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Name: Aksum
Address: 4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19143
Telephone: (267) 275-8195
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.98

Aksum

4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19143

(267) 275-8195
Store is closed

Aksum Menu

Soup

Lentil Soup

Thick Wild Mushroom Bisque

Fire Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato

Lentil Soup

Thick Wild Mushroom Bisque

Fire Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato
Salad & Tapas

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Served Cold)

Roasted Garlic Hummus

House Salad

Egyptian Tabouleh Salad

Fattush Salad

Angry Baby Eggplant Salata

Avocado And Tomato Salad

Fresh Strawberry And Avocado

Falafel Wrap

Grilled Calamari

Mahi Mahi Pita Wrap

Chicken Pita Wrap

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Served Cold)

Roasted Garlic Hummus

House Salad

Egyptian Tabouleh Salad

Fattush Salad

Angry Baby Eggplant Salata

Avocado And Tomato Salad

Fresh Strawberry And Avocado

Falafel Wrap

Grilled Calamari

Mahi Mahi Pita Wrap

Chicken Pita Wrap
Large Plates

Orzo Arrabiata

Orzo Arrabiata

Orzo Arrabiata

Aksumite Vegetable Tajin

Rosemary Lamb Chops

Slow Braised Lamb Shanks

Honey Glazed Salmon

Jumbo Shrimp Pil Pil

Mahi Mahi With Oranges And Olives

Red Snapper Alexandria

Grilled Chicken Rosemary

Orzo Arrabiata

Orzo Arrabiata

Orzo Arrabiata

Aksumite Vegetable Tajin

Rosemary Lamb Chops

Slow Braised Lamb Shanks

Honey Glazed Salmon

Jumbo Shrimp Pil Pil

Mahi Mahi With Oranges And Olives

Red Snapper Alexandria

Grilled Chicken Rosemary
Desserts

Baklava

Vanilla Ice Cream With Berries

Carrot Cake

Oreo Beignet

Banana Fosters

Baklava

Vanilla Ice Cream With Berries

Carrot Cake

Oreo Beignet

Banana Fosters
Hot Beverages

Tea

Habersham Spicy Tea

Moroccan Mint Tea

Red Lavender

Green Tea

Spicy Chai

Regular Coffee

Tea

Habersham Spicy Tea

Moroccan Mint Tea

Red Lavender

Green Tea

Spicy Chai

Regular Coffee

Healthy Meal suggestions for Aksum

Soup

Lentil Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thick Wild Mushroom Bisque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fire Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lentil Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thick Wild Mushroom Bisque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fire Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad & Tapas

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Served Cold) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Garlic Hummus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egyptian Tabouleh Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fattush Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Angry Baby Eggplant Salata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado And Tomato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Strawberry And Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Falafel Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Mahi Pita Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Pita Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Served Cold) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Garlic Hummus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egyptian Tabouleh Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fattush Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Angry Baby Eggplant Salata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado And Tomato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Strawberry And Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Falafel Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Mahi Pita Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Pita Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Large Plates

Orzo Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orzo Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orzo Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aksumite Vegetable Tajin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rosemary Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slow Braised Lamb Shanks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey Glazed Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Shrimp Pil Pil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Mahi With Oranges And Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Snapper Alexandria [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Rosemary [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orzo Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orzo Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orzo Arrabiata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aksumite Vegetable Tajin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rosemary Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slow Braised Lamb Shanks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey Glazed Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Shrimp Pil Pil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Mahi With Oranges And Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Snapper Alexandria [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Rosemary [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Baklava [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Ice Cream With Berries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oreo Beignet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Fosters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baklava [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Ice Cream With Berries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oreo Beignet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Fosters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Beverages

Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Habersham Spicy Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moroccan Mint Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Lavender [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Chai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Regular Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Habersham Spicy Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Moroccan Mint Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Lavender [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Chai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Regular Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Carlie E.

Love this place. BYOB (dinner and brunch) The atmosphere is both chill and lively. Filled with the sound of popping bottles, love it. Staff is pleasant. Diverse crowd. Food is amazing. Love their salmon, Brussel Sprouts, french toast, really everything is tasty. Go.
(5)
Kendrah R.

Canned dolma. Fantastic salad. Great bass. Rice that tastes like it is from a box mix. I would go back to this place again, but it certainly isn't the top of my list. For the price, I'd like better food that tastes more authentically homemade. The service was fine but there were only three tables when we went.
(3)
Sari A.

I was craving some non-American breakfast. After consulting yelp, we narrowed it to Cafe La Maude, which had 40 minutes waiting time, minimum. And Aksum with no wait time. There was no wait-time for a reason! MY friend and I decided to go with Aksum, as we wanted to have an easy brunch on a leisure Sunday, not to wait for a table. We called, they said reservation was NOT needed. We went, they said only outside seating was available, at that moment, since we got NO reservations!!! Interesting. I love shakshuka, ( pronounced shack-SHOO-ka,) I believe I order it everytime I see it on the menu. I love it, that it may show up on my breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner plate. If it was offered. So, I ordered my shakshuka, Turkish scrambled eggs for my friend, and ful medames ( stewed dried beans ) to share. I only have one thing to say: The food was beautifully presented, but too bland to enjoy. Pro advice: if you are obsessed with Mediterranean food, this is an OKish place. P.S:The known form of shakshuka is poached eggs over tomato sauce, and that how I had it at Aksum. Where I come from, we prepare it differently, its more of scramble eggs mixed with copped tomatoes, onions and you may add hot green papers if you like. Three yelps.
(3)
Tyneisha M.

You should definitely give this place a try ! I came here for brunch with a party of 8 ladies and ordered the Almond Crusted French toast, turkey sausage and a green tea. I was definitely of fan of how the green tea was loose leaf. My only gripe is that the turkey sausage was a bit salty for my taste and the syrup for the French toast was too sweet. Otherwise the service and prices were decent and the food was very tasty and presented well. Our server recommended the chicken and waffles and 2 of the ladies opted for that as their meals and they thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely try that next time. I'll be back.
(4)
Joycelin W.

Step aside, Sabrina's and Green Eggs, I think I've found my new favorite brunch spot. My sister and I came here on Saturday around noon and got a table next to the bar. The place was packed with families, couples and graduating seniors celebrating their last weekend together as undergrads so it was very lively (but not overly loud)! We shared the almond-crusted French toast and the shrimp and grits. When it comes to brunch, I prefer savory over sweet 99% of the time, but I will gladly make an exception for this French toast. The almonds added a nice crunch to the fluffy Challah bread, and the chantilly cream and fruit complimented it nicely since it wasn't too sweet! The dish also comes with a side of turkey sausage -- def appreciate something salty and meaty to balance out that sweetness! I stopped by for brunch again recently with a larger group at 10:30am. I definitely recommend making a reservation for larger groups, since the restaurant filled up pretty quickly after we arrived. This time, I split the Moroccan chicken and waffles and sweet corn griddle cakes with one of my friends. The chicken and waffles were deeeelicious -- not quite sure what was "Moroccan" about it and the chicken was ever so slightly dry, but the breading was so crunchy and yummy, and the waffles were perfectly fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The sweet corn griddle cakes were good but I wasn't blown away. Probably wouldn't order it again (although I did like that it came with eggs and turkey sausage so you get sweet and savory in one dish -- cue Hannah Montana's "Best of Both Worlds"). Service was very friendly both times. Overall, a really good deal for brunch! I will be back, and often.
(5)
Abby W.

