Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ema

    4.3 (96 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Ema Takeout or Delivery

    Ema Photos

    EMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Upscale
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ema

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    cocktails
    Aruni G.

    I've been attempting to eat at Ema for some months now but when I thought about booking it was too late and I missed out on an open res until last week! I met a friend for lunch and we really enjoyed sitting on the side patio and sharing a bunch of starters and a main item. Hummus, eggplant, mushrooms, brisket kebob and cocktaisl. Everything was delicious. We had a few leftovers and they packed it up in nice to go containers and a pretty branded, cloth bag! Our waitress was really helpful and busy! A couple times we had to ask someone to find her but overall the experience was great and I look forward to dining here again soon and trying more items!

    Melon avocado salad
    Renee C.

    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.

    Outdoor patio
    Braden J.

    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.

    Birthday Card
    Diya T.

    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.

    Sweet Potato Latkes
    Sage O.

    I wanted to love ēma as much as aba. However, I will give them the benefit of the doubt since it just opened. The hospitality was top tier and vibes were immaculate. Our spritzes were yummy and refreshing but not that memorable. The food was the thing that fell short. The lamb ragu hummus was underwhelming, the lamb was cooked well but the whole dish was covered by its grease. The sweet potato latkes were very salty in my opinion and couldn't been crispier. The avocado creams on the side was good but nothing exceptional. The spicy whipped feta was not spicy and the muhammara was not as good as aba's, I'm basically living the plate when I order that stuff at aba. The mushroom "escargot" was highly recommended by our server so we opted in for it. I was disappointed that I didn't like it since they was saying they didn't like mushrooms either but this was the dish that changed their mind. I didn't enjoy the texture and flavor was just garlic. The honey cake was massive and I wished there was more cake than frosting, it was very light and sweet though, I can see ordering it in the summer months. I would give them a 2 star for food but they earned 1 star for vibes and service. I would suggest coming here for an apretivo moment w spritzes and a snack but maybe not a whole meal yet. Let them sort out some kinks before spending your whole wallet here.

    Spring L.

    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.

    Michael L.

    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.

    Don Higo & Faroe Islands Salmon Kebab*
    Shannon G.

    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!

    Mushroom "Escargot," Spicy Brisket Kefta, Pan Pan-Seared Branzino*
    Serena S.

    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.

    Chicken Caesar Wrap
    Briana J.

    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.

    Take out bag
    Veronica Pagán B.

    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!

    Hummus, whipped feta, Mushroom "Escargot"
    Lola M.

    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!

    Honey cake
    Andie O.

    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.

    Red Beet & Horseradish

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kaffy Z.
    0
    100
    37

    1 month ago

    We were very happy with everything. The food, service and atmosphere were worth it. We highly recommend.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erica D.
    411
    61
    12

    2 months ago

    Super cute and trendy restaurant in the domain. Love the greenery and the DRINKS! The hummus was yummy and the bread was so moist

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Teresa W.
    186
    35
    29

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John M.
    24
    28
    2

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Love the veggie options and I'm obsessed with the mushroom escargot Please don't forget to try their sweet potato latkes

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ema

    You might also consider

    Almarah Mediterranean Cuisine - Half order of falafel with hummus

    Almarah Mediterranean Cuisine

    4.2(932 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    Checked the place out based on Yelp reviews and was absolutely floored. Clean space, friendly…read morestaff, quick service, and excellent food! We ordered the half order falafel with hummus, mint lemonade, lamb kabob platter, and beef kabob platter. Everything but the salad came in large Texas style portions. I requested the beef be cooked to medium and the temperature was perfect. Tips: Substitute the tahini in the kabob platters for tzatziki and request garlic sauce on the side. The garlic sauce enhances the flavor of rice.

