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    Aba

    4.4 (2k reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    ABA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Aba

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    Reviews With Photos

    Crispy Potatoes Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
    Gia G.

    Food 3/5 We got whipped feta, short rib hummus, and Brussels sprouts for apps and they were great individually but dip the Brussels in the whipped feta and it's even better. We got the steak frites, chicken kebab, crab cakes, grilled chicken kebab for our entrees and they were pretty mid. We honestly could have skipped them. The ambiance is always great in there. The music and the lighting. The server was great answering our questions about wines.

    Green Falafel
    Myia S.

    Went to Aba for my husband's birthday. Reservation was for 8pm we waited a little bit to be seated. We grabbed drinks while we waited. I had the freeda vita I really liked that it was refreshing and great for a hot day. I also had a expresso martini but it was not as good as some other local restaurants in the area. Our favorite dishes were the green chili shrimp, whipped feta and garlic hummus. The falafel and taziki was good. The beef and lamb kabob was dry the rice was delicious. I think the dips could be better if they had crispy pita bread or chips vs soft pita we needed texture. The sticky date cake was burnt at the bottom. Had a bad taste. The short ribs were just okay. The ambiance was okay I didnt like the music and it was just super loud. Overall I al happy I tried it but will likely not go back. They also charged us for a birthday dessert which I wasn't expecting. The waiter was not excellent he was pretty average didnt do anything to wow me.

    Shawarma-Spiced Steak Frites
    Neal M.

    Elevated, clean cuisine that is becoming a Chicago classic. Food was fantastic. Dishes are elevated yet carry a rustic charm resembling what you would get from a mom-and-pop restaurant. No dish was too heavy with oils or grease or fats which left us feeling full and satisfied without the groggy food coma. Flavors sing Mediterranean, and truly can't pick a wrong item. If I had to make a recommendation, the mushroom hummus for vegetarians is devine!! For the beef lovers out there, I've been recommended the short rib hummus countless times and I'm certain it would hit the spot. Unfortunately not the best Mediterranean food I've had in town, but definitely a can't miss place when making your restaurant hit list. The ambiance is also elegant and fit for an upscale Mediterranean meal. The indoor section is beautiful but I hear outdoor section is just as great of an experience. Again, can't go wrong on where you choose to make your reservation. The service is where the restaurant falls a bit short. They get incredibly busy and as a result it took over an hour to receive our meal. Was it worth the wait? Definitely, but wish the service could have been a bit more attentive also. Rating: 4/5

    Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebab
    Susan Z.

    Came back to Aba during their happy hour hours and got to try a spread of their hummus -- sooo delicious! The asparagus dish was phenomenal; it was a mix of flavors my partner and I had never expected to be a match made in heaven and i'd highly recommend! There was also a hot honey cheese offering from the HH menu and it was also amazing. The honey was strong and the spice wasn't too much; such an amazing pairing together. Aba never disappoints and I will always come back!

    Grilled Salmon Kebab
    Jimmy N.

    The vibes were great within the restaurant, the food was wow. Of everything we ordered, the only one I'd skip is the whipped feta, just lacking some oomph in flavor, but I love the simplicity of the spread. The things you MUST get: crispy short rib hummus, and the stick date cake (do not skip out on this, you ALWAYS have room for desserts). Service was quick, efficient and very friendly. Great spot overall

    Jorge P.

    I can't hype up this place enough... Aba Chicago is my Top 3 favorite food spot in the city. I've had such good experiences here that I actually took my entire cousins Wedding Party here to celebrate and they treated us beyond well. Took very good care of us. I've gone here for multiple birthdays, that's how much I've enjoyed my time here. Can never go wrong with the crispy Brussels sprouts or braised short beef rib... to die for. I could give compliments all day so I'll stop here. Also, wonderful customer service & vibes, top notch truly. Just know, if you've never been, I highly highly recommend. Even if you have to travel out of your way to go here. You'll fall in love, I guarantee it. Just look at my pictures and videos haha Personal Review: 9.4/10

    Crispy Short Rib Hummus
    Natalie K.

