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    Ajja

    4.4 (124 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Ajja Photos

    AJJA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Ajja

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Mike B.

    Dinner for 6 recently at this fun spot in the Five Points neighborhood. Decor is ecclectic, definitely going for a bohemian vibe. Reservation honored to the minute; seats on the covered, heated patio. It's fairly loud, but we were able to converse without shouting. Our server, Abigail did a great job. Explained the menu and made spot-on recomendations. It's tapas-style and dishes are meant for sharing. There were a few gaps in service where we waited longer than we should have between. Portions are small-ish and we should have ordered 2 of a few things so that everyone had more than just a taste. The food is excellent. Started with an AJJA platter, with 3 dips and oil for dipping, plus bread. Hummus is served warm, creamy and rich with a touch of spice. Beet Mast-o Khiar - tzatziki-like but with beets added for color and sweet/tart. Lastly - my favorite - Sweet potato Masabach - pureed sweet potato, boiled peanuts, labneh and candied peanut dukkah. The taste combo is excellent - sweet and a little spicy, creamy and a little crunchy. Also tried Citrus Salad and Coffee Roasted Carrots. Carrots are roasted over coffee grounds, then rinsed and tossed saffron-infused yogurt and ginger glaze and sprinkled with candied pine nuts and dried cherries. We weren't sure about this one - the coffee didn't sound appetizing. But the combo really works, just a hint of coffee and the other ingredients made the whole thing shine. YUM. Next BBQ'd Short Rib, King Trumpet Mushrooms and Braised Lamb Tagine. The Short Rib is the winner - gorgeous chunks of super tender off-the-bone beef glazed and slow braised. The spices are perfect. Lamb Tagine is a stew... well spiced with the meat tender and flavorful. Honestly it didn't taste much like lamb, but was still delicious. All in all, the food was excellent. Service good, but slow. It's a cool vibe and fun experience, with plenty of other things to try for the next trip.

    Ghee roasted Delicata
    Meghan M.

    This restaurant is the brainchild of Cheeti Kumar, a chef here who has been nominated several times for the James Beard award. I was very excited to check out her homage to Mediterranean and North African cuisine. The ghee roasted delicata was fork tender and superb. The chicken tagine was okay and did not blow me out of the water. Also, we ordered a milk punch drink, and that was quite tasty. The service was very attentive, and on top of refilling waters and bringing food out in a timely manner. The restaurant is very colorful and beautifully decorated. I loved the different lighting fixtures and wallpapers. Overall, I would come back, but I think I would order a different entree other than the chicken tagine next time.

    Feta appetizer
    Jessica F.

    New trendy Mediterranean spot! We decided to sit at the bar and grab a quick appetizer w/a Lambrusco wine. The decor is bright orange with other lively colors and has several intimate seating areas. The feta appetizer was good but only came with one small piece of bread. It definitely should be served with 2 pieces of bread for 2 people. The bartender was nice and although very busy, he checked on us regularly. I would recommend this place for something different and fun!

    Crispy eggplant and Halloumi
    Hadja T.

    This delicious restaurant is tucked away in the 5 points neighborhood in Raleigh and offers the opportunity for herbivores and carnivores to eat in harmony. Think elevated Tapas and filling main entrees. First, there is ample street parking and availability in a nearby lot as well. Second, the restaurant has a very boho chic eclectic vibe with plants hanging from the ceiling and curtains that provide an indoor/outdoor feel. We were greeted warmly and seated right away. Our waitress was very familiar with the menu and knew which items were vegetarian versus vegan and gluten free. Third, the food is thoughtfully crafted and very tasty. For drinks we ordered House-made ginger beer ,which had a deep ginger taste without being overwhelming, and the Picard spritz, which was just as enjoyable. For our meal, we ordered the Chana hummus (which had the perfect amount of saltiness), crispy eggplant and halloumi (another divine dish), and the pan roasted shrimp. We ate everything! The portions are enough for two people to share and come away sated. If you are looking for a trendy, relaxed vibe with great food, definitely recommend this gem .

    Ajja Platter
    Joey C.

    I tucked away gem of Mediterranean excellence! Had an amazing diner here with very friendly service. Made the reservation for the patio and really enjoyed the more lively atmosphere but if you're looking for a quieter, more intimate environment, the inside dining has you covered. Only had the Ajja platter and Short Ribs, but that's all I needed to know that this place has top tier Mediterranean! Great spot for a nice casual date night or a dinner with friends

    Autumn Salad
    Erica S.

    Tried Ajja for the first time this weekend. I can say it's on my list for best meals I've had in Raleigh! We arrived on Sunday afternoon, without a reservation, and we're quickly accommodated with an indoor seating. I can't wait to go back and sit in their beautiful outdoor area. My husband and I share the dip platter and the flavors were out of this world. We then shared the Autumn salad and Grilled chicken entree. First bite of the chicken and I was blown away by how much flavor it had. We will definitely be back and will bring friends next time!

