Layali Cafe
Reviews of Layali Cafe
from GoogleWhat a fantastic restaurant! We stumbled across this little gem when we were downtown unexpectedly trying to find a restaurant to get into at the last minute. This is some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. The butter chicken is phenomenal. The pizza was so delicious. This is a very sweet family restaurant. It is a Shisha lounge, but it did not bother us whatsoever. Go check it out. You won’t be disappointed. And make sure you order cheesecake for dessert. Thanks for making our evening so special. Everyone on staff was just lovely. I can see why they get so many five star reviews. We can’t wait to go back. Mike is the greatest host ever. Thanks Mike - you’re amazing including your entire family! PS If you are looking for a Shisha lounge (my first time being in one) I would highly recommend this place. Super chill vibes.
Unfortunately vsited this place with family yesterday because of the good reviews. We went in for lunch around2:30 pm, less crowded.The service here was not that good. The service was not that great, to be honest terrible from the blonde hair girl. We found HAIR in our chefs special soup and there was no apology nor accountability she just said it happens casually in the end while paying. We just ordered the appetizers and drinks, didn't even dare stay for mains had to go to CRAFT for our rest of the lunch. Regarding food, hummus was really good, their cheese rolls was great, nachos average, the mango Tango drink was nice. The fact that really made us sad was how the waitress handled the whole HAIR in the food situation. NB: The guy with a moustache was really cool, hope they keep people like him, he handed us the menu card and was really nice.
We’ve been to a lot of shisha cafes, this is definitely on the top. The food was amazing 11/10, good prices and the shisha is also very good. The service is excellent and the owner is very kind and pleasant! Definitely will come back.
Layali Café is hands down the best spot in downtown Calgary! The rice is absolutely the best in the city – fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The meat is so tender and delicious, you honestly can’t beat it. Every dish feels like a top choice, full of rich taste and freshness. The salad is also amazing, crisp and refreshing, rounding out the meal beautifully. If you’re looking for authentic flavor and unforgettable dishes, Layali Café is the place to go. Ella is a great company too. She is so sweet and lovely. The atmoshpere is great you cant beat it. * Shisha is available too*
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 portions are generous, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Plus, the entire menu is halal. We also ordered some shared starters, like poutine and lemon garlic shrimp, which were equally delicious and bursting with flavour. This is a pretty nice place with great food to enjoy in downtown. Totally recommend it. 10/10
10/10 food, 10/10 service, top of shisha is hot do not recommend touching
Amazing little shop, Went here on a whim and was amazed, service was incredible, food was delicious!!
I usually don’t leave reviews, but this cafe is worth your business! The food was to-die for and I highly recommend, especially for shisha beginners, to try their blue melon flavour! The atmosphere was relaxing and I could tell that everyone at the cafe were at so much ease, and not to mention the service was spectacular! 10/10 will recommend! Don’t pass up on Layali Cafe.
Best mocha latte in town
First time going to Layali I was impressed how good they’re food and shisha was, I truly recommend Layali if you’ve never been it’s a must.
Best Shisha in the city hands down. The owner, Mike, is the nicest guy. The servers: Beautiful, friendly, and prompt. The food: out of this world they must have a professional chef back there not just a cook. This is the place to go if you need a chill evening. Highly recommended
My previous visit to this restaurant was enjoyable and the food was good, which is why I decided to come back for their Iftar buffet. Unfortunately, this experience was extremely disappointing. We had a reservation for five people and arrived essentially on time , not even five minutes late after a full day of fasting. Instead of welcoming us, the owner (or head chef) approached us in a very rude manner and said they had “almost given our table away.” There was no greeting, no appreciation for customers coming to break their fast, and no respect shown. I was then asked in a forceful manner to move from our original table, which I agreed to only out of consideration for another family. However, the table we were moved to could barely fit four people, even though our reservation was clearly for five. The table simply could not accommodate us properly. Because of this, none of us ended up eating, despite coming specifically for Iftar after fasting all day. The situation became very frustrating and tense, and my friends and I even ended up arguing with each other simply because we were all hungry and upset about how poorly the situation was handled. Ramadan and Iftar are supposed to be about hospitality and respect. Unfortunately, the way the owner handled this situation showed a serious lack of both and completely ruined what should have been a meaningful meal. Very disappointing experience.
About Layali Cafe
In the Beltline on 11 Avenue SW, Layali Cafe at 617 11 Ave SW #101 is a Mediterranean cafe and shisha lounge where all its meat is halal.
What to order
Pizza and pasta are the mainstays, and diners say the pasta is well flavoured and genuinely good. The butter chicken, the rice and the salad all get good marks. Shared starters such as the poutine and the lemon garlic shrimp are good to split, and the cheesecake is the dessert to order. The shisha is well regarded.
What it is like
It is a place to sit a while over coffee or dessert, and the lounge is set up for that. Portions are generous, and one diner called it a sweet family restaurant. Service is friendly and prompt, and diners say the staff are welcoming and the owner is kind.
Before you go
Book ahead, especially if you are planning an iftar or coming as a group. If you are a party of five or more, confirm the table size when you reserve. Parking is free.
| Saturday | 2 p.m.–2 a.m. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 2 p.m.–12 a.m. |
| Monday | 2 p.m.–12 a.m. |
| Tuesday | 2 p.m.–12 a.m. |
| Wednesday | 2 p.m.–12 a.m. |
| Thursday | 2 p.m.–12 a.m. |
| Friday | 2 p.m.–2 a.m. |