    Food is very good, service not so good... I can tell people…read morecome for the food alone. The place is nice and has a nice layout. However, I'll think about coming here again because I didn't feel a good vibe with the service. We had to go look for someone to show us the table even though the place was empty for early lunch. Then, to get drinks or even the order was a problem. It took so much longer than usual. Our waitress was rude, and seemed bothered that we showed up. Then someone else came as the waitress and she was preoccupied with other tables and barely checked on us. A regular lunch which would've been one hour became almost two because of the lack of service. My friend had to stand and look for someone to give us a box to take out the good we couldn't eat because it was getting late and also to get the check because No one came in to check on us at all. It was almost like pulling teeth to get a regular service let alone good service. Again, the food was really good, and that alone was the only positive.

    Photos
    Almarah Mediterranean Cuisine
    Almarah Mediterranean Cuisine - Mixed grill

    Mixed grill

    Almarah Mediterranean Cuisine - Mint lemonade

    See all

    Mint lemonade

    MezzeMe - ChickMe Out

    MezzeMe

    4.4(623 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    I come here exclusively for the pistachio baklava cheesecake. The parking situation is a bit of a…read moreheadache but totally worth it. I've only ever ordered takeout at the counter so I can't speak to the dine-in experience, but the service is smooth and efficient. Dessert is ready in about 5 minutes and food orders during busy dinner hours have taken around 20 minutes, which honestly wasn't bad at all given how packed they get. Everything is always packaged nicely and securely, and the food is consistently delicious. They also carry other sweets worth trying like honey cakes and pistachio baklava. On the savory side, some dishes I've really enjoyed are the Mezze Platter, Beef and Lamb Doner, and Ribeye Steak Shish Kebab. It's not super loud but the front can get a bit overstimulating when it's busy, so if you're not a fan of crowds I'd recommend coming outside of peak hours. This most recent time, I didn't realize until I was home that they forgot to pack one of the baklava cheesecakes I'd ordered. They were able to refund me over the phone when I couldn't come back to pick it up. Highly recommend!

    Overall: 3.6/5 [delivery]…read more We ordered on UberEats and the food arrived on time. Governor's Mixed Kebap Plate ($26.95): The plate came with chicken, köfte meatballs, ground lamb kebap (adana), ezme, pickled red cabbage, onion, rice, and a sauce. I chose the crazy grain rice which is a mix of black rice and lentils, and the spicy harissa sauce. The ezme, pickled red cabbage, and adana were my favorites. The chicken was good too and the köfte meatballs were my least favorite of the bunch. The pita bread was also fire and super fresh, honestly one of the best I've had when it's heated up and warm. The box was completely packed and was easily enough for 2 meals or to share between 2 people. Zucchini Yogurt with Fresh Dill and Walnuts ($3.25): Not a fan. It had a sour aftertaste with a citrusy zing that made me think this went bad. Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup ($6.99): Came with chickpeas, shredded chicken, and orzo. It was really yummy, especially paired with some sourdough bread I had on hand.

    Photos
    MezzeMe - Interior view

    Interior view

    MezzeMe - Governor's (Mix Kebap) Plate

    Governor's (Mix Kebap) Plate

    MezzeMe - In front of the restaurant

    See all

    In front of the restaurant

    Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet

    Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet

    4.5(308 reviews)
    14.4 mi
    $$

    We've been here a couple times now, on a Sunday and Saturday for lunch and it has yet to…read moredisappoint. It's one of those places that's reliable and feels pretty consistent, knowing you're going to leave happy and full after eating here. The two times we've been there, theres always plenty of seating and are able to walk right in. It's a walk in and seat yourself experience and then you pay upon leaving. The staff keeps the dining area and buffet line consistently stocked and clean. They even provide hand sanitizer and gloves for you. Even when foot traffic picked up while we were there, the food was replenished quickly and didn't look picked over. Now let's talk food...Everything tastes fresh, well-seasoned, and like it was made with care instead of just being "buffet food" an under seasoned. The variety is also amazing, and it's easy to build a plate for pretty much any type of diet whether you're keto, high protein, balanced, veggie-forward, vegan, etc... Some of our favorite dishes we keep coming back for: Shredded beef (SO good), Baked fish (tender and not fishy), Garlic baked chicken (wonderful crispy skin), Fried chicken, Baked kafta, Kafta kebab, Gyro meat, Roasted cauliflower, Eggplant, Greek salad, Fatoush, Kale Caesar salad, Zaatar pizza, Cheese pizza (pro tip: top it with shredded beef- a life changing buffet hack), Rice with lentils, Rice with mixed veggies. For the quality, variety and amount of food you get, this is easily one of the best deals in the city! It's rare to find a buffet that's both affordable and consistently this good! If I had one small wish, it would be for desserts to match how strong the rest of the food is. They're not bad, just a little more "fine" compared to how amazing everything else is. I've seen another Dimassi's (I think in Cali) that had a frozen yogurt machine and I'd LOVE to see that here because it would be the perfect finish! Make a cup and then crumble up some baklava on it! Overall we've LOVED it here and we'll absolutely keep coming back! Great food, clean, consistent, and worth it every time!

