Amazing food and even better atmosphere. Bright and diverse flavors. Absolutely stunning at night. read more

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I am a big fan of middle eastern/mediterranean food, as well as trendy, cooly branded places. Ajja delivered in spades on the trend vibe, but the food left a lot to be desired. First of all, the place is really really small. There is a larger space outdoor than inside, but they're working on expanding. There are several wire table and chair areas beyond that, but they do not serve to those (it's for waiting area). The restaurant itself looks like it's in the middle of an industrial park and parking is behind more storage areas and feels a little unsettling. Take rideshare if you can. The warm squash dip was flavorless, which was shocking since it featured brown butter, kashk (similar to sour cream), pomegranate molasses, and spiced pepitas. The eggplant dolma was charred but more burnt than anything, with a kind of unpleasant earthy taste. It was also really small and we ordered it because it came with halloumi...which we couldn't find in the roll-up! There was a salad, I forget exactly what was in it but remember it being the best part of the meal. I believe it was seasonal with citrus and herbs. Cocktails were A+ and they have mocktails too. I'd go for drinks but maybe skip it for a meal! read more

Imaginative food with original concepts! Wonderful ambience and service! We had the hummus, whipped feta, lamb seekh and the fried fish. All were incredible! read more

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Ajja is an absolutely beautiful space. They have an outdoor fire pit and bar where we grabbed a cocktail before our reservation. Everything we ate was heavenly and tastes as righteous as it looks in the photos. If you do not start with the lamb croquette you are making a huge mistake-crunchy exterior with ground lamb with a creative spice mix inside. The toor whip features lemon & lentil and was wonderful with crunchy chickpeas and salty ricotta salata to counterbalance the creamy dip. The eggplant had a nutty flavor with halloumi and a perfect sauce. The spare ribs had a delightful peach tamarind glaze and the semisweet chocolate soufflé cake with marinated cherries was a great way to end the meal. I would recommend sitting at one of the bars as they have both an outdoor and indoor one as the service inside was not very attentive and the bar staff was incredible. We desperately wanted more warm bread and were happy to pay for it (the dip only comes with 2 small pieces) to spread that incredible dip on but our server never checked back with us until dessert time. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back read more

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More recently it seems they've expanded their menus and everything we ordered was a hit. Very unique and balanced flavors and textures that were all delicious. We enjoyed the lamb croquette, the toor whip, marinated beets, eggplant, chocolate soufflé cake, and vegan sorbet. We enjoyed everything we ate and drank. Service was excellent as well. read more

Ajja - Chocolate soufflé cake - Middle Eastern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Outstanding food and service!!! The mezze platter was almost a meal for two, but don't skip the coffee-roasted carrots and lamb.

This restaurant is AMAZING! My experience with the food and service was 5 star from beginning to end. Appearances can be deceiving: the building is in a gravelly, industrial area, and looks tiny and very unassuming. However, once inside, WOW! Seating is mostly outside, under cover, and with plenty of fans. We had a reservation and no waiting at all. The wait people were so accommodating and made everything easy, The food was extraordinary - excellent tastes, amounts, the right amount of seasonings and temperature. Our group of 5 had soft shell crab, a flounder, sides, bread, and dessert. Everything was wonderful!! I'll be back for sure! read more

This place is what my fiancé called it "stupid good." If you want a nice romantic ambiance, come here. The servers were super nice. The food was amazing. I've actually been here twice and ordered the same food as last time. My favorite were the spare ribs! I will say, it was all good. But if you only had one choice, GET the spare ribs! You won't regret it. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. read more

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We had a really tasty lamb skewer. I thought the mushroom dish was pretty good. The creamed feta and mafghoussa dips were okay. I didn't like that it only comes with like 3 bread sticks. I guess you need to order the bread as well. The Happy Tears cocktail was pretty tasty. read more

Our service was unmatched and the food was terrific. We had to start with some apps then mid meal grabbed dessert and cappuccinos (and they were delicious!!), because we didn't want them to run out! The only regret was I couldn't tell you our servers name. Nice inside outside space, even in the rain or heat. We will be back. read more

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Honestly, I really wanted to love this place especially with all the great reviews. I invited myself and five friends out. We ordered practically everything on the menu and the food was good for what it was. However, it never seemed to be filling enough? The portions were very small, especially when you're trying to share with a group of people. We even ordered hundreds of dollars worth of food and when I left, my husband and I ended up, I'm not making this up, going to Char grill (sp?) Just to fill ourselves up the rest of the way. Now, I will say that the bread was exceptional. And months later, I wanted to surprise my husband and my friend who was with us at the time with a loaf of it. So I called when they opened and asked if I could just pick up a couple loaves. They said 'that's not really how they operate and their restaurant isn't exactly slated for take out orders. But that I could come order a drink and they'd let me buy their bread.' So their restaurant is not in the business of letting you purchase food with money and take the food with you. Got it. We don't need any more pretentious places in Raleigh, please God not another one, is all I could think. So yeah, 2/5. read more

