La Sultana Cafe

“As others had mentioned, they came around and changed the coals constantly.”

“I recommend a mix of Rose and Blue Mist for your hookah, and a mint tea!”

“After a bit we ended up ordering a second head of hookah, but this time blue mist.”

La Sultana Cafe

Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Smoking: Yes
Has Pool Table: Yes

Price range.

$$ Price range $11-30

8 reviews

  1. I'm not only a complete hookah newbie but I also don't smoke (anything) so for those in that boat, this review is for you. I never thought I would go to a hookah bar before as smoking to me is unpleasant and just not something I'm interested in. That being said I was with a bachelor party who wanted to stop in here so I had little choice in the matter. For those as naive as me, hookah is flavored tobacco. It smells and tastes nothing like cigarettes and from my experience at least, provides really no physical effect on you. I don't really see the point other than having a common activity to do in a social situation and/or to taste something without ingesting calories.

    La Sultana has a front room with a number of tables but like any good mullet, the party's in the back. The back room has all the couches and the dimly lit atmosphere lit by an array of Morrocan hanging lamps. It's definitely a comfortable place. Our group ordered a couple hookah flavors, grape and apple. The hookahs are already on the table but the top bowl with the tobacco, hot coals, and disposable mouth pieces quickly come out after you order. They have a guy who comes around to replace the coals when needed and the amount of tobacco in each hookah seemed endless though I'm sure if we stayed longer than an hour or were constantly puffing away it would have run out. I was surprisingly pleased with the grape. It was smooth and had a very pleasant subtle flavor to it and because a hookah is basically a bong-like device the smoke is cooled down so there's no uncomfortable heat. In addition to the hookah we got some beers and hummus. Both were delicious and reasonably priced.

    Hookah prices (for up to 3 people) ranges from $20-28 depending on the flavor and requires one drink per person. Non alcholic drinks are $5 and most beers and wine options are $6 (choices are very limited). For food they have a full range of main courses ($12-19), salads ($8-10), appetizers ($7-14), sandwiches ($8-9), and desserts ($8). Between the great service, comfortable atmosphere, and very reasonable prices, I'd be inclined to come back here to try the food, even without the hookah, though now I now know I'm totally fine with the whole hookah experience.

  2. The atmosphere here is much more relaxed than any of the other hookah bars I've been to on a Saturday night. The iced mint green tea I had was very good. The music was played at a comfortable level and the seating was good. It doesn't even bother me that they don't serve alcohol. My problem is with the hookah.

    The hookah has a lot of potential. They use khalil mamoons. They use the real natural coals, not coco naras. But it must be the tobacco they use or the way they cut their fruit bowls because there just isn't that much flavor and the smoke isnt very thick. I love the atmosphere, but I'd only return if a friend wanted to go.

  3. I had a pleasant time here with a friend. The overall feel of the place is relaxing and there was a sense of muted-ness despite all the people in the place. I didn't feel crowded at any point of my stay. You order a hookah flavor (nothing special is about $18, we got mango) and a tea/drink. I had the chai and it was good, but next time I want to try the mint tea.

    I'd recommend sitting in the back and don't bring too big of a group of people.

  4. The tea is really good – I had the mint green tea and my friend had the Moroccan iced tea. Hookah was nice and smooth, we tried the guava, but it tasted sort of flowery rather than fruity. Next time will probably go for mint. Prices are pretty high, but it's definitely one of the nicest hookah bars I've been to. Bathroom was clean, which is a plus. Also, cash only.

  5. Nice, intimate hookah lounge. Plays great music, anywhere from indie, popular, French, and Arabic. It was quiet and roomy, very cozy environment. I recommend a mix of Rose and Blue Mist for your hookah, and a mint tea! The Yogurt drink was great according to my boyfriend, though he's Arab it's right up his taste alley! Overall fantastic place.

  6. So, the first time I ever went (Check my last review) was amazing.  The quick refilling of coals, the lax atmosphere, the mint tea = definitely all to die for.  Came here the past two weeks and I can certainly say I will never feel the same about this place.  It seems like ever since they got a liquor license, they've been overlooking all the things that I loved so much about them.

    My second visit was about two weeks ago.  Not going to lie, their rose hookah's pretty good.  Unfortunately, it's super hard to enjoy when they drop a coal on your foot and burn through your sock.  A simple mumble of "sorry" and nothing more except a hole in my sock and three heavy burn marks.  I had to ask for ice, but other than that- no more.  Really?  How could you drop a coal so carelessly like that?!  Ugh.  That pissed me off, but I forgave them because well- I remembered when I came here two months ago and was so happy with their service.

    Came here again last night and that will certainly be my last visit.  The atmosphere is no longer lax, but full of loud, obnoxious adults.  They come here dressed as if it's a club, talk as if it's a club- all the club etiquette is there, just not the scene.  It even makes the employees mad sometimes because I'm sure thats not what they originally intended for.  Sorry if I don't really enjoy hearing you scream at three in the morning in a place where I just want to relax.  The music's less traditional and become more contemporary.  They've stopped changing the coals so much, so at least this time they didn't really have a chance to burn me.  It seems as if their profits are now coming from the alcohol they sell (which is really just beer and wine, regular downtown prices), and given less of a care about the atmosphere and what the "La Sultana" experience is supposed to be.

    The only thing holding me back from not coming ever again is the mint tea- if you happen to stumble here, get the mint tea.  I guess.

  7. Sketchy at Best.  They have all the hookah bowls prefilled with water sitting out on all tables.  They bring the hookah  bowl with your flavor and place it on top and put your coal on top. Then it is up to you to get the hookah smoke roaring.  I thought that was included in the cost.

  8. I'm a super fan of La Sultana.  My fiance and I come here often.  It's cash only, which is annoying, but overall the hummus, $6 glasses of wine, cheap beers, and good hookah with the ice hose are fabulous. It's never super crowded and reasonably priced.

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East 4th Street 124
New York 10003 NY US
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Monday, 5:00 pm - 2:00 am
Tuesday, 5:00 pm - 2:00 am
Wednesday, 5:00 pm - 2:00 am
Thursday, 5:00 pm - 2:00 am
Friday, 5:00 pm - 3:00 am
Saturday, 5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Sunday, 4:00 pm - 2:00 am