Where to start? It's 1:00 AM and you're hungry. You figure the options are bad pizza or maybe some Chinese delivery. Then you discover this place called Saqqara Cafe is open. This food is not only delicious for 1:00 AM--it's some of the best in the city: fresh, delicious, home-cooked. From the tender meats to the remarkable rice, everything here is cooked to perfection. The only thing better than the food here is the kindness and hospitality of the management. Warm, kind, community-minded folks building a business the way it should be built. read more

$40 for a basic hookah (no grapefruit) and light up coals is absolute robbery. Assumed it would be $20-30 max for a spot like this (even that is being generous). We were baffled that our hookahs were $40 each, and I legit thought this had to be a joke. Hookah barely lasted an hour. Not sure if this is all spots in the area but I'll definitely not be smoking here again. Cash only as well so they can get you to use the ATM. read more

This place doesn't attract Philly's best crowds. The owner is complacent in encouraging raucous behavior in and outside his store, which disturbs the neighbors living around this establishment. There is screaming and loud music late at night without regard for the neighbors trying to sleep. No neighbors who live around here go to this place because it is disliked. read more

Place itself is fine but they don't manage their property well and often have screaming crowds outside their business late at night. They need a bouncer if you want to feel safe there. read more

Bad experience ordering this late night on Grubhub! They messed up my order and when I called to check in on if they could send the correct order - I got a rude and accusatory response. Definitely not accommodating, I'd probably pick some other spot for late night deliveries. Plus side, fries are good read more

Ordered a chicken shawarma sandwich and some fries. The food was BUSSIN BUSSIN if you're looking for a late not spot.

Awesome place to hang out for hookah! Glad i found this place! My Taiwanese friend taught my friends how to blow circles and they got so addicted. I also enjoyed the fish and chips. They were so yummy and my mouth is still watering. They have great music with matching video. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes things look pretty weird. They have belly dancers in those videos dancing to hip hop music. read more

Saqqara Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Just the basic flavors here like double apple, watermelon, mint etc - nothing special about the menu (like Paan). The place looked kind of small and shabbily decorated but there aren't any upscale hookah places in philly anyway. Immediately after we ordered, the server came up to us and asked for the check which is super weird - don't you wait for the customers to finish a round or two of hookah and maybe order more?! The hookah itself was too strong - I'd have liked it a little more balanced. The only good thing about this place probably is the bouncer at the door who seemed pretty friendly and their music selection was good. Also, hookah is expensive here ($20 for a basic flavor) and no free water. Overall, nothing to write home about. read more

This is the place you goto, and while generally average, you sort of wonder what you paid for when you are leaving? They have hookah sure, but eh, it's packed poorly. Both times I've been here the initial puffs were very harsh which speak to novice packing. The food, subpar. Basically 2am foodcart food served all day and double the price. Hard pass guys....hard pass... read more

This review is for hookah & service only. On the positive: the hookah was great. Tasty smoke, beautiful hookah. Also, I enjoyed the company I was with, so that helped. But the service & atmosphere...yeah, I won't be going back there. Really strange energy in this place, also we were the only ones there. Just awkward & uncomfortable. We were there smoking our hookah in the window booth & all the guys who worked there were sitting in the back just kind of chilling. Oh, and there was nothing with which to dry my hands in the bathroom. Ick. So, not TOO terrible so far, right? But here's what really pissed me off. They refused to serve us tap water. They would only give us bottled water. Obviously, they wanted to charge us for water, which is tacky. But it really bothered me because I go out of my way to NOT use plastic bottles. If I'd had my big purse, I'd have taken the empty bottles with me to recycle, because I'm sure they were just tossed in the trash. So...thanks for giving a crap about the planet, Saqqara, well done. :-/ read more

The best service in Philly. There's this one guy his name is Fady very knowledgeable about the art of hookah. Also the food its like im back in Egypt eating at the cafe. You have to try the Starbuzz it the best. Also the mixed grilled platter u get the best of lamb,chicken and beef. And for dessert u have to try the chocolate baklava. read more

Good masaka, highly overstated veggie burger (if there's no burger, you kind of have to call it a sandwich) lackluster everything else. Think they used week old veggies and over-fried their falafels in used oil. I'd pass on this place. There's too many better options or better chances to take in Philly, especially for Middle Eastern food. I might feel different if I were a hookah smoker...but hookahs are bad for you. read more

