Shahrazad Hookah Lounge & Coffee — Restaurant in Raleigh

This place is an attraction. If you want to get a glimpse of horrible service, a depressing atmospheres, and the worst hookah you’ve ever had, look no further! This should be the eighth wonder of the world.

Parking? We’ll feast your eyes on the sandy lot with no lines. Really makes you feel like you’re in the Middle East! The experience starts before you even get in. Also if the owner or his friends are there, you will be denied parking in the front even though it’s available so he can give it to his boys. Look for the hip guys with skinny jeans and Shmedium shirts. They parked up front.

The inside of the place including the TVs sit on a slant because the engineer or contractor didn’t discover the leveler yet. There’s leaks from the roof when it rains so you feel like you’re smoking in a rainforest.

A train blows by honking their horn 12 feet behind the place. If you’re lucky and you have a glass of tea, you can watch it dance on your table. The cold drinks are hot, the hot drinks are cold. Oh oh oh, it’s Magic!

The bathroom looks like people hang from a monkey bar and sneeze while peeing. It’s wet and wild!

They still use the discount Khalil Mamoon hookahs that someone’s grandfather in a Bedouin tribe used. Whatever flavor you order, it comes out tasting the same. Miracle on Hillsborough Street!

Their idea of ventilation is the fans you buy from Korean stores. Everyone had one growing up so it’s a bit nostalgic.

There’s so many different types of mismatched furniture, I thought I walked into a furniture store

Honestly, it’s a miracle this place continues to have business. The staff is annoyed any time you order something, they never say hello, and you have to see their bargain kohls underwear every time they bend over. I’ve seen their staff fight with customers who ask for something. It’s a masterclass of customer...

I’d been here once before my most recent experience. Both times I’ve liked the vibe of the place!

This most recent time, I went with a group of 6. None of us are hookah regulars. The waitress came and when we ordered hookah, she told us that the hookah was meant for 2, and politely asked if we wanted more. We said no, and when we got the hookah, we started to share it for other friends to try. Another waitress ran up to us and said that the first waitress had told her to watch us, and that if we shared between more than two again, they’d charge us for another hookah. I’ve been to many places in other cities, and have enjoyed one setup shared between 5-8 friends. The first waitress never mentioned it as a rule, we all interpreted it as a serving suggestion. The idea of being told to watch us rubbed us the wrong way entirely, and we often caught both waitresses staring at our table, I suppose checking for more sharing. Later, another server came to refill our coals, but the two people who ended up sharing couldn’t take more. The server told us we were doing it wrong with a demeaning voice. We knew that one hookah was more than enough for the two sharing it (or any two at our table). If the two people for hookah is a rule, it needs to be clearly stated as such. Further, the suggestion that someone asked for us to be watched was both creepy and felt really suspect based on the group we brought. Just for that alone, I probably won’t go back. But if you’re someone who can smoke a lot on your own, it’s probably a decent spot. Definitely don’t go if you’re looking to share one setup with a larger group, and if you don’t want to be rudely chastised by the wait staff for something that wasn’t clearly...

Unprofessional business practices! I was very disappointed to hear that when my cousin (with special needs) was promised sponsoring assistance from Eyad Duran (owner) and was told by the him directly to come the following day because he would assist be “happy to assist her”, when she returned back the following day as he requested, he sent his worker to turn her down. In the business world, if you change your mind for any reason, it is always best to show your face and provide a reason why you had a change in heart. Especially since this individual is a special needs person who is attempting to create awareness and hope for others who may lack self-esteem due to their situation.

On top of that, Mr. Eyad proceeded to pass her by as if she was a fly on the wall and did not say a word to her. Later on that day, Eyad purposely removed himself as a communication/ contact from her and her mothers on Facebook account. At one point in time I may have supported this business trusting that he would do the best possible to assist the community but not anymore. I am truly disappointed and do not recommend this business and unethical business practices to anyone. At this point it is no longer about the sponsorship but more about offering an apology to a person who’s hopes and dreams were crushed by Eyad. She has the notion in her mind now that everyone is the same and this is not the case. Please consider this situation before you go support this business because you never know when you need a helping hand. God...