Efendi Mediterranean (formerly Cafe Efendi) has refreshed its space, updated the menu, and still stays beautifully rooted in its Turkish heritage. If you love authentic Mediterranean and Turkish flavors made with the freshest ingredients -- this one's a must-try. We kicked things off with handcrafted cocktails -- The Martini? Officially on my "every single visit" list. The Smoky Nights - a nice amalgamation of Mezcal and Black Label The Old Efendi Fashioned was perfectly balanced, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The Cold Mezze Board was a stunning collection of flavors -- every bite delivered. The spicy ezme easily stole the show for me. Sigara Börek came out hot and crisp -- the kind of appetizer you keep reaching for. For entrées, the Chicken Shish and Atlantic Salmon were cooked to perfection -- well-seasoned, juicy, and served with delicious accompaniments that tied everything together. Dessert was a sweet surprise -- The Kazandibi (homemade milk custard) was melt-in-your-mouth good without being overly sweet. And the Künefe? Perfectly portioned and every bit as indulgent as you'd hope. A refreshed vibe, authentic flavors, and 20 years of getting it right -- Efendi Mediterranean is ready for its next chapter. read more

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If you're craving bold Mediterranean flavors in Alpharetta, Cafe Efendi is absolutely worth a stop. The vibe is lively and welcoming, and the menu has so many tempting options -- but two highlights that really stood out for me were the doner plate and the hummus. The doner plate is a must-try: tender, hand-sliced lamb and beef served over fluffy rice with fresh purple cabbage and a dollop of tzatziki. The meat is seasoned beautifully and juicy -- one of the best kebab plates I've had in the area. The hummus starter is creamy, smooth, and flavorful -- perfect with warm pita. It's simple, fresh, and a great way to start the meal before diving into the heavier dishes. Service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere makes it great for everything from a casual lunch to a fun dinner night out. I'll definitely be back to try more items on the menu! read more

I went to Cafe Efendi for their $30 iftar dinner and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. The iftar spread was generous for the price, and everything was fresh and flavorful. I had the Adana kebab with the lentil soup, and both were outstanding--the soup was comforting and well‑seasoned, and the kebab was juicy, perfectly grilled, and full of flavor. The staff were attentive throughout iftar, making sure water, bread, and sides were always topped up. Overall, it was a great value and a wonderful place to break fast, and I definitely plan to come back. The ambiance was festive and casual. read more

Cafe Efendi - Outside of the restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

Not bad food, I came here twice when I needed my fix of pide (Turkish cheese or meat pie). Usually nothing else would be open so this being an option is a plus (still a drive though). They try to make it like a night club, loud DJ, but honestly I just want to eat in peace so I go take out next time (I was with friend and we both elected to take out since we didn't want to sit in super loud place - seriously you had to yell if you want to speak, and the place was empty). I think it would be really successful if made more like a family restaurant vibe and you'll still attract late night ppl. But who know I'm just a hungry customer. read more

Great location we need more of these in the SW area of Atlanta for sure. They offered hookah so me and the girls tried it out for the first time. Attentive on arrival, we ordered Prosecco, waters and small sampler appetizer plate all very delicious. For entrees we ate lamb kebab and chicken kebab all very tasty but they forgot the grilled veggies and tazziki sauce so had to ask for them. Hookah was great with solid hookahs and great flavor and smoke. Definitely would return. read more

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Not sure why they're charging people for tap water in the year 2025? Doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. We had 3 dishes and one appetizer, how did our bill come out to $90 at the end of it all? Like I don't get it. We tipped (included in the $90) but I am not returning here for mediocre food. There's better Mediterranean food or Turkish food. read more

Amazing Turkish cuisine, Yusuf was wonderful. It literally is same as restaurants in Turkey.

