It's hookah in Indy... as a Lebanese guy from Michigan we have high standards when it comes to hookah. This was absolutely solid for Indy but mid at best overall. Good vibes inside though. Great service read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

It's got a distinct vibe. And if I was a little younger, I think I'd love it here. Found furniture, not a ton of cleaning, and street clothes employees who stand at the bar smoking most of the time. Awesome if you're a young person looking for a place to hang out. But a little off vibes if you're middle aged or older. The food was fine, fries were really good. But I would probably only come for hookah and chill. read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Food was adequate at best. service was ok but did not like the mandatory 18 percent gratuity. service was not good enough worth 18 percent gratuity. ambience and music was so horrible. i would not go back. read more

I LOVE going to this hookah bar!! My friends and I have gone a couple of times, staff is very friendly, very welcoming, it has a very chill vibe, awesome place to go and unwind with your friends. They have a lot of great selections and the prices are not bad at all! I've had the Zeus fries, chicken wings, and fries, all so incredibly tasteful and delicious! Would 100% recommend the food. That being said, their drinks are not the best, DO NOT try their mystery drink!!!! It is Bailey's mixed with whiskey and it does not taste good!!! I was not a fan of the jalapeño margarita, the plain mojito was not great, they have a flavored one that tastes better. I think their alcoholic drinks could use some work. I still recommend going even if you're not a smoker, the food is amazing and should try it out! read more

If you're looking for some good hookah in a chill atmosphere, I definitely recommend Sultana - located on College right past Mass Ave it has free street parking and some limited parking on a side street. The shisha has always been flavorful and smooth! The food is also really good, but allow for some patience as there usually is only one or two waiters working at a time. They're always super friendly though! On Saturday night they have a belly dancer that performs throughout the evening, and it does get pretty loud with the music playing. Otherwise during their normal hours, it's a great place to gather with friends, or camp out to get some work done while smoking a hookah. (I've clearly done both!) I haven't been to Sultana since COVID hit, so can't speak to what procedures they have in place, but I can say I definitely miss it! read more

What a change in venue!!! I came here a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if they have changed management but it was definitely a completely different experience from before. It did get off to a slight downward start as instead of being greeted at the door with a "hello" we were yelled at from off in the distance "we need your id", considering she was behind the bar standing.......she could've walked over greeted us....then asked for our ID, but she didn't. My drink was fantastic!!! It was a mango premium tequila margarita and it didn't disappoint! I also ordered the spanakopita and they were phenomenal! When I say this place has made some changes to food and drinks...they've made some changes!!! The group I was with of course ordered some hookah and per the recommendation of one of waitresses we had a minty pineapple something which was perfect! One of my friends ordered a drink which came out on fire!!! It was STRONG too!!! Not too sure how she finished it but it definitely had a punch to it. read more

See all

Mmkay. So, I rarely do hookah and when I go I'm just looking for a chill time. I got this at Sultana. It's really laid back, chill...maybe too chill? We got there around 10 pm on a Saturday night and it took 30 minutes to even get the hookah started. I wasn't pleased with that but friends told me that it was cool so it's ok. Also, there were a lot of us and they only gave us one hose. Super annoying to pass when there's 6 people in a circle. I mean, to me it was the same vibe I've gotten at other hookah bars in Indy. I would say to try it out anyway, though. read more

I've been coming to Sultana for the last 3 years and the only thing that has been consistent is the delicious food & hookah. If you are looking for some juicy ass lamb loaded fries - get the Zeus fries! OOOOMG, literally mouth watering. Also, the chicken wings (Kanye sauce & sweet sesame) are some of the best in the city. My fave hookah mix here is blueberry mint. This place is an entire vibe. HOWEVER, I am giving it 2 stars for the terrible kitchen service/waiter service & disgusting drinks. Let me say this- tonight, my server Jace was AMAZING. So 5 stars for him personally. But the kitchen staff is SLOOOOOOOW. You only need to order food here if you have hours to spare. The bartender needs to go back through bartending school OR they need to be provided with better bartending utensils and mixers. My best friend ordered a mojito - the only part that was enjoyable was the mint leaf and the ice. I ordered a sidecar, there was so much sugar around the rim I almost stroked out. Another friend ordered the "dolmas" and her plate was ICE COLD. There's so much potential for this place. Let's get it together!! Sultana really could rake in bigger bucks in spring and summer if there's great improvements in the areas I outlined above... read more

Hookah is good and drinks are good. Music is mid! If you like a lot of music without hardly any words this place is for you. Also, workers attitudes are terrible. They make you feel like you are out of place and in the wrong. I don't think I interacted with any worker with a decent attitude. They all had bad attitudes! Customer service is terrible! read more

