Great food, friendly service, good vibe. Cheetie has brought many new recipes to Ajja.

The vibe of this place is really cute but it is really over priced. It cost $18 for a GLASS of wine and they charge $2.50 per roll, so if more than one person wants bread... it's gonna get pricey. The service was also not great. As soon as we mentioned that the bread pricing was a little steep, especially when we ordered 6 dishes off the app and share menus, our server got a little standoffish. The food is good but comes in very small portions and again is very expensive. It's in a nice neighborhood so maybe that's the target clientele but it isn't practical for everyday consumers! read more

Such a great spot! One of the best spots in Raleigh! All the food was really outstanding, the cocktails were also delish, and the vermouth flight is fun! Quick service. And the decor is so fun and cute! Fun colors everywhere and really great ambiance. read more

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Amazing atmosphere, service, and food. I love the mix of flavors. We enjoyed every dish and have a hard time deciding a favorite. We really enjoyed the Brussels sprouts. I think the favorite dish is the trumpet mushrooms followed closely by the trout. Can't wait to come back. read more

Ajja - House Tinned Fish - so good. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Everything was perfect! The food, drinks, ambience, and staff were all so amazing! Our new favorite spot! Definitely recommend! read more

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We went to Ajja on the 2nd or 3rd weekend weekend after opening and had a fantastic time. Highlights were definitely the ribs with an orange glaze, the baklava whiskey sour, and the lamb croquette. I'd suggest going with a group of 3 or 4 people, so you can sample all over the menu. We probably ordered ten or so dishes, and I loved the variety. I hope they rotate the dishes every now and then to keep their focused menu from stagnating. Service was prompt and friendly. Our waiter made sure to ask the kitchen about what I could eat with my seafood allergy. Sadly I couldn't have the steak because of anchovies in the marinade, but I'm thankful our server called that out. The space is primarily on a covered patio outside with a neat yard. Nice bar both inside and out, cool place to eat. This is a great treat-yourself spot where you can try several amazing drinks and small-ish plates. Creative presentation and fresh ingredients, definitely worth a visit. read more

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My partner and I had dinner here just the other night and had a fantastic experience. The ambiance is cozy both inside and outside of the restaurant, and based on other reviews, it seems they may have expanded their seating recently. Their back patio even has a view of downtown. We had the butternut squash dip with gluten-free bread as an appetizer. The dip was sweet and delicious, although I do wish they served more bread with it. For our meal, we shared the winter salad and chicken kebab. Both of these dishes were incredible and paired really well together! I've seen some reviews so far mentioning the blandness of some of the food, but this was not our experience at all. The service was prompt and the owner even brought out our appetizer. Overall a great experience and I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone looking for some new flavors! The only downside is the portion sizes, although the menu suggests that plates should be shared, and the restaurant is closer to a tapas bar in that way. read more

Great hidden gem in Five Points neighborhood that is getting more attention. The menu is small, which we enjoy. We had the Ajja platter and pickles to start, followed by the asparagus for my fiancee and lamb seekh for me. It was the best lamb I have ever had. It is a little pricier but I felt that the food was worth what we paid for. Our server, Jordan, was excellent and attentive. Ambience is really cute, sort of mediterranean/middle eastern fusion with Indian vibes. Our cocktails were excellent as well. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Great meal! read more

Secret gem of Raleigh. A bit tucked away in a neighborhood but this one of the most unique dining experiences in Raleigh. Definitely suggest adding it to your list of places to dine in Raleigh. read more

Great vibe, great cocktails, great food. Service is as good as it gets. Every server we interacted with was knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, energetic- with a genuine passion for food. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio. Now the food - pickled vegetables were a great starter with cocktails (cukes, pickled beets, bok choy, radish). Creamed Feta - amazing. CHARD-EGGPLANT DOLMA - OMG so good, nice kick, Fried Trout - best thing I have eaten in a while. A must read more

I had a wonderful dinner experience at Ajja recently. I came without a reservation but was quickly seated at the bar area. The restaurant is gorgeous with an indoor and outdoor space. It was much bigger than I expected it to be. I ordered a delicious mocktail and I appreciated that they had cocktail and mocktail options. They have a robust wine and beer list as well. The bartender/server was very helpful, starting our conversation by walking me through the menu. I order the Brussels sprouts, spare ribs, and apple cake. Everything was delicious, well prepared and extremely flavorful while also being unique. I wished the apple cake had been a bit warmer however I loved the paring of the sorbet with the cake. I went alone so I order just two items but if you go with someone or even friends, it could be a great place to share plates and try things. Overall, It was a wonderful dinner experience and I look forward to coming back. read more

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

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Delicious! Exquisite! I think the chef (former owner and chef of Garland --- a downtown fusion eatery that closed in 2022) is the Yottam Ottolenghi of Raleigh. She never rests on her laurels by bringing familiar dishes to the masses. She in facts fuses food, culture, and experience to provide us a true concept of a melting pot... and elevates it. All the dishes we ordered ( appetizers and mains) were delicious and exquisitely integrated to create new taste experiences. They had three desserts of which the sorbet is not a sorbet but a rich VEGAN eco unit ice cream with sugared boondi and pineapple. Delicious! What can I tell you? Taste to calorie ratio is huge!!! So... don't bother counting... just go enjoy this fusion or middle eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean... tapas style or shared menu items. Enjoy! Enjoy! If I can promise myself to not over eat... it's on my list of places to go weekly. It's that good. read more

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

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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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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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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Ajja is improbably located in an industrial area and has the ambience of a cheerful high school cafeteria. The food, however, may be the best in Raleigh. There are some interesting-sounding cocktails, but we chose glasses of wine from a small, but imaginative, list. While perusing the menu we had some lovely hummus with fantastic bread. There are a number of starters to share. My favorite is the coffee-glazed carrots with crunchy candied pistachios. The main courses are terrific, too. I had a local trout: deboned, fried and served whole, covered in herbs and citrus. I'm still fantasizing about it. My companions seemed quite enthusiastic about theirs, as well. read more

The service was overly pushy -- we felt rushed from the moment we sat down. Food came out in just a few minutes, clearly premade. When we raised concerns, the manager showed up unintroduced and uninterested. For prices comparable to high-end restaurants in LA or NYC, the experience and quality were a major letdown. Don't waste your time or money. 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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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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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

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

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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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

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

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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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

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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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

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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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

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

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

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

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