Great neighborhood bar for hookah and tea. I like that it's pretty casual and low key, not rowdy or loud like some other hookah bars. The hookah flavors are good and the vibe is pretty chill. I didn't try any food but had Moroccan tea and Egyptian coffee which were great. The owner is nice and accommodating. It's a nice place to bring your laptop or a book to get some work done at the end of the day. Will definitely make this a regular spot. read more

This is my favorite hookah spot! Matt is the best! He is so welcoming and allows you to check all the flavors he has available. This may be the only hookah that never gives me a headache. Square coals only and very affordable prices under $40. He has 3 rooms available all with music/tv. I go here often not too far from home and it's right on Drexel campus, so I feel pretty safe. Its a very chill and relaxed vibe, weekends are a little more busy. read more

Pretty sure the ownership of this place changed - the previous owner was so nice & welcoming/wholesome but the new management is the most unprofessional I have ever seen, the bouncer let us know that the place was at max capacity & that we had to wait for x amount of people to come out but was not even watching/paying attention to the people going in or out. Instead he was yapping with his friends & eating chicken wings, ignoring us. However he would let in anyone that he recognized. Trust that it was giving capital R racist!!! Would go here only in my nightmares.... read more

Hookah is OK the place needs a little bit of cleaning and more attention to details. The people are very nice and the service is OK.

I don't know about hookah, but I'm not a fan of the food at Brexel Cafe. The food is too greasy and salty. The waiting time for food is ridiculously long and the communication with the waiter/host is difficult. Seeing good reviews from the past, I guess there were some management changes here. I probably won't dine here again. read more

Brexel Cafe - Lamb kebab and ribeye steak - Middle Eastern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

It's a nice vibe here, mixed crowd. Nice area for a Café / Hookah lounge to be. The nights are enjoyable when you have a seat outside. It's also byob so yeah that makes it a plus. The music isn't always on tune because your allowed to use the Bluetooth & well you know that sometimes people don't share the same taste in music. I give this place an 8 out of 10 . The service needs to be picked up or hire a few more people to keep up with the demands on the weekends because it gets a lil packed lol. read more

I've gone here with friends to smoke hookah. the prices are decent. if you're sitting outside you may need to get the attention of the staff to ensure coals are changed out when needed. it is byob, except during ramadan. You smoke a cigar outside, not inside though. the food I haven't really tried just because it's a hit or miss with what's available the fries were decent though. had some spice on it to elevate it read more

Soooo I came here sometime in February (before COVID) for a friend's birthday. Before this specific visit, I've come here many times and brought many other friends to this place. However, at this specific visit, the waitress was extremely rude and unwelcoming. I went with five friends but only two wanted to smoke. The lady said that the other three had to pay $10 each for just sitting inside. We were confused to why we had to pay this, but we agreed. Then she said that we need to purchase an additional hookah set even though the other three weren't smoking. We just got up and left. Super rude and upset about the experience because I've been here many times and respect the owner a lot. read more

Great customer service, amazing tea and hookah plus diverse music options. Very chill spot to work on your laptop or hang out with friends.

This is the best hookah bar I've been too! The people, the atmosphere and the owner... thank you so much for giving so many of us respect and treating us all the same no matter what color we are!! Great service best hookah and great fries!! Abs tea!!! read more

I vaguely remember my nights here hence why the review will be short. I've never bought food from here, just got hookahs and used this place to drink copious amounts of alcohol. It's BYOB Hookah lounge, but they sometimes charge you ~3 or 4 bucks per person, even if they weren't drinking. The group I was with definitely overpaid to drink our own handles. Also, you can't share hookahs. It's pretty cozy and the staff seems nice enough, but billings are inconsistent... read more

I was really hoping to be the first to review this one, but alas, first loser. Overall, I really like this shop. The staff is very friendly, the menu is pretty authentic, and the prices are fair. A place that calls itself the falafel house had ought to have good falafel, and these guys hit the mark. It is not the best falafel I have had in my life, but as far as places here in the city go, they make a good Egyptian style falafel. But the best thing I ate there were the grape leaves. Not enough places in Philly make them, but these guys do a really great job, reminds me of what my grandma would make. The hummus is slightly bland (heavy on the tahini, light on the garlic and lemon), and I did not enjoy the shwarma. Bonus points for being near my office! read more

I went here on a whim with five friends of mine last February. We wanted to go to Waffle House, but couldn't find any near us so we found this as a search result and went there. It was a tiny little hole in the wall in the Drexel neighborhood with limited seating, and it was an hr and a half until closing. I got hummus, which was some of the best I've had without making it myself or traveling outside of the US. I got a chicken shawerma. It was nice and light, filled with pickles, potatoes and nicely seasoned chicken and sauces. A snatched a friends falafel, which was excellent. Great prices for a college budget. We ordered more to go. I felt bad for making the staff work so hard before closing but they were more than up to the challenge, probably because they were located in a college neighborhood. I am hoping they open up somewhere else, because I really enjoyed this place. Fingers crossed! read more

