by teri s.

i'd have to disagree about this place having the best falafel.  the best falafel in town is at marakesh cafe as far as i'm concerned.  what  phoenicia has going for it most is the bakery.  they offer a lot of stuff you can't get anywhere else.  the pita bread is good and fresh as well.

by David Z.

I don't go here to get affirmation or recognition (surprising how many shoppers are looking for such things), although I'm one of their more frequent customers. I go to find weird treats for my students to help them enter the culture of Middle Eastern countries that they are studying. Whether it's sweets or dried fruits or olives or Baba Ganuj or cheeses, I always find something new and different here. And with some encouragement, I get my students to expand their horizons and visit a "foreign country" on the cheap. . Austin is fortunate to have the Phoenicia.

by Kel V.

Great Food - but don't expect a smile, or even a thank you.Today I had a craving for a shwarma, so I headed over to my favorite place to get one in town.  I've been away from Austin for two years, so I was excited to see the familiar sign down on Lamar. I don't know who helped everyone else on this site, but my counter servers were definitely NOT friendly, and almost went out of their way to make me feel unwelcome.  When I went up to the counter to order, not only was I ignored, the lady I said Hello to turned her back on me and walked off.  The other two ladies were deep in conversation and completely ignored me for a good 2 to 3 min.  I finally was about to give up when the original lady appeared again and said "you want something?" Like I was interrupting her day.  I ordered a Chicken Shwarma - which is delicious- and was told it would take 10 min.  I said fine, and she stood there at stared at me and then asked "is that OK?"  I wanted to say  "YES  BITCH! Now go make it!" but my retained my ghetto personality and nodded and wandered around the store to look at the many offerings hard to find other places.  I ended up picking up some roasted pistachios and carmel candy.   Finally my order was ready and I paid for my purchases plus my fountain drink.  Only to find the fountain drink machine was out of order, so I had to wait another 10 min for someone to come fix it.  I wasn't even going to dare to ask for my $1.35 refund because just trying to explain to the counter ladies (once again interrupting important conversations) that the drink machine was out of order, I got such a look of death that I was sure my sandwich would be taken away from me if I dared speak again.I finally left there and ate my yummy shwarma, I"m sad to report the pistachios weren't all that good - I'd rather drive up to AustinNuts and get fresh ones. I'd definitely go back for the food, but I think next time I'll call ahead so to avoid the harpies behind the counter.

by Phyllis K.

Had a serious craving for some falafel so I decided to check this place out.  Totally stoked at the olive selection and the Hob Nobs!  The falafel sandwich was unfortunately very mediocre.  The texture was best described as squishy, and the taste was so-so.  Although the hot sauce they put on it was quite a treat.  I'll definitely go back to try some more sandwiches and get my sundry shop on.

by Danny V.

What can I say about Phoenicia Bakery except I love this place.  The people are all very friendly, they have a mini market in the center, and everything is fresh.  There are all sorts of great finds from foods, to drinks, to breads, and olives, and pastries.  I often go there for lunch or on my way home to grab some quick dinner.  The Gyros and sandwiches are really great.  If you want they will even order something for you if they don't have it on hand.  I've also purchased a hookah from here that has lasted for years.

by Tree M.

My feelings about Phoenicia are mixed... Their bread is fantastic and very FRESH!  Also helpful that Central Market and I believe Whole Foods sell it, as well.  But, as far as their take out and premade dolmas, etc, I find them to be a bit over priced.  Bakeries like this are a dime and dozen where I grew up and for living in Texas, not bad, not bad at all.

by Autumn C.

I love baklava!!!!!! these guys have a great assortment. If you are into cooking cool food, they might have what you need. Not to mention they also sell cd's, not many to choose from but some is better than none. I love belly dancing/Arabic music and this is the only place I have been able to find the real stuff.

by Jessica A.

I came for the Falfal and Shwarma but I fell in love with the Muffaletta! It is one seriously delicious sandwich, and although you can practically feel the sinful fat calories oozing out from between the cloud soft bun it'll be well worth the extra 3 hours you'll have to spend in the gym working it off. I also like Phoenicia for its baklava and myriad of fun, foreign food items. I always end up coming home with something I've never tried before but inevitably lick my chops over. The only down side to this place is the lack of seating--although the Muffaletta is best eaten secretly in a warm car in the parking lot anyhow....

by Alexandra L.

