Really love this gem! Portion is large (especially the sides!). It feels warm and welcoming. The…read morespace has a rustic vibe--lots of wood, stones, and a big mural on the wall. Fresh pita & dips (free) - 5/5 As soon as we sat down the waiter brought out pita and a special dip that I never tried in other restaurants, and the pita was still warm like it had just come out of the oven. Soft, fluffy, and really fresh. I used it to dip into the sides we ordered later--the Baba Ghanouj and Hummus. The baba ghanouj had that roasted eggplant smokiness, while the hummus was thick, creamy, and very sesame-forward. Both were solid. Flatbread Trio ($15) - 5/5 This comes with three pieces but you can order a plate of three in the same kinds: meat, za'atar spice, and cheese. The za'atar one had that unique flavor--thyme, sumac, sesame seeds. The cheese flatbread came out hot and stretchy with three cheeses melted together. The meat one had minced beef and vegetables on a thin crust with slightly crispy edges. This one really impressed me. Lamb Kabob Platter ($19) - 4/5 Ground lamb mixed with onion and spices and grilled. The texture was fairly firm and the seasoning was pretty strong--you mostly taste the spices rather than the lamb itself. It comes with grilled tomato and onion, which adds a nice bit of sweetness and balances things out. It also comes with 2 sides--we chose baba ghanouj and hummus. The sides portion is really generous. Mixed Grill Combination ($23) - 4.5/5 It includes beef tenderloin, kafta skewers, and chicken shish tawook. The beef had a nice smoky grill flavor and was quite tender. The kafta had the strongest seasoning, and the chicken ended up being the lightest and juiciest of the three. It also comes with 2 sides--we chose baba ghanouj and salad. House dessert (pistachio pastry, $6) - 4/5 Looks pretty simple, but inside there's pistachio filling that gives it a really nice nutty sweetness. Not overly sugary, which I liked. I hope it could improve its appearance a bit. The food felt comforting and homey rather than fancy, and the portions were generous for the price.

Such a good find! I was in town with family trying to find a place for 11 of us to get something to…read moreeat and as soon as we walked in we knew we had found the spot. Staff were super welcoming and happy to quickly seat us. No waiting right away we had glasses of ice water and full baskets of their fresh warm pita while we made looked over their light up menus with helpful explanations from our server to help guide us. So many delicious things came out just as fast. Meats were all juicy and seasoned to perfection the chicken, steak, and kafta Delicious! Baba ghanoush and hummus to top all of it yummy! You can really taste all the work they put into making all their food great!

The buffet is to feast your stomach. There are plenty of selections to choose from. There are…read moreplenty of humus varieties; I personally like the avocado humus. On the main course side, you have lamb, chicken, fish and beef selections. The service is good. They know how to treat their customers. If you are a first timer, don't be shy to ask questions. The location on I35 is a newer location. It used to be an Outback. The only thing I don't like about it, are the bright fluorescent over head lights.

I found a new restaurant to add to my list of #denisesafe places to eat. Having food allergies is…read moreso alienating. So much of our culture revolves around sharing a meal, dates, friend hang outs etc. are so stressful when you're limited to where you can eat. Last week @Yelp did me a solid and helped me find #Dimassis in South Austin. Everything single dish was CLEARLY LABELED and I cannot express how fun it was to be able to fill a plate with delicious, fresh Mediterranean foods. I also saw on their website that they have a location in San Antonio on de Zavala road! Who wants to go have lunch with me? #satx, #atx,#foodallergies Denise Mitchell

OMG, this place is absolutely awesome! My wife and I celebrated our anniversary last Friday evening…read moreand the atmosphere was incredible. Inside and out! I was glad we were seated outside though because even though it was a warm evening, their fans were very effective creating a constant gentle breeze. The music enhanced the experience with a fun and upbeat vibe. I truly felt like was sitting at club/bar/restaurant during a cool summer night in Greece! Just incredible. The staff were also great! Friendly and accommodating from the time we checked in for our reservation. Our server was super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful with my gluten sensitivity! The food was delicious too. Shout out to the chefs! The village salad (also reminded me of a traditional Greek village salad) was refreshing, the hot honey halloumi was like nothing I have ever tasted before, I regret not ordering extra to-go!, the Lamb chops made me feel like we were celebrating Easter - the seasoning was spot on and cooked to perfection, the Lamb and beef kefta with rice was also tasty, but the lamb chops are the clear winner. Don't forget to get dessert! If you have a gluten sensitivity like me, you are safe with the Pistachio Panna Cotta. It was a flavor high I didn't want to end! Lol. But seriously, it was super delicious, sweet, and just the right portion. Also FYI: we shared every plate. It's the way to go there, and I'm glad our server recommended that we order everything up front and they simply bring it out as each plate is ready. (Except for dessert and drinks - order those at the appropriate times of course). Speaking of our server, Lauren S, she was on it!!! Not only was she able to serve us and other tables extremely well, there was also a very large party of around 15 people next to us that she also served. Yet she always seemed to be around when you needed her and always with a friendly smile and positive attitude. Shout out to Lauren!!! You were amazing. Thank you for making our anniversary dinner memorable. Can't wait to visit Aba again!