The only thing that saved it from 2-stars was the delicious curry cauliflower soup and friendly service. Other than that, the food was mediocre at best. After the tasty soup I had the shrimp pil pil, which arrived looking nothing like most of the photos on here. It was served in a long boat atop a scattering of saffron rice and positively swimming in a pretty bland sauce. The server had gravely warned me that it was "very spicy" but the heat was completely undetectable. I bit into the jalapenos hoping for some kick and got nothing. The shrimp was decent quality but a bit overcooked and generally uninspired.
(3)
Grace L.

This is a 3.5 star rating, mostly for the atmosphere and the variety of food. A group of 10 of us came on a reservation on a Sunday morning, having found no other place that would take reservations. It turned out that we made a mistake in the reservation, but the staff was extremely flexible and accommodating in making room for us anyway. The menu is long and extensive, with many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. I was excited to see all the "interesting" (ie not American..) brunch options, such as Moroccan eggs, Turkish eggs, etc, as I was glad to go out of the typical comfort zone. I also absolutely loved the atmosphere--everything feels clean, crisp, and comfortable (for brunch time, at least). Nothing was hurried, and everyone had a good time catching up and being excited over the menu. I ordered a smoked salmon omelet, as a huge salmon lover, and friends around me all ordered different dishes. I was highly disappointed at the size and quality of the omelet, as it tasted good enough but seemed like something I could create myself in my own kitchen. There was only a tiny bit of potatoes too :( I also tried a bite of my friend's french toast, which wasn't too sweet but still a little bland and tasted like sugared bread. Portions, overall, were disappointing. However, high ratings because of how conveniently they take reservations, the kind service, and interesting food options.
(4)
Regan Y.

Nice little trendy spot for an interesting meal. Great ambiance and excellent service from the waitstaff. It's a mediterranean restaurant but they also have some standard American dishes. I went for brunch. French toast was absolutely divine. I'm allergic to almonds but they accommodated my request to hold the almonds with no problem. Will definitely go again and try dinner
(4)
Maria H.

This is a great restaurant, would definitely come again! The server was very friendly and attentive. I think we ordered too much food since the entrees are pretty big. The sauces were a bit watery and the dishes are definitely on the spicy side. Even when not announced. Still, everything was delicious, from the appetizers to dessert. Totally worth it!
(4)
Koya W.

Tonight I had the sea bass over rice with green beans. Good flavor. I really enjoyed my meal. I also had calamari that was very tasty.. Come with a good tomato sauce. For dessert we shared the freshly baked bread pudding with a side of vanilla ice cream and it was very tasty and warm I really enjoyed it. Next time I am going to try the rosemary chicken!! BYOB!! There is a liquor store close by if you for get to bring a bottle! Customer service was EXCELLENT! Parking is difficult but it's free street parking
(4)
Catherine Z.

I've been meaning to check this place out for a while now and I'm glad I finally did. Aksum offers up a delightfully unique brunch menu making it a solid alternative to other popular brunch spots in the city. I already can't wait to go back to try more of the menu! This time we started with a couple tapas. We chose the Med East sampler which includes hummus with pita, stuffed grape leaves and lentils. The hummus was super garlicky (which I enjoy - but beware if you aren't REALLY into garlic) and the pita warm and chewy. The grape leaves were delicious and paired perfectly with the cool, creamy labneh dolloped on top. The lentils were tangy and a little spicy - some horseradish in there? - yet cool at the same time. Quite lovely. We also ordered the tahdig which are risotto balls. These were perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside with a little bit of heat. For my entrÃ©e I ordered the almond crusted French toast which was ridiculously good. It had the perfect amount of sweetness and the almonds made for a nice crunch without overpowering the thick challah. The fruit it was served with was fresh. I personally am not a fan of turkey sausage so I skipped those... I do wish they served regular breakfast sausage. My friend had the shrimp and grits which she really enjoyed. We shared a (massive) serving of the house potatoes but found them to be too dry to eat more than a few bites. Of note: There is a kids menu available. However we didn't need this since my friend's mini-me is already an adventurous eater at the young age of 4. She loved the hummus and tahdig, declaring both delicious! Service was super attentive and very friendly, especially toward the kiddo. The restaurant itself is rather beautiful and modern, especially for a West Philly spot. Prices are reasonable. Next time I visit here (sooner rather than later!) I'll go in the evening so I can try their hookah.
(4)
Sandood A.

We went here for Mother's Day brunch. The decor and ambiance was nice. We were promptly seated when we arrived although not our entire party was there. The staff were friendly and courteous. The food was bland. It wasn't horrible or disgusting, it was just meh. Mind you, the brunch menu was prefixed for Mother's Day, so there wasn't room for many additions or choices. I ordered the steak Milanese, which wasn't memorable. It was served with a limp arugula salad and dry potatoes. The dessert was a ginger pecan bread pudding served with vanilla ice cream which yummy! I am not sure how the normal menu tastes, but I don't feel motivated to ever visit again. I think this will be a last. There are many other restaurants in the price range with better quality food.
(3)
Sarah L.

The food is very presentable and the atmosphere is very posh, but in terms of taste I wasn't blown away. To be fair, I have dietary restrictions that the restaurant was kind enough to cater to; they recommended I get the sea bass because they could prepare it without any oil or butter. However, when the dish came out I'm prettttyyyyy sure I saw a lot of excess oil and the rice and vegetables were definitely seasoned. Luckily I had special oil absorbing papers to soak up the far before I ate, and so I was eventually able to enjoy my meal. I realize my review is not fair since my bland diet restrictions are so extreme, but I wish they had asked if I could have the rice/veggies on the side. It's the customer's health/life at stake you know? Maybe I just can't eat out after all :/
(3)
Rebecca M.

The most delicious menu in Philly! Nothing disappoints! Cute and trendy neighborhood as well.
(5)
Quest S.

BYOB! And accommodating. Atmosphere: 9/10 West Philly gem, w/ a space that opens up to the neighborhood on the warmer days. ------------------------- Taste: 9/10 Tried the Chicken-n-Waffles (get the sriracha for the chicken) but the Almond Crusted French Toast one of the best fresh toast dishes I've ever had - and I use that as a gauge on a brunch venue... it held up very well. ------------------------- Quality: 10/10 They used challah bread for my french toast... nuff said. (Although they did use turkey sausage for their protein... beat it. Gimme that swine.) ------------------------- Service: 10/10 They took our party of 10 ppl at 2PM (which turned into 230PM) and their kitchen closed at 3PM. Normally I wouldn't order food within an hour of closing, but we had no alternative. They didn't rush us or half ass the food. Very impressed. ------------------------- Value : 11/10 For the quality of food, it was a great deal. 10 ppl at a complete brunch w/ an extra dish and gratuity for $134... that's insane. ------------------------- Comparative: 10/10 1 of 1. A Mediterranean brunch w/ shrimp n grits on the menu... ------------------------- Overall Personal Opinion: 9/10 Pleasantly surprised. Glad to know it's in that neighborhood. ------------------------- Grade: 9.71 (A)
(5)
Dan L.

