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Tabac Cafe & Hookah

4.3 (354 reviews)
ModerateHookah Bars
Tue 10:00 am - 2:30 AM (Next day)
Wed 10:00 am - 2:30 AM (Next day)

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Recommended Reviews - Tabac Cafe & Hookah

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Catalina G.

This place is literally a middle eastern hidden gem! The inside is to die for; an interior designers dream. The food is delicious; but the dessert is really where it's at. The service was okay, it could've been better. The restaurant is a perfect place to catch up with friends over a bite or a sweet treat. They have lots of drink choices but I believe they are non alcoholic for the most part, but the mocktails are very good. TRY THE TURKISH ICE CREAM!

Outside Seating
Lori C.

Service was outstanding. The hookah was excellent! Turkish coffee was spot on. Very comfortable place.

Karak tea
Salman S.

Had some time to kill downtown and decided to pop into Tabac to try their Karak tea. There were a few people smoking hookah around 5pm but mostly empty. The tea came out in a few minutes and was delicious. Perfect temperature but a bit on the sweeter side. Next time I will ask for half the sugar that they normally add. The tea was flavorful though and you could tell had been boiled in milk for a while. Highly recommended if you're a milk tea fan.

Food
Jake R.

I've been coming here for a long time. The location is great, they are open early so it's great to have the cafe vibe during the day and then more of a nightlife feel after the sun goes down. The bakery items are all very delicious. The Turkish coffee is something that I love to grab from here in the morning or mid day. The customer service has always been good here. The coals come on time, and you don't have to wait forever or track down anyone to get someone's attention. I'll always be a customer for sure.

Gamini G.

My husband and I were in the mood for hookah, so we quickly found Tabac in the Gaslamp area after a Yelp search. They had both outdoor and indoor seating, and we chose to sit outside because the weather was beautiful. The hookah smelled amazing, and we were excited to try it. They offered a wide range of flavors and two sizes; we went with the regular size. Our server recommended the peach and mango flavors infused together , so we decided to give them a shot. The hookah came out quickly, and they thoughtfully provided two mouthpieces, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, we didn't enjoy the flavors as much as we hoped, they tasted too artificial for our liking, and the hookah was harsh on our throats. We really wanted to like this place, but it didn't live up to our expectations. The server was kind and did their best to suggest good options, but overall, we don't think we'll be returning.

Lemon Mint Hookah (~$22)
Aya E.

Ordered: Lemon Mint Hookah (~$22) Aya's take: Great spot to grab a hookah or tea after dinner! The decor is nice, although the seating isn't super cozy. The hookah tasted great and lasted a while. Considering this is downtown San Diego, the price was also very reasonable. Definitely recommend stopping by!

Raelene P.

Everything here is amazing! I tried the chai hookah with milk base this time! So good

Andrew T.

Good relaxing vibe, lots of locals and the music was just right to relax and smoke away for a few hours.

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5 months ago

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

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6 months ago

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

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9 months ago

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6 months ago

Very expensive with very small portions for breakfast , nothing like Turkish breakfast

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Business owner information

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Muhammed K.

Thank you for your nice comment. Hope to see you again:)

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10 months ago

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3 years ago

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Muhammed K.

thank you so much for the good comments :)

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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Muhammed K.

Thank you for feedback :)

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5 years ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Very relaxing, great hookah it last for a long time. The staff is very friendly. Definitely try the food and coffee when you visit.

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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Muhammed K.

Thank you so muchh

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Wrong operating times. Answer. " yeah we know it's incorrect... ". Well great. That just cost me money and time.

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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Page 1 of 9

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Review Highlights - Tabac Cafe & Hookah

The guy who works here is so kind and sweet, and they have the best Turkish coffee that pairs with the hookah.

