Had a fine lunch today: lamb merguez sandwich and grilled eggplant. Both excellent. In addition to the sauces that came with the merguez (one nicely smoky and the other more crema), I requested some hot sauce on the side - which had deep flavor and also really delivered the heat. For dessert, burma (a kind of rolled baklava filled with a mixture of pistachios, honey and spices). Served on a base of honey yogurt and topped with a tangy drizzle, it was a beautiful presentation and tasted as good as it looked. The indoor ambiance is very good, but, taking advantage of the milder weather today, we sat in the peaceful courtyard. The service was impeccable. Reasonably priced. read more

Nice lunch for a workplace Cafe:) Service prompt and courteous. Nice ambience for an office park Cafe, was pleasantly surprised:) Would go again when in the area... read more

Quite frankly I'm shocked at the amount of good reviews, maybe they used to be good but have since gone downhill? Usually I wait until I've tried a place a few times but I feel comfortable making a review based on my first try since 1) their catering had a variety of options so I know it wasn't just one dish that was bad and 2) I couodnt imagine spending my money to give them a second chance. Really. It was this bad. They catered an event I attended today and I had pita bread, hummus, dolmas, chicken and squash shish kebabs, pasta salad and Greek salad. Every. Single. Dish. Was an absolute let down. Chicken was completely dry and flavorless. I threw the rest of it away. The pita was so dry it crumbled and I couldn't eat it. Surely the hummus would help boost the chicken and pita? Wrong. The hummus was basically ground chickpeas with no other flavor. The pasta salad just tasted like plain pasta with oil. Nothing else. The dolmas were decent (but it's grape leaves and rice, how can you mess it up??) and the green salad was ONLY good bc there was some feta to put on top. The dressing was just straight oil no other flavors. I can't comment on their ambiance, I'm not sure if you can eat inside since it was catered to us. Maybe the place is nice but I haven't been there so I wouldn't know. This is the worst meal I've had in awhile and I do not recommend their food. The others at my table all said the same thing, we were not impressed. Would not recommend. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. My husband had chicken bowl and I had salmon both delicious. read more

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Hidden gem in the Charlottesville food scene. Fantastic authentic Moroccan food. We came here for a graduation event. The service was good. Food was fresh and flavorful. Only wish they had longer hours so I could come more often. read more

A cafe in the Virginia Forestry building. Spacious, clean and comfortable. Had Potato Cauliflower soup, and grilled shrimp over white beans. Soup was good, not fabulous. Shrimp was fabulous, beans were too El Dante for my taste, but still tasty. My companion also had the soup, and a large salad - which they loved. Good coffee - great service. Terrible signage - got lost inside the bldg, and had to be walked to the cafe. Still and all, Happy I went. read more

Hidden gem! This place is super cute and convenient located in Barracks shopping center. Plenty of easy parking and a bigger restaurant then I thought for being tucked away in the shopping center. I just came here to meet some friends last night. I ordered the beignets dessert thinking it was going to be some pastry type of thing. However, it ended being like balled up plantains? Sweet and banana-ish. Kind of on the pricier side, 8 bucks. Definitely interesting and tasty. Service is great at the place too. Next time I'll come back for real food! read more

Aromas Cafe and Catering - Beignets dessert - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We ordered the chichen bowl and falafel bowl plus pita bread side and morrocan orance dessert. Everything was good taste healthy and affordable. The service was A1 and the place has a small cute patio that we enjoyed. read more

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We are so thankful to return to this special spot for us and meet Moses. Thank you for providing such an excellent meal and another great memory. We both started with the delicious tomato carrot soup. I had the salmon on a salad and two servings of falafels as after one I had to get another! Andrew had the lentil and lamb tagine. read more

