Phoenicia Bakery & Deli — Restaurant in Austin

As you're paying at the register, one of the people behind the counter slowly sliding your Visa through what is inexplicably their only card reader, you'll notice an impressive string of Austin Chronicle awards at the top of the back wall: Phoenicia Bakery and Deli - Best Deli in Austin. More careful inspection reveals that these awards sort of trailed off in the early 90s, presumably as the Chronicle staff decided to branch out a little, but even though the store's glory days are somewhat behind it, it's still an interesting little place.

Most of the surprisingly small store is taken up with shelves carrying mostly Mediterranean goods. In this age of mega-Whole Foods and Central Markets it's probably not as impressive as it used to be, and the narrow aisles are a drag if there's more than 5 or 6 people in there; still, there's plenty of wacky stuff in there, some not even Mediterranean (e.g. Inka Kola), so it's worth a visit to check it out. The prices for their groceries aren't too far out of line of what you'd find at places like Whole Foods.

I usually only come for lunch, though. As you'd expect from the store name, they have a bakery with plenty of good breads like the obligatory pita plus desserts from cookies to baklava, and most importantly, a decent and cheap deli. I've had and enjoyed their more Mediterranean food like falafel, shawarma, and kafta, and also their "award winning" (circa the Clinton administration) roasted chicken sandwich, but they also have a surprisingly strong muffaletta, with particularly good olive spread. The last time I was here I was sitting on the picnic bench outside chowing down on my muffaletta when an exiting customer stopped in her tracks and demanded to know what it was. It's pretty big and only $5, so that's what I usually get.

It looks like some people have had issues with the staff here; they've been totally fine to me every time I've been. The only real downsides of the store for me are the small size and lack of seating - be warned, that lone bench outside right next to the car exhaust is the only seating, so plan to eat somewhere else - but aside from that they make for a good lunch destination, and if I want to buy some wacky kind of olives or whatever, I can...

They have the best various baklava treats! I feel so welcomed when I first enter the place. They will begin to greet you much more personally when they see u come in again and again. I love seeing the older lady who might be the mom or grandma of the family there. It always makes me feel so happy when I enter to see the sweets to try out! Whenever I'm feelin blue, all I have to do is enter the bakery and get something from there.

Real reasonable prices for the desserts! Haven't tried the gyros or anything but, I'll try it soon enough! One buck for a finger cashew?! Sure! It feels like they actually aren't ripping us off. Quality so, keep it up. Glad I tried it out after seeing it for few weeks across the street...

Phoenicia is one of those places you walk into and you just think, “I’m glad these kinds of places still exist.”

When you don’t want the flashy, trendy, fussy new spots that close after 4 months and bribe people to leave good reviews… come here. You won’t find influencers and ostentatious decor here.

The shop is charming and the workers are kind. Lots of specialty international goods.

Not only is the food delicious, it’s reasonably priced and CLEAN. It’s really a fantastic spot.

And if you’re in a hurry, grab a gyro (they’re made handheld), sit in...