Updating my review after giving Aba a second chance about nine months later. I'm honestly really glad I came back. This time we went in knowing exactly what we liked from our first visit and focused on sharing appetizers, which ended up being the move. We ordered several dishes for the table and left completely full and happy. The whipped feta is still a must-order and every bit as good as I remembered. The Greek village salad was fresh and delicious, and the hummus was also great. The biggest surprise for me was the falafel. As an Arab, I'm usually pretty skeptical when restaurants outside of Middle Eastern spots serve falafel because it rarely lives up to expectations. Aba absolutely nailed it. It was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and one of my favorite dishes of the meal. We sat outside this time, which made for a really nice atmosphere. The service was also a huge improvement from my first experience. Even though the restaurant was busy, our waitress was incredibly kind, attentive, and made us feel well taken care of throughout the meal. I'm happy to say my opinion has completely changed since my first visit. Giving Aba another chance was definitely worth it, and it has officially earned a spot on my Austin rotation whenever I'm in town. read more

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4/5 Stars Overall, we had a great experience at Aba. The atmosphere is beautiful and makes for a great night out. The beef tenderloin kebab and steak frites were both excellent, and the whipped feta was easily our favorite dish--definitely a must-order. My only complaint is that some of the portions felt small for the price. The Greek Village Salad wasn't worth it in my opinion; for about $20, it was mostly large chunks of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and feta. Parking on South Congress can also be a bit of a hassle. Overall, the food and ambiance were great. I'd come back, but I wouldn't be rushing to do so. read more

I went for a bachelorette so we had a pre selected menu, but honestly I wouldn't have orders any differently. For apps we had the whipped feta, hummus and charred eggplant. Then we the Greek village Salad and brussel sprouts. Then dinner was grilled chicken and Moroccan spiced short rib. Everything was delicious. I couldn't stop eating lol. To drink I got the passiflora and it was good!! I wish I had one of these in Pittsburgh. It was so good!! read more

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First time at Aba tonight with my wife and two daughters. Here are some thoughts: -We all like Mediterranean food, but we were all impressed with Aba! -We ordered hummus and whipped feta for our appetizer. The hummus was the only thing on the table I didn't try. Whipped feta was amazing! -Side note: the house bread was worth the price of admission... absolutely delish! -My wife and I shared chicken kabobs and the house made stracciatella. My daughters shared chicken kabobs and brussel sprouts. -First, the kabobs were very good, highlight was the pesto sauce--Out. Of. This. World. -Second, the stracciatella was good, unusual dish for me, but delightful. -We all agreed that the brussel sprouts were the star of the show, rich flavor, a meal all by itself! This is a must try when you're in Austin. Highly recommended!! read more

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Can i give this six stars?! Aba is incredible! The atmosphere alone is worth the visit. The lush plants, ambient lighting, beautiful patio seating, and garage doors that open between the bar and patio create a space that feels both vibrant and relaxing. It feels like a perfect place to hang out and stay a while. And then there's the food. The whipped feta appetizer was incredible, and they thoughtfully accommodated my gluten-free request with lavosh-style crackers. The pistachio-crusted halibut was one of the best meals I've ever eaten- perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. And the date cake for dessert was the perfect ending: rich, balanced, and just the right amount of sweet. The service was friendly, attentive, and outstanding from start to finish. My colleague and I were in Austin for work and couldn't find a same-day reservation, but we were able to grab seats at the bar without any trouble. It ended up being the perfect experience. We took an after dinner stroll up to the bridge to see the bats at dusk. It was a perfect Austin evening! read more

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Had reserved this restaurant a month before visiting Austin. Had chosen this spot after some research for hip, high end restaurants with great food and ambiance. This restaurant was everything I could of asked for. I'm from Los Angeles, and have been to many high end and hip restaurants, this was definitely up there with some of the best restaurants. Food: The lamb chops and Branzino were absolutely delicious, my aloe cocktail was just ok but the old fashion was probably the best I have had. Highly recommend it. The staff was also super nice and very hard working as they tried to te arrange umbrellas for possible rain. Beautiful decor and ambiance. read more

