We had an unforgettable night filled with fresh flavors, handcrafted dishes, and some of the…read morewarmest hospitality in the city. Chef Saad Ghanem absolutely showed out. His passion for cooking with fresh ingredients shines through in every single bite. Everything here is made completely from scratch, and you can truly taste the love behind the food. We started with the creamiest fresh-made hummus and tangy tzatziki, followed by kibbeh and perfectly fried labneh that were crispy on the outside and dreamy on the inside. The lentil soup was cozy and comforting, and the Mediterranean house salad was bright, crisp, and loaded with flavor. Then came the main event: a massive Mediterranean feast with grilled meats, shrimp, chicken, lamb, fresh veggies, and house-made sauces. All cooked to perfection by Chef Saad. The cocktails were refreshing and delicious, and the hookah had the smoothest minty-tropical flavor that paired perfectly with the entire experience. And just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite... we met the crispy banana dessert. A warm, golden pastry stuffed with banana and cheesecake, lightly fried, and served with vanilla ice cream. Absolute heaven. From the food to the drinks to the service, Sahara Café delivered a 10/10 experience. Jacksonville, if you're looking for authentic Mediterranean cuisine made with heart, this is the spot.

Came here for trivia night (Wed at 8), didn't realize it was a hookah bar but that was our fault…read more The air was quite smoggy and you can taste the sickly sweet juice in the air. Again, our bad for not realizing. The trivia was a lot of fun, hosts were very friendly and questions came from a variety of topics. I got a falafel wrap which was decent but definitely needed some more sauce or flavor of some sort. Solid mid-tier wrap. The fries were good. The wrap looks small but definitely filling. Staff were very friendly and attentive even with an event going on

Came through on a Wednesday night and got there right when they opened.....definitely the move if…read moreyou want to ease into the vibe before it gets packed. I was there for the oyster special, and for 50¢ oysters, they were actually pretty solid. Fresh, flavorful, and definitely worth it for the price. They also have buy-one-get-one margaritas, which is always a win. The drinks were well-made and paired perfectly with the laid-back midweek energy. As the night went on, the DJ started doing their thing and the whole atmosphere shifted...in a good way. It went from chill to a full-on vibe pretty quickly. Only downside? Parking can be a bit of a headache, especially once the crowd rolls in. So I'd definitely recommend getting there early if you can. Overall, a great Wednesday night spot if you're looking for good deals, good music, and a lively crowd. I'll definitely be back.

This place has a really cool vibe. On Wednesdays they have a DJ from 6 - midnight. They have a…read morekitchen for food, hookahs, and cocktails / beers / wines. I had a watermelon mint hookah and it was really good. They keep the coals coming until you can't smoke anymore. The VIP booths around the venue are comfortable and intimate. There's a pool table too if you'd rather be up playing. The TVs were playing sports the whole time I was there so this would be a great spot to catch a game and relax. I love the photo op wall covered with flowers and the X Lounge sign.

My best friend and I decided to check out BARAN hookah lounge during their soft opening for our…read moremonthly Bestie date. The atmosphere was warm and inviting from the time we walked in until we were seated at our booth. The waiters, even the manager and the rest of the staff were all very friendly, very helpful and down to earth. They were knowledgeable about the items on the menu, but they were also energetic and a fun time to be around. The staff alone made me want to come back again. While I love a good vibe, the food has to match, and thankfully for my Bestie and I the food did just that. We started with a glass of Prosecco and then ordered the hummus with the puffy bread. Both were amazing. For our entrées We ordered the meat platter for one which came with a variety of meat, including lamb, chicken, and beef, a salad and rice on the side. We also ordered the Branzino, which was perfectly cooked that also came with salad and rice on the side. Each entrée also came with either puffy bread, one we subbed for their pita bread (amazing). The waitress said that the Branzino was her top menu item and I must admit the Branzino and the hummus will keep me coming back over and over again. Excited to see what this spot becomes after their grand opening. It's definitely off to a good start.

I had high hopes for my first time trying this restaurant. I saw pictures online and it was…read morereally pretty. Lets start with the good, the interior is very pretty and the food was delicious and seasoned well. Unfortunately the service was some of the worst Ive had and it doesn't make up for the good food. We arrived for our 6pm reservation and was seated at a very small table. The restaurant was not busy at all at this time. One of the chairs had a large stain so we asked if they could switch it out, the next chair was wobbly. At this point I requested to move to the bench seating or to the half moon booths which the waitress immediately said no since all of those are reserved for parties larger than two. Mind you, everyone that was in them were only parties of two so I pointed that out. She talked to the manager several times all while I'm standing because they still haven't replaced the wobbly chair. She came and told us we could not move because they would lose money if larger parties came in. We probably should have left then but I really wanted to try the food. Unfortunately it didn't get better, no one kept the coals hot in the hookah and we had to sit in on the floor cause our table was so small. The waitress was non existent and we had to ask for things repeatedly. Several parties of two came in and were seated in the booths we had requested as well. We were charged a fee for paying with a credit card. Overall good food, maybe they are so new they haven't worked out all the kinks but for the price there are better restaurants with great customer service which goes a long way.

