I can't believe I haven't reviewed Mona's because I come here all the time. It's a friendly, bright, sunny, clean place with a glassed in patio that has big windows that open in nice weather. Staff super friendly and efficient. All the food is super fresh and tasty. All the reliable Middle Eastern foods. Their hummus is THE BEST. Nice and creamy and lemony. Served with their pita which is baked in their bakery. Prices reasonable. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices. Meat is halal. Next door is a Middle Eastern grocery where you can buy the pita. Our church uses their bread for communion! All sorts of odd condiments, spices, teas, olives , yogurt, etc. Full bar. Easy parking. Clean restrooms. read more

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I've been coming here for years. It's really a great go to option when you want something healthy and delicious. I always get the chicken shawarma plate. Comes with salad, chicken, and hummus with your choice of white or wheat pita. It's always really good. Tried the four cheese pizza for the first time because I was starving. It was really good. Only thing that would make it better is if it had something to dip it in. Usually get it to go and it's been a while since I've sat down and ate. I feel like the sit down portions are much larger which is nice. They just did a huge renovation and it looks great. Our server was great, the food came out really fast, and we enjoyed it. read more

Mona's Cafe - Shawarma Plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Mona's Cafe used to be on Frenchmen Street but has since moved to Mid-City on Banks Street. Great move!!! There is plenty of parking in front and in the back. In addition to the cafe, they have an expanded storefront where you can purchase multiple items and they have a robust to go and delivery service. We started our meal with pumpkin soup which was the special of the day. It was served with crunchy pita points and was very good. Next, we moved onto the fried cheese appetizer which we loved. The greens accompanying the fried cheese worked well with this dish. Our main entree was the beef shish kabob which came with a salad and hummus as well as pita bread. We had baklava for dessert which was delish. Two of us split the meal and we still had leftovers to take home. The ambiance is clean and sparse but they are waiting on furniture and artwork that will spice things up as well as a plan to make fresh pita bread in the dining area. We enjoy Mona's for its fresh homemade food, really nice owners, and its desire to continue serving New Orleanians when they had to pivot and move off Frenchmen Street. We will definitely return! read more

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Food was great, service excellent, updated restaurant very nice. If you like Mediterranean food in a casual setting, you'll like Mona's Cafe read more

DELISH!!! Big portions, fresh ingredients, and lots of super tasty options. Free refills on the Lebanese tea btw!! (also sooooo delicious) Everything we didn't eat, we took home, and it was just as good as it was the night before. The service was great - nice/happy attitude, and he memorized our entire order of 4 people (plus appetizers and special requests!) Not overly attentive, but all of our drinks were refilled in timely manner, and dirty plates were cleared from the table. Super clean resturant too. I will definitely be coming back here! read more

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It's been over 3 years since I last ate at Mona's, and I'm happy to say the food is still absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and the portions are generous for the price. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming! They were so sweet to my dog, which really made the experience even more enjoyable. The outdoor seating area is cozy and perfect for a relaxed meal. I also love the store next door. They have some great international finds, and the chocolate selection is amazing. Definitely a spot worth coming back to! read more

Mona's Cafe - Beef Shawarma and Gyro Plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

i had heard really good things about mona's, but i thought it was just alright. the main restaurant was unfortunately closed, so we had to go through the store to order. i'm not sure if that made a difference. i ordered the falafel sandwich with fries. the sandwich was pretty good but the fries were really sad and limp. i had seen pictures on yelp of sturdy, breaded fries but i guess those were old photos because these fries looked and tasted like they were reheated from frozen. i loved the store though! and this definitely wasn't the worst falafel sandwich ive ever had. you can't really mess up falafel too bad imo. read more

Mona's Cafe - falafel sandwich and fries - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Service was great. I called for a to-go order 30 min before closing (I know, terrible). Even though I initially ordered falafel, I requested last minute for babaganoush, and they packed it up like 10 min it was before closing. The babaganoush was delicious and kind of smokey which I liked. The falafel was also good! Tasty but kind of dry. read more

Mona's Cafe is a hidden gem. I went there with my friends for lunch. We all love this space. Mona's is quite spacious - they have plenty of tables inside and outside. The space is very cozy. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Their menu offers a variety of options. I ordered the half and half (chicken and beef) shawarma. It was delicious, especially the hummus. The price and portion were fair. read more

Mona's Cafe - Half and half shawarma(chicken and beef) - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

It was delicious! I got the beef which came with salad and hummus along with warm pita. I also ordered a side yogurt and cucumber salad. The staff could not have been nicer! read more

Consistently delicious, fresh Lebanese fare. The servers are kind and helpful. The gyro and lamb (and chops!) are highlights. The salads are crisp and the hummus is very comforting. This is a very dependable establishment for lunch or an informal meal. I also really enjoy the Lebanese grocery store attached to the restaurant - a great source for olives, dried figs and Lebanese desserts - not to mention the excellent bread baked on site. read more

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Food is always good. This is some of the best hummus I have ever had. It's rich and creamy. Idk how they do it but it is my favorite. read more

