Kismet Cafe
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I've probably been to Kismet 20 times and it's pretty consistently good. It sits in a strip of restaurants by the HEB near the UT campus, very casual, order at the counter, they call your name, no frills, just solid Mediterranean Greek comfort food. The fries are honestly my favorite thing here. They're super crispy and coated in a kind of Cajun seasoning that makes absolutely no sense at a Mediterranean spot, but I get them every time. My usual go-to is the Veggie Supreme wrap. It's packed with veggies, you can make it spicy (which you should), and it just hits every time. The day I took the photo for this review I switched it up and ordered the chicken over rice. I was expecting grilled strips, but it came out more like shredded chicken. Not a deal breaker, still tasty and filling, and the rice is buttery in all the right ways. Also, open late if you are looking for a late night option!
I ordered the Mezza plate. The dish itself had a side salad, falafels, hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki and a side of lavash. I was hoping that it would have some chili sauce on the side, but there was nothing to really give it any flavor. The best part of the dish were the falafel themselves since they were crispy on the outside and not too greasy, which is fantastic. The second best part of the dish was a hummus, which was lemony and creamy. I'm glad that I was able to order healthy food at a late time of the evening and DoorDash brought it all the way up to my room.
I was craving some good Greek, so a friend and I met here for lunch. This was my first time here, so I stuck with my standard gyro wrap. While my wrap was certainly acceptable, it didn't stand out in any way that would make me want to come back. That X factor that makes us say, "I definitely want to eat here again!" Is not based on any one thing, even the quality of the food--though that's important. Ambiance is part of it, and Kismet is reasonably pleasant, but despite the nice tile, the carpets and travel posters on the wall, it has a somewhat generic feel. In short, it feels like a fast-casual place because of the decor and the fact that you order at the counter, but the prices, to me at least, seem more appropriate for a table service restaurant. I paid $14 for my Gyro Wrap and yogurt drink (that I fetched myself from the cooler). The wrap itself was smallish, and dumped on my table, a lonely little foil-wrapped thing on a cafeteria tray. I felt disappointed before I even unwrapped it. Once unwrapped, I realized I had no napkins or tableware and had to go get my own "napkins," by tearing a bit off a roll of paper towels on the stand on the other side of the cafe. It tasted okay, but I wished I hadn't gone with "spicy," which the order taker recommended. It wasn't TERRIBLY hot, but it was intrusive enough that I could barely taste the meat. My friend ordered a "quesadilla," which came in a takeout-style clamshell and was also dumped at our table on a tray, with no napkin or implements. I asked how it was, and she just said it was okay. She did share her fries, which were hot and fresh. If my wrap had been exquisite, huge, or memorable in any way, I might have forgiven all of the disappointing aspects of this first visit. But it wasn't. There are just too many places in Austin where I can sit at a nice table, be waited on, be given napkins and tableware and PLATES, spend just a little more $$ and have much better food (and an entire MEAL) and have a much more pleasant experience. I won't be back.
I came to Kismit Café to explore some new places in my area. I ordered the Chicken and Gyro plate along with a slice of baklava. It was a rainy Saturday evening, and the café was doing well, with a couple of tables occupied by diners and two people ahead of me for takeout. The food came out really quickly; I was still reading the rest of the menu, considering ordering a Cauliflower Exploding Wrap with fries, when my order was ready. The trade-off, however, was that the plate was probably just at room temperature--I would have preferred the meat and rice to be hotter. The plate included two sauces and pita bread. I enjoyed making myself a wrap with the tzatziki sauce. The baklava for takeout came in a sealed plastic container. While the taste was fine, it wasn't as fresh as I had hoped. Overall, the experience was fine, but I can't say it's a place I would actively seek out. The most memorable aspect was the speed of service. This place would work well if you're looking to grab food quickly, and the option to choose two meats at a reasonable price is a nice perk.
Truly a classic for UT students and alumni! I am so glad they were open late. I had a gyro, which was pretty good and substantial. The service was fast and friendly, with no delay from the kitchen. This is a great place to meet with your friends or large groups. Or by yourself, or takeout works as well.
