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Café Jaffa
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
48 Gloucester St(between Boylston St & Newbury St)
Boston, MA 02115
Neighborhood: Back Bay
(617) 536-0230
- Nearest Transit:
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Boylston St Opp Gloucester St (170, 193, 39, 55)
Dalton St @ Boylston St (39, 55)
Boylston St @ Saint Cecilia St (170, 193, 55)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
195 reviews for Café Jaffa
Review Highlights
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"This place served me the best falafel I've ever had." In 79 reviews -
"Also, Israeli newspapers, if that interests you." In 7 reviews -
"The falafels and chicken schwarma were my faves." In 11 reviews
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195 reviews in English
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Review from Ariana Z.
Boston, MA
5/19/2012
Went for lunch an ha the falafel wrap since I'm on the quest or the best falafels. They were pretty good, not the best I've had, but still really good. It came with a side of chips, which were pretty standard as far as chips go. I will definitely frequent more often to try their other things.
Service was good and everyone was friendly enough. :) -
Review from Maria V.
5/9/2012
Caffe Jaffa - you had such a good reputation. I heard amazing things about you! My fiance and I had been trying to try you for quite a while... and were disappointed.
I will say the meze (hommus, babagannouj and tahini) were just fine - better than supermarket bought by a small margin. The shwarma though? Oh, no no no. Promising but not close to what I was hoping, just kind of dry and standard. For a place as well known as this, that kind of so-so does not pass muster. Yeah, I am perhaps more experienced in this cuisine than the average American, but the person I was with is a relative novice and he wasn't exactly wowed by what he ordered.
I would really advise Caffe Jaffa to completely drop the 'Greek' salad, or to at least overhaul it. White iceberg lettuce drowning in white supermarket salad dressing of some kind with a whole 3 slices of black olives... it's a bit embarrassing for a Middle Eastern restaurant to serve up something like that. -
Review from Jil M.
Boston, MA
5/9/2012
Eaten in and had their food as take out. Love their falafel and hummus. I can agree with previous reviewers - the service wasn't always consistent and if there are large parties it can get loud pretty quickly. Oh, and at night there are a couple of tables where if you sit facing the street the street light outside can be distracting. None of those are deal breakers though.
Especially convenient for take out - plus they give you practically an entire bag of their pitas - awesome! -
Review from Sue H.
Boston, MA
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a cute little restaurant!
Cafe Jaffa has a wonderfully laid-back and casual vibe that I really appreciate, especially for being located in such a busy area like the Back Bay. It's a great spot to escape from the hordes of shoppers and tourists walking around on Boylston and Newbury Street. I'm kicking myself right now because I've walked past it so many times in the past, and yet never gave it a try until today. Boy, am I glad I gave it a try!
For dinner, I ordered a Plate of Humous, Chicken Kebab Salad, and a glass of House-made Basil Lemonade. Everything was on point. The humous was great! Loved the pita bread that came with it too. My salad was also really good. One thing's for sure, they aren't cheap with their chicken. There was so much protein on my salad, which is never a bad thing (especially since I just finished working out at the gym!). The tahini dressing it came with went well with the salad and the flavors of the chicken. The lemonade was absolutely perfect for tying everything together. Who knew basil and lemonade would be such a good combination? I'm going to have to start adding basil leaves to my lemonade at home now! Thanks for the idea Cafe Jaffa!
My friend I was eating with ordered the Chicken Kebab Wrap and a side of French Fries, and she was pretty happy with what she got. Man, are those wraps are huge -- and for $7.50, it's a total steal.
Cafe Jaffa is the kind of place you can go to for anything. Want a quick meal? You got it. Take out instead? Of course. Dinner date? Grab one of the tables in the back where it's quieter. Dining alone? Perfect. Read a good book, sip some lemonade, and just relax. No one's going to rush you along. -
Review from Chas K.
1/29/2012
Made a return visit after a long absence. I always loved the shawarma here. Things have changed. First, the formerly overstuffed shawarma sandwiches ($7.75) have less meat. The meat was tepid, not hot. The service sucked. Period. After waiting for about 10 minutes after being seated, the server appeared at our table and stood there without saying a word, as if to say "You know I am waitress and why I'm here, so let's just get on with it." OK. Excuse me. She checked in on us only when our sandwiches were nearly done. I hate that. Don't even bother at that point.
The dining area was smoky and looked dirty. The bathroom was dirty.
