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    Cafe Dubai

    4.6 (39 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    Business Info

    CAFE DUBAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Dubai

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    Reviews With Photos

    Angela M.

    We started with the warm fresh bread, hummus, and baba ghanouj--and let's just say, they did not come to play. Rich, flavorful, and dangerously easy to keep "just one more bite"-ing until it's suddenly gone. Everything was fresh, bold, perfectly balanced spice--no notes overall? Easily a repeat spot. Good vibes, great food, and plates that disappear way too fast. I'll definitely be back.

    Jo M.

    Cafe Dubai is hidden gem on S. Flores. The Turkish Coffee, combination plate (chicken, kefta, shawarma), hummus, rice, pita, and Jerusalem salad are a must try. Great pick by a fellow foodie. Take a brick box of Dubai chocolate to share for dessert. Great idea by one of my other fellow foodie buddies. It's a humble area of town, but the restaurant is clean. There's construction in the area, but it's worth the trip. Tip: There's no parking in the front, but there's parking in the back.

    Veronica Pagán B.

    So this place is such a hidden gem! We passed by it and would've never thought to stop until I came across the reviews! Wow! We turned around and went back and I'm so glad we did! We ordered the arrayas as an appetizer, 10/10! The beef and lamb combo was rich in flavor, great blend in spices, super crispy pita on the outside to balance the juicy grease from the meat, so good! We also ordered the royal feast which came with shrimp, chicken, kefta, falafel, beef schwarma, and all entrees are served with rice, Jerusalem salad, pita, hummus, and baba ghanoush. The shrimp was 8/10, nicely seasoned, pinch overcooked, great flavor. Falafel 8/10, nice and crispy, well seasoned, could've used a bit more flavor but it was nice. Kefta 9/10, excellent flavor and texture. Could've used a little more fat content in the meat but the flavor was amazing! Chicken 8/10, good flavor, juicy, well seasoned. Beef 5/10, was not what I was expecting. It was a bit tough and overcooked, was more like beef strips you would find in tacos. Rice 10/10!! That was some of the best rice ever! I could eat that all day! It's like rice-a-roni all grown up! Perfectly cooked rice with toasted vermicelli, excellent! Hummus/baba ghanoush 10/10! These were both insanely delicious! I wanted more! Lots more! Excellent smooth and mild flavors. The hummus was so creamy, the pita was toasty, it was so good! And far as the ambiance, it is giving a bit too much Versace for my taste but the food is what I was there for. The dining area is very small and next store, as in through a curtain, is a smoke shop. They do have outdoor dining also and their service was great. I did have sticker shock though when our receipt says $5 each for Topo Chico!!! That's crazy! (And NOT posted on the menu) Anyway, all-in-all I'm so glad we are here, I'd love to go back!

    Jen H.

    A small restaurant with solid food. It's a bit pricey for the quantity, and they skimp on the dips (even though it's included). If you're in a pinch and happen to be in the area, this is a great spot for Mediterranean food. It is a little sketchy at night in this area, so just be aware of your surroundings if you're coming after dark. There is ample parking in the back of the building. Service is very friendly and prompt.

    Lion's Bowl
    Linda C.

    Our waitress was sweet, and efficient. I had the Lion's Bowl and my husband had the beef Shawarma. The Hummus and Baba Ghanouj was served first, with warm triangles of pita and cold delicious hummus and Baba Ghanouj. The Lions bowl was huge, with grilled curried chicken, wonderful warm rice and cold tomatoes and cucumbers, topped with yogurt dressing (reasonably priced at $10.49!). The Shawarma was amazing, and the portion size was very generous($13.99). We both had more than we could finish. Definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend and we will come again next time we visit San Antonio!

    Lion's Bowl and  Arrayas meal

    The food was so good and super friendly staff .. it was my first time here and I will definitely be returning

    Joyce K.

    I went on a Saturday evening. The restaurant was full. It took a while to get someone to the table maybe because I joined my friends who were already there. My friend already ordered the falafel. So far these are the best falafel in my opinion in town. I ordered the chicken skewer which comes with hummus and baba ghannouj. I mean you will never find the most authentic Lebanese or middle eastern food in this town... it is close enough. I like the prayers playing in the background and the ambiance of a full family over 30 people chit chatting and having a great time Be careful though parking in the back and walking to the restaurant it is a little sketchy area of town

    Entrance
    Beatriz P.

    This place was so good. Don't let the location scare you , as they say don't judge a book by its cover! The food was so good! You have to try it and the owner was kind.

    Our empty dishes of the Royal feast! Wonderful server!
    Tanya S.

    Wow! Great Mediterranean food! Our server was excellent! She explained each dish, and even offered a sauce that she thought we might like. Garlic sauce is a must. We ordered the Royal Feast. It was enough for two. The decor was super lovely with a gold a black theme. We then ordered a chocolate strawberry dessert that was not overly sweet, but simply decadent. Excellent, excellent, excellent! We will be back for more.

    Jennifer D.

    A friend recommended this restaurant. I absolutely love food from Dubai and was excited to try. My husband and I ordered a bit of everything. It was so good I didn't even have the opportunity to take a photo. We will definitely make it back soon. I took a Dubai Chocolate togo, I can see the hype now!! Great Service and Great Food.

