Being completely honest, I came to Byblos for the hookah. My wife was in the mood for drinks, so we landed here, and it turned out to be a great choice. The DJ read the room perfectly and kept the energy up. I stuck with Miller Lights and enjoyed a smooth, fully functioning hookah. My wife can be picky with her drinks, but she had no complaints about her margarita. Overall, it was a great vibe and a great experience! read more

Still the absolute WORST hookah bar in Philly. Service is super slow and hookah quality is bad. They don't know how to make a good hookah, there is no smoke whatsoever. Their cocktails are extremely watered down and tasteless. Philly desperately needs a good hookah place! read more

Been going to Byblos for YEARS..one of my go to spots in Center City. Consistently good food and service. Food talk: Decent. Mussels and wings are always a hit as well as the dish where there's spinach and cheese stuffed into a yummy phyllo crust. Drinks on the menu: Not the biggest fan of their Sigs, however their bar is fully stocked with enough variety to concoct whatever you fancy. I won't mislead you the place is small! But what lacks in size comes in vibes. Chill crowd always, diverse young professionals for the most part. Hookah prices are fair compared to other places that charge $40+ and they have a good amount of flavors. No charge to refill coals. There are a few tables outside if you're EARLY and lucky enough to grab one..great when the weather's nice. Keep in mind before 8/9 pm the crowd is pretty slow. So if you want to get in and out before it gets packed like sardines do so before those hrs. Still a great PARTY after 10, but there's a cover of $10. read more

Byblos - Mussels & hookah - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This was my first time at Byblos and first impression means EVERYTHING TO ME! I feel like this place probably deserves the 3 stars that it currently displays. The lack of customer service is probably the only reason I won't be back. We got there early so it wasn't busy which is why I was pretty surprised as to why our waitress couldn't be more attentive. We ordered a hookah and had to flag her down to get coal refills as well as another round of drinks. We also had to get up and find her to ask for the check as she sat in the corner on her phone. It was just us and one other table and a few people at the bar so I feel like a better service would have been more applicable. Besides the customer service the place is very pleasant. It was "Happy Hour" so we ordered a wine of our choice which was great. I also couldn't help but try out the food even though I was not hungry at all. But I could tell they have some delicious selections just by trying their Falafel Appetizer!! read more

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5 stars for the hookah! They have a variety of flavors and they use the "good" square coals and not the quick-light ones. Get the passion fruit with orange and mint for sure! Service was friendly and the hookah came quickly which isn't always the case for these spots. There is a cover but we came on a Friday night so it's not unexpected. We came before 11 and it wasn't crowded at all on the rooftop, which is so pretty with the flowers and lights. Can't speak foe the food or drinks but would certainly recommend for quality hookah. read more

Entertainment if your into Hookah. The only downside is my husbands Versace sunglasses were stolen here. Seriously, take care to watch your valuables in this place. Other than that, my husband and I had a really good time here. The ambience is sub par, music is really on trend and great to dance too. There are two bathrooms, one for the men, and one for the women. The food is ok. The hookah is just as it should be. They have a variety of flavors and adequate equipment. Check them out for late night entertainment! read more

I was last here nearly three years ago and it doesn't seem like much has changed other than my experience level with hookah. Byblos was my first hookah bar in Philly, but since then I've visited several establishments around the city. I'm now not quite so enthralled with this one. I'm fairly certain it gets by mostly on its prime location in Rittenhouse. The interior of this place could absolutely benefit from a remodel. Their setup is weird and we were seated right below speakers. As the night wore on, it became increasingly harder to hear my friends over the music. The crowd also changed around 10 pm and I suddenly felt incredibly under-dressed in my shorts and tank. The hookah itself was good and lasted a while. We chose the strawberry flavor for $20. I didn't like my accompanying raspberry rum cocktail. For the price (something like $12?), it was not worth it at all. It tasted totally watered down or bland. No thanks. Our server was friendly, but the seats were tight and not that comfortable despite feeling plushy. For the price-tag, I'm not sure I'll be back any time soon, but it's always an option when proximity wins. read more

