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    Nubia

    4.2 (522 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Order Nubia Takeout or Delivery

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    NUBIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Nubia

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    Chai Haleeb
    Paola W.

    Nubia is definitely a vibe. The outdoor patio is beautifully decorated and gives such a cozy, at-home feel. The hookah is great, and the staff is super attentive--they consistently come around to refresh the charcoal, which we really appreciated. And my favorite part? The chai--it was absolutely delicious.

    Reagan P.

    If you know, you know!! Nubia Cafe is one of those spots that's been around forever for a reason. We came here around 7pm and the place was already packed, inside and out. There's a constant buzz of people catching up, music playing softly in the background, and lots and lots of hookah!! This is a true late-night lounge. The kind of place where you don't just eat and leave, you really hang out. For a long time. I feel that more people need to know how good their drinks & food is though, aside from just the hookah!! We ordered mint lemonade, sugarcane juice, and Karak tea to start. All three were legit, but the Karak was the standout!! Creamy, spiced, and strong without being bitter. For food, we got the lamb shank kabsa, chicken kofta plate, and arayes. The lamb was fall-off-the-bone and flavorful, sitting on a huge bed of seasoned rice. The kofta was juicy and well-spiced. Arayes were crispy on the outside and stuffed with ground meat... simple but satisfying. We ended with the kunafa cream, and honestly, that alone is worth coming back for. It was huge!!! Gooey, warm, and sweet without being too heavy. I LOVED THIS!! This place isn't fancy, but it doesn't need to be. It's consistent, it's full of life, and it gives you exactly what you came for. Definitely one of Anaheim's most iconic late-night spots.

    Stuffed grape leaves with kawara3
    Maged A.

    If you're craving a taste of home-style Mediterranean and Egyptian food, Nubia Café is the place to be! The menu is packed with authentic flavors, from perfectly seasoned koshary to rich and hearty molokhia, kabsa bringing a true Egyptian touch to Anaheim. Their Mediterranean dishes are also on point, with fresh ingredients and bold spices that make every bite memorable. Whether you're coming for a full meal or just to enjoy the cozy atmosphere with some tea and hookah, Nubia Café delivers a welcoming vibe and quality food every time. The service is amazing Highly recommended for anyone looking for authentic Egyptian & Mediterranean flavors in Orange County!

    Shawarma plate with fries
    Ayoub A.

    Nubia is one of the few places in socal where you can still get a meal and enjoy hookah, which makes it worth considering. The food was good, not amazing, but we enjoyed it. Prices are around $20-$30 per plate and another $30 for hookah, so not the most budget-friendly option, but it's decent. The outside of the place looks a little worn, but inside, the atmosphere is decent. It gets crowded, and the staff is friendly but really busy, so service can feel a bit rushed. The people hanging out were cool, and the overall vibe was relaxed. The Lamoon Nana (lemon mint smoothie), is a must have, it's super refreshing and pairs very well with your meal or hookah. If you're looking for a spot to smoke hookah and have a meal, it's a decent choice!

    Mixed Grilled Kabob
    Andrew M.

    I mean if you're looking for the OG middle eastern experience, don't look past Nubia. Been coming to this place for more than 10 years and it never disappoints. Food is delicious, service is good. Hookah is great, and environment makes you feel like you're back in the Middle East. 10/10

    Ruby G.

    This place is horrible. On the weekends you have to spend 20$ each. They are now charging for everything that they can such as the hose for the hookah. The food is not good I would not recommend but service is pretty good. Karak chai is too sweet and when asked to filter or put less sugar no one listens. There are creepy people staring you down when you walk to the bathroom lol. Then when we left they charged us a 20$ tip so our total was different then what it says on the receipt. Go somewhere else!

    Total what i paid is $264 while on the online checkout it was total 209, roughly $40 variance !!!

