The hummus used to be spectacularly delicious--it was my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in Seattle. However, they've changed the recipe, and now the hummus is watery and bland.
They've also switched to a self-service mode, but they still charge an automatic 10% gratuity just for bringing your food to your table.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
S. Nelson
Wanted to love this place, but didn't. The idea of a hummus bar seems perfect to me. But I feel like I paid 22.00 for a 9.00 bowl of hummus that was bland. I didn't even finish it and don't care to. The hummus was bland, as were the chickpeas. The falafel was standard falafel, the pita bread was quite good. Typically expensive Seattle.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Elaine Kissel
What is "Israeli" food? Give credit where credit's due!!! Shame on employees for standing behind Zionism!!!!
Abhishek Gupta
The fluffy pita from Aviv is unique; it makes us come back and enjoy every time. However, we also miss the deep and complex flavor of the Hummus Shakshuka which we considered by far the best. Hope it returns!
Food: 5
Ethan Gross
Cute atmosphere, really excellent hummus and falafel, and the fluffiest pita in town. Lots of great vegan options as well. While we were waiting they also gave little pieces of pita for my toddler to munch on which was really sweet. Not to be missed!
Sarah Stroup
My original review, of a few years back, was highly positive. I went to Aviv today (15 February 2025) and unfortunately need to post an edited review due to some fairly recent changes:
It's a bummer to have to write this review. My family has been going to Aviv for about four years now, probably a couple of times a month, sometimes more, and we've loved it. We've spent a lot of time in Israel--we used to go for a month or so every summer--and this was the first place that came close to our favorite food there.
What I am writing today, with sadness, is not about the food.
Today we entered and were told to sit where we wished, which is typical. We sat, and waited for someone to bring us two menus, water, etc. No one came out, though there were three people behind the counter and the place was not terribly busy. I finally noticed that there were no glasses or silverware on the table. I then saw that there was a new placard instructing us to scan a QR code, order, and pay from our phones.
First off, trying to read a menu on a phone is ridiculously impractical, because you can't actually view the entire menu at once, but rather need to scroll up and down through every option in every category. It's time consuming and frankly annoying at a sit-down restaurant where you are set to shell out around $50 plus a tip.
Second off, we do not have a means to pay from our phones. I understand how to set this up, but we choose not to.
I asked my husband to go up and see if they still had paper menus. He did so, and as the fellow reluctantly handed them over, he grumbled "it's exactly the same thing."
But it's not. As above, trying to go scroll through a menu on a tiny phone screen is in point of fact entirely different from looking at a paper menu.
Anyway, we left. And we won't be back.
I don't mind going to a counter to order--indeed, after we left, we went to a favorite taqueria where you do just that: go to the counter, look at the paper menu, order, and pay. We chatted with the guy at the counter for a bit, the food came out quickly, and it was great.
But I do mind forcing all humans interaction to be mediated by an utterly needless app that forces customers to navigate a tiny menu, order that way--without the ability to ask questions--and then use an app to pay.
This is senseless. Removing all human contact in a dining transaction--when you can literally see the other humans about 5' away--and forcing it onto a digital interface is senseless. It's senseless and unpleasant and has lost us as customers.
Aviv is a tiny place, and it used to feel like a welcoming one. Today, that was not our experience. I know that a lot of Seattle restaurants are experimenting with how to deal with the minimum wage increase, and I suppose this is Aviv's angle.
And maybe it will work. But for us, it doesn't.
Again, the food is good, and I'll miss it. But not enough to have a dining experience that is actively inhospitable.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Hamutzim Deli, Saladt Deli
Sixty Second Sam
Aviv is one of my go to spots to eat out, the food is delicious the atmosphere is welcoming and comforting and the staff there are friendly and helpful (especially the tall handsome boy). But my one gripe with this establishment though is the fact that they simply decided to take the turkish saladt off the menu like it was chopped liver!! It’s one their best items they serve, it’s truly like liquid gold. It just really doesn’t sit right with me and don’t see there to be any reason for them to make that decision. Now don’t get me wrong it isn’t gonna detour me from eating here But gosh dangit how am i gonna sleep at night without my turkish saladt!!!
I always like Jewish or Israeli food. In Europe, the menu or home cooking is more diversified, like fish in France. Hummus tastes good. One selection can be served warm. The aroma is further accentuated. I don’t usually eat fried food but I like the falafels in herbs. Sometimes I place delivery order because I can order more different food choices. And don’t need to eat all at once. Aviv hummus Bar should have another location in South Lake Union or Denny Triangle. Many people will be happy with it then.
Love the food but I find it pricey. $30 for a falafel pita, soda, tip. Delicious though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafel Pita
RaceKam
The food here is great but other things have gone downhill for the last 1 year or so. These things are the service and the treatment of customers.
As far as service is considered - almost everything is self service - they don’t serve you water, they don’t give you menu to order, they don’t give you silverware - you have to do these things by yourself…
The only thing that they will bring to your table is the food. And guess what they charge MANDATORY 10% gratuity just for this which is too high just for serving food….bad decision by the owner…
One thing that I have noticed over last 2 years is that - they greet every customer nicely while leaving the restaurant but they never did the same thing to us - I am pretty sure that is because of our race/ethnicity.
I have given them multiple chances by going there but they don’t care….
Sad to know that their treatment changes based on your race…
I don’t think I will ever go there again to eat/order food…
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 1
Alex Miller
The food is ok but the service here was terrible. Never going back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jordana del Feld
This small-but-mighty place is the real deal. Great food, cute space, reasonable prices, good service.
john mittell
This is an excellent place to explore such a broad array of hummus and toppings.
When you are craving the real thing
THIS IS IT!