A lively yet inviting vibe--think abundant greenery, warm lighting, modern Mediterranean touches,…read moreand a standout multi-level patio under a big heritage oak that makes outdoor seating especially appealing when the weather cooperates. The indoor space flows nicely with the outdoors and feels trendy and polished without being overly formal. Parking is the typical South Congress challenge. There's access to the Music Lane underground garage (with a small validation discount from the restaurant) plus nearby paid lots and street options, but it can feel competitive and a bit chaotic, especially on busier evenings. Plan ahead or use rideshare if you can. Service was great--attentive and smooth throughout our meal with two adults and two kids. We ordered the whipped feta spread (excellent with the pistachios and oil; the house bread was a bit salty), Brussels sprouts (cooked perfectly), grilled chicken kebabs, the shawarma-spiced steak frites, and the grilled Branzino. The Branzino was the clear star of the show--flavorful and well-executed. The chicken and steak were mediocre at best. For dessert we shared the sticky date cake, which had a nice crunch outside and was warm and moist inside. It's a bit pricey (we paid over $240 for the four of us), but the setting, strong service, and that excellent Branzino make it worthwhile. I'd definitely come back.

The was best Persian cuisine in Austin! Very authentic!…read more I'm Persian (my dad's side) and grew up eating traditional meals. Oh, the nostalgia... so fulfilling to my soul, especially since my dad is no longer earth-side.

I was really excited to try this place out, as Persian food is one of my favorites and it's pretty…read moretough to find. I decided to order a mini Persian feast: the beef koobideh with rice, doogh yogurt drink, and a saffron ice cream for dessert. This was my first time trying beef koobideh, and unfortunately, this just didn't seem to be very good. The meat itself was okay, decently cooked, and topped with quite a lot of some spice that I can't quite put my finger on. It was okay. The rice though, that is what really disappointed me. Persian rice is usually amazing, but this really didn't seem traditional and it had a strange taste to it. It also came with onion and a grilled tomato, both solid additions. Good portion though. The doogh yogurt drink wasn't homemade like I had hoped, but in all honesty, it still really hit the spot on a hot Austin day. Reasonable price. The saffron rice was also fairly disappointing. Large white chunks (clotted cream maybe? But they were pretty tasteless), gritty texture, not much flavor. Just not really worth it. All in all, a bit of a disappointing dinner in Austin. I'll have to look for a different Persian spot next time I'm in the area.

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

Always feels good to eat here! The food is great and plenty of it. The restaurant is clean and the…read moreservers are very nice!

Oh my gosh, YUM!! Came in here shortly after they opened for lunch one day and got to see their…read morebeautiful displays before the lunch rush hit. I was so impressed at how colorful and fresh everything looked, it was art! I ordered the chicken shawarma plate with a side of hummus and pita. I opted for the spicy hummus and it was awesome. Pretty spicy. The chicken was cooked perfectly. I got the Greek salad and rice as my two sides and both were delicious. They give you a side of garlic sauce I think too with the meal. The lady who helped me and checked me out was so kind. Highly, highly recommend this place for a healthy fast lunch! Can't wait to go back and try more stuff!

Yummm definitely recommend So many options to pick from n…read morebuild your own plate Super flavorful n hearty serving sizes Customer service is kind n always friendly Inside is homey nothing fancy just a homey feeling Clean n lots of seating Prices are reasonable depending on what u get u can easily share a mixed plate DELISH deserts !!! They have coffee to go along but it is super strong like an espresso

Mind blowing food -Chicken Shwarma…read more-Beef Kabobs -Barbecue Chicken Pizza -Baba Ganoush

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

Mezze Café has quickly become one of my favorite places in Austin. From the moment you walk in,…read moreyou're welcomed with genuine hospitality that makes you feel like more than just another customer. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and perfect whether you're stopping in for dinner, hookah, or a relaxing evening with friends. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Everything we ordered tasted authentic, the portions were generous, and the hookah was smooth, long-lasting, and expertly prepared. What truly sets Mezze Café apart is the people. The owners have clearly built a business around quality, hospitality, and taking care of their guests. The manager does an outstanding job making sure everyone feels welcomed and that every detail is taken care of. You can tell the entire team genuinely cares about the customer experience, and it shows in every interaction. It's rare to find a place that delivers exceptional food, outstanding service, and such a welcoming atmosphere all in one. I highly recommend Mezze Café to anyone looking for authentic Mediterranean cuisine, excellent hookah, and a team that truly values its customers. I'll definitely be back!

I gave 4 stars to give them the benefit of the doubt, but my actual experience felt closer to 2…read morestars. The main problem was the noise. The acoustics were very bad. The hardwood ceiling and the glass window in front of me seemed to amplify sound from every direction. I was with a group of six men, and none of us could hear each other. As the noise increased, every table seemed to raise its volume just to communicate, and it became painful. The food had a BBQ flavor, which was different for Mexican food. Some people may like that, but it was not what I expected. It was 4 star food. I think sitting outside would probably be much better.