I've come to Casbah Cafe a few times now and think it has some of the best vibes in the city. I typically sit outside, where -- heads up -- the ground is a bit uneven, so be aware of that for your chair and table. The outdoor environment feels like it could fit in with any city, and the indoors is beautiful and cozy. Service has always been friendly, and I've enjoyed all of the food I've gotten. I love that they have a meatless option for grape leaves (their vegetarian options in general are plentiful), and the fried jibneh is a highlight I don't see on many local menus. Their hummus is good stuff, too. I will note that I have only ordered from their appetizers and desserts, so I'm not sure how their entrees stack up. In general, I do appreciate the variety they have. They have some great teas to order, and the kunafa dessert is delicious. I've only done hookah here once, but they were attentive with the hot coals and the setup was just what you'd expect. This is one of the first places I consider when I'm in the area. I will note they get very crowded on the weekends, but it's one of my favorite spots for a weeknight hangout. read more

The ambiance here was super nice! We had live music and it transported us into a place we have never been to before. We had great service and the food was really fresh! I loved my Kibbeh, and the seasoned fries. This is a go to spot for us as we do not live to far from here and it is never a miss here. Even to just sit and have a drink with some hookah outside is also a good plan for us. I was happy that inside was smoke free, it helps non smokers not deal with smoke of that is what they desire. read more

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My friend and I walked over here for dinner last minute decision and I have to say a well worth decision! First, we had the opportunity to have Sarah as our server and she was FANTASTIC! Sarah had very strong customer centered skills, pleasant smile, professional, and was most attentive! She truly made this visit a great visit. My friend had the falafel pita which she said was very good! It looked moist and not dried out so that was a good thing. I should've tried it, but I didn't. I had the tabouli. The tabouli was fresh full of flavor and outstanding! We split an order of the hummus, which I will say I'm not the huge fan of however theirs was excellent. Add warm, fresh homemade pita it was a treat! Sitting outside under the lights on their patio area was fantastic. Just enough of a breeze, but the lights gave it a very quaint home like atmosphere. As I watched other tables, they too received the same excellent service and great foods with fresh ingredients. read more

Casbah Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Food -- 3/5 Stars First, let me say that based on the appetizers, I genuinely thought I was about to give the food five stars. My friend ordered the Casbah House Fries, and they were SO good. I ordered the Zaytoon, which is essentially marinated olives, and those were really good too. At that point, I'm thinking, okay Casbah, y'all might be onto something. Unfortunately, the entrée didn't quite keep that same momentum for me. I ordered the Half Rack Lamb Chops, and I felt like my lamb was overcooked. I ended up ordering a side of tzatziki, which definitely helped, but I don't necessarily want to need a sauce to make a $38 entrée more enjoyable. I'd absolutely order the appetizers again, but next time I'd probably try a different entrée--or honestly, just make a meal out of appetizers. Ambiance -- 5/5 Stars Now THIS is where Casbah shines. The place is definitely a vibe. Inside feels a little more intimate, while outside has a completely different energy with the music playing, hookah flowing, and people just enjoying themselves. I also liked the TVs around the bar. It's a small touch, but it makes the space work for sports fans who want to catch a game without necessarily going to a traditional sports bar. I'd return for the atmosphere alone. Service -- 2/5 Stars I'm honestly wondering if they may have been understaffed during our visit. Our server was nice, so my rating isn't about her attitude at all. She just seemed overwhelmed, and unfortunately, that showed in the amount of time it took for her to check back in with us or return with things we'd requested. There were several moments where we were simply waiting much longer than expected. She was pleasant when we interacted with her, but the service itself could definitely have been more attentive. Drinks -- 3/5 Stars The drinks were okay. Nothing was bad, but nothing made me stop and say, Ohhhh, you HAVE to try this. I wouldn't specifically return to Casbah because I'm craving one of their cocktails, but if I'm already there enjoying the atmosphere and hookah, I'd have another drink. Overall -- 4/5 Stars Overall, I'm giving Casbah four stars because despite a few misses, it's still somewhere I'd return. Personally, I think Casbah works better as a "meet your friends, order a bunch of appetizers, get some hookah, have a couple drinks, and enjoy the vibe" kind of place than a traditional date-night dinner spot. And honestly? That's perfectly fine. Every restaurant doesn't have to be everything. Give me those Casbah House Fries, some Zaytoon, good music, a couple drinks, and a table outside with friends, and I could absolutely see myself having a good time here again. What I Ordered: Zaytoon -- $5.00 Half Rack Lamb Chops -- $38.00 Side of Tzatziki -- $2.00 Summer Rose Cocktail -- $15.00 Blueberry Mojito -- $14.00 Service Fee: $8.15 "A small service fee is applied to all transactions to help cover operational cost." Total: $82.15 read more