    Gyro

    This place is a hidden gem! A must try. We will definitely be back. Delicious! I have never care for hummus but the pita bread was warm and we left nothing behind.

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    Great food and a friendly owner! Ask him about the origins of their recipes. Get some apps they were all good.

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    8 months ago

    we stopped by for lunch and amazing service and food. I'm so happy it's on the south side

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    Ask the Community - Cafe Dubai

    Is it owned by someone of Emirati descent? I'd love to support if so!! Please let me know asap!!!

    Yes, we spoke with Lion, one of the chefs and owners, If you look up Cafe Dubai San Antonio on TikTok you'll find a video where the son and father are interviewied.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Ladino - Pita in the background with the charred eggplant.

    Ladino

    4.3(345 reviews)
    3.5 miTobin Hill
    $$$

    My husband made our dinner reservation six weeks ago, for a post-graduation family celebration, and…read morehe chose perfectly! Our twelve guests ranged in age from 14-79 years, and everyone had a wonderful experience. We began with waters for the table, soft drinks, and cocktails/mocktails (Man Walks into a Bar, Amba No. 5, Don Alberto, Green Shug Collins). Due to our large party, we had booked a chef's tasting experience, which was spectacular. The appetizers were plentiful, flavorful, and unique. Our server, Anissa, did a wonderful job of explaining each dish-- its components, highlights, even suggesting that after finishing the beef dumplings, we stir the oil and yogurt together for an amazing pita dipping sauce. Our meal included four meats-- actually five, considering an off menu chef's creation for our pescatarian guest. It was such an immersive experience, I never took out my phone to capture photos of the food (or our group, sadly). Three desserts topped off the evening. When (not if) we return, we'll certainly request Anissa again. She made the evening a complete delight, even bringing out celebratory candles for our honored guests.

    Bib Gourmand? Went after reading all the rave reviews,…read moreespecially about the Table of Joy tasting menu. All the reviews highlight the creativity, the fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine. So we went for the $65 pp Table of Joy. Everything was tasty, the pita bread served blazing hot is a stand out. Our first course options were hummus and Hungarian feta with Aleppo pepper. Both very tasty but not terribly creative choices I thought. Then a bean salad arrived. Again tasted very nice, a nice cold bean salad. Saffron chicken skewer and a pork souvlaki skewer. Pork was quite tough, although a very nice char. Chicken was tender and the orzo pasta was very interesting. Dessert was chocolate pudding with some edible flowers, dill, sesame seed and small cookies crumbles on top. Yes, it all tasted very good. Service attentive. Nice ambiance. However I was expecting more for our $200 ( 2 Table of Joy, 2 beers and a Turkish coffee). Not more food, the portions were not an issue, but something more creative. Something that would change my impression of Mediterranean cuisine. I can get hummus, feta & skewers at any number of much more reasonably priced Mediterranean restaurants. Even taking into account 'The Pearl mark up', in the end I can't say I'm impressed. Disappointed we spent that much money. Can't recommend this to friends or family.

    Photos
    Ladino - Upstairs Bar while we waited

    Upstairs Bar while we waited

    Ladino - Wagyu Denver steak

    Wagyu Denver steak

    Ladino - An excellent Greek wine that paired well with out choices.

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    An excellent Greek wine that paired well with out choices.

    Zaatar Lebanese Grill - Yes, please!

    Zaatar Lebanese Grill

    4.6(268 reviews)
    9.8 mi
    $$

    If you like middle eastern food, you will love Zaatar Lebanese Restaurant. I didn't dine in,…read moreinstead placed an order online and was excited to get my order within 20 mins. I chose something simple and it was very tasty. I ate it all very quickly. I do however wish I were a fan of pistachios as it was very picturesque behind the glass display case. I topped off my meal with a very flavorful drink that vaguely reminded me of Sonic's cherry limeade. A fast-food drink I love, by the way. I told my daughter we have to go back and in the meantime I recommend this restaurant highly.

    Lebanese comfort, done right. First time at Zaatar, walked in and met by Saïd, our super sweet…read morewaiter with the most wonderful smile! He not only answered every question we had about the menu, he was so gracious to get the manager when he wasn't sure on how to explain an item to us. He was prompt and checked on us often, very much appreciated. As an appetizer we tried a cup of the lentil soup, it was so comforting and warming, it had a savory taste. We also tried the falafel appetizer and it tasted so good, flakey, and the sauce it came with was perfection! The falafel tasted so good on its own. My husband and I decided to share one plate, the mixed shawarma plate, it was very big and enough for the both of us. It comes with pita bread! The chicken and gyro meat were so perfectly seasoned, the beef shawarma was good, not great. All the specialty sauces: hummus, garlic and tzatziki were absolutely tasty! We asked for more as it just complimented every bite! The plate also comes with a lemony salad, which went perfectly with every thing! We fell in love with their rice, we ordered a side of just rice! It's absolutely lovely! To drink we got their hot tea, which is black tea and you can choose to have it with natural mint leaves, it was perfection in a cup! The music was traditional Lebanese, which made you feel like you were transported to Lebanon. Will be going back very soon!

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    Zaatar Lebanese Grill - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Zaatar Lebanese Grill - Falafel Wrap Fries

    Falafel Wrap Fries

    Zaatar Lebanese Grill - Big Mezze

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    Big Mezze

    Cafe Dubai - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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