    Inside resto
    Selin B.

    FOOD: really good, super flavorful with tons of herbs and spices. Meant to be shared - do not get your own entrees! Very veg friendly. PRICE: a lot. for small portions. Eg. The short rib was $44 and mushrooms ~$26 but neither are meals - just meat, just mushrooms - hence the share recc above VIBE: great service, very attentive. Gorg decorations and ambience with multiple dining areas. We got bread, pickles, short rib, mushroom, two NA drinks. Everything was fantastic and our bill was $100+ Would come back esp w friends for sharesies and feeling cute

    Sana A.

    So this place was on our bucket list for some time so my husband and I dropped by for date night. The ambience was great. You definitely need reservations and I feel like they kind of messed up my reservation because I had asked for a table on the patio under the lights, but we were seated inside, the setting inside was nice as well. We got a vegetarian option and a seafood option because we eat vegetarian pescatarian or Halal and the shrimp was delightful. I had expected more of a Mediterranean vibe on the shrimp, but it tasted more like southern soul food, which wasn't a bad thing. It's just not what I expected. The portion was huge though. The mushroom on the other hand portion was kind of small, but my husband enjoyed it. We also really liked your appetizers and all in all, it was a very nice experience.

    Soft shell crab
    Peyton W.

    It lives up to the hype. I went here with a small group for my birthday and it was really magical. The atmosphere is charming. The waitstaff is professional, attentive, and helpful. The food is incredible. Everything we had was excellent, unique, and prepared well. Great experience. I hope to go back again soon!

    Interior
    Angie C.

    I was in Raleigh for a work trip and my local friends here took me to this Mediterranean fusion spot. Parking was a bit rough, with tight spots. As soon as I hopped out, there were cute signs leading you to the entrance. I thought that was unique and kind of fun to follow! Murals along the way were cute photo ops. Once entered, the decor was boho/Mediterranean with a hint of southern flair. I had a mocktail spritz (forget the name) but it was delish. We ordered the bread sample platter as an appetizer. It came with four dips I forget the overall flavors but here is the gist: olive oil base with sesame, sweet potato base, curry base, and hummus base. Absolutely yummy and I could go for more if I could!!! The main dishes we ordered to share. I recommend this as the portions of were small and didn't come with many "sides". We ordered the mushroom dish, shrimp, and I forget the other! However, all three were phenomenal with unique flavors. This was fusion done well! I must say, the mushroom dish is a must-order. It was well seasoned and tasted/felt like steak! Service was great, with regular, but not too frequent, check-ins. Water refills were plenty. And they let us use the exit by the parking lot as the rain was pouring down.

    Rum clarified milk punch
    Daniel J.

    Forgot to take photos because we loved our food so much. Also forgot our lovely waiter's name. Did NOT forget that we ordered the Ajja platter, charred broccoli and cabbage, whole fried fish, and toffee pudding. 10/10 no notes, worth every penny, I don't even know what else to say. It's rare that I holistically enjoy a meal to this degree, without a single shred of constructive criticism, disappointment, or differing personal preference. Ajja contends for one of the best meals I've ever eaten, and the cocktails were amazing too.

    Outside patio
    Paul And Neva C.

    In Los Angeles, we've eaten at many Mediterranean restaurants (it's one of our faves) but never have we had dishes like these! Chicken tagine, pickles, cabbage & broccoli, chickpea salad, the whipped feta - all uniquely distinctive and nothing like we've ever had. The bread is addictive and they should have a bulk rate for them because you will want it to use up any sauces left over from the dishes. Staff great, nice decor.

    Charred cabbage and broccoli
    Lauren K.

    This is a place to treasure for special occasions or to wow out of town visitors! The decor is cute inside or on the patio, and they have a great selection of cocktails and mocktails to get the evening started. The food is so flavorful! We enjoyed everything we ordered - hummus, spinach pie, fried eggplant and halloumi (the stand out!), charred cabbage and broccoli, grilled chicken, grilled trumpet mushrooms and coconut ice cream bar with Turkish coffee caramel.

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    The vibe, the food, the people...Make some time on your calendar to enjoy this place!!!

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    Ask the Community - Ajja

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    Neomonde Mediterranean Raleigh

    Neomonde Mediterranean Raleigh

    (771 reviews)

    $$

    Just WOW! A veritable smorgasbord of Mediterranean fare!…read more You select from cases of appetizing cold and hot entrees, as well as an array of delectable desserts and a cold case of unique beers and other beverages - the selection is simply amazing. And the service - totally awesome! When we entered, Alex was behind the counter - she was welcoming and offered us tastes of whatever dish caught our eye, all of which were amazing. As we were eating in the large and open seating area - there was Alex again, busily clearing tables and ensuring the dining happiness of nearby patrons! She was amazing - welcoming, knowledgeable and made us feel so welcome - thank you Alex, we'll be back for more epic eating! Check the pics for visual detail. Better yet - go there, it's well worth the drive!

