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Loved everything about ēma! The ambiance and plants in and outside of the resturant, brings a welcoming , earthy, and relaxing vibe. Drinks were good, and strong- only 1 was needed for each of us. The food..... The food?!? ... Spectacular, there was nothing that didn't wow us! We tried the spicy whipped feta , himachi crudo, Sweet potato latkes and the brussel sprouts, for my meal I had the pan seared halibut. Everything was plated beautifully and cooked with care. Our waitress was very kind and knowledgeable about the options. While this place is pricy, which will keep me from coming back often, I highly recommend giving them a try!
Stopped in for restaurant week lunch. They were running a bit behind so took a bit to get seated but the hosts were so kind about it! Got the eggplant dip and the spicy feta. I loved it and honestly if I went back I would get these again. The kebab and Caesar wrap were decent but dips for sure were the star. Overall restaurant week was a really good deal- but prices were definitely too expensive for me to come back otherwise
Phenomenal first experience at Ema! We were not necessarily planning to dine here, but happened to be in the domain and were craving some Mediterranean! We didn't get all that much food (just the spicy feta dip and chicken skewers), but DAMN did these two dishes deliver. The whipped feta had just the right amount of spice, and it was balanced with pistachios and pomegranate. The flatbread/pita was the star... warm, pillowy, perfectly salty and crusted with herbs. Truly sublime. The chicken was also fantastic. Super tender and paired beautifully with the lemon dill rice. Our server was kind and attentive, and the atmosphere was beautiful. Lots of plants surrounded us, and it felt like a quiet oasis in the midst of the bustling domain. Will definitely be back!!
July 19, 2026 review: We were able to get a reservation just 4 hours ago so a party of 4. Parking is easy as there are plenty of options in domain. We got spicy whipped feta spread, sweet corn hummus, Brussel sprouts and honey crisp apple salad, green falafel, grilled asparagus, sweet potato latkes. Out of all, brussel salad was the least of my favorite. Falafel were like super super crispy. Ambience is 10/10. Very modern and lot of plants. We got a outdoor table. They have two patios, we were seated in small. Staff is very nice and humble and accommodating
We stopped by for a quick bite at 430 . We got a table really easily but they sat us outside though the restaurant was empty and it was 100 out We order the melon and avocado salad. Slow braised beef and grilled asparagus. The salad was hands down the best dish. So refreshing for the heat and I loved the flavors. The asparagus was really good too. The beef was good maybe a little too heavy for the heat but the most disappointing thing was the broccoli in there. They added the stalk which I completely fine with but it was on big pieces and barely cooked. This was very unpleasant. the restaurant is very beautiful and cozy and the service was good
Ema has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants in Austin. We've been several times now, and every visit has been consistently amazing. First, the atmosphere is absolutely stunning. They did such an incredible job with the space that you completely forget you're in the middle of The Domain. It feels bright, elegant, and transports you somewhere in the Mediterranean rather than a shopping center. The beautiful greenery, warm design, and inviting dining room make it one of the prettiest restaurants in Austin. The food is just as impressive. Everything tastes incredibly fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor, and it's the perfect place to order several dishes and share with the table. On this visit we had the Snapper Crudo, Pan-Seared Halibut, Grilled Chicken Kebabs, Sweet Potato Latkes, the Crispy Potatoes, and the Spicy Whipped Feta, and honestly, every single dish was excellent. The menu is built around Mediterranean mezze and shareable plates, which makes it fun to try a little bit of everything. Whether you're looking for a date night, girls' dinner, or a special meal with family, Ema never disappoints. It's one of those places we find ourselves coming back to again and again, and we'll definitely be back soon.
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!