This is the place to go for Mediterranean, Persian and Middle Eastern canned and boxed foods, cooking ingredients, spices, nuts, bakery, and deli items.  Although it is an authentic ethnic food shop, the customers are diverse.  If anything, it's a lot of fun to browse the interesting packaging and labels - much more colorful than American packaging.  I only wish they sold fresh produce there as well.           p.s. Grab a falafel while you're there.  It's the best in town.

by John B.

Great Gyros!  Great Deli! Great Fresh baked breads!  Great selection of middle eastern and Greek goods.  Best choice of olive oils anywhere! Best choice of great olives in town.  Great pastries!  No seating to enjoy the goodies you just bought (a single table is on the sidewalk outside, usually dirty).

by Matt Q.

UPDATE: Avoid the eggplant sandwich at all costs. It was cold and tasted like ass. Thankfully, the roast chicken still kicks ass.----------------------------------Phoenicia is one of the places that makes living in 78704 so great. I just rolled in there and grabbed two roast chicken sandwiches... freshly made on pita with lettuce, tomato and lots of garlicly sauce. Two for about $8.The baked goods range from ok to excellent and the prices are low, low, low.Nice people, good food, good prices.

by Daniel B.

I was shocked by how great this place is.It's not fancy, bu this is as 5 stars as I can get.  The roasted chicken sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. Flavorful, garlic chicken on a fresh wrap/bread. It it wasn't across town, I'd get one right now.  I can't wait to try the falafel.They also have halvah by the pound. I grew up on that stuff, which is an intensely sweet sesame confection popular in the Middle East. I think they spell it halawah at the Phonecia. Either way it's a transliteration from Arabic. Do yourself a favor and get a 1/4 pound. It's so sweet and concentrated that any more than that is uneccesary. Have some milk or coffee to go with it, and get read for a heavenly sugar shock.No bull, no pretension. An absolute gem.

by Karen S.

I can't say too much about their hummus and tabouli!  It can't be ebat for flavor.  And the fresh pita is greatI like the selection of olives and olive oil.  I just bought fava beans!

by Stephanie S.

I love this place.   Shwarma, gyros, falafel and other rolled up sandwiches at great prices.  The roast chicken is so garlicy and good.  Olive bar is impressive and cheap.  The deli case has a bunch of cool stuff I want to try including lots of different cheeses and odd pastries.  I came in with a craving for halvah and they have a bunch of different kinds, all for good prices.  Ahhh halvah.The only think keeping the fifth star from appearing is the parking, although I am impressed with the cooperation and politeness by folks trying to get in or out of the sardine can parking lot.

by Jaye J.

I love this place and the staff. For my money, they have the best olives in Austin as well as a host of other goodies.I have an aversion to mayo, but for some reason, I can tolerate it here when I order a salami or prosciutto sandwich on their fresh baked french bread. The roast chicken that they are well known for is a fantastic sandwich, just be sure you don't plan on mackin' with someone after you eat it. That thing will give you the breath of a dragon for a few days. The shwarma is amazing as is the hummus sandwich (add olives if you like things salty).The hummus is really good at Phoenicia. It's smooth and creamy with a hint of garlic and lemon, just like good hummus should be. They also sell laban, a type of yogurt that I really like to eat on Kafta or gyros. It's super sour and pretty runny. While I wait for my order, I like to browse the aisles for all of the ingredients I grew up seeing in my parents' kitchen but have forgotten about (Ovaltine! How strange is that?)If you're not a Pepsi fan, beware. They used to carry Coke in cans in the fridge case, but that hasn't been the case since I've been there in a while. So if you're like me and hate Pepsi and Pepsi products, you might want to stick to water.

by Mary E.

Here's how I enjoy Phoenicia.  Grab a roasted chicken wrap - the best food ever - tender chicken - garlicky drippy sauce.  Protect your lap!Then drive to the Sonic a couple of doors away and get Limeade - or cherry lime if you wish- - eat and drink in the car.  Awesome - perfect combination of taste sensations!  I used to do this all the time when I had young children who behaved better in the car than in restaurants.And sometimes they would fall asleep in the carseats and I could eat and drink in peace!  I still love Phoenenicia and stop by when I am in the neighborhood.Also their pastry/sweet section is amazing.  I like to buy a nice selection for Easter brunch.

by Lisa A.

