If I could give more than five stars, I would. I've been here twice in the last week and a half...first, for dinner and second visit for brunch. I hope people discover that this place is also great for brunch as the crowd was more sparse for brunch. For dinner, we had the mezze, tabbouleh, and beef kabobs. All delicious! For brunch, we had shakshuka. Perhaps not traditional (the eggs appeared baked), but it was perfectly spiced. We ordered the French press coffee and it was the most beautiful coffee presentation I've ever seen....and delicious! Service is attentive, but not overbearing. Overall, I'd say this one has entered my Top 5 in Atlanta. I will be a frequent customer! read more

Service was really bad. Two stars off for service!!! Inattentive, slow... I mean just all of the above when it comes to dropping the ball on service Food was decent , but portions are small! read more

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When we arrived they said they were understaffed yet they had enough time to check on us constantly . This place is super cute inside and out. We sat outside and it was comfortable. There were a few gnat flying around but not enough for it to be annoying . We got a sampler of hummus , egg plant , and the feta. All so delicious and they'll replace the bread if you run out . We both got smash burgers I got mine without tomatoes and onions but so good. It had a char states which I don't mind but definitely want to make them myself . Definitely a great spot to enjoy family style food Jetta's fresh. read more

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ELA is in the Virginia Highlands- they offer a decent amount of parking. I made a reservation through Open Table to meet with a friend for Galentines. The restaurant offers patio, main area and bar seating. I loved the fact that my table was ready on time and the staff were all super helpful. Our server, Megan was sweet. She kindly recommended several items to us and we decide to share the pixie fixe at $68. It came with a starter, a main course and dessert. We both loved Brussel sprouts so we had to try those as well. I tried a Greek and a Spanish wine. They offer a full bar and cocktails. The ambience was so intimate. The lights are dim and the music selection definitely elevated the vibe. Let's talk food: the Brussel Sprouts were my favorite. If you love Brussels, I highly recommend you try these out. The flavors were OUT OF THIS WORLD! The pixie fixe was a great recommendation from our sever. The serving size was great because it felt like we were having tapas. The lamb was cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the hummus underneath. They paired well together. My friend raved about the chocolate olive oil cake. We split the bill and with tip it was $93 each. I thought it was fair. I will say the platform they use for billing charges the customer 1.99$ for the platform and I'm just not a huge fan of pushing that on the customer. FINAL VERDICT: this is definitely a must try option. I can't stress enough that the food was delicious. Everything seemed intentional and fit well together. The service was great but not overbearing. 5 stars! Can't wait to come back read more

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Ela was one of my favorite meals in recent memory. It was our first time here so we decided to share a variety of dishes - the mezze board ($21), cauliflower falafel ($8), spinach and feta hot pocket ($7), mushroom shawarma skewer ($14), and harissa chicken skewer ($14) with the fork and knife side ($7, included couscous with dried fruit, mint, and feta cheese). Everything was so flavorful and paired well together. My husband appreciated the variety of standout vegetarian dishes, especially the cauliflower falafel, which he said is probably the best he has ever had. The restaurant was perfect for a date night, group get-together, or a family outing - nice but still casual. Our server was friendly and personable. Ela also has a parking lot, which I can always appreciate in Atlanta, but also plenty of nearby street parking too. With one visit, Ela is somewhere in the top five of our favorite restaurants in the Atlanta area and I can't wait to return. read more

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I wish I lived in Atlanta because Ela is exactly the kind of restaurant I'd want to keep coming back to. Everything was spot‑on, from the ambiance and service to the cocktails and thoughtful menu. We started with the halloumi butternut squash salad, which was beautifully balanced with a sweet dressing and crunchy quinoa. For my entrée, I had the duck confit, and it was absolute perfection. The pairing with parsnip, beets, and pomegranates made every bite feel special. As a parent, I really appreciated that they offer a kids' menu. My kids enjoyed the chicken nuggets with parmesan fries. Ela is the kind of place that gets everything right, and I'd happily return again and again. read more