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On our 5-day trip (from CA) we visited this place 3x! Not only it is walking distance to our Airbnb, we were already impressed on our first time as well; from the exceptional service of Noah, to the flavorful foods and cool ambiance!!! Chicken kabobs 4 and shrimp kabobs 5 were delicious; on our 3rd & last night we had shrimp and lamb combo with sides 5 (as recommended by manager Sharbel, who was very accommodating and super friendly). The cheese rolls were amazing; tabbouleh was so refreshing; hummus was perfectly creamy topped with crunchy chick peas!!! If we ever come back to Jacksonville, Florida, we'll definitely visit this place again! Love the place, love the food, love the service!!! read more

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Frequent Flyer at This Terrific Spot! The appetizers, entrées, adult beverages, and desserts are all delectable! We love coming on the bellydancing nights! They are spectacular! Charbel, thank you for making our night perfect: you are so attentive, friendly, and wonderful! Btw, the cafe is located in a very nice spot for elegant shopping & specialty-cocktail barhopping. read more

Casbah Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Our dinner plans for tonight started last night when my wife said she wanted to go somewhere with hummus on Friday. I said "you know what? Let's use this as an excuse to finally go to The Casbah Cafe Cabaret & Hookah Lounge for the first time". They're at 3628 St Johns Avenue in Avondale. We've heard so many good things and finally made it there tonight. We started with the Old City Sampler because it has hummus along with a whole bunch of other stuff. I mean....a LOT of food for the price. This is probably going to come as a surprise but among as a surprise to many but because of the sampler we both had grape leaves for the first time ever tonight. We loved them! And yes, my wife really liked the hummus. I ordered the Shawarma Platter with Lamb for my entree. Normally I wait til the end of a review to shout a server but I'll throw that part in here. Not only was Victoria delightful but she REALLY saved me from mistakes I was going to make in picking sides. I was trying to go as plain as possible with my sides and she really steered my towards Baba Ganoush. Again, this was my first time ever trying it. Listen to Victoria. Order the things she tells you to order. It was great! The lamb itself was great but honestly, I expected it to be. I was more taken with the fact that everything worked together so well given I'd never tried a whole side dish before. On her own accord, my wife tried something entirely new to her as well. She ordered Musakhan Wraps. She loved how tangy the meat was even though she wasn't expecting it and she liked the texture a lot. The wrap dough was flaky and great. She got to pick one side so she chose more hummus because that's what brought us to the dance this evening. This was a GREAT first visit to Casbah. I totally get why we've heard such great things. Like so many places, I'm sure there's a ton on the menu we need to go back for too. Even though I already gave her a shout out, it's worth saying one more time that Victoria was an awesome server! A version of this review originally appeared in the Jacksonville Fun, Eats & Drinks Facebook group. read more

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We dined in on a weeknight. We were seated right away. We asked about the happy hour special but were told all the house wine was being used for a party that was being hosted. We ordered the batata harra which was pleasantly spicy. The mujaddara was relatively dry with a lot of lentils as compared to the onions. Overall it was an okay experience and the food was good but nothing exceptional read more

Casbah Cafe - Batata Harra - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Had dinner here with some friends. the food was great. And our server Logan was super kind and helpful!

Wonderful dinner and happy hour at Casbah Cafe. Authentic middle eastern food and atmosphere . Delicious chicken swarma and tabbouleh salad. Hookah lounge and cabaret. Very cool vibe! read more

Casbah Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

The food was great and the customer service was amazing !! Me and my friends are coming back

I was recently back in Jacksonville and stumbled across this place... Turns out, I went there a handful of times years ago. The courtyard is still the same (quaint and plenty of seating) and the weather was perfect! We enjoyed a few of the menu items that were recommended by our wonderful server. The sampler that they have was by far my favorite! Our server was super friendly and we would definitely go back whenever we're in Jacksonville. read more