First, this is one of the most beautiful restaurants i've been too in Austin! Reminds me of Miami, both the inside and outside are super posh. The food was fantastic! My husband and I have really come to appreciate Mediterranean food, especially as we get older. This is up there with some of the best. We started with the spicy whipped feta and corn hummus with their yummy homemade pita bread. chefs kiss! For our entrees, we had the Chicken Shawarma bowl and shrimp kebab with this fantastic chutney. Service of course was wonderful. I highly recommend this place and cannot wait for my next visit!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3 months ago
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
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
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
8 months ago
Today I met a Yelp friend for lunch at Ema (pronounced E mah) at the Domain Northside. It was my first time visiting whereas my friend has been there three previous times. She met me with her cute little son, who looks like a Gerber baby. Fun facts...Ema means Mother in Hebrew and Abba means Father in Hebrew. Abba on S. Congress is Ema's brother restaurant. When you walk into Ema you are totally transported to a Zen haven - lots of greenery, straw chandeliers and soothing colors. There is a tree inside the restaurant, and you literally can dine under a tree...how cool is that? Also, there is indoor and outdoor seating, with open windows which allows a small breeze to flow through. Another area of Ema is currently under construction. It looks like a hut you might find at a resort. We ordered Sweet Corn Hummus (aleppo, chive, black lime), Brussel sprouts (crispy shallot, pumpkin seed, agrodolce) and Crispy Potatoes (mizithra, rosemary, scallion crema). All dishes are shareable with good size portions. While I liked all dishes, Brussel sprouts were hands down my favorite. The Brussel Sprouts were crispy, airy and flavorful. Important to note, Ema has a rewards program. Also, there is ample free garage parking as well as street parking. The menu is a little on the pricey side, but well worth the price. Calen, our server, was excellent. He spent time sharing his favorite menu items. He was also very attentive. Really enjoyed the meal and catching up with my friend... read more
7 months ago
I was expecting something stellar from the Aba group when they added this restaurant to the domain area. Since this place just opened, it is still finding its bearings, and a lot of the dishes we ordered were overseasoned or underwhelming. We came on a Monday evening to check this place out, and since I had made a reservation online, we were promptly seated. The interior and all the decorations are aesthetically beautiful; for that aspect of the restaurant, I'd give the designer 5 stars! It's definitely a place to get some good social media photos. The service was prompt, and she gave us good suggestions on what to order. My husband and I started out with the whipped feta spread, which might have been a mistake, as the dish tasted overly salty; the Kofta that came with it was superb. We also ordered the hamachi and avocado crudo; however, the server informed us that the kitchen was out of it, so we opted for the salmon crudo. When the salmon crudo came out we were both underwhelmed by the size as well as the flavors that the chef tried to mesh together. When you ate the Salmon crudo, none of the flavors enhanced the fish quite right, and they all seemed to mesh together. The following items that came out were the spicy brisket kebabs and the crispy mushrooms. The spicy brisket kebabs were meatballs with tzatziki and BBQ sauces, slaw, lettuce cups, and mint. The flavors were good; however, the kebabs were dry. The last thing to come out was the Crispy mushrooms, which were probably the best item we had. The ambiance is quite nice here, as for the food, I'd have to say I'd rather go out to Aba. It was a miss for me, but hopefully on my next visit, things will have improved food quality-wise by then. read more
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
7 months ago
The vibes were here but food was slightly a miss for me. My husband and I came on a Friday evening at around 5:45p. We didn't have a reservation, but we walked in and got a table in about 20min. The space is gorgeous with plants and boho furniture everywhere. Service is fantastic as well. They brought us the wrong dish and corrected it immediately. For the food, I wasn't a big fan. I liked the whipped feta and the salmon kebobs. The lamb kabobs and salmon main dish was very dry. We also ordered the fried mushrooms which was okay in my opinion. Pita and pita crackers were always fantastic. read more
Let me tell you that the inside of this place is gorgeous. You need to make sure I get a table in the middle of the restaurant so you can see the status of it. They also have an outdoor area which is sweet. Definitely get a reservation or you will wait forever for a table. Luckily, I made one and we got to sit in an amazing area. Our waitress was so nice and you exactly what to recommend cause we told her we loved this restaurant to this place and she gave us a whole background story to how it came to be and what the names mean and that was just so cool to know. So we didn't know what to start with we did say how much we loved the hummus from ABBA so she said to try out this sweet corn wine that it was delicious and she was correct. It was so good. You can literally lick the plate. We then also got the mushroom escargot and it was so good. It literally was almost like actual escargot. We also tried the Hamachi and it was very fresh and not fishy which means they get a good source of it. Lastly, we shared the chicken bowl and let me tell you the rice with the pomegranate and it was so delicious. The chicken taste tasted so fresh. Overall, this restaurant is great. They also have a full bar so you can get whatever drink you want and they had a great wine selection. I tried a Greek wine rosé, which was so nice and light. I will definitely be coming back to try out more stuff. It is a beautiful restaurant whether you're going for a date night or lunch or just a girls day or night. read more