    Came for lunch on a Monday. There were only a few seats at the bar and the indoor/outdoor dining were completely full. I recommend a reservation if you decide to dine here. Service and concept were amazing. The atmosphere of this place is very picturesque. The decor, the plants, the seamless flow into the rooftop patio are all amazing. The food was meh. We ordered the short rib hummus, the crispy chicken thighs, the crispy Brussels, and the short rib entree. Can't say I left feeling like any of it was authentic Mediterranean food. The crispy short rib was more chewy that crispy. The Brussels sprouts didn't appear to be parboiled prior to crisping so it was quite a tough chew. The chicken thighs were not crispy at all. The saving grace was the pita bread. Glad we saw the place because we have always seen the place packed when we visit but I can't say I'll recommend or visit again

    Cappuccino
    Leslie C.

    Wow!! Amazing food, excellent service, and beautiful ambiance! I'm so glad I took my boyfriend here for his birthday! The decor is beautiful! The romantic lighting and lovely trees all around really create a special atmosphere. Olivia took great care of us and made excellent recommendations. It's family style and it was suggested that we share around two dishes per person. We started with the wild mushroom hummus, and it was so creamy and delicious. The homemade bread with it was fantastic too. The Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak Frites dish was perfection! The steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and served with red wine jus, za'atar and feta, and the fries were well seasoned and crispy. We really enjoyed the green chili shrimp, with garlic, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs. The dish had a nice spice level and kick. The Brussels sprouts were a tasty side dish too. For dessert, the Chocolate Hazelnut Torte was phenomenal! The dark chocolate mousse was divine and the praline crunch was the best texture and flavor. The candied orange slices around the sides provided a really nice compliment to the dish. Olivia treated us to a frozen Greek yogurt for a birthday treat. It was so refreshing and such a lovely palate cleanser. Smooth cocktails too. I really enjoyed the Paper Plane. My boyfriend liked his Mediterranean Mule too. And we enjoyed a cappuccino and cortado to end our evening. It was a wonderful night!

    Oasis g&t
    Katrina V.

    I stopped by Aba's after work hoping it was OK to simply walk in. I arrived at the restaurant around 5:45pm and saw that the place was already super busy. That said, I had no problem snagging a spot at the bar, which was first come first serve. I can totally see why Aba was a trendy spot. The restaurant was quite stunning, and the impressive menu matched the aesthetic. The bartenders were awesome. There were 2 gentlemen in charge of the bar, and they were both very friendly and helpful. Loved chatting with them, hearing their food recommendations at Aba and advice on the local scene. Food came out lightening fast. I felt that as soon as they placed an order, the dish came out in 5 minutes. I enjoyed everything I had. I started off with their Oasis G&T, which was a "tropical" spin on a gin and tonic. The cocktail paired perfectly with the Hamachi & Charred Avocado, which had coconut cream and lychee. This dish was so light, cool (thanks to the mint), and refreshing. Last but not least, I got the chocolate hazelnut torte that one of the bartenders raved about. It was clearly a popular opinion as the server who delivered it to me also confirmed that it was their best dessert off the menu. The torte was fantastic. The chocolate mousse was silky, and the praline crunch broke up the texture in a good way.

    Gabriel H.

    Fantastic experience. Aba is a MUST go. Date or group of friends, add this to your list. Best hummus I think I've ever had. Bartender custom made my drinks to balance the palette of the cuisine I ordered. The pictures speak for themselves. Thank you Aba!

    Smoky Garlic Hummus
    Rebecca B.

    Aba is in Fulton market and has outdoor and indoor seating! The restaurant is open and bright. I loved the olive trees that made the room feel like I was outside! The plates are shareable so this is great because you can share a few dishes! I tried the smoked garlic hummus (comes with pita bread), short rib Shakshouka, crispy potatoes, and the beef and lamb kofta! This was for two people and we had left overs. The hummus was fantastic! I highly recommend getting the crispy potatoes as well! I have never tried shakshouka with meat in it before and didn't love the texture. However, the flavor was sweet and savory! The only thing that was not ideal was that an optional surcharge was on the receipt, when we tried to get our server to help remove it per instructions on the receipt no one was to be found. That was disappointing and potentially strategic? I would have rather just tipped. I'm not sure how others feel about the surcharge?

    truffled baked orzo
    Isabel C.