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Baba was tasty, and so was the mussels. Honestly I was surprised at how good the food was for such a late night spot. Didn't even know this place existed, would try again. read more

Byblos - Baba Ghanouj - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I went here yesterday so i can't check in but this place is cool for hookah and food and happy hour they have outside seating and u can bring ur dog read more

I came here after an entire afternoon of "I'm just going to have brunch and then go home and take care of shit" but actually ended up just continuing to drink after brunch until bedtime. Classic. Considering what time we entered this place, I don't think it would be a stretch to assume a cat probably literally dragged us in. I was in that mental state where I was really in the mood to smoke some hookah. We waited until FOUR PM for this shit to open up. We sat at the bar and they were still setting shit up. The fuck if I knew about my surroundings at that time but I think it's safe to assume that we were the only people at that hour. We like randomly ordered some drinks and a hookah flavor, I couldn't even tell you what it was. I also ordered some hummus with pita. LOL of course the food I remember. Service was good, the bartender we were dealing with was nice and approachable. Also simultaneously cutting limes at certain points. Who can blame her for being prepared? Hookah was nice and smooth. Hummus was fairly good. Don't remember the drinks. I have made a mental note of this place's existence next time I'm in a similar mood. read more

Yelp was so spot on LOL. This is a 3 star kind of place. $5 cover after 9pm? Man. Takes forever to get seated. Hookah service is OK. Very rarely did the server change coals. Never had anyone blow out the smoke. $20 for the set-up. Limited beer selection. Loud as hell. If you're blitzed, this is a great spot, otherwise I would pass. If you're looking for a better managed hookah lounge, I would go to Aloosh in Powelton Village, or Infusion Lounge in Old City. Capelli Brothers in the Gaybourhood is also dope if you want to try a smaller, quieter place to smoke. read more

I followed Byblos on Instagram after 10pm on a Friday night. They immediately followed me back. I inquired about having a Birthday gathering and someone actually assisted me through direct messages. Prompt responses and an immediate reservation. It was so easy. The level of customer service blew me away! I mean this is unheard of. They even followed up with me the next day. When I arrived my section was ready. Everything was spectacular (staff, hookah and food) and my server was super attentive and amazing!!! The gentleman (assuming the manger/owner) came over to greet me to ensure I was good. I promise my expectations were exceeded!!! My friends and I will most certainly come back and do it again and again!!! Great for a date night, a night out with friends or Birthday Celebrations!!! Five Stars!!! read more

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I've been going to this place for years. While it's one of the more expensive hookah places I think it's worth it. The flavors are great! The service is pretty consistent and the food is so good. I got the shish taouk and naan. The drinks are pretty high and aren't the strongest so I really don't go there for that. read more

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Horrible Experience... It was a usual Saturday night. We paid a $10 cover charge and entered the place. Inspite of this, we had to order a minimum of 1 drink per person. We quickly got a table for 5 and ordered 2 hukkas which were good in the beginning. However, it went down hill after. As soon as the coal was over, we request to renew the coal and the server took more than 30 mind to just get a coal change. On top of it, when she did bring the coal, she lighted it after keeping on top of the flavor. This eventually burnt out the entire flavor. When my friend went to confront her, the server was rude and said that two hukkas wouldn't last for 5 people for more than 30 mins. Out of the 75 mins that we were there, we spent 45 mins waiting for the change of coal and once we got it, the entire flavor was burnt. We pretty much lost the whole mood. Our table was completely neglected. The server was very slow in responding even wrt to food. We did not get water nor food at the table. I am never visiting this place again. read more

As a hookah pro- This is my least favorite hookah spot ever! First of all, their flavor menu is very extensive and EXPENSIVE as well. The hookah itself is ok for fist-timers, but paying $30 for flavored tobacco hurts me a lot! The seating not so comfy and the music is very loud that you can't actually hear people talking. Also, the service is a hit or miss, in most days Byblos is crowded with pretentious clientele and the service get slowER! All in all, 2 stars for the Hookah bar since I haven't dine there! Two Yelps! read more