We love Aba in SOCO. So when we heard a sister-restaurant would be opening, we knew we had to give it a try. The vibe of the restaurant is great. Feels similar (but lighter and brighter) than Aba. It was quite busy, with most tables being full. There's plenty of Domain parking garages nearby, or a valet spot right out front. But that street gets quite busy, and hard to circle around. The hostess and service were great. The food was fantastic! Faves of the night were the beet and horseradish dip (though I couldn't really taste any/much horseradish). The chicken kebab was just the same as Aba, and great. And the sweet potato latkes. Amazing. If I happen to be up at the domain and need a spot to eat, then would def try and get in here. But otherwise will stay close to home to Aba! read more
6 months ago
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
6 months ago
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
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
Ok So first things wait time. I have heard a few people mention how long and hard it is to get in. We have to remember they just opened about 2 weeks ago. So it's gonna be tough. Now is it worth that wait. I found the menu very well created. Plenty of options for everyone. Even the drink menu has Zero proof options. My group ordered just about all of the main specialty cocktails. All tasted amazing. For the food we ordered two spreads and some brussels sprouts Then we all ordered something different from the sandwich space. All of it was delicious. The one thing I will say as to why I'm not given 5 stars was price. I feel the price could be knocked down maybe 2 dollars on everything. Other than that it was definitely worth it. For the space it's very well curated and welcoming. The staff especially was very kind and welcoming. Although I wonder how that will last with it just opening I'm sure they have the employees stacked to give off good turn over times for orders. But if it stays as such I will be pressed to find anyone else that can offer the amazing service. We had Maya as our main server and she was absolutely fantastic. She gave great recommendations and was so attentive. I'll be going back for sure even with the prices just maybe not as often as I would like. read more
My son chose this place for his recent birthday dinner a week or so ago and what a treat! My kids were finally both old enough for us to share a bottle of wine together. Our waiter was fantastic and helped us figure out the best items to order. He brought tasters of their by the glass Lebanese and Israeli reds that we didn't like so we took a risk on a bottle he recommended based on what he'd heard others had liked because he hadn't tasted it yet, and we much preferred it over the by the glass options. It was such a special evening of great food, lovely wine, and service under an old tree in their back patio. My son said he thought he saw an opossum peak it's head out from the tree base to check out what was going on. :-) He told us the birthday dessert was a surprise when we asked him so we ordered one dessert to share and they brought the birthday one which happened to be the same Greek yogurt dessert. It was delicious and did have different toppings, but if we'd known what the birthday treat was, we would have ordered another dessert to try. Maybe next time I'm there for a birthday, I'll insist on knowing so we don't duplicate the order. Other than that, it was a wonderful experience and I'm sure I'll be back again! read more
Updating my review to add a few more items we tried: Hits: -Spicy Hummus (they were great about being proactive with the extra pita, much appreciated) -sweet potato latkes (delicious, perfect amount of crunch) -mushroom escargot (not AS great as the first time BUT still solid. Make sure you add some of the crunch to your hummus for a little texture punch!) Miss: -Big eye tuna (boy noted that the marinade seemed to have been just thrown on. I get it keeps the brightness of the fish, but we would have loved a little more flavor/long time marinating) read more
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
What impressed me the most about Ema is the ATMOSPHERICS! So, so beautiful. I think that was worth the visit alone! The spicy feta was fantastic. Great texture, perfect level of spice. Beautiful presentation. NO NOTES. The sweet potato latkes were good. I recommend for sweet potato lovers. I liked the Spicy Beef Kefta more than the Chicken Kefta, but neither blew my socks off. I think they both could have been more moist. read more
3 months ago
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
Absolutely stunning! Ema (Hebrew for mom) just opened in the Domain and its a sister restaurant to Aba on South Congress, while I believe there is another Ema up in Chicago. I knew reservations were tough but on an incredible February Texas Saturday, we figured let's see if we can get on the list or sit at the bar. We were able to get a bar seat after a little while, and the inside and decor is just as beautiful as the photos! it reminds me of the Israeli spots in Miami like Abbale or Motek kinda fused with Nomade in Austin and I dunno, 1Hotel. Just welcoming and airy vibe. As for the food - went with pita & hummus, Kefta kebab, sweet potato latkes, and branzino. The food was all fantastic - the pita, while not quite Motek level def had a wow factor. Great to have some potato latkes in Austin too! The kefta wasnt that spicy and was an incredible dish. The branzino is probalby the one that I wouldn't order again, Although it tasted great, it was a small portion for over $40. So I'll probably just head to a Trulucks or Eddie V's or something for that. Anyway, I've been raving about it all weekend and will def return, bring Austin friends to and bring my family & friends when they visit. read more
One of my new favorite spots to get a nice dinner in Austin I am absolutely obsessed with Aba, I've always loved it for years so I was super super excited when I heard about their sister restaurant Ema opening up rachel and I went last night and it was such a great experience. We sat down right as soon as we showed up everyone was so nice. It was a gorgeous inside, such a beautiful restaurant. The waiter was super nice. We got some classic hummus, some spicy whipped feta, some mushroom escargot, and Hamachi and charred avocado dish that was so so so good. The vibes were chill but luxurious and I really will definitely be coming back if I'm ever in the Domain and want a nice lunch or a dinner! read more
3 months ago
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
8 months ago
