One of our favorite restaurants, Aba on South Congress, recently opened a new location in The Domain called Ema, so we had to check it out. While the menu is different, it stays true to its Mediterranean roots with an upscale American twist, and it absolutely delivered. We made reservations for 2:00 on a Saturday, and I am really glad we did. Even in the middle of the afternoon there was a line out the door, so if you are planning to visit, I definitely recommend making a reservation. The restaurant is beautiful. The décor is modern, bright, and stylish without feeling pretentious. It has the kind of atmosphere where you immediately want to settle in and stay awhile. One thing I noticed was the signature fragrance throughout the restaurant, similar to what you would find in an upscale hotel. It was pleasant, although it did overpower the aroma of the food a bit, which some people may or may not appreciate. The service was exceptional from start to finish. Our server was friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. We even got a heads up that we were probably ordering enough food to need a to go box. That prediction was spot on, but when everything on the menu sounds this good, you just have to try a little of everything! Now for the food. The Sweet Corn Hummus was probably my favorite appetizer. Imagine if elote and hummus had a baby. That is exactly what this tasted like. Creamy, slightly sweet, savory, and completely addictive. The Spicy Whipped Feta was another standout. Rich, creamy, and just spicy enough to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them. Every bite made me want another. The Tuna and Watermelon dish may have stolen the show. It was bright, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. The watermelon, cucumber, mint, and parsley kept everything cool and fresh while the buttery tuna added just the right savory bite. I could honestly order two of these and call it lunch. The Lemon Caesar was packed with texture, crisp lettuce, crunchy toppings, and a dressing that hit all the right notes. The Green Falafel was fried perfectly with a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful center. It paired beautifully with the tahini purée and pickled turnip. For the entrée, the Grilled Chicken Kebab was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and served with fluffy basmati rice and an incredibly addictive parsley zhough that tied everything together. What impressed me most was how balanced every dish felt. Sweet, salty, savory, creamy, and bright. Every flavor had a purpose, and every bite had us reaching for the next. By the end we were completely stuffed, but the Date Cake and Chocolate Torte looked tempting enough that we will definitely be saving room for dessert next time. One small touch I really appreciated was the reusable to go bag. It is sturdy, attractive, and something I will actually use again instead of throwing away. It is a thoughtful detail that reflects the overall quality of the experience. Ema has quickly become another favorite. If you already love Aba, this should absolutely be on your list. If you have never been to either, Ema is a fantastic introduction to fresh, creative Mediterranean cuisine. We will definitely be back. read more

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So glad that there's a sister restaurant to Aba in the domain ( where parking is easier to find ). Many of the menu items are the same as Aba and all the tasty classics are there. Came with a group of 5 and got to try many dishes off the menu. Would recommend the whipped feta dip and the spicy hummus to start. A large portion size, good sharing for the table. Got many refills on bowls of naan - which was seasoned with zataar I think. The brussel sprouts were tasty as well but needed a sweet element to it. Tried the salmon and chicken kebabs as well. Tastes just like Aba! Tender meats and tastes great with the rice. Definitely recommend getting the honey cake. Many layers of thinly sliced cake and honey frosting. Not too sweet and definitely worth it. Also tried the sticky date cake which was tasty but would def recommend the honey cake if you're only going to chose one. read more

Hands down the best thing we ate all night was the sweet corn hummus. I don't even typically like hummus, and this completely won me over. It was incredible, can't recommend it enough. If you go, order this. We also tried the mushroom escargot, which was good. I love both mushrooms and escargot individually, but this dish didn't hit the way traditional escargot does. Turns out I love snail more than I realized! For entrees, I had the salmon and my friend got the California chopped salad. The salmon was unfortunately dry, and the salad was fine but nothing memorable. We finished with the California olive oil and sea salt frozen Greek yogurt for dessert, which was good, maybe a touch too much olive oil for my taste, but still enjoyable. Despite a couple of misses, the hummus alone has me thinking about going back. Will definitely return to try more of the menu! read more