    Disappointing Experience - Hidden Fees & Poor Transparency I visited Nubia Café in Anaheim with a group of five, and we were initially asked to order through a QR code menu at our table. Everything seemed fine until checkout, where we were unexpectedly told to pay at the cashier--even though we had already entered our payment details via Apple Pay. When we checked the receipts, we noticed a 15% additional charge that was never disclosed beforehand. There was no sign or note on the table menu stating that groups of five or more would be charged extra. When I asked about it, the staff told me that only their personal phone menu had this information--which makes no sense, since customers are scanning the QR code on the table, not their phones. When I asked how I could file a complaint or speak to a manager, the employee told me that "nobody is in charge here" and that I would have to come back on Tuesday if I wanted to speak to someone. On top of that, they simply told me "there's nothing we can do." The lack of transparency and dismissive attitude from the staff make this place feel dishonest. I won't be returning and would caution others to check their bills carefully before paying.

    Khoi H.

    My first time trying hookah and coming to a hookah lounge was at Nubia and it was such a great experience. At first the indoor space seems empty but you're greeted by a bustling crowd in the back. The workers are friendly and they do their best. My friends treated me out for my birthday and we all got the double apple along with shawarma, a mezza plate, and baklava. All the food was delicious and the shawarma was juicy. The total was around $55 which wasn't half bad at all considering the amount of shisha you're getting.

    Authentic Karak Tea

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    4 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    Alaa K.

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you Paola!

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    10 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you Christy for your support.

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you Best Nader in the world!!

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    1 year ago

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    Alaa K.

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    Alaa K.

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    Tea used to be good.. basically got sugar water for $7.50 this past visit. Won't be coming back

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    Alaa K.

    Hello Nikita , I am sorry what sugar water ?

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you very much for your lovely review!

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    2 years ago

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    Alaa K.

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    5 months ago

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    Alaa K.

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    4 years ago

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you for the lovely comment.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    This place is great. Good atmosphere. Excellent, attentive service. The chicken kabob sandwich & lamb were awesome.

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    8 months ago

    Beware. If you come on a weekend and dine in, you will be overcharged. Food is good but already overpriced.

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    Alaa K.

    Sorry how were you over charged!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    Alaa K.

    Can’t Thank you enough for your words and support.

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you very much for your support!

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    1 year ago

    Chill spot to have some mint tea and fries while smoking hookah with friends. It's a relaxed vibe

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    1 year ago

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    Alaa K.

    Thank you for your support Tarek !!

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    10 months ago

    اجواء تخبل بصراحه احلى كوفي واجواء عربيه ب انهايم نمبر وامن احنا من عشاق هذا المكان الجميل

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    Exelent service fresh tasty food and best tea and Turkish coffee in town. Big and clean dinning room.

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    1 year ago

    Great food hookah and ambience!! Always great service no matter how busy they are. Moe made sure we were extremely taken care of!

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    Page 1 of 14

    Nubia Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nubia

    Are they open for dine in?What time do they close?

    Open for dine in and open during normal business hours

    I've been going to Nubia's every week for the past four years but now do not live in SoCal anymore and it's only been a week and I'm already dying for Kushari Chai. Does anyone know how I can make it at home?

    I'd probably think it's black tea, with mint leaves, some cardamom, and tea leaves. Of course add milk and/or sugar.

    Are you able to make reservations for a large group ? Do they allow you to bring cake or have birthday cake to serve?

    Yes, you can call ahead of time and they'll reserve a table for your group. You can bring a birthday cake with you, but plz do purchase hookahs and drinks there!

    18+ or 21+?

    21+

    Is there a poetry night or something along the lines of that? i would love to attend

    Absolutely not and the place is better off for it. They don't need gimmicks like a poetry night or belly dancers to woo customers bc of the strong the Arab and Desi clientele that supports this place.

    Is there any halal options?

    Everything on the menu is halal last I checked and they don't serve any pork or alcohol either so even the strictest Muslims are good to go

    View All 10 Questions

    Review Highlights - Nubia

    The place is traditional Middle eastern, the food is kind of good, order the chicken cave and hummus with meat.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Dream Hookah Lounge - New remodel inside

    Dream Hookah Lounge

    3.8(266 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I always enjoy coming here! The service, hookah, music, WiFi, seating, and vibe is always great!…read more If you're looking to have a lot of fun with your friends and like to dance then come later in the evenings on the weekends for that "club" type of feel. But if you like a more chill feel this lounge offers that too throughout the week especially before 12 am. It has a great ambiance for people who want to sit and talk with friends, use their laptops, study, or just simply relax. I love the hookah here, I have never been disappointed. I'm a regular here and they always remember what I want to order. I find the prices to be fair, you get what you pay for and I've never had a bad hookah. I highly recommend this place!

