Mazaya Cafe — Restaurant in Albuquerque

What can I say about Mazaya? I have been there often, and I have mixed feelings about this establishment, but the food has generally been very good. The hummus is excellent. I agree with some other reviewers that the whole wheat pita is less than thrilling, but I think it's okay. The baba ghanosh is excellent, with a deep smoky flavor. I don't care for the style of falafel they make, but for the particular style it is, it is well-prepared. I prefer a different style that has a nuttier flavor, but I'm not sure what ingredients contribute to that. The tabouleh is generally good, but on rare occasions drier than it should be. The fattoush is not as tangy and crunchy as it ought to be, but it is okay. (I think they are using toasted Frontier tortillas in their fattoush, which aren't really bulky enough to create the pita crunchiness I expect in fattoush.) Maybe more sumac would help, too? I consistently like the stuffed grape leaves. The home-made pickles are a nice touch, especially the turnip pickles. The fries are above average.

The chicken shawerma and beef kebab are both quite good. The chicken kebab is good. The lamb is amazing at times, just good at other times, and too fatty and chewy on still other occasions. The kefta kebab is okay, but not my favorite. I usually buy wraps rather than kebab platters. I like the fact that they use thin Frontier tortillas (at least I think they still do, as far as I know). I like the way they press the wraps to toast them. But I don't like the fact that the wraps are open at both ends, so some of the meat and sauce can end up falling out, sometimes onto one's clothes. The rice pilaf (which comes with the platters) is okay. It's technically well-prepared, with the grains of rice retaining their individuality, but it's nothing exciting.

Momos (a delicate type of dumpling) were new to me, and I really like them, but don't get them that often (partly because they can take a bit longer than some other dishes). I much prefer the steamed momos to the fried ones, and my favorite flavors are chicken and vegetarian. I miss the thicker dipping sauce Mazaya formerly offered. Saving money on carrots?!

Service is generally friendly and accommodating, but it can be inattentive at times. If you are going to offer table service, follow table service conventions. There was one very disappointing occasion when I had to wait a ridiculously long time to get change when paying in cash (which I had brought specifically so I could give the waiter a cash tip). The artistic, culinary side of the restaurant is strong, but the organizational side is sometimes weak.

I also wish they would lose the TVs left over from the establishment previously in that location. TVs degrade the atmosphere of a restaurant, even if the volume is turned down.

Overall, I recommend the food. I definitely consider it one of the better restaurants in its immediate area. While there are a lot of restaurants near UNM, they don't all stand up to close scrutiny. Mazaya...

Went there on a whim, as I wanted something different for lunch. The restaurant was pleasant and the food was good; however, the reason why I was disappointed with this restaurant was for the fact that there was only one other table seated. It was the middle of the week on a mid afternoon; no lunch crowd. Thus I expected better customer service. This was my first visit and therefore asked for recommendations. The waitress couldn’t give a recommendation or even tell me about the menu items, so I choose blindly. Once my food was brought to me I didn’t see my server again until the bill came, which I had to flag her down and ask for. Luckily the food was good and I didn’t have any issues or requests. Wasn’t asked how the food tasted nor did she didn’t refill my drink. Again she couldn’t have because she never came by my table. Actually I did need an additional napkin but had to make do with what I had. When I left, wasn’t thanked for my patronage.I’m not from ABQ but I’ve noticed that this kind of service...

An Exceptional Dining Experience at Mazaya Café!

Mazaya Café is a true hidden gem! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was welcoming and beautifully decorated — cozy, clean, and full of charm.

The food? Absolutely outstanding. Every bite was packed with rich, authentic flavor. The garlic sauce and hummus was creamy and fresh, the grilled meats were tender and perfectly seasoned, and the fresh pita was the best I’ve ever had. Every bit of the food was incredibly flavorful and beautifully presented.

A shout out to The Sierra Blanca Brewing Company, the Alien Vanilla Stout was sooooo good. It absolutely paired well with the meats.

The service was top-notch. Our server Liam was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. You can really tell the staff take pride in what they do.

If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean cuisine, amazing service, and a relaxing ambiance — Mazaya Café is the place to go. I’ll definitely be back soon....