The experience was disappointing. I worked in the Back Bay for years and frequently patronized Cafe Jaffa. After today, I'm not likely to return.
Please let me know what you think of this review by clicking one of the buttons below. -
Review from Cassie H.
1/7/2012
My husband and I came here for dinner on a Friday night while a friend was visiting from out of town. As a vegan, she chose the restaurant and we were happy to oblige.
The smells inside the restaurant and the food you see around you are intoxicating. You can feel your stomach emptying to make room for the yummy smelling and yummy looking food.
I ordered the lamb kabob sandwich. My husband opted for the lamb kabob plate. My friend ordered the falafel + hummus + baba ganoush sandwich. The sandwiches are fairly big and served with chips (although they advertised vegetables). My husband's kabob plate came out fajita style (what we're used to in Texas -- on a hot plate) with rice pilaf and a pita. And the prices? Pretty decent.
The bad thing about the experience? The wait. With not a full dining room, it felt like the waitresses completely forgot about you. We noticed other tables experiencing the same thing -- waiting for drink refills, the check, or additional requests. We even opted not to order dessert or ask for more refills, simply because we were afraid we would never get out of there if we didn't ask for the check right then and there. -
Review from Jean C.
Boston, MA
3/21/2012
This place is amazing! Got the Cafe Jaffa Feast for Two with a bottle of wine, all for $55 and we had leftovers. The atmosphere is casual, the food is delicious, and it's in a really convenient location while still being tucked away from the Newbury/Boylston hustle and bustle. Will definitely go back!
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Review from Matt L.
Somerville, MA
1/18/2012
Went here on a Sunday to relax and get some studying in because everything on Newbury was packed. This place is somewhat of a hidden gem. I wasn't really expecting to stay for more than 2 hours, but ended up staying for about 5 because it was so fantastic (studying for a big exam). The coffee was delicious and hot, and my waitress kept it flowing like water. I got some lentil soup, and for real it was the best lentil soup I've ever had. Definitely going back, and I may even bring a date.
My only complaint was that it was pretty damn cold in the place. Granted, I was sitting near the door, but I'll probably ask to sit near the back next time. -
Review from Marissa P.
Boston, MA
Updated - 2/4/2012
Wrote a review years ago and still no bueno! Only been here a couple of times, but was really let down each time and most recently got sick to my stomach after eating here. The shawarma is flavorless along with their "middle eastern" salads - iceberg lettuce, really? Not middle eastern at all! The portions are large, but the food is sub-par. It does not taste anything like what real middle eastern food should! Totally lacking in flavor, quality, and presentation! It should be illegal to serve potato chips (from a bag, stale and gross) with shawarma that is already tasteless! At least make some effort and give me rice on the side or a real middle eastern salad!?! Ick!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/29/2007
I really didn't care for this place... the food was at best mediocre. I am from NYC, where there's… Read more »
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Review from Marina K.
10/12/2011
Jaffa is a go-to spot for my mom and me after a long, hard day's worth of downtown retail therapy. Since it's not directly on Newbury, if offers a welcome respite from the crowds and noise that can become tiresome on that street after a few hours - and there's always plenty of space to throw the inevitable armful(s) of shopping bags near your table.
I'm a fan of the two tables near the front windows, since there's always sunlight streaming inside. Everything I've had here has been delicious - it's nothing fancy, which is just how I like it.
And now for the big secret, which I dare not speak for fear that Boston's Greek community will slaughter me like so many unfortunate Easter lambs. The Jaffa Greek salad topped with shawarma is very, very far from being authentic - AND I LOVE IT. Allow me to explain. A "real" Greek salad has cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, a big 'ole block of feta drizzled with oregano, olive oil and balsamic on top, and that's it. Done. Jaffa's got pickles, lettuce, "Greek" dressing and let's face it, shawarma.
So yeah, not so authentic. But oh so DELICIOUS. Shhhhh. -
Review from Avi W.
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a nice little middle eastern place. I came for lunch and had the falafel, a cup of soup, and homemade lemonade.
I've been to Israeli restaurants with crazy amazing lemonade. This was nothing special though and didn't taste especially homemade. Soup was very tasty and the sandwich was good. The falafel wasn't too dry and was flavorful.
This neighborhood has so many good lunch options and this seems to be a solid one. -
Review from Traci K.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food was ok. The atmosphere was smoky and cramped, but not terrible. The service was...lacking.
