Shishka Mediterranean Grill & Hookah Bar

Good food and lots of choices.
I started the dreaded Whole30 diet and was looking for food that fit into their plan. I found it here and plan to come back.
Situated downtown near the farmers market, I walked past this place twice because I kept seeing people walk out with pizzas. Pizza is definitely not allowed :(
Still I went I because the sign said Mediterranean and I can hope for basics.
I settled on the shawarma salad. I’m my that was good! A modest serving of shawarma beef on top of mixed vegetables. I hardly felt I was on a diet :)!
The lady next to me had the shawarma on pita. I asked her how it was (oh how I want that pita). Her reply was thumbs up and she complimented me on the more healthy choice. Sure sure sure … Pita!

Has good hookah with nice flavors and the hookahs give off a lot of smoke, unlike some other hookahs at other places. They also serve alcohol which is good. This is the best hookah bar out of all the ones in Roanoke. I just wish it was a little darker inside the place like more dim lighting.

Shishka is in my opinion the coziest and classiest hookah lounge in town! Their shisha is top grade, the food had ALWAYS been incredible, and I love the laid back atmosphere. We have been here dozens of times and will happily go back. Have had some rude servers every now and then, but overall everything has been a great experience. Would recommend.

What an experience. Stopped in one Sunday afternoon on our way home to West Virginia. (Great little downtown by the way!) Decided on Mediterranean food when we saw this place. The waiter was incredibly nice. He wanted to help and make sure we enjoyed our lunch. We ordered a smattering of things (Falafel, labneh, baba ghanouj, Fattoush and hummus). They food came out incredibly fresh and very good except the fattoush. This was simply an American-​style salad. But everything else we thoroughly enjoyed, very fresh and tasty.
That was the good points. Unfortunately, the well-​meaning waiter couldn’t seem to get our order straight. Moreover, it took forever. After about 20 minutes we finally got our first dish. Then others came one at a time after several minutes and pleading. The waiter felt terrible. But he also kept forgetting what else we had. Not sure where he put the original order. At times he appeared to instruct the cook on how to make different dishes.
People who ordered pizza got served pretty quickly. But we waited a very long time. So, the waiter meant well and the food, when it finally arrived, in drips and drabs, tasted good and very fresh. But the rest of the experience really suffered, thus the low rating. The prices were pretty good.
My wife and I agreed we would give them another shot if we passed through, due to the food itself. A 2-​star mulligan.

Awesome lunch specials. Huge pizza slices, lasagna, baked spaghetti, or spaghetti & meatballs. Priced from $ 3 to $ 8.95.

If I could give this establishment zero stars, I would. Upon walking into this establishment on a crowded Saturday evening, walking amongst many people, I was stopped and told I wasn’t welcome because i looked like I smoked marijuana. I told the manager about my experience and he apologized immediately and said that he would make up for it and I wouldn’t experience this animosity again. But I chose not to go in again because of the unwelcoming and inhospitable atmosphere. If you are smart, stay away from this establishment and find another hookah bar. It’s worth it.

Very enjoyable hookah experience. We came here in the middle of the day on a Sunday.
I loved how I never felt pressured to order anything but hookah and water. I hate places that have a drink limit or you have to order food, etc.
The service was great! And the hookah was perfect. We sat by the window and just chilled out.

This is one of the best hookah places we’ve ever been to. The music is upbeat and keeps the conversation flowing over great hookah. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about their products. We always go back to Shishka.

