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Ajja

4.4 (131 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

Ajja Photos

AJJA ATMOSPHERE

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Trendy
Intimate
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Ajja

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Slow roasted shrimp with all the fresh veggies and taro chips!
Lauren R.

When my son asked where I'd like to go on my birthday, my answer was immediately Ajja! Just walking into the space is like being transported to an oasis! The food is delicious and unique. Every dish a perfect blend of flavors and textures. It was potentially rainy, so we enjoyed the lovely enclosed patio and took a stroll around the outdoor area after dinner to take in the view of the Raleigh skyline. Every dish I've had was amazing, and this visit was beyond my high expectations. A fun fresh cocktail menu, and we loved the dips trio! Our mains were beautiful, and although we were stuffed, we had to share a dessert! We ordered enough for a party of 4 and enjoyed every bite! This is my favorite special occasion spot, but it's also got a nice casual vibe, because truly, the food is the main event! Already looking forward to my next meal at Ajja. If 6 stars was an option...

Menu
Mike B.

Dinner for 6 recently at this fun spot in the Five Points neighborhood. Decor is ecclectic, definitely going for a bohemian vibe. Reservation honored to the minute; seats on the covered, heated patio. It's fairly loud, but we were able to converse without shouting. Our server, Abigail did a great job. Explained the menu and made spot-on recomendations. It's tapas-style and dishes are meant for sharing. There were a few gaps in service where we waited longer than we should have between. Portions are small-ish and we should have ordered 2 of a few things so that everyone had more than just a taste. The food is excellent. Started with an AJJA platter, with 3 dips and oil for dipping, plus bread. Hummus is served warm, creamy and rich with a touch of spice. Beet Mast-o Khiar - tzatziki-like but with beets added for color and sweet/tart. Lastly - my favorite - Sweet potato Masabach - pureed sweet potato, boiled peanuts, labneh and candied peanut dukkah. The taste combo is excellent - sweet and a little spicy, creamy and a little crunchy. Also tried Citrus Salad and Coffee Roasted Carrots. Carrots are roasted over coffee grounds, then rinsed and tossed saffron-infused yogurt and ginger glaze and sprinkled with candied pine nuts and dried cherries. We weren't sure about this one - the coffee didn't sound appetizing. But the combo really works, just a hint of coffee and the other ingredients made the whole thing shine. YUM. Next BBQ'd Short Rib, King Trumpet Mushrooms and Braised Lamb Tagine. The Short Rib is the winner - gorgeous chunks of super tender off-the-bone beef glazed and slow braised. The spices are perfect. Lamb Tagine is a stew... well spiced with the meat tender and flavorful. Honestly it didn't taste much like lamb, but was still delicious. All in all, the food was excellent. Service good, but slow. It's a cool vibe and fun experience, with plenty of other things to try for the next trip.

Ghee roasted Delicata
Meghan M.

This restaurant is the brainchild of Cheeti Kumar, a chef here who has been nominated several times for the James Beard award. I was very excited to check out her homage to Mediterranean and North African cuisine. The ghee roasted delicata was fork tender and superb. The chicken tagine was okay and did not blow me out of the water. Also, we ordered a milk punch drink, and that was quite tasty. The service was very attentive, and on top of refilling waters and bringing food out in a timely manner. The restaurant is very colorful and beautifully decorated. I loved the different lighting fixtures and wallpapers. Overall, I would come back, but I think I would order a different entree other than the chicken tagine next time.

Feta appetizer
Jessica F.

New trendy Mediterranean spot! We decided to sit at the bar and grab a quick appetizer w/a Lambrusco wine. The decor is bright orange with other lively colors and has several intimate seating areas. The feta appetizer was good but only came with one small piece of bread. It definitely should be served with 2 pieces of bread for 2 people. The bartender was nice and although very busy, he checked on us regularly. I would recommend this place for something different and fun!

Crispy eggplant and Halloumi
Hadja T.

This delicious restaurant is tucked away in the 5 points neighborhood in Raleigh and offers the opportunity for herbivores and carnivores to eat in harmony. Think elevated Tapas and filling main entrees. First, there is ample street parking and availability in a nearby lot as well. Second, the restaurant has a very boho chic eclectic vibe with plants hanging from the ceiling and curtains that provide an indoor/outdoor feel. We were greeted warmly and seated right away. Our waitress was very familiar with the menu and knew which items were vegetarian versus vegan and gluten free. Third, the food is thoughtfully crafted and very tasty. For drinks we ordered House-made ginger beer ,which had a deep ginger taste without being overwhelming, and the Picard spritz, which was just as enjoyable. For our meal, we ordered the Chana hummus (which had the perfect amount of saltiness), crispy eggplant and halloumi (another divine dish), and the pan roasted shrimp. We ate everything! The portions are enough for two people to share and come away sated. If you are looking for a trendy, relaxed vibe with great food, definitely recommend this gem .

Ajja Platter
Joey C.