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Ema's is such a great time!! Very beautiful and the sister restaurant to Aba. I arrived early for my reservation and the space was packed! I sat at the bar and ordered a Don higo. THIS DRINK WAS EVERYTHING!!! It was the only one I needed all night. It was so smooth and the perfect fruit forward but balance sophisticated drink. It has rum in it which can sneak up on you. We ordered a lot of shareable--classic hummus, whipped feta, watermelon & tuna yuzu, slow braised short rib, chocolate torte cake, and vegan coconut cremeux! I loved everything! My only feedback is the warm date cake should have been warm when it arrived to the table. I also wasn't a big fan of the polenta. If you order anything make sure it's the spicy whipped feta!!!! It's INCREDIBLE! read more

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Enjoyed my first visit to Ema! The decor and feel are similar to its sister restaurant, Aba, which I also love. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of vegan options, since I heard they were able to customize quite a few things. The only hummus or spread that can be made vegan is the standard one- apparently everything else has yogurt or fish oil in it. Our server told me the grain bowl was fully vegan and I added the green falafel but it came out with a non vegan aioli on the side. The server was super nice and removed it when I asked. It was good! I really liked the mocktail, the Mockingbird. Would love to have a few more options able to be made vegan on the menu This was also out first sit down restaurant experience with our baby and we were seated in the perfect back corner spot. Food came out very fast which was appreciated with the little guy and service was very nice. read more

Ema - Ancient Grain Bowl - vegan without aioli and I added Green Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

I heard that this place was amazing especially the hummus. When we heard it was a Mediterranean restaurant, we jumped to try to fit it in our schedule to have dinner there. This place is a bright, vacation-like escape featuring friendly, quick service, delicious kabobs, refreshing drinks, and a unique sweet corn hummus. I like this place but I still have another one that still tops it. I think this is my second favorite Mediterranean restaurant. I will return if we are in the domain area. read more

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Nice appearing place but fair food. Located in The Domain but easy to find parking in the nearby garages. We were seated outside which I would not recommend in the future. There is way too much noise from people going by and the band at the neighboring restaurant. Most of the time we were almost yelling to hear each other and this was outside. We started off with the Classic & Spicy Hummus. There is no question the hummus is quite good here. The bread is fresh and they were quick to refill out basket when we started getting low and we still had quite a bit of hummus left over. Just to keep things simple, we both had the grilled chicken kebab. The chicken is good but the meal is pretty bland. It's made in a yogurt marinade but seriously lacking any flavor. The marinade needs some lime juice, onion, salt, turmeric, and saffron to say the least. The chicken was cooked well, but again, devoid of any real flavor. It's served over basmati rice, but again... add a little saffron. It's an attractive restaurant but again, I would never sit outside again given the noise level. Service was good but got annoying at the end. Our server pointed out some cube on the table we could scan and pay at the table. But when we hadn't done that soon enough for his liking, he returned to the table with paper bill in the traditional binder. What ever happened to the days when you could enjoy a meal and sit for a few minutes to relax. And do you really have to hound us? Can we just pay when we are ready? After that, the server stopped refilling our waters which we ran out of given the extreme heat outside. Overall, the hummus and bread are great; the food, from what we tried, was just satisfactory. The service, started out good but then took a turn for the worse. Maybe next time we will just order hummus to go and avoid the attitude. read more

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It's a cute spot, with the interior just looking very pleasant. The food is solid and well done. I'd say that while everything was very good, not one dish really just hooked me in an exceptional way that made any specific lasting impression to crave or come back for. I can't help but compare it a bit to Aba, where it felt like the dishes here were overall somewhat slight downgrades from ones I know and love from their sister restaurant. The lamb ragu hummus just made me crave Aba's crispy short rib hummus, and the spicy hummus just made me want the muhammara. They were great with accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies, though it felt like the menu was inherently more limiting than Aba as well, with dishes not really being able to be adjusted as well. Overall still a pleasant new spot, and I always appreciate somewhere that will cater towards people with food allergies including gluten. read more

Ema - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is the hot, new Mediterranean place in The Domain. It definitely has Domain vibes/prices. Nonetheless, we had a nice time. A group of us shared appetizers. I got the spicy whipped feta, but my favorite appetizer was the mushroom escargot, which is buttery, garlic mushrooms served like snails. For my main, I got the spicy beef kefta. I got it because I haven't seen brisket on a Mediterranean menu before. These kebabs were just ok, in my opinion. It was a consensus that the appetizers were better than the mains, so I would suggest sharing a bunch of small plates when you come here. I do prefer its sister restaurant, Aba, over this place. read more

