This place is a gem. I stopped in with my family when we were traveling through NJ, and I honestly wish this was closer to where I actually live. The menu seems to have EVERYTHING, and usually places with a large menu aren't able to deliver on quality, but the 4 of us ordered a good amount of food, and everything was great. It can also be a bit tricky for us to agree on a restaurant--I'm vegan, and we have someone on a low-carb diet and a pescatarian--but here we found plenty of options for all of us. It's also a BYOB, which I always like. The Lime Sumac salad dressing and the za'atar for the manakish were delicious. Everything with eggplant was excellent. I had the Koshari Famous vegan dish (lentils and chickpeas in tomato sauce are some of my favorite things) and we also ordered the beef moussaka, seafood medley and sea bass, plus a number of hot appetizers, and there was not a single disappointing dish. Dessert and the specially spiced coffee are also very much worth trying, and the owner is really nice. I will definitely look for an opportunity to return when I'm next in the area.
debbie morillo
It's a great place for authentic Egyptian food. Excellent for vegetarians, too. The owner hand-made all the delicious food. I have been there twice. BYOB. The Owner will provide you with the proper wine glasses ?, and a standing ice bucket table-side. I will certainly go back again. Thank you...Wheelchair accessibility: There are no steps.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava
Heba Abdo
Delicious food. Quality
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stan G.
Stopped in by chance while at a wedding in the area. Food and service were fantastic. Lamb shank was among the best 'I've had, as was the Molokhia. Middle Eastern desserts were also outstanding. If ever back this way, we will definitely come back.
Victoria Woodworth
We had the best dinner at Cafe 28! We started with the Lebna and we also had Moussaka and Pasta Cairo. It was flavorful, high-quality ingredients. It was also light and healthy and left us feeling happy and energized. Highly recommend Cafe 28!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moonlight Mermaid
We didn't realize this was mostly Egyptian food when we came. We were hesitant as the place was empty and silent. I believe it was the owner who did everything and treated us like we were in his home. The menu was not making sense to us since we thought it was more Greek or Turkish we tried the special and the chicken Shawarma. I will tell you the most amazing meal. Each meal was about $30 and for the quality was definitely worth it and it was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amal Abukwaik
i had the chicken shewarma sandwich. The meat was obviously fresh and appropriately seasoned. I enjoyed my meal very much. I even had a chat with the proprietor- he is very kind and welcoming! He even gave me a drink on the house. I will definitely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tommy M
Phenomenal food. Grap 2 bottles of wine and relax while you wait for the food, it's worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ruth Appiah
Very tasty food all fresh! Tasty food loved every bit of it… owner is very welcoming!! Lovely
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Shawarma
Sophia Gil
Delicious from start to finish! Wonderful and welcoming atmosphere complimented by fresh authentically prepared dishes. Hidden gem in the heart of Ocean NJ. Reasonably priced as well. Be sure to get the falafel appetizer and delectable lebnah. Owner is kind and talented and holds passion for what he does. Will return every time I am in the area! Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yellow Lentil Soup, Baklava, Rice Pudding Cake, Penne Alla Cairo Falafel & Hummus, Fattah Hummus, Fish
Fresh and deliciously prepared Middle Eastern food! We absolutely love the Foul Madamas (fava bean dip), the humus dip as well as the Moussaka's (both), the Fattoush salad, Sujuk (lamb sausages) and Baby Lamb Chops which we order with just some salt, pepper and lemon juice for flavoring! It's the only really good Middle Eastern food place in the area that we have been too!
Laurie El Koury
Food is delicious and authentic!
Edwin Leschhorn
Mohammad the owner is Egyptian and cooks a good middle eastern cuisine. The shrimp with a delicious sauce was great, and so was the mohamara, hummus, including the fattah hummus, and the kibbeh. We'll be back!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dori Ciccarelli
Incredible hidden gem. Food is spectacular, every item I’ve had has been scrumptious. I always order the hummus to start. The cream of mushroom soup is to die for, but it was a special last night so it may not always be available, if it is, get it, you won’t be sorry. The vegetarian koshari is my favorite entrée, so delicious and savory. Be sure to save room for dessert, the baked rice pudding and bread pudding are my go tos. On the weekends they serve fresh rose water, which is a beautiful touch. BYOB also. I wish I could give more than 5 stars, this place is the best around.Dietary restrictions: Gf and vegan availableWheelchair accessibility: Easily accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava, Stuffed Bell Pepper, Rice Pudding Cake, Penne Alla Cairo Falafel & Hummus, Falafel Koshari and Moussaka, Grilled Medley, Falafel Wrap
Dori C.
Amazing hidden gem. The food is phenomenal every time and the chefs passion truly comes through in the food which is delectable. I always order the hummus to start, it's always creamy and delicious. The koshari is my favorite entree, and the sauce really makes it shine. I always save room for dessert-- bread pudding and baked rice pudding are both incredible. The rose water they make in house on the weekends is a beautiful touch. The owner is the chef and often server, he is so passionate about his food and he would be proud, best restaurant around.
