I apologize for this long awaited review. I was here 3 months ago. I remember they had the best runs tarrare with watermelon. I remember I had a lovely meal. The name came up because friend were recommending ens, the sister restaurant. I wrote this to remember it was a place I really enjoyed as opposed to a recommendation read more

(G)o- delightful patio style interior with so much natural light and greenery, and fantastic sharing style Mediterranean menu. (W)ow - It's a classic brunch spot and people dress to the 9s for extra indulgence. I went for a birthday event and the servers were so thoughtful - they stored and served the cake we brought, offered complimentary frozen yogurt with a candle, and took pictures of the moment. (A)ge - lots of girls and couples on brunch dates (M)enu - The crispy short rib hummus is a masterful combination of juicy fatty short rib with gently toasted pita bread and a whisper of hummus spread lightly on top. The ceviche is fresh and citrus-y, a welcome and crunchy palate cleanser from all the dips - crunchy from the tortilla chips on the side. The brussel sprouts are roasted with cumin and covered with toasted sesame seeds - delightful and a great way to get some fiber in. The stracciatella cheese had lovely texture and chewiness - like milk on a cloud. Amazing dishes, can't recommend enough! read more

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Aba is one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago. On this particular night the service wasn't my favorite, my waiter ignored me quite a bit. However, this typically isn't the case. I came here by myself and the overall hospitality I received from the host more than made up for my waiter. I ordered a few things and enjoyed the ambiance of this beautifully designed restaurant. There's an outside under heated tents that would be beautiful if the weather is nice. The chicken skewer was good and the Brussel sprouts were delicious. I'll be back at aba because the food is good, but hopefully this time my waiter will be having a better day. read more

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The food was good, but I was definitely here more for the aesthetics. Who doesn't like seeing trees inside? We didn't have a reservation, but you can either get on the waitlist or sit at 1 of their 2 bars (first come, first serve). Oddly enough, my friend came a couple of minutes before and got on the waitlist, but they told me the only option was the bar... we ended up sitting at the bar anyways since it opened up first. Some of the food we ate: - Crispy Short Rib Hummus: Good, but the short rib could have been crispier given that's how it's advertised. The pita was really good and it would had made sense to get 2 pieces given how much hummus there was. - Crispy Chicken Thighs: Chicken was tender and I like the flavors. - Brussels Sprouts: This was probably my favorite out of everything we ordered. It was crispy and the I loved the sweet, salty, umami flavors of this. - Truffle Baked Orzo: I could barely taste the truffle and there was too much breadcrumbs Overall, beautiful restaurant and food is decent. I wouldn't come here just for the food though. It's also on the pricier side since you're probably paying for ambience too. read more

The short ribs were perfectly cooked and full of flavor, easily the highlight of the meal. The drinks were creative and well-balanced, making it a perfect spot for a date night. I really enjoyed the atmosphere--chic yet welcoming--and sitting at the bar made it even better with the lively vibe and great service. Definitely a place I'd come back to for both the food and the ambiance. read more

I have to say the food overall was good. The vibe was on the louder side; the music was turned up and more like a club feel. The prices were on the high side imo, but probably in line with other restaurants in the area. The service was excellent. read more

Aba has been on my list for quite sometime now. The ambiance was so aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. The service was super great. If you ever visit Aba do ask for Juju (I hope I got her spelling right), she will take very good care of you and your guests. Now, the most important part is the food- we had the Muhammara, Whipped Feta, Smoky Garlic Hummus and Green Falafel, all this came with unlimited Pita Bread. The food was so delicious. We also had some cocktails - but they were very subpar. Overall it was a great experience! read more

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Amazing food. I highly recommend all of the hummus plates and didn't really have any dishes that we were not satisfied with. Service was a bit slower given a beautiful Thursday evening in the summer. I will come back in the future for happy hour. read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I used to love this place but our latest experience was super off. The food is wildly overpriced for what was pretty meh food. Apart from the raw fish, our dishes didn't feel too different from a fast food mediterranean spot. The hummus doused in chili oil The kebabs DRYYYY The rice plain and salty All the sauces were very one-note The service was horrible. Folks were friendly but VERY unattentive. Overall disappointing, since my memory of this place is usually delicious. I felt so bad to have brought my guests here, since I talked it up so much and we all left pretty disappointed read more

