they were great at the start but the prices of the lamb went up so its the price of a dinner, you will be doubling the costs to get full,

I don’t even know what to say. I expected good things because of the reviews. Maybe the standards have slipped? I cannot believe I payed $20 for my meal. The tiny pieces of lamb were chewy and most of it was pieces of fat with no flavour (I had to drown my whole plate with the sauces). About two table spoons of rice, tiniest salad and tabbouleh. The things I enjoyed were the bun and hummus. Left with an unpleasant taste in my mouth and still hungry. Not returning.

Some of the best falafel I have ever had. Very reasonable prices for the quality of food.

Have been going to the Middle East Cafe for over 25 years now. Loved from day one. After 3 shwarmeys, you’re in heaven. Quality of the food is always excellent and has not changed and the atmosphere is very cosy and cool. Highly recommended. Will go tonight before catching a movie.

I have been a frequent lunch-er/diner at the Middle East Cafe since 1988.
Simply awesome. I have travelled all over the world, and their food, schwarma in particular, is second to none. Over the years they have maintained a very high level of service and consistent food quality. Also the place is still run by the same family. Even though I now no longer live in NZ, I still crave for my schwarma fix like a pregnant woman and thus a very much looked forward to “pit stop” at the middle Eastern ,is now a MUST on each of my visits back home.

Casual dining within a nice atmosphere. We had a Chawarma, Kebab and a side dish, all very tasty. The schawarma was as we remembered from Europe, and special mention for the delicious side dish. Recommended.

The Middle East Cafe is an Auckland institution – up there with the White Lady. Food is great. Speed of service is great. It’s good to know you can count on a quick meal before heading to a show. I think Iris (review below) doesn’t understand about casual dining. Not everywhere has a waitress come to your table – otherwise our Chawarmas would double in price! Keep it up – I’m a customer of 21 years to date!

I have been coming here since my brother brought me here about 18 years ago, they make the best schwarmas here, yep pity about the grumpy old lady behind the counter, kinda ruins the whole thing dont she…apart from that the place rocks

I’m 46 and have been going to this restaurant since i was 14 years old. It still has the same owners and if it’s possible, they have only got better! My kids and their friends are now all raving fans. Good on ya Middle East Cafe…

if you want the real mccoy, lamb shoarma or schwarma or chawarma, however you want to spell it. this is as close as it gets! the taste of the lamb and spices is absolutely tops and the accompanying sauces are fantastic. what a great little find.

Absolutely, delicious, never tasted anything like it – schawma – 30yrs loyality, living in the mid far north everytime in auckland I always head for the middle east cafe. Waitress and Boss with an attitude adds to the flavour

best find in all of Auckland
every time i go into the city it is a must have…tried others but no one comes close!!!!!!!!!!

The lamb chawarma (spelling…) is the most divine thing you will ever eat.

Interior is really full of character.

However service is poor poor poor. A waitress has even sworn at me under her breath when I changed tables to get away from the door breeze.

But i keep going back for take away chawarmas!

Middle Eastern Cafe is frickin’ awesome! I’ve been going there for the past 6 or 7 years and its been consistently great.. the charwarma’s are my favourite.. heavenly.. Hands down my favourite hidden treasure in the city..

A friend i went here tonight. It was the most disappointing experience EVER!

Firstly the service is very poor. No waiter came to the table and you had to order the food at the counter. An unfriendly lady behind the counter got our order wrong. For drinks she told us to go to the fridge and get them ourselves. The food then came and was not what we ordered. We told the waiter who then took it back to the kitchen and then bought the same dish back to us and told us “what you have ordered is not that much different from what you orginally ordered” with no appology and walked off. We then ate our meal that was then cold and very tastless. We then asked for some servettes as there was none at the table.

Overall this restuarant is CRAP! i would not recommend this restuarant.

soooooo good! the lamb is amazing I get excited every-time I know I am going!

The lamb Charwarmas (sp?) is the best!!!! It’s cheap, cheerful delicious. Would totally recommend it.