Maki Cafe
Maki Cafe is a shisha and coffee lounge on Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya's main commercial strip. The venue spans two floors with approximately 80 seats. The shisha menu lists over 30 flavored tobacco options.
What to Expect
The smell of flavored shisha greets you from the street. The terrace hums with conversation and gurgling water pipes.
Relaxed, social, and authentically Kuwaiti.
Arabic pop, khaleeji music
Casual.
Shisha enthusiasts, groups of friends, and anyone wanting authentic street-level cafe culture.
Cash preferred (KWD). Cards accepted.
Price Range
Shisha KWD 2-4, coffee KWD 1-2, juice KWD 1-1.5, sandwiches KWD 1.5-3
Shisha ~$6.50-13/~EUR 6-12, coffee ~$3.25-6.50/~EUR 3-6
Hours
16:00-01:00 daily, until 02:00 Thu-Fri
Insider Tip
Terrace tables fill first; arrive by 7 PM on weekends. Double apple is the most popular shisha flavor. Don't rush; two to three hours is normal.
Full Review
Maki Cafe is Salmiya at its most genuine. The shisha is well-prepared with attentive coal management.
The terrace is where the action is. On a Thursday evening, every table is occupied. People-watching is excellent.
Pricing makes Maki accessible at KWD 3-5 per person for an evening.
The Neighborhood
Maki Cafe is on Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya's main strip. The waterfront is a 5-minute walk south.
Getting There
Taxi or Uber to Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya.
Address
Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya, Kuwait City
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Caribou Coffee
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Layali Al Helmia
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Solo Cafe
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Mais Alghanim
Iconic Kuwaiti restaurant chain serving traditional grilled meats and Arabic dishes. The Salmiya branch has a large outdoor terrace and is a landmark dining destination.