I read one review that said “food was fiat”. I’m stunned by that. Food is bursting with flavors: fennel, garlic, fresh dill, cilantro, candied nuts, etc… it’s really delicious and beautifully presented, very appetizing.The atmosphere is what I loved the best, it’s unpretentious, quiet, pretty, fun. Our waitress was really friendly, giving us advice, joking with us. A must in Raleigh!
Cool place.Will definitely come back in the summer for the view of downtown from the back patio
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Qinhan W (Kay)
Every meal is worth trying!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab, King Trumpet Mushrooms
O P
Phenomenal food, which I cannot say about too many places in Raleigh. Mushrooms, eggplant dolma and mango dessert are a must try!Cutest outdoor seating area with lights, a fire-pit and a sneak peak or downtown skyline.Will definitely be back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Trumpet Mushrooms
Amy Price
Ajja is the best restaurant in Raleigh. This is not hyperbole, it’s a fact. Every dish-our table ordered seven- is a multi layered delight to the senses. Vegetables are lavishly celebrated, animal proteins are elevated into genuine feasts, and the desserts will haunt my dreams. The cocktail menu is a smart blend of amped up classics and creative entrants from Ajja’s bar program. The wine list is thoughtfully chosen and features an exciting selection of underrepresented varietals and growing regions. I do wish they had draft beers on tap, but that’s the most minor of quibbles. Also, the vibe in this restaurant is IMMACULATE. The art, plants, and color palette on the patios and in the indoor dining areas somehow evoke fun old ITB Raleigh from back in the day.Special shout out to our server, Octavio, who provided the perfect service-warm, friendly, and professional. Our party was shocked to learn yesterday was his first day?!?I cried actual tears when Garland closed its doors, and didn’t think I could love another restaurant as much as I did that one. Now that I’ve experienced Ajja, I’m happy to say I was wrong. Somehow Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler have created an EVEN BETTER PLACE, and I can’t wait to return.
Charles Yoksh
Food: in terms of flavor, 10/10. Absolutely amazing.However... tiny portions, VERY long wait time between ordering and being served, and an overall small selection. I recall about 6 main dishes available and they are actually small plates. You'll need at least three mains for two adults. The server explained this quite incorrectly as "sharing size". We arrived very hungry and ordered two cocktails, two apps, and two mains. We left hungry for $110 and got dessert somewhere else at that point.Service: To be blunt, the server was friendly enough, but didn't have any enthusiasm whatsoever. I don't expect a big performance, but having previously worked in bars, restaurants, and hotels, I know it's customary to at least attempt a smile and bring us water. We didn't get either and didn't feel especially welcome, which was also slightly surprising since we confirmed twice with the reservation that this was someone's (my) birthday. Our food, drinks and water were brought out by 4 different people over the course of 90 minutes while half the tables in the room were empty.Atmosphere: they have a great location, style, and concept. Maybe it's the fact that we sat at the semi-outside bar area, but the place is still a little rough around the edges for what they are charging. Small sticky tables with no table cloths.I'll keep this place in mind for cocktails outside in the summer, but no longer interested for dining out. It needs much more substance to match the style.
I must say. I was going into this expecting an underwhelming experience. Mainly because I feel that it was going to be a typical Raleigh dining experience from one of the local industry “titans”. Which from my experience has been top dollar prices for tiny portions of average food.However, I left being pleasantly surprised…The ambience and service were both excellent. You can really tell that a lot of attention to detail was put into the restaurant. Drinks were creative and well crafted. I’m excited to come back in future and hopefully sit at the outdoor bar towards the back.I found the food to be well executed. The dishes we tried had excellent depth of flavors and felt extremely fresh. I felt that the prices given the quality of the food are fair. I will say, and my only negative, is that the portions are on the small side and could be 25% bigger across the menu. The one place this really stood out is with the dips where you are given two small pieces of (delicious bread) which is not enough for the amount of dip.Despite this, our experience was overwhelmingly positive and we will certainly be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Seekh, Crispy Bread
Sarah Whitman
This place was awesome! I loved the vibe, the menu, and the service. The old fashioned was one of the best I've had in a while!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab
April Matthews
The dining experience here is top of the line. The menu is unique and the food is fresh and prepared with care. If you are tired of the same old same old, come here for some of the tastiest food in Raleigh. The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting with warm light, art, trinkets and plants everywhere. The half indoor half outdoor seating is so nice for a change. This is a place I like to take people who are in town and looking for something special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Marinated Beets
Dale Oller
Great entertaining atmosphere and fun foodGreat staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brendon Bourque
Super dope spot. Great food, great service, and vibes were all on point. I love what they did with the space--do not sleep on sitting at the bar!
