beat the crowd. Cute of us, honestly. We pulled up and that parking lot looked like Beyoncé was performing. Cars everywhere: on the grass, on the curbs, people creating their own imaginary parking spaces. People circling like it was Black Friday. Absolutely not. We left with no backup plan and even less hope. Pulled up Yelp and I remembered that Dimassi's buffet had been on my radar for months, but was it open? Called them up and CHA-CHING!!! Money! They were open, guys. That phone call felt like hitting the lottery. Thanksgiving was saved. We arrived and Dimassi's was calm, clean, and the buffet bar was fully stocked with hot food fresh out of the kitchen. They had your Mediterranean favorites: dips, salads, gyro meat, dolma, chicken kabobs, saffron rice, the good garlicky toum, warm potatoes, fresh pita, everything. They even prepared a turkey for patrons who wanted some. Wow. They understood the assignment. Now a couple things could be tweaked. I like my baba ganoush served warm...and maybe they could have had some lamb options? But, honestly? For a buffet on Thanksgiving at $23 a person ($9 for the 3 yr old with us), they delivered HARD. Dimassi's didn't just feed us...they rescued us from the Golden Corral Hunger Games. Thank you for being open. Thank you for coming through in the clutch. You saved Thanksgiving.

Went here for lunch and it tasted great! The inside was amazing and the food was fantastic and the…read moreservice was excellent. We ordered the Kalubi Palow, Mantu Dumplings, and Karahi. The tea was solid as well. The naan was fluffy and the meat was flavorful. Will be back next time I'm in Austin.

Very legit afghani food! Portions are big and taste is…read moreunmatched. Loved their goat karahi and kabuli palao- We ordered ahead of getting there and got hot piping food right after we got there. Loved every bit of it and would totally recommend!!!!!

Usta Kababgy is an excellent restaurant for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in Austin, TX located…read moreon N. Lamar Blvd. The restaurant has well seasoned, charcoal grilled meats. The kebabs are the true highlight...juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The portions are quite large as the hubs and I shared a wrap. We were sufficiently full after eating the chicken tikka wrap. Interestingly, the wrap came in a Shawarma King packaging with their contact phone number. So, I assume that Usta staff are sub-contracting from Shawarma King. Usta also has freshly baked bread and classic sides like hummus and rice paired with the main dishes. The restaurant has a homey, lived in feel. It has a few middle eastern artifacts sprinkled throughout the restaurant. The menu offers a wide variety of options, from Iraqi and Adana kebabs to shawarma and traditional Middle Eastern plates, so there are food items for both first timers and regulars who want to explore beyond the basics. They also serve flatbreads where you can have two different toppings. The food focus is on bold, traditional flavors rather than modern takes on middle eastern foods. On the desserts front, they have an assortment of desserts and several sections of ice cream. I had the baklava, which was surprisingly delicious...it was not eye-squinting sweet like a standard baklava. It was crunchy, flavorful, and had nuts that were substantial. Layla, my server, was so super sweet and welcoming. She pointed out that Usta provides its customers free tea. How cool is that? I cannot remember last time I received a free drink.

Usta Kababgy offers amazing charcoal-grilled Mediterranean food that provides authentic, "soul-fed"…read moreexperience that's hard to find elsewhere. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, suitable for a place nice enough for a family/friend gathering. The service is friendly and reassures wanting to provide an enjoyable meal. The standout here is the charcoal grill definitely must try. It's all fresh and top-tier.

Everything was incredible. From the welcoming staff, to the food. We ordered the grape leaves,…read morefalafel, lamb, chicken and kofteh bbq plates. The food was flavorful and cooked to perfection. We will be coming back very soon.

We love this place! When we lived nearby, we visited often. My favorite things about Lazeez are…read morethe quality of the food and the size of the portions. They do not scrimp on the portions and I am always very satisfied with the great flavors and quality of the meats and sauces here. We moved to Lago Vista, but we will even divert our trip to go by Lazeez so we can enjoy a wonderful meal there. Everything is good, definitely a top-notch Mediterranean spot. My wife loves the shawarma and I recommend the Lazeez Plate.