The restaurant itself is beautiful and a great setting for a summer night dinner. I ordered conservatively on the menu, getting a chicken-orzo-ey type dish. It was good but a bit underwhelming. I will be back because of the perfect setting and wide open windows but will order something more interesting. Check back for further details folks.
(3)
Vidushi B.

I have been to Aksum multiple times, both for brunch and dinner. I've also taken advantage of the fact that they do have Hookahs as well. Brunch - I think the brunch here is far better than the dinner. It's a nice atmosphere, and there are plenty of options for different tastes at decent prices. I have gotten the Green Eggs & Ham (Pesto fried egg with ham and Pita bread with tomatoes and cream cheese), and the fig crepes (which I don't think are on the menu anymore). They were both delicious and I'm excited to try some of the other things as well. The sangria iced tea (non-alcoholic) was also really good! Dinner - For dinner, I've tried the honey-glazed salmon as well as the orzo. I really enjoyed the salmon - it was really tender and the honey was a good combination. I didn't enjoy the Orzo as much, it was rather bland and wasn't something I wanted to try again. I also think the Orzo is one of the only vegetarian options for dinner, so if you're vegetarian, keep that in mind! All in all, I'd recommend Aksum for brunch, and dinner too, but definitely a bigger fan of the brunch. Also, I think they've raised their prices a bit - this used to be one of the best deals for good food but now is a little more expensive.
(4)
L S.

My fiancÃ© and I went back this past Sunday for brunch and this time I got the chicken and waffles...Oh man, no wonder my fiancÃ© has been talking about their chicken since we first tried Askum almost 4 months ago...that chicken was AMAZING (the waffles were okay they weren't warm, more like room temperature and I didn't like that). I really contemplated asking them if I bought a pack of chicken would they season it for me, I mean I wouldn't ask them to cook it too, I would do that part...
(4)
Becca F.

PSA: This place got rid of hookah! The food here is just meh, that's really all there is to say. Service is good enough, nice that's it's BYO but the draw for me has always been the hookah. Now that it's gone probably won't return.
(2)
Jamaica Y.

There are so many great restaurants in West Philly that it can be difficult to choose, but this place definitely deserves a visit! We started with a sampler that included: - hummus w/warm pita - stuffed grape leaves - lentils I definitely recommend it, but the hummus was the highlight. My entree was the shrimp served with rice, it was friggen fantastic. My girlfriend had the salmon, and I would say it was a toss up. Dessert was not as yummy as I had hoped--Oreo beignets sound great, but were a bit dry and a bit of a let down. The waitress was very nice, and overall we felt that the meal was a good value.
(4)
Danie R.

It's Mediterranean, but think of it as African Mediterranean. It's super fresh and tasty, but definitely has the spices and seasonings of the other part of the Mediterranean that you don't think of when this particular area is mentioned. And it's great. The hummus was one of my favorites I've ever had. Their tuna salad special had huge chunks of ahi, fresh avocado, tomato, radish, olives, etc. I loved it all. Also, it's BYOB! And no corkage fee!
(5)
Jennifer S.

Tapas delight. Three of us shared four dishes... And had to have seconds of the eggplant. Wow. Good stuff. Great service. Really nice ambience and decor. Only wish I had stayed for the baklava dessert! Definitely a place to try again!
(5)
Linda M.

AMAZING AMAZING BRUNCH!!! I shared the French Toast and Moroccan chicken and Waffles with my friend and it was AMAZING! The French toast was lightly crispy and fluffy with cream, turkey sausage and fruit. I couldn't stop eating! The Morrocan chicken was savory and crispy, breaded with deliciousness...one of the best fried chicken I have had. There was some hot sauce on the side and it was perfectly hot. The waffles were fluffy and when topped with the maple syrup tastes like heaven. To make things even better, brunch was a whopping $15!!! Hands down, an awesome spot in West Philly.
(5)
Frank L C.

Enjoyed an excellent BYOB tapas meal here. The staff was friendly, the atmosphere great--we were seated inside (so no worries about a passing shower) but so close to big open windows that it might as well have been on the sidewalk. The food was great--crispy Brussels Sprouts with bacon, fattush salad with feta cheese, grilled eggplant and really tasty soup.
(5)
Joe S.

Tried this place out for the first time a few weeks ago, so this review is based on only being here once. I thought it was great. I had the lamb shank and the lamb was fall off the bone tender, and had excellent flavor. The other people at my table enjoyed there dishes. Someone got some muscles which I tried and they were pretty good. Very good service, nice, answered all questions. Can't give it 5 stars only because I have only been here once and would have to try other dishes. I'll definatley be going back. One more note, they have hookah there if your into that, and the hot tea I had with my meal was interesting and very tasty.
(4)
Albert S.

I'd say more 4 1/2 but I'll give Aksum the extra half as I thought the food was delicious. We started with a spicy crab bisque. Had an obviously more mediterranean flavor than the crab bisque I've had around my area. This was a very good thing. It was so flavorful and very good. The spice was just enough. The homemade pita bread was light, airy, and very tasty. Heard a lot about the brussel sprouts so had to try them. They were great, the mixture of the sprouts with figs, candied walnuts, and goat cheese was awesome. I also didn't expect such a big serving so we took half home (almost time for lunch as I write this, yum). I ordered the mediterranean sea bass. It was cooked to perfection and the rice, tomatoes, olives, and capers made it even better. My wife had the lamb chops which she said was good, but did have too much gristle for her liking. My rating is based on my meal btw, but you may want to be aware of the chops if you plan on getting them. We were pretty full by this time so we decided to split a dessert. We ordered the fig creme brÃ»lÃ©e. It was really good and the fig added a nice touch. The service was excellent, but my only complaint was a little too rushed. We were greeted at the door and were promptly seated. The waitress was very polite and helped in deciding the food choices. The place itself has a great atmosphere. Good music in the background and well decorated. Very nice for a casual restaurant.
(5)
Camille H.

The food here was delicious! I had the Lebanese chicken and shrimp and it was in heaven. The service was great too. I loved the outdoor option as well. I can't say negatives. Will definitely go back!
(5)
Matt D.

Very good food. Cool atmosphere. They no longer serve hookah here, which is disappointing. However, this is just a consistently great restaurant. It's also a byob.
(4)
Sarah J.