We came on opening night so it's given that it would a busy night. I like and appreciate that they…read moreseparated the hookah/cigar lounge so if you just wanted to dine you didn't have to deal with the smoke. We waited a while for our food and we were a party of 6. After our food came we realised that we didn't get all of our food! It took talking to a few people to get our order right but even at that they didn't get it right. Food was ok. They said their theme is small plates, so it's pricey for small plates. Their banging shrimp was good, the shrimp

Good food, great service, amazing ambiance. After we walked…read morein our waiter was given a huge party and he did a great job of attending to us (party of two) and the large group. The food came out fairly quickly as did the drinks. I'd give the wings a 7/10, the half chicken was a 8/10 and the steak entree was a 9/10. The desserts were also a 9/10. Upon arrival they were playing really mellow music 90s and early 2000s RnB mixed with little pop and current RnB. Later on they had a live dj and he set the vibes! We also ordered hookah which was good, it wasn't harsh at all!

Primo is Prime Time! Many thanks to Andrew for his hospitality! Excellent cigar loungeread more

One of the chillest cigar lounges in the Jacksonville area. Andrew has been grinding to get this…read moreplace up to speed and humidor has a wide variety of tasty smokes. Service is great.

This is a really nice place. My friend and I enjoyed ourselves. As we walked in the vibes were…read moredefinitely in the building. There was a DJ in front and people were up dancing, sitting around smoking cigars and having a good time. As the night went on, the DJ took a break and gave us a live show. He played the heck out of that Saxophone. That was the cherry on top. I will be back next month lol.

love stopping by Cigar International on a Friday night. The live music always creates a great vibe…read moreand makes it a perfect place to relax and unwind. The bartenders are friendly and provide great service, and the cigars are always fresh and well stocked. Parking can be a bit of a mess sometimes, but the atmosphere and experience definitely make it worth the visit. Great spot for cigar lovers!

I've come to Casbah Cafe a few times now and think it has some of the best vibes in the city…read more I typically sit outside, where -- heads up -- the ground is a bit uneven, so be aware of that for your chair and table. The outdoor environment feels like it could fit in with any city, and the indoors is beautiful and cozy. Service has always been friendly, and I've enjoyed all of the food I've gotten. I love that they have a meatless option for grape leaves (their vegetarian options in general are plentiful), and the fried jibneh is a highlight I don't see on many local menus. Their hummus is good stuff, too. I will note that I have only ordered from their appetizers and desserts, so I'm not sure how their entrees stack up. In general, I do appreciate the variety they have. They have some great teas to order, and the kunafa dessert is delicious. I've only done hookah here once, but they were attentive with the hot coals and the setup was just what you'd expect. This is one of the first places I consider when I'm in the area. I will note they get very crowded on the weekends, but it's one of my favorite spots for a weeknight hangout.

The ambiance here was super nice! We had live music and it…read moretransported us into a place we have never been to before. We had great service and the food was really fresh! I loved my Kibbeh, and the seasoned fries. This is a go to spot for us as we do not live to far from here and it is never a miss here. Even to just sit and have a drink with some hookah outside is also a good plan for us. I was happy that inside was smoke free, it helps non smokers not deal with smoke of that is what they desire.

We recently had dinner at Jax.Restaurant and from the moment we walked in, we knew it was going to…read morebe a great night. We're very impressed by both the cuisine and the service. The menu offered a wide variety of dishes. The house cocktails were the perfect complement to our evening. We enjoyed - Meat empanadas - Buffalo wings - Shawarma - Shrimp Kebab Drinks: - Blue After Dark - Passion fruit margarita I regret not getting dessert because they look amazing. Think tiramisu and tres leches. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with elegant yet relaxed décor. I love that they have large screen for game nights, a pool table and outdoor patio. The service was exceptional; friendly and attentive. They also serve food until 1am! This perfect for late night outings. Definitely a place we'll return to again and again. **100% recommended!**

We stumbled across this place by mere Accident. We originally selected another restaurant that had…read morelive music. But after many failed attempts, we ended up here because it was the one of the only places where the kitchen was still open at 9:30 at night to our surprise, this place is an actual nightclub! I will say that the place was extremely clean and open, perfect for groups and gatherings. At the time we arrived, the place was fairly empty. Because they are a club/lounge, they are known for their all you can drink option. Unfortunately, I do not consume liquor, only wine, so this created limited options in regards to drinks. The manager was so accommodating that he acquired a bottle of wine for our table so that I could enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Our food was very tasteful, and very fresh tasting. We were extremely shocked, given that this was indeed a nightclub. If you're ever in the area and you want to enjoy some Latin vibes, but you also want to secure some good food to have while you drink, definitely count this place in!