Ema - SPICY BRISKET KEFTA - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Easy to find parking in the garages by grimaldi's or by frost gelato. Friendly staff and great food and it was so beautifully decorated inside We had the short rib hummus, grilled chicken, shrimp kebabs, blistered green beans, and the honey cake. My favorites were the hummus and the shrimp kebabs. They do not disturb drink was also very refreshing. read more

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We stopped by Ema after a hike and enjoyed drinks and appetizers on their outdoor patio. The waiter was fantastic, and we definitely connected when it came to our views on food. The sweet potato latkes were delicious, and everyone loved their drinks they were refreshing and well balanced. The pita bread was also excellent. We tried the roasted eggplant as well. I liked it, but didn't love it, although I'm not a huge eggplant fan to begin with. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. The only reason I'm knocking off a star is that the restaurant is on the pricier side and the portions are fairly small for what you pay. Other than that, the atmosphere was great, the patio was beautiful, and we had a very good experience overall. read more

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Sad to say I have mixed reviews! The area 10/10, vibes are so good. Super cute interior tropical Mediterranean oasis, with a big patio deck and bar that's all first come first serve. Only sad part is it's not covered. They offer the full menu outside which is amaze! We sat on the covered outdoor portion of the restaurant which was hoppin on a Friday night. We ordered cocktails to start. I had the lychee margarita which was out of this world but felt like nyc pricing for a cocktail. They have a full bar, beer, wine etc. for apps we did the hummus, whipped burrata, Brussels, and falafel. The bread for the dips was incredible, we kept asking for more. And the Brussels were yummy too. Falafel was a bit of a disappointment, not sure what they were going for but didn't taste super traditional. We tried the spicy brisket kebab as well which was tasty but had a kick! And the shrimp kebab which was also good. My main disappointment was price per dish and quantity of food. Pretty pricey for small portions that didn't blow my mind. Everything was good, but not something you crave to come back for, minus maybe the margarita. Our server was great, and I like that they have QR codes for check out where you can split the bill or pay in full (nice for groups). Overall not bad but not somewhere I'd come back to for the cost. read more

Ema - LYCHEE MARGARITA - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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IN MY TOP 5 RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN! The food was so fresh and flavorful! Everything was seasoned to perfection! The menu selection and decor of the restaurant send you right to the Mediterranean. This will definitely be a restaurant that I recommend to anyone that comes to Austin! Our server was incredibly sweet and accommodating. read more

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Located next to Culinary Dropout, Ema is a can't miss restaurant at the Domain. We stopped in and sat at the bar for appetizers and cocktails. All were delicious but the standouts were the spicy feta, watermelon and tuna salad, the "do not disturb" and "Rosa's spritz"cocktails. I wanted to try the "Flora's Cora" but they couldn't substitute vodka for gin- not sure why though. We ordered it anyway and it was just okay but I am not a gin lover. The decor is beautiful and creates a great vibe with all the greenery and Mediterranean decor. We'll definitely be back for dinner. read more

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The Domain desperately needed an upscale, beautiful spot like Ema! I was thrilled to finally be able to visit. Reservations are impossible but we walked in for an early dinner on a weekday and had no issues snagging an outdoor table in their gorgeous courtyard. The whole dining experience is a vibe. Kicked it off with some top notch cocktails - highly recommended the Don Higo! Our server was super friendly and helpful in guiding us through their extensive menu. Everything is shareable/family style. We decided to try: 1. Whipped feta spread served with hot fresh pita bread (made in house). So epic. Definitely worth a try! I wish they offered a spread sampler so we could try more! 2. Sweet Potato latkes - these were delicious! 10/10 recommend. 3. Mushroom Escargot - this was okay, I could've skipped it honestly. My least favorite item. 4. Shrimp kabobs - I liked these (great quality shrimp, grilled to perfection!). I will be trying either the chicken or salmon kabob next time. We got the panna cotta for dessert which was light and refreshing. I can't wait to come back to Ema, experience indoor dining in their main dining room, and try more of their incredible drinks and food! read more

