Habibi Bar & Cafe

The food was awful (i ordered through eat24). After getting what was likely the worst quality of food in my life I looked them up more and found they have an astounding amount of health violations.
Here is a link to their violations:

Habibi is… interesting. When I lived at the beach and felt like destroying my lungs I was there a lot, and depending on when you’re there it can certainly be an enjoyable experience.
When I first started coming here, the inside was really quirky as you could tell it used to be an ‘80s style office. More recently they have redone the interior to give it much more a nightclub feel. While it is way harder to see where you’re going inside now, it adds to the ambiance for sure.
The hookahs were usually good, but occasionally smoked terrible. There was a server named Jenna (sadly she moved away) that was always amazing at getting them smoking perfectly, and of taking care of us in general. I always had a great time when she was my server, but the service was VERY hit or miss if it was anybody besides her.
I only ever ate chicken fingers and drank PBR there because it was super cheap and it isn’t really a place that screams culinary perfection, but they actually have a pretty big Mediterranean menu and a lot of ²⁴⁄₇ drink specials.
On Friday and Saturday night it gets ridiculously loud/​crowded as it is basically a nightclub — doesn’t really bother me, but I generally like to smoke hookah in an intimate atmosphere where you can have a conversation, so if that describes you as well consider going at a different time.
Makes me miss the beach a little bit!

I’ve been to Habibi’s more than a few times and for those who that don’t know, get there early if you want to sit in the back near the DJ (1000 at the latest!) as for service, this place gets PACKED so it’s understandable that the servers are stretched pretty thin. That being said SHOUT OUT TO HEATHER!!! Even on a packed Friday night she was able to get us from sitting outside to the back in about 30 minutes. She was SUPER ATTENTIVE and very knowledgable on the beer selection (my husband) and made sure we always had fresh coals. As for the flavor selection, the sky is the limit here. They can combine pretty much and flavor you can think of as far as Jacksonville hookah spots, the price for a single hookah is as reasonable as it gets for a quality smoke… not too airy or hot. Keep it up Habibi’s, I’ll continue to point tourists and new friends in your direction!

Younger crowd and great karaōke music selection. Singers are mostly hip-​hop. I would give them 5 Stars if I could face audience when I’m singing with the lyrics between you and the crowd. Some beer selections relatively cheap!

I had an amazing time at this place! While on vacation, I celebrated my birthday here. The hookah selection was great and the music was on point! I had a vodka Mango Slush… oooommmgggg! Sooo yummy! We planned to come back while we were still in town, but things got too busy. I definitely plan to come back again when I’m in town! What an amazing night.

I’ve never actually given a review while I was actually sitting in an establishment. We (4 locals) were brought in and told our waitress would be back in seconds. About 15 minutes of watching her with other people caused us to flag down someone. Our mistake. This girl was so messed up on drugs she could barely speak. She delivered our drinks to a totally different group of people while we watched and kept calling her name. She just cracked up about it when they started drinking them as we watched! We finally got our hookah after about 30 minutes of sitting and looking a little shell shocked as this girl stumbled around. I don’t think I need to say more.

Don’t go to this place! Drinks are watered down, hookah is cheap, service is horrible, and they have 18 year olds drinking alcohol and acting a fool.

Michelle was awesome! She definitely gave definition to the business… And me and my dog love the dinner she provided! Thanks Michelle!

This place blows… dirty, staff is slow and not clean looking, not to mention the waitress came up to our table smoking on a Hookah with our food… is that clean? Last thing I want to see is my waitress sucking on someone else’s Hookah (with no cap!!) good luck if you enter!

I would’ve just liked to have had some chicken in my chicken shawarma. Hummus = good, service = horrible. Probably the worst service I’ve had in Jacksonville. Avoid Layla at all costs.

I would return if I really had that Hookah craving as I think it’s the only place at the beach that offers this. The hookah was fine, but the service was non-​existent and the atmosphere is grimy. I saw some food come out not looking very good and judging by other Unilocalers not tasting too good either. Would be much better if this place was at least looking over the beach. The girl beside us said it gets really packed on the weekend… I probably won’t return.