It really bothers me when a place calls themselves a Hookah Lounge and when they bring the hookah out and you notice the coals they use are quick light/ insta light coals... The flavor of the shisha was not all that great because the quick light coals chemicals take away from the flavor. I am a huge hookah smoker at home and lounges so I'm not just talking nonsense. Whenever I'm in Philly again I will try to give this place another chance or check out other hookah lounges/restaurants. NYC/NJ set a pretty high standard for hookah lounges. *Advice to the owners please invest in some Coconut coals and get creative make some unique in house mixes and people will flock to your business. #hookahaddiction The food was ok the chicken in my Shawarma was very dark and the chicken fingers looked like microwaveable strips. read more

It was a beautiful February evening (one of those recent 60+ degree nights). I decided to go for a walk and be impulsive. I'm still new to the neighborhood (less than 6 months). Found Saqqara as something that could be quick and I could carry home for the wife. Everything tasted legitimate. I was informed that they make everything in house and it certainly tasted that way. It was an overall pleasant experience. The man who was working (I'm assuming owner) was very kind. I didn't know it was a hookah bar but I'm curious to come back and try it. I had a lamb gyro and the wife had a chicken shawarma sandwich. Everything was good but won't blow you away. I would recommend if you're looking for something quick and casual. Points for: Good service No negatives. read more

This high rating is mainly due to the service which was great. We walked in to hookah at around 11:20 pm (on a weeknight when they close at 12). Not only did they welcome us but said we could stay for an hour even after closing time. We were impressed by how hospitable they were. $5 per person for byob and $15 for hookah for 2 people - we used a yelp check in discount ($5 off) but even without it this place is far less expensive then many of the ritzy center city hookah bars. Definitely check this place out! read more

Ordered food to a hotel in Philly and I would not recommend it. The positives: it was fast and the Greek salad was good and did not have too much dressing which was great. The falafel plate was terrible. The falafel had no flavor and was very dry. The sauce was not good either. The "falafel plate" consisted of mini hockey puck falafel and soggy tasteless fries. Maybe a restaurant experience would have been different. I now see the plate should have come with salad- which mine did not. (I ordered and paid separately for a Greek salad). I also was not offered a choice of falafel fries or rice. Save your money and calories and order elsewhere... read more

Saqqara Cafe - "Falafel Platter" - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ducked in here for a quick lunch and loved it. The owner was terrific and the chicken shwarma was totally fabulous. We had to get in and out in kind of a hurry and the owner was extremely accommodating. I wish this place all success as it is a terrific place to have in the neighborhood. read more

I absolutely enjoyed my experience here and the owner Tony is wonderful. Whenever you're in Philadelphia on South St stop in and have a bite to eat, a long island ice tea and good conversation. read more

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Ordered delivery last night and it was delivered very promptly! Nice crispy fries and chicken fingers! I liked the mixed greens that came with the gyro salad too - only suggestion would be to include a tzatziki dressing or something. Luckily we were home so we could add our own dressing from the fridge :) read more

The worst dining experience that my boyfriend and I have ever had together. The table was sticky, the service was lax, the food lacked flavor (and I was famished, which usually means that even cardboard tastes good). I ordered the chicken kebab platter. While the chicken was thoroughly, but not over, cooked, it lacked flavor. The salad was nothing more than diced onion and tomatoes. No dressing. Not even salt or pepper. The rice pilaf was also bland, Near East out of the box is better. Needless to say, I did not clean my plate and did not ask for a box. Thank goodness for Big Gay Ice Cream across the street, they saved the day. read more

Came in here for hookah for the first time during a spontaneous Philly trip last week, and I'm so glad I did! The service was friendly and attentive, the hookah was great and priced nicely, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Great music. I will definitely be returning. read more

Great service and tony, the owner is so great! Would definitely go back. Hookah was great and the BYOB service was helpful because you get to take the drink of your choice! read more

Was visiting for business and had to put in a late order around midnight on a weeknight. Prompt delivery and good food. If you need a spork be sure to ask though. read more

