Gahwa Café in Jacksonville - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Great food / coffee and people that run the place are very friendly and welcoming

Really enjoyed this place, will go back!

Very expensive. Portions are very small. The gyro platter too expensive and not enough food. It wasn't even good, after all. The lemonade was very sour and it was about 3oz.

Fantastic food, hookah and drinks. Please go see them - even if you just need some pick me up coffee! They have almond milk for those of us who can’t handle regular milk and multiple decaffeinated options as well! Food was amazing, tried a bit of everything but the grape leaves were my favorite! Hookah was smooth and flavorful. Need tobacco and nicotine free option? They have you covered! Blueberry mint will not disappoint you! Atmosphere was perfect, comfortable and inviting but with some flare. Staff is amazing, so friendly and knowledgeable!

My wife and I had an amazing first time experience! The owners are delightful! The food was amazing! The coffee and hookah are on point! This is our new spot for a relaxing food, coffee and hookah experience! If haven't been here yet definitely go and check them out!

I stumbled upon this hidden gem of a Mediterranean coffee shop and I'm so glad I did! The moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the stunning floral arrangement on the ceiling - it's like walking into a whimsical garden. But what truly sets this place apart is the exceptional Turkish coffee, expertly brewed to perfection. Rich, bold, and velvety smooth, it's a game-changer. And if the coffee wasn't enough, the selection of baklava is unparalleled. Flaky, buttery, and dripping with honey, each bite is a masterclass in texture and flavor. I tried a few different varieties and was blown away by the quality and care that goes into each piece. The service was warm and welcoming, with friendly staff happy to answer all my questions about the menu. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, making it the perfect spot to catch up with friends or work remotely. Overall, this Mediterranean coffee shop is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves great coffee, delicious pastries, and a unique atmosphere. I'll be back again and again!

We didn't plan to go here today but glad we did. The coffee was spot on, no surgar or cream needed. My wife had a croissant sandwich, all the flavors were balanced and yummy. I had a gyro plate with humus and it was equally great. It was a new type of food and environment for us, and I'm glad we stepped out of our comfort zone. The place is quiet and lends itself to relaxation. Looking forward to visiting again.

Pleasant atmosphere, delicious food, refreshing drinks, friendly staff! Strongly recommend!

I kinda want the lights a little more dim for a more chill atmosphere or like more yellow or gold lights for evenings. But that's just personal preference and this does not affect the experience or the ambiance. It's a charming venue, owner is lovely, and the desserts and teas are delicious! The dolmas are divine! Anyone wanting chill Mediterranean/Moroccan/Turkish vibes, this is perfect!

10 stars to Gahwa Cafe!! Atmosphere is wonderful and whimsical. The service is prompt and warm. The food….the food is exceptional!! I’ve been searching for authentic hummus like my ex’s grandma from Jordan would make. This was THE BEST I’ve had and dare I say, better than grandma used to make! Lentil soup special was luscious and rich and I would love to eat it by the gallon! Lol. Kunafa was perfection and went perfectly with the Turkish coffee. The star of the show though, was the baklava we got to go!! What magic is that?! On top of all the amazing food they sell beautiful jewelry. This is my new happy place!!

Great place, good vibes, and amazing food! The owner was so hospitable and was attentive to group. We have been here three times and will keep come back.

The interior design is the most attractive thing about this place. The coffee on the sand and the tea pot with mint leaves are the best thing to order in this place & they are delecious. This place is a cafe not a restaurant, so do not raise the bar when it comes to food. We ordered two plates of Falafel with pita. The first one was good. The second seemed to be reheated from the day before. Fuel Mdamiss was delecious. I did not find the Musabaha so appealing. It is gyro & Hummus, while Musabaha should be a combination of Hummus & Fuel Mdamiss & whole Chickpeas with Tahina. The lava cake was not nice at all, I expected it to be a hot base cake with an icecream on the top. The cake was cold & it tasted flat. The guy was speaking on the phone all the time & did not check on us as expected. My partner had to go to the counter multiple times to ask for things that we needed. So if you plan to go there, you can definitely go for a hot drink & for a good atmosphere but you can dine in other places if you want to have a proper meal.

One of the best Middle eastern places I’ve been to! The atmosphere is very cosy, the owner and his wife are very friendly people. The food and hookah were amazing. Definitely worth visiting!

Quaint atmosphere with great service and delicious food and drink. Loved it for dinner, excited to go back for more coffee and to try the breakfast!

Had the Turkish coffee with some pastries, it was amazing!

Very friendly staff and delicious food and drinks!!

It was a really enjoyable experience! Enjoyed matcha green tea latte (very unexpected), gyro platter, pomegranate juice, kibbe, spinach pie and the pudding. They have Turkish, American and Arabic pastries and meals. Very attentive and friendly service. I'm sure I will return when in the area.