I can understand that on a busy Friday night, you may receive quick (borderline brusk) service - but this was quite a bit worse than that. Our appetizer came out with our entrees (which defeats the purpose of an app). My entree (chicken kebab plate) was supposed to come with rice pilaf and pita. Instead I got a skillet of chicken with two peppers and nothing else. When I asked about my rice, the server didn't seem remotely apologetic. Whatevs.
The food was decent - though I wish I had gotten a sandwich. My dining companions had the beef and lamb wrap as well as the chicken kebab wrap. The wraps seemed like a better bang for the buck.
Not a bad choice for some grub, but wouldn't go out of my way to go there again. -
Review from Piyali S.
Boston, MA
4/8/2012
With "cafe" in the name, logically, I expected this to be more of a cafe and less of a restaurant. While like a cafe in that patrons are expected to seat themselves and bring the check to the counter when finished; this was also like a restaurant in that they have wait staff. I came prepared to dive into a book over casual coffee but instead the lighting was too dim to allow for this anywhere but by the windows. Casual coffee went out the window when I could no longer resist the aromas wafting from the kitchen and ordered the baba ghanoush which came with two warm pitas. Win - this was everything I wanted it to be - no surprises, just your regular delicious baba ghanoush. The gentleman sitting next to me ordered the lamb kebab and couldn't stop raving about it both to himself (since he was dining by himself) and to the entire waitstaff and kitchen. He might have been a little crazy, or incredibly moved by the lamb kebab, but either way something about him made me trust his taste in food. Even though this wasn't really a cafe the way Starbucks is a cafe, the staff was really friendly and let me sit and read as long as I wanted. This place is a little off the beaten path (all the way near Hynes Convention Center between Boylston and Newbury on Gloucester) but it has a really peaceful, pleasant vibe and I'll definitely be back to try one of the kebab dishes.
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Review from K. Brooke Z.
Boston, MA
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awesome food here for lunch!
Just went for the first time and really enjoyed the chicken kebab wrap with houmus.
Nice thick meaty hummus with perfectly done chicken. The Sangria for Two was also delightful!
Dinner prices are a bit much, but their sandwich and combo plates are affordable (and worth it!). -
Review from Liz D.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
9/23/2011
So I'm walking around Back Bay, minding my own business, not thinkin about food. I try not to think about food when I'm on Newbury Street because of my whole grad student budget thing.
Then I see this little middle eastern restaurant, and my weird reaction to this is: "Oooh. Maybe they have baklava."
Which they did. Which they served a large slice of to me for a reasonable price. Which was an amazing combination of gooey sticky walnuts and fine flaky pastry. Which you should try immediately or sooner if you have even a hunch that you might enjoy such things. -
Review from Jessica D.
Boston, MA
4/9/2012
The stuffed cabbage was fabulous! The hummus was a little bland for me otherwise I would have given more stars. I will definitely order from there again but not delivery. They charge $7 to deliver.
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Review from Amy B.
5/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Guys? Are we eating the same falafel here?
I'd tried Cafe Jaffa a few months ago and found the falafel sandwich flavorless relative to my out-of-state favorite. I simply hadn't had the urge to return since then, until today, when my brain latched on to the idea of a Middle Eastern dinner.
I ordered a chicken shwarma sandwich with hot sauce on the side, as well as two falafel balls (hey, I wanted to be fair and re-evaluate). The falafel was as lacking in flavor as I remembered. The falafel I like best is speckled with bright green inside from the fresh herbs in the mix; Jaffa's is a uniform beige. The tahini sauce served alongside moistened but did not add taste to the falafel. And the balls are overly fried, in my opinion; when I first tried to cut one open, it spurted off my plate before the knife could penetrate it.
The chicken schwarma sandwich was a mixed bag. The chicken inside was awesome: Tender, flavorful, thinly sliced. And the bread it was wrapped in was not a standard pita, but some delicious thin-skinned version. However, the same flavorless tahini sauce was inside the sandwich, along with lots of iceberg lettuce and a few sad slices of tomato and pickle. The hot sauce was not what I was expecting (Frank's!), but rather a green chutney that was only ok.
I will keep looking for my Boston-based falafel source. -
Review from Nicole V.
5/13/2011
I am normally a menu peruser. Even if I find something I really like I will jump around a menu until I've tried everything and then I'll settle into a regular. With Cafe Jaffa, I found my regular on day one.