    Not sure if this place picks up after 11pm, but it's pretty dead inside. There were only 2-3 other…read morepatrons besides me and my friend. I didn't mind it too much except for when one person pulled out her phone to loudly watch videos without headphones lol. They were nice enough to switch flavors for us for free when my friend didn't like the first blend we got. She thought the dream mix was weak and preferred the blend of 2 flavors she picked. That being said, they don't have water cups and you have to pay for Fiji water bottles. I think people would up the reviews if the ambiance was better. It's a lounge so that does matter to people: the TV screens playing multiple different things and loud music despite being empty just made it feel like I was in a frat house meets sports bar. Anyways I'd be back if I didn't want to wait at other lounges.

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    El Mahroosa Cafe & Restaurant - Mulikhiah with chicken and rice!

    El Mahroosa Cafe & Restaurant

    3.9(434 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    This place used to be really good but lately their hookah is not the same and prices has gone up so…read moremuch And they charge for paying with credit card Ambiance is cool in the outdoor area in the back

    As somebody born in Iraq and raised around real Arabic food in Dearborn, Michigan. Yes you guys met…read morea real Arab! this place was honestly offensive. I know exactly what authentic Middle Eastern food tastes like, smells like, and looks like. This was not it. This felt like recycled cafeteria food dressed up for people who have never had the real thing. For almost $65, I genuinely felt robbed. Everything tasted old, aged, reheated, and low effort. Nothing had freshness, brightness, or quality behind it. Real hummus is supposed to be balanced between chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Even food writers and traditional recipes describe hummus as a smooth blend where the chickpeas are the foundation and the tahini supports the flavor -- not the other way around. Apparently this restaurant never got that memo because I'm pretty sure they accidentally served me a bowl of straight tahini and forgot the hummus entirely. I thought chickpeas were one of the cheapest ingredients on earth, but somehow they managed to make hummus without any actual chickpea flavor. It was bitter, muddy, heavy, and completely drowned in sesame paste. Whoever made it must've been in a personal blood feud with olive oil and lemon juice too. The fattoush was an absolute disaster. Real fattoush is supposed to have freshness, herbs, vegetables, citrus, and crispy pita with texture and balance. What I got was a depressing garden salad tossed in cheap dressing with pita chips fried so hard and soaked in old oil that they were basically edible roofing shingles. I love pita chips, but these things were NOT brittle like glass. I felt like I was eating hardened gummy bread. I genuinely thought I was going to crack a tooth. They tasted like stale fried scraps reheated over and over again until all flavor and dignity left them. The tabouli somehow had even less life in it. No brightness. No freshness. No clean parsley flavor. It tasted like it was prepared months ago and forgotten in a refrigerator. Even the pita bread was stale. STALE. That alone tells me everything I need to know about the kitchen. Any real Middle Eastern restaurant knows fresh bread is sacred. " How dare you people!" Then to top it all off, the attitude was horrible. Cold, dismissive service from people acting annoyed that customers even exist. The overall cleanliness and presentation of the restaurant honestly made the entire experience worse. Besides the young girl working she's the one star for my review. California desperately needs to stop letting places like this claim they serve "authentic" middle eastern food. This is the kind of place that survives off hype, location, and customers who simply do not know better. If you grew up eating real Iraqi, Lebanese, Syrian, or Dearborn-style food, you will immediately know something is wrong here. I left overcharged, disappointed, and honestly feeling sick afterward. One of the worst Mediterranean food experiences I've ever had. كشخص وُلد في العراق وكبر على الأكل العربي الحقيقي في ميشيغان وديربورن، فهذه التجربة كانت إهانة بكل معنى الكلمة. أنا أعرف تمامًا كيف يجب أن يكون طعم الأكل العربي الأصيل وشكله ورائحته، وهذا المكان لا يمتّ له بأي صلة. شعرت وكأنهم يقدمون أكلًا مُعاد تدويره ومُجهزًا للناس الذين لم يجرّبوا الأكل الحقيقي في حياتهم. دفعت تقريبًا 65 دولارًا، وبصراحة شعرت أني انسرقت. كل شيء كان بطعم قديم، وكأنه محضّر من أيام أو معاد تسخينه عشر مرات. لا يوجد أي انتعاش أو جودة أو اهتمام بالتفاصيل. الحمص كان كارثة. بصراحة كنت أعتقد أن الحمص من أرخص المكونات الموجودة على وجه الأرض، لكن يبدو أن المطعم خلط طلبي وقرر أن يعطيني طحينة صافية وينسى الحمص بالكامل. الطعم كان مُرًّا وثقيلًا ومليئًا بالطحينة بشكل مقزز، بدون أي توازن أو نكهة حمص حقيقية. واضح أن الشخص الذي حضّره عنده مشكلة شخصية مع الحمص وزيت الزيتون والليمون. أما الفتوش، فكان فضيحة. الفتوش الحقيقي يجب أن يكون منعشًا ومليئًا بالنكهات والخبز المقرمش الطازج، لكن ما وصلني كان مجرد سلطة عادية مع قطع خبز مقلية زيادة عن اللزوم ومشبعة بزيت قديم لدرجة أنها كانت قاسية مثل الزجاج. حرفيًا حسّيت أني سأكسر سنًا وأنا آكلها. التبولة لم يكن فيها أي حياة. لا انتعاش، لا ليمون، لا نكهة بقدونس نظيفة. طعمها وكأنها منسية في الثلاجة من أمس. وحتى الخبز كان يابسًا. وليس "ناشف قليلًا"، بل قديم ويابس فعلًا. أي مطعم عربي حقيقي يعرف أن الخبز الطازج شيء أساسي ومقدّس. وفوق كل هذا، الخدمة كانت سيئة جدًا. تعامل بارد ومستفز وكأنهم متضايقون من وجود الزبائن أصلًا. ونظافة المكان وطريقة التقديم لم تساعد إطلاقًا. كاليفورنيا فعلًا لازم تتوقف عن السماح لأماكن كهذه أن تدّعي أنها تقدم أكلًا عربيًا "أصيلًا". هذا النوع من المطاعم يعيش فقط على الاسم والشكل والناس الذين لا يعرفون الفرق بين الأكل الحقيقي والتقليد الرخيص. خرجت من المكان نادمًا، منزعجًا، ومعدتي تؤلمني من سوء الجودة. واحدة من أسوأ تجارب