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I booked this spot roughly 1 month in advanced, and I was only able to snag a 7:15pm reservation (even as a solo diner). Music Lane is a beautiful area with corridors bustling with fresh air, which greatly contrasts the area not too far south of it. Aba lies within these corridors, so I was completely gobsmacked to see the size of the establishment and its number of seating. There are outdoor tables, a dedicated bar section, a decently large interior, and patio and sofa seats for the people waiting. Even then, the place was completely packed, so getting a reservation is an absolute must. Not only are the prices completely reasonable, the food itself had everything that I was looking for: a delicious spread starter, a balanced fiber dish, and an entree with intentional flavors and texture. The Short Rib Hummus is a must get! It is incredibly filling and completely worth the price. The short rib was a nice meat protein since I opted for a seafood main, and the pita bread that it came with was lightly seasoned and was as fluffy as it could possibly be. I could not eat much of my Brussel Sprouts because it was also very large. However it was not too oily or drenched, and each bite had a perfect light crunch, which is the standard for Fried Brussels Sprouts. Top it all off, the Grilled Branzino was the finisher to my savory dishes. The grill gave the fish a roasted flavor, which was complimented by the sweetness from the corn purée. The various greens, roasted tomatoes, and corn pieces themselves added bites of textures and secondary bursts of flavor. I can see why it took a month in advanced to book a decent time at Aba Austin. The atmosphere was so perfect because the air flows through all the doors and windows, allowing the diners to enjoy fresh oxygen. This place is a must visit, both as an experience and a meal that is WORTH the bill. read more

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We recently visited Aba on a Sunday evening for dinner, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience overall. I absolutely love the vibe of this place--it's definitely a high-end Mediterranean restaurant, perfect for special occasions. What really stood out was how beautifully everyone was dressed; it added to the upscale, elegant atmosphere of the entire space. The restaurant offers both indoor seating and a beautiful outdoor seating area, which really elevates the overall experience. The outdoor space, in particular, adds to the charm and makes it a great spot for a relaxed yet upscale evening. Since reservations weren't available, we decided to arrive early, expecting a long wait. Luckily, being a Sunday evening, it wasn't too crowded, and we were seated within about 20 minutes. For drinks, I ordered a Tender Robot Hazy IPA, while my husband went with the Verdant Mai Tai. I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve canned beer and don't offer draft options, as I personally prefer draft beer and am not a big fan of cocktails, which tend to be too sweet for my taste. For the main course, I had the Heirloom Chicken Thighs, and my husband ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Both dishes were cooked to perfection--flavorful, well-seasoned, and the meat was incredibly tender. That said, the portion sizes felt a bit small considering the price point. We ended the meal with the Sticky Date Cake, and it was hands down the best I've ever had--rich, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. Overall, we had a great experience. Between the beautiful ambiance, flavorful food, and exceptional service, it's a place I'd definitely return to. I'm giving it 4 stars mainly because of the lack of draft beer and the smaller portion sizes for the price, but it's still a fantastic spot worth visiting. read more

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Aba - yes!! We so lucked out in finding this place and getting a reservation! The ambience is adorable! Super vibey, modern, and beautiful indoors and outdoors. The service was awesome. Staff was super friendly, server explained everything well, didn't rush us, and was very helpful! The food is amazing here. We loved our kebabs and appetizers. Wine and drinks are good here. It's definitely pricey, but if you come in knowing that... then it's a fabulous experience. They change the menu seasonally to keep things fresh. When in town, we would def come back! read more

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Came here because this place was recommended by a friend!!! honestly, such an elegant, beautiful vibe!!! it's very much giving me Joey restaurant ! Service was great, although we had hiccups at the beginning because of the seating. Food was amazing. I would definitely come back for the food.!!! read more

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Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Aba transported us to a different world from everything to the ambience, the lighting, the service, the workers and the food! Once we were dropped off we went down this walkway and noticed a bar area to the right. I thought that was a separate bar area but turned out to be a section of the restaurant. I looked to my left and there was a path with people sitting down the path. Basically this place was huge and turns out there are three separate bar areas you can find seating in and there are two to three huge main dinning areas inside & out. The whole vibe is like a jungle/forest vibe and the low lighting was perfect. The ONLY thing that could have made it perfect was a better selection of music. I would have never left. We ended up finding two seats at one of the bars in the patio area and our waitress was amazing! She gave us advice on a few items and even gave us one of her favorite desserts on the house. We decided to start out with the brisket hummus (amazing!), the jumbo crab cakes ( so good), and the grilled salmon (cooked to perfection). I also got a Mediterranean Mule and had her add passion fruit. Lastly, we had a date cake that was out of this world! I couldn't even explain it but it did have some sort of crème brûlée taste to it and I LOVE crème brûlée. Our waitress made the experience that much better, conversing with us and just having a good time. I wish I remembered her name to give her a huge shout out but she does work in the bar area. As mentioned, the dessert she let us try was the frozen yogurt drizzled with honey (it was the least favorite out of everything). Overall, I highly recommend checking out Aba and it's one of my top restaurants on the list. You will not be disappointed! I would recommend sitting in the patio area with the forest them. Truly an awesome experience. OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros read more