Mentioned in 25 reviews

Read more highlights

Myst Lounge

Myst Lounge

4.2
(613 reviews)
0.2 mi
$$$
10 years in business
Family-owned & operated

Yes it's a hookah lounge but I come for the food and vibes - all hits no misses the food is…read moresurprisingly GREAT! The staff is friendly and they do their job well. Definitely a chill urban vibe with a good playlist and DJ on selected nights

If you want a chill spot downtown with hip hop music/vibe, this is one of the spots to go to. Be…read moremindful because it can be ghetto so if you are looking for something bougie, this is not the place. There's often fights inside or near Myst. Giving it 3 stars because the bathrooms are DISGUSTING. There's only 2 unisex bathrooms and they are often clogged up. If it isn't clogged up, there's no toilet paper or it's just trashed. Sometimes the door lock is broken too and won't lock properly. They have been doing some renovations to their furniture but not the bathroom. It's so gross. The specialty drinks are really good. Especially when the bartender Chase is there. My favorite is the Pink Lagoon. It'll sneak up on you because it is made with tequila. It's like an alcoholic pink drink with the coconut cream, guava and pineapple. Pricy with drinks averaging $15-20 and they have an automatic 18% surcharge on weekends (that is not tip). Food is great. Some of the best wings downtown. The lamb chops are really good too. I wouldn't get the wagyu sliders. It wasn't good. It tasted like an average slider advertised to be fancier since it's "Wagyu". I've had better sliders elsewhere for much cheaper. Save your $30. Parking here is horrible because it's in the heart of gaslamp. Horton plaza parking is probably your best bet if you can't find street parking.

Photos
Myst Lounge
Myst Lounge
Myst Lounge

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Dunya Lounge

Dunya Lounge

4.3
(245 reviews)
0.6 mi

Finding a place that consistently delivers great food genuine hospitality and a welcoming…read moreatmosphere is not easy but Dunya Lounge does exactly that. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with warmth and treated like a valued guest. The staff is attentive respectful and always willing to make recommendations without ever making you feel rushed. That level of hospitality makes every visit enjoyable. The food is outstanding. Every dish arrives fresh full of flavor and beautifully presented. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in every plate that leaves the counter. The lemon mint tea is refreshing and pairs perfectly with the meal while the desserts are the perfect ending to an already memorable dining experience. What really sets Dunya Lounge apart is the atmosphere. Whether you are meeting friends enjoying dinner with family or simply looking for a place to unwind the environment feels comfortable inviting and authentic. The music the decor and the overall energy all come together to create an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere. In a city with so many dining options Dunya Lounge has earned a place that I confidently return to. Great food outstanding service and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer. It is clear that everyone here takes pride in what they do and it shows in every visit. This is more than just a restaurant. It is an experience. If you appreciate quality hospitality and authentic Mediterranean cuisine Dunya Lounge deserves a spot at the top of your list. Highly recommended and I am already looking forward to my next visit.

Amazing new restaurant at San Diego absolutely beautiful decor …read more Food was delicious served by wonderful staff amazing friendly professional Amina She gave us a wonderful warm welcome with beautiful smile and gave us a lot of good recommendations . The owner came and welcome us as well he was very nice and friendly Everyone at this restaurant was amazing . Food was great Service was top notch Thank you very much for your service and hospitality I totally appreciate you all I recommend this beautiful restaurant See you soon .

Photos
Beautiful Middle Eastern breakfast/Brunch
Beautiful Middle Eastern breakfast/Brunch
Dunya Lounge
More tables and lounge chairs

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More tables and lounge chairs
Pushkin Lounge & Bar

