Cafe Agora
Categories: Turkish, Greek and Mediterranean [Edit]
Neighborhood: Buckhead262 E Paces Ferry Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 949-0900
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
18 Reviews for Cafe Agora
my favorite falafel in town!! i love the pickly red onions :)
this place is hands-down awesome--like Al says, anything you order is going to be good.
nice people make it extra special, too.
i have no idea what all those delicious things in the cold case are called--the random samplings i've had always leave me wanting more, especially the eggplant dishes.
and open til the wee hours on weekends???? HUGE PLUS!! (anything to keep me from taco cabana.)
5 miiiillion stars!!
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This place is a little pricey for a falafel and hummus but, it is really yummy. You pay for what you get. It's a nice, non-chain place run by the very nice and entertaining owner.
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Tiny little restaurant with tons of personality.
If you're going with a group of friends, get a mezza plate to share. Warm pita squares with grilled eggplant and hummus...mmmm
Al, the owner, will make your meal an experience. The most entertaining owner I've ever met. If you don't know what to order, have no fear, Al will guarantee you something delicious.
Don't forget the Baaklava. Their Baaklava comes in traditional squares, rolls and pinwheels- my favorite. Ground pistachios on top add a nice touch.
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I love this place. The gyro is the best ever. However, parking is very difficult and the food is a bit expensive. In addition, while the owner did hook us up with a sample platter, I understand that isn't the normal case. Therefore, for $9 or so, you get a Gyro and a drink - no sides. Just seems a little expensive (especially with the parking hassle).
* Update - return trip - parking not a problem, just go earlier. Drink, gyro and side salad for $10. Very delicious! Upgraded to 5 stars! Yea!!!
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My husband and I walked inside and sat down.
The busboys were clearing up adjoining tables and we looked around. We saw the pictured menu items on the wall but, prices were not indicated. Nobody said anything or came up to us.
So, we got up and started eyeing the various appetizer dips in the refrigerated display case. That's when, we assumed it was Al, asked if I'd want the "sample plate". I said yes and wham, blam I was handed the plate with 5 to 6 varieties of smooth veggie dips and a plate of pita bread. Then I heard:
'You go and eat all of this before ordering any food'.
I looked at Al with one eyebrow raised and my right forefinger pointed at him and said:
'Yea, look, I know all about you. We're going to order our food.'
My husband chose the mixed grill plate and with that Al said that it would be plenty for the both of us.
We sat at our table and began to eat away at the veggie appetizer fare.
The babaganoush was pretty good as it had that smoky flavor I wanted. Hardly any garlic, though.
We got the mixed grill plate and I looked at it. Man that was enough food just for my husband! So, I got up and ordered the Kofte Kebab plate.
Al was adamant that we had enough food already. I just looked at him and said:
'Just get me my food' with a raised eyebrow. He obliged.
Being our first visit we wanted to be food tasters. The char grilled lamb, beef and chicken were delicious. The rice was just the way I remembered it as a kid. I could eat that rice every day. The plates with meat are basically served with rice and salad with a sweet dressing.
Al came over to check on us from time to time to see how we liked the food. I told him all was good, except there wasn't any garlic in the food.
He proceeded to relate how he had to modify the garlic content for the American crowd. I told him, next time, I'm bringing my OWN garlic. Being the hospitable host, he said:
'Just tell me you want more garlic and we'll fix it special for you'.
Time for dessert. Al started waxing poetic about his baklava and that he'd bring some out. I said that I already make my own, that I wanted to try my childhood favorite: Kunefe. Wouldn't you know they didn't have any?
Al said that it's one of those things that don't move as fast on the menu so they often don't make it or if they do, it's a small amount. So, I gave him a counteroffer. I said:
'I'll give you my phone number and you can call me when it is available'
We had a little laugh and ended with a small plate of some samplings.. Then, I got the Turkish coffee.
When all was said and done our bill came to about $25 per person. We were stuffed like sausages.
When you eat at this place, you DON"T know how much anything costs. Al begins to compute your bill when you approach the cash register at the end of your meal.
Compared to regular American restaurants, this is an unconventional place. To be honest, it was a step out of my comfort zone the way the whole order/supply on hand/bill process went down.
Except for the lack of garlic, the food is almost as authentic as you'd have at your multi-generational Middle Eastern/Mediterranean family get-togethers. (I say almost because families have their unique style of flavoring and cooking).
Next time, I'll make sure to ask for the garlic and I'll call ahead to make sure they have Kunefe,
Al is entertaining in a weird way. I know the culture and I enjoyed the banter.