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This is a great newer spot in Virginia Highlands. They have a ton of great options and definitely something for everyone. We got a selection of stuff to try, and it was all pretty good. The Moroccan hot chicken was a great appetizer and definitely had some heat. I also love that you can get the skewers as a pita. I've tried the harissa chicken, and it has a great flavor. This time I tried the shrimp pita, and it was a great entree. The shrimp had a really nice grilled flavor, and all the stuff in the pita went really well together. I would definitely get it again. We also tried the Greek Fries, which were another great starter. The cheese on top and the harissa aioli were really yummy. I would definitely be back, and I highly recommend this spot. read more

Had dinner with friends at Ela and the overall atmosphere was amazing. The space felt very relaxing, and I really liked both the layout and the lighting--it created a great vibe for a gathering. The service was also friendly and attentive. However, the food was just average and a bit overpriced for what it was. Overall, I'd give it 4 stars mainly for the ambiance and service. read more

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I reeeeeeally wanted to like this place. It's so cute, so elegant. A GREAT vibe. But unfortunately I don't see myself coming g back here. The drinks were great, don't get me wrong. The house special espresso martini was perfection. But all good items were sub par other than the mussels maybe. There was a lot of rave about the fries but that was a let down. Dry. Over Fried. The watermelon appetizer seriously just tasted like watermelon no flavor. The lamb plate looked good but I hadn't tried it cuz I don't eat lamb. Our server was nice enough to accommodate our many requests on dietary restrictions so that was nice. Might come back just for the vibe but that's about it. read more

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Ela looked nice from what I could see online, and it was! Warm lighting, wood, and plants make for a lovely ambiance. We were comfortably able to talk to each other had a good time. We came for brunch since it seems not as busy as other times. Part of the draw was the free parking behind the building, which made things easy for everyone since they had a good amount of space, and it was easy enough to enter and leave. I originally wanted the hummus trio, but unfortunately they were trying something new(or making changes?) and were not offering it at the time I was there. They suggested we start with the mezze board instead, and it was nice though I don't care much for the labneh (unless it's mixed with fig or peaches, literally SOMETHING so it's not just yogurt) but the other two spreads-- smoked eggplant dip and hummus-- were yummy as expected. I enjoy spreads a lot and will order some at Mediterranean places. The mains were good, but nothing special. For the price they're offered at, I am much, much happier with just having their starters. The lamb burger, while good, is messy for me to eat while the lamb hot pocket isn't. The burger did taste better, but the hot pocket lamb was cooked better. The star here, to me, was their hot chicken, which was deliciously spicy. Having starters to share amongst friends is all well and good, but ordering to eat yourself is also a good choice... unless it's Greek fries. They're good enough, but I feel like most people have had better elsewhere. read more

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Ela is the kind of spot that makes you feel like you accidentally walked into the "it" place without even trying. The patio glows with string lights, the bar hums with energy, and inside feels like the entire city had the same brilliant idea at once. It's Mediterranean with Atlanta swagger, polished but still chill enough to laugh too loud. The mezze board? Pure perfection. 5/5. I'm convinced they sprinkled crack in that labneh because I could not stop dipping. The smoked eggplant, pickled sides, and fluffy laffa basically had me in a trance. If I ever disappear, check Ela's kitchen first. Moroccan hot chicken was another 5/5. This is what happens when Nashville heat takes a semester abroad in Morocco and comes back cultured. Crispy, spiced to perfection, and somehow hotter than my ex's temper. Chermoula mussels, though, were the sad trombone of the night. Shrunken, overcooked, and tasting like they'd seen better days. 1/5. These mussels need therapy and maybe a gym membership. The local greens? Shockingly fire. A 5/5 plate of charred greens that somehow managed to taste smoky, crunchy, and fresh all at once. Who knew vegetables could flirt like that. Now the Vespa Martini. Props for creativity, swapping the olive for a giant Campari tomato. It's bold, it's Instagrammable, but it's also like drinking pure alcohol with a cherry tomato staring at you. 3/5. Respect for the risk, but I'll stick to olives if I'm trying to survive more than two. Service tied it all together. Bartenders had precision but still joked with us, food rolled out without a hitch, and the whole night felt effortless. Ela nails the vibe. It's the kind of place where you can have a night of small plate victories, laugh at the one flop, and still walk out feeling like you just scored big. Atlanta has a lot of spots, but Ela is one worth bragging about. read more