    (3.5/5) For my birthday, we decided to try Aba, a Mediterranean fusion restaurant with a beautiful interior. We were seated at a high-top table next to the bar, which wasn't my preference, but I also didn't specify what type of seating I wanted. The server was a nice lady who introduced the menu to us and suggested some dishes to order. The meal began with bread service. I really liked the soft pita-type bread that was made with yogurt. When the short rib hummus arrived, it also came with the soft bread. The short rib was tender and wonderful, and wasn't too salty. I especially liked the brussels sprouts and found the sweetness of the honey very memorable. I would also recommend the truffle orzo as it was flavourful and baked to perfection. Apart from those dishes, everything else felt standard and not too memorable. For dessert, I selected the house-made frozen Greek yogurt, and I loved it! The pistachio and candied orange paired really well with it. My friends also prepared a cake for me, which I had no idea of! The server suggested that we could cut the cake ourselves to avoid the cake plating fee. This was a kind suggestion. I decided to round up the review to a 4 for the beautiful ambiance and wonderful service.

    Chicken Kefta Burger. GET THIS BURGER!
    Tyga M.

    This lives up to the hype and more. I've visited this restaurant twice in a month, and I leave wanting more. My first visit, my table split the short rib hummus, and my sole critique is that I had to share the appetizer. The unique spins on what could be considered standard dishes is so impressive. Another example of that is the chicken kefta burger. It's so moist, packs a ton of flavor, and is so filling that I didn't even need the accompanying fries. Lastly, the restaurant is stunning inside and out - I didn't see a bad seat in the place, and there's a partially (?) covered patio to sit on for the nice days. All in all, a great place to take visitors if you want to impress them with Chicago eats!

    Main dining area

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    Food is fantastic. Atmosphere lovely. Had a great time with friends for my birthday. Will be baack.

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    5 months ago

    Not real middle eastern food, an unexplainable mix of dishes and cultures and poor service. Highly recommend Beity over it

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    10 months ago

    Terrible experience. The staff there is extremely rude. Wasted 30 minutes while waiting for a reservation

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    Page 8 of 50

    Aba Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Aba

    Is your meat Halal?

    Hi Shiva! Our meat is not halal. We hope to welcome you in soon!

    Can I walk in? How long I wait on average?

    Hi there! We accept walk-ins based on availability and our bar is first come, first served and full service!

    Does the restaurant add an additional service fee on the check?

    Yes, I think they add a 4% service fee to offset rising operational costs. The fee is optimal and you can request to remove it and they will!

    When making a reservation, what is the difference between the Outside patio lounge and Outside patio table options? Also, is the outside patio different from the rooftop?

    Lounge is couches and low tables

    Hi, I just booked a reservation for outside seating on Oct 20 in the late evening. Is the outside seating going to be okay if it is cold? Do you have an enclosure or heaters or something?

    Hi Roger! We have heaters installed on the patio and have blankets available upon request, and suggest dressing for the weather. We look forward to welcoming you!

    High top seating?

    They have a few

    I was wondering what time does the kitchen usually close? Looking to make a late night reservation but not sure how much time we would have to dine. (ex. 9:45pm reservation, but you close at 10pm)

    Hi Dominick! As long as you are seated for your reservation within our open hours, you will be able to order from the kitchen and enjoy our full menu. Our close time is when we stop seating for the evening. We hope to welcome you in soon!

    Do you take walk in's?

    Hi Daniel! Yes, we do take walk-ins based on availability and our bar is full service and first come, first served. We do suggest making a reservation to shorten wait times. We look forward to welcoming you!… Read more

    What is the dress code for men?

    Hi Daniel! We do not have a fixed dress code at Aba - please dress as you please. We look forward to welcoming you!

    How do you get reservations. It's really tough?