I stopped in here on a whim one day on the way home. It was completely empty around 1pm on a Wednesday and I ordered a falafel pita thing. The made made my order fresh right there and even chatted with me about the weather. Everything made it back to my house (like 8 blocks away) warm and delicious. I will definitely be back here! read more

This is a must have experience! We stopped in to say hello to an old and dear friend and ended up staying for a fabulous meal. There were two menus; one Mexican and the other Middle Eastern cuisine. We ordered a meal from each and they were equally delicious. We had a plate of warm and crisp nachos with fresh cheese that had just a bit of a kick and a grape leaf appetizer that the chef brought our for us to try. The steak fajitas were divine and the chicken shawarma was like non I have ever tasted. The owner was so engaging and the conversation was rich. I will be back soon and will highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique and interesting dining experience. read more

Brexel Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As a Penn graduate student who lives in Powelton, I was excited when this shop first opened. I've been disappointed by the lack of restaurants in the area and was happy to see falafel, one of my favorites, open only a few blocks from me. My girlfriend and I went one night back in February. We split the hummus and each ordered a chicken shwarma. The hummus was lack-luster at best. It was very bland and oily. In fact, the entire meal was tainted by oil and grease. Our shwarmas were equally greasy and sacrificed fat for flavor. I believe the shop owners are from Egypt yet the food was disgusting. I think they were trying to cater to the Drexel student tastebud and missed the boat on what Americans like. Flavor was completely toned back. It was the worst falafel house I've ever been to. We both felt completely sick after the meal, seriously. I believe the people running the store a nice, I just don't see this place lasting for very long (unless the constant turnover of Drexel students can support it). In addition, the bland interior and flashing neon lights on the outside are as unappetizing as the food. Quite literally, even if they paid me for the meal, I wouldn't return. read more

Summary: Good food, good prices While the reviews for this place are rather lackluster, let me assure you that this place is still quite good. It isn't 4 or 5 star worthy, not by a long shot, but still, the food is decent, the prices are reasonable, and the falafel (after all, it IS called FALAFEL house) is actually quite good. Having had falafel at some of the other eateries and carts in the area, these guys stack up squarely above average. My favorite falafel in the area comes from Pyramid Pizza, a food truck located behind the Main Building on Drexel's campus. Speaking of Pyramid Pizza, if you go there, you MUST get the veggie burger with hot sauce. I'm not giving you a choice - 'tis the law. Plain and simple. Back to Falafel House, while I certainly wouldn't be taking a date here or coming with high expectations, it's a good place to stop by when craving that fried ball of chickpea goodness. They deliver too! read more

This place is honestly horrific. I went in on my lunch break with a few colleagues, the service was beyond slow. The staff that was there has a problem with staring. We ended up leaving after being served cold food (which tasted like it was reheated in the microwave) I was sure to spread the word to fellow coworkers to not waste their lunch time or hard earned money on such a pathetic place. read more

Absolutely by far the best hookah bar I've been to!! The hookah was strong, the price was reasonable, the atmosphere was great, and the service was amazing. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars, I definitely would. I love this place read more

The location was clean and staff was friendly and attentive. The music selection was perfect for the diverse patrons that dinned. I love authentic hookah lounges that offer paan, which Brexel did. I just hoped for an ice hose. If I return for anything it would be for falafel which was served with an amazing tahini sauce - which had an unique texture and flavor. Hailing from the Kingsessing area, Brexel gives a local, low key vibe that is needed to unwind and kickback with my girls. A bonus to my experience was no alcohol being served on premises due to Ramadan and the art of beautifully covered women. read more

Their service is bad. They brought the hookah. The charcoal went out. So I can't hit the hookah. I've waiting for the waiters to come for more then 30 min. No one come to ask if we need anything else read more

Evil place they gave me a menu made out if crayons and tape, I ordered the Hummus Platter and after the waiter served me he leaned over and whispered would you like a side of death? Wtff!!! Then he started to whisper the Michael Myers theme song ....I got up and ran!!! read more

Under new ownership! The food and hookah are amazing. Very good price and attentive service. They changed our charcoal before it burnt out. We never had to ask for anything it was just brought to us. read more

