Habibi Cafe

by Tiffany K.

Are you looking for something...different than the norm? What is the "norm" anyway?I've been here twice - the first time was because of the Entertainment card. The second time was to try out the hookah scene. Not the prostitute kind (sorry bad joke).The food is good. I ordered an appetizer plate: many types of dips (ie. tzatziki, hoummus, etc.) that were accompanied by pita bread and lamb. The lamb was cut off a skewer and was quite tasty! I had forgotten how gamey lamb can taste and wasn't in the mood for it but my husband, being Australian and having lived off lamb, loved it. However, I was disappointed to find out that the dolmades (rice stuffed grape leaves) were canned, but maybe that is the norm for Carmichael. The second time around, I came for drinks and a smoke. There are all types of flavored tobaccos you can use. My friend (being from Holland and all) blatantly asked if she could also purchase a herb that is not legal in California without a medical card. The answer was a blase "no" as if he had been asked this before. Fair question - I went to a place in Sydney where you could get that stuff on the 2nd floor of the restaurant if you asked the right person. Anyway, you would come here strictly for dinner and after hour shenanigans. They have a dance floor set up and some cool Arabic (?) videos that are constantly playing.

by Annette M.

SO FUN! good drinks, ppl, and atmosphere. They play all the west coast hip hop hits, as well as arabic and latin music too. So fun! Small. Get the mint hookah flavor.

by Linda Z.

I just dropped in out of nowhere on this place. I have seen it for ages and never went in, until tonight. I noticed the hours were from 6-12.. late which is good for me. It was quiet but not empty plenty of people were congregating in groups who were eating/drinking/smoking hookah. The music was completely cultural and enjoyable. It was dark and the scent of strawberry hookah smoke made me light headed. I found it very quaint.I only ate a bowl of lentil soup, a plate of dolmas and drank a rum and coke, it was all under $20.00. I think I will come back here when I have more time and friends with me, I might even try the hookah. *Grrr* ha.****EditI found out that this place is pretty busy on Saturday nights (which it was), with a DJ and belly dancers. It's also open pretty late until around 2am. I think that the drinks are over priced but they aren't weak. Jeff is one of the waiters and he's really nice and fantabulous (so were the lamb kabobs.) I never did try the hookah but I did get to dance (there was a lot of people dancing, eating, smoking and just having fun.)

by Steve H.

This joint is now called "Jerusalem Cafe" and I highly reccomend it. The owner even bought me a beer!It is virtually the same as Habibi was but I think he wants it geared a bit more towards the food and he explained that the hookah would be outside only which is fine with me. Those who don't smoke can enjoy clean air and great food INSIDE.Also, I believe the nights where there was a cover are gone...

by katia s.

a really cool arabic place the  hookahs are cool, mint flavor is tha bestcool drinks , atmosphere plays all kind of music, arabic , russian (davai) !!!   hip hop, the patio out back nice in the evening.