If you asked me what the most salient aspect of my visit was worth the five stars, I would say the staff here. The owner and wait staff are truly superb. From the moment I made my group's reservation to our dining experience they were polite, attentive, available, and seemed to care a great deal about their work. For each dish that was served it was followed up with an inquiry as to how the guests were enjoying it. For one of our diners who had to leave early, Hassan personally took his order to the kitchen and brought the dish out in moments to accommodate for the diner's time. I was very impressed. I could tell that Hassan cares a great deal about his restaurant and taking care of his customers! In addition to the excellent service, the food was well prepared with attention to detail. I ordered the dolma which came out warm which was a good change to how I've had this in the past. The warm filling worked quite well with the acidic grape leaves. It was very good. I also ordered the meatball dish which was large, decadent, pipping hot, and extremely flavorful. Be aware that some of the spices may be overwhelming for a palate that may not enjoy heavy flavor but for those that do; highly recommend! This is the kind of restaurant that would be great for small parties, dates, and celebratory gatherings. It has just the right intimate feel with bright paintings contrasted against dark wood decor that makes you want to linger and have that extra espresso. read more

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My friend and I both got the salmon with orzo special, and I also got a cauliflower soup. The salmon was pan seared and the skin was crispy and well salted. The salmon itself was also a good balance between flaky and too sturdy. The red and green sauces that comes on the side also act as decorative elements to give the plate an elegant look. Just two things though - the salmon itself was not seasoned or salted enough, and so both of us had to add salt and pepper to it. Which is fine given the quality of the salmon, but I wish they had given it a more solid flavor. Second was the cauliflower soup, which again was not salted enough, making it bland. It also seems like the salmon on orzo is not a "special" as our server described - on yelp I see quite a few pictures of what we got. Service was attentive and who I think was the owner or manager came to chat with us. read more

A hidden gem in C-Ville! This is THE BEST Mediterranean (technically moroccan) cuisine in Charlottesville. A well appointed dining room is eclipsed by an attentive and friendly waitstaff who understand that the all guests are there responsibility, not just their tables. The cuisine was delicate, thoughtfully prepared, and portioned right. The Mezzi platter, a sampling of Baba Ganoush, Hummus, and Dolmades (warm! Finally!) was terrific. The moroccan meatballs were outstanding. The perfectly cook overeasy eggs brought a creamy relief to the acidic spice of the tomato. The desserts are terrific and the well selected wine listed guarantees a good pairing. Drop what you're doing and go now. Hassan, we thank you!! read more

Aromas Cafe and Catering - Spicy Moroccan meatballs in a tomato base, accompanied with fresh eggs. - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Food is your standard Mediterranean fare (hummus, stuffed grape leaves, baba ghannouge, zadjiki). I love the roasted eggplant appetizer and gigantic chicken shawarma wraps that leave you ensconced in a drowsy food coma for most of the day, but it's the huge plate of insulata that takes the cake. Lots of cucumbers, tomatoes and feta in their house dressing, and a giant slice of garlic herb encrusted bread. The table next to me ordered the salmon over orzo which smelled absolutely divine. Prices for the entrees are a little heftier than the other options in Barracks, similar to the restaurants in the Downtown Mall. The real standout here is the service. Both times I was here, the waiters took the time to describe dishes in detail for friends with dietary restrictions, and the owner went to every single table to check on whether they liked the food. I'm not actually a fan of places where the waiter is practically crouched at your elbow waiting for crumbs to fall and comes by every other minute to see how things are going, but I do appreciate how much the owner values his customers, and the effort he and the waitstaff put into making sure people leave happy. read more

I can't say enough good things about Aroma, so I won't say anything. Just drop by, it's a Gastronomic jewel of Northern África in Central Virginia. read more

I have been to this restaurant several times since they moved to the current location behind the Fontaine Research Park. The excellent chef recently took over the management of the business, but wisely chose to keep the delicious menu that has been a standout in Charlottesville for a long time. When he does try new things (soups, various specials), they are also excellent. My favorite is the salmon bowl, which is a perfect mix of greens, beans, dressing, and salmon that is unmatched for freshness and is cooked perfectly. I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered, and my latest new try was the "vegetable medley soup," which was just amazing. My only regret is when I don't save room for dessert. The restaurant itself is in a nice building, is quiet, pleasant and inviting, and the staff members are friendly, helpful and professional. They are only open for lunches and only M-F, but if you can make it, it will not disappoint. read more