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This restaurant is absolutely worth the hype and a must-try if you're looking for a fantastic culinary experience. We made a reservation day-of (which honestly worked out perfectly, but in the future I'd try to have more forethought because it was a rather late lunch). Restaurant was absolutely gorgeous and we were immediately seated upon arrival. Our waitress was sweet and friendly. Our toddler had a moment when he started wandering around chasing birds and the staff was kind and non-judgmental. Star of the show was hands down the food. We ordered the whipped feta (3/5), the short rib hummus (5/5), the chicken thighs (5/5), and the pork belly (5/5). Everything was delicious, but the whipped feta, while good, was not as otherworldly and unique as everything else. Next time I'd hope to try the stracciatella instead. read more

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So excited to get yo work in Austin again as it means to get to eat in Aba which is just always exceptional! Enjoyed a mini reunion on the delightful back patio on this pretty spring day, shaded by a huge tree, it's a pretty spot in this city Service was exceptional thoughout ! We had to wait on a guest and they were patient with us as we enjoyed their always great classic hummus and delicious warm pita which they happily top up! Enjoyed some refreshing cocktails and I tried 2 of their dishes which I loved! The tuna tartare which was fresh with the right amount of heat and the cucumber dish which also lacked some heat and made me inspired to eat more cucumbers if I can replicate this dish! Cannot wait to be back - this is an Austin must try!! read more

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Aba never misses! The ambiance and service are always top-tier. We beat the Friday rush by coming around 3 PM and got seated right away (it started getting busy around 4). The short rib hummus and yellowtail were both DELISH, the yellowtail is on the lighter side but the flavor is so great I could eat it as a main meal. Great quality all around. Highly recommend and then walking down Soco after :) read more

Aba - Crispy Short Rib Hummus Yellowtail* - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

We had reservations here this evening and it was outstanding. Such a cool little spot. Great ambiance and service. The food was all delicious! I will say the spacing of our food was a little odd...our sides (Brussels and crispy potatoes) came out probably 10 mins before our mains, so we couldn't enjoy all of it together. Either way, great experience overall! read more

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Love it! I've been a few times.. even on my birthday! And they offerred a free frozen treat with a dandle :) The spot is so beautiful and immersive on South Congress, tucked into a walkway between buildings. There's greenery everywhere, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and the covered patio gives it a slightly European feel. The lighting is soft and diffused, which makes the whole space feel a bit transportive. The menu pulls from a mix of Mediterranean influences like Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece, so there's a lot of flavor going on. The hummus is a standout. Super creamy, really well seasoned, and honestly one of those dishes you keep going back to. It's a great place to share a few things and try different flavors. read more

Aba - Brussies!!!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Aba has easily become one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. A special shoutout to our server, Michael, who was incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. He took the time to answer our questions, offered great recommendations, and checked in throughout the meal without ever being intrusive. The food is absolutely outstanding everything came fresh and fast. The hummus was some of the best I've ever had! read more

This is one of the few places in town where I know I'm guaranteed to have an amazing experience. There are no misses on the menu, everything is pretty much assured to be absolutely delicious. There's really nothing to complain about, the patio and interior are stunning and transport you out of south congress. Service has always been prompt and good, they always refill the pita when you're running low. My personal favorites are the steak frites and the eggplant dip, seriously SO good. Everytime I come here I look forward to the next time I can go again read more

Wow! Just wow! Everything about this was amazing! Our server was friendly and knowledgeable! The food was OUTSTANDING! We just shared a few apps! The presentation was beautiful too. The restaurant is gorgeous! I can't wait to go again on my next visit! read more

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Will definitely be back! Love the vibe, drinks, food, and service! This place was recommended by a friend and I'm so glad we listened! We loved the whipped feta, garlic humus, and beef kefta. read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Great value if you come with a group and share a bunch of dishes. Service is pretty fast even when they're busy. Beautiful restaurant with gorgeous indoor and outdoor seating. The pita was seasoned and flavorful. The muhammara was more tomato and chili forward that walnut and date syrup forward like I prefer, but still yummy. The chicken skewers were good, but the ribeye was much better. The rice and sauces were so flavorful. The only thing I'd skip was the brussels and apple salad. It was good but there's probably better thing on the menu. read more

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Best meal I had while visiting Austin! The lamb chops were so tender and not gamey at all, and my friends also thoroughly enjoyed their steak frites, kebabs, and hummus and feta dips. The cocktails were also delicious. The interior is dim and romantic, perfect for a date night or a fun girls' night! The outdoor seating is also beautiful, but it was cooler (temp-wise) inside so we opted for that. Would definitely recommend! read more

