Mezze Café has quickly become one of my favorite places in Austin. From the moment you walk in, you'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! read more

I gave 4 stars to give them the benefit of the doubt, but my actual experience felt closer to 2 stars. The main problem was the noise. The acoustics were very bad. The hardwood ceiling and the glass window in front of me seemed to amplify sound from every direction. I was with a group of six men, and none of us could hear each other. As the noise increased, every table seemed to raise its volume just to communicate, and it became painful. The food had a BBQ flavor, which was different for Mexican food. Some people may like that, but it was not what I expected. It was 4 star food. I think sitting outside would probably be much better. read more

All day Friday I was snacking. Mezze Cafe was one of my snack stops. I was told by a friend that they have the most delicious homemade hummus. So I ordered their hummus. My friend was spot on. You could tell that the hummus was homemade as it was thick and substantial to eat. It also had some extra virgin oil and some tasty spices. To be honest, I was not crazy about the accompanying pita bread. While it was plentiful, the pita bread was a bit hard. It did not appear homemade, as I expected. Moe, my server, was very attentive and brought my hummus rather quickly. While my hummus was $8, there were built automatic tips up 30%. You could opt to do no tip or a custom tip. Never seen a tip automatically built to that large percent. Their parking lot was a bit small, but was free for customers. I did enjoy my hummus and would recommend it. However, I would ask for crackers to accompany the hummus. read more

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Stopped in for a post dinner hookah hangout with friends. The hookah was fantastic (we got the rose mint flavor) and the Persian tea was flavorful, delicious, and served in a gorgeous tea set. Initially I appreciated the indoor/outdoor concept they had going on, but this quickly changed when I saw a rodent run past my chair. Initially we thought it was a giant rat but later realized it's a possum, which likely came in as the doors are left open to the indoor/outdoor patio. This is dangerous and definitely a risk to patrons! read more

Mezze Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

My actual review would be 3.5 stars only bc the prices for food are ridiculous in my opinion but the hookah is good and the service as well. We ordered the kofta kebab wrap which was delicious in taste but literally barely any meat in the sandwhich. I love their style of pita and the sauces and fries served with it were all fresh. We also ordered the gyro plate where you get to choose 2 sides - we went with the rice and hummus. Hummus was sadly underwhelming. Lastly we ordered the medit cheese rolls which were freshly fried and good - wish it came with 4 for the price. Everyone already commented on the water so I agree that that's annoying, or atleast should be verbalized when presented with them. All in all good but a little too overpriced. read more

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The only good thing about here was the tea. For it being a hookah spot, the hookah was bad. It wasn't even made properly, the rubber grip was missing was the hookah almost tipped over. The service was super slow. The heaters weren't working so it was really cold. Or food took almost an hour to come and we only ordered falafels and fries. Very disappointing. read more

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Really lovely, lowkey spot! I only stumbled upon this place. The front patio area is really pretty, the lighting is nice and dim and I think there was a live band and belly dancer last night! So cool. The back room area is dingy and dirty looking. They honestly need to make sure the entire place is well decorated, clean and presentable for paying customers! Service was really poor and disappointing. My server was rude and inconsistent. She came to check on us a total of two times and then came back to say "are you done? We need the tea pot and glasses" this was extremely unprofessional and rude!! My party of 3 was shocked and uncomfortable after this. The food was good. I ordered the Shih Tawook plate, but she brought me the wrap instead at that point it didn't matter and the wrap costs as little less. The mint tea was refreshing and strong! The presentation of it was pretty. My friend indulged in hookah and ordered the passion fruit? It smelled nice. I didn't try any desserts on this visit but I definitely will next time around! I hope the owner takes hospitality seriously and improve with feedback! I look forward to returning to give this place one more shot because the vibe with other patrons was amazing! Music was good and the food quality on point. FYI there is a parking lot but it is tiny and chaotic! Park on the street read more