Wonderful first-time lunch visit--30-Apr-2010, about 1:00 pm. My dining companion and I both had the falafel salad--a featured lunch entree and the Sweet Potato Soup as an appetizer. This was my first visit to Aroma, and I was totally impressed by the greeting, the waiter, and the food. The decor and ambiance is excellent as well. The Sweet Potato Soup was chilled and could not have been better. The seasoning and spice-ness was perfect. The red pepper flavor (I think red pepper) was amazingly right on target. Not too much, not too little. Just like Goldilocks porridge. : ) Eric, the waiter, was personable, helpful, and seemingly assured about the details of the food offerings. Aroma! I can't wait until I'm back at Barracks again. read more

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Used to be at Barracks Road and now out Fontaine Ave. Absolutely excellent food! All homemade and delicious!! Open lunch Monday-Friday read more

The coffee alone is worth the detour. The place is warm and inviting, the staff professional and caring. The Mediterranean style food is fresh and flavorful. I really enjoyed it, three times! read more

Closed early Couldn't get in to taste the food walked by at 8:30 looked at the hours on the door it said 9:30 was closing came back a 8:45 walked in and they told us they closed early for the weekend no sign up or on the door read more

1.5 stars Arguably one of the worst lunches I've ever had. If you're a meat eater, they pretty much only have chicken on the menu and some fish but expect to pay about $30. Then the server comes over and lists off about 7 specials with details down to every rice kernel and raisin scrap but of course not the price. Exhausting and awkward. I hate that shit more than anything and it's always a sure sign you're about to be overcharged for underwhelming food. I tried to pick the least ass rapish dish in the menu and came up with the vegetarian Moroccan. The server recommended it over the chicken shawarma and that it was "well-received". It was artfully described with a list of veggies and hummus served with bread for $13. I thought it'd be a vegetarian platter of some sort. Turns out it's $13 for two thin slices of oily eggplant between two slices of stale Walmart wheat bread. When I asked for clarification because I didn't realize thats what vegetarian Morocco was, the manager was extremely confrontational and gave me dirty looks while arguing that it clearly stated that it's a sandwich on the menu. I don't argue and decide to eat it and go as soon as possible. Then he walks over with the menu, showing me where it says "served over wheat bread". Sorry but that does not mean it's a sandwich. The description should state eggplant sandwich because that was what it was. All that came with the sandwich was a tiny cup of dry Cous cous with a spicy sauce. As I was walking out after eating the sandwich in 1.5 minutes and paying $13 for two slices of dry wheat bread with two slices of oily eggplant, the manager once again confronts me about the menu. Instead of being helpful or nice he tries to argue about how it was my fault I misunderstood the description. I didn't argue and walked to Sedona Taproom where I had a $6 steak with mashed potatoes. With French press coffee my meal is less than $10 and so much better than the sandwich from Aroma. read more

Stumbled upon this restaurant when looking for a quick place to grab brunch while shopping on a Saturday morning. Met the owner and his brother and they were very personable and nice, made you feel welcomed from the moment you came in. My friend and i chose to sit outside since it was nice day and ordered water and some the Moroccan beer they had on special well... they were out of that beer so we settled on local VA beer they owners brother suggested from Fredericksburg as well as an order of hummus. The hummus was Amazing! perfect texture and balance, with not too much olive oil. My brunch partner and I both decided on wraps! He chose the Moroccan wrap with stewed white beans and his side and I went this the Chicken shawarma and Moroccan rice as my side. Both wraps where a nice size and very satisfying. The Moroccan wrap was filled with grilled chicken assorted grilled veggies and tzatziki sauce. While my Chicken shawarma was jam-packed with grilled chicken lettuce and tzatziki sauce, both very delicious!! The sides were nothing special...mine was accompanied with a small very small rice topped with some spicy red sauce, and the stewed beans where exactly that. Stewed...white...beans. Overall the food was pretty the service was great, and for quick bite to eat, it was good. read more