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What a great night to fellowship and enjoy some amazing food and drinks. Ela is located on North Highland, close to everything. I orded the Vespa Martini- four pillars olive leaf gin, st. george vodka, cocchi americano $16 very good! We ordered the ELA'S HUMMUS TRIO 15 crisp chickpea and sumac chermoula and mushroom grape tapenade and spiced nuts! 10/10 the mushroom one was out of sight! Have to get that again. For my meal, I ordered the BLACK PEPPER LAMB grilled sirloin, greek herbs $18 paired with the FORK AND KNIFE-couscous, chili, dried fruit, mint, feta $7. While enjoying my meal, I ordered another cocktail, this time the PEACH FREEZE- chablis, lawn dart vodka, crème de peche, lemon, lavender $14. Ok ok ok the dessert was ok but not the best! I wanted baklava but they didnt have it. So I settled for the cinnamon doughnut holes. They were celebrating me most of the night! Lol thanks Ela! More pictures to follow. Thanks Ela! Oh parking was on the sid eof the building at no cost. read more

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I'd heard a lot of great things about Ela, so when my friend and I were craving Mediterranean food, we decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with a warm, cozy atmosphere that immediately made us feel welcome. Service was efficient, and our food arrived fairly quickly after we ordered. We both opted for dishes from the Char-Grilled Skewer section of the menu. My friend went with the Chili-Garlic Shrimp with Greens ($25), which came with roasted pepper, fennel, and feta. I chose the Harissa Chicken ($21), served over a bed of couscous with dried fruit, mint, and feta. The Harissa Chicken was tender and well-seasoned, but I was surprised it wasn't spicy at all, especially since harissa typically brings a bit of heat. The Chili-Garlic Shrimp was also well-cooked and nicely balanced, with a fresh combination of flavors from the greens and roasted vegetables. While both entrees tasted fresh, we didn't feel they justified the price. The portions were moderate and leaned more toward a "clean eating" style, which is great if that's what you're looking for, but we left feeling the value didn't quite match the cost. Overall, Ela serves quality ingredients. It's a nice choice if you're in the mood for a lighter Mediterranean meal in a beautiful setting. read more

Ela - Harissa Chicken Skewer on Fork and Knife - Mediterranean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Ela is a really cute restaurant that serves Mediterranean food in the heart of Virginia Highlands. The inside can get lively with chatter, but it was not overwhelming during my visit. Our server was also really attentive and helpful in helping us figure out what to order. We arrived in time for their brunch and got the Hangover Sando, Moroccan Hot Chicken, and Ela's Hummus (Crisp Chickpea and Sumac). There are a few options for hummus that you can choose from, but we went with the basic option that tasted fairly average. I have had better hummus elsewhere, but it was still eatable. The Moroccan Hot Chicken had some heat to it, which was a pleasant surprise. The star of the meal was their Hangover Sando! It was recommended by our server and it was absolutely delicious. It has feta-fried eggs, bacon, avocado, and tomato relish on a sourdough bread. The tomato relish was exquisite to say the least. A truly wonderful sandwich. I think Ela is a lovely spot to go to for a casual date. Because of its proximity to many neighborhoods, I am sure that this a popular place for locals, which is usually a good sign for a business! read more

Ela - Spring Spritz, Hangover Sando, Moroccan Hot Chicken, and Ela's Hummus (Crisp Chickpea and Sumac) - Mediterranean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