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My second day in a row here, and the food and vibe do not disappoint! Karina, Nikki, and Sara were all so lovely and took such great care of us. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and made the experience feel that much more special. We also had some amazing conversations with Charbel, the manager, and got to know a little bit about his story and the heart behind what he does. He was so personable and kind, and you can tell he genuinely cares about the people who walk through the door. And of course, the food! I've had the sangria and absolutely love it. Their tabbouleh is also SO good. I added shrimp to mine and would definitely recommend it. Everything I've tried so far has been fresh, flavorful, and delicious. Between the food, drinks, atmosphere, and genuinely wonderful people, this has quickly become a new favorite. Two days in a row should tell you everything you need to know I'll definitely be back! read more

Casbah Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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We had an excellent experience here for lunch. There were 4 of us and we ate out on the patio which was perfect, nice and shady and tree covered. The service was fantastic, a young lady who knew the ins and outs of the menu which is very middle eastern and very tasty. They also have American dishes for the less adventurous. I like to drink a beer or 2 and they have 2 Lebanese beers that I had never had before. They were nice light pilsners. We will definitely go again! read more

I've been coming to Casbah for well over twenty years (please don't do the math--I'm already on the cusp of dodging AARP snail mail). This place has never let me down. The food is always on point, the service is next-level, and the energy is perfection. I've butchered the pronunciation of more dishes than I care to admit (why am I suddenly shy when ordering?), but the food still comes out absolutely incredible every time. They just get it. New menu item? Say less. I'm not even pretending to read the description--just put it on my tab and watch it become my new obsession. Belly dancers every Friday and Saturday night? Yes - It's a whole experience, not just a meal. And don't even get me started on the hookah. I've thrown together combos that sound like a dare, and somehow it's still the smoothest, most flavorful thing I've ever had. I don't know what kind of wizardry is happening back there, but I'm into it. I know some of you are reading this thinking, "Okay, who is she crushing on or related to here?" (Shh, I'll never tell my secrets *insert winking emoji here) -- Honestly; I just genuinely love this spot - that's it. The new owners kept the heart of Casbah but gave it a glow-up. It's still that cozy, inclusive spot where everyone feels welcome. Forever a fan ~ Forever returning. read more

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Casbah Mediterranean Café is an absolute treasure tucked away in the heart of Avondale. From the moment you step inside, the decor transports you -- rich textiles, warm lighting, and intricate details evoke a true Mediterranean charm that's both inviting and elegant. It's the kind of ambiance that makes you want to linger. Insanely good kebabs. Perfectly grilled, super flavorful, and just the right amount of char. You can tell they really know what they're doing with the spices. But the standout for me was their shawarma hummus--such a cool twist! Creamy hummus topped with tender, spiced shawarma... it's genius. Comfort food with a creative upgrade. Great food, great atmosphere, and definitely one of my new favorites in the area. read more

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We went to dinner here on a whim and left VERY satisfied! We both ordered the lamb kabobs and were pleasantly surprised at how tender and well-seasoned their meat is. Our waitress was so sweet and very accommodating. It wasn't too busy, so it felt cozy and intimate. I definitely want to go back and try more dishes! read more

This is definitely a Avondale staple has the middle eastern vibe. They also have good sangria and a hookah bar not for everyone, but I had a good time when I came here. I especially love the homemade hummus. They now have a new brunch menu. For Amplified Avondale the had fire throwers for entertainment which was cool. Not a fan of Middle Eastern food but my friends who I came with had a good time. read more

This was our first time going to this restaurant. It had a comfortable ambience, providing options to sit out and smoke a hookah or sit inside in a comfortably lit restaurant. The server was very helpful and the food was delicious. I'm always looking for good chicken Shawarma and I found it here. And the fattouche salad was delicious. Not sure what was in/on the pita chips but it provided a hint of sweetness. The hummus had a nice lemon flavor unlike other restaurants who make bland hummus. We will definitely be back! read more

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I've been a regular at Casbah for over 3 years I come multiple times a week and love the staff. There is a new bartender named Kale that consistently treats me in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable. It started with questioning friends paying for my tab but the last few weeks I have been honestly offended. The other week she didn't take my order until after 20 minutes of waiting at the bar. This week I didn't receive my hookah until after 40 minutes of ordering and people who came after me received theirs. I have been through multiple staff and management changes and always have had a strong relationship with the staff but I feel targeted even though I consistently tip 20% plus and come multiple days each week. read more

After 4 years, COVID and renovation of the restaurant. We both can say it was great as we remember it from 4 years ago and even better. Great service and freshness of homemade food prepared with heart. Great Lentil Soup read more

