five of us were there for an hour crowded into a four person table, ordered 2 pots of hot tea, 3…read morecold drinks, and an appetizer. we received only the initial free naan with feta, radish, and mint; hot tea; and one bottled drink. we never even got ice water. the hostess told us about halfway through they were out of clean glassware and having trouble getting everything washed, but that was the only explanation we got until we decided to leave, when she said they were understaffed and the kitchen was focusing on online orders rather than the restaurant. the location was pretty and everything was clean and well-kept, but it was too warm, there was a strong glare from the unshaded windows, and it was very loud. it seemed mostly to be set up for family groups.

Pretty disappointing experience after I heard all the positive reviews. I was searching for good…read morePersian food. Koobideh specifically. I ordered a family plate meal for 4 people and another koobideh plate for myself. Family plate came with 3 tomatoes and 3 jalapeños for 4 people. The koobideh was dry and bland. And on top if it all my order pick up was late. Not sure why the reviews are so good but my experience was lacking. Terrible service and food will not be back.

Mind blowing food -Chicken Shwarma…read more-Beef Kabobs -Barbecue Chicken Pizza -Baba Ganoush

Food is very good, service not so good... I can tell people…read morecome for the food alone. The place is nice and has a nice layout. However, I'll think about coming here again because I didn't feel a good vibe with the service. We had to go look for someone to show us the table even though the place was empty for early lunch. Then, to get drinks or even the order was a problem. It took so much longer than usual. Our waitress was rude, and seemed bothered that we showed up. Then someone else came as the waitress and she was preoccupied with other tables and barely checked on us. A regular lunch which would've been one hour became almost two because of the lack of service. My friend had to stand and look for someone to give us a box to take out the good we couldn't eat because it was getting late and also to get the check because No one came in to check on us at all. It was almost like pulling teeth to get a regular service let alone good service. Again, the food was really good, and that alone was the only positive.

Wasn't sure what to expect but the restaurant was recommended by someone who had dined at the Round…read moreRock location. Let's get the negatives out of the way first. The strip mall that the restaurant is located on Lamar is grungy and rundown. And the restaurant has seen better days and needs updating. The dining room feels dingy. Now for the positives. The server was very friendly and helpful and made great recommendations. We ordered the hummus and tabbouleh as appetizers and they were delicious. The waitress also brought out a huge plain flatbread and it was served hot and was chewy and soft at the same time. The flatbread is unlimited so we ordered a second one. It paired well with the hummus but is delicious by itself. For entrees, we ordered the lahmbiajin and the sharing barbecue plate. Everything was well seasoned and delicious. The kebabs were moist and flavorful and it was enough to feed a family of four. For dessert, we had the baklava and a chocolate cake and they were excellent too. We found out that they have an in house person who bakes the cakes. All in all, I would recommend this restaurant if you aren't picky about the ambience. Definitely go for the food. I would definitely go back again. According to the person who has dined at the round rock location, that restaurant is nicer and has better ambience. Food: 4.5 stars Ambience: 3.5 stars

Usta Kababgy is an excellent restaurant for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in Austin, TX located…read moreon N. Lamar Blvd. The restaurant has well seasoned, charcoal grilled meats. The kebabs are the true highlight...juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The portions are quite large as the hubs and I shared a wrap. We were sufficiently full after eating the chicken tikka wrap. Interestingly, the wrap came in a Shawarma King packaging with their contact phone number. So, I assume that Usta staff are sub-contracting from Shawarma King. Usta also has freshly baked bread and classic sides like hummus and rice paired with the main dishes. The restaurant has a homey, lived in feel. It has a few middle eastern artifacts sprinkled throughout the restaurant. The menu offers a wide variety of options, from Iraqi and Adana kebabs to shawarma and traditional Middle Eastern plates, so there are food items for both first timers and regulars who want to explore beyond the basics. They also serve flatbreads where you can have two different toppings. The food focus is on bold, traditional flavors rather than modern takes on middle eastern foods. On the desserts front, they have an assortment of desserts and several sections of ice cream. I had the baklava, which was surprisingly delicious...it was not eye-squinting sweet like a standard baklava. It was crunchy, flavorful, and had nuts that were substantial. Layla, my server, was so super sweet and welcoming. She pointed out that Usta provides its customers free tea. How cool is that? I cannot remember last time I received a free drink.

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

I gave 4 stars to give them the benefit of the doubt, but my actual experience felt closer to 2…read morestars. 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.

Friendly service, and everything we ordered was delicious…read more Will definitely come back.