My coworker had been recommending this place for the longest time. I finally decided to make a reservation and go. The parking was free, but it filled up mighty quickly... I got there right when they first opened (mainly to secure parking). The ambiance was very cute and cozy, and upon walking in I noticed it gave a very intimate feel. While we sat inside, I observed that they had outdoor seating with heated lamps. We had a resy for 5pm, but we arrived at 4 which was just in time for happy hour bites and drinks! For our drinks, we ordered the Meyer Spritz, and a Vodka Tonic. The Meyer Spritz was refreshing, and the mint was a great touch (see pics). We started with the Ela's Hummus (the trio) and we also ordered Steve's Greek fries. The Hummus was AMAZING, especially because we ordered more sauces to be paired with it. FYI: It's called "get sauced" on the menu... 5pm approached, so we migrated over to our table for dinner. Ian was our server; he was the sweetest. For our "dinner drinks" We ordered the Vino Blanco and the Capri Son. I loved the Capri Son, and it was so pretty! For our entrees we ordered the Black Pepper Lamb Skewer on a bed of couscous, and we ordered the Lamb Belly. It was my first time having couscous (at a restaurant, so I was a little nervous on how it would come out, but it was delicious, and well-seasoned. We LOVED the lamb belly; it was so tender and the brussel sprouts were a great touch. Ofcourse ya'll know how greedy I am, so while I was super full, I made some room for a little treat after dinner. We ordered the Ela's Greek Donuts. They were to die for...I don't know what I was expecting, they were tiny (helped me feel guilt-free) and they were paired with a cardamom custard. I see why my coworker kept giving this place such high praises. I look forward to returning and try some other items on their menu. Great experience overall. read more

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Came to have lunch with what I saw on website as lunch menu. It turned out to be same brunch menu as Sunday so was kinda disappointed as I knew exactly what I was gonna order. I decided on the Moroccan Fish Sando. It was just ok...the fish fillet was kind of thin and the fries were very salty. I'll probably go again to try dinner menu next time. read more

Ela - Mediterranean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Really nice dinner I had with my girlfriend! We had a couple drinks, nothing we loved but they were good. Our server was great, gave us some feedback for our drink choices. The place was really pretty, clean and modern. Love the greenery. Food was really good! Started with the mezze board so we can try a little bit of everything. Really liked the labneh, hummus, and the pickled veggies. Our mains were solid. Loved the lamb and the salad that came with the shrimp. Solid meal! read more

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Came here on a weeknight and had a reservation. Don't think it was needed but it was good to have. There was parking here as well so it was convenient. The service was great and the server gave us some good recommendations. I liked the food especially the hot pocket was the best. I'd say nothing else particularly stood out but it was still all solid. It's a cute spot for a drink and couple of small bites. read more

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Cute restaurant with good drinks and delicious food. Some nice vegetarian options and good service. Really enjoyed the atmosphere as well. I recommend. read more

Ela - Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

In search for a new Happy Hour restaurant and Ela came up on my radar. Happy hour: Monday - Friday: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Saturday - Sunday: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Honestly...big fan of Ela! I ordered all the apps except the Fish taco and the Mezze board and all were pretty good. The least impressive was the Hot Chicken, it was pretty much just Buffalo flavored boneless wings. Not bad just not the best. I ordered all the drinks and all were great. Also the ladies at the bar were absolutely great. Such a great happy hour! I will be back for happy hour, brunch, and dinner as well just to see how those dining experiences are. You're welcome read more

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My friend had recommended this place every time we drove by it, which was a lot. I finally made reservations for a Saturday morning. We were seated right away as they had just opened. There are limited tables with an intimate feel. Great for romantic dates. A few small tables are outside but with heating lamps. For starters, we shared their Lamb keftedes, Greek fries, and Cauliflower falafel. The lamb was tender juicy. Falafel could have been crispier but the taste was still there. Both sauces were so good we were using our fries to dip into it until the bowl was clean. Entrees included Salmon flatbread, Lamb burger, Souvlaki & eggs w/ bacon, Souvlaki & eggs w/ sausage, and the shakshuka. The flatbread had the same toppings of a lox bagel, light and fresh. The souvlaki & eggs were a well rounded meal with protein, carbs and a little dressed side salad. The lamb burger was soo good since it was like the keftedes in addition to some pickled onions in a soft bun. Overall, we had a great time in this earthy and comfortable environment. Our waiter, Jay, was very attentive and professional. Would love to come again! read more

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Enjoyed dinner on the patio at Ela. Parking is tight in the lot, website says they also validate. Reservations aren't required but recommended. I shared the brussels(yummm), fries, harissa chicken, and salad. Everything hit. Had a martini. Will return for their happy hour 4-6! Great service from the gentleman outside. read more