The main reason for being there is the food which is fresh.
Café Agora has a selection of beers and liquor. I wouldn't say that there is a FULL bar.
If you go, be prepared for an experience.
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Simple, tasty Mediterranean food and Al is a great dude.
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So. Awesome. It was empty when E and I went this weekend which probably lead to us having a great experience. Al (the owner) hooked us up with a sample platter of all the sides they have, e.g. taboule, ezme, hummus, goat cheese, &c. All were fantastic. I attempted to order a chicken gyro to which he responded, "What, you don't like beef & lamb? You get chicken next time." This proved sound advice as it was the best gyro I've had in town so far. After our meal he brought us a couple bites of baclava (absolutely the best).
I highly recommend you check it out. Al's philosophy seems to be that you should open yourself up and try new food. An excellent place to go for a tete-a-tete, to hear a story, and get some great mediterranean food.
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Very tasty. I think the owner was at an event, which I was a little disappointed about, but I will definitely be back again to try to catch him!
I took an adventurous coworker here for an informal lunch meeting, and it turned out perfectly. We both ordered the sampler appetizer platter, which was a great size for lunch, and the sweet girl who served us brought out a pile of warm pita squares. Really tasty! Since we arrived a little after 1pm, it wasn't very crowded and we could talk freely.
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I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! It is so authentic and the owner, Al, is super nice and loyal to his customers. I remember the very first time I went to Al's and thinking that it looked a little sketchy...this was pre-yelp days and when Al's had just opened up. It did not have a bar or barely a table but I remember the wonderful service and the AMAZING food!
I was able to relive that moment when I brought my boyfriend and friend for their first experience. I really enjoyed seeing their expressions and enjoying the atmosphere that Al had created since my first time.
The food is so authentic and you can see it with the preparation and presentation. Huge portions and very fresh. It is also very reasonably priced! I gave it 4 stars because of he parking...there is none. Other than that, you must stop in and say hi to Al. Become one of his loyal customers...he treats you well!
Thank you Al for always making my experience like the first one.
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Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good!
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If six were allowed, this would be my first six-star review for the simple fact that it provided me with one of the funniest dining experiences of my life. More on that later.
Cafe Agora is located in the general area near 'Old Buckhead,' where there are still open restaurants and galleries - and if it wasn't for yelpers (thanks, yall!!) I would have never known about this place. I literally worked right across the street for over a year, and still never knew about it! Sad, but true.
The little place is perched on a corner, with a bright blue awning. There are no more than a dozen tables in there, and you get the feeling that it's a lunch only kind of place, until you spot the wall o' bar - definitely enough libations to get you going on a Friday night. You can also imagine how dim lighting would create a whole new ambiance in the evening, too.
A friend and I met up for lunch just before the usual big lunch rush - both of our first times to Cafe Agora. We were greeted by the owner (who I think his name is Ali). I mentioned was excited to try the restaurant and was with and head about it on Yelp. He suggested that we split a mixed maza platter, which includes hummus, eggplant, babaganush, and pretty much every possible thing behind the shiny glass counter. It was amazing. It's actually a good thing I didn't know about this place when I worked across the street, or I would have become verrryyy familiar with the sampler platter!
We looked around as everyone else got their gyros, since we planned to split one of those as well, but ours never came out. Finally, Ali came over, admonished us for not finishing our platter, and denied our request for ordering more pita bread to finish it off - explaining that we would be too full to eat out gyro after. Now, mind you, he didn't say any of this in an unfriendly way, but more in a 'hilarious uncle' kind of way - just one of those owners with lots (LOTS) of character, a la Ann of Ann's Snack Bar.
Since we were splitting the gyro, instead of giving us a knife, he explained how we were to just pass the gyro across the table to each other (but only if we were friends) and each take a bite out of it - which we did, juices flowing from the gyro and laughing from what was transpiring. But wow. The flavor of the gyro was ridiculously tasty. He also sat down to tell us the health benefits of the food, that the meza was extremely time consuming to make, urged us to finish our plate, and we also saw when he was back in the kitchen fighting off the lunch rush, had a girl at the next table go get her own ice and cup for her drink. He also gave us a baklava (and tried to comp our meal, but we circumvented that by stuffing cash in the tip jar!), which, surprise, surprise, was awesome, too. Though many of these sound like customer service faux pas, the character really just added to the experience - one of those unique, very local, very yelpy times - only enhanced by the hilariously unique and friendly owner. Good yelpy times! I officially love it here.