Hookah here is really bad. It's harsh AF and the guy who made the hookah is weird. The tips kept falling out of the disposable hose so we asked for different size tips (which we knew they had). Instead of just giving us the tips, the hookah guy lectured us on the purpose of the tips. Yeah man, we know what the tips are for. We didn't ask you. Anyhow, the servers were friendly and the drinks are good. But compared to Egyptian cafe, the hookah here is just bad. read more

Servers were sweet. Atmosphere was chill. Place was decently clean. But they use quick light hookah charcoal? That's gross. The hookah was barely smokable and I had to quit smoking 45 minutes into the session to spare my throat and my lungs. Nobody should ever serve quick lights in a hookah lounge. Period. read more

Would recommend Pros- Parking on side Pricing Staff frequently came around to change coal Serves food- did not order Bar- okay drinks Friendly staff Good music-R&B, hip hop and Afro beat Cons- $10 min purchase per person Holes in old furniture read more

They serve dirty used DISPOSABLE hookah hose. It cant be sanitary or a part of state law when it comes to a biohazard. I am surprised no one has did a report about this. I mean it had green stuff in it and it smelled. I don't even want to go to anyones hookah bar because of this place. The service is mediocre to say the least. If you go here please ask for a new disposable hookah hose and take it with you. They are disgusting!. The picture below is of the dirty hookah hose with so much debris and tobacco in it... then it had some weird green residue in it and when we asked about it the server had the nerve to get an attitude. Which was a white girl with locs. She was horrible and her attitude was bad as well. The excuse the manager had was she is over worked and was called in for this shift so she is probably tired. They lost a customer. I will never come back here. read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Horrible. The place feels and looks ran down. The seats are very uncomfortable, the food is mid, the drinks taste like juice, the bartender cant make a long island and the staff are all in street clothes so its hard to know who works there. This use to be a dope spot but its gone down hill. RIP to my once fav spot read more

Food used to be better when it opened back in the day but is still solid, especially for a hookah bar. Solid place to hit for meal, hookah and drinks. Service is very iffy. As with food, used to be great back in day but more recently has been largely bare minimum in most cases which is main reasoning for taking star off. Great location just north of bottleworks and near Monon. read more

Updating my review based on the excellent service I've received for the first time ever at this hookah lounge. Olivia was AMAZING and deserves a raise. Was so shocked to find out she's only been working here since December. She was a doll from the beginning to the end and made great recommendations and was very attentive. Thank you so much Olivia, I'll keep coming as long as you're on the floor! The Zeus fries and chicken wings are always a hit! read more

There's something about Middle Eastern-style cafés that I find romantic. Perhaps it's the comfortable cushioned benches, maybe it's the hearty, soulful cuisine, or it could be the sweet-smelling shisha smoke wafting through the air while tea is poured. It's really all of those things, and if you want to find it in Indianapolis, look no further than Sultana Café. Styled after a Cairene café, the interior of Sultana is lovely, although not fancy by any means. Having been to many cafés in Cairo, I can say that despite being 6,000 miles away, it is reminicient of the real thing. Of course, outdoor seating isn't available year-round, and the warm, dry weather of the Sahara won't be found. With imported Egyptian furnishings and hookahs, it is an interesting, comfortable, and very fun place to hang out. If you visit Sultana Café, don't skip out on the eats. While the menu isn't purely Egyptian, it is almost purely Middle Eastern. With popular favorites like gyro, shawarma, falafel, and tabouli, it is hard to find something that isn't appetizing. If you desire a dish more popular in Egypt than in the United States, try the kofta kebab. A perfect place for group dining...or a date, try ordering multiple dishes and sharing. I have found all the meats at Sultana Café to be wonderful. The large appetizer platter is quite filling, and it is enough to serve multiple people with hearty appetites. Shisha (hookah) is certainly an attractive reason to patronize Sultana Cafe. With large, Egyptian-made pipes, I found the smoking experience to be wonderful. With myriad flavors, deciding what to smoke will be the most difficult decision of the evening. They even have non-tobacco options available for those wishing to avoid nicotine. I recommend the Wooden Fish blend, which is 80% Al-Fahker Double Apple and 20% orange shisha. Be sure to enjoy your shisha with a hot glass of tea, just like you would in Cairo. As much as I enjoy this café, I do have some constructive criticism. First, they need to make sure their in-house menus are in line with what is published online. There are stark differences. Second, they would really benefit from using natural coals versus quick light coals on their hookahs. They allow for a better and more authentic smoking experience. Sultana Cafe provides an all-around great time. Whether you want to enjoy a great Middle Eastern meal or a satisfying smoke with friends, this is the place for you. read more