    In my family, we really like Demassi's. Not necessarily because everything there is amazing, but…read morebecause there is genuinely something to please everyone. Between me, my husband, and my mom, we have a lot of overlap in what we like to eat, but we also have some pretty distinct preferences, and Demassi's is one of those places where that works. My husband really loves Middle Eastern / Mediterranean food. I generally do not. I tend to find the meats too dry, I don't particularly like the spice profile, and I also find a lot of dishes in that category to be overly sour. It's hard to explain, but there's often a sharp, tangy acidity that I don't enjoy. For whatever reason, I don't have that issue at Demassi's at all. Here my husband can get his fix of dry, spiced meats, while I'm happy eating from the huge selection of rice dishes, cooked veggies, and soups. As far as protein goes, I actually really like the fish here, so I almost never eat the meat and still leave satisfied. It usually feels like a healthy pescatarian day for me, which I like. Then there's my mom, who just loves the abundance and variety of a buffet. She's happiest when she can sample a little bit of everything, build plates with lots of small bites, and then go back for more. Demassi's is perfect for that. On top of all of this, it's very reasonably priced, especially for lunch or on weeknights. It's always clean, the staff is consistently courteous, and they are really on top of bussing tables, which matters a lot to me at a buffet. Dirty dishes piling up are never an issue here. Overall, it's a solid, reliable spot for us and a place we're always happy to suggest when we're trying to please multiple people with different tastes.

    Photos
    Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet
    Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet
    Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet

    See all

    Ezov - Whipped feta, halloumi, and pecan muhammara

    Ezov

    4.4(253 reviews)
    10.4 miEast Austin

    Went out for a ladies night here and let me tell you this place keeps up to all the hype !…read more They offer free Valet parking on Friday and Saturday- so parking was a breeze ! We had made a reservation so as soon as we walked in we were seated inside in a booth ! The place felt cozy and comfortable as well as nice vibes ! They even offer bar seating ! They have a covered and temperature controlled patio too ! Our server was amazing and professional and answered all our questions about drinks and other stuff ! The cocktail were amazing - I was curious about their onion bagel drink I think that's what's it's called and my server got me a sampler ... definitely I went with something else . We ordered few dips and appetizers and 2 entrees! Everything was delicious! To end the night we got the Krembo dessert and OMG it's a must try !! Can't wait to ge back soon !!

    The food here was tasty, but the service was what really stood out. Attentive, friendly…read moreknowledgeable staff who did not make us feel rushed and paced the food out nicely. They were happy to chat with us without forcing conversation. As a group of 3 we ordered the traditional hummus, whipped bulgarian feta, beet tahini, the cucumber labne, falafel, pan fried halloumi and baklava apple pie for dessert. The group was not what I would call big eaters so we had leftovers (we likely should have ordered 1 less dish), they recommend 2-3 dishes per person (dips and meze). The hummus was decent, but I would not feel the need to order it again, the bulgarian feta was delicious and was tied with best dish of the night with the falafel. The falafel had perfect texture, crispy on the outside without cutting your mouth and soft on the inside. The beet tahini just tasted like beets and nothing else so I would not get that again. The cucumber labne was tasty and the halloumi was the only dish I took a bite of and would not take another. The texture of the cheese was rubbery, so despite having a crunchy exterior and delicious sauce underneath, I found the halloumi to be extremely disappointing. I am not a chef, but if they simply grilled the halloumi and served it on top of the sauce I think it would be much better. Desserts are not my thing but my friends enjoyed it even though they admitted the baklava apple pie was painfully sweet. I liked that it came with labne ice cream to make it a bit different. Overall it was a nice meal, the ambiance is modern and clean and the service was fantastic. A good spot for a nice dinner out.

