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Cafe Layal ico

Cafe Layal
- 207 Gray St a, Houston, TX 77002

Middle Eastern restaurant, Hamburger restaurant ★4.0 (188)·$20–30

207 Gray St a, Houston, TX 77002, USA

4.0
Great place to chill. They have pretty decent Mediterranean food, but not the top notch and price reflects that. My friend likes to go here for hookah all the time, but i cant speak for it since i dont smoke. Staff is very nice and friendly! - Jeon
Cafe Layal Overview Intro Food & drink Detail Photos Location Reviews
$20–30 per person Reported by 188 people$10–20$20–30$30–50$50–100

Cafe Layal Introduce

### A Taste of the Levant in Houston: Discovering Cafe Layal


Nestled in the heart of Houston's bustling downtown, Cafe Layal stands as a beacon for those seeking a genuine and cozy Middle Eastern dining experience. This restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it’s a cultural hub where the rich flavors and warm hospitality of the Levant come to life. From its inviting atmosphere to its diverse menu, Cafe Layal offers a unique escape from the ordinary, providing a perfect setting for everything from a quick lunch to a late-night gathering with friends.

Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly Lebanese, is known for its fresh ingredients, vibrant spices, and a focus on sharing and community. At Cafe Layal, this tradition is honored with every dish. The menu is a testament to the region's culinary diversity, featuring classic staples like flavorful shawarmas, succulent kabobs, and a variety of meze (small plates) perfect for sharing. The commitment to providing halal food and a wide range of vegetarian options ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy, regardless of dietary preferences.

What makes Cafe Layal truly special is its ability to blend the best of traditional dining with a modern, relaxed vibe. It's a spot where college students can study over a cup of Turkish coffee, groups can enjoy a vibrant dinner, and solo diners can find a quiet, comfortable corner. The combination of a casual setting with high-quality, authentic food creates a memorable experience that keeps Houston locals and tourists coming back for more. It’s a place to unwind, to connect, and to savor the simple pleasures of a great meal.

### Location and Accessibility


Located at 207 Gray St a, Houston, TX 77002, USA, Cafe Layal is conveniently situated in a vibrant and accessible part of downtown Houston. Its location makes it a prime destination for those working in the area, as well as for those looking for a spot to relax after a long day of exploring the city. The restaurant’s strategic position makes it easy to find and reach, whether you're a local or just passing through.

Accessibility is a key feature of Cafe Layal. The restaurant provides multiple parking options, including a free parking lot, free street parking, and paid street parking, ensuring a hassle-free arrival. For those looking for a more premium service, valet parking is also available. Furthermore, the establishment is committed to providing an inclusive experience for all patrons, offering wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking lots, restrooms, and seating. This attention to detail ensures that every guest can enjoy their visit in comfort.

### Services Offered


Cafe Layal provides a comprehensive range of services to meet the diverse needs of its customers, from a cozy dine-in experience to convenient takeout and delivery options.

  • Outdoor Seating: Enjoy your meal in the fresh air on the restaurant's outdoor patio, a great option for a pleasant day or evening.
  • Dine-in: Settle in for a comfortable and relaxed meal with table service. The inviting atmosphere is perfect for a leisurely lunch or a cozy dinner.
  • No-Contact Delivery & Takeout: For those who prefer to dine at home, Cafe Layal offers both convenient takeout and no-contact delivery, allowing you to enjoy their delicious food wherever you are.
  • Catering: The restaurant offers a full catering menu with large trays of popular items like hummus, shawarma, and kabobs, making it an excellent choice for parties, events, and family gatherings.
  • Reservations: Guests can make reservations, which is particularly useful for planning group dinners or special occasions.

### Features and Highlights


Cafe Layal is celebrated for several standout features that contribute to its popularity and unique charm. These highlights make it a beloved spot in the Houston dining scene.

  • Authentic Middle Eastern & Lebanese Cuisine: The menu is a highlight in itself, offering a wide array of authentic dishes. From the rich and flavorful Beef Shawarma to the tender Lamb Chops and crispy Falafel, every dish is prepared to deliver a genuine taste of the region.
  • Great Tea and Coffee Selection: The restaurant is known for its exceptional beverage offerings, including a great tea selection like Persian Tea and a variety of coffee options, such as Turkish Coffee and Americano. This makes it an ideal spot for a relaxing coffee break or a warm drink after a meal.
  • Late-Night Food: Cafe Layal is one of the few places in the area that offers late-night dining, making it a perfect destination for those with a craving for delicious food after hours.
  • Halal and Vegetarian Options: The commitment to providing Halal food and a wide selection of vegetarian dishes, including Falafel wraps and the Veggie Plate, makes the menu accessible to a broad audience.
  • Cozy and Casual Atmosphere: The ambiance is casual and quiet, with a cozy feel that makes guests feel at home. It's an ideal setting for both intimate meals and larger group gatherings.
  • Sports: For sports enthusiasts, the restaurant is a great place to catch a game while enjoying a meal.
  • Dogs Allowed: The pet-friendly outdoor seating area means you can bring your furry friends along for your dining experience.