I come to Kismet almost every time I visit Austin because it is just that good! They have many vegetarian options, but my favorite is definitely the chicken plate! They provide a large quantity so it ia great that that provide all orders in to go containers. You can eat as much as you can and take the rest to go easily! One plate can easily be shared by two people. The eggplant was my favorite veggie item. I also highly recommend mixing the rice with the white and red sauce! I'm not a huge fan of the tzatziki sauce but the regular white and red sauce are such a fire combo here! They do not disappoint with these sauces! It is also amazing that that don't charge extra for these sauces, where most other stores have been charging for any sauce they provide. The waiter was very patient because we took a while to order since there were so many options. He even took the time to explain what the items on the menu were. The ambience is a bit more on a chill size. Some of the seating is torn up and the bathroom isn't super clean, but the food is worth it! You can always take it to go if the ambience does not fit your vibe!
The loaded Gyro is an absolute must! So much flavor is the sauce!! I walked out paying just under $25 for two people and with left overs, it was so worth it. Big tip, if you get the loaded gyro, get it spicy with fries on the side, so GOOD. The service was friendly and super fast. I don't think we waited more than 5 minutes after we sat. For a cheap dinner that's packed full of flavor you got to try it out! Plus the music choice is absolutely PERFECT
My go-to place after seeing a show at the Bass Concert Hall. Tasty, affordable, big portion sizes, and open late. Love how smooth the hummus is here, and how tangy the tabbouleh salad is. The meat is good and very generously portioned. I always end up getting something different and it's always good.
Needed a spot to grab something vegetarian and filling, for a Lenten Friday. Kismet came up as an option for the Mediterranean in the area. While I'm not too fond of the shopping area, I would certainly recommend Kismet. Easy to order, either with an employee at the counter or using their kiosk screen. Tables kept clean. I ordered the Vegetarian Mezza with a side of Lentil soup and a side of extra hummus. Would order again! The hummus was served smooth and creamy, unlike gritty hummus you'd find at a store. The falafel was crisp and not overly oily. The eggplant dip, despite looking similar to the hummus, had a distinct taste that added variety to the dish. Also came with tabouli.
Eggplant dip is lovely, hummus traditional and solid. VERY good proportions for the price (2 for roughly $25). Chicken over rice is simple and still a staple for me. Cauliflower is nice and the pita is great with the dips Cheers!
The P17 at Kismet is to die for! There are many halal bowl options in the Austin area but I truly believe this one has to be the best. There's something about that jalapeño sauce that is so incredible and unreplicable. The style of this place is "build your own" with choosing from bowls or pitas. Flavor and quantity is plentiful. Not the best area to sit and eat so would recommend take out
Casual Mediterranean spot. Generous portions and the salad tastes fresh. I got the drizzled plate with chicken. I think the chicken was a bit overcooked. I like the spicy hot sauce they use. Good spot for a quick and casual meal.
Really enjoy this place. It is tucked away in the food strip mall section of Hancock Center where the new/updated HEB lies. It is simple place. Order food at counter and pick it up. Staff is so friendly and helping adding all kinds of additonal dipping sauces. The ambiance is very casual and welcoming. I have customers from Europe visiting me this week and we went here. They loved it and the relaxed atmosphere of Austin TX. They said it was some of the best halal that they have had across the globe. read more
11 months ago
My work day was quite busy. Decision point: what can I buy for lunch as I navigate two appointments. Light bulb moment: Kismet Café located in the Hancock shopping center across the parking lot from HEB. Kismet Cafe is a casual, affordable Mediterranean restaurant, which specializes in dishes like chicken shawarma, gyro wraps, and vegetarian options. I ordered the chicken shawarma wrap. The chicken was moist and flavorful along with the yogurt rich sauce, which complemented the tomatoes and lettuce. I was pleased with all the ingredients. The wrap itself was a bit hard. They were also serving baklava at $1.99 each, which is the cheapest price I have ever seen for baklava. The restaurant looked a little lived-in with a neighborhood feel. At the end of the day most folks take their food to go, so all that matters is the taste of the food. Kismet is open until midnight daily, which is rare for Mediterranean and other restaurants in Austin. It makes it easy for those folks to grab food after studying (near the University of Texas at Austin), after dancing or someone with a wild craving late at night. In addition, there is an abundance of free parking. Overall, Kismet café has good food at affordable prices and has convenient hours. read more
20 days ago