I tucked away gem of Mediterranean excellence! Had an amazing diner here with very friendly service. Made the reservation for the patio and really enjoyed the more lively atmosphere but if you're looking for a quieter, more intimate environment, the inside dining has you covered. Only had the Ajja platter and Short Ribs, but that's all I needed to know that this place has top tier Mediterranean! Great spot for a nice casual date night or a dinner with friends

Elizabeth W.

AMAZING!!! Divine interior, incredible food, and lively atmosphere. Especially great in summer. Would not make any menu accommodations though - even for cilantro. Excellent otherwise!

Ajja platter
Dinh N.

Great Mediterranean spot in Raleigh. Great ambiance for a quiet date or small group dinner. We got the Ajja platter mezze dip. The hummus and zaatar oil were great. I'm not a big fan of the whipped feta so I would avoid next time. We got a salad and the lamb seekh for the main course and I would recommend both. Service was good.

Autumn Salad
Erica S.

Tried Ajja for the first time this weekend. I can say it's on my list for best meals I've had in Raleigh! We arrived on Sunday afternoon, without a reservation, and we're quickly accommodated with an indoor seating. I can't wait to go back and sit in their beautiful outdoor area. My husband and I share the dip platter and the flavors were out of this world. We then shared the Autumn salad and Grilled chicken entree. First bite of the chicken and I was blown away by how much flavor it had. We will definitely be back and will bring friends next time!

Sana A.

So this place was on our bucket list for some time so my husband and I dropped by for date night. The ambience was great. You definitely need reservations and I feel like they kind of messed up my reservation because I had asked for a table on the patio under the lights, but we were seated inside, the setting inside was nice as well. We got a vegetarian option and a seafood option because we eat vegetarian pescatarian or Halal and the shrimp was delightful. I had expected more of a Mediterranean vibe on the shrimp, but it tasted more like southern soul food, which wasn't a bad thing. It's just not what I expected. The portion was huge though. The mushroom on the other hand portion was kind of small, but my husband enjoyed it. We also really liked your appetizers and all in all, it was a very nice experience.

Soft shell crab
Peyton W.

It lives up to the hype. I went here with a small group for my birthday and it was really magical. The atmosphere is charming. The waitstaff is professional, attentive, and helpful. The food is incredible. Everything we had was excellent, unique, and prepared well. Great experience. I hope to go back again soon!

Inside resto
Selin B.

FOOD: really good, super flavorful with tons of herbs and spices. Meant to be shared - do not get your own entrees! Very veg friendly. PRICE: a lot. for small portions. Eg. The short rib was $44 and mushrooms ~$26 but neither are meals - just meat, just mushrooms - hence the share recc above VIBE: great service, very attentive. Gorg decorations and ambience with multiple dining areas. We got bread, pickles, short rib, mushroom, two NA drinks. Everything was fantastic and our bill was $100+ Would come back esp w friends for sharesies and feeling cute

Interior
Angie C.

I was in Raleigh for a work trip and my local friends here took me to this Mediterranean fusion spot. Parking was a bit rough, with tight spots. As soon as I hopped out, there were cute signs leading you to the entrance. I thought that was unique and kind of fun to follow! Murals along the way were cute photo ops. Once entered, the decor was boho/Mediterranean with a hint of southern flair. I had a mocktail spritz (forget the name) but it was delish. We ordered the bread sample platter as an appetizer. It came with four dips I forget the overall flavors but here is the gist: olive oil base with sesame, sweet potato base, curry base, and hummus base. Absolutely yummy and I could go for more if I could!!! The main dishes we ordered to share. I recommend this as the portions of were small and didn't come with many "sides". We ordered the mushroom dish, shrimp, and I forget the other! However, all three were phenomenal with unique flavors. This was fusion done well! I must say, the mushroom dish is a must-order. It was well seasoned and tasted/felt like steak! Service was great, with regular, but not too frequent, check-ins. Water refills were plenty. And they let us use the exit by the parking lot as the rain was pouring down.

Outside patio

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2 years ago

My wife and I had a wonderful meal here yesterday. We especially loved the broccoli crowns. Highly recommend!!!

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3 years ago

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Gaelle L.

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3 years ago

Great new location; delicious food. Fun vibe. Dessert is chef kiss. Enjoyed our first experience.

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Neomonde Mediterranean Raleigh

Neomonde Mediterranean Raleigh

4.2
(776 reviews)
2.9 mi
$$

Just WOW! A veritable smorgasbord of Mediterranean fare!…read more You select from cases of appetizing cold and hot entrees, as well as an array of delectable desserts and a cold case of unique beers and other beverages - the selection is simply amazing. And the service - totally awesome! When we entered, Alex was behind the counter - she was welcoming and offered us tastes of whatever dish caught our eye, all of which were amazing. As we were eating in the large and open seating area - there was Alex again, busily clearing tables and ensuring the dining happiness of nearby patrons! She was amazing - welcoming, knowledgeable and made us feel so welcome - thank you Alex, we'll be back for more epic eating! Check the pics for visual detail. Better yet - go there, it's well worth the drive!