### Contact Information


For more information, to place an order, or to make a reservation, you can contact Cafe Layal using the following details:

  • Address: 207 Gray St a, Houston, TX 77002, USA
  • Phone: (713) 651-0939

### What is Worth Choosing?


When considering a visit to Cafe Layal, it’s worth highlighting what truly makes it a top choice for Houston diners. The restaurant's appeal lies in its authentic offerings, comfortable atmosphere, and excellent service. While some might have mixed feelings about certain dishes, the overall experience is consistently praised by those who frequent the establishment for its cozy vibe and friendly staff.

The **Shawarma** is a must-try for many. Whether in a sandwich or as a bowl, it’s a staple of Lebanese cuisine and a fan favorite. For those who enjoy variety, the **Mixed Grill** is an excellent choice, providing a taste of different kabobs. Don't overlook the **appetizers**; the **Layal Sampler**, **Hummus**, and **Falafel** are perfect for sharing and are a great way to start your meal. The **tea selection** is also highly recommended, with the **Persian Tea** being a standout choice that provides a perfect, calming end to a meal.

Beyond the food, the overall experience is what sets Cafe Layal apart. It’s a place where you can relax, take your time, and enjoy a quiet conversation. The availability of late-night dining and outdoor seating makes it versatile for any occasion. It's a great spot to meet up with a group of friends, enjoy a solo meal, or even bring a date. The convenience of various parking options and the welcoming, casual ambiance ensure that your visit is stress-free and enjoyable. Cafe Layal isn't just a restaurant; it's a welcoming retreat in the heart of the city, offering a delicious and authentic slice of Middle Eastern culture.

Cafe Layal Food & drink

  • Soups

  • Veggie Soup $4.95

    Comes with a generous portion.

  • Lentil Soup $4.95

    Lentil soup with onion, lemon and olive oil.

  • Sandwiches

  • Turkey Sub $10.95

    Served with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, & provolone cheese.

  • Gyro Sandwich $13.95

    Mixture of lamb and beef with tzatziki sauce, etc

  • Philly Cheese Steak $13.75

    Served with grilled onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, mayonnaise and provolone cheese.

  • Shawarma Sandwich $15.25

    Shawarma Wrapped with pita bread served with pickles and tomatoes.

  • Kafta Wrap $12.65

    Ground beef with onion, parsley, lettuce tomatoes and pickles.

  • Falafal Wrap $10.95

    Fried chickpeas, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, & tahini sauce.

  • Chicken Sandwich $13.95

    Grilled chicken with mayonaise, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes and avacado.

  • Souvlaki Sandwich $13.95

    Marinated lamb kabob served in an open pita bread, tomatoes, bell pepper, & tzatziki sauce.

  • Sojok Sub $11.75

    Spicy beef sausage with pickles, tomatoes, & garlic sauce.

  • Makanek Sub $11.75

    Spicy beef link with pickles, tomatoes, & garlic sauce.

  • Chicken Shawarma Arabic $13.95

    Chicken shawarma served with garlic sauce, pickles, wrapped in pressed flat bread served with fries.

  • Chicken Philly Sub $12.95

    Served with grilled onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, mayonnaise, & provolone cheese.

  • Chicken Shawarman Sandwich $13.95

    Served with garlic sauce, pickles and tomatoes.

  • Beef Shawarma Arabic $14.95

    Beef Shawarma served with Tahini, Parsely, Onions, Pickles, wrapped in flat bread, served with fries.

  • Beef Shawarma $13.95

    Served with tahini, pickles, onions, tomatoes wrapped in a pita bread.

  • Buffalo Chicken Sandwich $11.95

    Served with Mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, provolone cheese, and fries

  • Salads

  • Caesar $4.25

    Add protein for an additional charge.

  • Tabouli $4.25

    Parsley, tomatoes, onions & bulgur wheat. Add protein for an additional charge.

  • Greek Salad $4.95

    Add protein for an additional charge.

  • Layal Special Salad $9.95

    A mix of romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, red onion, mint parsley with olive oil & lemon served with roasted pita bread and choice of chicken breast or gyro meat. Add protein for an additional charge.