I've probably been to Kismet 20 times and it's pretty consistently good. It sits in a strip of restaurants by the HEB near the UT campus, very casual, order at the counter, they call your name, no frills, just solid Mediterranean Greek comfort food. The fries are honestly my favorite thing here. They're super crispy and coated in a kind of Cajun seasoning that makes absolutely no sense at a Mediterranean spot, but I get them every time. My usual go-to is the Veggie Supreme wrap. It's packed with veggies, you can make it spicy (which you should), and it just hits every time. The day I took the photo for this review I switched it up and ordered the chicken over rice. I was expecting grilled strips, but it came out more like shredded chicken. Not a deal breaker, still tasty and filling, and the rice is buttery in all the right ways. Also, open late if you are looking for a late night option! read more
I ordered the Mezza plate. The dish itself had a side salad, falafels, hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki and a side of lavash. I was hoping that it would have some chili sauce on the side, but there was nothing to really give it any flavor. The best part of the dish were the falafel themselves since they were crispy on the outside and not too greasy, which is fantastic. The second best part of the dish was a hummus, which was lemony and creamy. I'm glad that I was able to order healthy food at a late time of the evening and DoorDash brought it all the way up to my room. read more
I was craving some good Greek, so a friend and I met here for lunch. This was my first time here, so I stuck with my standard gyro wrap. While my wrap was certainly acceptable, it didn't stand out in any way that would make me want to come back. That X factor that makes us say, "I definitely want to eat here again!" Is not based on any one thing, even the quality of the food--though that's important. Ambiance is part of it, and Kismet is reasonably pleasant, but despite the nice tile, the carpets and travel posters on the wall, it has a somewhat generic feel. In short, it feels like a fast-casual place because of the decor and the fact that you order at the counter, but the prices, to me at least, seem more appropriate for a table service restaurant. I paid $14 for my Gyro Wrap and yogurt drink (that I fetched myself from the cooler). The wrap itself was smallish, and dumped on my table, a lonely little foil-wrapped thing on a cafeteria tray. I felt disappointed before I even unwrapped it. Once unwrapped, I realized I had no napkins or tableware and had to go get my own "napkins," by tearing a bit off a roll of paper towels on the stand on the other side of the cafe. It tasted okay, but I wished I hadn't gone with "spicy," which the order taker recommended. It wasn't TERRIBLY hot, but it was intrusive enough that I could barely taste the meat. My friend ordered a "quesadilla," which came in a takeout-style clamshell and was also dumped at our table on a tray, with no napkin or implements. I asked how it was, and she just said it was okay. She did share her fries, which were hot and fresh. If my wrap had been exquisite, huge, or memorable in any way, I might have forgiven all of the disappointing aspects of this first visit. But it wasn't. There are just too many places in Austin where I can sit at a nice table, be waited on, be given napkins and tableware and PLATES, spend just a little more $$ and have much better food (and an entire MEAL) and have a much more pleasant experience. I won't be back. read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
I came to Kismit Café to explore some new places in my area. I ordered the Chicken and Gyro plate along with a slice of baklava. It was a rainy Saturday evening, and the café was doing well, with a couple of tables occupied by diners and two people ahead of me for takeout. The food came out really quickly; I was still reading the rest of the menu, considering ordering a Cauliflower Exploding Wrap with fries, when my order was ready. The trade-off, however, was that the plate was probably just at room temperature--I would have preferred the meat and rice to be hotter. The plate included two sauces and pita bread. I enjoyed making myself a wrap with the tzatziki sauce. The baklava for takeout came in a sealed plastic container. While the taste was fine, it wasn't as fresh as I had hoped. Overall, the experience was fine, but I can't say it's a place I would actively seek out. The most memorable aspect was the speed of service. This place would work well if you're looking to grab food quickly, and the option to choose two meats at a reasonable price is a nice perk. read more
Truly a classic for UT students and alumni! I am so glad they were open late. I had a gyro, which was pretty good and substantial. The service was fast and friendly, with no delay from the kitchen. This is a great place to meet with your friends or large groups. Or by yourself, or takeout works as well. read more
I come to Kismet almost every time I visit Austin because it is just that good! They have many vegetarian options, but my favorite is definitely the chicken plate! They provide a large quantity so it ia great that that provide all orders in to go containers. You can eat as much as you can and take the rest to go easily! One plate can easily be shared by two people. The eggplant was my favorite veggie item. I also highly recommend mixing the rice with the white and red sauce! I'm not a huge fan of the tzatziki sauce but the regular white and red sauce are such a fire combo here! They do not disappoint with these sauces! It is also amazing that that don't charge extra for these sauces, where most other stores have been charging for any sauce they provide. The waiter was very patient because we took a while to order since there were so many options. He even took the time to explain what the items on the menu were. The ambience is a bit more on a chill size. Some of the seating is torn up and the bathroom isn't super clean, but the food is worth it! You can always take it to go if the ambience does not fit your vibe! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