Mona's Cafe - 4 Cheese Pizza - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Fresh, fresh, fresh and wonderful flavors in all the food. Have eaten here the last 2 days while I have been in town. Love the sampler appetizer platter, the baba is so delicious. Will be back! read more

Fell a little short of my expectations. Would not recommend the fatoushe :( Food was lacking a bit in both flavor and presentation. Prices are fair and staff was modestly welcoming. read more

Mona's Café get the best lentil soup ever. Thanks Katherina for your hospitality and kindness. Definitely it is an excellent choice to eat. I recommend 100 % read more

My family has loved Mona's for many years. I've been coming here since I was a young kid. The food has always been excellent and the staff is very nice. Please support this amazing local business!! :) read more

Mona's has always been one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants. Went there for a late lunch with my mom after an appointment. I got the chicken shawarma plate that comes with salad, hummus and pita bread. The hummus comes with some chopped peppers that add some spice. The food came out pretty quickly and we both enjoyed our lunch. We also made a trip into the connected little market to get some spices. read more

Mona's Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

We received great service. Our waitress was really kind. The food was magnificent. Would definitely recommend. Be sure to checkout the market next door, too! read more

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Mona's is my neighborhood go to for good Mediterranean fare. There is seating inside and outside. The staff is cordial and the portions and prices are reasonable. Grab a boot along the wall for intimate gatherings or sit outside for a more communal feel. The grape leaves are good, I often have the lamb chops. Gyro plates are a staple for our family when on the go, and of course a few sweet treats. Mona's is a solid neighborhood dive off the beaten path serving Mediterranean classics. There is also a small grocery attached with spices and other essentials. This is where I go when I cook Mediterranean at home. read more

Love this place. Reasonable prices and old time service standards. I always get a chicken schwarma sandwich and it is the perfect lunch. Staff is always the same and very friendly. read more

The place could have been a little more cleanlier but it was an older building. I ordered the half and half plate. Very flavorful and it was a lot of food for a decent price. read more

Mona's Cafe - Chicken shawarma and beef shawarma plate with hummus and pita - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The food was exceptional! I don't eat Middle Eastern food a lot, so my palate for this may not be the most sophisticated. However, I think the beef and chicken shawarma plate was really good- great mix of spices and flavors. We also tried the spicy red sauce and the tzatziki on the side, which brought more flavor to the dishes. The portion was pretty big, but I didn't feel super full after eating it. The Turkish coffee was also a nice add to the meal. That small cup is packed with a bold taste and caffeine. We did wait about 15-20 minutes to get our orders which I think wasn't that long, however our server kept apologizing for the wait. Staff were kind and helpful, although since our waiter was pretty new, he had a tough time telling us about the dishes. Other than that, servers were attentive and we got everything we needed when asked. I think this place is cool to check out in MidCity. There's ample seating and great food! read more

Mona's Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Love the grocery store. Fresh Pita, olives, and French Feta. So much more in the dairy section. Great olives . Love the Jordan Almonds. The restaurant is great for takeout and to dine in. It has a number of tables and outdoor dining. It's been in business more than 30 years on Banks Street. A really great go to or take out. read more

This was honestly some of the best Palestinian food that I've had in the last 10 years. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The ambience was giving "Welcome home." It was giving, "This is New Orleans but this is New Orleans Middle Eastern fusion." Perfect love it would absolutely go again. read more

Best middle eastern restaurant in Nola. Love this location. If you want to order to- go, then there is an adjacent grocery store next door where you can shop while waiting for your food. Pictured below is the falafel (fried chickpeas). It's probably my favorite thing to order in the morning before school! When dining- in, I do like to order a combination plate. This basically has a little of everything Mona has to offer hummus, salad, chicken kabob, lula kabob, and steak kabob. This place never misses! The food always tastes juicy and fresh!!! Been going here since I was a kid and some of the employees have been there since I was a kid so it's nice to see a friendly face every now and then. There is a nice shaded outside area where you can sit and have a meeting, study for school, sit alone, or to just hang with friends. This place can be busy but the food and service is the reason to keep coming back. read more

Mona's Cafe - 6 Piece Falfel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I visited here for the first time about a week ago on a Tuesday during the lunch hour. We are able to find parking at the location. There were no issues getting a table as a walk-in. The service we received was good. I ordered a gyro sandwich and some french fries. I thought it tasted good. The sauce was on the side instead of on the sandwich which I wasn't expecting. I would return here but the next time I would request that the sauce be put on the sandwich. read more

The atmosphere is quiet and chill. The service has been really good, although short staffed at times. The food is great! Probably the best falafel I have ever had. read more

this place always have great food fresh and delicious Camren's excellent service was cherry on top read more