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Ela serves up top-notch service, tasty food, and a beautiful space to enjoy your meal. I ordered the mezze plate for my brunch entree. Each spread was amazing - the eggplant spread and labneh were my favorites (the hummus was also good - just didn't stand out like the others). The phyllo french toast was amazing!!! It was both crunchy and fluffy in all the right places, and the cardomon custard was excellent. Definitely a must order for the table. My husband also enjoyed his shakshuka. Would love to try more goodies off the menu! read more

A new Mediterranean spot in town so I was excited to check it out. Plenty of free parking and the space is beautifully decorated. We went for dinner and the place was quite busy. The service was great and quick. The food itself was alright. Nothing stood out really. The portions were small and compared to other Mediterranean spots, it just did not hit the mark. I will be skipping on this spot until further notice. read more

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What a great place for happy hour and dinner! The happy hour drinks were excellent (highly recommend the Meyer Spritz) and the food was top-notch. Everything tasted so clean and fresh. It's also nice that they have a decent sized parking lot just behind the building. It makes this place very accessible and I'll definitely be going back! Maybe for brunch as our server highly recommended the brunch menu! read more

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Perhaps we got an off day but we were underwhelmed with our dining experience. Came here for brunch. Mezze plate: good dips with warm house made pita. No complaints with this appetizer. The issue was when our server offered us more pita and it took over 15 min to arrive. Greek French fries: not crispy. Nothing special. We ordered them because of the rave reviews and were unimpressed. There isn't any excuse for French fries to not arrive at the table hot and crispy at a restaurant IMO. Lamb hot pocket: our server told us this starter would take 15 minutes. My son ordered this as his meal. We didn't mind that it was the last item to arrive because our server warned us but when it did, the filling was cold. So we had to send it back and they spent another 15 minutes making a new one. Ela salad: the dressing was too heavy handed on the vinegar. We added bacon for $5 and the server assured us it would be crispy and it wasn't. And the amount was skimpy for $5. This was the worst dish. Our server was nice and professional. He handled the cold hot pocket well. The manager came by and checked on us and personally checked on the hot pocket as well. The other thing that was a bit odd/unprofessional was that I ordered the lamb belly starter and our server said that item was no longer on the menu. So we showed him that it was on two of the three menus at our table. And he said they were slowly making the transition to the menus without the lamb belly. But they have paper menus and literally the only thing the staff has to do is read the menu and throw out the ones that say lamb belly. They can even do it right before they seat a table to make sure. It was an odd response that made no sense. read more

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Came here with a group on a Saturday night. The place was very busy. The cocktail, which I don't remember the name of, was delicious. The tamarind eggplant appetizer was also delicious. The lamb kabab was juicy, but it just didn't hit the same without some delicious rice to go with it. The couscous was fine, but I love having kebabs with rice. The Greek fro-yo was more sour than sweet. I would come back and probably stick to apps and drinks. read more

What an adorable place! The inside is decorated so perfectly to make you forget you're in Atlanta. The food menu itself is on the smaller side but that does not take away from the flavors. We ordered the Brussels sprouts, hummus, the shrimp pita, and the baklava froyo (to die for!!). Service was incredible, very friendly and fast service. If you like wine they have a huge wine menu as well as craft cocktails and beers to choose from! read more

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Ela is a nice vibe. Had time to spare so I sat at the bar & ordered starters. I was quickly attended and ordered grape tapenade hummus & the spinach hot pocket. Both came out quite fast and were tasty. Defintely good quality and priced appropriately. Also, the interior is well designed and there's a parking lot behind the building. There was a good crowd too so seems to be a neighborhood fave, at least on a Friday night! read more

Ela - Grape tapenade hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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First off - wait staff were helpful and attentive. The ambiance is so cozy and warm - did not want to leave! The food was excellent - we had the Brussels sprouts which were rich with flavor, so addictive! I had a chicken kabob gyro. Was not a huge fan of the char on the chicken but I appreciated how big the gyro was and the other flavors of the dish. The wine was delicious, and because it was my birthday we got free frozen yogurt. Baklava is not my favorite but it was subtle in the desert and made it taste so good! I will be coming back for special occasions :) read more

