Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill
Hendersonville
Restaurant in Hendersonville, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill is a strong pick for casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking in Hendersonville, especially if the goal is generous portions, scratch-made staples, and a relaxed family-owned room. Go for an easy lunch or dinner built from dips, salads, grilled meats, and shawarma rather than a formal tasting-menu experience.
About Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill
Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill is a casual Hendersonville option for artisanal Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. The dress code is casual, the listed price is about $20 per person, and the menu is anchored by signature dishes such as hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, shawarma, Kabob Halabi, and Jordanian style broasted fried chicken.
The short answer: go for a relaxed Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meal in Hendersonville. Chef-owner Riyad Al-Kasem, known as Chef Rakka, gives the restaurant a clear identity, and its 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurant recognition adds a confirmed profile note. The appeal is practical and unfussy: a casual meal built around the dishes the restaurant is known for.
Order from the signature dishes
The clearest way to approach Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill is to build a meal from the known signatures. Hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh can sit alongside more substantial dishes such as Kabob Halabi, shawarma, or Jordanian style broasted fried chicken.
Riyad Al-Kasem, known as Chef Rakka, is the chef-owner. The important decision point is that Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill is presented as a casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant, not a formal dining room. Diners looking for a relaxed meal in Hendersonville have a clear reason to consider it.
For mixed groups, the strongest approach is to order across the signature dishes rather than treating the meal as a single-entree decision. Hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh can share the table with shawarma, Kabob Halabi, or Jordanian style broasted fried chicken, giving both lighter and more substantial options without relying on menu details.
Keep the occasion casual
The dress code is casual, so Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill is better framed as an easygoing Hendersonville meal than a dressed-up occasion. It is a fit when the priority is Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking at about $20 per person, not a highly formal meal.
The chef-owner identity is part of the restaurant’s profile, but it should not be overstated into claims about service style or dining-room choreography. What is is simpler: Chef Riyad Al-Kasem leads the restaurant, the cuisine is artisanal Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, and the restaurant has confirmed 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurant recognition.
For first-timers, order from the signature list and keep the meal casual. Hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, Kabob Halabi, shawarma, and Jordanian style broasted fried chicken are the grounded reference points. The restaurant’s listed hours are 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed, as of July 2026.
Where it fits in a Hendersonville food day
Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill fits as a casual Hendersonville stop for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, especially if the goal is a meal centered on hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, shawarma, Kabob Halabi, or Jordanian style broasted fried chicken. With a listed price of about $20 per person and hours from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday, it is a practical option to consider during its posted service window.
Planning details
- Location
- 71A New Shackle Island Rd.
- Website
- caferakka.com
- Phone
- 615-824-6264
Venue details
Ambiance
A cozy, family-owned Mediterranean spot with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, plentiful portions, and beautifully plated dishes, often described by guests as a hidden jewel in Hendersonville with fresh, authentic flavors and personal visits from the chef.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Drinks Focus
- Non alcoholic
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options, Pescatarian friendly, Organic focus
Signature Dishes
- Kabob Halabi
- hummus
- falafel
- tabbouleh
- Jordanian style broasted fried chicken
- shawarma
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 71A New Shackle Island Rd.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Explore Hendersonville
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill?
Start here if you want Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food in Hendersonville at about $20 per person. The kitchen is led by Chef Riyad Al-Kasem, known as Chef Rakka. It also has confirmed 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurant recognition.
Is Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill good for solo dining?
It can make sense for a casual solo meal at about $20 per person. The listed hours are 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed, as of July 2026. If you want a low-key Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meal in Hendersonville, it is a practical option.
Is Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill good for a special occasion?
It works best for a relaxed occasion, not a dress-up dinner. The $20 per person price and casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern profile make it better for an easy meal than for a formal night out. The 2026 featured-restaurant recognition helps its profile, but the dress code is still casual.
What should I order at Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill?
Choose from known signatures such as hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, shawarma, Kabob Halabi, and Jordanian style broasted fried chicken. Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill is listed as a casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant at about $20 per person.
Is Cafe Rakka Mediterranean Grill worth the price?
Yes, if you want Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food in Hendersonville at about $20 per person. The value case is clearest for a casual meal, especially with Chef Riyad Al-Kasem attached to the restaurant and confirmed 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurant recognition.