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I came here for a work event and so got to sample a lot of food. Appetizers: - Of the dips, the eggplant was my favorite, then the hummus, then whipped feta - the crab cakes were good and on the slightly lighter side; not a must get but I could eat 2 of these because it wasn't so rich Mains: - the braised beef with polenta was my favorite entree. Tender beef with flavorful polenta dotted with seeds and glaze - Brussel sprouts were amazing and the crispy potatoes were good too but slightly less good. I'd still order both again. - grilled salmon was not overcooked but barely seasoned - grilled chicken was too dry, skip The date cake and chocolate cake weren't bad but not necessarily worth getting either. I was intrigued more by the Greek froyo. I also tried the mocktail green juice which was tart and tasty. I also had a glass of zinot(?) Something that tasted similar to a zinfandel. read more

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Always a rock solid choice. You could a corporate dinner, have a date night or vibe at the bar. This is a staple for me. Predictable and consistent service and food. read more

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The food lives up to the hype. Great plant vibe and phenomenal food. Can't go wrong here at all! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

have been here multiple times and will continue to come back, although I tried to avoid the patio during daytime because of birds! Patio is beautiful but they have snatched food off my table lol, inside also has a great look and bathrooms are always clean. menu is amazing, the whipped feta is something I now don't order other places because I know it will not measure up to this one! pro tip, always get crudité, too. every waiter is top notch and bartenders are very accommodating if you have questions. service is read more

We have been trying to get a reservation for one our trips to Austin and we finally made it work! We made reservations a month or two in advance. We were able to find street parking so that ran $4 for 2 hours compared to $30ish for the garage. We ordered the garlic humus and it was so good! It is served warm. We tried salmon and chicken kabobs and both were really good. We also enjoyed steak frites and a side of crispy potatoes. All of the food was great! Our server was so nice and attentive. The atmosphere is so cute! We sat inside and had water dripping on us so that was the only downside. But we will be back! read more

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Upon walking in you are transported to a different place. The decor is fun and gives a little whimsy with the greenery and lighting. There are so many different seating areas to choose from. We came here for a birthday and were welcomed in and treated with kindness. Our waiter was great and super friendly. The food was wonderful! This is definitely a shared plate situation which is great to try different things. My absolute favorite dish was the short rib hummus. I was impressed by the flavor and the tenderness of the meat. This is a must get dish for me! We also got the chilled cucumbers which was a perfect palette cleanser between dishes. We ended with the lamb kefta which was really good and a great homemade tzatziki. Since it was my husbands birthday the waiter ended with a birthday surprise of a sticky date cake--I wouldn't have thought to order this but would recommend it --it was so good! The cake was flavorful and sweet but more on the mild side. A really great ending to an amazing meal! read more

Aba - Crispy Short Rib Hummus* - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The ambience felt very fun. Loud music, lively diners/drinkers and I loved the decor and plants throughout. I was in town for a conference and was the last one in Austin so I found a spot at one of the three bars and dined there. I ordered the classic hummus as well as the chicken thigh dish. To drink, I enjoyed the "Aloe? It's Me." cocktail which was very tasty and refreshing. I judge a mediterranean restaurant by their hummus and this place did not disappoint. It was absolutely perfect, I could have eaten it all in one sitting but I stopped to save room for my entree. The chicken melted in my mouth. It had a perfectly juicy bite with a nice char on the outside and the entire dish was delicious. Every ingredient was so thoughtfully included to make it this tasty meal. The service was quick despite how busy they were. My water was filled right before it was fully empty which I appreciated after a long day at a conference and they were very friendly. I will absolutely recommend this place and try to dine here again the next time I'm in town. read more

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This place was incredible. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the space was huuuge. We ordered the short rib hummus, muhamarra, prime skirt steak frites, and the truffle baked orzo. Everything was honestly cooked to perfection. My favorite was the muhamarra spread. The flavors blended in so perfectly with the cashews(?) in the dish. The dish has a little bit acidity to it so it created a bit of a tangy taste which I personally felt like did well. The short rib hummus was so hearty. I personally didn't care as much for the short rib. The hummus stole the show for me. The steak frites were cooked so nicely. I felt like they used Mediterranean spices to cook the steak and so it felt different than other steaks I've had. Lastly, the orzo was incredible. My friend usually doesn't like truffle but for this dish - the truffle did not feel overpowering at all. I will be dreaming about the muhammara spread! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Chicken Shawarma, Chilled Cucumbers, Hummus.. This place a great!! Worth coming here if anyone has not tried this spot yet. 5 Stars! Cocktails here are on point as well if u would like one!! This place is great. There is a lot of outdoor seating, a bar, and heat lamps when needed. The indoor dining area is welcoming, beautiful and warm. Cheers! read more