    We stopped in to visit and enjoy some Lebanese foods. We have been here a few times and enjoyed our…read morevisit but this past weekend our visit was very disappointing. We ordered the grape leaves, baklava, namoora and tabbouli. I am Lebanese and these are staples in our home. The grape leaves were extremely dry and tough. The rice was very undercooked and the leaves themselves were so dry and tough we could barely chew through them. We ordered 12 and thought maybe it was a fluke but all 12 were completely inedible and we threw them out immediately. The baklava was okay, nothing to write home about. Very simple syrup forward and you couldn't taste much else (we ordered the walnut). The namoora was stale. Very dry. Namoora should melt in your mouth with with a slight chew. This was again, tough and stale. We threw those out as well. Lastly, our favorite salad, tabbouli. The lemon taste was nonexistent. The parsley wasn't chopped fine as Tabbouli should be. It was a watery mess. Overall, we won't be back. We spent over $75 on 4 items and left feeling hungry and bamboozled. There are other Lebanese food spots to visit in the Raleigh area, I will stick to those. Please do better when representing Lebanese cuisine. 15 workers behind the counter can seem like you're doing something right but in the end, it all comes down to the freshness and authenticity of what you are claiming to serve.

    Taverna Agora - Spanakopita. That's a lot of spinach in there!

    Taverna Agora

    (1.2k reviews)

    $$

    Taverna was on of my best meals of 2025. Great honest food, great atmosphere and great people. Did…read moreI mention reasonable prices (not cheap but fair). Ask to sit upstairs on the roof (enclosed in glass for cold days). Biggest hit for appetizer was stuffed eggplant, but the grape leaves and trio of spreads and pita were also solid choices. I ordered the lamb burger with village Greek salad - great meal. If I lived in the area, This would be a staple. Gardner

    The rooftop patio is the reason to come here. It has that breezy Mediterranean vibe that makes for…read morea really nice place to sit outside, have a drink, and enjoy the weather. We started with the saganaki and hummus, then decided to go all in and order the Grecian Feast for two. In hindsight, that was a lot of food after already getting starters. Definitely come hungry or plan to split the feast with 3. The platter itself is huge and comes with a dip, rice, salad and your choice of meats and/or seafood. The highlights for us were the spicy feta and the salmon, both of which had great flavor. The lowlight was the chicken, which was way overcooked and ended up tough and pretty tasteless. Service unfortunately dragged the experience down quite a bit. It felt like we waited about 15 minutes before anyone came by with menus, then another 15 minutes before our drink orders were taken. Once we finally ordered everything, the food actually came out fairly quickly. But by the end of the meal we were basically hunting for our server. At one point we both separately went to the bathroom (including a trip to the one downstairs) and still had not seen our server to try to get the check. Overall, come for the rooftop atmosphere, but I would recommend ordering all of your drinks and food at once so you can just sit back and enjoy the patio without waiting around for service.

    Sassool - My wife's meal

    Sassool

    (469 reviews)

    $$

    I absolutely love eating the fresh salads and sides at Sassool! It can get pretty busy during…read morelunchtime, so plan ahead if you're in a rush--but that just shows how good the food is. I usually order the two chicken skewer kabobs with rice, a super salad, and the jalapeño cilantro hummus. The hummus is *so* good that I often grab a small container to take with me when I travel. Everything tastes incredibly fresh, and you can really tell they use quality ingredients, especially with olive oil as a base. They offer both fresh pita and gluten-free pita, which is great for anyone with dietary restrictions. Honestly, I could make a meal just out of all the sides--they're that good. The menu is consistently solid, and I feel like you really can't go wrong with anything you order. It's a perfect spot for a low-key lunch or dinner. Also worth noting: on Tuesdays, kids eat free with a paying adult, which is a great bonus for families. Highly recommend!

    Sasool is one of my go-to spots when I want fresh, satisfying Greek and Mediterranean food. The…read morevariety of options is one of the best parts--you can build a plate exactly how you like it, and there's always something that fits what you're in the mood for, whether that's lighter and veggie-forward or something more hearty. Everything tastes consistently fresh, from the salads and sides to the proteins and sauces. The flavors are bright, clean, and well-balanced, and the portions are generous without feeling heavy. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, and it's an easy place to relax and enjoy a good meal. It's clear that care goes into both the food and the experience. I've been here multiple times and it's been consistently good every visit. Definitely recommend if you're looking for fresh, flavorful Greek/Mediterranean food with lots of choices.

    Ajja - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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