Love it or hate it, the hookah craze is spreading like wildfire. And to the delight of the local 18-21 crowd, Omar’s Hookah Café has set up shop on the Main Line.
Far from seedy, Omar’s features cool, semiprivate alcoves with funky beaded dividers, velvet drapes, granite and industrial stainless tabletops, crimson walls, multicolored sparkling chandeliers, beautiful wood flooring, and a snazzy kitchen. High-definition TVs show live and taped videos of Omar’s customers in action. That said, the 18-and-older policy is strictly enforced, and the room’s design doesn’t allow for too many big groups—obviously part of a grander scheme to attract older Main Line hipsters, not just college kids.
Granted, smoking flavored tobacco out of an elaborate, colorful water pipe doesn’t appeal to everyone. Still, you can’t knock Omar’s classy take on the trend. And its convenience ought to please locals used to making the trek to South Street for their hookah fix.
Tobacco flavors include banana, caramel, margarita, piña colada, pineapple and more. Food and nonalcoholic beverages are also available, and a BYOW policy applies until 10 p.m. Nibbles include hummus or tzatziki sauce with pita or vegetables, stuffed grape leaves, Greek-style flatbread pizzas, a Mediterranean sampler, chicken and shrimp kabobs, lemon-chicken soup, and wraps. You’ll also find smoothies, espresso, cappuccino, plus Turkish and Greek coffee.
1000A W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, omarshookahcafe.com
