Marrkesh Cafe

(919) 899-6381

2500 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607 35.7877 -78.668

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhood: University

Price:

$

Last updated 2.21.11

Category:

Coffeehouses

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Breakfast, Lunch Spot, Late Night Dining, Quiet, Cheap Eats

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Middle Eastern

What People Are Saying About Marrkesh Cafe

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Settle on a burgundy cushion and take a puff of gourmet tobacco. Indulge in a "social smoke" flavored to your taste--apple, banana, melon, mint or berry--and imagine you've escaped the Triangle on a veritable Casablancan adventure. Marrakesh pancake with a Panasher (fruit smoothie) mix deliciously or try Middle Eastern favorites, hummus and tabouli. If the hookah isn't your cup of tea, try other Morrocan treats: Marrakesh Verveine Tea (with lemon and honey to taste) or baklava.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Credit cards are accepted, but make sure your purchase is over $5.
When to Go:
Breakfast here is very reasonably-priced and they do offer non-Moroccan items such as bagels, croissants, chicken salad, wraps and sandwiches.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/11/08

great service

by ahmedrapperboy

Marrakesh Cafe owner is very friendly person and served excellent taste hookah. i recommended A+ this place to everyone who is enjoy and relax to smokin hookah. come and try it out!

3 Star Rating: Average

09/19/08

one more stop on your bar hopping

by raleighgirl87

I've been to a few hookah bars in my time, mostly in big cities, but this one is just... not what I was expecting.

If you want hookah cause you've never tried it, go for it. The hookah itself is okay, and it's a very college-american scene. You won't feel uncomfortable and students/townies frequent the place on their way up hillsborough street for something different.

But don't expect the atmosphere and culture that makes hookah so great.

Also, I accidentally left my camera there, and they were almost impossible to get up with. When I did finally get up with them, they told me to be there at a certain time when they opened to get it back. I waited for 2 HOURS before someone finally showed up and let me in.

1 Star Rating: Poor

06/16/08

Ex-Longtime loyal customer - extremely (and I mean ridiculously) rude service

by Anonymous4002

The place has changed a lot since most of these favorable reviews were written, and I've seen it change. Now it's very different.

In terms of quality of the hookah, it is OK. However, a hookah can last way longer than what they allow for it to last because they very grudgingly add new coals or remove them as they often put too many so that it burns really quickly. On one occasion I asked the short guy that works there who is always sitting down smoking with his laptop to add a coal. I must first add that I've always been really polite and friendly (even made friends) with the employees there. He rudely replied "ok" and never did anything, he just sat back down immediately after I asked. I asked him later again, and then he changed the coals.

On another occasion my friend moved the coals a bit on the top of the hookah and this same guy snapped at him in the way that you would expect a principal to yell at a very, very bad student. That same night he closed the shop thirty minutes early. Rather annoyed that I had paid good money for my hookah and had my pleasant evening cut short and interrupted with rudeness (he rolled his eyes and gave big sighs when my friends were gathering cash to pay), I went back in while one of my friends was still paying and (still politely, even though he doesn't deserve it) and asked what time they closed (it was by then 11:30 and the sign outside said 12 am - he...again really bitingly...replied that "I already closed".

I simply said OK and left. I was later told that he started muttering about smartass and blah blah blah. Immediately after he followed me down the street as we were all walking away, complaining about how awful the night had been, and he yelled at me saying don't come back ifyou dont like our service blah blah. I laughed a lot and really enjoyed this last bit. We've always been polite and he's always been plain mean. This was the best part of the evening.

Spend your money elsewhere.

  • Pros: Ambience is ok
  • Cons: extremely and consistently rude, hostile service. bad quality of hookah. music is too loud for conversation
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/08/06

Great People, Great Place, Great Food, Great Prices and not to mention Great Hookah

by dvsmk3

Okay, so here is how it goes. Having just relocated to the Triangle area I was in the search for a nice hangout a place to socialize with people, have a quick snack and smoke some Hookah. That is when I came upon Marrakesh Cafe. Their location is great, right across the street from NCSU. Their service is superb. Their Food is selection should please everybody vegetarians really should check the place out, they have amazing Hummus, Baba Ghanouj along with many other Morrocan foods. Their wraps are fresh made, taste great and are really stuffed. The people that work there are extremely friendly. Their decor is something that is out of a movie the place is definately an ideal setting for a romantic date. They have a really full house on weekends with the belly dancer shows on Friday and Sunday nights. They play nice mellow Morrocan tunes to the background of your Hookah smoking. Which is I have got to say really fun. You can choose from many flavors including Apple, Strawberry, Peach etc etc...and for $6 for two people that has got to be the most affordable thing two people can do for almost an hour.

Overall if you have not been there. You must visit soon. It is a great place!!!

  • Pros: Thumbs up all the way.
  • Cons: Parking might be a slight issue sometimes.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/11/06

best hookah lounge in the triangle

by lolo2002

The Moroccan decor as well as the food might best be described as fantastics. Bringing together the flavors of Africa, the Mediterranean to Raleigh, this is a great spot to try new foods. Never had a hookah ? Settle down Moroccan pouff pillow on the floor and smoke and enjoying a Moroccan teapot with fresh mint. Friday and sunday my favorite days that where they have a belly dance show. go here... You won't be disappointed!

  • Pros: Thumbs up and up, best international music
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