Cozy and comfortable seating on the outdoor patio! Our server was super attentive and provided great recommendations. Food was 10/10!!! read more

Ajja - Middle Eastern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Delicious!!!! Great atmosphere! It was a chilly night and they offered us blankets. The perfect accessory! Will definitely be bak again! read more

Had a girls night a few weeks ago on the patio and it was amazing! Service was great and helped us make decisions on what to try because we wanted to try it all. Our favorite dish was definitely dessert, still having dreams about the mango & saffron posset. The drinks were also delicious and stuffed summer squash was a big hit. Can't wait to go back and try more seasonal dishes in the future. read more

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Although we didn't have reservations and waited outside during a particularly chilly night, we were given cool blankets and ordered drinks and appetizers while we waited. We weren't familiar with most of the dishes we ordered but they were all really tasty! My particular favorite was the grilled fish read more

We enjoyed a really lovely Sunday evening dinner here thanks to a generous gift card from a family member. We made reservations the same day originally for the heated patio but it was cooler than we realized when we arrived and luckily the restaurant was able to move us inside, which we really appreciated. As a vegetarian, I found plenty of menu options to enjoy, and my husband, found his selections to be well flavored but not overly spicy for his mild palette. We enjoyed various drinks from the bar including the frozen espresso martini, my husband's only complaint was that they wouldn't make a standard espresso martini, which is really what he wanted. The space is quite lively with various outdoor and indoor areas, we can't wait to come back and enjoy the expansive patio during warmer months. Although our food was enjoyable (we enjoyed leftovers for dinner again Monday!), the real star of the show here was the wonderful service we received from our server, Mike. He absolutely made this a five-star dining experience for us, we look forward to returning to try more of the menu in the future. read more

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Exceptional neighborhood gem! Cocktails were amazing, food was all great, and the wine list is a nice surprise. Would highly recommend to all of my friends. read more

The food, service and atmosphere are all amazing. Have been 3 times now and me and my wife have eaten something different everytime and still can't pick a favorite because every was so good read more

Amazing food, service, and atmosphere! We went opening weekend and I was blown away at how flavorful everything we had was. I was sad when Garland closed, so I was very excited to see Chef Cheetie create a unique and flavorful menu. The cocktails were also delicious and very refreshing on a hot day. Note that the restaurant is primarily outdoor seating (which I prefer), but they do have fans and shade to keep things cool. Even on a hot day, I was still very comfortable. Definitely get the Tomato Plate and the toor whip! I would highly suggest sharing a bunch of items so that you can really experience the menu! With 2 people, we got 4 dishes, 2 drinks each, and dessert and were comfortably full. We loved our experience so much that I immediately made reservations for my upcoming birthday dinner at the end of July. Excited to eat here again and see the menu evolve! read more

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Holy MOLY the food is so good!!!! It also looks like art on the plate, every dish is so beautiful. The flavors were wonderful. The wine was great. The back patio was also lovely ambience. Highly recommend the chicken!!! read more

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We loved this restaurant! Beautiful outdoor space, friendly attentive service - let us eat at our own pace and explained menu items. Plus, the food & drinks were delicious! Had the lamb croquette - highly recommend, hummus- definitely unique but a wonderful combination of textures & flavors, spare ribs and grilled shrimp dish. All were delicious- Will definitely return! read more

First time at Ajja and we drove 45 minutes to get there. The servers were all friendly and helpful. The whipped feta was nice and the warm hummus even better. The portions are VERY small. I ordered the whole trout and it was okay. My son had the chicken kabab and while it was okay the portion was so small we all thought for $17 you should get more than 1/2 cup of chicken pieces. The same went for the lamb. Will I return? NO. read more

Fantastic good, service, location. Really enjoyed the range of vegetarian options. The ambiance is beautiful and the outdoor space is one of the best in Raleigh. read more

Ajja blends eastern with western influences in its divine dishes and eclectic cocktails and is both carnivore and vegetarian friendly. The pickled trumpet mushroom dish is sure to satisfy any meat eater. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable, and the restaurant is colorful and stylish. It is warm in the courtyard even during the winter. On the weekends, the restaurant holds a market with live music and local wares, making it an important staple in the community. read more

