Sands of Persia Lounge & Restaurant

Service was superb! Food was good overall, but can be more flavorful. The sauce with the satay chicken was really nice. Got Samaira & Sultan hookahs- my preference was the Sultan. The atmosphere was also nice overall, but the loud music and spaced seating made it difficult to communicate with my companion to the point where we were texting more than half the time of our stay. Otherwise decor is nice, DJ plays good music, and perhaps because it was a Saturday there was a belly dancer show. It was a nice experience but very expensive.

Giovani is an awesome waitress, beautiful and great. Drinks are a bit pricey but ambiance & music makes up for it!! Had a good time would definitely come back.

My friends and I went to Sands of Persia for their amazing smooth Hookah and were pleasantly surprised to find that they had a Qawah tea pot and tea with cardamom milk and it sounded so yummy! We got that plus a Knafeh and everything was super tasty. I will say one thing is that they’re more on the expensive side and the prices can definitely be improved but the vibes at SOP are amazing and the service is wonderful! They really take care of you and check in you and the Hookah itself is A plus. Def come check out this place if you’re in the mood for some good Hookah and food!

The atmosphere is excellent, drinks wee really good, Gio took very good care of us, she is very attentive and gave really good recommendations on drinks and hookah. Would definitely be back and highly recommend. Thank you very much for a pleasant night

Came here randomly to show my friend from the UK and his wife how we smoke hookah in the states. Would say the food is great,the service was good but I feel like the woman who served us was upselling a little too much but was still very attentive.The drinks were good but I felt $30 for one drink was quite insane the food was cheaper and some of the drinks you could barely taste the alcohol. The hookah in my opinion was mid, I’ve had hookah for cheaper and same quality. And also have had hookah that had more of an effect for the price. But I just guessed what you’re really paying for is the hookah design. Overall the food surprised me and I would recommend going for more dressy chill experience, the belly dancer was nice performance.As a whole the service and food was great and just be mindful how much you spend cause in my opinion some items are worth it and some aren’t.

I love sands of Persia! The hookah is so smooth and the best quality you’ll ever have. All the flavors are elite. The tea is also incredible. Cant wait to try the food and drinks next time. Shoutout to Putra & Giovanni for their amazing service!

We didn’t plan on going here, but saw it from the outside and we were intrigued. Our host, Putra was so professional with the right amount of charm. He really made our experience at Sands of Persia really memorable. The cocktails were amazing as was the food. We tried 3 different menu items and they were all wonderful. This is an upscale hookah lounge with great service! Will definitely recommend and will go again.

The food was good, the drinks amazing and creative. Our server was Giovanni and she was great, very helpful and attentive. The atmosphere started off amazing with a really great belly dancer, but after she was done the music was very loud and repetitive hip hop the whole time. Would recommend switching up the type of music and maybe attempting something to fit the middle eastern/arabic vibe of the place. Otherwise its a very cool place, definitely recommend.

* IMPORTANT * This place is delusional if they think people are going to spend $30 on a small cocktail, $90 on hookah that's only allowed for two people, $10 for a small water !! NO WONDER this place stays empty !! When we realized the prices we got up and left asap !! They only got us for the water !!! $30 for 3 !! In an area where there is an abundance of hookah places WHY IN THE WORLD would we stay in this one with these absurd prices ? If you like to be OVER charged then this is a place for you. Enjoy

**Total Rip-Off!** Worst experience ever. Not only did they scam me with outrageous upcharges, but they charged me **$50** for a tequila and Red Bull--and then had the nerve to charge **another $10** just for the Red Bull can! To top it off, they even charged me for a candle on my birthday. Total money grab. Avoid this place at all costs!

The ambience is casual and intimate seating. They offer hookah and good music. They offer a variety of food from Persia on the menu. Drinks are good and variety to choose from. Lighting is cozy. There is a girl who belly dances. Very cool atmosphere. Pricing is moderate. Will go back again.