Yuck. Seriously disappointed with this meal. When we came in we were delightfully surprised, the restaurant is very nice, adorably decorated, cozy lighting and everything - seriously perfect for a date. We sat down and the server was so friendly, she was wonderful. Her style even suited the restaurant - bright red lips and a retro vibe that perfectly matched the feel of the place. However... once the food came, my husband and I just looked at each other, thinking "seriously?" The starter was honestly a hunk of eggplant with what tasted like canned tomato sauce on top. Then when my chicken came, it was the same thing. The chicken had that unique taste that chicken gets when it's been defrosted and even cooked in a microwave - kind of mushy and hollow feeling. Then the orzo was literally just doused with the same canned tomato sauce. It tasted like something you'd make when you're seriously out of groceries... If you're just coming in for something simple like drinks and french toast, i can see this place being a great spot - but if you're earnestly seeking Mediterranean food, skip this place for sure.
(2)
Joshua D.

Great restaurant, good wait staff, ambience is nice and very inviting. As for the food I think the 4-5 stars speak for themselves. Awesome work Aksum, will see you again for brunch!! The lentil soup was great and the jumbo shrimp pil pil was awesome :-) Joshua
(5)
Samantha N.

If you live in the West Philly/general University City area, this place is definitely one you want to try out, especially for brunch. It's a bit of a walk from the University of Pennsylvania/Drexel area, but very worth it. I came on a sunny weekend along with a friend and I was really pleased with the overall atmosphere and furnishings of the Mediterranean-style cafÃ©. The restaurant was quite filled but we were seated promptly and the service was excellent. The waitress who served us was more than willing to answer any questions we had regarding the exotic and appetizing menu. And let me tell you about that menu. Just reading Aksum's collection of choices makes your mouth water. My friend and I settled on the mission fig crepes and the chai-spiced pumpkin pancakes. The crepes had caramelized figs which were super sweet and delicious, along with red onion and cinnamon cream cheese, an odd combination but extremely delightful to the taste buds. The berries and balsamic fig glaze that covered the dish were a great touch and we really enjoyed it. The chai-spiced pumpkin pancakes were on another level of amazing. Those pancakes were rich, thick, and very fluffy, and the spice gave it an awesome kick you don't usually expect in a pancake breakfast. The pancakes are served along with a few pieces of turkey sausage, which is a nice savory contrast to the sweetness of the meal. I was extremely happy with the service! It's a BYOB, which is also a plus. My only reason for the four-star review would probably be one of the times I came to Aksum for dinner. Along with the wait for our food, service was a bit slow and I wasn't extremely impressed with the honey glazed salmon that I ordered. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt though, as the presentation of the food is great. I probably need to try other items on the menu before I become a huge judge of the dinner. The other members of my party seemed to approve of the food as well, but I definitely preferred brunch! Overall, Aksum is a great place to go if you're looking for an exotic-style, Mediterranean, unique brunch experience with a ton of appetizing choices on the menu. Usually pretty crowded, but worth the wait if you're in need of a great meal. Brunch that ish up.
(4)
Carole P.

Great dinner last night. We sat inside with cool breezes wafting in through the big open windows. Many other diners chose to dine outside on this warm night. Sometimes the food can be a bit uneven, but ours was great: I had seafood paella (a special), and my husband had his favorite Lebanese lemon shrimp and chicken. We shared a delicious fig creme brulee for dessert. Always great service and last night, good music too!
(4)
Jessica W.

Came here with about 6 other friends for brunch. They have both savory and sweet options on their brunch menu. I was in the mood for french toast and was bloooown away by their almond? crusted french toast. They used a soft challah bread which was so fluffy and perfectly put together. The sauce for the french toast was also to die for. Would definitely come back again for the french toast. All of my other friends enjoyed their dishes as well. Their portions are quite large so you can consider sharing!
(5)
Fei T.

I got the honey glazed salmon and it is literally one of the best salmon I ever had. I went with my friends and we only have 3 girls but we got 4 entrees and 2 deserts which we finish all of it. This definitely shows how good this restaurant is. It would totally go back for another meal.
(5)
S Y.

yah it's mother's day but you don't have to approach us in a snooty way, asking us if we have reservations. no we don't but we can definitely spend our money elsewhere... my friend and i were hungry and because it's sunday, many places within walking distance to where we live were closed already. we came across this place and was ok with it. as soon as we walked in, we were greeted with hi, how can we help you? like we were intruding. my friend told her we have two in our party and the hostess/waitress asked if we had reservations. we didn't and it almost looked like she was gonna shun us out but instead suggested the bar, which my friend and i were going to request to begin with. anyways, whatever. we were seated (the stools are the most incredibly uncomfortable things to sit in) and the bartender/waitress gave us some menus. there were three women working during their busy mother's day dinner which i thought strange. they were also a little awkard...to a degree where i couldn't figure out if they were being rude or just weird. well...we ordered, ate and left. the food was good (reason for the three stars). my friend had the grape leaves, calamari and a salad. i tried the grape leaves and calamari. they were really good. the calamari is a little spicy fyi but i can do intense heat so it was good. my friend hates spicy and she had wished she had known that prior to her ordering it. she said that her salad was delicious. i had the shrimp pil-pil. it was spicy and delicious. it being around the corner from where i live, i'd def give them another try...maybe when they're not so busy and flustered?
(3)
Roopa S.

Generally pretty impressed with the place! I've been looking forward to trying Aksum for a while now. I've heard great things about the brunch (not too sure about how it is for dinner). A friend and I stopped by at around 10:30 AM and were seated immediately (no reservation needed). The service was absolutely excellent and is probably the reason for my four star review (though my dish probably would have been somewhere between a 3 and 3.5 star). Our waitress was warm and genuine and happily talked us through the menu and cracked a couple of jokes. Positive service like this can go a long way! I settled on the shakshuka eggs and my friend ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich. Presentation wise, the food was on point. Taste-wise, the dish was great-- perfectly spiced, and texture of the baked eggs was heavenly. I definitely would have liked more pita bread to dip into the tomato stew (it only came with about 4 small triangles of pita bread) and I would have liked for the tomato stew to be a BIT warmer (I have a feeling my dish was ready to go before it was served and was thus cooling in the kitchen?) My friend was gawking over the Monte Cristo sandwich throughout our meal (I'm vegetarian so I didn't try it) but it looked beautiful and she said it was delicious as well. I did try some of the apricot jam and potatoes that came on the side of the dish, and both were beyond tasty! I definitely will be returning to try the famous FRENCH TOAST as well as other nontraditional breakfast varieties. This is a cute spot and is definitely not frequented enough-- would love to see more people coming through!
(4)
Jamie T.

Brunch is really delicious and its Byo! Have yet to try something on the brunch menu that wasn't delicious. For dinner, I've found everything to be good, not great.
(4)
Tina W.

Aksum. Still reigning as my favorite univ city spot. Last night I had the lentil soup with warm pita bread. The soup was simply delicious, delicately seasoned with just the right compliment of spices. For my entree I had the lamb shank which was a delectable delight. The meat was so tender that it just fell off of the bone. The most amazing dish and surprisingly so were the brussel sprouts. These weren't your regular run of the mill sprouts. The sprouts were made with crumbled feta, candied walnuts, bacon and I'm thinking a light fig paste. The brussel sprouts were ample enough for the whole table to share. Aksum never ever disappoints. I can't wait to heat up my leftovers. The waitress is also such a sweetheart.
(5)
Matt W.

