Aba Austin

I’m so delighted I got to finally try Ava Austin on a whim. I had it on my “to go to” bucket list for about 6 months. I was in Austin for a Texas REALTORS conference and some friends invited me to join. I’m so glad I did. Upon seating, our server expressed it’s a California Lebanese fusion. She was right. My friends are from Syria and were absolutely tickled to see Muhammara on the menu as it’s from their region. We absolutely tried it and loved it! Everything we tried, we wiped clean on the plate! The mezze platter was a great starter with the fresh bread. I could tell everything was made in house. The lamb and beef kefta was cooked to my liking and seasoned just right. The tzatziki sauce paired so well. The basmati rice had a slight citrus to it, but it was just right with the kefta, sauce and some bread. Be sure to leave room for dessert! The chocolate olive oil cake is so dreamy. It had the slightest dense texture that melts in your mouth with the whipped cream. Our server was balancing various large parties. We had to ask another server to help replenish some items but it was still prompt service for the most part. The atmosphere is so fresh and inviting outside. Inside is a bit more formal, upscale. The bathrooms were a bit dim for my liking, but I guess they set the mood. Overall, it’s a great spot for a professional lunch with colleagues to a laidback setting with good friends, or even alone!

Beautiful place to have a romantic meal with that special someone without having to go dressed up to the 9s and 10s. This place serves Mediterranean food and I had the chance to sample two of their main dishes: the heirloom chicken thighs and the lamb and beef kefta skewer. The lamb and beef skewer was tasty, but a little on the dry side which was funny because the outside did not seem too charred. The star of this dish is the basmati rice which was flavourful and had a nice tangy acid surprise from I’m thinking lemon? The chicken thighs are a must get dish. The chicken was crusty even with a sauce over it. The onions in the dish basically absorbed all the flavor from the chicken and spices and added great depth to the place. The one think lacking was the service. Sitting at the bar, the barmaid could not give a damn about our party. She couldn’t have been bothered and pretty much ignored us through out the night even though at one point we were the only two people sitting at the bar. She did basically nothing her whole time there. Thank goodness the barman came to the rescue and served us even though he was doing the service bar and wasn’t really our server. He made the night enjoyable.

We visited Aba on a Saturday morning to try their brunch menu. We ordered the short ribs shakshuka, blackberry drop biscuits, khachapuri, and wild mushroom hummus. The service was slow at first and it was difficult to get our waitress's attention, which is why I'm giving it four stars. The portion sizes were decent overall. The standout dish was definitely the wild mushroom hummus- the flavor was incredible and I highly recommend it. The khachapuri was good, though the bread could have been a bit fluffier. I would return, but it's not somewhere I'd go out of my way for. Still, I'd recommend giving it a try.

ABA in Austin is absolutely amazing. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and beautifully designed. The service was outstanding. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable without being overbearing. The food was incredible. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared, with standout Mediterranean flavors that really shine. Everything we tried was perfectly balanced and beautifully presented. This is one of those places that lives up to the hype and then exceeds it. A must visit spot in Austin and somewhere I will happily return to again and again.

I used to visit Aba in Chicago and it was one of my all-time favorite spots, so I was very excited to try the Austin location. And let me tell you… it did not disappoint! Aba has a great wine selection, excellent cocktails, and the food is absolutely delicious. The ambience is beautiful, modern, and warm perfect for a date night, dinner with friends, or a nice celebration. Reservations are highly recommended (just like in Chicago). But if you have to wait, the patio and bar area are super pleasant, you can relax with a drink and enjoy the vibe while your table gets ready. We ordered a variety of dishes to share and everything was outstanding: • Crispy Short Rib Hummus – a must-order! • Whipped Feta – creamy and so flavorful • Shawarma Spiced Prime Skirt • Lamb & Beef Kefta • Grilled Halloumi We were 3 adults (2 men and 1 woman), and this was the perfect amount of food. We all left happy and satisfied; and again, no room for dessert! Service was friendly and attentive both times I visited. Aba is definitely a must-try in Austin.