This place is a gem. I stopped in with my family when we were traveling through NJ, and I honestly wish this was closer to where I actually live. The menu seems to have EVERYTHING, and usually places with a large menu aren't able to deliver on quality, but the 4 of us ordered a good amount of food, and everything was great. It can also be a bit tricky for us to agree on a restaurant--I'm vegan, and we have someone on a low-carb diet and a pescatarian--but here we found plenty of options for all of us. It's also a BYOB, which I always like. The Lime Sumac salad dressing and the za'atar for the manakish were delicious. Everything with eggplant was excellent. I had the Koshari Famous vegan dish (lentils and chickpeas in tomato sauce are some of my favorite things) and we also ordered the beef moussaka, seafood medley and sea bass, plus a number of hot appetizers, and there was not a single disappointing dish. Dessert and the specially spiced coffee are also very much worth trying, and the owner is really nice. I will definitely look for an opportunity to return when I'm next in the area.
It's a great place for authentic Egyptian food. Excellent for vegetarians, too. The owner hand-made all the delicious food. I have been there twice. BYOB. The Owner will provide you with the proper wine glasses ?, and a standing ice bucket table-side. I will certainly go back again. Thank you...Wheelchair accessibility: There are no steps.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava
Delicious food. Quality
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in by chance while at a wedding in the area. Food and service were fantastic. Lamb shank was among the best 'I've had, as was the Molokhia. Middle Eastern desserts were also outstanding. If ever back this way, we will definitely come back.
We had the best dinner at Cafe 28! We started with the Lebna and we also had Moussaka and Pasta Cairo. It was flavorful, high-quality ingredients. It was also light and healthy and left us feeling happy and energized. Highly recommend Cafe 28!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We didn't realize this was mostly Egyptian food when we came. We were hesitant as the place was empty and silent. I believe it was the owner who did everything and treated us like we were in his home. The menu was not making sense to us since we thought it was more Greek or Turkish we tried the special and the chicken Shawarma. I will tell you the most amazing meal. Each meal was about $30 and for the quality was definitely worth it and it was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
i had the chicken shewarma sandwich. The meat was obviously fresh and appropriately seasoned. I enjoyed my meal very much. I even had a chat with the proprietor- he is very kind and welcoming! He even gave me a drink on the house. I will definitely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal food. Grap 2 bottles of wine and relax while you wait for the food, it's worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Very tasty food all fresh! Tasty food loved every bit of it… owner is very welcoming!! Lovely
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Shawarma
Delicious from start to finish! Wonderful and welcoming atmosphere complimented by fresh authentically prepared dishes. Hidden gem in the heart of Ocean NJ. Reasonably priced as well. Be sure to get the falafel appetizer and delectable lebnah. Owner is kind and talented and holds passion for what he does. Will return every time I am in the area! Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yellow Lentil Soup, Baklava, Rice Pudding Cake, Penne Alla Cairo Falafel & Hummus, Fattah Hummus, Fish
Restaurantji Recommends
Fresh and deliciously prepared Middle Eastern food! We absolutely love the Foul Madamas (fava bean dip), the humus dip as well as the Moussaka's (both), the Fattoush salad, Sujuk (lamb sausages) and Baby Lamb Chops which we order with just some salt, pepper and lemon juice for flavoring! It's the only really good Middle Eastern food place in the area that we have been too!
Food is delicious and authentic!
Mohammad the owner is Egyptian and cooks a good middle eastern cuisine. The shrimp with a delicious sauce was great, and so was the mohamara, hummus, including the fattah hummus, and the kibbeh. We'll be back!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Incredible hidden gem. Food is spectacular, every item I’ve had has been scrumptious. I always order the hummus to start. The cream of mushroom soup is to die for, but it was a special last night so it may not always be available, if it is, get it, you won’t be sorry. The vegetarian koshari is my favorite entrée, so delicious and savory. Be sure to save room for dessert, the baked rice pudding and bread pudding are my go tos. On the weekends they serve fresh rose water, which is a beautiful touch. BYOB also. I wish I could give more than 5 stars, this place is the best around.Dietary restrictions: Gf and vegan availableWheelchair accessibility: Easily accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava, Stuffed Bell Pepper, Rice Pudding Cake, Penne Alla Cairo Falafel & Hummus, Falafel Koshari and Moussaka, Grilled Medley, Falafel Wrap
Amazing hidden gem. The food is phenomenal every time and the chefs passion truly comes through in the food which is delectable. I always order the hummus to start, it's always creamy and delicious. The koshari is my favorite entree, and the sauce really makes it shine. I always save room for dessert-- bread pudding and baked rice pudding are both incredible. The rose water they make in house on the weekends is a beautiful touch. The owner is the chef and often server, he is so passionate about his food and he would be proud, best restaurant around.