This is a Middle Eastern gem in the heart of Texas. This deli and market undoubtedly has the best falafel in Austin. It's fresh (made-to-order), flavorful and reasonably priced. Though I've always been partial to their falafel their other sandwiches, including their shawarma and muffolata, are also delicious. Actually, all of their food is noteworthy and it makes for a great place to pick up lunch for take-out or for a picnic (don't forget to add a spinach pie and baklava to your order)! Phoenicia makes their own bread, pitas and pastries that you can buy directly from them or at local grocery stores. The market is fun to browse while waiting for your order and I usually end up picking up some new international foods to try out too. The downside is that their parking lot is hard to navigate and they don't have a decent place to eat in or outside the store. The north location does have an indoor eating area though and they have a bigger market and bakery, so don't let that stop you from visiting. P.s. If you like Phoenicia make sure to try Zankou next time you're in L.A.

by Merry B.

I went here for the first time a few weeks ago and loved the Mediterranean grocery store inside. I tried one of their falafels since I had never had one before. It was tasty, but I couldn't finish it simply because it was massive in size. Plus, it started to drip grease through the thin paper wrapping. If there's some elusive ingredient that you need for a Greek dish, then this would probably be a good place to find exotic foods, plus it's cheaper than going to whole foods or central market to look for it.

by Steve E.

Remind me again, when did chicken start tasting like fish??This was what I experienced on my most recent visit during lunchtime last week.  The roasted chicken wraps, which everyone on Yelp (and apparently the rest of Austin) so raves about, had a bizarre, fish-like taste.  I really had to force down half of the wrap before I eventually threw it away.  If I hadn't been here many times before, without any sort of problems, this would've been a one star rating.  However, I would like to think that this a rarity and not the norm.  I'm still extremely disappointed though.  My word of advice to you:  If you decide to order the roasted chicken wrap in the future, take a bite of it before you leave.  At least that way you can still get your money back if it tastes rancid.

by whitney a.

i didn't try any of their deli items, but after looking at their grocery items, some of which had been expired for over 2 years, i wasn't really feeling adventurous enough to try their "fresh" food. phoenicia is pretty shoddy and disorganized, but the most disappointing part was walking in and not hearing any arabic, only spanish and the latino top 40 blasting on a radio. music consistent with the culture can do wonders for even the most rundown business, but maybe it's just me that likes to hear an oud while rummaging through packages of pita.but hey, the folks below me loved the baklava and pita, so maybe it's worth checking out for that. personally, i'm going to keep looking.

by Stefan U.

I stop by Phoenicia every once in a while and I always like the experience. I've had their bakery goods and liked all of them and I really like their pita bread. What I like most about Phoenicia though is that you can find a bunch of grocery items that are either hard to find in other stores or that are more expensive in other stores. The store looks a bit cluttered, as some reviews on here point out and I've also experienced that some of the things on the shelves have past expiration dates. That doesn't really turn me off that much, just make sure you check the dates on the things you buy. The grocery section is an eclectic mix, I've found Middle Eastern cream cheese, canned vegetables from Turkey, German coffee, all kinds of good stuff.

by Rebecca L.

So the other day, I had an unfortunate accident at work, which forced me to go to this clinic on S. Lamar. I think my bad luck was what made me come here. After going to the clinic for a follow up visit, my roommate was hungry, so we drove along S. Lamar looking for somewhere to eat. I saw the sign for Phoenicia and told her we should go there, because I remember having some of their pitas at Phara's, and they were really good. So we pull in the parking lot, and I can see through their store windows that it's a grocery store as well.We walked in, and were greeted by the delicious smell of Greek food. Now I'm hungry as well. The thing about this place is that their menu is posted on the wall in different places. At first I thought they only served 4 items, because I only noticed their "specials" board. My roommate wanted to leave because she wanted something with meat in it, and all the specials were vegetarian. Fortunately, I then noticed they had other options. The groceries in the stores seemed more expensive than stuff you could get at HEB, but such is the case with small, local stores. Phoenicia also has "fresh" olives, fresh bread, and a small selection of meats you can buy.I think I would definitely come back and try their gyro or falafel next time. Their cheese bread is really good, btw.

by Angelica S.

Oh, this is a nice little gem. The smell in here is delicious.  The gyros are so lovely.My husband really enjoys the olive selection here. I had the pastries. I was not disappointed.

by Angelica S.Rebecca L.Stefan U.