It might not be fair to just a place solely on one item, but when they do it soooo well you might just have to. My meal of choice: a glass of the lemonade and a falafel/hummus/baba ghanoush wrap.
Let's start with the lemonade. It's a mint lemonade and truly delicious. I'm not a big lemonade fan, but I ordered this once last summer and now I can't stray from it. It's so refreshing with the mint adding that much needed touch which normally pushes me away from lemonade. Just when my taste buds are feeling too sweet, lunch arrives.
"I'm sorry, is that whole thing for me? Surely you didn't mean to drop off a foot long wrap in front of me. There is noooooo way I can finish that. What's that? You're challenging me? Oh, it's on Cafe Jaffa..."
I would probably get invited more places if I didn't have that conversation in my head every time I ordered. But alas, it is true (for a reason). The sandwich is HUGE. The pita is incredibly thin, yet durable and doesn't get soggy despite the massive amounts of hummus on my wrap. That is where the magic begins. It continues through the always crunchy lettuce; huge, moist falafel; and baba ghanoush/hummus river that flows through it all. And thennnnn... you bite into a pickle. I LOVE when pickles are in my falafel sandwiches. This was my "you had me at hello" moment with Cafe Jaffa. Just when it feels a little too salty (I'm not a salt fan at all), I sip the lemonade, and balance is once again restored.
Service is always friendly and my waitress didn't hate me today as I answered phone calls and studied at a table.
I'll be back, Jaffa. Feel free to have my regular waiting... -
Review from Baking M.
Boston, MA
10/18/2011
Cafe Jaffa is located in the Back Bay, near the Hynes Convention and Trader Joe's. Cafe Jaffa has served falafel, hummus, mediterranean sandwiches and American since 1991.
I loved the subtle decor, exposed brick walls and romantic lighting.
I have tried Cafe Jaffa a handful of times and have had the hummus $6.95, grape leaves $6.50, falafel sandwich $6.75 with fries $2.95 and chicken kabob plate with peppers and onions with pita bread, greek salad, tahini and rice pilaf for $16.95. All of them were tasty.
I had the $12.95 Falafel and hummus plate which came with the pita and salad. The falafel can sometimes be a bit heavy, but is fantastic.
Whenever I need my chickpea fix, hummus, greek salad, Mediterranean, Cafe Jaffa is my go to place. -
Review from Molly S.
Boston, MA
1/8/2012
Went here last night with a large group after a terrible customer service experience at the Other Side Cafe. They took our group without blinking an eye, and I thought the service was at the perfect level...our server wasn't hovering around, but she was present when we needed her.
I ordered the falafel and hummus sandwich, which was huge, so I had the rest for lunch today. This was the first time I'd had properly done falafel; tasty and not too dry. The pickles in the sandwich were a nice touch as well. The mango sangria was most tasty.
I don't get to the Newbury Street area all that often, but I'll definitely keep this cafe in mind in the future. -
Review from Amy K.
Updated - 5/15/2011 3 photos
Yes, I'm still a fan of Cafe Jaffa!
I came for the Greek salad and was very satisfied. There's something about that dressing and the pickles. I just love it. I also had a plate of hummus with pita bread. Definitely a delicious lunch.
My friend loved her lamb plate. I tried some of the rice pilaf that came with it and it was really good.
If you like Middle-Eastern food, Cafe Jaffa is the place to go for a tasty and affordable meal.Listed in: My Boston Experience
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/12/2009
Since we were staying around the corner from Cafe Jaffa and kept walking by it several times a day,… Read more »
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Review from Alex R.
Brighton, MA
2/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Cafe Jaffa is an amazing little restaurant tucked into a small side street next to the Pru. They have some the best tasting, best quality Middle Eastern cuisine around the area. Whether you're there for a quick lunch or going out to dinner with friends, this place is perfect. The atmosphere is small and cozy, and has great, but simple decor.
What I like most is their dedication to whole ingredients, in place of the common packets (falafel) and mystery meat (doner kebab). Each time I go there, it's always a tough decision on what to choose. But everything's great so I'm never disappointed.
- Lamb Wrap: very fresh tasting, and amazingly seasoned meat. Also I have them add extra tabouli and hummus, and the pickles they throw in just work!
- Greek Salad: it's all about the Tahini Dressing. Fresh crispoy lettuce, tomato, olive and feta all covered in this amazing, thick (homemade) dressing. I get this EACH visit.