We stopped in to visit and enjoy some Lebanese foods. We have been here a few times and enjoyed our…read morevisit but this past weekend our visit was very disappointing. We ordered the grape leaves, baklava, namoora and tabbouli. I am Lebanese and these are staples in our home. The grape leaves were extremely dry and tough. The rice was very undercooked and the leaves themselves were so dry and tough we could barely chew through them. We ordered 12 and thought maybe it was a fluke but all 12 were completely inedible and we threw them out immediately. The baklava was okay, nothing to write home about. Very simple syrup forward and you couldn't taste much else (we ordered the walnut). The namoora was stale. Very dry. Namoora should melt in your mouth with with a slight chew. This was again, tough and stale. We threw those out as well. Lastly, our favorite salad, tabbouli. The lemon taste was nonexistent. The parsley wasn't chopped fine as Tabbouli should be. It was a watery mess. Overall, we won't be back. We spent over $75 on 4 items and left feeling hungry and bamboozled. There are other Lebanese food spots to visit in the Raleigh area, I will stick to those. Please do better when representing Lebanese cuisine. 15 workers behind the counter can seem like you're doing something right but in the end, it all comes down to the freshness and authenticity of what you are claiming to serve.

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Remodeling
Remodeling
Pistachio Baklava
Pistachio Baklava
Tantalizing baklavas and other desserts.

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Bosphorus

Bosphorus

4.3
(978 reviews)
8.1 mi
$$

Absolutely incredible flavors from the heart of Turkey. We walked in at 3:15 pm on a Thursday…read moreafternoon for an early dinner before we went to the Chinese Lantern event, We were greeted warmly by the host and seated at a comfortable table. Our server was so gracious and brought us delicious warm bread and a dipping sauce that exceeded all others. Our order was placed and we loved the shrimp appetizer and lamb grilled entree. The flavors out of this kitchen are authentic and flavorful. We will return many times for the great service and fabulous flavors!

I recently ate at Bosphorous and overall it was a decent experience. The staff was friendly and…read morewelcoming, and the food was really good. The chicken shish kabob and lamb kabob were both flavorful and cooked well. Those were definitely the highlights of the meal. The disappointing part was that they were already out of the Doner plate by 2:30 p.m., even though we came for dinner service. It was frustrating because that's one of the main dishes people go there for. What really stopped me from giving this place a higher rating was the condition of the men's bathroom. It was pretty gross, with visible mold and a wet towel on the floor that looked like it was there because of a leaking toilet. A lot of people say the bathroom reflects how clean the restaurant is overall, and honestly that crossed my mind while eating there. The food and service were good, but the restaurant really needs to improve the cleanliness and do a better job keeping popular menu items available.

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Bosphorus
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Aladdin's Eatery - North Hills

Aladdin's Eatery - North Hills

4.5
(140 reviews)
2.7 mi
$$

Let me start with this: I am absolutely biased because Aladdin's is my favorite restaurant ever!…read moreAnd I'm not ashamed to admit it. I've practically followed this place across states and cities. I discovered Aladdin's years ago when I lived in Northern Virginia. After that first visit, I was hooked and started going several times a year. When the Shirlington location closed, they reopened in Burke, and that became my new go‑to spot every time I visited the area. And then, heartbreak , they closed that location too. One day I randomly searched to see if they had opened anywhere else, and you won't believe it... they popped up right here in North Carolina, the same state I now live in! And while it's not in Charlotte, my brother lives in Raleigh, which means every trip to see him doubles as an excuse to visit Aladdin's. My usual order is the shawarma rolled, and trust me when I say it's the best! The savory, flavorful meat paired with those pickled veggies, plus all the heavenly spices and sauces, well t's just perfect! I've had shawarma at countless places over the years, and nothing even comes close to theirs. I typically grab an appetizer as well, dolmas or falafel. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Every dish I've tried has been spectacular. Introduced my brother and wife to this place, and they've already been back! To give you an idea of how deep my love for this place goes, the last time I visited I ordered 4 extra shawarma rolls to go, froze them, and rationed them out at home. They don't hold up perfectly after being frozen but I did still enjoy every single one. Aladdin's will always be one of those rare restaurants that I go out of my way to visit and I'll continue to stop by as often as I possibly can. If you love Mediterranean flavors (Lebanese) this spot is a must!!!

Really good dinner here tonight!…read more The falafel was delicious, the lamb was cooked perfectly, and the cranberry walnut salad with chicken was so good. Very friendly uncomfortable atmosphere, the service was just fine and the food is so healthy, you feel really good eating it! Will definitely be back!

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Inside
Inside
Falafel Pita Rolled
Falafel Pita Rolled
Alladin's Eatery

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Alladin's Eatery

Ajja - mideastern - Updated June 2026

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