Went for brunch. Great BYOB. Fantastic food and attentive / friendly service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Palmila L.

Came here for dinner with a group of eight for a BYO dinner on Saturday night. When we made the reservation in advance, they asked that each person order a minimum of one entree, and there was of course the automatic 20% gratuity because of our party size. I'd say that the food was above average, but not every dish was necessarily rave-worthy. Things that stood out: 1. Tahdig. These are fried balls of risotto (so, similar to arancini), served with a spicy arrabbiata sauce and parmesan shavings. These were honestly probably the highlight of the meal. My friend said that he honestly could have ordered three of the tahdig and have been happy, and I agree. I prefer the arancini at Barbuzzo, but the tahdig here were excellent as well, and I loved the spicy arrabbiata. 2. Jumbo shrimp pil-pil. I'll be honest, I am not a fan of shrimp. At all. But having tried a bite of my friend's, this was pretty amazing. The shrimp were moderately spicy and flavorful. 3. Moroccan braised lamb shank. I'm not sure what the sauce was, but it complemented the lamb well. The lamb itself was amazingly tender and fell off the bone. It was extremely well-done; my only complaint would probably be that it was somewhat of a one-note dish in terms of flavor. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant; the space is gorgeous! In terms of service, for some reason it took us a good fifteen minutes to be given menus, which was odd--I had to actually catch the attention of one of the waitresses and ask for them. To be fair, though, there seemed to be only one or two waitresses managing the entire peak dinnertime. Overall, the food was great. I've already made plans to try the brunch menu, and if I return for dinner, I'll be trying the mussels! Tip: there's a 10% discount with ID for students and teachers on Monday!
(4)
Yen-Yen G.

I went here for dinner with some friends. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, although the space was a little more cramped than I was expecting. The staff was pleasant and helpful, nothing spectacular. My take on the food is that it was good and well prsented, but definitely not worth the price they are charging.
(3)
Justin M.

Love the place, but the last time I was there the service was slow and my steak was overcooked. When I pointed it out to the waitress she was super apologetic and got me a new one out quickly. Second time around it was wonderful and what I expected from such a great restaurant. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Olivia R.

Aksum is probably one of my favorite places to byo in Philly. I always get the salmon filet for dinner which is cooked to perfection. The better kept secret about them though is that they have the most incredible brunch menu. Every dish I have tried has been great and not too heavy like brunch can often be. They also have iced tea sangria (that you add your own wine to) which is fun if you want to have a boozy brunch. My favorite brunch dish is the sweet corn griddlecakes. The fact that it is a byo with great food and hookah makes it perfect for everyone you go with. All the waitstaff has always been very pleasant and for some reason it never seems to be very crowded. Also it is definitely a reasonably priced menu for a nicer restaurant.
(5)
Sally Y.

The rating is mainly a reflection of the service. I've gone to this restaurant for both brunch and inner now. The atmosphere and food is definitely more enjoyable as a smaller party when there aren't any large parties around. The BYOB aspect gives the restaurant a bit of a boost in favorability. Dinner. Mussels are pretty good and give you just the fix you need. Grilled chicken was pretty decently seasoned and not too dry. Brunch. Almond French toast is pretty much the way to go. The other dishes are okay but not superb. I had the Moroccan eggs and the ground meat and potatoes were savory enough. The eggs needed some work like seasoning or a sauce since it's hard to mix them with the rest of the food on the plate. My friend ordered the baked eggs, which looked almost exactly like my dish but served with chicken instead of ground beef. It took 30-45 minutes longer for her dish to come out than for mine. Granted, we had a very large party of people, but it didn't look like a complicated or time-consuming dish. Please do not go to this restaurant if you have a party larger than 4. There's just not enough space in the restaurant and I don't know why the employees give the impression that there is. You would honestly need to book the entire restaurant to comfortably fit a group of 20 or more. Literally, the hostess seated smaller groups next to us BLOCKING any reasonable path to the bathroom or exit. In order to even move, I had to disrupt another woman's meal in order to get around. Normally, I do my best to squeeze through any narrow path but this was impossible. As the woman complained, it was truly a fire hazard.
(2)
Jen B.

Went there last night after work and had a fantastic experience. Outstanding server. Excellent food. We had several tapas: fried artichokes, fried orzo balls, hummus and the spinach bital. Topped it off with fig creme brÃ»lÃ©e. Everything was delicious. Would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Srujana Y.

Aksum is great for weekend brunch! Friendly staff and nice ambience. My husband and I are vegetarian. We have tried several items on the menu (sometimes adapted to make them vegetarian). Tofu scramble and spicy foul moudammas are my favorites whereas my husband loves their challah toast. Service is usually good but during one of our recent visits the waiter just ignored us for about 20 mins before taking our order and then we waited for at least another half an hour before any food started coming in. So that was annoying but I hope it doesn't happen again because we love the food and would really want to continue going.
(4)
Nikila D.

What a terrible experience. I initially called Aksum 5 days in advance to make a reservation for a large party at 6pm on Friday. The last reservation I made for a large party had been cancelled, so I had them verify that they could handle a party of 15 people. They assured me they could. The day of our reservation, Friday, I started receiving multiple phone calls from random numbers while at work. I was unable to pick up, but I called back an hour later. A gentleman picked up, and said, "Uh, hello, what?" ...after explaining that I wasn't sure why this number had called me, he said, "Oh, yeah, can you come at 6:30 instead?" ..... I still didn't know what this person was talking about, until I had to verify. Terrible professionalism. It took me a while to re-coordinate our party to come at 6:30pm, but I was able to do it, and hence moved the reservation literally 2 hours before we were supposed to be there. Our party walked to Aksum, which is down Baltimore from Penn's campus. We got there, and the ambiance and location were both beautiful, with Middle Eastern decor. Most of our party sat down, and two us went to the nearby store to get some wine, as the place is a BYO. They came back, and the restaurant opened our wine (and apparently threw away the corks / caps...) We were then pressured to order (from a fortunately well labeled veg-friendly menu!,) and the food came out strangely fast for that large a group, which made me wary... I ordered the lentil soup, which was traditional pretty good, and the grilled seitan, which was painfully bad. The full description of the dish is "grilled seitan served with herb wild mushroom faro, topped with peppers and avocado." That's a misnomer. The dish was almost exclusively dry, bland faro with a sparse amount of seitan and vegetables. I was extremely disappointed. Most of my friends described their dishes as decent, though. At around 8pm, the waiters came to our table and essentially told us to leave. Even though we got there at 6:30pm, and only got our food around 7:30pm. They said a bigger party was coming, and that we needed to leave to accommodate them. ...... Why would you book two large parties back to back? Again, a total lack of professionalism. Anyway, we asked for the caps / corks for our wine so we could take it home (..since we were barely able to drink it,) and they said they had thrown them out, but instead provided us with the tops of the bottles wrapped up with aluminum foil. We also got plastic cups to drink the wine we had in our glasses. Even though it's illegal to drink in the streets of Philadelphia. Okay, Aksum. For payment, we divided up the check, with some of us paying with our cards, some cash. My friend and I paid with card, and wrote to charge $22 per card. Instead, Aksum charged us both $122!!!!!!!!! HOW do you mess this up? Our total group charge was only around $175... WHY would our group pay $244 PLUS cash?? The waiter who took our payment acknowledged this, but his card reader "wouldn't cancel the order, and he had to go take care of the next big party, so he'd deal with it later" so I am obsessively checking my online statement, waiting for this charge to be addressed. Overall, I had a horrible experience here, which is a shame, because it's a unique BYO venue near University City that would attract lots of students. But the poor food and service were absolutely embarrassing.
(1)
Nyota W.