Byblos sure is one popular, cramped, and crowded party! No wonder, since there's no cover, at least when I was there. It was hot, so a few of us took advantage of coat check - you can always hang coats on a seat, but what if you don't have a seat? Fellow partygoers (lots of ethnic folks, guys and girls alike) were drinking and dancing in a frenzy all over. Standing by the bar, I saw many smoking hookahs through the dim, smoky room. Didn't get a chance to indulge, or even eat their food, but my friends (many who are regulars) and I still had a good time. Stop in! read more

Byblos is good. Do I think it's on the pricier side? Yeah. Does the ambience make up for it? Meh. $20 for a hookah is pretty pricey in my book, but at least unlimited coals are included in the price. I would recommend getting a mint flavor, as they tend to last longer than the fruit ones (special mint is pretty good). What I really can't stand about this place, though, is the 1 drink minimum if you want to sit at a table. The drinks are pretty pricey! However, if you sit at the bar there is no one drink minimum and there is a happy hour special that's decent. Lastly, this place is DARK when you walk in. Like way dark. Like, hold on, give me a minute while my pupils dilate to the full extent, DARK. There's a U-shaped bar on a pseudo-elevated level when you first walk in that really helps to separate the tables and lounge seating. After having sat at the table, I think the bar is better. It's not as loud (there's a DJs at night) and there tends to be more room for mingling and such. I hear there are much better places to go to in Philly, so I wouldn't recommend this as a must stop if you're looking for hookah. Check out the other, more reasonably priced options in old city. read more

One of the only places in Philly where people can still smoke. However, it's a narrow catwalk to get to the back, so watch out if you're wearing anything flammable. They are opening up two more floors including a roof top in June. Definitely an amazing place. Saturday, Sunday, always packed, dancing on the tables, stiff drinks, hot middle-eastern women, no complaints. Definitely going back for the opening of the next two floors. read more

Hands down the best Paella I've ever had !!! When I first saw the serving I thought there was no way I can finish it, but I sure did! It's not your typical Paella which I do not mind because I hate Mussels & Snails (which I tend to pick out)! I also tried their mint hookah which was pretty good! The drinks are cheap compared to NY prices, You can't beat $9 for JW black label. I hope to come here again soon! ***PS***** last call for alcohol is 1:30.... womp womp, the party starts in NY at 1:30 read more

Byblos - Best paella ever !!!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great for Hookahs & drinks, not so much for food. I've been coming here for years for the hookahs & drinks & the music is usually on point. I like to go during the week when it's not very crowded & there's just enough ppl that you don't feel like it's empty. This was my first time trying the food & it will most likely be my last. I had the mussels & grape leaves, two things that I thought were pretty easy to perfect. The mussels weren't seasoned enough for me & the grape leaves were too moist and falling apart. These were two of my fav dishes & to not like either was a disappointment. I won't stop going for the hookah and drinks but I'll pass on dining here. read more

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Cover charge on a Monday evening??!! Haven't been in but going by the other reviews doesn't seem like much.

Always been a fan of Byblos till the other day. The Bouncer was mad because we were talking and not "Whispering", when we said "But this is a bar" he's like "No, This is a Lounge".. What a douche !!! Ironic that even the other Bouncer didn't agree..which is so funny because usually they always team up to put the customer down. We walked out.... Terrible Hookah, No Respect for Customers...I'll take my money somewhere else. Rename this place to "The Library" or something..IDIOTS ! read more

This place needs a complete over haul. Not my scene but I was accompanying a friend. The inside is grungy and falling apart. The booth was sat in was falling apart. It was loud and smelled weird. Our waitress was the only one working,it wasn't crowded so it was fine but there was a delay with Bri g approached for drinks & receiving the hookah. Not sure how or if you can rate the smoking of hookah so that's what I gave the 2 stars for. Otherwise I wouldn't waste my time or $$$. The entertainment was interested to watch as she worked the place best she could. Final answer don't waste the time, money or energy. read more