Easily my favorite hookah spot. This review is long overdue, as I've been coming here for the last 2 years. The owner is very hospitable, and the staff has always been kind. The food is great, and the prices are decent! There's never a slow moment when you have a great playlist and friends. There's been too many times when its only been a friend and myself, only to have an amazing time. Not to mention they have a gated area in the back that's absolutely lovely during the warm weather. Check it out! read more

10 Arabic speaking friends and I met for dinner at Saqqara Cafe to try Adel's (the owner's) homemade kosheri. For those of you who have never tried it kosheri is a traditional Egyptian dish made with rice lentils elbow pasta all covered in a spicy red sauce. Saqqara's version of this dish was wonderful. It hit the mark. Spicy but not overly so. Best of all it was made fresh by Adel for our group. We would all highly recommend a visit to Saqqara cafe and trying this particular dish. read more

Saqqara Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Friendly service, loved the atmosphere it was the perfect after brunch spot we were looking for...hookah and music cozy table. Snacks are good but the look of the kitchen is questionable. Being the germaphobe I am, that gave me pause but in a pinch (which we were New Year's Day) I could be forced/persuaded to go back. read more

Awesome place. The food is very authentic! Ask for the Egyptian Kushari dish. The people there are very friendly and accommodating. Service is fast and accurate. The ambience is very nice and reminds me of Egypt. read more

Warm welcome by waiter. Delicious shwarma and mango juice. Only 2 stars because cbicken gyro rather lean on chicken and vegetables. Seemed about 1/3 size of usual gyro. Chicken color very dark for unclear reasons. Quite a difference from the plump gyro photo in the menu. The waiter never came back to check on us until end of meal. read more

This place is absolutely awesome. Great hookah. Great environment. The owner. Tony. Enough said. He takes care of us every time. Never have I met someone that genuine. Come visit everyday. Every weekend. Make it happen. You will regret if you don't come. read more

This place is horrible!!! I ordered delivery twice in one week, and both times, the rude counter person, "Jade," called me to tell me that their delivery guy was in a car accident for the second time this week. Once I called her out, her only excuse was that "It's center city, this happens a lot." And then she refused to put her manager on the phone. And told me I had to call delivery.com to rectify their bad. I'm still awaiting both refunds. THUMBS DOWN read more

I am Writing this review as I'm eating a not-tasty chicken kabob sandwich in a pita please tony go and learn how to make food before you serve it the chicken tastes like steamed or raw with all the odor and the flavor of the chhhhicken and the sauce is disgusting the fries are Ok read more

Second time here. And I can honestly say I really enjoy the environment and the hospitality. The owner served us personally and made great recommendations for hookah and food. Great service. Would definitely recommend this place for most inexperienced smokers that need guidance and also the everyday hookaher. read more

I went here for a friend's birthday, and they were accommodating to the amount of people we had. They didn't bring out glasses of water (we were there for dinner) and the bottled water wasn't cheap. There is a $5 corking fee, but the owner waived it for us since we were the only customers on a rainy Monday night. They should hire some real waiters though. The falafel and hookahs were amazing, and are a good reason to come back, but overall the entire place was overpriced for a BYOB hookah bar. read more

Had dinner delivered (because the fabulous Al Zaytoun's phone was down). It was simply gross. Unidentifiable meat, 3-day old salad & foul, sour tzatziki. Just. Don't. Bother. read more

Hard to enjoy because you can't turn to music up because of the upstairs neighbors. Would have left for a different hookah bar if I didn't pay for this one when I got here. They also charge a byob fee read more

Got the lamb kebab platter and was pleasantly surprised. It was very dark inside the restaurant and there were foreign music videos playing on the TV in the background. read more

Good prices and good flavors. A friend and I just had hookah but it seems to have a huge menu for for food as well. In walking distance and close to other bars. read more

Owner Tony was super friendly. Had a wonderful time. Definitely come here for hookah!

As others have mentioned, great hospitality, awesome song mix, and good hookah. We called ahead of time and the owner was literally waiting for us at the door. The only area of improvement would be the seating - could be slightly more relaxing and comfortable for hookah. But, they also serve food, which could explain the seating and setting. Would recommend to a friend looking for a hookah spot in Philly. read more

It's 12:45 am now just left there before closing around 11:40 pm I get home open my bag it's two open packs of ketchup and a fork with some ketchup on it, as if they just thru my meal together in a bag. read more

Saqqara Cafe - a sandwich and french fries in a styrofoam container - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania