Aba Austin, Austin: Photos, Reviews & Location

Hip spot serving seafood and Mediterranean classics such as kebabs, hummus, and falafel, plus cocktails.

At a glance

#12 of 52 Bars in Austin #22 of 58 Restaurants in Austin

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.50

1.7 km from the center of Austin

Rating breakdown

5 ★73%
4 ★13%
3 ★5%
2 ★3%
1 ★5%

What reviewers talk about

Share of 16 recent reviews that mention each topic.

Food94%
Atmosphere63%
Service & staff38%
Waiting & crowds38%
Price & value31%
Location13%

1011 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, United States

abarestaurants.com

+1 737-273-0199

Quick facts

What is the rating of Aba Austin?: Aba Austin is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 3,760 reviews.
How does Aba Austin rank in Austin?: Aba Austin is #12 of 52 Bars in Austin by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Aba Austin located?: 1011 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, United States — 1.7 km from the center of Austin.
What do visitors mention most about Aba Austin?: Most often: food, atmosphere, service & staff (from 16 recent reviews).
How can I contact Aba Austin?: Phone: +1 737-273-0199 · Website: abarestaurants.com

Great place, amazing food, super ambience. We had hummus and salmon, both delicious. Orange chocolate cake for dessert, great option as well. Salmon took a lot to come, I think the kitchen was super busy. Expensive food, in general.

kristin graham 2024 Feb 03

This place is outstanding! The space is gorgeous and surprisingly quiet at the table we sat at. The service is excellent. Friendly and available without being too attentive. We had too many drinks and dishes to mention so my suggestion is go with a few people and try as many things as you can. It’s on the pricey side but well earned in my opinion. We indulged and spent about $80 a person. Well
Worth it though.

Jazmyne McBride 2024 Jan 29

As a first-time visitor to Aba, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant nestled in the heart of Austin, TX, I was immediately taken by its stunning layout. The venue beautifully marries indoor and outdoor dining, creating a serene oasis amidst lush greenery. The outdoor area, spacious and equipped with heaters, ensures comfort in any weather, while the indoor space exudes a cozy yet elegant charm.

A culinary highlight was the whipped feta appetizer. This dish was a revelation in flavor and texture - the feta was exquisitely creamy, laced with the right amount of saltiness, and topped with red pepper flakes and olive oil. The addition of pistachios added a delightful crunch, elevating the dish to new heights. The accompanying pita bread, warm and subtly seasoned, was replenished regularly to ensure it remained hot, a thoughtful touch that did not go unnoticed.

For the main course, the chicken kabobs and beef and lamb kofta were standout choices. Each was seasoned to perfection, showcasing the freshness and quality of the ingredients. The sides of fluffy rice and vibrant, fresh vegetables complemented the proteins beautifully, culminating in a feast that left no room for dessert, much to my regret.

While the prices at Aba are on the higher side, the experience justifies the expense. From the enchanting ambiance to the exceptional cuisine, Aba is more than just a meal; it’s a delightful culinary journey worth every penny. This restaurant has undoubtedly set a high bar for Mediterranean dining in Austin, and I am already looking forward to my next visit.

haley westhoff 2023 Dec 30

Definitely worth the hype. Unreal service. The waiter was actually stellar and so informative / helpful. The whipped feta and hummus was delightful and filling, we barely had room for our main dishes. The outdoor patio is stunning and the restaurant is in such a fun area.

Connor Colton 2023 Dec 27

Overall an extremely pleasant experience. Atmosphere was great. Was recommended to order 4 dishes to share between two people and that seemed like the magic number. Started off with the short rib hummus which had a solid amount of meat however I do wish it had a tad more hummus. No complaints about the taste. Followed that with the orzo. Another tasty treat although it was a little salty for my girlfriend's taste. Chicken kebab and skirt steak for the entrees. Both great dishes. the fries that were included with the steak also deserve a positive mention. Chicken was nice and juicy. If I went again I'd probably stick with the kebab though. Id say it was a better value. Dessert consisted of the chocolate cake and the date cake. The chocolate was a little rich for my girlfriend however I enjoyed it. My girlfriend described the date cake as on the lighter side and slightly crunchy.

Good job

Timothy 2023 Dec 22

Finally was able to get a table! I now understand why it's so popular. They focus on quality Mediterranean food tapas style. The falafel was excellent! This was also my first time having yogurt drizzled with olive oil and salt. A must visit if you're in Austin! Definitely going back!

Karan Shah 2023 Dec 17

Amazing restaurant for date night or fancy dinner. The food is decent and not so great. But the ambience is top notch. The patio or indoor, both are amazing. The drinks on point as well. Garlic hummus was really great. The chicken was okayish. Must visit for pictures and nice dinner.

Pierce Colman 2023 Oct 13

Great location and nice environment. We got sat immediately and our server was spot on and had a very pleasant attitude. We ordered the short rib hummus, crispy chicken thighs, pork belly, and Brussels sprouts. The hummus had more resemblance to pot roast with mashed potatoes than hummus, but was yummy still. I wish we got regular hummus. The Brussels sprouts were good but very sweet. We ended up ordering some fresh veggies to balance it out. The chicken thighs and pork belly were cooked perfectly. I might get a different mix of things next time to help balance the meal overall, but everything was good either way.

Sal “SAL & BEE” Galdamez 2023 Sep 27

Absolutely delicious. Every time we visit Austin we also stop Aba! We have had so many different plates its hard to suggest but the falafels are a must try! There is a wait if you don't have resos so call ahead otherwise you may be waiting at most an hour. The place is spacious and beautiful. The new additional outside bar should help keep you cool and hydrated.

Deepak 2023 Sep 21

Visited on a weekday, its crowded and reservation are must recommended before visit.
Ambience is good,staffs are courteous and hear the menu. Loved the food over here. Green falafel,Grilled chicken was good.
Recommended date night option in Austin
#HappyDining

J G 2023 Aug 13

I recommend making a reservation but they have outdoor bar seating available for walk ins. Ambiance is amazing and even on the hottest day, eating outside isn’t a problem with the misting fans. Our server/bartender Nick was fantastic.

Lexis Gonzales 2023 Jul 04

My partner and I went here for a celebration! The area itself is so cute and the inside decor is incredible. It felt very upscale but cozy at the same time. All of the food items were 10/10 and pretty large portions. We ordered two appetizers and an entree and had leftovers, so the portions we’re much larger than we anticipated. The service was great, we will absolutely be back to try everything else on the menu (:

Jqiatx 2023 Jun 26

Atmosphere is what this is all about.

For temps above 90 degrees get the “breezeway” seating if you can! It is possibly, accidentally, the coolest and most comfortable spots to brunch outdoors in Austin. Excellent people watching.
(Which is mostly what your money buys you here. )

I would avoid main patio at all cost during summer - can you imagine booking this 3 months out (it can be tough to get a reservation here) and then being roasted alive?

You get decent quality on food and food presentation.

Middle level service from our waitress but the AGM (who was in from the Miami location) was phenomenal.

The food was fine:
The way it was prepared was extremely well done. The spring veggie humus is a master class in technique. That being said I am not sure the additional hard work made the impact one would hope. The efforts may not be worth the outcome. The outcome is wonderful. Just not sure the added techniques added value beyond the fact that certain people can identify technique was applied.

If you want atmosphere this has it. You will feel healthy and full. Everything will be tasty and interesting.

Mario Rodriguez 2023 Jun 20

Great experience here at Aba! I’ve been trying to come here multiple times before and due to other reasons I’ve had to cancel my reservations but last night finally made it to celebrate my wife’s birthday. We had a fantastic time, the food was delicious and the drinks just perfect. Beyond that, service was outstanding, from the hostess to the waiters. Everyone was super friendly and approachable, even remember my wife’s birthday and gave us a cake. I’ve been to places where they forgot I put we were celebrating a birthday, so props to them. The atmosphere is perfect, dim lights, very well decorated inside and plenty of space outside as well.

Beth Gasser 2023 May 20

One of the best new restaurants I've visited in a long time. Full flavor, unique options and very well made. The garlic hummus and falafel won the night. Excellent cocktails and the ambience was incredible. Elegant and relaxing. Highly recommend. Make reservations or plan to get on a list and do something for a bit.