Sands of Persia has quickly become my favorite go to spot on Steinway street. Right on the corner of a long row of many hookah lounges Sands of Persia really sets itself apart in it's classy decor and beautiful ambiance. This is an amazing place to come with friends or family, or on a special date. Service is always top-notch here I have never been recommended anything bad. The hookah is the star of the show, it is so smooth and well-made, it makes me wanna cry. This is the only place where I will ever order double Apple, because it is so smooth and silky. The food items have always been spectacular. I've had mocktails here as well as their desserts, and they have always been on point and delicious. If you are in Queens, and looking for a classy hookah lounge with immaculate vibes, amazing desserts, mocktails and ambience, as well as courteous service. Please don't look further!!

Before getting into the negative aspects of the space, I'll start off with saying that the waitress was sweet, the DJ was great and the Thai chili wings were good. Now, aside from these basic things ... this place is a complete rip off and scam. $29.99 for a mango margarita that's not made with top shelf tequila is price gouging. $8.99 for a bottle of water is outrageous... and insisting that only (2) people can share a hookah is, mind blowing. Definitely don't think it's worth the price.

I love this spot! This was my second time going with the girls and this place never disappoints! Service is great, beautiful decor and ambiance, comfy and cozy and beautiful seating, perfect to take pictures with your friends, great lighting, great music, warm and cozy outdoor seating and that's just the beginning. Hookah is reasonably priced and presentation is 10/10 I tried a mocktail and it was wonderful I will always recommend this place and will always stop by if I'm in the neighborhood be prepared to spend at least $150 if you're spending a few hours there (food/drinks/hookah) but in my opinion it's completely worth it - quality of service and what they offer is priceless 10/10 highly recommend

The good reviews are highly suspect. $9 waters. $50 hookah. Automatic 20% service charge for no service. No bartender available on a Thursday night. No wonder it was dead. I would recommend taboo. Service amazing and they have a great happy hour.

My bf and I came around 11:30pm on a Friday night, there was no seating, it was packed so make sure you reserve before going. We came back after 12am and there were available seats. We ordered a hookah which starts at the price of $45. Service was good, food and drinks were good as well. The place inside looks very nice. In my opinion the place is a little overpriced. A lava cake was like $20, thats more than in the city. When it came time to pay the waitress tells me I have to pay 20% for gratuity because it was a Friday night and there was a lady belling dancing. I told her I wasn't there for that. The belly dance is around 11:30 but I came after and she tells me "it doesn't matter we tell all our customers that". Thats crazy I have to pay 20% for something I didnt see. They should have told me that before I sat down and ordered not when it came time to pay.

Wow what a fun spot, if you like good vibes & great hookah this is the place! We ordered the Diamond hookah and the recommended shisha, it was very strong and flavorful, and the hookah guy came around with fresh coal periodically, very cool. We ordered the butterfly lemonade, gorgeous presentation! But this place has no alcohol so be prepared lol. We also ordered the truffle fries and the Buffalo wings. Wow, the fries were so cheesy and so much truffle oil! Yum. If you want a dope time with great photo opps in queens stop by !!

Absolutely Wonderful..! We were not even planning to go here, but on our way to one of the Hookah Lounges decided to go here instead simply because it looked so Beautiful from the outside, and good thing we did since it was easily one of the best Hookah Lounges I have been to. Ambience was awesome and the whole setup was very welcoming, and the Patio seating was so plush. Hostess and the Serving Staff were all super friendly, helpful, attentive, and quick to respond. Hookah was pretty good (they had Ice Hose too), and the Food was delicious. Drinks are non-alcoholic, so be prepared. We also got to Belly Dancing as a Bonus..!! It was Friday Night, so not sure what is the deal on other days.

Checked out this hookah lounge on a late Saturday night with my cousins. The service was absolutely phenomenal. We got there around 1AM, and saw that they close at 2. The manager who was there that night ensured us that he could keep it open until 3AM for us because we just wanted to sit and chit chat. The decor was beautiful! Loved it. My cousins ordered a few hookahs and said they were good. The concept was different and cool. I didn't try the hookah but they were raving about it. We ordered some cool drinks and iced coffee which was yummy. They also had blankets at the tables if you were feeling a bit cozy.