On a recent weekday night, the GF and I checked out a new food delivery service, BringMeThat. It adds to the mix by broadening the scope and variety of delivery options that are currently available in Philly. Certainly GrubHub, Seamless, and DiningIn seem to be the major players in Philly. However, there are quite a few restaurants that are offered by BringMeThat that may warrant an order or two from this new service! Heck, the first order comes with a $5 discount! In any case, the GF and I had a hankering for some Mediterranean cuisine, so back to Byblos! Hummus [$5.50] The hummus was on point - creamy, with a lemony essence. It came with a slew of pliable pita, thinner than the typical Greek pita, with a nice chew to it. Spanakopita / Spanakotiropita [$6.60] I love me some spanakopita, and this spinach pie did not disappoint. It was savory with nice chunks of salty feta and delicious spinach. The lower half of the pie became slightly soggy due to delivery, but the crisp puff pastry on top made up for it somewhat. Falafel [$5.50] Byblos' iteration had some nice spice to it and was crispy on the outside with some chew within. Texturally, it wasn't as creamy or smooth inside as I would like. It was served with requisite tahini, tomatoes, and lettuce. The GF could have done without the lukewarm pickles however. Schwarma Sandwich [$6.60] The GF was looking forward to some chicken schwarma. Unfortunately, what she received was something along the lines of beef. So who better to take care of the mess than the belly of this pig? Even more unfortunate though, was the fact that I definitely felt that the schwarma was dry, chewy, and lackluster. The sandwich as a whole could have used more tzatziki or tahini. The tomatoes or red onions could not save this sandwich. Even the addition of sriracha couldn't help this lost soul of a schwarma. Moussaka [$13.20] Fortunately for Byblos, the moussaka was its saving grace. The ground meat was nicely spiced with cinnamon and the creamy layer of bechamel, eggplant, and potatoes created a hearty bite. The cooked carrots and celery were a nice side. As a whole though, Byblos did not impress me. There are better Middle Eastern offerings that deliver in Philly. In fact, Bitar's and Al Zaytouna come to mind. But if you're in the Rittenhouse area and in the mood for hookah, I suppose Byblos may be able to satisfy you on some level. read more

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I came here for the vibes and I was not disappointed. Unbeknownst to me, I visited this spot on their "Hip Hop Night" (Thursday) and the music was on point! The music is actually what brought me inside. Once inside the drinks were decent...a few dollars over priced for the quality but decent nonetheless. I can't speak to the quality of hookah or food but if I'm ever in Philly on a Thursday night again, I would come back to this place. read more

The hookah is good (tried strawberry and peach) strawberry was better. Our waitress was rude and was not attentive. We had a group of 6 two hookahs and ordered drinks, no food. We ordered another round of drinks that never made it. I like the dj and the atmosphere so much I may come back but will be sure to ask for a different waitress. Unfortunately I do not know her name. read more

Best place to relax with friends. We enjoyed with food. Food delicious and good service. Highly recommended read more

Byblos - Best Caesar Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I have been to a few other Hookah Lounges; however Byblos is by far my favorite hookah spot, and the only Hookah Bar I go to. Byblos is the best place to go and have a good time. Fridays and Saturdays are when I usually go, it gets over-crowded and hard to find a seat if you don't go at a decent time. If you want to sit at the bar you should definitely go early. However, I have been on other days throughout the week and it's not as crowded. Byblos also has outdoor seating, which is a plus. I love going here on summer nights, sitting outside enjoying weather and conversation (great way to enjoy a summer night). No matter the day you go, the crowd is always welcoming, interesting, diverse, fun and people enjoying themselves. The music is good; the DJ always plays a nice mix of music. The Hookahs are good, they have a wide variety of intoxicating flavors and they are not too expensive. The food is good (Middle Eastern), I always get the lamb kabobs with rice or grilled chicken caesar salad. The calamari (as an app) and salmon are good too, the menu overall is pleasing. As for the drinks, they are a hit or miss. The bartenders are always "super busy", because the bar is always packed. The drinks can be mediocre, so I usually order a glass of wine. The only downside to Byblos is that sometimes it gets over-crowded. Overall I always have a good time at Byblos. Lots of laughs and conversations with complete strangers lol. Byblos is my go-to place for hanging out and having fun whenever I am in Philly! read more