Holy cats, this place is amazing! Awesome vibe, friendly staff, delicious food. The outdoor seating area was lovely and had heaters going to keep the space warm. I got the Smoked Fish Rillettes and the Toor Whip, both of which were incredible. I'm already looking forward to going back and trying more. Highly recommend sitting by their huge fire pit after enjoying your meal (blankets provided so you can get super cozy)! read more

My partner, best friend, and I recently had a disappointing experience at your restaurant, and I felt it was important to bring it to your attention. We visited your restaurant last evening to celebrate my partner's birthday and her recovery after a week in the hospital. While waiting for a table on your back patio, we had our first drink of the evening. Once seated, we asked our waitress about several drink options, as my best friend had previously enjoyed a drink at your restaurant that was no longer on the menu. Our waitress, an older blonde with curly hair and a colorful flower blouse, seemed displeased that my friend had to change her order. After placing our orders, my partner and I went to the bathroom. While there, we overheard two individuals making inappropriate comments insinuating that we were engaged in sexual activity. This made us extremely uncomfortable and left us feeling as though we were being discriminated against. We were simply using the bathroom, yes we might have taken a little longer than normal but aunt flow is in town and I needed to freshen up. Upon returning to our table, we realized that our drinks, which we had ordered almost 15 minutes prior, had not arrived. When I inquired about our drinks, the waitress informed me that our table would not be served any more drinks. I was taken aback and asked for an explanation. The waitress responded by saying, "Your table will not be getting drinks. Your eyes told me you all had reached your peak." I was shocked by this response, as neither my partner, best friend, nor I were intoxicated as we had our first drinks of the day with you all. We were also not slurring words, talking loudly or causing a scene. Feeling targeted and upset, I spoke with the manager, who offered us dessert for the birthday celebration. However, we declined and asked for the bill. As we were leaving, I expressed my disappointment to the manager, who reiterated that our "eyes" indicated to the waitress that we did not need any more drinks. Again, I'd understand if it was more than our "eyes" but we were not slurring our words, talking loudly or causing a scene. Our eyes might have been swollen and a little red only because we have had an emotional week as my partner has been in the hospital. I am deeply upset by this experience and feel that we were singled out because of homophobia. We felt unwelcome and discriminated against, and as a result, we will not be returning to your restaurant. read more

We had high hopes for our first meal in Raleigh, but sadly our hopes were dashed. The tables are like picnic benches with slats in them and food was stuck between the slats, tiny plastic plates were used and a cheap drink menu holder kept flying off the tables, no big deal you say? But to some, details of a fine dining establishment matter. We asked the server about the lamb Dolmas which she recommended and indicated that we typically shy alway from dolmas due to their sourness but she said the dolmas at ajja were completely different and not sour. She was wrong they were sour. The flavors of the food were unique but rather than subtle and well-balanced were more overpowering. This is in complete contrast to our fantastic experience at Stanbury. The dessert was a Turkish chocolate cake that was stale the cake part was old and we didn't receive any apology or acknowledgement from the server on our comment. Overall, not the dining experience we expected. Not the worst food we've had, but not the best either. If you have a choice recommend Stanbury instead, a more polished service and food experience. read more

Everything was delicious, from the food to the drinks. The server was super sweet and helpful. Will definitely be coming back!

I've been wanting to eat here for quite a while so was happy to score reservations. The patio area is lovely, the music is perfect, and the food is good. The smashed cucumbers were delicious, as were the warm olives, the toor whip and the bread. The mains (chicken kabab and spare ribs) were also good. Interestingly, where others have indicated service was slow, my party of 6 felt like we were being rushed. We had barely sat down and had a chance to greet each other (much less look at the menu) when our server started pushing us to order appetizers and entrees. Perhaps this was in response to the previous "slow service" comments from others. Anyway, it got to be annoying. When we were paying and wrapping up, our server came over to let us know we could stay and chat for a while, but there was another party coming in 25 minutes. Geesh. I get that they want to have reservation times honored so customers aren't kept waiting, but it all came across as "hurry up and order, hurry up and eat, pay and get out." Doubtful I'll go back anytime soon because of that. read more

One of the best new restaurants? James Beard semi finalist? Who is actually picking these restaurants? I've never had a miss with a James Beard nominated restaurant-until now. Food was ok. Nothing that will blow your mind-and honestly not worth my time to go into detail. Suffice it to say we tried about 8 dishes and nothing was outstanding. Prices were high and didn't compensate for the value of the food. In my opinion you're basically paying for the ambiance. I hope they thrive and wish them well-but I just can't justify going here again. read more

Great vibe, great food, bit odd location/ entrance .. enjoyed it.. Awesome bar! Service could be better!! read more