Pretty good place! Im an out of towner– from San Antonio, Texas and obviously am biased because I have a favorite hookah bar in that town but overall this was a nice hang out spot. I liked the atmosphere, it is separated in to the restaurant portion and the hookah portion, with a door in between to switch over if you’d like. I liked the interior design in the hookah section, red/​maroon walls and a cool tile ceiling that was black. The couches were pretty comfortable too!
The hookah was okay, just an average kind of thing. I really wanted to try their non-​tobacco smoke stones, but they were out of it for whatever reason. The coals burned faster than what I am used to and my flavor (Sex On The Beach) wasn’t very good. Like I said, it seemed that the coals burned the shisha too fast and I couldn’t keep up with my smoking, so my flavor burned away too fast for my liking. Smoke amount was not really impressive, I have gotten more smoke from other places. That being said, my flavor could have been part of that. Its hard to blame them when I might’ve ordered something that wasn’t as good.
The food looked good but my party didn’t have any. The pizza looks huge and one slice takes up a whole plate. Beer and wine selection is pretty good for something thats a hookah bar. We ordered Moscato and a beer called Sweet Baby Jesus, both were just what we expected them to be.
Overall it was a good experience and our waitress was really nice. Pretty attentive to our table and other tables around us. The waitresses seemed to help each other out too, although they clearly had their own sections to worry about. The place was somewhat full when we got there but filled up fast. The bar ended up being full because there were no more couches available. They even let you smoke up at the bar if you wish!
The only thing that I noticed, which was weird to me, was that they are 21 and up after 9:00pm. Usually not a problem but when I looked the place up I didn’t find that listed anywhere. Its a good thing to note though because after 9:00, they will check IDs for whoever walks in. They were actually turning people away because of it too! Really impressed and do not see that in the hookah bars at home.
I would probably recommend it to others to check out but I haven’t been to any other hookah bars here in Roanoke, so one of them could be better too. If you are downtown and looking for somewhere to hang and drink, this place can suffice for just that.
My rating system–
5: Amazing! I would definitely recommend to anyone. I will come back again and again!
4: This place is pretty great in my book. I will be back. It is better than just average.
3: This place is okay, average. I might come back, especially if I am in the area.
2: This place just does not hit the mark for me. Probably will not come back, unless invited or majority of my party wants to.
1: I will not come back here ever. You could not force me inside of this place. Too mediocre.

Just finished a cigar at Stefano’s wasn’t feeling their menu so on the way back to the Doubletree I notice this spot. I ordered the tomato and basil with sausage and pepperoni. I was the only person in the place so my order came pretty quick just about eat the whole pizza while chopping it up with the cook. I wasn’t aware the this was a Mediterranean spot until I started reading the menu I guess the 24 inch pizza box in the window through me off. Next time I’m in the Roanoke area and there’s a taste for pizza I swing through Shishka Mediterranean grill. If you google this spot there’s two sides so the pictures are deceiving. the side I was on is more of a dive, I had no ideal there was a hookah bar just feet away from where I was sitting. Big ups to Shishka’s

I took my beau here for his birthday and we loved it. Our waiter, Marco, was very kind, engaging and knowledgeable about hookah. The food was great and the hookah was fabulous. Fun atmosphere, lively music, will definitely be returning!

What an amazing place! Myself & 3 coworkers were looking for a place to eat on Campbell Street it was already 9:30 p. This sweet little man named Maurice, noticed we looked like we were looking for a place to eat. He suggested his restaurant. Mediterranean dishes. We asked what a hookah bar was and he gave us the tour. It was full of delight. The ambiance was cozy, stylish and a great place to eat and enjoy great conversation. Maurice, the owner took care of us like we were his own family. He made a sample platter .The delicious vegetarian sample plate of baba ganoush, couscous & falafel was delicious. Then chicken & beef shawarma with the pita points & sauces complemented each dish. This man knows how to take care of his customers because we will be going back with others from our group.

The best falafal I have had in a while. Great shwaarma as well. Reasonable prices are a plus.

Upscale and kinda pricy. The service isn’t fantastic (a blonde waitress tried to keep 10 dollars worth of change and assumed it as a tip without asking), but it’s my favorite hookah bar in town. I love the atmosphere.
Cocktails are good, but pricy. They also have live music on the weekends.
Hookahs start at around 12.50.