Beautiful and classy hookah lounge with amazing service. Perfect date night spot. Really good hookah but a little on the pricey side

One of the premium spots on Steinway , maybe the only one :) As you walk in , the ambiance is beautiful , the lounge is one of a kind. It gives you the luxury feel to it , the decor is very comfortable as well. On weekend, they have live belly dancer , it's definitely a Vibe. Hookahs or Shisha as some call it are imported and are different from all others , probably never seen in any other lounge on the Steinway Strip. Ambiance- 10/10 Service - 10/10 Call Button on each table WiFi- Not Sure Parking - Street Reservation needed on the Weekends MUST TRYS - Kunefa and Persian Angels Hookah

The food was amazing as usual but the newly added drinks caught my eye. My favorite was sultan's secret. It's pure luxury where you get to enjoy the Dubai vibes with the dance at night. I never wanna leave that place. And the Shisha was ultimate and mindblowing.

I had the Pawai hookah. It had mango, pineapple, and mint. It was very smooth. I sat in the patio section. The chairs were very comfortable. There's a tv playing music videos. The service was good. You press a button on the table and the waiter comes to you. A very chill, laid back spot. There's no alcohol here. Only tea, coffee, mocktails, and fresh juices. There's appetizers and desserts but I didn't eat. They also have a belly dancer here for entertainment.

This would have to be my favorite hookah bar in the area. The decorations make it look more upscale than regular hookah bars but I believe it is worth it. They usually have a belly dancer on the weekends and it ends up being a fun time. The hookah prices are a bit more but the quality makes it worth the money. I will definitely be stopping by again if I'm in the area.

Scam. Prices you see online are not right. $45 for a smoothie?! Hookah was very mediocre. Staff was rude and unhelpful. Horrible experience.

As a Yelp Elite, I was excited to be invited to an Elite Only event at Sands of Persia last week. The staff and the Elite team did an amazing job of creating a great event for all attendees. The night was filled with fresh housemade drinks, fancy desserts, hookah and the unique "surprise" of a talented belly dancer. Alice was a fantastic waitress and definitely kept her cool and kindness during a very busy event. Regarding the food, bev and service, this place delivers on experience. It is beautiful and a stark contrast to the other shisha joints lining the 3 surrounding blocks. It was very female friendly and the perfect spot for a girls night. Its gold and dusty pink accents give this place a luxurious feel. The hookah flavors were unique, even one that was a combination of chai and pan which is so Desi specific that i cannot wait to bring my husband and family who would really enjoy it. During the event, we were offered several drink choices. I ordered a classic mojito but ended up with the passion fruit one. The drink was very sweet and I would have preferred it less so, but it was enjoyable for the event and a good value if you take the size and the effort made into making this drink from scratch into consideration. I saw some others getting tea in elaborate Arabic teapot sets and was very jealous. Looking back, I would have ordered the tea. The dessert served was the chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream. The cake was rich and very tasty. The ice cream was pretty basic and I think a higher quality variety would benefit the restaurant. Valerie the belly dancer is there weekly and incredibly talented. She engaged with guests and was very gracious. I would go back just to see her. As someone who does not really do shisha or like very sweet drinks/desserts I most likely would not return alone or on a date. I think its great for a girls day/event and a wonderful place for those who do not drink and still want a luxe lounge like environment.

This place is a really nice looking place and the hookah was really good but the service was really slow and the prices are ridiculous super over priced for the location I dined at high end places all the time and they don't even have those kinda prices. 1 hookah 3 cocktails and 5 shots and a red bull and my bill was just shy of 800 dollars $773 to be exact this is ridiculous for a spot on Steinway stay clear of this place not worth the money

Want to feel like you are in an oasis, lathered by luxury at the swankiest hookah bar in Astoria? This place embodies all that with cool features such as a bell on the table to notify your waitress for service and a belly dancer who puts on a wonderful performance. The hookah is smooth and even has the frozen cooler handle for a cooling effect (upon request). The desserts are delicious and true to theme/origin. The ambiance is sexy and welcoming with large screen tvs . Please note, this venue does not serve alcohol.