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This place is so cute for a nice yet casual meal! The ambiance of the patio is lively. The music is agreeable. The staff is attentive. Note - some spots are closer to trees, so beware of falling organic matter if sitting in a table at the corner of the patio. I enjoyed everything I got (see photos). My favorites that I would get again are the charred eggplant spread and the green beans. I'd love to try a different hummus. And I don't regret getting the mushroom escargot. Everyone should try it once! read more

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11/10 Ema may have just become my favorite restaurant in Austin. I went in expecting to love it, but somehow it still exceeded my expectations, and that's saying a lot because I was already a huge fan of Aba. Everything we ordered was incredible: * Spicy whipped feta, absolutely lived up to the hype and is a must-order. * Hamachi and charred avocado with gluten-free crackers, fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. i've never tasted anything like this so much flavor and not fishy taste * Crispy Brussels sprouts, the real star of the meal. They were hands down the best Brussels sprouts I've ever had in my life. I genuinely wish I could eat them every day. Brisket kefta was also really good! * Darling beer from Meanwhile Brewing, so good that I was obsessed, and I don't even like beer. * Froyo with olive oil and salt, surprisingly delicious and absolutely worth trying. The service was just as impressive as the food. Our waiter JAson knew the menu inside and out and gave us fantastic recommendations throughout the meal I literally can't wait to go back Every dish felt thoughtful, unique, and packed with flavor. Ema isn't just a great meal, it's a culinary experience. Highly recommend. read more

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My second time at ēma was improved! The staff and server were just as great and the food was better. I enjoyed everything we got! I got another N/A Hugo spritz which was perfect. Then we shared a variety of things! The falafel was definitely expected my expectations, normally when I ordered falafel places it's dry but this wasn't and the tzatziki served with it was the perfect pairing. The brussels sprouts & honey crisp apple salad was delicious, we ordered two different dressings on the side I really liked the honey mustard one and my friend enjoyed a lemon vinaigrette. The perfect sweet corn hummus was good but I think aba's spreads are better still. The crispy potatoes were really yummy, we got the cheese on the side. They were crispy and fluffy, my only minor change would be to make the pieces smaller so you get more crunch but other than that they are worth ordering! As I said in my last review, the patio is gorgeous and seriously the perfect escape, you don't even feel like you're sitting in the Domain. Can't wait to come back again. read more

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I fear this might be my new favorite restaurant. Going into it, thought it would be similar to aba but I would say, this has much more flavor than aba. Everything was so tasteful, flavorful and delicious. I sat on the patio thinking it'd be hot but they did a great job with the shade and fans. It's so cute and thr food was amazing read more

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* 4.5 stars * Sister restaurant to Aba - we finally got to try Ema! Great spot for a nice meal. Interior takes you right back to the Mediterranean. Feta hummus was a highlight, flavorful with a kick. Sweet potato latkes impressed us more than we'd thought it would. The SHRIMP with the chimichurri sauce was decadent. Best dish of the night. Short rib was a close second. The kebab was forgettable compared to the rest. Of course, can't forget the refillable pita. Service was quick, a little too quick. Frequent check ins which were also fabulous and attentive, but slightly wish we got time to enjoy at a slower pace. Other than that, highly recommend! read more

My long time Yelp bestie Raisha was visiting Austin so we went out for lunch! We were able to snag an open table reservation a few hours before. The interior decor is gorgeous. It definitely puts you in a great mood to eat some mezze with friends. We had an amazing wait staff who was hospitable and very descriptive for recommendations. Between us 3 adults and 2 toddlers, we shared: Kefta kabob, chicken shawarma bowl, mushroom escargot, lamb ragu hummus, unlimited pita!!!!,2 raw appetizers, chicken tenders/fries, buttered pasta. It was plwnty of food! Each item was between $15-25 roughly. All items were very easily shared and split. I loved the mushroom Escargot, it definitely reminded me of Paris. Haha. haven't seen anything like that in town so that was a cute find! Between the hamachi avocado and octopus carpaccio, all the flavors were sweet yet refreshing at the same time. The carpaccio was my favorite as it had beet chips to accompany the bites. Wow texture and flavor explosion... The ambiance, portions, flavors.. would absolutely have another girls night here. read more