    Photos
    Ezov - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Ezov - Frena bread with whipped feta

    Frena bread with whipped feta

    Ezov - Parking

    See all

    Parking

    Peace Bakery & Deli - Falafel served as part of the plate with sides

    Peace Bakery & Deli

    4.5(618 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite restaurants is Peace Bakery & Deli. This place is one of those true Austin gems…read more It's casual, friendly, and serving seriously flavorful Middle Eastern food. For my main dishes, I usually go with the lamb shank and sometimes the beef shawarma. The lamb shank was fall-off-the-bone tender, rich, and perfectly seasoned. It comes with a generous portion of rice that soaks up all those savory gravy, making every bite incredibly satisfying. The beef shawarma is thinly sliced, well-marinated, and packed with that classic shawarma flavor. It had the perfect balance of spices, and the portion size was no joke. Paired with their fresh pita and sides, it's easily one of the best shawarmas I've had in Austin. My favorite sides are the potatoes (must get), beet salad, tabouleh, hummus, and babaganoush. Pro-tip: ask for half sides, so basically you can choose up to 4 things instead of 2 full regular sides. The half side portions end up to be almost a full sized side. Pita comes with the meals and their desserts are good too. Service is quick, and the staff is kind. Whether you're grabbing something to-go or sitting down for a hearty meal, Peace Bakery & Deli is a must-try for anyone who loves Middle Eastern cuisine. I'll definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the menu!

    Yummm definitely recommend So many options to pick from n…read morebuild your own plate Super flavorful n hearty serving sizes Customer service is kind n always friendly Inside is homey nothing fancy just a homey feeling Clean n lots of seating Prices are reasonable depending on what u get u can easily share a mixed plate DELISH deserts !!! They have coffee to go along but it is super strong like an espresso

    Photos
    Peace Bakery & Deli - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    Peace Bakery & Deli - Mixed Shawerma with 3 Sides

    Mixed Shawerma with 3 Sides

    Peace Bakery & Deli - View from my table

    See all

    View from my table

    Mezze Cafe

    Mezze Cafe

    4.5(280 reviews)
    11.4 mi78704 (South Austin), Bouldin Creek
    $$

    The food, everything, was very good. I had the Shish Tawook (chicken) with tabbouleh and hummus…read more The tabbouleh was fantastic! I don't know if it was authentic or not, but it was so good! The staff member that I dealt with was personable, pleasant, etc. Only one negative--I wish I could give the place a 4.5, but I don't think a 4 is fair--After I indicated that I was finished eating and ready for the bill (maybe I didn't communicate it so clearly?), it seemed to take quite a while before they came with the check. Otherwise, great food! (I did not try the hookah at all.) Oh, I forgot to mention: I was served a bottle of spring water rather than a bottle of "purified" water. That was fairly impressive.

    I gave 4 stars to give them the benefit of the doubt, but my actual experience felt closer to 2…read morestars. The main problem was the noise. The acoustics were very bad. The hardwood ceiling and the glass window in front of me seemed to amplify sound from every direction. I was with a group of six men, and none of us could hear each other. As the noise increased, every table seemed to raise its volume just to communicate, and it became painful. The food had a BBQ flavor, which was different for Mexican food. Some people may like that, but it was not what I expected. It was 4 star food. I think sitting outside would probably be much better.

    Photos
    Mezze Cafe - Outside

    Outside

    Mezze Cafe
    Mezze Cafe - Indoor seating

    See all

    Indoor seating

    Ema - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...