Give me your tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..... That's kind of what I felt like as the 3 of us entered Aksum after a long day of home improvement projects that left us hungry, achy and dehydrated. We tried to stop into a few other restaurants in this area, but they were all missing something. Aksum on the other hand with comfortable chairs, ceiling fans going, open windows and immediate greeting by the hostess was just what the doctor ordered. I ordered the lamb shank- so tender it fell off the bone. I also had the mussels (one of the most delicious mussel broths EVER! ) and the grape leaves. We each also ordered the sangria iced tea that the waitress continuously refilled- after a day in the sun, I totally needed this. To finish off, we even ordered a desert, which I'd argue is definitely built for sharing. Fried Oreos with ice cream and strawberries on the side. I think I saw some eyes roll back at the table- No seriously. Yum!
(4)
Brianna K.

Get's very crowded very easily. I have a lot of BYOs there and they're very good at accommodating, they just need more room for large groups. The food is always great and the servers are knowledgeable about vegan options. I recommend the Med Plate- I get it every time.
(4)
Kate S.

Aksum's brunch is amazing. It's a little pricy, but most of the dishes I have tried tasted like they were expertly designed and were made from high quality ingredients. The french toast was phenomenal, and it was served with a side of sausage which was also very good. I love when brunch places serve a protein with their carb-heavy dishes. It balances it out nicely. The service is also good, and unlike some brunch places, they always have open tables. I've also been to Aksum for the dinner, and enjoyed it. I remember their mashed potatoes were especially good. Update: We went here last weekend for brunch and had absolutely terrible service. It took them forever to seat us even though they had plenty of open tables, and the hostess acted like she was doing us a favor by giving us a table. It then took a while for them to take our order and give us water. After we placed our order, we still hadn't received our food after 20 minutes. At that point our waitress told us our food would be right out. 25 minutes later, we still had not received our food, and she had not checked on us once. Several tables who ordered after us had long ago gotten their food, so I got up and found our waitress. She said she would check on it. She then came back to our table and made up some bs about how the food comes out in the order that the orders are placed. I don't think she realized that that meant that she forgot to put our order in in a timely manner. Our food finally came out about 10 minutes after that, but no one checked on us for the rest of the meal. Meanwhile, other tables were complaining that it was taking forever for anyone to take their order or give them their check. I realize that this was during Penn's graduation weekend, however it didn't seem that busy, and a well-run restaurant would have planned to have more staff. Like always, the food was good, but spending over an hour waiting in a restaurant, being lied to by our waitress that our food would be right out, and being outright ignored for long periods of time made the experience very unpleasant.
(4)
Natalee F.

After having brunch at Aksum and looking at Yelp later, I was pretty surprised to see so many negative reviews. I was totally impressed with brunch there and didn't have any problems. They have quite a selection for vegetarians and who doesn't love Mediterranean brunch? Put anything with figs on the menu and I'm pretty much sold. The place was pretty empty for a beautiful Sunday, but that's good for me, right? No one hour wait like some other places. The server was super friendly and on top of things and my food was delicious. I got the fig crepes. Where else in the city even has this on their menu? Even the coffee was good. The inside is also stylishly decorated and is airy and cozy at the same time. I also thought the prices were really reasonable and I'm not sure what it's being compared to, as being expensive. With tip, for 2 people, our brunch was less than $30. I also checked out the dinner menu I definitely want to come back to try some of the non-brunch food.
(4)
Michelle C.

Brunching in West Philly these days has become somewhat of a safari. Since Cedar Park Cafe burned down and moved way beyond walking distance from my home, the options have become few and far between. 1. Local 44: Totally fine, but a bit of a schelp for some eggs. 2. Gold Standard: No. 3. Satellite: Bagels and kale smoothies are amazing but they aren't exactly brunch. But then I found Aksum. Okay, I didn't find Askum. My friend found it. Like, awhile ago. Anyway, she told me about it and brought me here and it's excellent. The space is gorgeous and airy, it's never overcrowded, and the food is great. Haven't tried them for dinner or shisha yet but I fully intend to.
(4)
Mandy C.

The service was poor. The food came really slow, and the waitresses were not very kind to our party. The cheese bread stick was crispy and light and a perfect appetizer. But given the time that we had to wait for our food, they could have given us more. My friends and I all ordered the honey glazed salmon. It tasted pretty good. The salmon was not overall sweet, while the spicy mashed potatoes was very complimentary. However, our portions were drastically different. Mine was half of that of my friend's. I also tried the bread pudding and baklava. The bread pudding had good consistency and was warm, but the baklava was too sweet.
(3)
Kandis R.

Tried it with a friend. The service was good. European style in that they server was not overly aggressive. We were able to converse without her presence becoming intrusive. The food came out in a timely manner. Our was correct and the food was great! I'll DEFINITELY be back!
(4)
Maria P.

Amazing food and atmosphere!! The breadsticks are delicious and the tapas are well portioned. There are vegan and veggie options and the deserts are amazing!! The only reason it's not a 5 is that the tofu curry was a little over seasoned but all 5 of the people with us would recommend this place to friends. With its fair prices I will definitely come back.... Often!!
(4)
Aileen L.

Awesome BYO in West Philly and probably my favorite in walking distance from campus. I've never done hookah there but they have great wall-length windows that air out the place and are beautiful. I love grabbing a bottle of wine and enjoying a glass. My go-to is the grilled veggie wrap, but I've never had anything I didn't like.
(4)
Kate G.

