Layali Cafe Calgary is a halal Mediterranean kitchen and shisha lounge at 617 11 Ave SW in the Beltline. It's rated 4.8 on Google. I looked into it. All the meat is halal, by the kitchen's own account, and there's no alcohol. Go for the pasta, the rice and grilled meat, the butter chicken and the shisha. Plan on $20 to $30 a head before shisha. The one thing people disagree on is the service, which depends on the night.
Is Layali Cafe halal?
Yes. Halal meat throughout is the kitchen's own stated practice. Like most independent kitchens here, it names no certifier. Reviewers bring it up on their own:
“The portions are generous, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Plus, the entire menu is halal.”
The drinks list has no beer, wine or cocktails. You get mocktails, smoothies, shakes, Arabic and karak tea, and Turkish coffee. There are also two non-alcoholic beers (Heineken 0.0 and Corona Cero).
On the pizzas, the ham is chicken ham. The pepperoni and salami don’t say what meat they are, so ask.
What to order
The menu runs from Lebanese starters and grills to pasta, pizza, burgers and a steak. Prices are from Layali’s own menu as of October 2026.
- Pasta. Mama’s Baked Lasagna and the spaghetti bolognese are $20. The chicken fettuccine alfredo is $24. Every pasta comes with garlic toast.
- Rice and grilled meat. The kafta kabob or chicken tawook skewer is $28 each. The beef tenderloin skewer is $32. One reviewer calls the rice the best in the city.
- Butter chicken ($26). One diner who wandered in by chance called it “phenomenal”.
- Starters to share. Hummus ($12, add shawarma for $5), Mediterranean cheese rolls and Mom’s Famous Falafel ($12).
- Pizza. The Lebanese Twist and the Donair are the ones you won’t find at a chain.
- Dessert. One reviewer says don't leave without the cheesecake.
“The rice is absolutely the best in the city – fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.”
“The pasta here is genuinely really good and flavourful. It’s a bit pricier than I’d like, but it’s totally worth it.”
The shisha lounge
Base flavours are $22: double apple, mint, lemon mint, blueberry mint, watermelon, vanilla and more. Premium flavours are $25, like paan, mango tango, lady killer and blue melon. House mixes such as the Layali Mix and Arranged Marriage are $25 too. A refill is $15. The rule is two people per pipe.
“We’ve been to a lot of shisha cafes, this is definitely on the top.”
Flags hang across the ceiling, with screens, high tables and booths. Non-smokers say the smoke doesn't spoil the meal. One couple wrote that it “did not bother us whatsoever”. Still, it's a lounge, and Google doesn't list it as good for children.
Layali Cafe reviews: the good and the bad
The praise is steady: big portions, food better than a lounge needs, and the owner, Mike. Several reviewers say he's why they came back.
“This is the place to go if you need a chill evening.”
The low reviews are about service, not food. One family found a hair in their soup and say the server shrugged it off. They still liked the hummus and cheese rolls. Another diner came for an Iftar buffet in Ramadan with a booking for five. He was under five minutes late, and says he was told off and moved. On nights full of fasting families, that's worth knowing.
So: the food is well liked, and the experience depends a lot on who is working. Booking for Iftar or a big group? Confirm that afternoon and arrive on time.
Hours, prices and getting there
- Address: 617 11 Ave SW #101, in the Beltline. The door is up a flight of steps, so it's not step-free.
- Price: about $20 to $30 a head for food, plus $22 to $25 per shisha.
- Bookings: it takes reservations and suits groups. Book ahead on weekends.
- Takeout and delivery: yes, on Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes and DoorDash. The links are on Layali Cafe's listing. The phone number is (403) 438-0500.
Other halal cafes if Layali is full
Looking for a halal cafe near me? About a kilometre west on the same avenue is Cafe Med on 11 Ave, at 1210 11 Ave SW. It's a bigger, pricier shisha room, rated 4.9. Its sister, Cafe Med on 17th Avenue, is a short drive south. Downtown, VYB Social at 1104 6 Ave SW pairs shisha with a halal Indian-fusion menu. For more options, see the halal cafe Calgary roundup, plus the late-night and Italian halal guides. Planning for Ramadan? The Iftar guide lists the other buffets.
Common questions
Is Layali Cafe in Calgary halal?
Yes. Using halal meat throughout is the kitchen's own stated practice, and reviewers say the whole menu is halal. It doesn't name a certifying body. The pizza ham is chicken ham. Ask what the pepperoni and salami are made of if that matters to you.
Does Layali Cafe serve alcohol?
No. The drinks are mocktails, smoothies, shakes, tea and coffee, plus two non-alcoholic beers (Heineken 0.0 and Corona Cero).
What are Layali Cafe's hours on Sunday?
2pm to midnight on Sunday, per its website in October 2026. Monday to Thursday are the same. Friday and Saturday run 2pm to 1am. It doesn't open in the morning.
How much is shisha at Layali Cafe?
$22 for base flavours like double apple or mint. $25 for premium flavours and house mixes. $15 for a refill. That's per its website in October 2026. The rule is two people per pipe.
What should I order at Layali Cafe?
Reviewers name the pasta, the rice with grilled meat, the butter chicken and the cheesecake. Start with hummus and the Mediterranean cheese rolls.
Where is Layali Cafe?
617 11 Ave SW #101, in the Beltline just south of downtown Calgary. The entrance is up a flight of steps from the sidewalk. Directions are on Layali Cafe's listing.
Is Layali Cafe good for families and non-smokers?
Non-smokers say the shisha didn't spoil their meal, and it suits groups of adults well. But it's a lounge, not a family restaurant, and Google doesn't list it as good for children.
Does Layali Cafe deliver?
Yes. It's on Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes and DoorDash, and it does takeout. All three delivery links are on its listing.