Absolutely loved this location. As soon as you arrive at restaurant, the dim light and greenery is beautiful. Upon sitting, the wait staff we had was attentive to our needs and would regularly check in. They also provided us with amazing recommendations. The best part of it all was as someone who has food allergies, I immediately thanked and loved the process they have to triple check what was ordered was not cross contaminated and had to get the verifications from the chef that it was good to go. I've already raved about this place to coworkers and people close to means would 100% come back here. read more

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The inside of this restaurant is so beautiful! I felt like I was on a tropical vacation not in the middle of the city. We had a bigger party so we made reservations in advance and only waited a few minutes to be sat. Our server was great, he took our orders right away and was consistently checking in on us. The food is all shareble so it comes out at different times which made it a little confusing towards the end when we had a few things missing and didn't necessarily know who it belonged to, my dish being the very last one served. Even though I waited quite a bit, the food was delicious! read more

Aba - Inside - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Everyone and their mothers were hyping up Aba being the best Mediterranean restaurant when I visited Chicago this time around. Even though it's been open for several years, getting a reservation at a reasonable time is still pretty difficult. I was here with five others last Sunday for dinner. Even though the reservation was made over a month in advance, we were only able to snag the 4:15 PM slot. Wanted to make the note -- the complementary pita bread was absolutely phenomenal. It was so soft and fluffy and well seasoned. Very yummy and definitely ask for more! CRISPY SHORT RIB HUMMUS - 18.95 This came with a large pita that I thought was fluffier and tastier than the complementary pita bread. The hummus was super smooth and the beef jus on top gave it more of a "mashed potatoes" appearance. This hummus has got to be the best thing we got the entire dinner. It was so creamy and flavorful, and the shredded and tender beef mixed with sherry was a wonderful combination. I would highly recommend. MUHAMMARA - 15.95 This dip was slightly spicy due to the roasted pepper and isot chili. The walnuts gave it a nutty and crunchy flavor that was great. The pomegranate molasses made it a bit sweet, so it was sweet and spicy. Delicious dip that all of us enjoyed, we'd definitely recommend. BRUSSELS SPROUTS - 14.95 Crispy and crunchy without being too oily. These were topped with nuts and some harissa honey which added more to the flavor. They're not too crunchy on its own, but the nuts help. This was good but nothing mind-blowing. GREEN CHILI SHRIMP - 18.95 Each order comes with 6 jumbo shrimps inside an escargot plate and topped with garlic, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. Pretty good toppings, and the shrimp was juicy. We liked it, but it's a bit pricy for sure. PORK BELLY - 24.95 Each order comes with two small strips of pork belly and decorated with some nectarine and drizzled in vinaigrette. The nectarine was pretty sweet and enhanced the flavor of the pork. One of our pork belly was super fatty and the other was pretty lean. I ate a bite from the lean pork belly and it was OK. I want to bet that the fatty one was a lot tastier and denser in flavor. PRIME SHORT RIB KALBI - 33.95 These were charred pretty well and had a sweet flavor, but expensive for one and half pieces of kalbi. I think we each got one small bite and tendon from the bone. Flavor was great, but I don't think it's worth the price point. The ambiance and interior is beautiful. The bathroom was fancy. Service was also speedy and helpful with recommendations. Aba was definitely the best meal I had during this trip! Their dips are a must and what they're known for. The pork belly and kalbi was good, too, but too expensive for the portion size. This 5/5 review is definitely for the dips. read more

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Wow! Just wow! One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. From the moment you come off the elevator, you're greeted warmly by the reception staff. You're glided through the beautiful ambiance to you table and immediately offered water and provided menus. The hummus, the mains, and sides are all delicious! The star of the show for me was the short rib hummus and smoky garlic hummus! Everything I tasted was delicious! Items Tried - short rib hummus 10/10 - smoky garlic hummus 10/10 - black garlic scampi 6/10 - crispy potatoes 7/10 - steak frites 8/10 read more

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I've been to Aba multiple times and have always had great experiences, which is why this last visit was so disappointing. From the start, our waitress was wearing sunglasses while serving us, which felt unprofessional and honestly a bit disrespectful. Later on, she wasn't wearing them anymore, which made it even more confusing why she had them on in the first place. We both ordered entrées -- I had the short rib and my friend ordered the kebabs -- but my food came out about 20 minutes before hers. By the time her meal arrived, mine was completely cold, which is frustrating considering how expensive the dishes are. Throughout the meal, our waitress was nowhere to be found. We had to keep looking around just to get any help. When we finally asked for the check, she told us to use a QR code instead of bringing it herself. I explained I wanted to use my Lettuce Entertain You rewards, and while she said I could do it through the QR code, it just felt like she didn't want to provide any actual service. To be honest, she didn't do much beyond taking our order. Food runners brought out both meals (at completely different times), someone else brought my tea, and she never checked on us or handled the bill. It made me question why gratuity was even expected in this situation. Really disappointing experience, especially because I've always enjoyed Aba in the past. I hope this was just a one-off. read more