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The staff was swift, gracious and warm hearted. The food was closely curated love . The corn hummus - unstoppably addicting. I stopped on a lark. I will return. With many more. Excellent. read more

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The setting speaks for itself, and feels like an oasis within the Domain. We were seated outside, but next time I would request inside as it has a clean, modern decor and lovely ambiance. The food was on par with the environment. All plates are for sharing and we split the Brussels Sprouts and Honey Crisp Apple, the Spicy Whipped Feta spread, the Sweet Corn hummus, the Mushroom Escargot, and the Branzino. The Spicy Whipped Feta is a must and was the perfect balance of feta and spice. The Mushroom Escargot was creative, but not quite as tasty as we had hoped. And the branzino was tasty, but a small portion to split among more than two. Overall, a lovely spot with delicious Mediterranean food. read more

Ema - Brussels Sprouts and Honey Crisp Apple - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Ended up at Ēma in the Domain after hearing it had that polished Mediterranean feel, as well as being the sister to Aba. Aba being one of my favorite top tier restaurants in Austin, I was excited to see what they could bring to the domain. Atmosphere: Beautiful space. Light, airy, plant-filled, and a little vacation-y without trying too hard. It has that "nice dinner" feel but still stays relaxed, which I appreciate. The patio is absolutely the move if the weather is cooperating, but the inside is just as pretty and has a good lively energy. I'd even recommend the outdoor bar area especially during Golden Hour, the placement of trees makes it perfect. Food: This is where Ēma really shines. Everything feels bright, fresh, and built for sharing. The spreads are a must--especially if you're into hummus, whipped feta, or anything you can drag warm pita through. My all time favorite and must get will now forever be Sweet Potato Latkes, the perfect crip with the avocado creme and japaleno just makes it delectable. Service: Polished, friendly, and helpful without being too formal. They gave good recommendations, paced the food well, and kept the table moving without making us feel rushed. Wrap-up: Ēma is an easy 5 stars for me. Gorgeous space, strong service, and Mediterranean food that feels fresh, flavorful, and genuinely fun to eat. Definitely one of the better dinner options in the Domain. read more

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I love that Ema is at The Domain because you can make a whole day out of it, grab lunch or dinner with your girlfriends and then go shopping afterward. It's such a cute spot for a special occasion or just a fun girls' day. The ambiance inside is beautiful, cozy, and inviting. The service was excellent, and of course, the food was amazing. I ordered the salmon kebab, and it was so flavorful and perfectly cooked. I also recommend ordering a few sides to share with the table. They have plenty of delicious vegetarian options too, so there's something for everyone. One thing I really appreciated was how easy it was to split the bill among multiple people, which made dining with a group super convenient. Overall, Ema is definitely a place I'll be coming back to! read more

I've been obsessed with Aba for years, so I had high expectations walking into Ēma... and somehow they still exceeded them. The spicy whipped feta deserves all the hype, and the chicken kebabs, shrimp kebabs, and brisket kefta were all incredible. Every bite was fresh, perfectly seasoned, and packed with flavor. The menu has that same elevated Mediterranean feel I love, but with its own personality. The only downside? I waited this long to try it. Being so much closer than Aba, I have a feeling Ēma is about to become my new go-to spot. read more

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Ema is great! Everything we got was amazing. Always recommend the whipped feta and hummus. We loved the brussel sprouts, Greek village salad and crispy potatoes to munch on. We also got the chicken kebabs and slow braised short rib which was insane. Honey cake was INCREDIBLE and the sticky date cake was good too maybe just a little burnt? Service was just a tad slow but they're new and still ramping up so give them some grace! read more