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The food, everything, was very good. I had the Shish Tawook (chicken) with tabbouleh and hummus. The tabbouleh was fantastic! I don't know if it was authentic or not, but it was so good! The staff member that I dealt with was personable, pleasant, etc. Only one negative--I wish I could give the place a 4.5, but I don't think a 4 is fair--After I indicated that I was finished eating and ready for the bill (maybe I didn't communicate it so clearly?), it seemed to take quite a while before they came with the check. Otherwise, great food! (I did not try the hookah at all.) Oh, I forgot to mention: I was served a bottle of spring water rather than a bottle of "purified" water. That was fairly impressive. read more

I came here for a late night bite after most places were already closed. I had the chicken shawarma wrap not realizing the wrap came in a tortilla rather than a pita. The shawarma wrap was bland and nothing special. The French fries appeared previously frozen rather than made in house. We were seated on the patio where we were surrounded by hookah customers. We were hit with the hookah steam repeatedly while trying to eat our meals. It was not the ideal seating arrangement. read more

Mezze Cafe - Chicken Shawarma Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is a nice go-to spot for hookah when we want to be in the downtown area. The food is decent, but not the best Middle Eastern food out there. It leans more American in style and tends to use a lot of oil. For example, we tried the kibbeh, which was very crispy due to the heavy coating of oil. I personally prefer kibbeh to be softer and flavorful from the natural ingredients of the minced meat. The kebab and shawarma plates are also decent, but not particularly standout. That said, we usually come here for the hookah, and more often than not, it is pretty good. The vibe is another reason we come. I am very much a vibe person and like to feel comfortable sitting and enjoying my surroundings. The semi-outdoor setup, spacious layout, and overall atmosphere make it a pleasant spot to relax. We are not regulars, but we do come occasionally for the hookah, ambiance, and tea. It is not a place we would specifically choose if we were coming just to eat. read more

We had high hopes for tasty Mediterranean food at affordable prices. While prices were not affordable (and like everyone else we were annoyed by being charged for water bottles we were handed at the beginning of the meal), the vibe and hookah offerings of Mezze Cafe are appealing. It's spacious inside and very calm. Hookah menu is appealing for small or large groups. The food was nothing super special, but a very nice place for hookah, tea, and good vibes. read more

so glad to have found this hidden gem! reminds of being back in Marrakech. the hookah is nice and smooth, the ambiance is relaxing + the moroccan mint tea brings back memories from my trip! service is phenomenal, quick, and accommodating. adding this to my list of favorite spots! byob as well. read more

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Food is delicious. We went to see belly dancers but they were 1.5 hours late to perform and we were tired of sitting down and had to leave. We asked for hot sauce but it never came. They bring you water bottles upon arrival then charge $2.49 each. Also a 20% service fee is charged prior to paying tip. I didn't realize that until I saw my texted receipt. I would have been happy to pay that had we seen the performers. I felt cheated out of that. One waiter for 12 tables. It is BYOB. Didn't know that until we arrived. Had I known I would have brought a bottle of wine. No conventional AC so it was hot for my husband, but I was comfortable. read more

soooooookk goood and just like that your day is going better than it was with some friends and family and some hot mint tea

Awesome spot for a hookah and hot tea. The food was also amazing. This is the first hookah lounge that I have visited in Austin that has a great set up and is very spacious. The staff were prompt and welcoming. read more

Mezze Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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First things first, the food is great! Everything is served hot and fresh. The falafel wrap, chicken shawarma wrap are served with fries and very delicious. Service is slow as it took over half an hour for us to get our wraps. It's a little hot to sit on the patio for lunch so we sat in the restaurant although there's limited air conditioning indoors too, especially with multiple people smoking hookah. They charge for water bottles even if you order food(WHATT??!) and prices have gone up from $9 to $13 for the wraps and $18 for the plates. Will I come here again? Probably not. But I can order takeout. read more

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I was craving a gyro wrap - a real one, stuffed full, brimming with juicy meat. Stopped in a dropped $14 on what turned out to be the little bittiest street-taco-sized gyro with two whole strips of meat inside and a big pile of fries I didn't ask for or want. And they charged me $2 for water. Went home hungry. read more