Aba - Hummus and Chilled Cucumbers - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Wow, the decor in this restaurant is just stunning and beautiful, colorful, , romantic,relaxing and playful. Services top notch servers are very knowledgeable, engaging and helpful. Allowing you to sample a wine before choosing. From the appetizers to the main courses all are unique, beautiful flavorful, and delicious . you feel like you're sitting in a restaurant in Greece. Hope you get to enjoy. read more

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Dang, this place is hard to get into. Over a month wait to get in on a weekend when making reservations via open table. The day finally arrived; backed my car in on Congress and headed in for brunch. GF and I dining; tried to keep it around a $100 experience. No brunch drank for me I guess. But, I had had a few beers in the AM so I didn't need it. Cute space; Top Chef cred behind the menu. We obviously wanted to try a hummus. But my push for the eggplant spread was strong. The short rib hummus proved nice bites. But, it paled in comparison to the smoky eggplant spread. GF who didn't even want to order it exclaimed best dish of the visit. House bread comes with near everything. Perfect vessel for every appetizer tried. I should have ordered another spread! My kefta and eggs was fine; I do love me some tzatziki. Not that I get too often. Perhaps, the lamb/beef mixture bit dry. Eggs cooked to order.Rice was flavorful. Her khachapuri was the better dish. Snacked on the bread bowl until we left. Mixture of baked egg, mushrooms, and cheese will be my go to dish when we return for a visit. read more

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This was my second time at ABA and this time I brought the whole company! The food and service were both amazing, and they were very accommodating to multiple dietary restrictions for our group which was extremely appreciated! My favorite will always be the whipped feta and the sticky date cake, but everything else was amazing as well! read more

Just wanted to write a little update to say that we had the most amazing service thanks to Jennifer! She told us all about Ima in Chicago, which is also opening up a location in Austin hopefully soon! Outdoors ambiance continues to be stunning, as does the food. From the current menu, I would recommend the straciatella, mushroom kebabs, and sticky toffee date cake as the all star standouts. read more

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Ambiance: 5/5: they have a great ambiance. The outdoor seating area is so pretty. Service: 5/5: Our server was friendly and checked in at the right times. Food: 5/5: We ordered an appetizer and the chicken kebab. Both were so flavorful. We did not order drinks, but definitely will next time. This place is great for date night. read more

Aba - Grilled Chicken Kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Literally my only complaint is that they don't serve the sampler on weeekends! My BIL and sister brought us here for an afternoon "snack" and it was perfect. They have so many amazing dips to choose from and I wanted to try all of them. We opted for the crispy short rib hummus, feta dip, and Muhammara - for four people it was the perfect amount to fill us up and they brought so much bread! The bread was light, warm, and fluffy, I wanted to just eat that. But when I tell you I wanted a sampler - literally everything on the menu looked good. We got a couple cocktails as well which all fit the vibe super well. Light, airy, and great flavor. Such a cool spot in a really unique area, I can see why my family loves it! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Aba is a beautiful restaurant with a modern and quaint vibe. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, and we chose to sit outside. It was very cozy and the temperature was perfect. It was a great spot to relax and enjoy the evening. The service was very friendly and attentive. We only had drinks and dessert. The menu is somewhat pricey. The frozen yogurt was light and refreshing. The pistachio panna cotta was interesting both the panna cotta and the orange topping were good on their own, but together the combination didn't quite work for me. Paid parking was difficult to find but this was a lovely spot with great ambiance. read more

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I used to really like Aba but Aba's food quality has gone down hill over the years, which shouldn't be the case when there is such a limited menu. 20 bucks for a Greek salad which is just a couple pieces of cucumber, tomatoes, slivers of red onion and a piece of feta. They gave me a piece of rotten heirloom tomato read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

The vibe here is really what it's all about. The food is good and I've been now three times so I do think it's worth it. I just would not say it's the best Mediterranean you can get but the overall package of ambiance, service, food, and drink is what keeps me coming back. My ratings on our food below. Whipped feta - 8/10, This is usually my go to but it was a little over salted this time Crispy short rib hummus - 9/10, really great flavor and short rib is tender and crispy which adds nice texture. A little greasy but we didn't mind Truffle baked orzo - 7/10, good flavor and liked the breadcrumb topping but far too rich from the truffle so we could only have a few bites Lamb and beef kefta - 9/10, first time trying this and I'm glad that we did. Cooked perfectly and the basmati rice flavor is so good read more

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