I had the whipped feta spread, some hummus, the short ribs, and some desserts. Everything was delicious, but the whipped feta was my favorite; I would totally come back just for that! The restaurant itself is just stunning and very suitable for brunch!! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Without going into detail about the food (I had been pampered with food and wine all week and this was our last stop, so by now, I just don't remember details of the food), I can say that this is a definite come-backer. Friends went ahead and ordered while I was in the bathroom so I don't even remember all the names of the dishes. I do have all the pictures, and they were ALL good! But regardless of how the food tasted, I'd come back just for the vibes and atmosphere here. It was absolutely beautiful here and I was happy just being inside and hanging out! I feel like I got a gorgeous picture just walking to the bathroom. Service matched the vibes and I just have nothing to complain about here. It would be lovely to come back for a date night. read more

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My friend and I visited Aba after a long time. This Mediterranean spot is stylish with a lounge-style rooftop. We managed to get a last-minute reservation, which is rare. Some friends joined us unexpectedly, and the staff was kind enough to move us to a larger table. Luckily, we got a spot on the outdoor rooftop, and the view was amazing. We ordered falafel, crispy potatoes, and chicken kefta. The portion sizes were small, but the taste was excellent. For drinks, I absolutely loved the Aloe, It's Me, a mezcal-based cocktail. My friends tried the espresso martini and passion fruit G&T, but Aloe, It's Me was the clear winner. I highly recommend this place. The service is fast and efficient. read more

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Closer to 3.5. Came here for brunch when we visited Chicago. The interior is beautiful and general ambiance is great. The outdoor patio looked nice, but reservations on the patio were hard to come by. We had high expectations going in, as Aba was recommended by multiple people before our trip. We enjoyed our short rib hummus, but other than that, the food wasn't that impressive. My partner got the short rib shakshuka, which we were super excited about, but it was a lot more watery/liquidy tomato than either of us would have liked. That diluted the flavor & made it bland. The server recommended the frittata, which definitely tasted fresh with the herbs on top, but was nothing special and also on the bland side. Perhaps we ordered the wrong items; if we're ever back, I'd go for one of the kebabs. Our first server didn't seem really warm; he just did the bare minimum to get our order/drink, hence the lower rating. Our server did switch halfway through and the second guy was much more pleasant. read more

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Definitely the highlight of my trip to Chicago. We sat on the rooftop terrace for brunch, and the vibes were immaculate! One warning though-- don't pick the lounge area when making your reservations if you want to property eat. The lounge was def more for chilling and drinking, not for eating. As for the food, however, everything was fantastic. My fav would have to be the smoky garlic hummus and acai bowl-- simply fantastic! The classic hummus, short rib shashuka, and feta were pretty good too. I will definitely be coming back for brunch again or dine next time! read more

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One of my absolutely favorite restaurants in Chicago that is consistently delicious and perfect to bring out of town visitors! The service is top notch and the ambience is gorgeous. They have a large variety of vegetarian options and rotate the menu often depending on the season! I love all the food here but some is my favorites are the cauliflower kebab, halloumi, stracciatella, and muhammara eggplant. The complimentary bread is warm and so delicious with all the dips! They also have delicious cocktails! I got the passion fruit gin and tonic and loved it! Whether it's a date night or a place to bring a large group, this place is absolutely perfect! Just make sure to make a reservation in advance! read more

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Ambience was perfect. Food was good, portions was big and shareable. Service was subpar, hence the 3/5. Forgot many of our orders, didn't get drinks, forgot to give us boxes, was focused on the big table opposed to us. Forgetful and rushed. Uninspired, don't feel the need to return read more

Was able to snatch a reservation for lunch a few weeks ahead of time. Immediately coming into the restaurant, the ambiance was eye popping, so beautiful! The service was quite good, with the only complaint being having to wait a while past our reservation time, but understandable since they were busy. The best dishes of the meal were definitely the hummus, both the garlic and short rib hummus were extremely delicious; I honestly recommend just ordering a bunch of the hummus since the entrees were good but just not as outstanding. Get a reservation ahead of time! read more