Pushkin Lounge & Bar

4.3
(1.1k reviews)
0.2 mi
$$$

-- 10 STARS. PERIOD…read more Just pulled up to Pushkin Bar & Hookah Lounge in Gaslamp Downtown San Diego... and let me tell you -- this place hit me straight in the nostalgia and the luxury receptors at the same time. I first visited this spot 12+ years ago when I was living in the San Diego area. Back then it was basically the holy temple of traditional Russian & Ukrainian cuisine -- the one and only in downtown SD. Very authentic, very -approved. That cute fancy borsch was literally to die for. And yes... you happily paid big $$$ because authentic Russian grandma cuisine is not supposed to be cheap -- it's a cultural investment Fast forward to today -- I walk in and BOOM They transformed the whole concept into a super chill house hookah lounge + fancy executive bar vibe... yet somehow still managed to keep those legendary Russian gem dishes on the menu. That's what I call strategic evolution. And wait -- plot twist -- they added a full-scale sushi menu. From pelmeni to premium rolls... this place is now basically a geopolitical peace treaty on a plate. If you're Russian from the hood -- you simply MUST pull up. Order the $30 pelmeni dumplings (mandatory ritual). Top them with black caviar if you're feeling oligarch-level fancy -- I mean why not, live once What they've done here is honestly genius: They took old-school grandma recipes... put them in a luxury outfit... added hookah lounge energy... sprinkled executive bar aesthetics... and created a serious relaxation & dining destination. Perfect spot to unwind, talk business, vibe out, or just pretend you're important -- works every time. Huge respect and special thanks to Julia -- the host & bar boss. Top-tier service, warm energy, yet still operating in full professional boss mode. Love to see it. Also respect to the main boss himself -- and yes, go check his stand-up comedy next door. Let's be honest... he might actually be the only funny performer in the whole joint But hey -- quality over quantity. If you've never been -- you absolutely must go. Authenticity + reinvention + vibes = rare combo Amen

Zero stars if that was possible. We tried to go there once and the hostess told us no if we didn't…read morehave a reservation. Never mind that there were plenty of empty tables. Whatever. So the next time we got a reservation. We showed up and the sign in the window says open. The reservation was confirmed. Lo and behold, the door is locked. Why in the world did you confirm my reservation? Just to make sure we were not crazy, we checked the hours and sure enough it's 6 pm to 1 am. Our reservation was at 7:15 pm. What am I missing? My mind is boggled... fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I guess it's on me. Never again.

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Pushkin Lounge & Bar
Pushkin Lounge & Bar
Pushkin Lounge & Bar

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Simba Hookah Lounge

Simba Hookah Lounge

3.9
(24 reviews)
7.8 mi

Asked me if I had any tattoos. And didn't wanna take our cards cuz we were from LA. Security guard…read morewas wearing a ski mask kinda sus

Last night I had the worse experience with you guys. I am a loyal customer, I always bring new ppl…read moreto your establishment. It was myself and two friends there 11/10/2023 and one friend had to use the restroom, we went to the restroom and security was being extremely inconsiderate of the circumstances. There was a line for the ladies, no line for the men's so we decided the men's stall was the best option, after just watching 2 women leaving the stall. As we were waiting, a security guard decided he needed to use the restroom, cool we let him go ahead. He came out of the stall and said we need to wait till he cleans it. We waited, then after awhile she just went ahead and used it. The guard at the door felt a way because she used it, decided he wanted to kick us out of your establishment. When she came out we went back to the section, they called backup so it was a female officer and about 2/3 others that came over hostile for absolutely no reason. I asked what the issue was, she used the restroom and we're good now why do we need to leave. She said she doesn't care and we need to get out. I told her we spent money on hookah and drinks and it was pointless to kick us out, the female officer started grabbing me and I told her that's not necessary, she started swinging on me so I defended myself. They all started pushing and shoving us all around the establishment to the front door, leaving my belongings. My other friend stepped in between trying to deescalate because again it was all unnecessary. Once outside, they continued to be hostile and very aggressive. My friend that had nothing to do with it asked to grab our belongings, they told him no only the white girl can come back in. She tried and they said we have to come back in the morning. I said absolutely not, we need our belongings now if you're kicking us out. They proceeded to deny us and we stayed outside until the main aggressor finally decided to bring our belongings out, I snatched my phone out of his hand and he decided to go out of his way to pepper spray my friend, threw her to the ground then made it a point to go around the whole group to pepper spray me. There was absolutely no reason or threat for him to feel the need to do that. I feel extremely disrespected, assaulted because of all of this. Especially after spending money in your establishment. These group of security guards should most definitely not be apart of your establishment. They're not good examples of good business and definitely push away loyal customers. Good luck to you guys, your establishment. We will be in touch.

Photos
Security guard kicked me in my lip after pepper spraying me.
Security guard kicked me in my lip after pepper spraying me.
Cut open pinky
Cut open pinky
Bruised, open hit in mouth.

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Bruised, open hit in mouth.

Tabac Cafe & Hookah - hookah_bars - Updated July 2026

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