- French Fries: I seldom eat fries at restaurants nowadays, but theirs are cut fresh on location, cooked to crispy perfection and served (upon request) with a green jalapeno sauce. I could go just for the sauce!
- Turkish Coffee and Tea: I like mine unsweetened (unlike many Turks I know), but they make a nice little cup of muddy jo', and their tea is strong and black.
I mainly eat paleo, so I can't come here to often, but I swear that if I lived in country where this food was available on every corner, I'd just waive the white flag and eat grains and legumes DAILY. Too tasty. -
Review from G R.
Chicago, IL
11/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
Hopefully this review will help out some tourists from Chicago, because this is more of a contrast and compare review. Cafe Jaffa has a cute atmosphere that reminds me of Bridgeport Coffee Company, however with Middle Eastern touches. Nice wood tables in a storefront, I sat right at the window so I could people watch.
Service was fast and friendly, but not rushed which was nice since I had been walking for hours.
Now down to the nitty gritty the food. I heard this was the place to go for falafel, true it's good and so is the hummus, but it's not Sultan's Market or Dawali good.
Seems like we have Boston beat hands down on the Middle Eastern stuff, if you're visiting Chicago from Boston head on out to Albany Park you'll have plenty of choices. However, when you come to visit please bring me a cannoli from Mike's because you have us beat in that department. -
Review from Tulan K.
North Andover, MA
3/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Ok so for people who do not want to read the whole thing this is best place to eat the middle eastern/greek food out there
The place is nice size place . We were seated and wifey immediately Noticed the fries on the next table which now we had to ordered since it looked so good. I looked over at the deli style counter where the beer and wine were stacked and it looked like a nice selection. Menu was really nice and I was surprised that with beef and lamb schwarma they also had chicken one . Made my day. Got that chicken schwarma as side and chicken kabob plate which came with Greek Salad, rice and pita bread . They also got some free lamb schawarma to taste upon request for free and they were mind blowing . Def getting it next time
Wifey got the falafel platter and her sister got hummus/falafel combo which was def expensive for what quantity it came with but delicious as heaven.
Free refills on drinks. Overall great place for everyone and awesome food and awesome service . Def hitting it up again and again -
Review from Sarah G.
11/2/2010
For those of you that love falafel, this place is for you. For those of you who have never had falafel, this is the place to come try it. For those of you who have had bad falafel, this is the place that will change your mind and make you want falafel all the time.
Cafe Jaffa does falafel right. I don't know if I've typed the word falafel enough yet to tell you all how good their falafel is, but their falafel is really that good. Matt J., Dave C. and I all got falafel as a part of our meals and we were all pretty much in love.
Matt J. and I got their Cafe Jaffa feast for two which worked out to be a little more than $15 each for Falafel, humus, baba ghanoush, chicken and lamb/beef schwarma which btw is pretty awesome as well, and a pretty large Greek salad complete with pita bread. This feast could have fed 3 people, but Matt and I just became pigs and ate it all instead between the two of us. I only wish that their pita came warm or slightly toasted or something like that, and maybe if the feast had come with some of that tasty yogurt type stuff to put in our build your own gryo type things we were making, I would have been the happiest girl ever. But honestly just that falafel with its crispy outside was worth the T ride and the transfer from the red line alone. -
Review from Jon H.
Somerville, MA
5/24/2011
I love Cafe Jaffa. More specifically, I love the chicken schwarma sandwich. I've had other things there as well, including the chicken kebab, the lamb kebab, falafel, and all are great (fries are great too), but the chicken schwarma is what keeps bringing me back for over 5 years now.
When you're in the mood for something healthy yet full of flavor (virtually no fat in the chicken schwarma) and reasonably priced $7.50, this is the place. The sandwich, which is actually a roll up or wrap, is simple, and delicious.
The meat is kept warm on your standard meat log rotisserie, but when they slice it off, they throw it on the open flame grill to get some char on it. A lot of other places put it on the flat top, but the open flame is much better. Once it comes off the grill, it's laid out on the wrap with lettuce, tomato, some radicchio and tahini dressing and sweet pickles. They also put an out of this world jalepeno hot sauce in it. I always get extra, on the side.
I tend to call for take out, but the restaurant is nice too. If it gets busy, the smoke from the grill can build up and the smell can stay with your clothing for a while, but that's the only real downside. -
Review from Connie L.