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Was seated in the heated patio, loved the atmosphere. Waiter came immediately to take our order and offer any recommendations. The garlic hummus was our absolute favorite!! Both of the chicken entrees were amazing as well. The only reason why I gave 4 instead of 5 was the food taking a while to come and trying to find our waiter between to place another order and request check, could have been a very busy night honestly as well read more

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You must get the hummus here! Came here with three other people for dinner and ordered an assortment of dishes. Everything was pretty good but the hummus was amazing. We ordered two kinds, the smoky garlic and the crispy short rib hummus. Both were really good. I actually kind of wished I had just ordered all the hummus options available and had a hummus tasting. The pita was also some of the best I've had. We also ordered the crispy potatoes, crispy chicken thigh, the lamb & beef kefta and two other dishes I can no longer remember the names of. Everything was tasty but the hummus was definitely the stand out. We also got the frozen Greek yogurt for dessert. I personally do not like Greek yogurt but my dining companions enjoyed it The restaurant was nicely decorated and we sat at a kind of couch/chair combo table. Sitting on the couch, I felt like i sank into the couch a little too much for eating a meal but it was acceptable. read more

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Beauuuutiful restaurant. We went for restaurant week and had a great time. The appetizers were so yummy and were the highlight of the meal. My personal favorite was the miso sweet potato dip. Moscow mules were great, as expected. I got the short rib (not pictured) for my main and it was okay. It was lukewarm when it came out and the flavor didn't stand out. I found that the pairing with the polenta didn't have much texture and it was just soft with soft. However, my carrot cake was the perfect way to end the night. read more

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4.5 stars I've always been a fan of Ema and dined at Aba last year for a private event. When we needed to find a dinner reservation on the eve of the Eve, Aba was a perfect choice. We started out with a round of drinks. I loved that they had a nice selection of nonalcoholic cocktails. The menu was a little overwhelming. I know I wanted the Muhummara, but everything else was up for grabs. I was thrilled our server told us all his favorites. We essentially ordered them all, which were: stracciatella, truffled salmon, steak frites, crispy potatoes, brussel sprouts, green chili shrimp, and cauliflower kebab. It was more than enough food for all of us. So much we had no room for dessert. I've only been here in winter, but I believe they have a beautiful patio. The inside makes you feel like you're outside in a treehouse. A very sleek treehouse with great food and drinks. This place is perfect for a great meal and is a great option for most dietary restrictions. read more

I can't stop thinking about the short rib hummus. Whatever you do, don't miss ordering it. We were instructed the serving sizes are smaller and meant to be shared. We ended up ordering 3 plates which was the perfect amount to share for the two of us. The restaurant decor and vibe were really nice. The service was attentive and they were well educated on allergens which is always a plus. If we are ever back in Chicago this will definitely be one of our stops! read more

Aba - Crispy Short Rib Hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Located on the 3rd floor. The restaurant is so beautiful inside. So many plants and great interior design. The server was very helpful in what to order. I would love to come back to this restaurant if I'm ever in Chicago again. Short rib hummus: 5/5 stars. This appetizer was so good. I would definitely order again. The meat has such good flavor. Beef & Lamb kefta kebab: 5/5 stars. It had a good char on it. The flavor was amazing. It was fresh and great quality. Chicken kefta kebab: 4/5 stars. It was so good but the beef & lamb was my favorite. The lemon sauce they add to the chicken is so good. read more

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The only thing better than the ambiance at Aba was the food itself! Lots of vegetarian options and the service was so fantastic! We had an allergy in the group and the staff was so careful to make sure the members of our party knew which items were allergen free. My favorites were the eggplant dip and whipped feta! I knew i'd love the whipped feta but the eggplant was a welcome surprise! read more

Outside signage is subtle, on the corner of Green and Fulton. Once you enter the building, you'll have to hop into the elevator to get to the restaurant. The restaurant is so beautiful. There's natural light, along with lots of plants that makes it feel very calm. Our waitress was very kind and patient, but also didn't seem super personable. She also said that between two of us, 4 dishes would be the perfect amount. I would have gone more towards 3. Safe to say, the portions are large! From my favorite to least, this is what we ordered: Crispy Potatoes, Short Rib hummus, Crispy Chicken Thigh, Brussel Sprouts, and finally the Lamb Beef Kefta. We ended up with a bunch of leftovers to take home. It's also so easy to pay and split bills with the QR code provided on the table. read more

I was here in October of 2024 yummy and the espresso martini was STRONG i remember the description saying this is how you get the party started and it def did that! read more