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Seekh
Fantastic local spot, like nothing else in Raleigh! I’m almost reluctant to review it because I’d rather keep it a secret! ;)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab, Lamb Croquette and Minty Pea Dip with Bread, Sorbet Trio, Warm Marinated Olives, Toor Whip with Gluten Free Bread, Carrot Appetizer, Marinated Beets
Both food and cocktails were excellent! Service was great and friendly as well. Will definitely be back. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don’t sleep on the rhubarb pie! Trust me!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Seekh, Chicken Kebab, Spare Ribs
I read one review that said “food was fiat”. I’m stunned by that. Food is bursting with flavors: fennel, garlic, fresh dill, cilantro, candied nuts, etc… it’s really delicious and beautifully presented, very appetizing.The atmosphere is what I loved the best, it’s unpretentious, quiet, pretty, fun. Our waitress was really friendly, giving us advice, joking with us. A must in Raleigh!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kabab Boneless, Chicken Kebab, Warm Marinated Olives, Crispy Bread, Marinated Beets
Cool place.Will definitely come back in the summer for the view of downtown from the back patio
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every meal is worth trying!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab, King Trumpet Mushrooms
Phenomenal food, which I cannot say about too many places in Raleigh. Mushrooms, eggplant dolma and mango dessert are a must try!Cutest outdoor seating area with lights, a fire-pit and a sneak peak or downtown skyline.Will definitely be back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Trumpet Mushrooms
Ajja is the best restaurant in Raleigh. This is not hyperbole, it’s a fact. Every dish-our table ordered seven- is a multi layered delight to the senses. Vegetables are lavishly celebrated, animal proteins are elevated into genuine feasts, and the desserts will haunt my dreams. The cocktail menu is a smart blend of amped up classics and creative entrants from Ajja’s bar program. The wine list is thoughtfully chosen and features an exciting selection of underrepresented varietals and growing regions. I do wish they had draft beers on tap, but that’s the most minor of quibbles. Also, the vibe in this restaurant is IMMACULATE. The art, plants, and color palette on the patios and in the indoor dining areas somehow evoke fun old ITB Raleigh from back in the day.Special shout out to our server, Octavio, who provided the perfect service-warm, friendly, and professional. Our party was shocked to learn yesterday was his first day?!?I cried actual tears when Garland closed its doors, and didn’t think I could love another restaurant as much as I did that one. Now that I’ve experienced Ajja, I’m happy to say I was wrong. Somehow Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler have created an EVEN BETTER PLACE, and I can’t wait to return.
Food: in terms of flavor, 10/10. Absolutely amazing.However... tiny portions, VERY long wait time between ordering and being served, and an overall small selection. I recall about 6 main dishes available and they are actually small plates. You'll need at least three mains for two adults. The server explained this quite incorrectly as "sharing size". We arrived very hungry and ordered two cocktails, two apps, and two mains. We left hungry for $110 and got dessert somewhere else at that point.Service: To be blunt, the server was friendly enough, but didn't have any enthusiasm whatsoever. I don't expect a big performance, but having previously worked in bars, restaurants, and hotels, I know it's customary to at least attempt a smile and bring us water. We didn't get either and didn't feel especially welcome, which was also slightly surprising since we confirmed twice with the reservation that this was someone's (my) birthday. Our food, drinks and water were brought out by 4 different people over the course of 90 minutes while half the tables in the room were empty.Atmosphere: they have a great location, style, and concept. Maybe it's the fact that we sat at the semi-outside bar area, but the place is still a little rough around the edges for what they are charging. Small sticky tables with no table cloths.I'll keep this place in mind for cocktails outside in the summer, but no longer interested for dining out. It needs much more substance to match the style.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
I must say. I was going into this expecting an underwhelming experience. Mainly because I feel that it was going to be a typical Raleigh dining experience from one of the local industry “titans”. Which from my experience has been top dollar prices for tiny portions of average food.However, I left being pleasantly surprised…The ambience and service were both excellent. You can really tell that a lot of attention to detail was put into the restaurant. Drinks were creative and well crafted. I’m excited to come back in future and hopefully sit at the outdoor bar towards the back.I found the food to be well executed. The dishes we tried had excellent depth of flavors and felt extremely fresh. I felt that the prices given the quality of the food are fair. I will say, and my only negative, is that the portions are on the small side and could be 25% bigger across the menu. The one place this really stood out is with the dips where you are given two small pieces of (delicious bread) which is not enough for the amount of dip.Despite this, our experience was overwhelmingly positive and we will certainly be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Seekh, Crispy Bread
This place was awesome! I loved the vibe, the menu, and the service. The old fashioned was one of the best I've had in a while!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Kebab
The dining experience here is top of the line. The menu is unique and the food is fresh and prepared with care. If you are tired of the same old same old, come here for some of the tastiest food in Raleigh. The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting with warm light, art, trinkets and plants everywhere. The half indoor half outdoor seating is so nice for a change. This is a place I like to take people who are in town and looking for something special.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Marinated Beets
Great entertaining atmosphere and fun foodGreat staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super dope spot. Great food, great service, and vibes were all on point. I love what they did with the space--do not sleep on sitting at the bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5