Why did i not find out about this place before!! It is amazing!! Spacious interiors and good outdoor seating available.. loads of hookah choices and thefood is great too.. we tried the paan and the pomegranate hookah and we loved it.. great for large groups too.. a little away from downtown and thats what we like about this place since it is never crowded.. definately recommend this place.. read more

See all

Hygiene is a big thing that should keep you away from that place, Watch out the cups. Nothing authentic, they don't know how to make a Turkish coffee, and the answer we know it's not the way but this is our way. Too Funny !! Also, this place dose not know what the word service means. read more

This place is so good. I went two days in a row. The hookah and food are great. What I feel deserves the most recognition is the two amazing waitresses who helped me. I just see how they handle the customers - especially the feisty ones - and always with a smile and lots of tolerance. Send those loud customers here to California where they will pay double as much for a hookah and the only one allowed to have an attitude is the waitress :) Will always love to stop by when I'm town. Thank you. read more

Such an awesome place to just relax and have a great time chilling on your phone or studying or even watching a movie on your laptop. Bring a couple of friends for a great time or on your own! read more

See all

Had a really great time tonight. Food and hookah were awesome. The water is unfortunately awful but maybe not their fault. Great service and options. Second visit and will be returning :) read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Butter chicken dinner - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

... filthy ... roaches coming up from the booth behind us and going straight to kitchen.... No to mention the bathroom sink looks like it hasn't been cleaned in ages. Needless to say we WONT be back. Saw 4 roaches in less than 15 minutes, so they are definitely infested in there, not just visiting. read more

See all

Great spot to get hookah. Service is a bit slow but still a great hookah spot. A little raggedy though with the whole yelling to your customers that the establishment with be closing in ten minutes. Maybe a different way to go about that.. idk.. read more

Loved it! What a fun addition to the city and this little OMA (Off Mass Ave) enclave. It's got a fun atmosphere, some lights you'd probably love to find in a boho room reno and the hookah smoke wasn't bad at all--I'm usually super-duper sensitive to any form of smoke, and it wasn't bad at all. We opted for the appetizer platter so we could try a bunch of stuff. I really liked the hummus here--a little more hint of lemon than most places, and the baba ganoush had a really lightly smoky finish. The pita bread they use is super soft and warm, and yummy. The falafel was done just right--gotta love that. We split a main dish with kebabs. The side salad dressing was so tangy and the herbs tasted fresh. The kebabs were moist and flavorful. The rice pilaf was actually a standout (I usually skip rice), and the night's veggies (beans) were surprisingly good. The fries were served with some feta, which I haven't had before, but I think I will want more in the future! THIS is what's super awesome about Indy right now. New/ different cultural offering showcasing the city's burgeoning diversity--LOVE that! read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Nice appetizer platter! - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Neighborhood restaurant and hookah bar, open late for those who feel the urge to eat late. Sandwiches, appetizers, platters and a wide range of beverages, including Egyptian iced tea. My appetizer: saganaki ($8) came out super fast and was lit on fire at the table. A slightly different type than i was used to.. This didn't have much of a lemon flavor but seemed a bit more grilled than other types I've had. Served with homemade pita. For my main course, I went with the vegetarian combo ($15) that included some gosh darn delicious falafel that I'm still thinking about. It also contained hummus which lacked any amount of flavor. The stuffed grape leaves made up for the lack of taste in the hummus, and I'd probably get this again and ask for an extra one of those and another falafel in lieu of the hummus. I also got to sample the Egyptian tea, a delicious flavor with fresh mint leaves. It came with a generous amount of sugar. This stuff was delicious and went great with my meal. Welcome to the neighborhood, new friend. With your late hours and delicious offerings and closeness to my house, I'll be seeing you again soon. Real soon! read more

See all

Used GrubHub to find a local place with delivery on a Monday eve. After 12 hours of driving, I did not feel like going out at all. (And found code foodyes10 online and saved $10 on my first order!) The ordering process was simple, and the website keeps you updated on the status of your order. The food was delivered right when they said it would be, and it was warm and delicious. My only gripe is that they did not include plastic ware (seeing as it was being delivered to a hotel, I thought this went without saying, and I didn't check the spot to leave off the utensils on GrubHub. Other than that, everything was great. :^) read more

See all

Came in for lunch & hookah. The cheeseburger was great but the lemonade was even better. Very refreshing!

I recently found this spot thanks to yelp. Located on College, this place has plenty of parking and is easy to find. Inside, the restaurant has tons of seating with a relaxed vibe. This is the type of place where you go to on a first date and actually hear your date. The menu is good size with tasty food. I really like the loaded fries. The drink selection appears small, but the bartender was willing to make anything. Now this place has a very large selection of hookah. I love the blue mist. It was by far my favorite hookah ever. The only thing I didn't dig about this place was the belly dancer. I am not big on solicitation while I'm dinning. The dancer came off as a beggar... Overall, I like this place. It is chill, I'll be back. read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The food is to die for and the service was great. drinks and the hookah were also delish!