Great ambience. The hookah was great and exotic. Recommend this place for ladies night out

Very nice ambiance for both indoor and outdoor; overall everything tasted great but was very overpriced. Every dessert item even the Afogatto was $17-20. But for the ambiance and taste - 4/5 stars.

Honestly the best hookah I've ever had. This coming from a 20 + year smoker who's had hookah all over the world. Great quality hookah. Waiter told us that their hookahs are customs made from India. Good job guys!

Amazing decor and ambiance . Immediately on the walk in i love the aesthetics . I wish theserved liquor but hopefully that's soon to come. As far as the Ferraro rocher shake i ordered is was so good. The hookah was great and honestly overall i would definitely come here again during the week when it's nots packed

This place is a bit confusing. The decor at first glance is pretty nice and upscale. When you get to you couch, you'll realize that it's a cheap Amazon style couch so not really super comfortable. If you get sat in the corner like us, you'll definitely get forgotten about. Here's the real kicker, if you order any sort of normal drink (we ordered two tequila pineapples), these are considered "customized drinks" and they cost $39.99 each. That's the same price as the hookah itself. I mean, is this Vegas? Lol and to be chilling on Amazon couches while getting ignored, doesn't feel like the drinks should be more than $15 each.

My wife heard about this place so we decided to go I've seen the place in passing plenty of times during the day and TBH the exterior doesn't look inviting at all but I still gave a try once inside I waa pleasantly surprised with the ambiance and decor even though the place us pretty small inside. The staff was super pleasant and helpful and the manager was super cool , the Hookah was a tad bit pricey but understandable But THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL YOU SHOULD BE SELLING TITOS AND SELTZER FOR $30 AND TITOS ESPRESSO MARTINIS FOR $40 ON STEINWAY ST make it make sense I've been dining in some of the most upscale establishments in this city all my life and THEY don't even have prices Like that . This place has to do better with these drink prices if they ever want to see my money again because those prices are outrageous. $400 for Hookah and 6 drinks is wild

My boyfriend and I stopped in around 1 AM on a Saturday night. We've walked past here several times and I previously saw their chocolate shakes on Tik Tok and wanted to try one out. This location made great use of their space. The indoor area (where we were seated) had comfortable couches and a good variety of music. There are also two separate outdoor areas which are great for a more intimate setting for a group/date. The service here was perfect. The tables themselves have a service button which I haven't experienced in many other places. The server was friendly and very attentive. The peach hookah itself was very cheap ($39) for the quality and they were thorough with cleaning it out between coal changes. The Ferrero Rocher Shake ($19) was IMMACULATE. I saw a few tables order the tea and I definitely need to come back and try it. Overall, this is the perfect spot for a chill last stop of the night.

My friends and I went here for the first time and it was to celebrate my birthday. The team members were really helpful and understanding. They kept us posted about the entertainment and hyped us up about the events that is going on. The staff members gave us great recommendations on food, drinks, and hookah. It was worth the experience. I would definitely recommend this place. I would like to give a shoutout to one staff member in particular who definitely helped us to enjoy our time and made the experience worth it. Thank you Brandon!!!!

My friend wanted to have a girls night and suggested hookah. I haven't gone to a business for hookah in awhile so I decided to do some research through social media, mainly tiktok. This place along with another had a lot of traction so I made some reservations to go here after dinner....and let me tell you, we were blown away! The interior was decorated as if I was stepping into a royal palace. The staff were attentive and very kind to both my friend and I; they also have a service button if you needed to catch the attention of the server. They don't offer alcoholic drinks but they do offer tasty tea and dessert in fancy China. As for hookah options there are 3 tiers, we ended up getting the mid tier which we saw most people had. Since it's been awhile of us having gone hookah, we also were guided by the server on what's most popular which we went for. Needless to say, 5/5 experience because the hookah was smooth, tasted delicious, no nausea, or sickness from doing it for 2 hours. Thank you so much for an amazing time, excited to be back soon!

Such a great first exotic hookah experience! Brandon the manager was exceptional. He walked us through the whole experience and gave us wonderful recommendations that was actually great. Try the Pawai flavored hookah with a pot of tea. You really get your money s worth at Sands of Persia. I definitely recommend this place!