Even if your visit isn't as entertaining as mine was, there's still plenty reason to go to Cafe Agora. The food was extremely good, and it's a versatile spot for everything from a quick lunch, to a really cute 'hidden unique date-y' kind of spot for the evening!
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Based on a friend's recommendation and the reviews here on Yelp, we tried Cafe Agora this weekend, and we could not have been more pleased. Al made us a plate full of every appetizer and told us that we could not order until we finished it all! We were happy to oblige him...
For the main course, my wife loved the "sampler plate" Al made us so much that she ordered another for her full meal. I had tender, juicy lamb with yogurt sauce, delicious salad, and rice. I also ordered a glass of ouzo, but Al insisted I try the Turkish version called Raki. IT was an excellent suggestion, as it perfectly complimented the food.
The only knock is that you have to pay for parking, but it is worth it to sample the fresh, flavorful food and familial service.
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Al's gyro's are some of the best I have had in Atl. Finding a juicy lamb gyro is as hard as finding a good slice of 'za. Just don't over load on the lettuce. Tzatziki is tasty. Rest of the menu is above average. Baklava is good but how much can you eat of that? He sure does like giving everyone samples...not that there's anything wrong with that. His 'za joint next door seems like it will never open. I hope it's worth the wait.
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Cafe Agora has evolved into one of my favorite greasy spoons. If you're into (or easily offended by the lack of) aesthetics and fluff, this really isn't the place for you. On the other hand, if you're avant garde in your pursuit of ethnic fare, you should try it at least once. The owner (who I have officially dubbed Mr Papoudopoulis---darn, I always forget to ask his name) makes the experience so much more wonderful. I almost always get the lamb gyro...it's fresh and juicy with just the right amount of the yogurt dressing. Did I say To. Die. For.? Another favorite is the healthy plate of spreads/dips that Mr P serves up---I've not yet figured out if this appetizer is complimentary. Anywho it is comprised of various and sundry tabouelle, eggplant spread,etc. I think that I issued my To. Die. For. prematurely....don't leave without a piece of the baklava----it's so light and flaky. I've awakened in the middle of the night craving a piece on occasion. It's hard to describe; for it's the right combination of pastry, sweet and nuts. The only matter is parking: if you go throughout the week, go after 1 PM and weekends are best if your patience is thin. All hail, Mr P!
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Absolutely delicious Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices. The atmosphere is nothing exciting, but I think the food makes up for the lack of sexy. I wouldn't bring a date here, but I do stop by quite often for my favorite dish ... a $7 beef and lamb gyro. The baklava is also excellent.
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A great spot for gyros, lamb, beef or chicken kabobs, dessert (lots of baklava-like things to try--so yummy!). Cold dishes such as falafel, various chickpea and eggplant salads, yada yada. Everything is extraordinarily good
Al, the owner, is a gem of a guy and refers to everyone as "My frrrriend." He'll make you try a little of everything before letting you leave. His humus is the best I've ever had--topped with fresh EVOO/spices and a side of grilled pita bread. The greek salad is heavy on the feta, black olives and a savory Greek dressing.
Al uses a spice that I wasn't familiar with---sumac. Very flavorful, like kung fu lite on your taste buds. Would love to use it at home, but I don't cook. That's why God made Al!
Update May '08: I whined to Al about parking and he said "I'm working on it. There will be designated parking in back of the restaurant very soon." And being a man of his word, he now has a few "official" parking spaces behind his cafe. His spots are labeled on the asphalt ("Cafe Agora Parking" is painted in orange) and are located in the same lot where you park for Mitchell-Gold or Chuck's Fire Arms.
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Traditional Turkish in the heart of Buckhead... go figure. Very small shop, but has a very loyal customer base.
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This place is incredible! You have not had a gyro until you've been to Cafe Agora.
The prices are reasonable (and sometimes negotiable) and the food is great. The owner, Al, will make you feel welcome as soon as you set foot in the door. Don't know what to order? Al will let you sample a variety of dishes before choosing. Al is also great at accommodating any palate. Don't like onions or tomatoes? No problem. All food is cooked to order and Al will make sure everything is made to your satisfaction.
Also, if you're out in Buckhead on the weekends, Cafe Agora is often open until 3am or later if you're looking for some late-night munchies.
Must trys: hummus, gyros (lamb or chicken), greek salad, and baklava (various varieties).
Only downside: Can be crowded at lunch.
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