The loaded Gyro is an absolute must! So much flavor is the sauce!! I walked out paying just under $25 for two people and with left overs, it was so worth it. Big tip, if you get the loaded gyro, get it spicy with fries on the side, so GOOD. The service was friendly and super fast. I don't think we waited more than 5 minutes after we sat. For a cheap dinner that's packed full of flavor you got to try it out! Plus the music choice is absolutely PERFECT read more
3 years ago
My go-to place after seeing a show at the Bass Concert Hall. Tasty, affordable, big portion sizes, and open late. Love how smooth the hummus is here, and how tangy the tabbouleh salad is. The meat is good and very generously portioned. I always end up getting something different and it's always good. read more
Needed a spot to grab something vegetarian and filling, for a Lenten Friday. Kismet came up as an option for the Mediterranean in the area. While I'm not too fond of the shopping area, I would certainly recommend Kismet. Easy to order, either with an employee at the counter or using their kiosk screen. Tables kept clean. I ordered the Vegetarian Mezza with a side of Lentil soup and a side of extra hummus. Would order again! The hummus was served smooth and creamy, unlike gritty hummus you'd find at a store. The falafel was crisp and not overly oily. The eggplant dip, despite looking similar to the hummus, had a distinct taste that added variety to the dish. Also came with tabouli. read more
3 years ago
Eggplant dip is lovely, hummus traditional and solid. VERY good proportions for the price (2 for roughly $25). Chicken over rice is simple and still a staple for me. Cauliflower is nice and the pita is great with the dips Cheers! read more
2 years ago
The P17 at Kismet is to die for! There are many halal bowl options in the Austin area but I truly believe this one has to be the best. There's something about that jalapeño sauce that is so incredible and unreplicable. The style of this place is "build your own" with choosing from bowls or pitas. Flavor and quantity is plentiful. Not the best area to sit and eat so would recommend take out read more
Casual Mediterranean spot. Generous portions and the salad tastes fresh. I got the drizzled plate with chicken. I think the chicken was a bit overcooked. I like the spicy hot sauce they use. Good spot for a quick and casual meal. read more
Walked in and saw contact free codes all over tables for easy ordering. You can also order up at the counter if you'd like. I got the veggie plate with rice. Ordering on phone with Toast was slightly confusing on what subbing meant (I accidentally ordered double salad when I was trying to specify that I wanted hummus - will order at the counter next time probably just to be sure). Salad was not great. Grape leaves were alright. I got the fried cauliflower and fried zucchini - zucchini was great and rice was great, cauliflower was only gently charred on the outside but still just seemed steamed in the middle. Had to cover with the garlic sauce to eat it. Will definitely come back though to try the chicken over rice (and hummus). The service was quite fast. Also, the baklava was great! read more
Food was okay here. We ordered the cauliflower, beef shawarma, and chicken shawarma. Both the beef & chicken shawarmas were shareable. I can only speak for the chicken but it was very dry and the pieces were cut super tiny. The rice wasn't very flavorful either. The hummus was good though and the salad tasted fresh. I really liked the fried cauliflower, it was pretty tasty. They don't have wifi here and the service was pretty quick. The music they play here is pretty loud/distracting. read more
It's fate that Kismet Cafe hit my radar right when I was craving something veggie-forward, but not necessarily too healthy. Fried cauliflower and zucchini over yellow rice with hummus is exactly the ticket. I would go back to get three orders of the cauliflower alone; I cannot explain or stress HOW GOOD THIS WAS. Yes, cauliflower, not cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi or pizza or rice, but just as cauliflower, cooked and seasoned PERFECTLY. Also noteworthy about this hidden gem: It's Halal It's open until midnight everyday It's highly affordable It's also full of vegan proteins like meatless gyro, shawarma, and of course falafel All the vegan things are labeled too so you're in good hands. Just go, and DON'T forget the cauliflower! read more
The p17 comes with your choice of protein over rice and salad. It's drizzled with a creamy jalapeño sauce. It's my go to dish. You can get a crazy version which has the white creamy sauce as well. I normally get the gyro or kafta (beef) with mine. I have done sambal at home to make this even more spicy and you can add some harissa if you don't any pepper paste. All the meats are tastey and I love the salad too. I mix everything well together. The food here is a really good value for money. This place is popular with students and families as well. Service is counter service and they call you when your order is ready. I usually go at lunch and there's a slight wait. You can also order ahead to go online. It normally takes about 10-15 minutes once you order. read more
