Cafe Khufu

by Isabel E.

really rad place. great atmosphere. so many hookah places in the city have a cluby/lounge thing going on. this place is great for chilling and they play pretty good music that suites the vibe. the staff is super attentive. my fav things about this place:$5/person BYOB. they offer different fruits to actually smoke out of. i've never seen this at any other hookah places before, but our waitress recommended it, and it completely changed the experience. we smoked out of a pineapple with coconut hookah. the best hookah i've ever had.

by laura k.

I once had a bad experience here, but when the owner found out he went above and beyond to make it up to me and my friends. The night we came back was absolutely one of the best nights I've ever had at a hookah bar. Everyone was super friendly, the music was really chill, there were bubbles (yes, bubbles!), and we ended up having a ginormous dance party with the bellydancer. I smoked a ridiculous amount of hookah, sharpened my bellydancing skills, and had a wonderful girls night out. All in all was an amazingly fun night and we will most definitely be going back for more good times! =) Oh and I would absolutely suggest going on a night when the bellydancer is there. It's sooo worth it.

by Nicole M.

Hubby and I are hookah extraordinairres.  We own a bunch of them, smoke them whenever we can at home, and seek out hookah lounges wherever we travel.After way too many beers at Yankee Stadium, we took the subway down to Cafe Khufu to set the night straight with some sheesha.Awesome atmosphere, cool crowd (as expected), yummy double apple sheesha, delicious tea, and absolutely fantastic staff.  Made me wish I lived in NYC so I could come back midweek for the live music nights.Cafe Khufu, I've got a crush on you.

by Kelly C.Lisa B.adassa s.edgewater r.Inga B.

So I tryed Hookah for the first time on Saturday night at Cafe Khufu and I was very pleasently surprised!  I would definately agree with the reviewer that said this place is like a cave.  It is small and intimate which was perfect. The ambience was amazing.  It was very cozy and the music fit the mood just right!Our hostess was very nice and helpful with recommendations for us first timers.  We had the strawberry in a pinapple and it was really good.  Of course I have nothing to compare to, but I have a feeling that this place is one of the better places for hookah: )  The attmosphere alone was enough to warrent a second visit!  I would definately recommend this place for first times... the staff is very helpful and the place is very relaxed.  This is definately a place to come and chill for a date or a group of friends.The hostess also recommended some resataurants in the area when she overheard us overtalking about where to eat.  I thought that was very nice.F.Y.I. - This place only takes cash!  They do have an ATM in the basement for your convience :)Thinking about my weekend in NYC, there was a definate theme of loungelike chill.  My friend who's been traveling and living outside the country for the last two years, was back in town and we really wanted to catch up.Cafe Khufu which is a hookah bar; as I understand it from my friend used to be frequented by a less "hip" crowd and therefore had a bit more of an authentic feel to it.  On Friday night, there was clearly more of a "scene".The music which used to have more of a Middle Eastern influence was a mix of chill American music.  We ordered the mixed fruit hookah and tea.  I usually don't have any residual respiratory issues with hookah, but the next day I spent with a dry hack.It's a small space as most are in NYC with lots of comfy, intimate spaces with pillows.  While my friend was a little disappointed, I thought it was fine.  I'd go back.I was a little peeved that they didn't take credit/debit cards.  There was no warning of that when we entered.  Luckily I had enough cash.Cafe Khufu's unique from to their Fruit Hookah's and falafal selection to their painted art work covering the walls, giving that feeling like you have entered a pyramid. Very intimate setting and the customer service was great not too over bearing unlike other places. The choice of Middle Eastern music was second to none. Girls night out was definitely a BLAST thanks to the hands and feet service at Cafe Khufu.This place is drab I went there and I think the manager was high.  There was a smell of weed all over the place.  The hookah was harsh.  The food was ice cold.  The guy had an additude.  The crowd is so so.  Ive seen better places.  The price was ok.  I got grossed out by the smell.I used to love this place, back before anyone knew about it. Now the guy who owns it doesn't seem to actually be present anymore, which is a shame because he was always so nice.The last time I was there, a few weeks ago, I was hoping to gather a large group of my friends there to chill. But they had instated a rule of a maximum of 3 people per hookah (and we had a big group) in addition for a $5 minimum for drinks. Whack attack Khufu. I doubt you have any problem making money now that you are all famous and shit, why don't you keep it cool.The guy who was working the night I was there was having a bad night and took it out on me. He was giving off bad vibes and nearly ruined my night.I will think twice about making this my place again. Time to find a new hookah bar.If you want a seat, don't go on Thur/Fri/Sat. If you're just looking to chill, you're better off going early in the week.

by Namrata A.

We stumbled here when only two parties were inside.  The owner, I guess, seemed very mean because when we found out the place didn't have liquor, we sent a buddy to Karma to check it out - and he said, "Oh you'll pay $500 there!" and sounded really rude for no reason.  We decided to grab some wine, and then we find out that he charges $5 per person to drink it inside.  Yeah, why do places do that?  I hate it when there is a "cork" fee or a "per person" fee.  The hookahs were $13 each, very cheap, but they rip you off by it being BYOB.  It would be a ten times better place if there was alcohol here.  It is a cozy spot as well.Also, the demonstrations with the bubbles were cool.

by Inga B.