Amazing amezing amezing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got sick eating here 🤢
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sadly, this place has gone downhill.
The hummus used to be spectacularly delicious--it was my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in Seattle. However, they've changed the recipe, and now the hummus is watery and bland.
They've also switched to a self-service mode, but they still charge an automatic 10% gratuity just for bringing your food to your table.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Wanted to love this place, but didn't. The idea of a hummus bar seems perfect to me. But I feel like I paid 22.00 for a 9.00 bowl of hummus that was bland. I didn't even finish it and don't care to. The hummus was bland, as were the chickpeas. The falafel was standard falafel, the pita bread was quite good. Typically expensive Seattle.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
What is "Israeli" food? Give credit where credit's due!!! Shame on employees for standing behind Zionism!!!!
The fluffy pita from Aviv is unique; it makes us come back and enjoy every time. However, we also miss the deep and complex flavor of the Hummus Shakshuka which we considered by far the best. Hope it returns!
Food: 5
Cute atmosphere, really excellent hummus and falafel, and the fluffiest pita in town. Lots of great vegan options as well. While we were waiting they also gave little pieces of pita for my toddler to munch on which was really sweet. Not to be missed!
My original review, of a few years back, was highly positive. I went to Aviv today (15 February 2025) and unfortunately need to post an edited review due to some fairly recent changes:
It's a bummer to have to write this review. My family has been going to Aviv for about four years now, probably a couple of times a month, sometimes more, and we've loved it. We've spent a lot of time in Israel--we used to go for a month or so every summer--and this was the first place that came close to our favorite food there.
What I am writing today, with sadness, is not about the food.
Today we entered and were told to sit where we wished, which is typical. We sat, and waited for someone to bring us two menus, water, etc. No one came out, though there were three people behind the counter and the place was not terribly busy. I finally noticed that there were no glasses or silverware on the table. I then saw that there was a new placard instructing us to scan a QR code, order, and pay from our phones.
First off, trying to read a menu on a phone is ridiculously impractical, because you can't actually view the entire menu at once, but rather need to scroll up and down through every option in every category. It's time consuming and frankly annoying at a sit-down restaurant where you are set to shell out around $50 plus a tip.
Second off, we do not have a means to pay from our phones. I understand how to set this up, but we choose not to.
I asked my husband to go up and see if they still had paper menus. He did so, and as the fellow reluctantly handed them over, he grumbled "it's exactly the same thing."
But it's not. As above, trying to go scroll through a menu on a tiny phone screen is in point of fact entirely different from looking at a paper menu.
Anyway, we left. And we won't be back.
I don't mind going to a counter to order--indeed, after we left, we went to a favorite taqueria where you do just that: go to the counter, look at the paper menu, order, and pay. We chatted with the guy at the counter for a bit, the food came out quickly, and it was great.
But I do mind forcing all humans interaction to be mediated by an utterly needless app that forces customers to navigate a tiny menu, order that way--without the ability to ask questions--and then use an app to pay.
This is senseless. Removing all human contact in a dining transaction--when you can literally see the other humans about 5' away--and forcing it onto a digital interface is senseless. It's senseless and unpleasant and has lost us as customers.
Aviv is a tiny place, and it used to feel like a welcoming one. Today, that was not our experience. I know that a lot of Seattle restaurants are experimenting with how to deal with the minimum wage increase, and I suppose this is Aviv's angle.
And maybe it will work. But for us, it doesn't.
Again, the food is good, and I'll miss it. But not enough to have a dining experience that is actively inhospitable.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Hamutzim Deli, Saladt Deli
Aviv is one of my go to spots to eat out, the food is delicious the atmosphere is welcoming and comforting and the staff there are friendly and helpful (especially the tall handsome boy). But my one gripe with this establishment though is the fact that they simply decided to take the turkish saladt off the menu like it was chopped liver!! It’s one their best items they serve, it’s truly like liquid gold. It just really doesn’t sit right with me and don’t see there to be any reason for them to make that decision. Now don’t get me wrong it isn’t gonna detour me from eating here But gosh dangit how am i gonna sleep at night without my turkish saladt!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hummus Falafel Bowl, Hamutzim Deli, Knafeh, Hummus Falafel, Falafel Pita
I always like Jewish or Israeli food. In Europe, the menu or home cooking is more diversified, like fish in France. Hummus tastes good. One selection can be served warm. The aroma is further accentuated. I don’t usually eat fried food but I like the falafels in herbs. Sometimes I place delivery order because I can order more different food choices. And don’t need to eat all at once. Aviv hummus Bar should have another location in South Lake Union or Denny Triangle. Many people will be happy with it then.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Love the food but I find it pricey. $30 for a falafel pita, soda, tip. Delicious though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Falafel Pita
The food here is great but other things have gone downhill for the last 1 year or so.
These things are the service and the treatment of customers.
As far as service is considered - almost everything is self service - they don’t serve you water, they don’t give you menu to order, they don’t give you silverware - you have to do these things by yourself…
The only thing that they will bring to your table is the food.
And guess what they charge MANDATORY 10% gratuity just for this which is too high just for serving food….bad decision by the owner…
One thing that I have noticed over last 2 years is that - they greet every customer nicely while leaving the restaurant but they never did the same thing to us - I am pretty sure that is because of our race/ethnicity.
I have given them multiple chances by going there but they don’t care….
Sad to know that their treatment changes based on your race…
I don’t think I will ever go there again to eat/order food…
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 1
The food is ok but the service here was terrible. Never going back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
This small-but-mighty place is the real deal. Great food, cute space, reasonable prices, good service.
This is an excellent place to explore such a broad array of hummus and toppings.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hummus Falafel Bowl
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