Lets start with the good: The special of the day braised lamb was pretty tasty and HOT when brought out to the table. But all in all it was 4oz of lamb and small amount of uninspired risotto. It could have been better. But the meat was cooked well and delivered pipping hot. The Meza Trio platter (hummus,ganoush and dolmas) hummus was good, the unexpected winner of the day was the Baba Ganoush. Slightly smokey and perfectly tart undertones made this a real hit at our table. Unfortunately the 3 tiny pieces of Kroger deli quality Dolmas left a lot to be desired. Everything else about this experience was VERY SUBPAR. The Beef Kafta was presented well. In fact it looked beautiful. But was so dry it was nearly inedible. The waiter did a great job of selling us all kinds of stuff. But the sale was far better than the actual product. I will say he had great table side service, when he was at our table. However he paid almost all of his attention to a couple sitting several tables away and our needs went unmet for most of the time we were there. Even when he came to the table I had to ask for refills on our barren water glasses. He wasn't going to refill them intuitively. Nor were they refiled quickly after being requested. But his pitch always sounded so good that we were fooled and kept ordered more. Sadly this lead to us ordering ordered orange glazed baklava instead we got orange slices with some syrup on it. Massively disappointing orange slices at that. We ordered dessert from our waiters verbal menu, as we did with the lamb dish. We explained what the mix up must have been and were brought some baklava that was indeed as good as the Baba Ganoush. However we were still charged for both. When the bill came we were SHOCKED that the special that night was twice the price of anything on the menu. We felt bamboozled. Add to it bad service and a poor sale of goods and we left disappointed. 1 Star reviews are tough to give. But this experience really earned it in our book. read more

Aromas Cafe and Catering - Front of restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

The first thing that I noticed in this restaurant was that it was really calm and relaxing. A few groups, all enjoying their food/drinks/conversations - older couples, college aged...nice mix! It was my first experience here, have been meaning to stop in for the longest time but hubs always made some sort of excuse to go somewhere else (as you know, 5 Guys is right across the street, haha) but when the opportunity came up to go out with a work colleague, I took that as a sign! We started out with the Mezze Trio - grape leaves, hummus, baba ganoush with some yummy pita. We both ordered waters, too, as I knew I was saving my thirst appetite for a turkish coffee! I ordered the Vegetarian Tagine - a ratatouille dish with couscous, and my dining partner ordered the falafel wrap - hers came with an optional side of rice or couscous and she chose couscous (good choice!) I really enjoyed the meal was nice enough (LOL) to save half of my meal for the hubs - partly to show him how yummy it was, and partly so I'd have enough room for dessert! ;) We both had walnut baklava (YUM!) and I ordered that aforementioned turkish coffee. YES! Great choices. Service was very attentive. Our main server was a little intense but was nice. Pricier than I thought it'd be, but worth it for the yummy flavors and experience. read more

With limited options for carry-out near our apartment, Aromas fit the bill for my husband and me when we wanted to stay in one Saturday night. It was shocking that as soon as I put in the order, it was ready to take home in 10 minutes! Awesome app: We had to order the Soup du Jour, the Sweet Potato Soup, because of all the rave reviews. It reminded us so much of Thanksgiving with the flavor and rich creaminess. (Although, this felt a bit expensive for how small the "bowl" was.) Enticing entrees: *Casablanca Wrap: Tons of yummy seasoned beef with fresh tomato and lettuce. I appreciated the spicy Habiba sauce on the side to compliment the cooling yogurt. However, I found the side of couscous unnecessary because there was a ton in the wrap itself. *Chicken Marrakech: Felt very healthy with tender chunks of chicken in a bed of salad containing (more!) couscous, cucumber, tomato and lettuce. I liked the thin and pliable pita bread on the side, which was an unexpected texture. (Again, this meal also felt a bit pricey, even considering the generous portion, because of the ingredients.) Delicious dessert: I'm really not a dessert person, but when I noticed the Lebne Yogurt with Fruit and Almonds dish, I was intrigued after recently seeing the yogurt on the cooking competition show, "Chopped." Similar to Greek yogurt, it was thick and creamy. I loved how it was garnished with the crispy baklava (surprise! not mentioned in menu description and therefore making this dessert a steal). I just wished there were more almonds and that the fruit was fresh instead of dried. Reasons to return: *Location is prime, right in the Barracks Road Shopping Center, near everything else I pass on a daily basis and close to home. *Restaurant looked inviting and hip, and I'd love to try dining-in to compare my takeout. read more