  • House $4.25

    Add protein for an additional charge.

  • Fatoush $4.25

    Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers toasted pita bread. Add protein for an additional charge.

  • Burgers

  • Mushroom Burger (1/2 Lb) $12.85

    Pure ground beef with melted cheese, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, & mayonnaise.

  • Burger (1/2 Lb) $11.99

    Pure ground beef with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, & mayonnaise.

  • Cheeseburger (1/2 Lb) $13.95

    Pure ground beef with melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, & mayonnaise.

  • Grilled Chicken Sandwich $12.95

    Grilled chicken breast with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, & mayonnaise.

  • BBQ Burger (1/2 Lb) $12.95

    Pure ground beef with BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, & pickles.

  • Smoothies

  • Strawberry Banana $5.50

    Fresh strawberries & banana mixed with non-fat ice cream, soy milk, & ice.

  • Mint Lemonade $5.50

    Fresh lemonade juice blended with mint & ice.

  • Berry Smoothie $5.50

    Mixed berries & banana blended with non-fat ice cream, soy milk, & ice.

  • Mango $5.50

    Fresh mango blended with non-fat vanilla ice cream, soy milk, & ice.

  • Sides

  • Fruit Plate $5.00

    Per person.

  • Fried Cauliflower $4.45
  • Basmati Rice $2.95
  • Layal Eggplant $3.95
  • Yogurt Cucumber $2.95
  • Pickles, Olives, & Tomatoes $1.95
  • Coffee and Tea

  • Turkish Coffee $2.95
  • Zuhurat $2.95
  • Pot Of Persian Tea (For 2) $3.95
  • Americano $3.95

    Lavazza.

  • American Coffee $1.95
  • Mocha Latte $3.95

    Lavazza

  • Persian Tea $1.95
  • Espresso $2.45

    Lavazza.

  • Aniese $2.95
  • Frappuccino $3.95

    Lavazza.

  • Caramel Latte $3.95

    Lavazza

  • Latte $3.95

    Lavazza

  • Cappuccino $3.95

    Lavazza

  • Desserts

  • Fruit Split $4.95

    Two scoops of ice cream topped with diced fruits & whipped cream.

  • Baklava $3.25
  • Fruit Salad $3.95

    Mixed fruits topped with honey & whipped cream.

  • Cakes $4.95
  • Ice Cream (2 Scoops) $2.95
  • Pizza

  • Chicken Pizza $10.95

    Monterrey jack & cheddar cheese, chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers, & onions.

  • Veggie Pizza $9.95

    Monterrey jack & cheddar cheese, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, & tomatoes.

  • Layal Special Pizza $11.95

    Monterrey jack, cheddar, & feta cheese, Sojok (Mediterranean beef sausage), bell peppers, & mushrooms.

  • Bowls

  • Beef Shawarma Bowl $18.95

    Shaved beef shawarma served with basmati rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, corn, garbanzo, and jalapeños topped with creamy garlic sauce

  • Falafel Bowl $17.25

    5 Pcs of falafel served with basmati rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, corn, garbanzo, and jalapeños topped with creamy garlic sauce

  • Gyro Bowl $18.95

    Mixture of beef and lamb served with basmati rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, corn, garbanzo, and jalapeños topped with creamy garlic sauce

  • Rice Bowl $18.65

    Chicken Shawarma, Gyro, Beef, or falafel served over basmati rice with side salad of lettuce, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes topped with creamy garlic sauce

  • Chicken Shawarma Bowl $18.75

    Shaved chicken shawarma served with basmati rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, corn, garbanzo, and jalapeños topped with creamy garlic sauce

  • Appetizers

  • Layal Sampler $10.95

    Hummus, Tabouli, Grape leaves, Kibbie, and Falafel. Served with pita bread

  • Cheese Arayes $7.25

    Baked pocket bread filled with cheese and olives.

  • Falafel (4 Pieces) $6.95

    Deep fried chickpeas mixed with parsley & onion.

  • French Fries Basket $5.95
  • Buffalo Wings (6 Pieces) $9.75
  • Labneh $4.95

    Dried plain yogurt.

  • Sojok Arayes $9.95

    Baked pocket bread filled with sojok, cheese, mushrooms and olives.

  • Chips And Dips $4.95

    Hummus with toasted pita bread.

  • Makanek $5.95

    Mediterranean beef links.

  • Grilled Cheese (Halloum Cheese) $5.95
  • Hummus Supreme $10.95

    Hummus topped with fresh seasoned beef shawarma served with pickles & tomatoes.