Ajja - Toor dip! Amazing!! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We ate outside at a courtyard table with big umbrella for shade. Service was excellent-- knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. The owner visits the guests and we had an interesting conversation with him. The Minty Pea Dip appetizer was refreshing. We had it spread on their fabulous homemade bread-- crusty on the outside, chewy and airy on the inside-- perfect! I hope they eventually sell loaves bi would love it at home. My husband enjoyed the King Trumpet mushrooms on a bed of greens-- a great choice for a light dinner, paired with ginger beer (no alcohol), which he really liked. I had the special-- quail with a saffron risotto, with figs and a balsamic reduction (I think that is what it was) sauce on a bed of something creamy-- maybe it was crème fraiche, not sure, but it was really good. It was the special for the evening. Paired this with a mocktail "...White verjus, with blueberry, cucumber, lemon.," quite refreshing. We thoroughly enjoyed this meal and we thank the excellent servers and chef for a memorable anniversary dinner. read more

So good!!! I dined here on a Friday night with my husband and we had the best experience. The service was amazing. We sat at the bar and our bartender gave us great recommendations for both food and drink, was super attentive, and friendly. The food was so flavorful as were the drinks. We had the feta dip which was my husband's favorite dish of the night. We also had the stuffed zucchini, lamb, and chicken. Everything was fresh and delicious. My favorite was the zucchini. It was served over a sauce that packed so much flavor. Smoky with the right amount of spice. We will be returning!! read more

Ajja - Feta dip - Middle Eastern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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My wife and I had a wonderful meal here yesterday. We especially loved the broccoli crowns. Highly recommend!!!

The food was spot on and we loved everything we ordered. We were a party of 5 and shared almost everything on the menu. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars, I thought the drinks were just slightly not quite right and our particular server was a bit of a smart aleck. He may have been trying to be funny, but it really came off as rude. read more

Fantastic. The food is elevated and approachable, top notch vegetable dishes, killer med style grilled meats, a stellar cocktail and wine menu, along with NA options. The outdoor area has to be one of the best in Raleigh, with beautiful views around sunset. Great staff. Needless to say this is a wonderful addition to Raleigh's restaurant scene. As a side note, the (only) one star review left by "Amy D" is absurd. This is a sophisticated trendy restaurant that's relatively small with a neighborhood vibe. To leave a 1 star review because they rocked up with a party of six, kids in tow, and no reservation, says a lot to begin with, but to then complain after the restaurant accommodated the group with outside seating... and they still leave a one star review? Give me a break. read more

Don't want to eat here again as much as I want to be a financial partner! The profit margins here must be awesome, as the prices were high and the portions small. For three people, ordered three entrees - spare ribs, chicken kabobs, Trumpet Mushrooms. For sides, Carrot Houriya, Collard Eggplant Dolma. Kabobs were best of the entrees. Mushrooms very thick. Didn't like the spongy texture. Collard thingy was good but you only get three small ones. Ribs not so lean. Get some baby-back ribs, so I am not paying for so much fat and bone. Waiter scanned my CC and gave me a device to sign for the bill, with 28% tip pre-selected. Wow! Really? Was I fed or being robbed? Nope, I am still old school - 15 to 20% is the top and is fair. If you are mediocre, or bad, less than that or nothing. Remember, tips are OPTIONAL. $150 bill for three people. Not a great value to me. read more

The food, service and ambiance was fantastic. Got the hummus, creamed feta, lamb and Brussels and all were fantastic and large portions. Highly recommend! read more

This is the third time we've been and each time, the food and drinks were very good and unique. The first two times we went, the food came out mostly at the same time and we easily shared the small plates. Last night, 3 plates came out much later than the others. One person was finished with their dinner well before another was served and that was only when we asked another server to please send our server to our table as she had not checked on us in a while. It appeared that part of the order was forgotten. As the five of us were leaving, the waitress ran out of the restaurant to let us know she had given both of us and we paid the wrong check. We split the bill down the middle and paid for the 5th person, so we weren't keeping track. While in the parking lot, she refunded our card and we paid the second bill. On our first visit to Ajja, after finishing dinner, the four of us were having a drink rather than dessert and the server told us she needed our table and asked us to move to the outside bar. It was during the winter and was cold, so we just left. To their credit, the second time we were there, everything went smoothly, but I can't say the service was exceptional. As I said, the food and drinks were great and very unique, but in the three times we've been, we have not been terribly impressed with the service. read more

Phenomenal. Absolutely amazing. Will definitely be back. The creamed feta dip was delectable with the soft homemade bread. The Brussel sprouts and chicken kabob were stellar. The flavors all paired so well together and were unique. read more