Cafe Tolmas

(3) (718) 380-6666
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“A hidden gem of queens when it comes to the most delicious shish kabob
un-describable —is how I will say it but somebody else more creative with words may express it differently must try !”

“It's a tiny, no-frills, BYO-alcohol restaurant, and by 6pm on a Sunday, it was slammed so call and make a reservation in advance.”

Cafe Tolmas

Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes

Price range.

$$ Price range $11-30

3 reviews

  1. Cafe Tolmas.. Or just Tolmas as most people know it as, is a traditional kosher shish-kabob restaurant. The interior itself is nothing to brag about but the food is still done on charcoal, so it comes out very smokey and taste worthy. Most other kabob spots lost their respect due to taking the meat off the royal oak and switching it with electric methods.. Those places should be ashamed and booed out the kitchen. Tolmas is still a-ok in my book. Some nights can be better than others. Just smile and hope for the best 🙂

    Foods to try: bone-in ribs, kufta (lola), Vereska (skirt steak)
    Salads are nicely portioned for a few people.

  2. I went to this place with my bukarian friend.  It was competitive with some of the other restaurants that I've been to with the same type of food.  The shish kebabs are great.  I love the fries and salads.  The stuffed meat pies were succulent and juicy.  I love that it is BYOB.

  3. I've been to a bunch of spots like Tolmas and honestly, you can never go wrong with some authentic Bukharian eats. It's a tiny, no-frills, BYO-alcohol restaurant, and by 6pm on a Sunday, it was slammed so call and make a reservation in advance.

    The eggplant salad is a must (not the babaganouj), it's amazing. The regular salads are fresh and delicious, as are the soups (we had one with noodles in it, I have no idea what it's called). I also tried testicles, yes, you read that correctly, TESTICLES, for the first time and they're actually very good (for those curious ones: they're very light and fluffy, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture…hilarity at its finest). The lula kebabs are excellent, salmon kebabs are standard, and you need to get the fries (add salt). The manti are good too, but a bit overpriced and you can get bigger and cheaper ones in a thousand other restaurants in the area.

    Overall, solid, authentic food, good service, decently priced.

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