The Oasis at Cafe Mawal
In the past year I have visited this little known restaurant in Houston about 4 times. Its name: Cafe Mawal.
Cafe Mawal is a small Mediterranean restaurant in the Galleria area of Houston. The food is delicious. The food has its origins from the country of Jordan. The general manager/owner, Ibrahim, started this little restaurant a couple of years ago. It has slowly gained its customers, and now is named one of the best restaurants according to HoustonPress.
The food
The food is made fresh every day. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has question the food’s presentation compared to the pictures in the menu; in other words “This plate doesn’t look like the picture in the menu.” Well, Cafe Mawal’s food presentation IS like the pictures found in the menu. Let’s not forget about the prices. This is a very affordable place. Nothing on the menu is over $12 at the most.
My favorite dish is the Kafta Kabob. A meat dish served with rice. Other things that my friends and I like to get include: hummus, tabouli, falafel, baba ganoush. My favorite and very refreshing drink is the Mawal Up. It is lemonade with mint. YUMMMMM.
The Place
The restaurant is a converted house with a big, long back yard. In the back and front you will find a patio. The best thing about this place has to be the Bedouin-style tent in the back. When I first visited this place, we sat on the floor to eat. AWESOME! But now they have put tables and chairs to make things more comfortable, which I’m glad for. My friends and I enjoy coming to this place not only for the food, but the Bedouin tent.
Once the sun goes down, the people start showing up. If they are not there for food, then they are there for Hookah. Groups of people come out to socialize in this hidden gem. The atmosphere is great. The owner and the staff are nice and want to make your stay pleasant. So gather a group of friends and head out for some GOOD FOOD! Who knows, you may stumble upon belly dancers one day.
Cafe Mawal
6006 Fairdale Ln
Houston, TX 77057
713-977-1999
Opens at 4pm