I don’t know how this place stays open. It is the biggest dump by far at any and all beach locations in the area… Jax, Neptune/​Atlantic, and PVB.

Love this place. Great service and food. Hookah is good. We came last night for drinks and hookah and came back the next day for the food. Love it!!!

Went to this lounge on a Tuesday first time coming to the city on spring break The atmosphere was great karaōke playing hookah nice night and extremly cheap. I came with 4 of my friends all visiting we shocked by the cheapness that it was at the area to smoke hookah we all ended up paying about 4 dollars each. So the next day Wednesday we decide to go back since we knew it was karaōke night again and we would only end up spending about 5 dollars for a good night in this dry city. Well for sone reason this night no different thenext the previous prices change and going with the Same group of guys we are charged with gratuity and a drink charge on water. I came thinking a cheap night like previous would be good and ended up paying 18.63 for food and hookah which is outrageous thinking I just paid 4.36 the previous night and my food only cost 6 dollars my only problew with this establishment is the inconsistencies of the staff. Plus we have gone all week not paying gratuity at any resteraunt or the bar it’s self the previous night then out of the blue there is a gratuity charge being put on us just bad business in my opinion. But maybe they won’t get over on you all Inot your visit like how I felt after this last and final visit of mine. I mean I payed less money going to the strip club then at this place that night and that just isn’t right in my book

Went to this restaurant last summer. Had a female waiter that took our drink, food, and hookah order. We were on the side deck with 4 other tables. We sat there for 45 minutes and she ever even brought us out drink. Well the landlord of this establishment is having a wedding at my bar. I told her about my horrible experience and how we were treated even as we were leaving. She told me to give them another chance and let them know that she had sent me. Well there was a very rude doorman that would not let me in because I was wearing beach attire. Mind you this restaurant is on the beach. So I will not be going back to this establishment ever.

Let me start off with the food, Amazing!!! Every time we go its fresh and delicious, staff is super friendly and helpful. Weds. Night is karaōke night and it has definitely become the spot. Even in their busiest hours they deliver quality service without any hesitation. Loveee this place.

Two stars for taste. We had this delivered and after many years of Hala my expectations are great. For the large appetizer price of 7.99 is not enough to fill a half cup I feel ripped off. Plus everything is in styrofoam containers and not plastic containers with lids. Juice everywhere!
My child’s tabbouleh was bigger than the paid appetizer sides at 8!
I also have had Arabic food all over and I have never got pickled on my hummus Gross!
I requested all sauces on the side and that didn’t happen. Soggy salad and kibbeh swimming in hummus.
When you pay almost 100.00 for Arabic food this is all very unacceptable.
My shawarma chicken was very watered down and not garlicky enough. The presentation was extremely thrown together in the boxes. I will never order from here again nor will I walk in this establishment. I hope they follow all the other failed restaurants that have come and gone at this location.

This place is awesome! Definitely really chill and a great place to hang with friends. YOU HAVE TO GET THEIR BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE FRIES! They’re sooooo good! When they’re in season, they have the fruit bowls to choose from for the hookah. The «queen of sex» is the best! The atmosphere is super laid back and if you sit outside you get to watch all the drunk people walk down the sidewalk. Definitely ask for bubbles when you go. It makes for a good time. Also, ask for Jane if you can for your waitress. She is super cool and fun!

Love this place for lunch. Haven’t been for dinner, but it’s usually empty around lunchtime and they have $ 6 lunch specials! (I sure hope they stay in business!)
The food is terrific. I recommend the chicken shwarma plate with hummus. I’ve had hummus at several restaurants around Jax, and none comes close to Habibi’s. It’s creamy and not too tangy and TOTALLY ADDICTING. The chicken is moist and flavorful and comes grilled with peppers and onions.
The only complaint I have about Habibi is the service. For whatever reason, the waitstaff is not well-​trained, and there is usually some sort of mixup or misunderstanding with our orders. (They did get it right this last visit, though!)

This is a new bar and munchies place on 1^st street. It’s in the old Rip Tide’s location.