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We came to celebrate my birthday (fiancé booked our reservation a month in advance) and it was wonderful! Service was very attentive and food came out warm and fresh. We are big eaters and brought half our food home. Decor was nice as well, lighting wasn't too dim which I appreciate. Some highlights: - Charred eggplant dip: a MUST, and they give you a ton of bread on the side - Shortrib hummus: meat was tender and hummus was very smooth, almost like mashed potatoes - Truffle orzo: very rich and creamy, you almost have to take small bites because the umami flavor is so strong - Mediterranean Mule: a very light and refreshing drink to go with the meal Overall we would definitely come back! read more

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Aba remains my top pick for Mediterranean cuisine in Chicago. Over the years, every visit has been consistently delightful, making it a must-visit spot for both locals and visitors. I often introduce friends and family to this gem to savor authentic Mediterranean flavors and enjoy the dining experience. On my recent visit with a friend we tried a lot of Vegetarian dishes from their menu. We ordered a Muhammara, Charred Eggplant, Green Falafel, and Crispy Potatoes. Everything we ordered deserved nothing less than a chef's kiss, so good and delicious! For drinks, we ordered a Negroni and Aloe - It's me! Again, amazing cocktails and very refreshing. I will definitely recommend Aba for a good date night evening or enjoy a calm/ serene evening with friends and family. Getting a reservation here is usually tough as they are always blocked out but they accommodate large parties, so a bit of planning should help you get a table here. Aba also has a sister branch Ema in River North which has almost the same menu as Aba, and you should definitely consider trying it out! Fun fact: 'Aba' is short for 'Abba,' meaning 'father' in Arabic, while 'Ema' translates to 'mother' in Arabic, adding a charming touch to these culinary destinations. How cute is that!? read more

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Interior and atmosphere is the star of the show. I went for brunch and really enjoyed the drink and food. Grilled peach was a fun dish.

Lovely spot with a warm vibe! The natural light indoors is a nice touch. Food is delicious, seems to have Mediterranean influences. Staff are kind and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ BTW, there is no dress code but everybody except my party was well-dressed. read more

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Fantastic meal in a beautiful setting with incredible service - highly recommend a visit to Aba! Ambiance: the inside of the restaurant is simply gorgeous! Incredibly modern and trendy with lots of natural elements. Service: our server was exceptional! There was a slight incident where another server dropped a glass that shattered all around our table. Instantly, five other servers showed up and promptly cleaned the area while profusely apologizing and ensuring we were ok. They ended up bringing us a dessert on the house and took off our appetizers from the bill which was very generous for a minor inconvenience! Food + Drink: Blackberry Green Chile G&T - seriously one of the best drinks I've ever had! If you like a refreshing and slightly spicy cocktail, you'll love this! Wild Mushroom Hummus + Whipped Feta - the perfect app combo. The hummus was savory and smoky and the whipped feta was creamy and tangy. The pita served on the side was warm and well spiced. Truffled Baked Orzo - Must Order!! It's like a truffle Mac and cheese but even better. Sooo good! Grilled Halloumi - the sauce was delicious and paired will with the cheese! Green Falafel - very fresh and herby! Chocolate Orange Cremeux - this dessert was to die for! We also ordered the Creme Brûlée Pie, but this one was way better. The mousse was surprisingly light and the hint of orange complimented the chocolate perfectly. TL;DR - Definitely add Aba to your list of restaurants to try! Our favorites included the Blackberry Green Chile G&T, Truffled Baked Orzo, and Chocolate Orange Cremeux! read more

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One of Chicago's prettiest restaurant. Great ambience with both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoors are great when it's either too hot or cold outside but on a perfect summer day outdoor patio is perfect. The staff there is extremely hospitable and got us situated as soon as we arrived. The suggestions by the restaurant manager were superb. We ordered muhammara for appetizers followed by grilled chicken, chicken kefta and grilled cauliflower. The flavors were spectacular especially the charred taste over the chicken and cauliflower. Best part was the charred dates that came along with the cauliflower. read more

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The bartender could have been a little more please but it's always a good time at Aba. The short rib hummus is always a must as well. read more

Aba - Crispy Short Rib Hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

SO GOOD! Got the Green Falafel, Muhammarra, Whipped Feta, Chicken Kefta, and Grilled Cauliflower. Loveddd the za'atar bread with the spreads so much!! The riceeee mmm read more

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I love Aba!! I've been to the Austin and Chicago locations many times. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the city if they enjoy Mediterranean. The restaurant group - Lettuce Entertain You - has an app you can use to gain rewards per visit. Please make a reservation, you won't regret it! Enjoy :) read more

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