Middle Eastern Food in San Antonio: What to Try at Shisha Cafe

Want to try Middle Eastern food in San Antonio but aren’t sure what to order?

You might recognize dishes like Hummus or Shawerma, but Middle Eastern cuisine offers much more. From charcoal-grilled meats and rice dishes to stuffed grape leaves and savory pastries, there’s plenty to explore.

At Shisha Cafe on Babcock Road, you can discover Iraqi-inspired cooking alongside favorites from other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food traditions.

This guide will help you understand some popular dishes and choose a meal that fits your taste.

What Is Middle Eastern Food?

Middle Eastern food includes many different cuisines from countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iran.

Each country has its own cooking traditions, and recipes can vary from one family or region to another.

Some common ingredients across parts of the Middle East include:

• Rice and bread: Often served with grilled meats, stews, and vegetables.
• Chickpeas and lentils: Used in dips, soups, and other dishes.
• Herbs and spices: Such as parsley, cumin, coriander, and sumac.
• Yogurt and sesame paste: Used in sauces, dips, and side dishes.
• Beef, chicken, and lamb: Prepared in different ways, including grilling and roasting.

Middle Eastern food isn’t one single cooking style. The variety is part of what makes it interesting.

Start With a Middle Eastern Appetizer

If you’re trying Middle Eastern food for the first time, appetizers are a good place to begin.

Shisha Cafe offers several options with different flavors and textures.

Hummus: A Creamy Chickpea Dip

Hummus is made with chickpeas, sesame paste, and lemon juice.

It has a smooth texture and can be enjoyed with bread or alongside a main dish.

For someone new to Middle Eastern food, Hummus is a familiar and easy starting point.

Kibbah: A Savory Stuffed Dish

Kibbah is a popular dish found in different forms across the Middle East.

Shisha Cafe’s version includes three fried dumplings made with bulgur wheat and filled with beef, onions, and pine nuts.

The outside is crisp, while the filling is savory.

Kibbah is listed as available depending on supply, so check before ordering.

Warak Inab (Dolma): Stuffed Grape Leaves

Warak Inab consists of grape leaves filled with rice, vegetables, and seasonings.

The dish has a tangy flavor and is commonly enjoyed as an appetizer.

Stuffed grape leaves appear in several regional cuisines, with different fillings and preparation methods.

Muhammara: A Roasted Pepper and Walnut Dip

Muhammara offers a different flavor from Hummus.

Shisha Cafe makes this dip with roasted red peppers, walnuts, spices, and a tangy finish.

It is worth exploring if you enjoy dips with a rich, slightly nutty flavor.

Explore Iraqi-Style Grilled Food

Iraqi-style grilled meats are an important part of Shisha Cafe’s menu.

The restaurant describes its food as inspired by Iraqi and Mediterranean cooking, with family roots in Baghdad.

Here are a few dishes to consider.

Beef Kabab (Kofta)

Beef Kabab (Kofta) features seasoned ground beef shaped onto skewers and grilled.

Because the meat is ground, its texture differs from grilled pieces of beef.

This is a good starting point if you enjoy seasoned beef.

Chicken Tikka (Tawook)

Chicken Tikka (Tawook) is made with pieces of marinated chicken grilled on skewers.

Unlike Chicken Kabab (Kofta), which uses ground chicken, Tikka features individual chicken pieces.

Choose this if you prefer grilled chicken with a firmer, piece-by-piece texture.

Lamb Tikka

Lamb Tikka features marinated lamb medallions served on skewers.

Lamb has a different flavor from beef or chicken, making it an option for guests who want to try another type of grilled meat.

Iraqi-Style Char-Grilled Chicken

Shisha Cafe also offers Iraqi-style Char-Grilled Chicken.

The chicken is marinated and grilled over charcoal, with whole and half portions available.

The whole chicken comes with a choice of two sides, while the half portion includes one side.

This is another way to experience the restaurant’s charcoal-grilling tradition without choosing a skewer entrée.

Shawerma: A Popular Middle Eastern Sandwich

Shawerma is a Middle Eastern dish made from seasoned meat cooked on a rotating spit and sliced into thin pieces.