Casbah Cafe - For Two was 3 Apps or Mezze and 2 kabobs - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Actually a very nice place. Bar area is where you can do the hookahs. Nice outside seating and the other side is non smoking. Good selection on menu and bar. Started off with grape leaves (meat ones and yes you have a choice) they were excellent. Probably some of the best I've had. Main course was gyro with saffron rice. Very stuffed and good tzatiki sauce. Ended the night with tiramisu dessert. All good. And the waitress was wonderful. Never been called "love" that many times... lol Will be back. read more

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My wife and I have been to the Casbah twice now and we like the food there. Service has been good both times the only problem I have is that both times that we've been we order a bunch of appetizers and then never order our main course because we're too full. Maybe one day we'll get around to actually eating a main entrée. Atmosphere is very casual and relaxed. The staff has been friendly and helpful. I avoid the hookah area. And I don't care for the belly dancer stuff other than that it's a great restaurant things that I can recommend are the falafel, the kibbeh, the mahamarra dip, and the tabouli. Two items we ordered I probably would not order again, which were the eggplant appetizer which I don't like eggplant, but my wife does, but these are cured to where they taste like olives and my wife doesn't really like olives either and neither do I the other thing was the baked cheese, which to me was just too bland. read more

Came here for lunch. Delicious food, good service and attentive. We were pretty satisfied. read more

Casbah Cafe - Came for lunch, delicious and very good food. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

First time coming here; Evelyn greeted me and my friend at the front. Was super gracious, picked out a lovely table for us and as the weather picked up both her and Tatiana were kind enough to move us inside. Beer is cold and came out fast, was intrigued by the hookah but feared the commitment. 10/10 experience staff and beverages were great. read more

Everytime I come here I have the best experience. The vibes inside are always welcoming. Our server Charbel was amazing. He gives incredible insight into the best items on the menu and even gave us things to order next time we are here. The food here always, always, always hits the spot. One of my favorite restaurants and will always recommend to others. read more

Casbah Cafe - Grape leaves, Sigara Borek, Batata Harra - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

We decided to give Casbah Café a shot hoping for a flavorful Middle Eastern experience. The place definitely has a great vibe, they have happy hour specials on drinks and hookahs which, set the mood. Though, oddly enough, the food was left out of the discount fun. That was a bit of a buzzkill. One thing I did love was the seating setup: They have an outdoor area for those who enjoy a good breeze with their hookahs, and a separate indoor section strictly for the hookah crowd. As someone who doesn't partake in hookah, I was very happy to sit in the non-smoky indoor section, far away from any accidental lung workouts. The menu had plenty of options, so I started with the Batata Harra which should have been spicy, well-seasoned potato cubes drizzled in olive oil. Instead, I got what felt like someone's last-minute attempt at home fries. No spice, barely any seasoning, just sad little potato cubes in search of purpose. For my main course, I ordered the Swordfish Kabobs with Rice Pilaf. The fish itself was meaty, but it was two seconds away from being burnt beyond recognition. I had to perform some delicate nibbling maneuvers to avoid the charred bits. The rice pilaf? Dry enough to make me wonder if I was supposed to pair it with a drink for hydration purposes. Speaking of which, I asked for a sauce, and thankfully, our amazing waitress Bella brought out a garlic sauce that became my meal's superhero; Rescuing both the fish and the rice from their flavorless fate. For drinks, I went with the Summer Rose cocktail which was a mix of pineapple juice, grenadine, and allegedly some kind of liquor. Either it was a very light pour, or the liquor was playing a solid game of hide and seek, because I definitely couldn't taste it. Presentation-wise, though, it was Instagram worthy. My friend ordered the Old City Sampler, which at least delivered in the hummus department. The pita was soft, fresh, and hot everything you want in a carb-based best friend. Overall, the vibe was cool, and the conversation was great, but for the price and the food? I'm not sure I'd make a return visit. Maybe if they let the food in on the Happy Hour action, we'd talk. read more

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I absolutely love Casbah -- such a great vibe and always so much fun. The food is unique and fresh and you will enjoy anything that you order. Hookah is a must for my fellow Hookah-lovers :) Lots of great options and they take great care of you. Whether you're stopping in for a quick and quiet meal or planning to hang at night and enjoy live music or trivia - you'll feel right at home! read more

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Went there on a Friday they had a live belly dancer which I wasn't expecting. No thoughts either way about it she did engage the customers and they seemed to enjoy it. I ordered the shrimp kabobs and hummus they were both very good and flavorful. read more

