Habibi Tapas Grill — Restaurant in Kelowna

I called the restaurant a day before for new year eve dinner with my family. I actually called them twice. I asked the staff if they would have any extra charge for the saxophone performance. She said they would not have any extra charges. She didn’t mention any information about new year menu or the food would be changed. The reason we chose the restaurant is because the good reviews and pictures look great. It’s seems a great diversity for us to try different food. And more importantly , for new year celebration of our family reunion.

When we six people arrived, we saw six new year menu on the table. We were told it was the only food we could get. The price was $78/person.

We didn’t have any choice. We were kind of forced to have this food. (Cos outside was cold and we didn’t think we would find another place to eat). So we everyone almost had same food ( except main course had three different kinds). The soup, the salad and the dessert were just regular, nothing special.

The inside temperature was low, the staff explained they didn’t have the same heating system as other companies in the building have. So they had a small heater on the floor. It helped a little bit but not for everyone. The saxophone player was good but the sound volume was too high for the tiny little room. We could not chitchat. ( I always cannot understand why some restaurants play music very loudly. Isn’t a restaurant supposed to be a place for friends and family chitchatting and having fun?)

One of my family members paid $580 for the meal. None of us felt it worthy, because we neither get any special Lebanon food nor share different food. Also, as I mentioned above, the temperature and the environment were not pleasant. But we didn’t want to be unhappy, because it was new year.

A good thing I must mention is that the young waitress was very kind. When we told her all our concerns, she gave some little samples of dipping sauce and a small bag of pita to us, a kind of recovery. And she hoped we would come back to try their regular Lebanon food.

Will we go to the restaurant again? I really doubt. The biggest thing is the price $78 per person really did not match the quality...

"Habibi Tapas Grill: A Mediterranean Oasis in Kelowna"

I've been a bit of a nomad in my time, wandering the globe in search of the perfect meal. From the bustling markets of Istanbul to the sun-drenched beaches of Santorini, I've tasted my fair share of culinary delights. But let me tell you, nothing quite compares to the magic I've found right here in Kelowna, at a little gem called Habibi Tapas Grill.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of Lebanese cuisine. But Habibi Tapas Grill is something else entirely. It's like stepping into a time machine and being whisked away to my grandmother's kitchen, where the air was thick with the aroma of spices and the laughter of loved ones. Every bite is a journey, a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Imagine sinking your teeth into a falafel so crispy it shatters like glass, revealing a tender, herbaceous interior. Or the succulent lamb shish kebab, marinated to perfection and grilled until it's juicy and charred. And don't forget the hummus, a creamy, tangy cloud that's so good, you could eat it by the spoonful. But perhaps the most magical dish on the menu is the beef shawarma plate or bowl, or even their kibbeh in Labaneh, a feast for the senses that showcases the best of Lebanese cuisine in one delicious package.

But it's not just the food that keeps me coming back. The owners, a charming and hospitable duo, have a knack for making you feel like family. Their warmth and generosity are infectious, creating an atmosphere that's as inviting as a cozy living room. It's like being welcomed into a Mediterranean home, where hospitality is a way of life.

I've always heard the saying that people try a restaurant for the food but come back for the service. Well, in the case of Habibi Tapas Grill, it's the other way around. I keep coming back for both. The food is simply incredible, but the service is what truly sets it apart. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're not just a customer, but a friend.

So if you're looking for a culinary adventure that's as delicious as it is unforgettable, look no further than Habibi Tapas Grill. It's a hidden gem that's well worth...

This is a super honest review after eating at Habibi's 3 times in the past week. The food is good. We love the Chicken Shawarma, especially as a bowl with rice. However... We were extremely disappointed in the Falafels - these should be a showstopper for a Lebanese restaurant!! Firstly, they came out super crispy...they were overdone and therefore the texture was quite unenjoyable. The tahini was also very bland. The flavour of the Falafels was lacking as well - spices and herbs only go so far without adequate salt. Did you taste these before sending them out? They we very bland! The management here is clearly lacking experience. You don't wait for your server to tell you that they need help - you should jump in and help as soon as you see them struggling to keep up, or as soon as you see a table who hasn't been attended to for some time. This means taking a tables order for the server, running food, filling water glasses...the number of times I heard "food up" being yelled from the kitchen and the lone server running around to attend to all her tables, all while management is sitting inside watching...that's bad management! You should want your customers to have the best experience and for your servers to be happy to work there. The truth is, it can get too busy. If you aren't going to staff enough servers then you have to help them out on the floor. I hope this feedback helps. This is currently not somewhere I would bring guests coming into town. It's too inconsistent. Hopefully in the future they will be able to...