I had a great experience at Ela especially because it was a cool and not humid so we dined on the patio. The service was quick and very friendly. You have to start off with the Mezzo plate. The three different humus's are delicious. I ate so much that I was worried that I would too full to eat the Greek donut and our two main dishes. The Chicken Skewer plate and the Bronzino was recommended by the waiter, and I so glad we took his recommendation. Great food, great service, and great location. Highly recommended read more

We had a brunch reservation for 5 on Saturday, 8/24/24, at 1:30 pm. We parked in the free lot adjacent to the restaurant. The restaurant was gorgeous!! The patio was so cute and the inside was stunning. So beautiful!! It felt so elevated. Service was great! We split a couple apps and got our own mains. Here's what I had: - Elsa's Hummus Trio ($15 + $4 for more pita): Delish! It didn't come with enough pita though. - Baklava Cinnamon Roll ($3): Good! We split 2 between 4 of us and it was perfect. - Daybreak Gyro ($17): So good! - Shakshuka ($19): Good, but I think the Daybreak Gyro was better than the Shakshuka. I got the Sultan's Swizzle ($14) for my drink and it was tasty and strong! Cute place! Good food! Fun for a girls' night/day out or a date. I'd go back. read more

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Thoughtful menu with a focus on fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. Dishes balance creativity with approachability; the small plates are great for sharing! Thank You Chef Eric !! read more

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I really loved my experience at Ela. I went on the Thursday night before Christmas, so there were several parties of women there to celebrate a girls night out... and our party was one of them! This place is so cozy with lots of live plants on high-up shelves, and it just felt like a nice neighborhood spot. The service was fantastic - so friendly and helpful. The food was amazing. We got a bunch of things to share. Favorites included the mezze trio of dips (hummus, eggplant, and labneh - my literal only complaint from this place is I feel like they could have doubled the portions of the dips they served for the price), the spicy fried chicken appetizer, the Brussels sprouts, and the shrimp skewer. I would definitely return to try even more of the menu. read more

I love that Fifth Group converted the Original El Taco into a classy Mediterranean spot. The renovations look very current, making Ela the place to be. I visited Ela on a weekend without a reservation. It was crowded and there was a bit of a wait. However, they do have a window at the bar where you can order drinks to hold you over. Unfortunately, I forgot my ID, so no drinks for me--guess that's one way to save on the bill, lol! Once seated, we ordered the Mezze Board as an appetizer. It's definitely on the pricier side at $18, but it comes with eggplant spread, labneh, hummus, pickled carrots, and a few pieces of bread. I will say there is far too little bread for the amount of spreads they give you, and ordering a refill on the bread is an extra $4. However, everything tasted pretty good. For dinner, I had the chicken skewer. It was insanely expensive for a singular skewer with no side. If you'd like a side, they have three options for an additional $7+ charge: couscous, pita, or greens. We opted to split the Greek fries, which were the best part of the meal. Our server was really nice, and the food was pretty good. Overall, I had a good experience, but I would only come back for special occasions. read more

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I had higher expectations for Ela. I went when it first opened, but I feel like both the food and menu have gone down significantly. The portions are smaller, the appetizers are redesigned to be harder to share and the food is overall disappointing. The service is always good with a friendly staff and with such a nice atmosphere, I had hoped the food would be up to par. read more

Food was AMAZING but waitress with the auburn curly hair was so rude. She approached us with an unfriendly attitude and honestly made my party uncomfortable and not want to go back. Compliments to the chef though. read more

Making a reservation is highly recommended. We went here on a whim and fortunately because there's only two of us we were able to find a seat at the bar. Very busy at the time. The cocktails were good and reasonably priced. We asked for a gluten-free menu and there were many options. The plates are more Tapas size than entree size. But all the flavors were really on point. read more

Nice ambiance, cauliflower was okay. Didn't expect the sauce combo to taste how it did. Service was great. read more

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Great experience tonight at Ela. We ordered the spicy chicken, hummus & pita, and lamb belly. So delicious. We ended dinner with their Greek "fro yo"... topped with baklava & honey...outstanding. This was such a treat. Ela was a great date spot, fairly priced, and fantastic service. Thank you, Max! We will be back! read more

Ela - Greek Fro Yo- topped with baklava & honey. - Mediterranean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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