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A friend was in town for the weekend, and invited me out for dinner and drinks. I had told her about this new place Ema in The Domain. So we made plans to meet up around 7:30pm I earlier had tried to make reservations on their website, but the earliest, EARLIEST was 10pm!!! But the bar outside is open seating. So we thought we would take a chance. We did see 2 people getting ready to leave, what perfect timing, so we snagged their seats at the bar. The bar was packed, the restaurant was packed, I mean, this place is just incredible. We both looked over the menu for cocktails. But as I was watching the bar tenders make drinks I was just ordering what looked awesome. This one drink had a rosemary sprig, lit on fire, smoking, smelled so good. I love everything rosemary. My favorite herb! I was like, I want that right there. I don't care what's it in, I want it. Most delicious, beautiful drink I've ever seen. The drink is called Don Higo. I also got a mockingbird which is a non alcoholic drink, but the bartender added vodka to it, I just liked the pineapple, and pomegranate combination. Really fresh clean, pineappley flavor with a little vodka. I had been here before with another friend who shared his salmon kebabs with me. So I knew tonight I had to get the Salmon Kebab's. Salmon Kebab's comes with fluffy warm, buttery white basmati rice. The salmon is on a metal skewer with red peppers and red onions. There is a green zhoug "sauce" which was minty. And a juicy lemon wedge. Love lemon on fish. The restaurant was busy, and it did take a long time for our meals to come out. I'm not even hating on that. My friend and I talked, caught up, had a couple cocktails, I mean, it was just a wonderful night. When our meals did come, we couldn't get over how wonderful everything looked. Plated beautifully. We just stopped our conversation and just enjoyed the flavors of our meal. Funny cause when we got inducted into the "Clean Plate Club" we both said, "notice how we just stopped talking" Just an amazing night. Really enjoyed catching up with my friend. I needed this night out. It's been an emotional exhausting week. Ema, you're my new favorite restaurant. Just stunning inside and out. Craig, you're my favorite server! read more

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We were greeted warmly for our reservation and made to feel special right away as we were having lunch to celebrate my friend's birthday.Thankfully, it was the perfect day to sit outside under the trees. We started with some delightful cocktails and then shared several dishes. The whipped feta was excellent, and we also enjoyed the green falafel, brisket kebabs, and melon salad. The melon salad was a favorite for us both and rounded everything out perfectly. Service was attentive throughout the meal, and the whole experience felt relaxed and celebratory. We're already looking forward to going back. read more

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I love Aba, so I was really excited to try Ema. The restaurant itself is beautiful and brings something fresh and fun to The Domain. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite live up to what I've come to expect from its sister restaurant. The salmon was dry, and the octopus leaned too heavily into sour, citrusy flavors for my taste. The hummus was good, but not enough to make me want to return, especially at the higher price point. The service was great, though, and I can definitely see Ema being a fun place to grab drinks with friends before heading somewhere else for dinner. read more

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Went to celebrate our son's birthday. I had made reservations a month in advance. We got there and were told there is a 20 minute wait. Apparently there were people sitting for 3 hours after eating and not leaving. It had rained so their outdoor seating was closed. The server was apologetic and tried to get us situated but it took a long time. Once seated our server told us it's best to put in everything up front because it would take Time to get anything else after that. He probably checked on us 1 time after the order was place. The drinks were okay. All non alcoholic, but wasn't a fan of any. The lemonade was quite tart for the kids. The hummus bowl came out quick. It was yummy. The lamb pasta, cauliflower and chicken kebab plates were good. The Brussels sprouts were by far the best in everything we ordered. While their crispy potatoes were compared to McDonald's potatoes, no one cared for them in our family. They don't celebrate birthdays. While most restaurants including Michelin stars we've been to give something small and special, Ema does not. They don't have to, but we've never been to a place that doesn't. So we bought our own dessert. They did give us a signed card for our son and he liked it a lot. Overall it was okay. They do. Have a lot of vegetarian options so that's a plus for someone looking to eat less protein more veg. read more

Ema - Birthday Card - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

THE BIG: Sister restaurant to Aba and located in the Domain in North Austin. Absolutely beautiful boho chic interior with lots of plants for the vibes. Garage parking available. THE BLACK AND WHITE: The wife and I came here with our newborn son on a friday afternoon. There was a long line and fortunately they were taking walk-ins. Our wait was about 20 minutes before we got seated. We ordered the spicy whipped feta, crispy maitake mushrooms, spicy brisket kefta kebab, and the ora king salmon. The mushrooms were amazing. Stringy and a blast of umami. The ora king salmon was a bit overcooked however the sauce was great. The kebabs are always a hit and was full of flavor. THE FINAL BAMBOO: All in all, we spent around $123 for the four dishes. Good meal however I think Aba is better down in South Congress. read more