Based on others reviews, I suppose I had a unique experience. I rank this two stars because of the owner's rude treatment of me. I went to the restaurant with a friend who I worked with at the hospital. She was dressed in a nice dress. I was dressed in t-shirt and shorts, as I had just worked three day shifts in a row and was feeling tired. I also had had a particularly emotional shift the day before. When we went into the restaurant, the owner said: "Sit where you want." I told my friend I'd like to sit outside. The owner said, "No. You cannot sit out there. Everyone is in here. It's air conditioned. Sit inside." I told him that it's a lovely day and wanted to sit outside. My friend said we'd sit outside. To her, the owner said yes. My friend smiled throughout the interactions, as she had been to the restaurant before. I wasn't certain if he his abrasiveness with me was out of sarcasm or seriousness. When we sat outside, he continued speaking to my friend and ignored me. He told her, "You look so beautiful! You were in law school, no?" She told him she's a nurse, and indicated I am one too. He glanced at me for half a second and kept speaking with her, "You look great!" He looked at me and added, "Not you." I was very surprised by his rude treatment of me. I recognize I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, but I am a paying customer with a deep appreciation for authentic Greek cuisine. When I ordered, he insulted my food choice and complimented my friend's choices. After the food had been delivered, he asked how my friend was doing and enjoying the food. He completely ignored me. I was so taken aback by his hostility toward me that I cried. I will state that the food is great and overpriced. My experience was clouded by interactions with the owner who (long story short) was not welcoming, unprofessional, and acted in an unkind manner towards me. I will not go back, which is a shame because the food is good. read more

One of my clients sent me here and I am going to shake that mans hand!! Simple menu packed with classics and a good selection of daily specials. Flawless service in a very comfortable setting! Good beer selection. I had the falafel then the special of lentil stew with beef and lamb merguez! Total winner! read more

Love the food... the trio is my fav. Hassan is a great host...ask if you have food questions or concerns! Everything is amazing...esp falafel and grape leaves!! read more

Best Mediterranean experience in Cville so far. The kabob and grills look very tempting but I ended up choosing a lighter entree-- vegetarian El Morocco. Most of the eggplant plates I had were somewhat over toasted, well, not this time! Juicy eggplants and sweet pepper along with greens, who says vegen sandwich is boring! And don't miss the dessert. A little savory to finish up, dipping baklava with yoghurt, soooo yummy~~~ read more

This place was good, but a total ripoff. The food is way overpriced for what portions you get, especially because it was just typical Mediterranean food. I went with my family for graduation weekend, and we were charged $75 for a bottle of champagne, with out being told how much it was beforehand. The appetizers were skimpy, and the owner hassled us about not having a reservation (the place was mostly empty). I only gave this place 2/5 because the falafel was pretty good read more

Had this Moroccan restaurant for the first time. I ordered the lamb sausage sandwich, which is great. The lamb sausage is tasty, having a mild lamb flavor mixed with some spicy sauce, similar to some kibbeh. Will come back and try the chicken shawarma next time. Direction tip: drive into fountain research park and all the way to the end read more

Hoooooo boy. Well, I was a walk-in... And I did take-away. And I got a wrap, which tends to be blandly American on most menus. But that doesn't explain the inedible couscous, the pricing, the pre-fab pita bread, or the total lack of Mediterranean flavors. The only bright spot was the rather lovely hummus. If you go here, perhaps stick to appetizers or small plates. I can't help but feel like I must have just caught an unlucky outcome. read more

Best lunch in Charlottesville. A bit off the beaten path but worth findinbg for excellent Mediterranean food. Just wish they'd open for dinner.... read more