I had a great time with my family at Efendi last Sunday. The food was absolutely delicious and reminded me of Türkiye. Our server, Oğuz was wonderful, kind and very welcoming. The vibe of the restaurant was amazing and cozy. I will definitely be coming back to enjoy their amazing food again. read more

This place has really gone down in quality in the past few years. I remember when it first opened, the dishes honestly even looked different and you got more for your buck. We came here on a Wednesday night and had a big party too. It was quite empty. Also if you check in on Yelp you're supposed to get a free dip or something, but they didn't honor it. We ordered other appetizers and they were all a bit salty and underwhelming. I will say some of the sauces and dips made up for it, but still not the best. My kabob was decent, but not as flavorful as I remembered it. The service is good though. read more

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Delicious Moussaka. Gracious hosts. Very pleasant interior. Have to go back for the belly dancing.

Such a lively atmosphere - belly dancer, DJ, dance floor with patrons and staff dancing. Food was good. Waitress steered me away from something I was going to order and recommended the ground lamb. An enjoyable night! read more

Cafe Efendi - Arugula Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

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We tried this spot last Friday for a friend's bday and what a secret. The food Was delish ! We were busy talking we forgot to take a lot of pics. Some tried the whole fish branzino, it was savory and nicely seasoned. The appetizer platter we tried had a variety of dips and the bread and oil was nice as well. I had a taste of falafel and Greek salad. The icing on the cake was the belly dancer and live DJ who got us all moving on the dance floor. Let's say excellent vibe and awe bday turn up spot. Live music on Friday and Saturday. What's not to love , try it out you will get a 2for1in thr burbs read more

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Persian food... with a show. Our extended family was in town and we wanted to take them to a nice place. Our friends suggest cafe Efendi. A Persian eatery. As I have said before my wife and her family are Persian so it is always iffy to take them to a "Persian" eatery. The bar is already set high! However Cafe Efendi did not disappoint. The outside is not much too look at but once inside you get the feel that you are expecting. One side is a bar/hookah bar while the other is a dinning area. The decor is elegant without the gaudy decorations in many try to be Persian places. We had a large group of 16 but they accommodated us with a huge line table. We did have reservations though. However we were not the only large party there. The venue was packed... there many eating here which is a great sign. We ordered combination aps with hummus, cheeses and various other things on them that came out with baskets of naan bread. It was all fantastic! So very delicious! Then we order the mixed grill to share. It is a mixture of Persian chicken, kabob, and steak. The flavores were dead on! This was Persian food nirvana. Everything from the rice to the bread to the meat to the hummus was divine. I could see why the place as packed! Then came the entertainment. A belly dancer. There is a DJ that is playing music pretty much the whole time... setting the perfect mood... but when it came time for the belly dancer it was pump up the authentic volume and let it fly. The dancer was GREAT! My kids loved it... the audience loved it... she was lovely and again authentic. Our service was outstanding! We never wanted for anything and they handled our 16 person table very well. It was a fantastic night of wonderful food, a spectacular venue, great people and a lovely show. I highly recommend checking this location out! read more

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Food is okay. Service is great. However, they charge additional 20% fee on the bill whether you ask for it or not. That's just terrible. Not recommend it. Also prices are too much. read more

I love first time visits to new places and Cafe Efendi did not disappoint me. Café Efendi is an informal choice with a wide range of Turkish and Mediterranean eats and Hookah, plus belly dancers on weekends and special days. What a fantastic place. We had such a blast at this amazing restaurant and it is truly a great dinning experience. The atmosphere was so chill and our food was delicious. We tried some of everything from the sampler appetizer, entrees, Lamb Chops, dessert, and hookah especially Ice Lemon Mint flavor is highly suggested. Hookah was great and served in beautiful pipes, no janky looking tin foil topped crack pipes. Ample free parking is available in front of the restaurant. Ordered the appetizer sampler which comes with Hummus, Babaganoush, Spicy Ezme, Eggplant in sauce, Labne, and Haydari. Also ordered grilled Kofte and a Chicken Kebab plate. Our main course was Lamb Chops with Oregano, white rice, red cabbage, green peppers, and sauteed vegetables. The meat just melted on our mouths. We had a party of seven, and still got fantastic service. The belly dancer was so fun and the music they play in there sets the perfect vibe. The wait staff were very informative and had no problem answering any questions we had and making menu suggestions. The music playing was great and the dance crowd was fully energetic. I would definitely suggest this place for a nice night out with friends or family. I would highly recommend visiting Café Efendi and you won't regret it. read more