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Hospitality makes a big difference to me- great service can carry a meal even if the food is just okay, and that's exactly what happened here. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive. We were celebrating a one-year-old's birthday, and she matched the energy perfectly, which made the experience feel special. The space itself is beautiful- very Tulum beach vibes with neutral tones that I loved. As for the food, I wouldn't say it was bad, but it didn't quite meet my expectations, especially considering the connection to Aba. A lot of the dishes felt like fluff without much substance, if that makes sense. That said, there were some standouts. The crispy potatoes with rosemary and scallion crema were easily my favorite. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I almost finished the entire plate myself, but they were actually filling. The mushroom escargot was phenomenal. It had a subtle heat from the Calabrian chili oil breadcrumbs and felt really unique. We also ordered the branzino and brisket kefta, along with the spicy whipped feta, Brussels sprouts, and a few other items. While everything was fine, the meal as a whole didn't feel very cohesive or well-rounded. read more

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Made it to the Domain to try Aba's sister restaurant Ema. It is another beautifully decorated space, with a big tree and lights inside. There is also a spacious patio area under the trees outside with an outdoor bar. We tried a few of the specialty cocktails, including the Don Higo and Heel the Rail. The Don Higo was a favorite with the fresh rosemary, and coconut - had an almost buttery finish to it. We came for happy hour so stuck to some bites on the lighter side - snapper crudo, tuna + watermelon, and green falafel with beet tzatziki. Will have to come back for dinner to try some more hot mezze, kebabs and entrees, but the service was good, the vibes were lovely. I would recommend snagging a reservation as the restaurant was still full even on a weeknight. read more

Ema - bathroom decor - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We had a wonderful dining experience here! We started with two rosé wines, and both were excellent. From the mezze menu, we ordered the Mushroom Escargot and the Hot Honey Halloumi, and they were both absolutely delicious. The flavors were unique, creative, and unlike anything we've had before. For our main courses, we had the Grilled Chicken Kebab and the Spicy Brisket Kefta Kebab. Both were incredibly tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked. The brisket kefta, in particular, was packed with flavor and was definitely the highlight of the meal. I was so hungry by the time the grilled chicken arrived that I completely forgot to take a proper picture before digging in, so please forgive the less-than-perfect photo! The only downside was the wait time between the mezze and the kebabs. It took quite a while for our main dishes to arrive, but aside from that, the atmosphere was warm and enjoyable, the food was outstanding, and we had a great time. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for delicious food with unique flavors. read more

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I'm still thinking about this meal, and honestly wish I lived in Austin just so I could come back regularly. We went here after spending the morning at Viva Spa in The Domain, and it ended up being the perfect afternoon lunch spot. The atmosphere felt light and elevated without being overdone, and everything we ordered was so fresh and flavorful. Our waitress was incredibly kind and informative, which made the whole experience even better. You could tell she genuinely knew the menu and cared about making sure we had a great time. This is one of those places where everything just works. The food, the service, the setting. It felt like the kind of place you accidentally turn into a weekly ritual. read more

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Ema might be the best restaurant in the Domain, and it's not even close. The food is exceptional across the board. It starts with these tiny warm bread bites and a spread of different hummus, and it only goes up from there. The fresh fish is cooked beautifully, the desserts are awesome, and every single dish lands. Even the girls were happy, working through their buttered noodles and the fresh pita. The space might be the best part though. Easily the most beautiful interior at the Domain. Plants everywhere, gorgeous lighting, a European, Greek-island kind of feel. It's genuinely romantic and the cocktails are great. A couple honest things. It's popular so the wait can get long, and the prices are high. But that's about what you'd expect for a nice spot in the heart of the Domain. Neither one knocks it down. If you're at the Domain, this is the one. read more