I love this place! Anytime I would go out to lunch, this is where I would go. Hassan makes the best roasted eggplant I have ever had. The rest of the menu is equally delicious and there is always something new to try with the variety of specials offered. read more

I had a delicious dinner here this past weekend - everyone at the table left satisfied! The ambiance was great and our server was accommodating, attentive and knowledgeable about everything on their menu and their drink list. The owner is very engaging with patrons as well. The menu is a nice mix of both casual and more upscale items - their specials sounded great as well! Mezza Trio: A nice appetizer to share that includes hummus, baba ghannouge, and stuffed grape leaves. Our server made it a point to refill us with warm pita as well. :) Moroccan Wrap with a side of couscous: Love the addition of hummus and grilled eggplant to this wrap as compared to the Chicken Shawarma Wrap. Delicious and large wrap - great value for the price. Moroccan glazed oranges with rosewater, cinnamon and roasted almonds: Refreshing and nice palette cleansing dessert. My only complaint is that the flavor of the rosewater wasn't pronounced enough. read more

Aromas Cafe and Catering - Moroccan glazed oranges - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Came I for a quick bite and got the mezza trio (hummus, baba ghanoush, and grape leaf wraps with pita) starter as my meal. The food came out very quickly, and service was fast and attentive without making me feel rushed. The good: The baba ghanoush was smoky and on the smoother end I consistency. The dolmata (grape leaves) had excellent flavor with just enough acidity and juiciness. The not as good: The pita was very forgettable, it was thin and not crispy (reminiscent of the kind that comes on the side at the new fast casual salad restaurants). The price point was also a little high - ended up paying $22+ with tip for three grape leaves, the two small bowls of baba/hummus, and the accompanying pita. Still, the food was good, the ambience was casual, and I enjoyed my meal. I recommend, especially since there aren't too many similar restaurants in C-Ville. read more

In town from DC for a wedding and my aunt and uncle (locals) recommended we try this place for dinner. We did, and we liked it so much we went back two days later for lunch. The food is great, but the thing that sets this place apart is the service. SUPER friendly and with an unforced smile all the way down to the people bussing the tables. The owner was very present and of course extremely friendly. He and a couple of the other staff remembered us on our return. You just don't get this at chain restaurants. Place like this are the reason everyone should support local, non-chain restaurants at every opportunity. No, you won't find mozzarella sticks or a bloomin' onion or portions big enoug for a cow, but you'll find flavors that will make you smile and service that will make you feel like a king (or queen). read more

Checked out their NEW LOCATION at 900 Natural Resources Drive now open for breakfast and lunch. Fantastic food, especially the Shrimp Cassoulet. read more

Aromas is set underneath a little bit - from the road on Barracks Road Shopping Center, it looks a little like a basement which caused me to overlook it for more than a year. However, this made its discovery all the more surprising and delightful :) The owner is a gracious host who recognizes his regulars with especially warm greetings. For starters, the Moroccan mint tea is lovely on a cold winter day. There is a nice variety of appetizers and regular entrees, and they usually have a good assortment of enticing specials everyday. Since I'm such a fan of salads, I did think it would be nice to add just one more fresh salad to their appetizers (they have one at the moment). They do have a good assortment of vegetarian dishes though. They also have a very fine list of wines nicely displayed encircling the guests' dining area. I will definitely try to come here again in the near future. read more

First time in Charlottesville so we used Yelp to find some eats near the hotel. We wanted to visit the downtown area but we we were all too tired to make it to downtown so we chose Aroma which was close to our hotel. Once again, Yelp reviews were spot on. We all enjoyed our meals, the atmosphere and the service. My six year old had the shrimp tagine and said she could have eaten a second one. I had the chicken Marrakech and it was pretty good. We had a side of the lentils and everyone loved them. All that having been said, we did get a late start to dinner so we were all pretty hungry. read more

The food here is always great and the service too! The prices are a little expensive. Thats the 4-5. I love it here but wish they had a lunch menu. The owner and manager are very friendly and the staff is as well. Great Mediterranean dishes. Try the chicken markesh ! read more