After hearing all the hype about this new and upcoming place in Astoria, my friends and I decided to make a trip to the area. They are currently reservation only and have limited seating available so if you go make sure to reserve. I've rated each category to accurately depict why I gave this place 3 stars. -Ambience 3/5 -Decor inside 5/5 -Music 5/5 -Drinks 2/5 -Service 4/5 Overall the place is cute but much smaller than what we expected. The outdoor area is kind of shabby and not as nice or what the owner had explained to us over the phone. The indoor area where we were seated is cute but their floor plan was a bit weird. There are tables for two or for a group. If you come with a group of 3, the third person will have to sit awkwardly on a cushioned stool which was is not the most comfortable if you are planning on spending a couple of hours there. It's a cute spot with great music for a date or girls night out but just keep in mind that it's not a cheap place. It's quite expensive for the area and for average quality drinks. ( I'm referring to the milkshakes as we didn't try the cocktails here). You can get an equal or greater quality hookah and milkshakes in the area. My friends and I ordered the Toblerone and Lindt milkshakes. They look beautiful and just like the photos they have on their website, but tasted like an average hot chocolate mix in a fancy cup which they charged $19 for.... That was a huge disappointment! We decided not to smoke the hookah after reading the fine print. The hookahs looked really cool but were way too overpriced for the area. Make sure you read the fine print before going to this place. There is a minimum each table is required to spend on weekends. This was off putting but I do appreciate the owner and our server apologizing and explaining the minimum requirements for indoor seating on the weekends. Overall, this is not a place I'll make the trek for again. There are plenty of other great hookah spots in the area and around the city!

They had great tea, great hookah, and great vibes! Brandon walked us through the whole menu it was our first time there and gave us amazing recommendations based on what we told him We liked! We went with the black mint tea, mousse cake, and Pawai hookah flavor and none of it was a let down. Highly recommend to anyone who's thinking of going!

Honestly, I came here with friends tonight with high hopes since this place has been so hyped up on social media. Sands of Persia is nice for the aesthetic and Instagram photos however, as a hookah spot in Astoria I would recommend else where. First, we had to have our hookah change three times. When we got it, it was already super harsh and each time it came out harsher until it was changed for the final time. We ordered the Special Butterfly Lemonade which was okay- it tasted like Pepsi and lemonade and not worth the price especially for a mocktail. The desserts were also okay- the lava cake would've been better without the cherry or strawberry syrup they drizzled on it. Overall, it's a place you can experience for the pictures and aesthetic but understand that's what you are paying for and not quality. It's definitely not a place you'll come back on a regular. There are better hookah places in Steinway.

Great vibes for a higher end hookah lounge with great flavors and super tasty appetizers. Every table has a button that you can press when you want to order something and the server will come to you! Originally came here for the Turkish sand coffee and we were bummed that you couldn't see it made, but everything was great, although be prepared to pay a premium.

Sands of Persia is beautiful and good for instagram pictures. Their drinks are very delicious and they look beautiful. They have good customer service. Hookahs are exotic looking and expansive but it was not that good compare to the price.They do charge extra if more than 2 people share 1 hookah and has 2 hours limit for per table, so the policies were weird for me. Never heard this kind of policy anywhere. This place is good for one time visit.

This place is a joke. Called for a group to see if there was space and on the phone they said yes. After we get there the guy says theres only a bs vip table saying its 45$ per person for hookah or a 500$ minimum because i said 3/9 people don't smoke in our group. Just went down the street and there were plenty of better places don't waste your time going here.

Beautiful place. 10/10 hookah flavors. Didn't try their food however, the fact that they charge a person for trying someone's hookah I think is ridiculous. Had to order a hookah for 3 people for $100 because they took a hit and they're not even smokers. I'll stick to Mera that's located in Brooklyn.

The owner kept flirting with me even though I told him I have a boyfriend, he said his current girlfriend is a horrible woman and he can't stand her. He said he wants to get rid of her and date a latina because they understand men better, I just came to eat some Persian food and was harassed throughout my meal, which came out cold by the way. If you don't want the owner hitting on your female companion or if your a single woman and don't want to get harassed by the owner Abhinav Malhotra, then do not eat here I do not recommend this restaurant due to the lack of respect for women the owner has. Besides the rude interaction the food was cold and it didn't taste authentic at all, I think they have non Persian chefs by the taste of things.