1 year ago
I go here all the time for lunch because it's next to my job and i'm obsessed with it!!!!! This review is late (I've had more than 10 meals here). All the food is so fresh. I've tried several things on the menu. The wraps and the drizzle plates are some of my favorites so far. I recommend the spicy Chicken zinger wrap! I don't have a picture but it's breaded chicken with some kind of jalapeño sauce with lettuce and tomato wrapped in a large pita bread. I'm addicted. The food is not too heavy at all and there's barely any kind of grease. Really fresh mediterranean food. The creamy orange sauce drizzle plate is great too!!! Add the eggplant on it, it makes it 10x more delicious. The staff are nice, the food finished out very quickly. To-go orders are fast too--usually ready within 10 minutes. The inside is decorated nicely. Most of the light isn't from fixtures but from light coming in the building. The ambiance and music is relaxing. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
This is my second time here. First time I tried vegan options (with a side of Chicken).. :) Actually came with friends who follow vegan lifestyle, I also tried vegan that day, but order chicken, baklava, nut roll on side to try. Everything was good, but I found chicken was little dry for me. Today I tried chicken shourma roll, eggplant and hummus dip and everything was yum. Chicken was also. Had their nut roll again it became my fav. read more
I really enjoyed the gyro over rice. The portion size was great and prices were reasonable. The restaurant is very simple inside with plenty of seating. I did not like how we were given our food with single-use plastics for dine in. It is very wasteful. read more
5 years ago
My new favorite Mediterranean place! I came here for the first time today and the cashier was great at showing me all of the options and the most popular items that people order. I decided to order two chickenand falafel drizzle plates (you can get 2 meat combinations with these ) with the jalapeño sauce, but I added a side of garlic sauce because I had read other reviews stating how delicious it was. I also ordered two sides of lentil soup and this meal did not disappoint! Firstly the lentil soup was smooth but with a little rice, and it had a nice thickness to it. The soup was a little peppery but well flavored. The chicken and falafel drizzle plates were delicious! The salad was fresh and crispy and even though the sauce was added onto the items by the restaurant, by the time I got home everything still tasted delicious. I was a little worried that the Shawarma may be dry but to my surprise it was actually marinated and very juicy. I wish that there was a little bit more chicken in it be honest, but overall I was very happy with my meal and will definitely be back! read more
Located in the Hancock center, very convenient to grab a bite after grocery shopping at HEB. The business is really hot as I saw the cashier kept answering phones and taking orders. People were also there ordering from the counter. The flavor was very good! The gyro wrap was fulfilling with good balance of veggies, meat and sauce. My order came out less than 5min. Would recommend this place for sure! read more
2 years ago
A great place for Mediterranean food without it being Austin price. The food portion are big and really good for the price. My favorites there has to be their baklava. It's always so sweet and delicious. They also have a dessert called nut roll. It tasted like cashew in it. I love their crazy sauce with chicken and gyro. Their gyro wrap is decent too. I tried their eggplant side, and it was good if you like eggplant. Wished it was salted though. There's free parking and a nice dining area. read more
I was told this place was similar to Halal Bros, but I would disagree. This place definitely has more options than Halal, I was definitely overwhelmed but I don't think that the food is as flavorful. I got the Vegetarian Sampler. The best part on the plate was the cauliflower! I am normally not a cauliflower person but the way this is prepared is to die for, I wish they gave more. The hummus is also really good as well as the grape leaf wrap. The pita is a bit too hard and chewy, my jaw kind of hurt from eating it. And the eggplant in my opinion kind of lacked flavor. Good pricing and Endless options to choose from. read more
Great customer service. A blond woman helped us out. She answered all of our questions, she was great, super helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. They have chips, yogurt drinks, candy bars, ice cream, high chairs for babies, damn they have everything you need to have a comfortable and warm meal. The place is super cozy with booth and table options. The music is nice and relaxing. The food is perfect! So delicious, prepared fresh! Also cool, they have a self ordering kiosk, a really nice touch. read more
3 years ago
Great, quick Mediterranean food. The cauliflower portions were generous and it was very flavorful. The creamy orange sauce was pretty spicy, though, so beware. read more
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More info about Kismet Cafe
1000 E 41st St
Ste 200
Austin, TX 78751
Hancock, Hyde Park
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(512) 236-1811
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http://www.kismetcafe.com
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