Exceptional food, amazing service, fabulous ambience !! Favorite plate was probably their house-made Stracciatella. Even though it was a little on the saltier side, the creaminess was DIVINE. And the tomatoes were soooo juicy and crispy - they just POPPED in your mouth. I mean, what's better a combo than those two together?! I wanted to order every single item on the menu; HOWEVER, I failed at that lol. I'll definitely be returning! Oh! I forgot to snap a pic of their whiskey - 100/10. And the fig at the end was quite literally the cherry on top *smirk* P.S. Frankie is an incredible waitress! She's knowledge of the menu and super friendly and her timing cues are great. read more
15 days ago
Came here for the first time for some drinks the other night and had a decent experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has some nice outdoor seating but I wasn't very impressed with the menu. Everything was a bit overpriced and our server was not very nice. Overall we had an okay experience but left slightly disappointed. read more
5 months ago
This is the sister restaurant to Aba, has a very summer villa vibe. We had our business team meeting here and it was a great spot! Food was all delicious and service was great. It's more of a tapas style and between 4 people we had 3 appetizers, 4 entrees, 2 sides, and a dessert. They also have really delicious mocktails so you can still feel fancy at lunch. Everything about the food was delicious, hard to pick a favorite item. We tried two different types of the whipped feta, the spicy was my favorite, the sweet one was a unique twist and delicious. Original hummus is a classic and delicious. We tried the recommended honey cake and trust me you have room for it at the end of the meal. It was so decadent but not overly sweet. It was a great end to good food. read more
3 months ago
Our server Jacob was attentive and great. I learned that this restaurant is a more feminine approach from Aba. Reservations are kind of hard to get so we ate at 5PM. They currently don't have a happy hour but probably because they are so busy. The inside is so pretty, soft glowy and the green in the ceiling just makes you feel cozy and relaxed. Drinks were very different and I enjoyed mine "Do Not Disturb". Our favorites were the halibut, mushroom escargot and tuna & watermelon. Everything else was delicious. I wouldn't get the halloumi again, it was cheese trying to be like tofu, but I understand halloumi is hard to make well (Devil May Care had a great dish! I tried making it for a salad and failed.) We were leaving and ended up in the back where there is this bar and more dining. So we sat at the bar and had a round of drinks and dessert. Their greek yogurt was so refreshing in this heat. Our bartender was so sweet. I like it here and would come back! read more
Their food was well made for how straightforward the menu was. Nothing was especially unique, but the dishes were flavorful and a good portion. Like their sister restaurants, the apps. were delicious and good for sharing. Psa - they don't serve brunch. read more
4 months ago
We stopped by Ema for lunch on a weekday. This place had been popping up on social media quite a bit, and we were excited to try their offerings. TL;DR: Trust trending social media recs to let you down. We were seated right away. They were pretty busy for a weekday, and we happily took the patio seat. Note, this was a day when it had been raining on and off but they did mention it was a covered patio. Our server was super friendly, checked on us, gave us time, and we ordered an appetizer (feta dip), the kefteh and salmon for our entrees. Their house bread was amazing, and our server was attentive enough to bring in seconds when we ran out. The feta was a tad on the saltier side but good. Our entrees were a hit or miss. The kefteh was pretty well seasoned but the salmon seemed bland, and honestly the portion was pretty small. I would say the food was rather average, nothing to rave about! What really bothered me was that it started raining while we were halfway through the meal. Although they claimed the patio was covered, there were several spots where the rain came through, and we basically had water falling on us, and the food! It was rather disappointing that my husband had to leave the table and ask the host to do something about it, and they still took quite some time to come over and put up an umbrella, which again did not keep the rain away. We finished our food in a hurry because soggy kefteh isn't my food of choice, and left. Our server appeared and asked us to be careful on our way out since the floors were wet, so it was especially mind boggling that the fact that we were getting rained on was neither acknowledged nor addressed in a timely manner. I understand people go to restaurants for "vibes", and their "Insta-worthiness", but I still prefer places where the vibe is "dry", and the food is something to come back for. Ema disappointed me on both counts. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
6 months ago
Vibes? Miami in the middle of Austin. When the decor is this good, you'd think the food would be bad, but not here. Listen to the reviews and try the whipped feta and salmon kebabs -- you won't regret it. Pricy, but you pay for what you get. Lunch was easy to score without a res, but make sure to grab one for happy hour and dinner any day of the week. read more
16 days ago
This is one of the prettiest restaurants I've been to! The indoor and outdoor patio area are equally beautiful. We walked in on Wednesday and didn't need a reservation. The service was professional and she had great knowledge about the menu. The food came out so fast and most of it was delicious. I would definitely order the tuna and hummus again. The tuna was so refreshing and the hummus came with fresh toasted pita. The only item I would skip next time is the kefta kabob. It wasn't as flavorful as I expected. I would definitely come back and try more items including a dessert! read more
This place is gorgeous! I highly recommend trying it out. The server was so kind and attentive. He checked up on us and recommended the corn hummus. The food was so good! The chicken wrap wrapped lacked flavor and needed more sauce to go with it. read more
More info about Ema
3120 Palm Way
Ste 170
Austin, TX 78758
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(737) 402-1333
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https://emarestaurants.com
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Ema - mediterranean - Updated October 2026
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