    Hi Karan! Reservations are released 30 days out from your desired reservation date at midnight. We encourage checking https://www.exploretock.com/aba for availability!

    Anyone knows why there aren't reservations available between 1:15 - 6:45pm on Saturdays? Do they close during that time?

    Hi Lorena! We are open for brunch from 10:00AM-3:00PM, and open for dinner from 3:00PM-11:00PM, on Saturdays. If you don't see the time you'd like, we are likely fully committed at that time. Please feel free to give our host stand a call at… Read more

    Menu looks amazing! But we have one in our party allergic to olives/olive oil...anything on the menu for him?

    I would recommend calling the restaurant. I cannot say much was made without olive oil, but the staff would know. It will be limited for sure. Good luck.

    Does Aba take walk-ins for dinner?

    Hi Carolyn! Yes, we do seat walk-ins based on availability, however we strongly encourage making a reservation to minimize wait times. Additionally, the bar is first-come, first-serve and full service. You can make a reservation by visiting… Read more

    What are the dairy free options for here? Do they accommodate severe allergies?

    Hi Janna! Yes, Aba has a strict allergy procedure in place. Upon your visit, please inform your server of your dietary restrictions and they will be able to suggest which dishes are safe, or can be modified. We hope to see you in soon!

    Hi, can customers bring outside cake? I am a vegan asking for a birthday.

    Hi Anastasia! Yes, you are welcome to bring your own cake. Please note there is a $3.50 per person cutting fee that will be applied to the final check. We look forward to celebrating with you!

    I absolutely love the scent in the lobby before coming upstairs. Do you know what it is? Is it a spray?

    Hi Manika! Thank you, we're so happy to hear that. It is Moroccan Fig by ScentAir, made exclusively for Aba.

    Can you BYOB here? We have friends coming in town and want to bring a nice bottle of wine we have.

    Hi Ky! You are welcome to bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine, with a $40 corkage fee per bottle. We look forward to having you in soon!

    If we plan to walk in and sit at the bar this Saturday what time frame would you recommend before it typically gets busy? I know you cannot guarantee but was just curious based on your experience. Thanks

    They open at 3 on Saturday for dinner. I would recommend arriving at 3 or 4 as it fills up quickly with reservations. Brunch begins at 11, but not sure how that works and such

    Can you eat dinner outside?

    Hi Alice! Yes, full service is offered on the patio. You can make a reservation to dine with us on the patio through https://www.exploretock.com/Aba/, or by calling us directly at 773-645-1400.

    Hi there, do you not offer the bagel anymore? It was my favorite dish from your menu :(

    Hi Morgan! We absolutely still are offering our Jerusalem Bagel - it is available during weekend brunch from 11:00am-3:00pm. We look forward to having you in.

    View All 49 Questions

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    4.3
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    The portion size were good and the food itself was ok. Mediocre at best. The service was…read moreacceptable. The workers were nice. The ambiance and the decor is maybe the only redeeming factor. It has some nice touches, but again nothing crazy.

    I celebrate my birthday with my family at Ema every year, and at this point it's become one of my…read morefavorite traditions. Ema is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Chicago. From the food and ambiance to the consistently outstanding service, everything is truly top-tier. This visit was just as exceptional as every one before it. We shared the Sweet Corn Hummus, Spicy Whipped Feta, Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Wild Mushrooms, Crispy Potatoes, Grilled Chicken, and the Lamb & Beef Kefta. Every single dish was outstanding. I wish I had taken more photos, but we were too busy enjoying the food as it arrived at the table! For drinks, my sister loved the Strawberry Rose Paloma, and I enjoyed a glass of Kir-Yianni Sparkling Rosé, which paired beautifully with the meal. The warm, seasoned pita deserves its own recognition. It's soft, pillowy, and absolutely addictive. Honestly, it's hard not to fill up on the pita and spreads before the rest of the meal even arrives. Our server struck the perfect balance between friendly and attentive, without ever feeling intrusive. We usually make room for dessert, but we were completely stuffed this time. In the past, though, I've loved both the Warm Sticky Date Cake and the Frozen Greek Yogurt, and I'd recommend either without hesitation. I was secretly hoping for a tiny scoop of frozen yogurt as a birthday surprise, but my server didn't mention it and I didn't remind him of the celebration (and honestly, we were way too full anyway ). As a huge Top Chef fan, it's always special dining at Chef CJ Jacobson's restaurant. I had the opportunity to meet him during my very first visit to Ema, and he was incredibly gracious. His creativity and attention to flavor are evident in every dish. Ema continues to set the standard for what a great dining experience should be. It's the restaurant I recommend most often when people ask me where to eat in Chicago, and it remains my go-to place for special celebrations. I can't wait to come back again soon! #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad PS: the hotel next door no longer provides parking validation.