Brexel Cafe has such a chill vibe. I love the staff and they are so accommodating. I am a regular here and I dead ass walked into the kitchen and made myself a hookah bubble set up one time lol. I love that they always play Arabic music! Brexel is where I would go all the time as a freshmen at DU and 4years in I still love this place! Def feels comfortable and like home! The manager is so nice this one time he gave me Arabic beer to try and it was the best thing ever! Love their hookah and staff. Honestly, nothing bad to say about this place! Brexel is byob and they let you play your own music if you ask them for the remote! They also have a comfy spot for gaming and to sit down at v Moroccan style! You know how they sat your corner coffee shop has seen the worst of you? Brexel is that corner store for me!!! Will be back and so much love for the team and servers at Brexel! Shukraan La'ak! read more

Visiting Penn and Drexel, and stopped for a quick snack and coffee. Very friendly and helpful guys working there -- knowledgable of the menu -- happy to adjust order for my needs. Food was hot, delicious, authentic! read more

Very Good, Simple Falafel House. Nothing Fancy, but everything is done right. Very friendly staff to help you order. Everything cooked to order!! read more

Had the chicken shawrma sandwich. The taste was decent but the filling had been stuffed with 75% french fries. Nowhere on the menu does it even mention french fries in the shawrma sandwich description. I'm as big a fan as anyone of sandwiches with fries in them, but let me know they are there and let me decide if that's what I want. Not sure if this is their standard or they were just trying to stretch the chicken, but either way it was not appreciated. Also there was no spoon in my to-go bag for an order that included soup. Not sure if I'll be back. read more

Yes, the food delivery takes 20 minutes, but it's worth it. I and friends recommend the $17 grill of lamb, beef, and chicken. Staff is kind and generous. Ask for the Moroccan GREeN tea with mint. read more

Fine in a pinch. Lots of veg options. The falafel was so/so.

Great middle eastern food. I ordered the chicken over rice and my friend ordered the side of fries. The food quality is superb I also always get the mint tea and it's amazing. Great friendly staff you can also play your music through Bluetooth. read more

When I was in Philly I ate here at least a dozen times. I knew the owners of this establishment. One of the owners is Syrian his name is Sam. Syrians are great cooks and Syrian food is fantastic. The delivery service isn't too bad either. Ali the Yemeni guy was another owner but he got fired for his lousy attitude. Falafel needs to hire people who speak English to take orders over the phone. The woman who took orders over the phone wasn't too bright. read more

Just tried the lamb chop and chicken kabob meal with my girlfriend, we were not impressed. Lamb chop was juicy 7/10, but that's it. Rice was very dry, 3/10, we left our rice nearly untouched; even tho we were starving. The salad was 4/10. Fries were 4/10. Chicken was not dry but it was so little for the price. Overall it was like food truck quality but less juicy, less tasty, and more costly. Together our meals were 30 with tax and tip. I would not come here again. read more

Now one of my favorite place for Mediterranean food... the chef came out to suggest veg options. And made a veg platter... amazing food with amazing people... they even played Hindi songs for us...thank you guys for such a wonderful food experience in Phylli... read more

Brexel Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

One of the worst places ever, honestly. The hookah isn't good and the prices are quoted differently depending on which server you get on that given day. They also advertise as a byob place but I was told I had to throw my alcohol out (a wine cooler at that) - staff also isn't very friendly and the woman who works here read more

I love Brexel... management is so friendly. I'm a regular here... tall girl... lol Brexel has the best hookah in the city. It's a great place to unwind... it's really relaxed. They're like family at this point. Lol love Brexel and the staff. Thank you! read more

I live across the street from this place -- and I'm lucky I do! They make the usual falafel menu, but also things like fries and motz sticks. Also serves breakfast food! Super friendly people and open late. read more

The food is fine, but the billing is not. I ordered a Ceasar Salad, and at the menu it said, "Plain choice with Chicken or Shrimp", and it is 7 dollars, and then I told the waiter that I want a chicken Ceasar Salad, he said ok and nothing else. But when I check out, the bill shows that the Ceasar Salad is 7 dollar, but they will charge me extra 5 dollars for a little chicken on it... And it cost me 12 dollars on 1 bowl of salad... read more

Absolutely horrific. Went in expecting a great casual time with some middle eastern food. Hookah was way too strong and then we were blamed for moving the charcoals (we didn't). The service was awful we were treated with disrespect and the language barrier was hard to get through. We ordered the Mazah platter and it took about 40 mins to come out when they are just dips. It was an empty restaurant so every small request taking 30 mins shouldn't have been the case. Another issue was the Turkish coffee which was far from that and when I asked about it I was treated like an idiot like I didn't know what I was talking about but I have been drinking it since I was a child. They need to watch a YouTube video on how to make it because it was a hot mess and not drinkable. Also the 4 different genres of music being played on full blast in the small place caused a very stressful experience. Don't recommend would never come back read more