It’s a nice cafe. We had minted lemonade, tea, Turkish coffee, and cappuccino. We enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly service.

Absolutely WOW!!! A hidden gem really. Came here with my wife and it was the highlight of our weekend. The food was super delicious, ambience was beautiful and we couldnt have asked for a better host. We forgot we were in Jacksonville! This was a 5 star win!

Had a weekend getaway in Jacksonville and this place was by far the best experience of our weekend. Our food was authentic and delicious, the tea and other drinks we had were super good and our host-who I think may have been the owner was the most gracious and kind fella ever. If google had 20 stars I'd give them 15 more! Awesome little place!

Everything Everything magical everything pretty well made with its mystical touch super prices!! Flavor decoration attention we love it we will make this place an escape corner

Very good environment, good service everything is clean plus the food is so tasty definitely coming back

Delicious food and amazing relaxing atmosphere. Makes you feel like you are really in the middle east.

Stopped in for a quick snack to go. Their baklava selection is huge! The mussel baklava was so very tasty. I will be back to try more new to me baklava varieties!!

It was ok. Coffee was good. I saw waffles on the menu and decided to try it. It was definitely an eggo. I don't think the serveware on the tables is ever washed. Ours was sticky and when our table was cleared, only the inserts were taken for washing and not the decorative metal "holder".

I really love this place! It has a beautiful atmosphere and the service is friendly. I can’t wait to come back. Try the Turkish coffee!

I came to try some Turkish coffee and ended up experiencing a beautiful Cafe. The owner is such a genuine guy. You can see the amount of effort, love and care he puts in to his establishment; the aesthetic is so beautifully crafted. The food is simple and tastes good. I highly recommend the baklava. If you are a coffee connoisseur like me the Turkish coffee is rich with a nutty after taste. 10/10 a place to take someone on a date, or to find somewhere peaceful to loose track of time at.

Best coffee/ tea shop in the 904! Their pastries are amazing and so are their food options. I have been to Turkey before and this brought me back to there with the atmosphere and food. Definitely cannot go wrong with coming here!

Food, atmosphere and coffee are great! Stopped by on a Saturday evening. Definitely coming back.

Wow wow wow. This cafe is a hidden gem with authentic Turkish dishes and coffee. A quiet yet gracefully decorated and curated establishment that offers delicious treats and drinks at a good price and

This place definitely should not pass code. They have expired muffins clearly labeled two weeks past expiration date (March 13, 2024). There were two bags of bagels that had condensation all over inside of them and some mold. Served wilted lettuce. Re frozen food was served and marketed as authentic. The bathroom has huge bugs in the trash that were crawling out. The toilet looks like it has never seen a brush. Worse than most gas station bathrooms. The owner uses his excuse of "this is not a restaurant" therefore I don't need to serve good food. Shame on him for first if all using that terrible excuse and second of all, don't place your Turkish culture to shame!! He served us taquitos that he pulled from the freezer and microwaved them before serving. It was disgusting!! He is lucky that we have some decency and paid for this food. Got food poisoning from all of the frozen "food" he served us. He didn't even bother with the sand coffee show that was promised to us. Lazy service. Paid $97 for two people. Shameful and should be shug down immediately.

Incredible experience: everything from the Turkish coffee to the large platter, ambiance and especially the service was exceptional. Will definitely return here.

Wonderful place! Absolutely lovely atmosphere. Enchanting decor, soothing background music, fantastic service, and delicious tea. Recommend the mint and pomegranate teas.

Nice cozy place for coffee and snacks.

Little gem close to the beach. Delicious food and wondeful service. Locally owned. I tried the mint tea on recommendation from the owner. Loved it! My husband and I shared the charcuterie board, and the hummus was amazing with warm pita. Going back to try the baked goods and turkish coffee.

Sweetest owner! We loved the Turkish coffee and pistachio delights. Great atmosphere.

Wonderful Turkish coffee and food. Will return again!

Beautiful restaurant! The food and beverages were delicious! I especially loved the pomegranate tea and chocolate baklava.

What a lovely cafe with the most delightful people and the Turkish coffee is truly a treat along with some baklava. I cannot wait to come again for some lunch.

So let's start with the good. Turkish coffee is delicious, so is the tea. Would recommend for that. What was terrible? Well.... while I understand it's a coffee shop not a restaurant, the menu looks like a restaurant, offering real food while being just reheated freezer meals. To avoid more negative reviews about food, of which there are a few, maybe change up the menu to reflect more coffee shop style foods, that don't look like dinner or put some more effort and pride into the available dinner options. Also clearly labeled expired food in the display and filthy bathroom was a bit of a turn off. Has huge potential but needs some work.

Itis an interesting atmosphere and food

Turkish coffee, perhaps the best in Jacksonville. Owner operated, and a comfortable location to share with friends.