Mezze Cafe - Little bitty gyro for $14. Meh. - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

I been there several times. Asked for a bill. Guy shows up with pos and there is no bill but the total amount of $69. And all i had 2 kunafa, small pot of tea and cheapest hookah. Since there is no explanation i had to pay the full amount and of course asking for a tip. I added $10 and guess what my server asks if i wanna have a printed bill. Saying yes and having shocked they have already charged you for service charge which was never mentioned or stated. Scammers in this place. read more

I've been here a number of times now - hookah is good, atmosphere is great (they have a cute cat that wanders around which is a bonus!), food is good. I love that I can have hookah and food. However, they have upped their prices and cut out menu items (no more shawarma, chicken or beef), which is okay - tough economy, high rent. What I DO NOT love, and didn't even realize until this last visit, is that on weekends they add a 20% service charge to every bill. This is NOT the tip. They don't give you an itemized bill - just hand you their little hand device with the total and the options for tip, and I only knew because my friend read it somewhere online and asked about it. We had 4 people, hookah, tea, and a large food platter. They charged us $28 as a service fee. Then they add the percentage tip to the bill that includes the service fee! The service fee is NOT the tip, as explained by the server. So we ended up tipping 20% to not screw the server. All in all, walked out of there paying over 40% in service fee and tip, which is absolutely wild in my opinion. I may be back as I like having hookah and food together and don't know of any other places, but I will NOT be coming on a weekend. read more

Looked for hookah, found this, rolled here, and left happy. They have awesome flavors of hookah including the special flavors such as blue moon and midnight breeze. We went with blueberry mint since we didn't have it before; absolute killer. Our meal consisted of the falafel wrap for myself and my friend ordered the shish tawook plate. We also got some Persian tea to wash it down with. The wrap was quite large and filling; a little dry but that's what the tzatziki sauce is for; also good seasoning. Enjoyed the fries as well, also well seasoned. My friend enjoyed his shish tawook plate as it had the right amount of texture and flavor. The Persian tea kept us warm and complimented the food and hookah well. A solid experience overall. I noticed the next day looking at my receipt that I got charged for a bottled water although I never received one. I'll have to keep my eye on this the next time I arrive. Check your receipts before you pay. Not too much fuss over water but always check and verify. Aside from that, can't wait to return! Also BYOB read more

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So I came here attracted to a casual Mediterranean-food BYOB place and: Casual- yes BYOB - yes.... But $10 per person The food, well I consider myself a fanatic of Mediterranean food and also a fan of value. The food was just barley ok. I had the plate with Gyro meat and they barley had a few slices of protein and had no problem charging $20 for it. Well maybe I'm terrible but I'm wondering where I'm going to stop on the way home for some food... because I'm still hungry. Leaving here $30 lighter, had two glasses of my own wine and thinking this is a very competitive city and seems like there is better elsewhere. Lots of folks smoking hookah and that's cool, just not my thing really. Service was good. One guy taking care of the entire place but I never lacked for anything. read more

Mezze Cafe - Gyro plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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If you're with a group of friends, and looking for a chill spot to fraternize, and BYOB. I highly recommend Mezze Cafe. I loved the energy from the staff, the outdoor area was super spacious, and well kept. But on top of that, it was the best hookah I've had. Trust, these people know what they're doing! I was floating! ***keep in mind*** they charge a $25 BYOB fee. This is not uncommon in hookah bars, so don't be alarmed. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because of the smell of fertilizer right by us. It was a little distracting, and I liked the food, but didn't "love" the food. You all may have a different feel for it. Nonetheless, I will be returning! read more

Mezze Cafe - Love this place - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

I found my Turkish culinary heaven in Austin! The fact that this place not only captures the essence of Turkish cuisine but also offers a selection of wines and groceries for a piece of Istanbul at home is truly remarkable. Clearly, it's a standout in Austin and a true taste of Istanbul's culinary magic! If you are a first timer, you can't go wrong with the Adana Kebab or the Iskender. Try Kunefe for dessert. read more

