Feels like one of the city's best kept secrets. Located in a parking lot of a repair shop, it's not…read morethe easiest to park at but the chicken kebab plate is worth every frustrating moment trying to back out onto Riverside.

Rayan is an ok food truck in a lot with horrible parking. Getting here is pretty easy if you live…read moreacross the street and can walk, but for a beef shawarma bowl that costs $18 after tax and tip, I hope I'd be able to park and enjoy without worrying that someone will block me in. The saving grace of this place is the chef and owner, who is a good and kind man who brought my food out to me after he made it.

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.

Came here for lunch this weekend and absolutely loved everything we tried! To start they gave us…read moresome complementary bread with olive oil and zatar seasoning, it was delicious. Then we ordered some spicy hummus and baba ghanoush, both were excellent and a great portion. I got the chicken Shawarma platter and my boyfriend got the Lebanese chicken Shawarma wrap, both were great! I am excited to come back here again soon!

I loved this restaurant highly recommend favorites you must try are the grilled chicken , beef…read morekafta was much better than their chicken was on the dry side Salads weren't that great but the caulifl and mixed veggies tossed in sauce were great Sauces garlic , tziki & red LOVED THE rose water& , hibiscus water , Banana pudding & baklava

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.

Yum! My favorite…read moretype of food so my bestie booked this in advance for us to have lunch here and I'm so glad she did! They had a wait even at like 1-2pm and we had a lovely patio seat which was cool with the fans and mist machines despite the 110 degree August heat. Beautiful decor and ambiance here and right in a bustling shopping area on South Congress so there is loads to see and do while you're here. We tried the Eggplant Dip and the Poblano Hummus. The hummus was stellar, top 5 ever for me. We also got a Greek salad, potatoes and bread. Everything was delicious - we had a big dinner reservation with friends so, we went light, I wish we'd been able to try more but what we had was wonderful. Vibes, food, location. They had it all.

Aba is such a beautiful Mediterranean spot in Austin! Our waiter was absolutely…read moreamazing--attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. The food was SO delicious and full of flavor, and the outdoor seating is definitely a vibe! Perfect spot for a nice dinner, drinks, and good conversation. Definitely recommend! Follow me on IG @Ohh_thatskiaa for more good content

If you don't yet know that Caspian Grill has a whole vegan menu, you should. I'm late to the game…read moreand now working to make up for lost time. Not only are they incredibly kind, but also very knowledgeable about the vegan options, and even keep all vegan prep separate from animal products. For the first time ever, I was able to try real tahdig, so thoroughly crispy that you can hear it crunch between the teeth of your dining companion across the table. Khoresh bademjan is typically made with lamb, but in this case, tender lentils carry the eggplant with enough meatiness that you'd never think the dish had ever been prepared differently. If you only get one thing, though, make it the ash reshteh. Don't be fooled by the size of the bowl; this is one hearty entree, absolutely packed with chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, soft wheat noodles, and more herbs and spices than I could identify on a single spoon. I'm already plotting how I can recreate this at home, ASAP. There's even a vegan dessert! Sweet and sticky halva, which is rich enough to split four or five ways at least, if you weren't already stuffed from the main meal. It's a double-edged sword that it was so quiet on a Saturday night. No fight for a table or wait for service, but it worries me that there's almost no buzz for this family-owned business. Get out and support them, early and often!

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.

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!

First off the friendly manager was not there... it was 45 mins to closing and I dunno if they…read morewanted to go pray or go home but the whole staff today 9/10/2026 was not happy. They looked like they were unhappy that I walked in. The food was alright but the pita was burnt (not good to serve to the customers). Otherwise... I'll check and see if the friendly workers are working before coming back. And the guy started cleaning right next to me with his spray bottle of chemicals. He stopped after cleaning the two tables on each side of me. That could've waited till they closed or he could've started on the other end. Naughty! They need to learn better customer service! Also I ordered the Levant Shawarma plate and I didn't even get to choose the sides.. very very disappointed!

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!

My second time here and I am still good with the food here. Everything looks delicious so no matter…read morewhat you get, you will probably love it. I enjoyed the leg of lamb this time with rice, beets, egg plants and pita bread with hummus. The meat was tender and easily peeled from the bone. This is set up likeva cafeteria so the service is from that point, but with that being said it is as fast as you are.

We love to come here!!!! They take a little while, but only bc they cook from scratch…read more The chicken is always so good, the falafel, everything! We love Leyla's !!!

plate portion size was pretty large. the gyro was better than the chicken shawarma. the chicken was…read morea little dry for our taste. really enjoyed the hummus and baba ghanoush!! the area is nice - there are a couple more food trucks, a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop. they also have a section where they play movies! parking is in the back, but it's a bit bumpy since it's not paved

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

Checked the place out based on Yelp reviews and was absolutely floored. Clean space, friendly…read morestaff, quick service, and excellent food! We ordered the half order falafel with hummus, mint lemonade, lamb kabob platter, and beef kabob platter. Everything but the salad came in large Texas style portions. I requested the beef be cooked to medium and the temperature was perfect. Tips: Substitute the tahini in the kabob platters for tzatziki and request garlic sauce on the side. The garlic sauce enhances the flavor of rice.

I had some friends suggest trying this place awhile back and have only gone about a handful of…read moretimes. If you're not familiar with the cultural norms then I understand why some people may feel that the workers are rude, but they're absolutely not in my or my people's perspective. You just need thicker skin and ability to take a joke, really. Their intentions are pure, their food is made fresh, and the hookah is ah - so smooth. I actually bought my entire set from here. I've gone through over 10 sets at home over the past 6 years and the one I bought from them is by far my favorite and most durable one. My kid loves their chicken shawarma wraps and we joke that he should get a job there since he liked it so much. Great space, authentic and quality stuff! Thanks, guys.

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!