Mandi Cafe & Grill — Restaurant in Richmond

Authentic Halal Middle Eastern Cuisine & Hookah – A Perfect Blend of Flavor and Relaxation

If you’re searching for a spot that offers mouthwatering halal Middle Eastern cuisine and an authentic hookah lounge experience, this place is an absolute standout.

The food is phenomenal — every dish is crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients and rich, traditional flavors. From tender lamb kebabs and juicy chicken shawarma to fluffy saffron rice and velvety hummus, each bite speaks to the heart of Middle Eastern hospitality. Everything is 100% halal, which adds an extra layer of trust and comfort to the experience.

The hookah service is equally impressive. The staff really knows what they’re doing — the shisha is smooth, flavorful, and set up with care. Whether you’re a fan of classic mint, double apple, or fruit mixes like mango or blueberry, the options are diverse and satisfying.

What truly makes this place shine is the ambiance. The soft Arabic music, beautiful decor, and cozy lighting create a warm, inviting environment — perfect for both relaxing evenings and social gatherings. The staff are attentive, respectful, and always ready to make your experience feel special.

This is more than just a restaurant — it’s a cultural escape. If you appreciate authentic halal food and quality hookah in a laid-back setting, you’ll find yourself coming back again and again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly...

The portion sizes were really good but the meats themselves were a little bland. The food wasn’t oily or greasy fortunately but not sure if I’d come again due to lack of significant flavor other than some flavor from skin. Got half chicken mandi and lamb haneef.

Update to Response from owner: Yes I did come August 12th at around 8 pm. The main owner wasn't there according to others working there. By no means am I trying to be harsh as we especially liked our server and the chef who came to answer our questions (although she did not specify any difference) between half-mandi and 2 pcs chicken mandi. Both my dad and I went and we both felt this way about the flavor/taste of the food. I do not have a receipt bc I paid with apple pay but left tip with server bc he was that good, so he might have it. I just say this to hopefully bring to the management's understanding. I feel bad so will change original rating of 3 stars (low only bc of food) to 4 stars (yes bc maybe I am being too harsh). I will have to say too that the food was not very hot as well and I did hear the microwave being used a few times, but obviously might not be for my food so don't want to say...

We stopped here about a week and a half ago after reading the great Google reviews — and they were absolutely right. We were heading to visit my son at Texas Children’s Hospital and wanted to grab something along the way. Mandi Cafe & Grill popped up with amazing reviews, so we gave it a try.

We ordered the 3-piece Mandi Mix platter with chicken, lamb, and goat. The lamb was absolutely incredible — fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. The chicken was also perfectly seasoned and juicy. The goat was good too — flavorful and well-cooked — it just wasn’t quite my personal favorite. Nothing wrong with it at all, it’s just not something I’d probably order again for my own taste buds. But everything on the plate was cooked to perfection, and you could tell the care that went into it.

If you’re considering this place, go! It’s clean, the service was great, and the food is outstanding. I’d absolutely recommend it. I also attached a picture to show just how good it looked...