One of my favorite spots! Halley is awesome and so accommodating. We will be starting at sultana and having our 10 year high school reunion there for our bar crawl! Pros: Chill spot Half off Hooka Mon-Thurs 4-6 Belly Dancer Saturday If you request to DJ, they will let you :) read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Yummmmmmmm - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

If I could give it 0 stars I would. Customer service is by far the worst I've ever experienced. I've tried to give it multiple chances due to being close to home but I'll NEVER return. Servers are rude, high (not able to function), the seats gives you bed bug vibes, and the bartenders have no clue on how to make drinks. Need I say more? Automatic gratuity added on to your bill also regardless of table size. read more

If you're looking to go out but want a more laid back night and you enjoy smoking hookah, I definitely recommend stopping in here. Not only was service great, but there were multiple pride flags/decor displayed which allowed me and my girlfriend to truly decompress and genuinely enjoy our time here, knowing this establishment is lgbtq+ friendly. read more

I think this is probably best as a chill place to smoke/do work. I really appreciated the vibes upon entering, and the waitress was very nice. The experience deteriorated from there. The drinks took about 30 minutes to arrive. To their credit, they had run out of the beer I ordered and said it would be a slight wait to tap the keg, however I did not expect a 30 minute delay. I ordered the babaganoush, and it was insipid at best. It looked very unappetizing, rather like vomit on a plate, and it was swimming in olive oil, probably to compensate for the lack of flavor in the spread itself. My companion got the falafel, and it was markedly more flavorful than my dish. In their defense, hookah is their jam, so maybe the fault is mine for going and not partaking. I would return, avoid the table that had some unidentified crusty substance on the seat, bring a computer, order a drink and do some work, all the while foregoing the incredibly forgettable food and reveling in the pleasantries of the wait staff and atmosphere. read more

Awesome hookah; great food; good vibes Glad to be back!!!!!! It's warm and cozy in here. The music is at a good level to still have wonderful conversations! We tried an appetizer and it was phenomenal. I'm impressed. The hookah tastes so authentic and they have nice hoses, stems, and hookah bases. We also got a bucket of corona with lime which just adds to the whole experience. We are having a lovely time. Thanks Sultana! This place is busy too. read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

A great place to hang out have a few bites and eats. They have over 55 flavors of hookah to smoke. Great service read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - New specials - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Granted, this is my very first experience with hookah bars in general although I've known my younger friends have been in the know for quite some time. I really liked the overall impression when I first walked in. It's very open, but the tables are cozy no matter where you sit. I think this would be a great place whether you're just two people or with a group. I was fortunate enough to have a group of 5 which made for great conversation and good food and hookah. If you know me, you know I love my cake so I got the chocolate cake. I don't know whether it's made in house or somewhere else, but it was extremely fudgy and chocolatey which was the point. My group also shared some fries and a cheese dish which I can't remember the name of. The fries were really crispy! The cheese was brought out on an iron dish, covered with some sort of high proof alcohol, and then lit! The alcohol burns off and crisps up the outside of the cheese which you then eat with triangles of pita. Of course, watching that blaze is quite a fun and exciting experience. Our server was very nice, and I let my more experienced companions pick out the hookah flavor. (I think it was blue mist.) It was a very cool experience. It's not harsh at all as the smoke is filtered through the water reservoir. I personally had fun learning how to do smoke rings and actually did get a few good ones out! Our bowl lasted about an hour or more which I thought was very good for as many of us as there were. I kinda can't wait to bring some of my other friends here for a good relaxing time in a pleasant atmosphere! read more

Sultana Cafe & Hookah Bar - Hookah Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

I'm not a big hookah bar fan, but met a friend here, who turned out to be a regular. The service was really good, not sure if it's because he knew them or if it's always like that. The staff were all really friendly though. The food was AMAZING!!! we got the loaded fries. Wish I woulda taken the leftovers home. Parking is free and plenty (you may have to walk a tiny bit if you go on a weekend) read more

What a cool little place! Came here late on a Saturday night and the place seemed to be emptying out. The servers seemed to be pretty tired but they took pretty good care of us! The hookah was good we had coals brought regularly and they gave good reccommendations on what was what. We also got food and it was super tasty!! Its definitely not in the best are but we had fun! read more

Service was less than desired. Literally waited 45 mins for a shot. My friend's buttered chicken nee came and another friend's hookah never arrived. I don't know if they were overwhelmed with the number of ppl there burg definitely going to rethink going there. The hookah was good read more