Habibi Cafe & Lounge

Habibi Cafe & Lounge is a Middle Eastern cafe, restaurant, and hookah lounge at 330 East Ave in Rochester, NY. Situated in the East End district — a stretch of East Avenue anchored by cultural destinations like the Little Theatre and the George Eastman Museum — the cafe operates as an evening and late-night gathering spot. It opens at 4:00 PM and runs until 1:00 or 2:00 AM depending on the day, with Monday closures. In addition to dine-in service, Habibi offers online ordering for pickup and delivery through several platforms.

The menu spans Middle Eastern staples, Spanish-influenced plates, and American bar fare. Highlights include:

• Shawarma wraps in chicken, lamb, and falafel varieties
• Mediterranean platters with kebab skewers and lamb chops, including a "Habibi Royal Platter" sized for groups of two to six
• Falafel, hummus with pita, and samosas among the appetizers
• Spanish-style plates such as chicken and carne asada, along with tacos, quesadillas, and fajitas
• Wings offered in six flavor options
• Desserts like bubble waffles, churros, and fried ice cream

The drink menu features espresso-based coffee drinks, Karak tea, specialty tea pots, smoothies, and mojitos. Hookah service rounds out the lounge side of the operation, and a private room is available for group gatherings.

Habibi Cafe & Lounge occupies a distinct niche on East Avenue as one of the few Rochester spots combining a full Middle Eastern kitchen with a hookah lounge atmosphere. The menu's crossover between shawarma-and-kebab plates and Spanish-influenced items like fajitas and carne asada sets it apart from single-cuisine restaurants in the neighborhood. Its late-night hours — open until 2:00 AM Thursday through Saturday — position it as a destination after other East End restaurants have closed for the evening.

The cafe sits at 330 East Ave in Rochester's East End, a walkable corridor of restaurants, bars, and cultural venues running through downtown. The Little Theatre, Rochester's longtime independent cinema, is just blocks away, and the George Eastman Museum is a short drive east along the avenue. The East End is recognized for its nightlife concentration, and Habibi fits into that landscape with its evening-only hours and lounge format. Street parking is available along East Avenue, and several municipal lots serve the surrounding blocks.