Great food, Great staff, Victoria and Rami make you feel like family when you come in and dine. Really get the full Mediterranean hospitality with this place. My favorite Mediterranean spot in Jax! read more

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Loved the ambiance! Huge facility with a couple of patios for outdoor dining. Food and service were great too. Planning to return soon. read more

The server was so sweet. It was nice to be treated well. The food was yummy! And the portions were decent. I don't need or want a ton of food, but I don't want one of those tiny, fancy servings either. The mint tea is delicious and served the way it should be. The olives and cheese etc were all very good. The vibe is good overall, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I love the occasional smell of the hookah but if you don't- sit elsewhere I guess. Overall, it was a fun Friday experience. read more

The Casbah has some of the best outdoor seating and atmosphere amongst the other restaurant options in Avondale. Paired with the fresh, reasonably priced menu, it's a wonderful option for a fun date night or a night out with friends. I have enjoyed this restaurant for the last 20 years and the improvements to the setting and menu have only gotten better - super enjoyable experience through and through! read more

Love this place! My friend and I sat on the outside patio enjoying beautiful weather, hookah, delicious food with a great ambiance! Our waitress was Alexis and she was amazing and gave outstanding service! ! Will definitely go back. Highly recommend this place! read more

Casbah Cafe - Our wonderful waitress Alexis in the middle! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Been here a couple of times, but never on a Monday night. I was expecting the usual amazing Mediterranean food the place has to offer, but they topped it off with fantastic life music from Godiva_music. I ordered the lamb shawarma over hummus, and almost licked the plate cause I didn't want it to end. The hummus is incredibly creamy and the lamb is cooked to perfection. Also to note, which may go unnoticed, is their pita bread which is served warmed and certainly feels home made. Sah-ten! read more

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"I enjoying hookah and I can confidently say that Casbah is one of the best hookah spots in Jacksonville. The flavors are excellent, and the service is always warm and welcoming. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can relax inside or enjoy the fresh air outside." read more

Casbah has been here for so long! When a restaurant can survive for years and years it's always a good sign! This is actually the first place I tried Mediterranean foods, started my love affair with them! Coming on a Friday night they were slammed busy, but service was fast! First the restaurant is beautiful! Great big patio out front, then inside is covered with plants! LOVE it!! Just for the vibe you should eat here! lol Now to the food, it was ok imo, I got shrimp kabobs and they were really over cooked to rubbery...I'm thinking I should have ordered something else, maybe the lamb! There is other spots that I like better in terms of the food, but in terms of the ambiance Casbahs got them beat! Ideal here would be on a nice ( cooler!) evening get a table on the patio get a bunch of appetizers ( mezze) and a hookah and enjoy! :) read more

Casbah Cafe - Shrimp kabobs - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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I went with a group of friends to try the Casbah Cafe on a Friday night. I made reservations as there were 9 of us. They specialize in mediterranean food and hookah. My friends and I ordered so much food and shared and I loved everything! Some of my favorites were hummus topped with seasoned meat, meat pies and labneh (used it to dip my lamb kababs). The lamb kababs were fabulous! Some of the best tasting lamb I have ever tried;) The cheese pies were out of this world. I've never tasted anything like them. I typically don't get excited over stuffed grape leaves, but loved Casbah's! I suggest buying the combo for two as you get three appetizers of your choice and two kababs. I split the combo with a friend. Happy hour ends at 7 PM. I was able to get two beers for $9. And I can't forget the dessert, kunafa (also called knafeh). I took one bite of a friend's and ordered my own to take home. It's made with a spun pastry soaked in sweet sugar based syrup and layered with cheese. Trust me, you'll want to try this! Our server did pretty well keeping up with our large group. However, we did have to ask for water repeatedly. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and there was a dj outside. Bonus, the restrooms were clean and there was a nice outdoor patio. I can't wait to go back and have more yummy food! read more

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Don't bring your kids and if your under 21 not for you and if your cheap and on a budget it isn't for you but the hookah my brother and mom seemed to enjoy them the food starts at 14$+ so yea The service were great the Ambiance was very nice the staff were kind people The food isn't for you if you don't on't like turmeric zesty taste because you cant taste the Mediterranean ingredients in the food. 3/5 but if you smoke you will like the place alot it was very Quiet calm and peaceful! read more

Casbah Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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K made me the best old fashioned I've ever had! Super service with a smile. A must go to spot. Super chill atmosphere and friendly staff. A+ service! read more