Let me start by saying I wish I had the whole weekend just to explore this menu in it's entirety. If there were ever a time I truly just wanted extra real estate in my stomach it would be to eat here. I really, genuinely loved everything we tried. We set our reservation almost 2 weeks in advance and really wanted to sit outdoors but the day we ate there it was raining on and off and they gladly transitioned us into indoor dining. The restaurant is beautiful both inside and out, just like it's sister location Aba (which I love and have frequented, review posted.) The service is great, they take your order, bring it out, check on you, and leave you alone. It's perfect. We ended up coming here for lunch ( which we overheard ends at 4pm) so we ordered off the lunch menu. Spicy Whipped Feta - 10/10 this was delicious, light, flavorful, full of texture and spices, but not too spicy. We loved this spread, my husband ate it with pita (which he rated average) and I ate it with gluten free pita chips, which were delicious, great flavor and crunch. Melon & Avocado Salad - 10/10 this should not work. Nothing about these ingredients says, "oh yes that sounds great together." Yet here we are. It worked. It goes together. It was amazing. Sweet, salty, refreshing, perfection! Crispy Wild Mushrooms - 10/10 These were delicious. I have a weird obsession with mushrooms and these could not be more perfect. My biggest complaint is that there wasn't more. I need this to come in a big back portion. I could live off of these! Sweet Potato Latke - 10/10 These were so good I want to try with everything in me to recreate these at home. We almost always have sweet potatoes and these are definitely going to be attempted at home. The avocado and jalapeno crema was the perfect touch! Grilled Shrimp Kebab (Oishii Shrimp) - 8/10 I wanted to love this. The shrimp were good, the rice was good, the sauce was good, but the sauce was overkill. It covered the shrimp AND came on the side. It was too much. The dish was also not hot. Warm, not hot. We also didn't get the roasted tomato but didn't notice until after we left. This would be perfect with a small portion of roasted or grilled veggies. I understand that veggies can be ordered on the side but those feel more like apps not to go alongside a meal. Either way, it was the one slight of all the other dishes. The flavor was delicious nonetheless. Honey Cake - 9/10 This cake was SO good! Light, not too sweet, not heavy or dense, would be perfect in the fall with a cup of freshly brewed black coffee. I didn't really get the lemon zest that it says it has. I think the light citrus would've made a difference. The cake was still amazing and actually worked for a rainy day but for a sunny day, I would really have liked to feel that vibrancy from the lemon zest. Next time I go (because I will be back) I am hands down going to try the vanilla bean panna cotta! This menu is great for those looking for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, they truly have something for everyone! read more

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I was really excited to try this place since I like Aba, and having something similar in the Domain sounded great. The ambiance is very good--lively and great for a night out. Service was also solid. Definitely make a reservation, as it gets busy. Coming to the food, it was a bit of a mixed experience, especially for vegetarians. The hummus with fresh pita bread was really good, but the Brussels sprouts salad was a miss. The falafel felt overcooked, and the grilled cauliflower was just okay. Portion sizes also felt a bit small for the price. On the non-veg side, the salmon was good. Overall, great vibe and service, but the vegetarian options and portion sizes didn't quite meet expectations. read more

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Ēma is the relatively new sister restaurant to South Congress' Aba. I was taken there to celebrate my birthday. Ēma is a Mediterranean mezze restaurant where you share small plates. This was a perfect concept for my daughter and I. On this lunch, we tried the Lamb Ragu Hummus, the Spicy Whipped Feta, the Sweet Potato Latkes, and the Mushroom "Escargot". My daughter enjoyed the zero proof, Hugo Spritz and myself the Palmer's Paradise. And we finished with the honey cake. My favorite dish was the whipped feta. Those were served with a cracker that seems to be house-made, and I forgot the name of. The other dishes were served with pita. I really enjoyed the latkes and mushrooms as well. All of those dishes were well seasoned. The Lamb Ragu Hummus was good but a little underseasoned at both the ragu and hummus level. The pita served with it was good and served warm. I personally would've preferred if they served warm, soft whole, pita versus cut and toasted pita. Both of our drinks were light and refreshing, and the honey cake was absolutely delicious. It got taken home since after sharing the other plates we were more than full and could only enjoy a few bites of the cake. It's very tall and sweet but moist and light at the same time. It feels like they're still getting out a couple of kinks from being new but it's definitely a restaurant that I would go to again with one more friends. read more

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