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    The Purple Pig

    The Purple Pig

    4.3
    (9k reviews)
    1.3 mi
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    Discovered this little gem after I couldn't eat any more Chicago pizzas, hot dog or beef…read moresandwiches. The place was packed on Tuesday night so make sure to book a reservation. I ordered the item charcuterie and chose coppa, prosciutto, and a French Brie. The meat and cheese were good as expected but that quince spread really took the dish over the top! It was the perfect complement to the fatty meats. Next was the Mushroom dish and while the mushroom purer wasn't a looker, it was a huge umami bomb! Really good pairing with the other mushrooms on the plate. Lastly, I got the milk braised shoulder and it was so tender and flavorful. Good size portion, too! Took leftovers and made a breakfast sandwich the next day and it was still good! I regret not ordering the beef marrow, the table next to me did and I had food envy the whole time but honestly, I had no more room, I was so stuffed! Drinks and service was great, too! Highly recommend you go here if you are in downtown Chicago.

    As a last minute change of plans, my friend and I impulsively ended up at this spot after a long…read moreday of travel. This was the best meal I've had in recent months with melt in your mouth pork, whipped feta, and dessert. I would have loved to try the cocktails but I'm breastfeeding and avoiding alcohol. We had bar seating so our server was very attentive. We also got to see the kitchen staff as they worked and they all genuinely seemed happy to work and cook. If you've never worked in restaurants, kitchen staff is often highly stressed and gets annoyed with each other in high paced environment and despite it being super busy, they all seemed like they loved what they were doing.

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    Avaspi

    Avaspi

    4.8
    (106 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Avaspi is one of the best restaurants I've been to in Chicago. My party of six split 6 appetizers…read moreand 3 entrees. Mediterranean Meze - very flavorful blend of 22 ingredients according to our waiter. This dish was truly unique. 5/5 Grilled Halloumi Meze - delicious cheese with olives and garlic bread. 4/5 Stuffed Eggplant - savory and creamy dish which actually might be even better served hot. 5/5 Calamari Meze - Excellent and tender. Not chewy at all which was nice. There were a ton of olives which I didn't think complimented the calamari. Overall, still 5/5. Mushroom Tava - mushrooms were cooked perfectly and were delicious. One of my favorite dishes of the night. 5/5 Stuffed Mushrooms - this dish fell flat on flavor and had more of the typical mushroom texture. 3/5 The Hunkar entrée initially was extremely salty. I mentioned this to the waiter and they remade it, which turned out great, so I'm hoping the salty dish was a one-off. 5/5 Our waiter was very friendly and attentive throughout. The restaurant itself is also casual upscale, so nice for most occasions. Avaspi exceeds expectations and I highly recommend this excellent Mediterranean restaurant.

    Our first time eating at Avaspi, I doubt we'll return. The…read morefood was pretty good, the cocktails (especially the avaspi lemonade) and wine selection, were tasty. The service - inept. After 20 mins and us asking food runners 3 times to get us a waiter we finally got assistance. We ordered the meze platter to start and very clearly stated, no nuts. The waiter said "we only use walnuts", we responded, no nuts. The food arrived and 2 of the 4 dishes had nuts on them, when I pointed it out to the waiter, he said "they're only on the top"! It was as if he was trying to be funny? Or sarcastic? Anyway, decent food, poor service.

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    Avaspi bar
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    Aba - mediterranean - Updated July 2026

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