A beautiful and warm environment. The service was wonderful and the coffee/pastries were delicious. For a new experience and authentic culture this is the place to go!

I really enjoy Gahwa Cafe, I come here often and like their coffee options and teas. The atmosphere is very nice, and customer service is great.

I had an absolutely wonderful experience at this cafe. The tea was delicious and some of the best tea I’ve ever had. I also got the kebbe and it was amazing. The interior is decorated very beautifully as well. Would definitely recommend coming here.

Absolutely wonderful experience! The Turkish fruit tea is delicious, and the grape leaves are to die for! Definitely coming again, great place for coffee and tea lovers!

This place is an absolute must try! The ambiance is immaculate. The music, decor and vibe engrosses your body leaving you feeling like you’ve traveled to a far away place! And that’s before you even try the outstanding Turkish coffee and pastries! The owner gave me and my girlfriend a personalized experience, allowing us to watch and video the process of making the coffee and held great convos with us throughout our experience. Will be back in the future!

Hot pomegranate yes and Turkish spinach pie...mmmm! mommy! Unique and wonderful flavors. Sweet people owners. I'll be bringing my girlfriends here.

Coffee is always amazing and the setting is relaxing. Hookah is amazing I would go back there again and again Love it

The owner Mr. Hussein, was very kind and educational on the process on making Turkish coffee. The atmosphere was very relaxed and made for a perfect morning date.

Amazing place. Owner and food is amazing. Coffee is second to none.

Don't go over there; they break the LAW! The owner does not allow my service dog, and he told me he doesn't care about the law. I will definitely report them.

Was asked to leave because we have service dog with us. Not friendly. Not recommended.

Legitimate... want to relax and experience something not ordinary in Jacksonville? This is your place... Get over here and relax...

Great pastries and the sand coffee is so cool and tasty!

Very friendly owner. The teas are good

Great Lattes, service, hookah and ambiance… 🥰

We had such a great experience sharing a custom made sampler board!

Gahwa (the word for coffee in Arabic) Cafe is not your everyday coffee shop. As you enter, it's as if you are walking into a new cultural experience without the expense of traveling to Istanbul. On the wall is a 3-D rendering of an actual shrine in Istanbul. It's as if you're actually there. Having been specially designed for this location, it is made of cloth, not wallpaper. It took the installer three days to hang, making sure to remove all bubbles. Costing several thousands of dollars, it is the most expensive item in the shop and plays an integral part in creating a calming atmosphere of peace and serenity. Situated on the counter is a small island of heated sand. A specially designed cup holds the thick coffee, which is then buried deep into the hot sand, causing the coffee to boil in a matter of seconds. It's fun to watch and resembles hot chocolate boiling in a pan. The sand is much hotter below the surface which is why the coffee boils so quickly. This method was first used by the Bedouins in the desert and it's the standard for making Turkish coffee today. Imported from Istanbul, the coffee is flavored with Cardamon and is served in a demi-tass cup perched on a white ceramic swan. It is absolutely delicious and offers a new experience for coffee drinkers. It also comes in decaf, which according to the Cafe's owner, Husham Husein, is equally delicious. Regular coffee is also served, but you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to experience this delightful Turkish coffee. The food is a mix of Mediterranean and American cuisine. I had the home-made hummus platter and pistachio Baklava for dessert. It was delicious! Displayed in the pastry case is the most tantalizing assortment of tasty sweets, many of which are overnighted from Istanbul. It was hard to choose just one. I look forward to going back several times so I can try them all. There's a special section where you can sit on the floor on lavish sofas, as they do in many Middle Eastern and Oriental countries. This is a great place to come on your own or bring a special someone. Unlike many restaurants, here you can have a private conversation without having to shout over the din of clattering dishes and other diners. There are games to play, a large bookshelf with a variety of books, and even a guitar if you want to play music. Gahwa Cafe is that rare place where you can just sit, relax, and enjoy good food in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. If you do stop by, be sure to tell Husham Pat sent you. Enjoy!

On a cloudy and chilly morning, we decided to explore coffee options, and despite not being a coffee enthusiast, the allure of Turkish Sand coffee intrigued us. After thorough research, my partner and I chose this spot, immersed in Turkish vibes with its pleasing decor. We opted for a shot of Turkish coffee and a falafel order, sharing both. Surprisingly, my first coffee experience was enjoyable, and the falafel proved to be filling. The coffee somewhat tasted like black coffee with some sweetness and a touch of flavor. The falafel plating looked pleasing and tasty. The overall ambiance, combined with reasonable prices, made our visit memorable with great service.

Husham was so kind and attentive! It was a great experience. I'd definitely recommend the Chai Masala!

Really amazing place. Super nice people. Beautiful space. Delicious food. Try the iced tea with cranberry!

