Hala Cafe & Bakery

Hala Cafe & Bakery Restaurant Review:

Although many Jacksonville residents think of their city as a bastion of all things Southern-fried or barbecued, the fact is, northeast Florida offers a great diversity of culinary influences. Hala Café & Bakery presents a lunch buffet, always packed with rice and grain dishes, roasted meats, aromatically-seasoned vegetables, salads, stuffed grape leaves and savory pastries, which draws a packed house on weekdays. Nights and weekends, the place is a little quieter, with commuters grabbing take-home sacks of hummus and tabbouleh from the restaurant and stocking up on pita loaves, string cheese and olives from the attached grocery. The good food makes up for the spotty service.