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great location offering very bland, mediocre, and overpriced Middle Eastern food (eg. a meat plate will put you back $15-$17 bucks while a hummus place - literally two pieces of stale pita and a plate of hummus - will set you back $10-$12!). Baba Ghanoush and Greek salad were bland and not authentic; for example, the chicken kebab sandwich was served with a side of potato chips. Still cheaper than other spots along Newbury, however. Make your way to Allston instead if you are craving Middle Eastern food...
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Review from Alex P.
Cambridge, MA
3/22/2011
Had brunch with a few friends here. We were a little skeptical at first since it seemed a little empty at first, but by the time we left there were a lot more people. The service was really friendly! We were giving my friend a lot of crap because he always blows it with women (ex. he talks to them for a bit and then forgets to get their name/number). The waitress joined in with us in telling him how disappointed we were in him, and as we left, she told him to come back again in a few weeks and that he'd better have a different story!
As for the food, I can't say I've had much Middle Eastern food, but this was definitely good. It was a lot better than the Middle Eastern place at my school's student center, but I guess that's not really saying much. It really was good though!
I'd recommend the mixed meat kebab (I think that's what it was called), although my friends got the mixed meat plates and those looked tasty as well. -
Review from Andrew G.
Reading, MA
2/24/2012
After spending six months in the Mediterranean, I wanted to find a place that served the same great food. A few months ago, a friend recommended a nice Mediterranean restaurant named Cafe Jaffa. Intrigued, I visited and was absolutely blown away. The food was so fresh and prepared very well. The hummus was the best I have ever had. The gyros were exactly how I remembered them and the lemonade with the mint leafs was an excellent touch. I have recommended this place to everyone I know.
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Review from Mabel N.
Boston, MA
10/18/2010
I live really close to the area.
Small Cozy Middle Eastern atmosphere. Went there on a saturday with a few other friends. We order the two Cafe Jaffa Feast for Two. What I like the most about this feast is the Falafel, houmus, baba ghanoush and the chicken schwarma. The lamb/beef schwarma was a too salty. I love their red Sangaria, it's delicious!!! This place is loud. Cuz we can't hear each other when we were talking!!
Service was great and the food came15 minute after we order. Perfect!!! -
Review from Simona S.
Manhattan, NY
12/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Considering the low key, chill, homey vibe here, the prices are a leeeeetle higher than what I would expect.
Except lunch specials are awesome. Strolled in today on a blustery (read: normal) day in Boston and was excited to see that I still had 15 minutes left to order today's lunch special: shishlik sandwich served with soup or salad for a whopping $8.
I decided to splurge and add some baba g to the sammie which in turn made my sandwich phenomenal. Not only was it a gigantic portion but the meat was impressively delicious.
I love that the staff is Israeli, that the music is Arabic, that the good stuff takes like good stuff.
If you have room for your stomach (I didn't, but I'm also moving next week!), get the baklava. It'll set you back $3 but it's yummy and they put cinnamon on top... lurv. And especially delicious is a Moroccan mint tea to sip and warm your soul.
'Cuz you know this winter ain't goin' nowhere. -
Review from Dan O.
Boston, MA
1/23/2011
No major complaints with Cafe Jaffa. It's off Boylston near the Hynes convention center. Had the lamb kabob plate with Greek salad and side of falafel balls. Everything was very tasty and the wine hit the spot ;)
Don't look for parking, I recommend jumping on the T. Waitstaff was very friendly with a good sense of humor. Give it a try. -
Review from Joe J.
Brookline, MA
9/18/2011
Their greek salads which chicken looked good, but everything else was meh. Side note: they put pickles in the greek salads.
I had the lamb Shawarma and it was not that good. The meet was chewy, and did not seem high quality. I would go with the chicken next time. The tabouli wrap was plentiful, but the tabouli had scallions and mint in it, and I am not used to that. It also had pickles in the wrap - didn't really make sense.
If you like pickles, this is the place for you!
It's semi-cheap too. -
Review from Stephen H.
Dallas, TX
11/11/2011
Do not eat here! unless you want to overpay for hummus, like overcooked falafel, and want you clothes to smell like fried food.
Seriously. -
Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
4/2/2008
Baby, I used to treasure you. You were my refuge from the Newbury crowds and craze. You were always so welcoming and warm. The smell of you filled me with hunger. Even when I seemed insatiable, you nourished me. What's happened to us?