Mona's is always a consistent choice for decent to good Middle Eastern food. This is probably my favorite location of Mona's and they have an attached Middle Eastern market here. They have a nice outdoor patio dining area and the inside has some unique design features that give you the illusion you could be off somewhere in the Middle East about to feast. I'm a fan of the combo kebab plate, the fried kibby and the Mona's Special appetizer combo plate. I also like their iced mint tea as it is quite refreshing. Service typically seems to be much more attentive and professional here than the other Mona's locations. This is the same food you can get at the Byblos restaurants for a cheaper price and larger portions. Some of the food certainly gets up to four stars but on average it is about a three star place. It is also a market that has all sorts of interesting middle eastern grocery items that you can't really find anywhere else in the area. It is like a cafeteria style dining arrangement where you order your food or you can choose things from the hot plates. Most of the things I've gotten from the hot plates haven't been as good as in the restaurant so I usually go for one of the plate specials and those are almost always good. The stuffed lamb plate was one special that I didn't care for as it was just lamb mixed with a bunch of rice and I missed my salad and hummus that comes with most of the other plate specials. You get a lot of food here so it is a great value and an easy place for a quick lunch. It is also right next to the Black & Gold store so you can grab some Saints gear and get ready for the game before or after lunch!!! Mona's video review: https://youtu.be/QUQbhgE0NRs read more

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A New Orleans standby. 5 stars for price, consistency and mint tea. Will continue to go every other week for takeout.

Covid19 Update: Still one of my favorite places to get a delicious, and relatively healthy meal, in Mid-City, but right now take-out is your only option. Last week I used the Yelp app to order some takeout, then we grabbed a few things in their little grocery store and took our lunch to City Park and enjoyed salad and hummus underneath an ancient oak in the shade. The grocery store was stocked with all of the usual items. And, because it is a tiny corner store, it wasn't packed with a bunch of people trying to get in my space. I bought some spices and a few cans of stuffed grape leaves to add to my pantry while maintaining a safe distance. read more

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The market has unique produce that I'm unable to find anywhere else. I've been cooking Middle Eastern dishes more frequently. The unique spices are difficult to find. Dates are fresh. Yogurt is creamier and smoother without being sweetened. I enjoy being with the clientele too. The restaurant has fresh, flavorful selections that are less greasy than other Middle Eastern restaurants in town. Casual and reasonably priced as well. A new favorite spot for me! read more

Food and service was great! Not pictured: gyro and chicken shawarma sandwhich (wrap) but both were delicious read more

Mona's Cafe - Hummus appetizer and meat Safeiha (Mini Pizza) - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This was the best Middle Eastern food I've had. I was in Mid City and very hungry. Decided to try Mona's for the first time and this was the best decision. I enjoyed the Chicken Shawarma dinner served with salad, humus and pita bread. It was a good amount of food. I left full and satisfied. I plan to visit Mona's again soon! read more

Mona's Cafe - Chicken Shawarma plate served with salad, humus and pita bread - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Mona's Cafe is adjacent to a Middle Eastern market and serves a menu of kebabs, mezzes, salads, and sandwiches in a rustic but beautifully decorated dining room. Mona's Special was a combination appetizer plate that came with hummus, baba ganuj, lebna, tabouli, three warm grape leaves stuffed with rice, two crunchy falafels, and a fried kibby (bulgur and ground beef fritter stuffed with ground lamb and pine nuts). All of the dips were thick and creamy and were topped with olive oil and chopped green chilies, which added a nice spicy flavor. My favorite components were the hummus and the kibby, but everything went nicely with the warm pita bread that came on the side. I also tried the Beef Filet Shish Kebab, which had a particularly flavorful marinade with just the right balance of savory, acidic, and spicy flavors, and the juicy meat was grilled to perfection. Overall, this was a nice rustic cafe for a casual meal, in a restaurant located unexpectedly in the middle of a residential neighborhood. read more

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Absolute 5 star for Mona's. First time here and absolutely love the atmosphere, the service and the food is excellent. Support your local eateries and grubbers or we will all starve... read more

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I forget just how great this place is. Everything is so fresh and superior quality to any other Mediterranean restaurant in the city. This is definitely their best location. Wendy is a sweetheart! Such great atmosphere, food and service! read more

Oh boy!!! The goodness & yumminess that exudes from this place is profound. From the servcie to the cost to the parking to the food... All just GOOD GOOD GOOS GOOD!!!! We had a sampler plate with Lenna, Baba Ganuj & Hummus. Then I chose the Grape Leaves Veggie Plate and my dining partner had a combo plate. Accompanied with that oh so tasty Lebanese Tea... Love the pine nuts. Pricing was fair for all the food we had... Can you say LEFTOVERS?!?!? Despite being located in a residential area, the parking was good; we drove up and bingo there was a parking spot... That's FAVOR!!! The service was great as well. Our server was very attentive despite being multitasked as an outdoor seating host, server, food deliver & order taker... Hello that's a lot. I plan to go back especially since these food choices fall in line with my new food regimen. read more

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Stumbled on this place when my friend was craving Mediterranean. Not really my fav but I liked this place. Super relaxed and casual with friendly staff & a convenient location. The food was great and the plates are large and filling. I want to go back and try different dishes bc they have a lot to offer on their menu. read more

Mona's Cafe - Chicken Tecka Plate & Gyro Plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Mona never fails. Gyros are the best!!! The fried kibby is worth trying... you will not regret it!