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    4.8(209 reviews)
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    Absolutely love Palmz Hookah Lounge! From the moment you walk in, the vibe is welcoming, stylish,…read moreand super relaxing. The ambiance is perfect whether you're coming to unwind after a long day or meet up with friends for a fun night out. The hookah flavors are smooth, fresh, and last a long time you can tell they really care about quality. The staff is attentive, friendly, and always checking in to make sure everything is perfect. Customer service is truly top-tier. Great music, great energy, and an overall amazing experience every time. Highly recommend if you're looking for a classy and chill spot to enjoy hookah. I'll definitely be coming back!

    After trying every hookah lounge in Orange County, we found something rare at Palmz -- not just a…read moreplace to smoke, but a place to breathe. There's something about this spot that just feels right. From the moment you walk in, it's clear: Palmz isn't trying to be like the others. It's already something better. The vibe? Effortless. Warm. Thoughtful. The interior alone could've been crafted by a professional designer -- and maybe that's because Tracie, the owner, pours heart into every detail. It's not just decorated... it's curated. Where other lounges miss the mark, Palmz sets the standard. The staff doesn't just serve -- they welcome. They remember your name. They ask about your day. They'll even create off-menu blends that somehow taste like exactly what you needed. For us, this place has become more than a lounge. During one of the hardest seasons of my life -- a divorce, a home disaster that left us living out of a hotel -- Palmz became our escape. Our reset button. Our little sanctuary when everything else felt upside down. We've been coming here for almost two years now. And every time, it reminds me how powerful a safe, soulful space can be. One request though... We need Palmz t-shirts. Because when something feels like home -- you want to rep it. - Paul

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    Nara Bistro Mediterranean Cuisine & Hookah - Yummy  the garlic sauce is my fav

    Nara Bistro Mediterranean Cuisine & Hookah

    3.9(404 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Great place to go on Saturday night. They have live music, a great menu selection and the ambiance…read moreis amazing. Plenty of flavors for hookah and decent prices. We got a few of the tea options and it was a great addition to the hookah. I really enjoyed the cardamom tea! Recommend to RSVP so you have a table outside!