You know those times when reflecting on past relationships when you wonder "What the hell was I thinking?!!" Well, that's how I feel about Jaffa. The only thing that went through my head was "Salt, preservatives, Iceberg and packaged rice. Ewwww." Gone was the freshness and Israeli flavors that I adored.
Sorry, Jaffa. Now you just leave me wanting more.Listed in: Turkish Delights!
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Review from Leighann F.
Astoria, Queens, NY
5/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
A recipe for a casual dinner with a friend should include a heaping serving of something at Café Jaffa. A simple and warm atmosphere, supplemented by a plentiful menu (hello, something for everyone) with prices to satisfy even the most frugal of folks, Café Jaffa can provide a great introduction for those new to this cuisine, while offering plates that please the palette of the more experienced.
The falafel plate is a great bargain at about $10, piled high with salad and 6 large falafel. Wash that down with an Iced Tea brewed in house and you have a belly-filling meal that satisfies without bursting your seams.
If you have some room left, polish off a plate of baklava and a Turkish coffee. -
Review from George A.
Berkeley, CA
11/24/2006
I went there because it looked like a lot of people like the food they serve, only to be disappointed. The food is quite bad, by any standard. How could they ever get the meet so terribly chewy and bland?
The "cuisine" can hardly be described as Middle Eastern. Kebobs should be richly spiced, tender on the inside and crusty on the outside, and served with fresh herbs, sometimes vegetables, and occasionally rice mixed with nuts and dried grapes or figs -- it's a Mediterranean dish for Heaven's sake. The kebob at Cafe Jaffa is a bad imitation of Subway sandwiches. I wanted to try the falafel, but the smell killed that.
It's a cheap place, and you get what you pay for. Still, falafel costs next to nothing and they should at least get the cheap stuff right.
Service was indifferent at best. -
Review from cherie c.
3/2/2008
Meh. This place might warrant just two stars, but I'm feeling generous. My entire meal was put in a bad light when they started me off on a bad food. We ordered potato burekas. I took a bite and immediately could tell they they had been REHEATED IN A MICROWAVE. I find this unacceptable, especially when the meal involved a phyllo-type dough that is ruined by a microwave. I refuse to eat microwaved food in a restaurant--I don't even do it at home. I let my friends eat the rest without me.
Our wraps were boring. I LOVE Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food but was so underwhelmed by everything we ordered. The others tried to offer me their food but nothing worked. The chicken schwarma was so-so. The falafel tasted different from any other falafel I've had and the hummus was bland. The beef was a bit more than okay. But the wrapped had a lot of shredded lettuce which made them difficult to eat as well.
Meh. -
Review from Julie N.
9/2/2009
I've always told people to go to Cafe Jaffa if they wanted the best falafels in Boston and standing outside the restaurant last night (after a fabulous hair appointment at Michael Lebraque Salon) I realized it's been about 4 years since I had been back here to eat them again. It was time.
We ordered the:
"Cafe Jaffa Feast for Two:
Falafel, houmus, baba ghanoush, chicken and lamb/beef schwarma, Greek salad and pita bread."
(The description is taken directly off their website)
We weren't sure exactly how much food would be served for the $32 price tag on the Feast but after the first round of greek salads came out, then the next round of falafel and spreads and pita came out, and then the last round of the schwarma came out... we were stuffed to the brim on the most delicious meal we've had in awhile.
The boyfriend (who was stationed in the Middle East years back) said the falafels at Cafe Jaffa were better than the falafels he had while he was in the Middle East. The pita bread was perfectly warm and doughy - the tahini sauce over everything was awesome - the baba ghanoush is the only baba ghanoush I've ever liked - and all the meats were delicious.
I'm glad to know that Cafe Jaffa still holds rank as having the best falafels in Boston. I'm also really happy that everything else we ate was even yummier than we expected. -
Review from C H.
Boston, MA
2/9/2012
I've eaten here multiple times and beforehand I've never really eaten at a middle eastern restaurant but I thought the food here was great! Nothing I would particularly crave, but I guess that's because I'm not crazy in love with middle eastern food. The atmosphere was nice, service was okay each time, prices are very reasonable and food is consistently good. I think it's a nice place to go with friends. Also, I love the location. After a tiring day of shopping, relaxing with a nice bite of food at Cafe Jaffa always sounds like a great idea.