Oh, this is a nice little gem. The smell in here is delicious.  The gyros are so lovely.My husband really enjoys the olive selection here. I had the pastries. I was not disappointed.So the other day, I had an unfortunate accident at work, which forced me to go to this clinic on S. Lamar. I think my bad luck was what made me come here. After going to the clinic for a follow up visit, my roommate was hungry, so we drove along S. Lamar looking for somewhere to eat. I saw the sign for Phoenicia and told her we should go there, because I remember having some of their pitas at Phara's, and they were really good. So we pull in the parking lot, and I can see through their store windows that it's a grocery store as well.We walked in, and were greeted by the delicious smell of Greek food. Now I'm hungry as well. The thing about this place is that their menu is posted on the wall in different places. At first I thought they only served 4 items, because I only noticed their "specials" board. My roommate wanted to leave because she wanted something with meat in it, and all the specials were vegetarian. Fortunately, I then noticed they had other options. The groceries in the stores seemed more expensive than stuff you could get at HEB, but such is the case with small, local stores. Phoenicia also has "fresh" olives, fresh bread, and a small selection of meats you can buy.I think I would definitely come back and try their gyro or falafel next time. Their cheese bread is really good, btw.I stop by Phoenicia every once in a while and I always like the experience. I've had their bakery goods and liked all of them and I really like their pita bread. What I like most about Phoenicia though is that you can find a bunch of grocery items that are either hard to find in other stores or that are more expensive in other stores. The store looks a bit cluttered, as some reviews on here point out and I've also experienced that some of the things on the shelves have past expiration dates. That doesn't really turn me off that much, just make sure you check the dates on the things you buy. The grocery section is an eclectic mix, I've found Middle Eastern cream cheese, canned vegetables from Turkey, German coffee, all kinds of good stuff.

by Angelica S.Rebecca L.Stefan U.whitney a.Steve E.

Oh, this is a nice little gem. The smell in here is delicious.  The gyros are so lovely.My husband really enjoys the olive selection here. I had the pastries. I was not disappointed.So the other day, I had an unfortunate accident at work, which forced me to go to this clinic on S. Lamar. I think my bad luck was what made me come here. After going to the clinic for a follow up visit, my roommate was hungry, so we drove along S. Lamar looking for somewhere to eat. I saw the sign for Phoenicia and told her we should go there, because I remember having some of their pitas at Phara's, and they were really good. So we pull in the parking lot, and I can see through their store windows that it's a grocery store as well.We walked in, and were greeted by the delicious smell of Greek food. Now I'm hungry as well. The thing about this place is that their menu is posted on the wall in different places. At first I thought they only served 4 items, because I only noticed their "specials" board. My roommate wanted to leave because she wanted something with meat in it, and all the specials were vegetarian. Fortunately, I then noticed they had other options. The groceries in the stores seemed more expensive than stuff you could get at HEB, but such is the case with small, local stores. Phoenicia also has "fresh" olives, fresh bread, and a small selection of meats you can buy.I think I would definitely come back and try their gyro or falafel next time. Their cheese bread is really good, btw.I stop by Phoenicia every once in a while and I always like the experience. I've had their bakery goods and liked all of them and I really like their pita bread. What I like most about Phoenicia though is that you can find a bunch of grocery items that are either hard to find in other stores or that are more expensive in other stores. The store looks a bit cluttered, as some reviews on here point out and I've also experienced that some of the things on the shelves have past expiration dates. That doesn't really turn me off that much, just make sure you check the dates on the things you buy. The grocery section is an eclectic mix, I've found Middle Eastern cream cheese, canned vegetables from Turkey, German coffee, all kinds of good stuff.i didn't try any of their deli items, but after looking at their grocery items, some of which had been expired for over 2 years, i wasn't really feeling adventurous enough to try their "fresh" food. phoenicia is pretty shoddy and disorganized, but the most disappointing part was walking in and not hearing any arabic, only spanish and the latino top 40 blasting on a radio. music consistent with the culture can do wonders for even the most rundown business, but maybe it's just me that likes to hear an oud while rummaging through packages of pita.but hey, the folks below me loved the baklava and pita, so maybe it's worth checking out for that. personally, i'm going to keep looking.Remind me again, when did chicken start tasting like fish??This was what I experienced on my most recent visit during lunchtime last week.  The roasted chicken wraps, which everyone on Yelp (and apparently the rest of Austin) so raves about, had a bizarre, fish-like taste.  I really had to force down half of the wrap before I eventually threw it away.  If I hadn't been here many times before, without any sort of problems, this would've been a one star rating.  However, I would like to think that this a rarity and not the norm.  I'm still extremely disappointed though.  My word of advice to you:  If you decide to order the roasted chicken wrap in the future, take a bite of it before you leave.  At least that way you can still get your money back if it tastes rancid.