Very cool hookah spot. The decor is exotic with a club feel. The bar seats over ten people and the table area seats over 25 seats. There is a DJ in the evenings and the music is always energetic. The hookahs always taste smooth and the chambers always taste clean. The menu is mainly Lebanese with some Greek and Italian options. The hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli and fatoush are really delicious. Some of the best Mediterranean eats in center city. The servers are very attentive and bring you plenty of hot pita bread for your food. This place is great for dinner, hookah, drinks, and lounging. I highly recommend. read more

Visited for the first time and had so much fun! The chicken kabobs were fantastic, best I've had in Philly! Loved that they had an full bar and many shisha flavors. Highly recommend! read more

The best spot to get Mediterranean food in Philly! I've been going to this place for years and probably tried every single item on the menu and you won't believe it but they are all amazing! My favorite dish is probably shish kabobs! But I also love their seafood selection like Mariscoc Catalan ( I hope I spelled it right), it's all about this creamy safran sauce that brings all the ingredients together. Their hummus is the best hummus I've ever had and the octopus appetizer is just out of this world. Love their hookah selection as well! The staff is always very nice and the whole place just gives you this Mediterranean vibe, it's like you in Morocco or something. Always a great experience at Byblos! read more

We wanted to go to a hookah bar at night and found this one on yelp and it was near where we were so we decided to give it a try. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!! its like a chill hookah lounge with great music!! The hookah here is pretty good too and is smooth. We got sex on the beach in a grapefruit. The best part is that this hookah bar serves alcohol!! Will definitely be back again! read more

I use to love it now I don't. Watered down drinks, and now everybody and they momma in there. Use to be the chill after work spot, eat, drink and smoke hookah. It was also a nice place to go on a date, not too fussy, not too boring. Now p tuh. The music in Byblos though is always good. They play a variety of music and that's why I go back every once in awhile. read more

Never been to a restaurant that charges you a cover fee to go in. I can see how minimum charge could make sense but it really threw me off when I came with boyfriend on a date for dinner and they asked us for a fee at the door. Do not recommend. read more

Nice owner, nice bartender, fucking awful door guy. Still I recommend the place. I'll avoid this guy. Obviously he hates his job and anyone who goes there. I recommend firing a jerk that does not appreciate having a job. Tried to engage him when I got there and when I was leaving. Both times asked him about the area and he simply did not want to be helpful. If it was not because of him, the experience would have been flawless. read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Italian beef neck guy at the door has the WORST Customer service I've ever experienced in my life. He literally made me wait outside while he let 50 guys in. RUDE!!! read more

Serving sizes are TINY for the price. Their $18 Pasta wad literally no exaggeration about one cup of pasta. The crab was delicious and flavored well, but this place by no measure at all is worth the price. Avoid at all costs. read more

This place is one of my favorites... the hookah is great, food is awesome and the drinks are ok.... I really come for the hookah.. but the y'all older Caucasian doorman dude is rude as ever.. just be prepared to give him your bag or he will flip his shit..‍ read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Don't go here THE WORST hookah lounge ever- charge u 10$ to get in and then the bar is shoulder to shoulder packed- got 2 drinks water down $25- and waiting list for a table was hours not minutes. The waitress was so rude and just nasty to us. Over priced rip off joint..... find another place. Save yourself lol. read more

Security up front making up his own amounts for entry. First said $20 per person which he charged the people in front of us , then when it got to my group he said $20 and I said "$20!?" Which I thought was too much for that place so then he dropped it to $10 per person... top 5 worst establishments I ever been to. Everyone is piled up on everyone and people are just standing staring at each-other which I thought was weird... there is no host there is only 1 server running around like a chicken without a head . It is complete confusion upon entering . It looks like one of your friends converted their mamas basement into a low budget hookah lounge . Anyways, we seated ourselves , then sat for about 15 min, server saw us about 5 times but decided to not take our order . We got up and left . This place is terrible , and to charge an entry fee on top of that is pure jokes, will never come here again, and will never recommend this place to anyone . read more