I used to love this place, back before anyone knew about it. Now the guy who owns it doesn't seem to actually be present anymore, which is a shame because he was always so nice.The last time I was there, a few weeks ago, I was hoping to gather a large group of my friends there to chill. But they had instated a rule of a maximum of 3 people per hookah (and we had a big group) in addition for a $5 minimum for drinks. Whack attack Khufu. I doubt you have any problem making money now that you are all famous and shit, why don't you keep it cool.The guy who was working the night I was there was having a bad night and took it out on me. He was giving off bad vibes and nearly ruined my night.I will think twice about making this my place again. Time to find a new hookah bar.If you want a seat, don't go on Thur/Fri/Sat. If you're just looking to chill, you're better off going early in the week.

by Lisa B.

Thinking about my weekend in NYC, there was a definate theme of loungelike chill.  My friend who's been traveling and living outside the country for the last two years, was back in town and we really wanted to catch up.Cafe Khufu which is a hookah bar; as I understand it from my friend used to be frequented by a less "hip" crowd and therefore had a bit more of an authentic feel to it.  On Friday night, there was clearly more of a "scene".The music which used to have more of a Middle Eastern influence was a mix of chill American music.  We ordered the mixed fruit hookah and tea.  I usually don't have any residual respiratory issues with hookah, but the next day I spent with a dry hack.It's a small space as most are in NYC with lots of comfy, intimate spaces with pillows.  While my friend was a little disappointed, I thought it was fine.  I'd go back.I was a little peeved that they didn't take credit/debit cards.  There was no warning of that when we entered.  Luckily I had enough cash.

by Kelly C.Lisa B.adassa s.

So I tryed Hookah for the first time on Saturday night at Cafe Khufu and I was very pleasently surprised!  I would definately agree with the reviewer that said this place is like a cave.  It is small and intimate which was perfect. The ambience was amazing.  It was very cozy and the music fit the mood just right!Our hostess was very nice and helpful with recommendations for us first timers.  We had the strawberry in a pinapple and it was really good.  Of course I have nothing to compare to, but I have a feeling that this place is one of the better places for hookah: )  The attmosphere alone was enough to warrent a second visit!  I would definately recommend this place for first times... the staff is very helpful and the place is very relaxed.  This is definately a place to come and chill for a date or a group of friends.The hostess also recommended some resataurants in the area when she overheard us overtalking about where to eat.  I thought that was very nice.F.Y.I. - This place only takes cash!  They do have an ATM in the basement for your convience :)Thinking about my weekend in NYC, there was a definate theme of loungelike chill.  My friend who's been traveling and living outside the country for the last two years, was back in town and we really wanted to catch up.Cafe Khufu which is a hookah bar; as I understand it from my friend used to be frequented by a less "hip" crowd and therefore had a bit more of an authentic feel to it.  On Friday night, there was clearly more of a "scene".The music which used to have more of a Middle Eastern influence was a mix of chill American music.  We ordered the mixed fruit hookah and tea.  I usually don't have any residual respiratory issues with hookah, but the next day I spent with a dry hack.It's a small space as most are in NYC with lots of comfy, intimate spaces with pillows.  While my friend was a little disappointed, I thought it was fine.  I'd go back.I was a little peeved that they didn't take credit/debit cards.  There was no warning of that when we entered.  Luckily I had enough cash.Cafe Khufu's unique from to their Fruit Hookah's and falafal selection to their painted art work covering the walls, giving that feeling like you have entered a pyramid. Very intimate setting and the customer service was great not too over bearing unlike other places. The choice of Middle Eastern music was second to none. Girls night out was definitely a BLAST thanks to the hands and feet service at Cafe Khufu.

by Joanie K.

I went around 10:30 on a Saturday night and while it was full, it wasn't crowded. Very nice. It was def different than some of the other hookah places I've been to which tends to make more club than laid back. i had a really pleasant time here.There's a one drink min per person btw

by Lex L.

I've smoked in over 20 different hooka places in NYC and was a part owner of a hooka bar/lounge in brooklyn before.  I would consider myself a connoisseur of everything that is Hookah and this is the first place for which I decided to actually sign up for in order to provide a review......This is by far, The Best Hooka in town.....the flavors are full, warm, enveloping and absolutely stunning......The service is great.....Come see for yourself, they will personally make sure the coals are running hot and even go as far as blowing the smoke from the top(which holds the flavor), all to make sure that the smoke remains tasty, delicious and never bitter.....Kareem, the gracious host, will go out of his way to treat you like you are his family.....and that goes for everyone.....the teas are amazing, the hookas are to die for and the atmosphere is incredibly cozy and comforting....P.S the prices are ridiculously affordable(especially for the city standards).Dont believe me? Try it.....and tell them Alex sent you.....see how it feels to be treated like a real VIP.