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Don't trust the photos on the menu, as it displayed a nice portion of grilled veg. However, when the food arrived, it was only one piece of tomato and 1/5 of a green pepper. When asked, the server said she can bring me more for an $8 up charge. Overall the food was okay 3.5 stars on food and service. 2 stars for overall. We will not be back, as there are much better Mediterranean places around. read more

Cafe Efendi - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

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Cafe Efendi is one of the older establishments in the area that offers food, hookah, drinks, and belly dancing shows. The 2 stars is strictly for the food: bland and simple. The adana was probably the best thing in the combo plate, but I wouldn't come back only for the food. read more

Cafe Efendi - Mixed Grilled Kebab dinner - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

Good food, nice hookah and best music. Host Alina is extremely pleasant and always accommodating. read more

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Great neighborhood Persian! Nothing fancy on the inside however the food is good and the service is wonderful. Everyone is so on top of it and friendly. They are also great with kids and make them feel welcome. It is never very busy on weekdays for dinner so this is a good time to check it out. Tip: they have hookah available if you like but sit outside or at bar only. read more

Food was sooooo good! I had lamb sautee & dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) accompanied by a glass of Pinot Noir. The hookah wasn't too hard & the vibe was just right for having conversations read more

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We came here as a large party for a birthday celebration. I pre-coordinated the menu and drinks with the staff prior to the party and everything was delicious and wonderful! We had the hummus appetizer with pita followed by the mixed grill kebab platters. Splendid! We brought our own cakes and they were kind enough to sing and present the cakes. The DJ and belly dancers were great entertainment and the DJ played my song request. Everyone had a great time! read more

Cafe Efendi - Mixed Grill Kebab Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

We had the absolute worst Mother's Day brunch at this place. First, we were scammed with the amount of food that we were served. When we confronted the waitress, she said it has been the same for the past 5 years she's worked there. But of course since they don't have a brunch menu, they can scam you as they please. She then called the manager over who was extremely rude. She also thought she could continue the lie that they haven't changed anything until we showed her a picture of our last brunch there and what we were served. She then changed the script and said they changed it last year. Rather than admitting they're at fault, she proceeded to give us the worst attitude I've ever seen from a manager, and told us we are responsible for the tab and walked away. Do NOT waste your money or time at a place that openly scams customers and shows absolute zero respect. read more

Cafe Efendi - In what world is this an omelette??? - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

The food just seems bland and flavorless in my opinion. We tried the calamari, Iskender, and kebabs. Everything came out fast, but the chicken seemed a bit undercooked, the gyro dry, and the calamari cold. The people are very great though and the service is excellent. May give them a second chance just for that! read more

We have been the yesterday, Talha was good served, good food and good place. Thank you

I only went for the hookah and I'd go back there Best hookah ever! Smooth and flavorful The server recommended a refreshing cucumber cocktail which I thoroughly enjoyed. I didn't try any meal but definitely next time. read more

The food was 5, the service was 3. The hostess/waitress was very inattentive and annoyed that customers exist. She lost interest when we didn't order alcohol and not once refilled our water. When they brought hookah, the little hose kept falling out and we asked the waitress to help us and she seemed bothered. But.... They have the softest, juiciest chicken kabob... so I will go there again, but I hope to get another server. read more

Cafe Efendi - Chicken Kebab Lunch - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

Food is very good. We had the appetizer sampler, the mixed grill and the Kazandibi dessert. Everything tasted good. Unfortunately service was lacking and when we presented them the Yelp coupon for check-in, they said they "don't work with Yelp" lol! I would have raised a bigger stink about it but my husband is nicer than me and quickly said no problem. The music is too loud (waitress could never hear what you are saying) and I have seen many people complain about that but obviously they wouldn't know since they clearly "don't work with Yelp" lol! A restaurant is not going to go far these days if they don't look at their online reviews! read more