Food: 5 stars Service: 2.5 stars My partner, Brian, brought me here for my birthday on January 5, 2013. After an afternoon ice skating at the river rink, and drinks in Old City, we arrived at Aksum a few minutes after our 8:30pm reservations and were seated immediately. Neither of us had ever been, and while I reviewed the menu I looked here on Yelp for any tips that might help me make a dinner decision. A hungry hungry pescetarian I was, and with no prior experience ordering Middle Eastern or North African food, I did not want to take chances. The reviews here are, as you see, a hard mix of love and loathing for Aksum and helped eliminate some options. We decided upon: Fattush Salad and Fried Calamari to share, to start Jumbo Shrimp Pil-Pil for me Red Snapper Alexandria for him Paired with our bottle of Vernaccia Di San Gimignano (BYOB) The appetizers arrived ridiculously fast. The calamari, perfectly sizzled, seasoned and sauced. The salad, a refreshing cool compliment to the squid. More! More! Our server, a young woman whose attitude was neither here nor there, delivered the entrees minutes after our appetizers. The snapper was a sizeable filet presented beautifully, and the delicately sauced, spicy shrimp flanked the edges of a mound of sticky, creamy jasmine rice. It is atypical for me to clean my plate in a restaurant. There's typically too much of this or that, and not enough sauce. This dish broke my rules of "there must be sauce for me to finish it," because it was just that delicious. The texture of that rice was unlike any I've ever had. Nom nom nom. There were several larger parties chattering at high volume during the bulk of our meal, so by the time they left we were finishing up our entrees and the change in atmosphere was a nice relief. As the crowd thinned out, I noticed a table near us starting a hookah, and another couple placing an order for theirs. Perfect! A little sweet smoke would solve the "I'm too full for dessert" dilemma. 9:45pm. Our waitress had not yet come around to offer dessert. We flagged her down, and when she did make her way over she looked less neutral than before. When we asked to order a hookah, she rolled her eyes and mumbled something about having to see if it was ok first. She went to the gentleman behind the hookah bar, who was preparing a pipe for another remaining table. I heard him retort to our server, "Yes. You HAVE to!" It wasn't til then that I realized that the waitress had lets-get-outta-here-itis. Are you serious? We were only asking for the very same thing that the two remaining tables in the restaurant had just recently ordered. We had been here as long as they had. It's not like we had just stumbled in off the street. And it's 9:45 on a Saturday. Her hesitation, trip to the hookah bar, disagreement time and delay coming back, placing the order and then hookah preparation time added an unnecessary 15-20 minutes delay to the process. And of course, there was attitude when she asked what flavor we wanted. Pressure had been passively aggressively applied, and we no longer felt welcome. Unfortunately, the server's attitudes and indiscretion really put a damper on what had been a nearly perfect first dining experience at Aksum. Rushing a hookah negates the point of having one. We did our best and got out to alleviate our discomfort.
(3)
Katie L.

Finally made it to Aksum. I'd hesitated over going there for a pretty long time given the prices & the menu online. Didn't seem like you were getting much (or anything special), but they were listed favorably on Gluten Free Philly, so we decided to check it out. We started with the stuff grape leaves, which were nothing special, but pretty good. I had the jumbo shrimp pil pil - not bad. He had the honey-glazed salmon - no complaints there. Atmosphere was good (the windows were wide open for good weather) and the decor was refined. BYO is always a win. I've got nothing terrible to say about Aksum but nothing to rave over either. They're brunch menu looks intriguing. I'm confident that we'll be back (eventually...)
(3)
Kelly F.

Loved it! My boyfriend and I had an amazing dinner there. When the waitress learned it was our first time dining there, the chef sent out complimentary desserts: homemade gooey warm delicious bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. It was DIVINE. I'll go back to just to have dessert for dinner!
(4)
Jack B.

This place rocks,,,they execute at a high level every single time we have been here. Shrimp pil pil....spicy lentil soup...vegetable tajin....amazing friendly efficient service....
(5)
Shannon S.

A hidden gem! Delicious food and open late for dinner. Very nice staff and no wait on a saturday night at 9:30pm! Definitely give this place a try! They're by on too!
(5)
Paula R.

If you can't find something delicious here you probably need to have your tongue cut out, because your taste buds aren't working. We seriously had one of the best meals we've had in a long time. And our server, Jonnashea, couldn't have been better - excellent food recommendations, very attentive (even though it was really busy) and super friendly. We had the special (steak) and the salmon (regular menu) both seasoned perfectly. We started with the beet salad which was enough to share, and also really great. Can't wait to go back. Thanks Jonnashea!
(5)
Meagan M.

Most underrated brunch in the city! I have never made it for dinner but I have been for brunch several times now and I Love it. I have always been able to get a seat outside (weather permitting), the waitstaff was very friendly despite the fact that I have an over friendly dog and messy children! Everything I had to eat was delicious but most notably the Morrocan eggs and the corn/pancakes with fruit compote. The prices are shockingly low for food of this caliber - they are comparable with the crappy Gold Standard just across the street and FAR SURPASS the quality.
(5)
Monica L.

PROS: Decent portions and prices, relaxing atmosphere, plenty of menu selections CONS: Mediocre flavor We came here for brunch on a Sunday. A lot of typical brunch items were on the menu, as well as some with a more Mediterranean flare. There were also plenty of vegetarian options, which is not surprising considering that the area the restaurant is catering towards is full of vegetarian/vegan people. The food was okay (somewhat bland) and completely non-memorable.
(3)
Minh C.

Aksum, another neighborhood joint, is a small ~12 table establishment located a couple blocks from Clark Park. Its name is derived from the Aksumite Empire that covered Eritrea, Yemen, Saudia Arabia, and other present day countries...or at least that's what the "About Aksum" says on the menu. I'm not a big fan of Mediterranean food as I find it rather bland compared to the more powerful spices that are infused into other cuisines like those found in Latin America and Southeast Asia. And I don't like olives! But, I thought I'd give this a shot as it's in the neighborhood. The decor and atmosphere at Aksum is not "high end" but certainly much higher end than most of the other restaurants in the Cedar Park area (the only comparable restaurant in this regard is Vietnam Cafe, which is a 60 second walk away). The prices are also adjusted accordingly. The question I had was - are the flavors and the service worth the higher price tag? Maybe. The rosemary grilled chicken was plated beautifully, and the chicken breast marinated in the house's rosemary sauce was super tender. The olive pine nut tapenade that was layered on top of the chicken had a strong, bold flavor. The garlic mashed potatoes, however, was bland and blah. I wouldn't have known they were garlic mashed potatoes had I not been told there was garlic in them. The grilled asparagus were grilled asparagus. For the entire restaurant, there was only one waitress. This seemed about right when I first walked in as the place was only at 20% capacity. But, when it started reaching 80% capacity, the waitress definitely had more on her plate than she could handle in a timely manner. It took 15 minutes from asking for my check to actually receiving it...and then another 5 minutes to get my credit card back. A third of an hour gone. Aksum uses Square for credit card payments, and I was surprised when they brought out an iPad. I thought I had won something, but they just wanted my autograph.
(3)
Beth R.

I enjoyed my girls dinner here a couple weeks ago. I haven't spent much time in this part of the city, and was excited that I found parking so easily on a Monday night. We split a few apps for the table, and my fave was the risotto balls in a spicy sauce. I thought my red snapper and couscous entree was even better. And the deep fried Oreo dessert topped even that. (I didn't even know I needed Oreos wrapped in donuts, but it is clear that I do). Service was attentive, they even sent out an extra free dessert which was nice. I thought prices were reasonable, and it was cool that they take credit card payments via the i-pad with emailed receipts. And who doesn't love a BYOB?
(4)
Annie W.

We popped in for dinner after a long day touring Penn with our kids. Fantastic food and great service. We were a little surprised by the BYO wine arrangement, but I walked up to the liquor store and got a nice Zinfandel to pair with our meal and didn't have to pay the usual 100% restaurant mark-up. Overall, a strong recommendation to try this place for dinner if you are in the area.
(5)
Meg S.