    Came here on a Sunday night and the place was pretty empty…read more When we approached the host stand, a man was standing there with his back to us on his phone. We weren't even sure if he worked there or was just waiting. We walked past him and saw two guys (one seemed like the owner or manager) standing and talking. No acknowledgment at all. We finally asked if we could sit anywhere and were just told "yes." We sat outside and waited quite a while before anyone came to take our order. We ordered a Blue Mist hookah and it had almost no flavor -- it tasted like it had already been smoked for an hour. No one checked on us, so my husband had to get up and find the manager to ask for a replacement. We switched to Double Apple and it was the same thing: basically flavorless. We asked for water and the manager dropped off bottled water without saying anything. It's really frustrating when you're not told upfront that there's no free water. If I'm paying for a drink anyway, I would've preferred tea. Once again, we had to track down the manager to ask him to swap it out for tea. We also ordered a combo kebab platter. The presentation was nice, but the food itself was average. The meats were decent, but the hummus was pretty bad. To top it off, the guy who had been standing at the host stand (who we later realized worked there) sat at a nearby table watching videos loudly on his phone while we were eating. Super annoying and unprofessional. Overall, poor service and food that didn't really deliver. Not a place I'd rush back to.

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    2.1 mi
    $$

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Anaheim Rating: (5/5)…read more I ordered from Cairo Restaurant & Cafe through Uber Eats, and this ended up being one of the most meaningful food experiences I've had in a long time. For context, I come from Egyptian heritage. I'm first-generation American, and both of my parents grew up in Cairo. The dishes I ordered -- Hawashy as an appetizer and Makaroni Bechamel (Bashmil) casserole -- are foods I grew up with. The last time I had this exact meal cooked for me by my mother was several years ago, so placing this order felt like a gamble, especially with the restaurant being all the way in Anaheim while I live in Irvine. That gamble paid off immediately. From the very first bite, the food tasted unmistakably authentic. The hawashy was deeply seasoned, rich, and comforting -- exactly how it's supposed to be, not watered down or adjusted for convenience. The makaroni bechamel was the real emotional gut punch in the best way possible. Creamy, savory, perfectly spiced, and layered the way it's done back home. It tasted like something made with care, patience, and respect for the dish. I'm not exaggerating when I say this meal hit me hard. After one bite, I literally called the restaurant just to thank them. I asked to speak to the manager and told him what this meal meant to me -- how it tasted like something my own mother would make, how it brought back memories I didn't realize I'd been missing. That call wasn't planned. It was instinctive. Huge shout-out to Zayne, the manager, who was incredibly kind and generous on the phone. He even sent along kunafa for dessert, which was the perfect ending to the meal -- warm, sweet, and beautifully made. Beyond the food itself, the packaging deserves real praise. Everything arrived hot, which is not easy, especially for a casserole like makaroni bechamel. Once that dish cools too much, it loses something important. This didn't. It arrived as if it had just come out of the oven, which speaks volumes about the care taken in preparing orders for delivery. This is not a 5-star review because of nostalgia or heritage alone. It's a 5-star review because the food was genuinely outstanding -- rich, decadent, comforting, and made the right way. It is very hard for me to say that something compares to my mother's cooking, but this truly came close. I cannot wait to come in person in the next few weeks. Cairo Restaurant & Cafe didn't just serve food -- they delivered a memory.

    Came in last night for a quick bite. Lots of people smoking hookah on the patio but I sat inside…read more Wasn't super hungry so I just got the lentil soup and hawawshy, which is an Egyptian street food where they stuff pita bread with ground beef and spices. Both dishes were good but not amazing. Another customer came in and I overheard him say, "this seems more like a hookah spot than a food spot." I'd have to agree with him

    Photos
    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Beef liver

    Beef liver

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Fatta with Lamb shank

    Fatta with Lamb shank

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Rice pudding

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    Rice pudding

    Nubia - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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