Aba Austin

A must-eat place while in Austin. We shockingly were able to walk in without reservations on a Thursday night and were seated outside immediately. Our server was the BEST and even left us with a to-go container of our favorite gluten free crackers. The menu is huge and I have no doubt everything is delicious. Our favorite was the short rib hummus (with the GF crackers)!!

I’m shocked to say that my favorite restaurant in Austin is not barbecue, but Aba Mediterranean on South Congress. We were able to make a same-day reservation for lunch on OpenTable for a Thursday, and I do recommend a reservation as this restaurant is very popular. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and although outdoor was the more popular option at the time due to the gorgeous weather, we also loved the ambiance inside. While it seems everything on the menu is fantastic, here are a few must-order dishes we shared & recommend for foodies: Crispy Short Rib Hummus ($18.95) with grilled onion, sherry, and beef jus. Just- wow. The texture of the perfectly cooked savory short rib went so well with the creamy hummus, and this was a great starter to share, especially if you are looking for protein. Whipped Feta Spread ($13.95) with crushed pistachio, aleppo, olive oil, and lemon zest. Another round of wow. Every bite was creamy and delicious, and you can tell the feta they use is high quality. The texture? Wow. Amazing. And the perfect amount of flavorful - not overpowering or overwhelming. Chilled Cucumbers, Cold Mezze ($14.95) with cashew cream, dukkah, pickled fresno, and mint relish. These are hands down the absolute most unique cucumbers I’ve ever had in my life and I think it should be a requirement for every table to try them as a starter at least once. They’re refreshing and delicious, and you need them in your life. Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebabs ($21.95) with lemon, olive oil, & tzatziki on the side. Served with basmati rice. The rice was unlike any rice I’ve ever had, I love how they seasoned it with herbs and it has a perfect texture. I strongly recommend dipping the kebabs in the sauce and enjoying the rice with each bite of meat. The skewer came with 4 decently sized kefta balls, making it easily shareable. The hummus and feta spread both come with pita, and if you’re gluten free they also have crispy gluten-free crackers you can get instead (or in addition if you’re sharing with other non-gf folks). For parking, we were easily able to find parking on the street, and you can also pay via an app, just look on the posted sign for your zone number. I will be returning to dine every time I’m in Austin, and I cannot recommend Aba strongly enough!

Great food, wonderful outdoor options, wonderful with gluten free options with a full menu!