Mezze Cafe - Entrance - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is another hole in the wall hidden gem off of Oltorf ST in Austin, TX. It's right across from Habaneros Mexican restaurant which is another awesome place. Anyways, this really one of the best Mediterranean places I have eaten at in while. It is indeed a little expensive, but my opinion the price is worth the food quality. It's authentic to point, but they also have Americanized food blended in on their menu such as french fries. But the way they season french fries, they are phenomenal and delicious! You have to try the Persian Tea! Be careful because it comes out super hot to the touch. It will burn you if you're not careful. Definitely if you have kids with do not let them touch the tea pot. They also have evening hours and a hookah lounge as well. I haven't tried the hookah lounge yet, but it is on my radar to try one of these days. Definitely check this place out! It's one of my favorites now to go eat for lunch while I am working on site in the office! Parking is in the back and there is really no where else to park. read more

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Gaby was awesome!! loved the food such a chill place to go hangout with friends. If you come here we recommend getting the Lebanese pickles with your food they pair perfect with the food. read more

We went here on a Thursday night and I must say the service was pretty bad - they got our hookahs super late in the first place and the server was not very friendly - the main course also came in after a long wait. In terms of food - it was OK - nothing out of the world and the hookahs were good. read more

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My partner and I came to try out Mezze Cafe and was not disappointed! If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean food, Mezze Cafe is an excellent choice. We both "Made a Plate" each, which comes with an entree and two sides. His: Chicken Shawarma, Hummus, and Fries and for mine, the Kafta Kebab, Tabbouleh, and Hummus. Preference wise, I thought the Chicken Shawarma had more flavor, while the Kafta Kebab was drier. The freshly made pita and hummus were perfect! read more

Food serving is just right and the taste is outstanding. Great service, very calm and comfortable place to eat. read more

Mezze Cafe - Fellafel plate. - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I consider Mezze cafe my second home. It was the first spot I discovered in Austin when I moved here. The place has a cozy nice set up. Honestly what makes the place stands out are the staffs because they are very welcoming. Adel by far is an awesome human being make sure to ask for him as he has such amazing demeanor. He even remembers his customers' orders so you do not need to bother to place an order. Your order will get to you once you get seated. You must visit Mezze asap and make sure to ask for Adel. read more

Warm and family style reception! Great food! My wife and I love Mediterranean/Arabic style food and the family that operate Mezze did not disappoint us! While we arrived later in the evening when hookah was the most popular menu 'item', we found a separate spot away from the smoking at the front of this older Oltorf converted home and enjoyed conversations with the brothers that owned the operation and interacted with our Belgian Malinois working K9. Their attention to detail and attentive service was excellent and by the way...the mint and Turkish teas (served in silver pots) were perfect and stayed HOT!! Oh, one thing: Patrons need to be aware of limited parking behind the restaurant, and watch your step, it's an unfinished lot! 1 read more

Feels like a hidden gem. I loved the mint tea. Except for the hummus everyone liked their plates. The service here is the best. So friendly. And pet-friendly, too! I'd like to try the big veggie platter next time. :) read more

Mezze Cafe - Hot mint tea - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I flew into Austin and was craving authentic Mediterranean food. I looked at the reviews and was left with no words. The amazing service Sam gave felt at home. The hookah was made extremely well and to my liking (I usually smoke my own hookah 4 times a week, so I'm really picky) but this one was GOOD! I told my husband that this is where I want to go on our bi weekly date nights. I had the teas and shawarma and it tasted fresh and delicious. I will be back and recommend all my friends. read more