Wow! I found this place on instagram and at first looking for parking took a while. But it was sooo worth it. My cousin and I arrived at 8:40 and were greeted by our host Zoe. She was so nice and her energy was amazing. She gave us a tour and we decided to sit in the patio area. It was so beautiful and filled with flowers coming down the wall and over our heads. We were then greeted by our server, Brandon West. Again, my goodness energy was 10. Brandon West or B West lol gave us great hookah suggestions and recommended the best selection based on our preference. We had the Persian Turf with a ice hose. The hookah was soooo smooth and omgg when I tell you quality. The food was so good. I had the sweet chilli wings with masala fries. I had a butterfly lemonade it was the way I like, not too sweet. The man that changes the coal Ray again great energy so friendly and nice. There was another server Moe again energy was amazing they ran out of containers, and he went to another store to get me one. The running trend in this review is energy. All the staff were friendly they went above and beyond and this place man will see all fruits of their success because how they treat you. I can't wait to return and the drinks were mocktails but the license is coming at the end of the month so it's lit!!! Regardless, the vibes were so good that the alcohol didn't even matter. We had so much fun and we'll be back.

Very very nice establishment. The staff is extremely attentive and friendly. I love the decor , I also love the music video's they were playing . The vibes are good here , very cool and sexy . The hookah was the smoothest . I was very impressed with have smooth and light the hookah was . Just an all over beautiful place . I love this place . Will be back for sure .

This place is beautiful and great. They hookah is the best and smooth. Definitely a place to go and be with friends. Brandon the manager is the wonderful and pleasant, everyone is super friendly and nice. Appetizer was delicious. Live music and video of everything about Dubai. #Sands of Persia the spot to be.

Cozy spot with beautiful decor and super friendly staff!! I would highly recommend. I went during a raffle and won the grand prize of a Samsung TV!

First time and definitely won't be the last! Great atmosphere, hookah, tea and coffee, and service overall. Haven't tried the food but they have a lot to offer, you should definitely come and they'll take care of you here!

Loved the interior, and their hookahs are great. They staff's also super nice and were very accommodating. My friend and I enjoyed our time here and will definitely be back!

This was my first time at a hookah lounge and it was such an amazing experience. The atmosphere, ambience and even the hookahs were so pretty. This place is so adorable and everything is very nicely decorated. The owner Alia is such a beautiful person and amazing to talk too. Everyone was very respectful. If you go to New York I recommend checking it out. You have to try the desert it's delicious!!! I was a bit skeptical about going to a hookah lounge being a Pakistani girl but it was such a beautiful and clean atmosphere felt so comfortable didn't leave until midnight.

Amazing place for Hookah. Best hookah in New York I ever have tried before. Good vibes, great atmosphere and nice music. You should definitely taste the Arabic tea there. Recommend this place to everyone

My wife found this place from social media. This is truly the epitome of don't judge a book by its cover. The outside looked very "regular", but once we went inside it was a whole new world. The decor is luxurious, and the music is amazing. The manager, Brandon, was the best host ever. We felt like we were guests at his home rather than patrons. The Shishas we ordered were great and that night we were treated to a belly dance performance that was just as great. Can't say enough about this place.

I had an amazing surprise birthday party. The hookah is fantastic. Special selections and best hookah I had! Also the belly dancers are gorgeous, everyone had fun time dancing. The atmosphere and DJ music made me feel like I am in Dubai at one moment. The hosts and hospitality here is the best! Will come back again! Strongly recommend!!

I've been to a lot of hookah lounges but this spot has the. BEST. hookah. It doesn't matter what flavor I get I end up liking it. It's that good. Super smooth hookah and it will take a long while before you need a refill. The new manager Brandon, is AMAZING! He is so attentive and kind and we were treated really, really well. You can tell that he cares about the people that visit Sands. Brandon truly made our experience an exceptional one. Great place to hangout, chill or go out on a date. Highly recommended this place.