It is commonly served in bread with sauces and vegetables.

At Shisha Cafe, the Chicken Shawerma sandwich includes shaved roasted chicken, Toom (Garlic Aioli), tomatoes, and pickles wrapped in pita bread.

The Beef Shawerma sandwich includes roasted beef with tahini sauce, tomatoes, and pickles.

If you prefer a handheld meal rather than a full plate, Shawerma is a useful option to explore.

Try Iraqi-Style Rice and Freshly Baked Bread

Not every Middle Eastern dish centers on meat.

Rice and bread play an important role in many meals.

Biryani Rice

Shisha Cafe serves Iraqi-style vegetarian Biryani Rice made with basmati rice, mixed vegetables, and aromatic spices.

Biryani has many regional variations, so Iraqi-style Biryani should not be assumed to taste exactly like versions from South Asia or other parts of the world.

It can be enjoyed as a side with grilled meat or as part of a meal with other dishes.

Sesame Bread

The restaurant offers Iraqi-style Sesame Bread topped with toasted sesame seeds.

Bread is often served alongside dips, grilled dishes, and other foods across the region.

Lahm Bi Ajeen

Lahm Bi Ajeen is a savory baked item made with ground beef, onions, and spices on fresh dough.

It is an option for guests who enjoy baked bread topped with seasoned meat.

What Should You Order First?

The best choice depends on the flavors and textures you already enjoy.

You don’t need to order everything at once. Start with one main dish and an appetizer, then explore other foods on a future visit.

Can You Find Meat-Free Middle Eastern Food?

Yes. Shisha Cafe offers several menu items without meat in their listed descriptions.

Examples include Hummus, Falafel, Biryani Rice, and certain salads and dips.

However, not every meat-free dish is necessarily vegan. Some foods contain yogurt, cheese, or other animal-derived ingredients.

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, ask the restaurant about ingredients and preparation before ordering.

How to Plan Your Visit to Shisha Cafe

Shisha Cafe is located on Babcock Road in San Antonio, near the Medical Center area.

You can explore the food menu before visiting or use the restaurant’s online ordering options for pickup or delivery.

Address: 5500 Babcock Rd, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78240

Phone: (210) 694-4800

Published hours: Daily, 11 AM to 1 AM

Last seating: 12:30 AM

Hours and ordering availability may change, so check the restaurant’s website or call ahead when planning your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Middle Eastern food?

Middle Eastern food includes cuisines from several countries, including Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iran. It features a wide variety of rice dishes, breads, grilled meats, vegetables, legumes, sauces, and spices.

What is a good Middle Eastern dish for beginners?

Hummus, Chicken Shawerma, Beef Kabab (Kofta), and Chicken Tikka (Tawook) are approachable choices, depending on whether you prefer dips, sandwiches, or grilled meat.

What’s the difference between Kabab and Tikka?

At Shisha Cafe, Kabab (Kofta) refers to seasoned ground meat shaped onto skewers, while Tikka refers to marinated pieces of meat. The terms can have different meanings in other regional cuisines.

Is all Middle Eastern food spicy?

No. Many Middle Eastern dishes use aromatic herbs and spices without being hot or chili-spicy. Heat levels vary by dish and recipe.

Does Shisha Cafe serve Iraqi food?

Yes. Shisha Cafe describes its food as inspired by Iraqi and Mediterranean cooking. Its menu includes Iraqi-style Char-Grilled Chicken, Biryani Rice, and several grilled meat selections.

Can I order Middle Eastern food for takeout?

Yes. Shisha Cafe advertises pickup and delivery ordering. Check its website for current options and availability.

Explore Middle Eastern Food at Shisha Cafe in San Antonio

Trying Middle Eastern food is an opportunity to discover different ingredients, cooking styles, and regional traditions.

Whether you’re interested in Hummus, Kibbah, Iraqi-style grilled meats, Shawerma, or Biryani Rice, Shisha Cafe offers several ways to get started.

Visit Shisha Cafe at 5500 Babcock Rd, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78240, or explore the menu before your visit.

View the food menu, order online, or call (210) 694-4800 to find a dish you’d like to try.