Cafe Efendi - Mixed Grill Kebab Dinner - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

The food was very good. My wife and I split the mix grill Kebab and the small appetizer sampler. It was also served with bread which also was very good. The service was lacking as we had to ask twice to fill up our water glass. Also there was a Yelp coupon for some special bread and they would not honor it. The waitress says they don't work with Yelp. We had the Kazandibi for desert and it was amazing. All in all a good place to eat for sure and with a little work this place could be 5 stars. read more

Cafe Efendi - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

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It was an excellent service by Ozlem and You should try Deniz's special hookah :) read more

The best hookah I have had in a while!! The hookah bowls are so clean you can see the water perfectly. They have a dj and belly dancers on the weekends. The service was amazing as well. They were really fast and attentive. This will be our new hookah spot! read more

This place has never disappointed me so far. Their delicious food, cleanliness of the restaurant, nice atmosphere, and friendliness of the staff - everything is at its high quality and standard. I like their portion sizes - it's always for dinner and next day delicious lunch :). It became my favorite place in Alpharetta. read more

Best place for Hookah, food and Crowd. They can make the place great by removing the dividing wall & making a square shape bar..! read more

My husband and I really love this place. The food is always fresh and delicious. The team working here is friendly and always so attentive. The atmosphere is very nice as well. It's truly a fave spot of ours to chill and enjoy great food. Come check them out! read more

Cafe Efendi - The hookah and hummus was on point! - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

In a state flooded with competing hookah spots that offer Mediterranean fare, you'd think it would be hard to stand out. Yet given how poorly some of these places operate, this isn't too much of a challenge. Luckily for Cafe Efendi, they stand out for the right reasons. The service was friendly, quick and efficient. We were seated quickly on a busy night, our orders were taken swiftly, our food came out in good timing and our water glasses were constantly full. The ambience was great for a Friday night out with friends. Live music, a belly dancer and a vibrant crowd (albeit a little loud - so be mindful this isn't a quiet place). The food was great. Notable items we had were the liver (which was tender, juicy and flavorful) and dip sampler. The hookah was great too. Well-priced, tended with coals frequently and smoked well. Would certainly return. read more

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Nice people Food is so good.I always order the whole fish the Dorado and I like my mine with little crisp to it perfect with bread and salad yummy. They get it right every time. It's nice vibe in the establishment, if you like listening to music and smoking hookah. read more

Adana kabab is amazing! Breakfast is also good, I recommend you to try it in soon. It is awesome!

First impressions - nice and clean ambience. The menu was quiet limited and prices were a liitle on high side. The waitress was friendly. She bought bread with some dipping sauce. The food took forever to arrive and didn't meet the expectations. Overall it was alright, nothing great to go back again. read more

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Stopped in for an impromptu lunch while in the area and oh my - what great energy in both the customers at the bar and the staff! Food is amazing and with an awesome lunch Doraville.. prepared just as requested, not charred at all even cooked on an open flame! Curious about Turkish wines but not wanting to order a full glass during the day, one of the owners, Barish provided a tasting for me and another guest and Mustafa helped me to reverse it by providing a sample of Turkish coffee! Another guest at the bar requested another tip for her hookah and shared her orange mint hookah with me! What a great experience here, I will be definitely back and often!! read more

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Cafe Efendi is a Turkish restaurant located in Alpharetta. I came here mainly to see the belly dancer because there would be a free dance class. My friend and I sat on the patio because it was a nice day to take a breath of fresh air. I ordered the falafel platter and hummus. The falafel was a bit dry for my taste but the flavors were there. I did like the hummus. Service was fine. Everything was just A-Okay so nothing memorable and not worth my drive to Alpharetta. As for the free dance class, it was just my friend and I. We were disappointed with this in general. 27/2019 read more

Cafe Efendi - hummus, pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Alpharetta, Georgia

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The food tasted fresh and flavorful. The service was personalized and the ambiance was relaxing. Loved the music they played and it was CLEAN! Now I did not use the restroom but by the cleanliness of the seating area, I'd expect the same in their restrooms. We will return. read more