  • Grape Leaves (4 Pieces) $6.95

    Stuffed with rice and veggies.

  • Hummus $6.95

    Chickpea dip with sesame seed sauce.

  • Chicken Tenders $9.95

    Served with french fries and BBQ sauce.

  • Spicy Potatoes $5.50
  • Fried Kibbi (2 Pieces) $5.50

    Deep fried crackwheat & lean meat stuffed with ground beef, onion & spices.

  • Sambusek (4 Pieces) $4.95

    Meat or cheese pies.

  • Baba Ganoug $4.95

    Eggplant dip with sesame seed sauce.

  • Sojok $5.95

    Mediterranean beef sausage.

  • Catering Menu

  • Falafel Tray $26.95
  • Hummus Tray $29.95
  • Shawarma Tray $45.95
  • Tabouli Tray $33.95
  • Greek Salad Tray $36.95
  • Mixed Kabob Tray $89.95

    Kafta kabob & chicken kabob.

  • Basmati Rice Tray $33.95
  • Baba Ganoug Tray $38.95
  • Fatoush Salad Tray $33.95
  • Drinks

  • Fountain Drink $1.95
  • Iced Tea $1.95
  • Perrier $3.95
  • Bottle Of Water $1.50
  • Fruit Juice $5.00

    Choice of strawberry, mango, carrot, orange, strawberry-mango mix, cocktail juice, apple, or apple-carrot mix.

  • Vitamin Water $2.45
  • Energy Drink $3.95
  • Entrées

  • Beef Kabob $16.95

    A skewer of top sirloin (Angus beef) marinated in Mediterranean spices served with rice, hummus, & grilled veggies.

  • Lamb Chops $28.50

    Special marinated lamb shanks served with rice, hummus, grilled veggies, & tzatziki sauce.

  • Mixed Grill $18.95

    A combination of beef, chicken & kafta kabob served with rice, hummus, & grilled veggies.

  • Chicken Kabob $15.95

    A skewer of boneless chicken marinated in Mediterranean spices, served with rice, hummus, & grilled veggies.

  • Veggie Plate $11.25

    Your choice of 3: grilled cauliflower, eggplant, spicy potato, falafel, or grape leaves, served with rice & hummus.

  • Kafta Kabob $15.95

    Two skewers of ground beef mixed with parsley, onions, & spices served with rice, hummus, & grilled veggies.

  • Shrimp Kabob $13.95

    A skewer of seasoned shrimp served with rice, hummus, & grilled veggies.

  • Grilled Chicken Breast $13.95

    Grilled seasoned chicken breast served with rice & hummus.

  • Chicken Shawarma Plate $14.65

    Shaved seasoned chicken breast served with hummus & rice.

  • Salmon Kabob $15.95

    A skewer of fresh seasoned salmon served with rice, hummus, & grilled veggies.

  • Musaka Plate $11.55

    Eggplant stuffed with seasoned ground beef & onions topped with tomato sauce, served with rice & hummus.

  • Grilled Talapia $13.95

    Grilled seasoned tilapia served with rice & hummus.

  • Beef Shawarma $15.25

    Shaved seasoned beef served with hummus & rice.

  • Falafal Plate $11.25

    Six pieces of fried chickpeas mixed with parsley, served with rice, hummus, & tahini sauce.

  • Souvlaki (Lamb Kabob) $18.95

    A skewer of special marinated lamb served with rice, hummus, grilled veggies, & tzatziki sauce.

  • Gyro Plate $16.95

    Mixture of sliced beef & lamb served with rice, hummus, & tzatziki sauce.

Cafe Layal Details

  • Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Highlights

  • Great dessert
  • Great tea selection
  • Sports
  • Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
  • Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Offerings

  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Halal food
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
  • Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
  • Amenities

  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Quiet
  • Trendy
  • Crowd

  • College students
  • Groups
  • Tourists
  • Planning

  • Accepts reservations
  • Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards
  • Children

  • High chairs
  • Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Paid street parking
  • Parking
  • Valet parking
  • Pets

  • Dogs allowed outside

Cafe Layal Photos

Cafe Layal Picture 1Cafe Layal Picture 2Cafe Layal Picture 3Cafe Layal Picture 4Cafe Layal Picture 5Cafe Layal Picture 6Cafe Layal Picture 7Cafe Layal Picture 8Cafe Layal Picture 9Cafe Layal Picture 10

Cafe Layal Location

Cafe Layal

207 Gray St a, Houston, TX 77002, USA

Cafe Layal Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 1542 user reviews.

hookahBYOBpatiosmoketipcoalgyrohappy hourhosevalet

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

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