The café's Turkish sand coffee was a delightful surprise, good to the last drop, and a must-try for coffee aficionados. The falafel, too, was exceptionally good, with a perfect blend of crunch and flavor. Both dishes are well worth a visit to this charming spot.

First time and it was a great experience. Owner was very helpful me when we asked questions about the pastries and different coffees. Great atmosphere!! Nice little place for a group.

What a gem! Great spot for authentic Turkish sand coffee and pastries from a local turkish baker. Can't wait to go back!

This place is always a delight. Great atmosphere is the first thing you experience. The next is the friendly customer sevice that is above and beyond many many coffee places in town. The coffee is delicious, especially the Turkish coffee and the Moroccan Mint Tea.... The Turkish Baklava is also to die for!!! Always a great experience and overall just awesome. Easily the best place in Jax

Lovely decor and authentic Turkish food. This cafe is a great place to go with friends.

Great place wonderful owners and awesome food

The hospitality that they treat you, feels personalized. Amazing food and Beverages. Hookah above all others. Respect.

This place is AMAZING me and my best friend come here all the time and it’s SO GOOD every time. I literally DAYDREAM about the food and drink here and the owner is the sweetest! The charcuterie is unmatched, the chai is unreal and the Turkish coffee is unbelievable. Everything about this place is 20/10. I recommend it to anyone who will listen

Amazing food and service! So glad we found this gem, the Turkish coffee is the best we ever had! The owner took the time to show us how the coffee is sand heated. Will definitely be back. Highly recommended!

This is a cute cafe. If you want a different experience visit this place. Very friendly and the coffee is delicious. I did have a pastry but can’t remember the name. It was very good though.

Excellent service . Food is great too !! the Turkish code is excellent !! Definitely coming back

Stunning coffee place! I had a shot of Turkey coffee on the sand, a baklava and a chocolate croissant and everything was really tasty. Service was great and attentive. Seems lovely for an afternoon date but also nice for some solo time. The music was nice as well. I would definitely be back and recommend it to my friends in the area.

The Pomegranate Tea was amazing!! The perfect amount of sweet and sour taste. Also got the Moroccan Mint Tea and Chai Karak. They had lots for fruit flavored tea like strawberry and mango which I would love to try next time. The baklava and the chocolate halwa were really yummy. Would recommend trying them. They have a a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu as well. The owner said the meat was Halal but I would confirm again before going.

The best Turkish coffee! We have never have food but desserts are amazing! The service... I love it and all the interior is like being in another place!!

Awesome food, real Middle East coffee!!

Love this coffee snd pastries. The owner is so sweet and everything I’ve tasted is amazing. I need to try the lunch items next.

One of Jacksonville’s hidden gems. A must try!!!!

My friend showed me this place yesterday and I loved it! The young woman recommended the chai karak and it was AMAZING. I also had the fuul and it was great, although I wished it was a bit more acidic, so I'll ask for lemon next time! The baklava was some of the best I've had in my life (and I'm a baklava lover), the basboosa/hareesa was so tasty and the perfect texture, and it was served with a coconut-y whipped cream type of dessert and that was amazing as well (no idea what it was though!) The young woman (the owner's daughter) was so friendly and sweet, and always had a smile on her face! I can't wait to go back.

Had a great Chai and grape leaves.. was delicious!

Went to this Cafe a couple weeks ago. It was an interesting experience with the Mediterranean decoration style, Turkish. This place run by the owner family. Come and support local business.

Turkish coffee on sand and Turkish delights

Loved this place! The coffee was the best Turkish coffee I've had in jax. We had a sampling of their pastries and treats and they were fantastic. We are definitely coming back!

Great place for a quick lunch and a relax coffe. Good atmosphere and good service.

This place is amazing...the kindest people working there. An amazing experience!!! If your looking for a cultural experience it is definitely here❤️❤️.

Not only is this place beautiful and prices are amazing for amazing quality coffee. But the staff were super sweet and a perfect place to have a date day or a study session.

The atmosphere is amazing - If you are looking for a quaint place to get some work done while you enjoy a coffee/tea, this is it. Beautifully decorated and phenomenal service. Hidden gem!

Really enjoyed this cafe! The atmosphere is unique and cozy. The coffee and food was excellent! We had musabah (hummus w gyro slices and pita) and the Turkish spinach pie. Loved all of it!! the owner was so kind. We will be back!

The people are so nice, the atmosphere is beautifully unique, and the Turkish coffee is devine. If you haven't tried it, please do so NOW.

The Cafe is a quaint and relaxing family owned local business. The atmosphere with the wall art, decor, and furniture was fantastic. The flavors were authentic and delicious. The Turkish coffee was fragrant and prepared perfectly. I will definitely return for dinner next time.