Note: This review is from a DoorDash order…read more We ordered the fresh salad, the shirazinsalad, masto khiar, and the special grilled combination plate with rice. The special grilled combination consisted of beef koobideh, chicken koobideh, joojeh kebab, kofta, and veggie kofta. The beef koobideh was extremely dry but tasted better with the lime juice. The chicken koobideh was okay, as it lacked flavor. The kofta was a little dry. The veggie kofta was the best dish because it wasn't too greasy and it was full of flavor. The Shiraz salad was good. The masto khiar was too runny. The fresh salad was full of green olives, raw white onions, and dressing all over. There wasn't an option to ask for the dressing on the side.

OMG, this place is absolutely awesome! My wife and I celebrated our anniversary last Friday evening…read moreand the atmosphere was incredible. Inside and out! I was glad we were seated outside though because even though it was a warm evening, their fans were very effective creating a constant gentle breeze. The music enhanced the experience with a fun and upbeat vibe. I truly felt like was sitting at club/bar/restaurant during a cool summer night in Greece! Just incredible. The staff were also great! Friendly and accommodating from the time we checked in for our reservation. Our server was super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful with my gluten sensitivity! The food was delicious too. Shout out to the chefs! The village salad (also reminded me of a traditional Greek village salad) was refreshing, the hot honey halloumi was like nothing I have ever tasted before, I regret not ordering extra to-go!, the Lamb chops made me feel like we were celebrating Easter - the seasoning was spot on and cooked to perfection, the Lamb and beef kefta with rice was also tasty, but the lamb chops are the clear winner. Don't forget to get dessert! If you have a gluten sensitivity like me, you are safe with the Pistachio Panna Cotta. It was a flavor high I didn't want to end! Lol. But seriously, it was super delicious, sweet, and just the right portion. Also FYI: we shared every plate. It's the way to go there, and I'm glad our server recommended that we order everything up front and they simply bring it out as each plate is ready. (Except for dessert and drinks - order those at the appropriate times of course). Speaking of our server, Lauren S, she was on it!!! Not only was she able to serve us and other tables extremely well, there was also a very large party of around 15 people next to us that she also served. Yet she always seemed to be around when you needed her and always with a friendly smile and positive attitude. Shout out to Lauren!!! You were amazing. Thank you for making our anniversary dinner memorable. Can't wait to visit Aba again!

A lively yet inviting vibe--think abundant greenery, warm lighting, modern Mediterranean touches,…read moreand a standout multi-level patio under a big heritage oak that makes outdoor seating especially appealing when the weather cooperates. The indoor space flows nicely with the outdoors and feels trendy and polished without being overly formal. Parking is the typical South Congress challenge. There's access to the Music Lane underground garage (with a small validation discount from the restaurant) plus nearby paid lots and street options, but it can feel competitive and a bit chaotic, especially on busier evenings. Plan ahead or use rideshare if you can. Service was great--attentive and smooth throughout our meal with two adults and two kids. We ordered the whipped feta spread (excellent with the pistachios and oil; the house bread was a bit salty), Brussels sprouts (cooked perfectly), grilled chicken kebabs, the shawarma-spiced steak frites, and the grilled Branzino. The Branzino was the clear star of the show--flavorful and well-executed. The chicken and steak were mediocre at best. For dessert we shared the sticky date cake, which had a nice crunch outside and was warm and moist inside. It's a bit pricey (we paid over $240 for the four of us), but the setting, strong service, and that excellent Branzino make it worthwhile. I'd definitely come back.

Amazing service here. Their bread with the dipping oils is other worldly. Everything I've tried has…read morebeen amazing. Great portions for price. Don't be fooled by the outside this place is 10/10

10/10 loved the vegetarian plate, and everyone was happy with their order. Definitely a new…read morefavourite! Highly recommend! *Chef's kiss

As soon as I walked in, it was dark kind of warm and it looks like the inside needs to be updated a…read morelittle bit of facelift done to it, including the menu. I thought the waitress was very nice. We ordered the Tika Kabob and the Shamik Kabob rice. I think the kebabs both have good flavor. I like the lentils and the rice. I really thought everything had good flavor to it. The only thing I would say is they don't offer you water and you have to buy bottled water or bottled drinks. Also, it's pretty warm in here. I would get it as takeout . I am definitely coming back. The only other thing I would add is definitely check your receipts. They overcharged us by a lot and they ask you do you want your receipt and if you don't take it you won't know that you're overcharged.

Very legit afghani food! Portions are big and taste is…read moreunmatched. Loved their goat karahi and kabuli palao- We ordered ahead of getting there and got hot piping food right after we got there. Loved every bit of it and would totally recommend!!!!!