Mezze Cafe - Persian Tea - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Yelp! now has a limit to the number of words, so I must highlight selectively. In reverse order: best baklava of my life! Delicate, perfect pastry, not oozing with too much honey. The tabouli is almost all vegetables, and the bulgur is very delicate, not the chunks one expects. I adore falafel, and this was also the best of my life: no hint of grease (baked???), and the perfect deep brown that speaks of time and attention to quality. Dolmas? Obviously hand made. Even the pickles were too good to be true. I'm ruined for other middle Eastern restaurants. Amazing! read more

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Great place for Mediterranean on W. Oltorf - a neighborhood gem that's a bit hidden away. Did a takeout from here for pickup. It's fast - and order of chicken shawarma and gyro plates. The meats were nice and hot and the portions of tabbouleh and fattoush were pretty generous (we didn't finish it and had some leftovers. Pita bread was thin and reheated well (15seconds only). I did take a look at the back patio and there are seats for folks that are brave enough to dine in during COVID times. I also saw two hookah tables - one active with a few guys relaxed and partaking. read more

This place is underrated, the staff....so nice. The drinks are delish and the outdoor patio is incredibly cozy. Not to mention this bathroom......CLEAN. Y'all they have a sparking pink reindeer in there!!!! What's not to love? 10/10 experience. That soap smelled good too where can I find some. read more

Mezze Cafe - Bathroom - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Visited during not soo busy hours for some tea, Which was good though I would've preferred a warmer to avoid our pot from getting cold. There seemed to be plenty of space to sit and I'll be back on a weekend night to see how busy it gets with belly dancing and live music. Definitely a place to try in south Austin if you are looking for Mediterranean restaurant. read more

Authentic and phenomenally delicious Lebanese cuisine. Best in Austin and certainly rivals the top Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurants in Houston and LA. Service is very friendly and efficient. Farah made us feel at home. All the recipes are original and chef Shadia, the co-owner, is super friendly, very knowledgeable and hospitable. I highly recommend Mezze Cafe for great food and amazing service. Don't forget to try the cheese knafe dessert accompanied by hot mint tea..the best I've had in years! read more

VERY IMPRESSED. Food was delicious. Especially the garlic based secret sauce for the fries. We had a gyro w/ fries and shawarma plate with tabouli and baba ganoush. All very good. Especially for the price. The tabouli was fresh and lemony. The gyro wrap was soft and doughy. It was perfect. Also, the mint tea was surprisingly slightly sweet. We wished we had gotten the large. Staff was attentive and kind. (As described in other reviews) Staff came by frequently to refresh out hookah coals. Due to covid, they give disposable hookah hoses. And everyone is spaced out far apart. So no worry about contracting the virus from hookah. For two people, we were charged $10 for BYOB. But when you do the math, it's actually cheaper to bring your own than ordering alcohol from a restaurant anyway. Lastly, I really loved the ambiance of this place. Fire pits, space heaters, good music, and not packed. Definitely coming back. Especially when my vegan sister visits. read more

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Amazing little hidden spot. First,the owner is a really nice guy who is very accommodating. I was joking with him that I had never had a hookah and he brought one to our table for free! The second time I came back he cleared out a fire table table for us. He makes you feel very welcome and no I do not know him. Lol. Second the food is amazing. If I'm not mistaken everything is made in house. The hummus is very flavorful and fresh. I had the Katfa and my companion had the chicken Shawarma. Both were equally as good. We started off with some falafel which is very light. Lots of times falafel can be too dense but theirs has the perfect consistency. Next time I'm gonna try the Nutella Knafeh when I come back! The best part is their open late and they serve food late. I can't recommend this spot enough! read more

Mezze Cafe - Fire table to for the winter! - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We read all the great reviews for this place and had really high hopes. We had it delivered to our hotel and it was about 10 pm...the food was terrible. One thing it was like half our order and half of someone else's. We ordered a couple of vegetarian items and instead got meat items. When we called to ask the fix our order, he said that they were out of those items. Why not call us to discuss our options, why replace them with meat items. The quality of food was subpar. Also, it was soggy and barely warm. We ended up eating only the pita bread for dinner. It didn't taste anywhere near scratch made. It tasted like things from bags and containers. read more