Nubia Cafe — Restaurant in Anaheim

If you know, you know!! Nubia Cafe is one of those spots that’s been around forever for a reason. We came here around 7pm and the place was already packed, inside and out. There’s a constant buzz of people catching up, music playing softly in the background, and lots and lots of hookah!!

This is a true late-night lounge. The kind of place where you don’t just eat and leave, you really hang out. For a long time.

I feel that more people need to know how good their drinks & food is though, aside from just the hookah!!

We ordered mint lemonade, sugarcane juice, and Karak tea to start. All three were legit, but the Karak was the standout!! Creamy, spiced, and strong without being bitter.

For food, we got the lamb shank kabsa, chicken kofta plate, and arayes. The lamb was fall-off-the-bone and flavorful, sitting on a huge bed of seasoned rice. The kofta was juicy and well-spiced. Arayes were crispy on the outside and stuffed with ground meat… simple but satisfying. We ended with the kunafa cream, and honestly, that alone is worth coming back for. It was huge!!! Gooey, warm, and sweet without being too heavy. I LOVED THIS!!

This place isn’t fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s consistent, it’s full of life, and it gives you exactly what you came for. Definitely one of Anaheim’s most iconic...

For those of us that have lived in the middle east part of our life, this place truly makes it feel like you're home, and there is no other like it. The atmosphere is always wonderful, and you can see the joy on people's faces wether they're about to beat someone at a game of cards or the Lakers are ready to win it all. Of course where there is positive attributes there are the negatives. Furniture unfortunately does require some up-keep and the service isn't necessarily always the best. The staff are extremely friendly, however when the place starts to get crowded, you can tell there is a decline in service quality. Food quality is a pattern of preference really, there have been some good days and there have been some bad days, and this is where consistency is probably key. Their hookahs on the other hand have a consistency I am always happy to come back for. They are some of the best in Southern California and very hard to beat. If you get a chance to I highly expect you experience this place for yourself. In the end you are the one who will decide whether this place is your cup of tea or not.

Tips:

Try their Kushiri milk tea and Strawberry Lemon Mint Hookah you won't...

I regret to say that my recent experiences at Nubia have left me disheartened and dissatisfied. While the restaurant used to be a favorite of mine, it has unfortunately taken a downward turn in terms of both menu pricing and food quality.

One of the most frustrating aspects I encountered during my visits was the issue of inaccurate menu prices. On multiple occasions, I noticed that the final bill exceeded the listed prices, leading to an unpleasant surprise when it came time to settle the payment. This inconsistency is not only misleading but also erodes trust between the establishment and its patrons.

However, the most disappointing aspect is the decline in food quality. Previously, Nubia was known for its delicious and well-prepared dishes. Unfortunately, in recent visits, I found the food quality to be consistently subpar. The once-impressive flavors and textures have noticeably diminished, leaving me questioning the attention to detail and care that used to be synonymous with the restaurant.

Each time I visited, I hoped for an improvement, but sadly, the food quality only seemed to worsen. It is disheartening to witness such a decline in a place that I once held in...