A BYO surprisingly close to Penn's campus that isn't filled with Penn kids?! Crazy. The first time I came here, about a year ago, really late on one of the first few days of spring. I got the lamb chops which exceeded my expectations. What I really remember is that it was my friend and I's first time trying hookah-our waiter went above and beyond showing us exactly how to do it! (So, if you haven't tried hookah and are curious, why not try it here?) Even though it was late, we never felt rushed either. I've since come back multiple times with groups of 8+ and I feel like it's an excellent choice for a group that size. The least adventurous can get the grilled chicken while others aren't stuck. In the 4+ times I've been here, I can't remember anyone disliking any dish they got. Service is also pretty quick-no waiting around a check, which I appreciate. Also in the plus side, there is more than enough space for large groups and it's easy to hear people, even at the height of their dinner crowd on a Friday or Saturday.
(4)
Kelly F.

Really enjoyed dinner here. Great little BYO with lots of great dishes on the menu. There were five of us and we shared the octopus salad, hummus platter, calamari and sea bass. Everything was excellent as was our waitress Natasha. Only minor issue was no air conditioning since I picked the hottest day of June to try this place. Will definitely be going back in cooler weather!
(4)
Lee G.

So this place is solidly good. It's got a lovely interior, and being a westphilly resident I love having places I can take my parents or friends for a celebration dinner or just a nice meal out. The food is ALWAYS good, but it did arrive warm once (not hot). They seem to have some ongoing issues with service, thought not bad enough that you'd stop going there. One thing that didn't bother me but might annoy others is this: I have been several times and ordered the same dish a couple of visits...and it is always prepared/plated differently-- almost as if you cooked it at home. Now, the key flavors remain in tact, so I'm not complaining, but if you are looking for the same experience each time, forget it. As for the food...they have a decadent brunch and reasonably-priced dinner options. They are a BYOB and I think they have hookah too.
(4)
Ryan M.

The spicy crab soup was amazing. The atmosphere is great with the open windows in the summer. All of the entrees like great. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Shereen C.

I had brunch at Aksum and I've got "good" (okay) news and bad news. THE GOOD/OKAY NEWS: Pricey, small portions of uneven food, ranging between passable to good. THE BAD NEWS: Service is a lot worse than the food. THE FOOD is not great & fails to justify the prices or the small portions. 1. Salmon crepes were okay, but way too much syrup was drizzled over the plate, so that the crepes were swimming in syrup & much too sweet. Since it was all over the plate, I couldn't really avoid the syrup while eating the crepe. Salmon inside was flavourful but overcooked. Usually, salmon has a nice fatty texture but that was completely gone. 2. Sweet Corn griddlecakes were good, with a nice light texture. Eggs were standard. Turkey sausage was not good -- dry & overcooked. THE SERVICE was slow & difficult. That is, it's difficult to get the servers' attention. My companions ordered coffee & it did not come. After a long wait, another server came by to take the coffee order again. When the coffee finally arrived, there was a bug in one coffee. It was eventually replaced & service was otherwise adequate at fulfilling minimal tasks of bringing dishes, clearing dishes, & bringing the bill. But, when they're charging these prices for so little food, I expect better service; I expect impeccably clean and hygienic preparation, and more attention when something goes wrong (e.g. bug in food/drink). Decor-wise, the restaurant is nice-looking and comfortable. SUMMARY: Food is about 3 stars in itself, but the failure in service brings the rating down. I'd be wary of going back.
(2)
Lashana W.

Excellent food and amazing customer service, not to mention a beautifully decorated restaurant with great music. I took my mother to Aksum for her birthday a couple of weeks ago and she's still talking about how much she enjoyed it. To top it off, the chef made a special dessert just for us and my little girl that's not even on the menu...and it was absolutely out of this world! I love that locals are able to enjoy fine dining and cuisine right in our own neighborhoods. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Carol C.

Came here for brunch on an early sunday afternoon. Got their green eggs and ham - eggs with pesto, canadian ham, and toast with garnish. Was definitely pleased with the food, but was completely distracted by the amount of flies in this place! No matter how nice the decor was, and how well prepared food was, it all comes downhill when I'm spending every two minutes swatting flies off myself, my food, or my friends.
(3)
Erin B.

SO thankful for this place and its welcome accommodation of our large group (what was supposed to be 22 turned into 30!). My club found out the day we were supposed to go out to dinner for a formal-type event that the restaurant we had planned on going to couldn't accommodate our number of people, so it was a stressful night of many phone calls trying to find a different place. We had already called 5 or 6 restaurants before Aksum and none could fit us in, but less than 24 hours in advance, Aksum was happy to get us a reservation. The restaurant was exactly what we wanted: good food, great service, reasonable prices, vegetarian/vegan options, BYO, and classy ambiance. Best of all they were accommodating in adding more chairs when our party mysteriously kept growing. Everything was great and I cannot recommend it enough.
(5)
Jennifer M.

Definitely a fan! There are a few kinks to still work out before it can be a perfect five stars, but I'm sure we'll get there. It's a BYOB(s), so the hubs and I got two Cabernets for dinner. We got off to a bad start since we were waiting for another couple at the bar for about 20 minutes. We were looking at the menu (and the hookah menu!), but we were surprised no one asked if we wanted water. We finally got the water just as the other couple came in. Really? We waited even longer for a table in the back. We were thinking that maybe we can just sit at the bar, but we really wanted to sit at a table. I was so hungry! Luckily, as soon as a table opened up, their hummus followed. And kept coming. They apologized for the wait, and we definitely appreciated it! That hummus was TDF (To-die-for), especially when it was paired with warm pita bread. Their ignorance from earlier was redeemed! (I'll blame it on a Friday night). Other things that annoyed me were the paper napkins and the bright cafeteria ambiance. Seriously, let's keep it classy. Add some cloth napkins and some sexy dim lights, and I will give you that extra star! Also of note, none of the candles on the tables were lit. Sigh. So, our food finally arrives. The presentation was absolutely perfect. I got the rosemary chicken, the hubs got the lamb chops, and the other couple got the mahi mahi and the lamb shanks. This is where Aksum gets its four stars! Amazing food that we could not stop talking about! Add in the moderate prices ($70 for 4, not incl. tip) and our server, Maggie, and we were golden and satisfied. Can't wait to try more of their menu items and their hookah! Prices were $15-$20 depending on the brand.
(4)
Michelle L.

The atmosphere at Aksum was great... the food, not so much. I ordered the grilled seitan, which came with wild mushroom faro, peppers, and avocado. I was very disappointed by the sparse amount of seitan that was actually in the dish; most of my plate was faro. The rest of the dish was pretty bland, and I definitely did not feel full after I finished eating. My friend ended up ordering an extra soup halfway through his dinner because he was still hungry too. The restaurant also somehow messed up our reservation. My friend had originally made a reservation for 6pm, but they called her saying to come at 6:30 instead... but then at 8:30, our (rather large) group was rushed out in order to accommodate another big party. Um, okay, thanks... One thing I will say though is that their menu is very vegetarian/vegan-friendly. Other than that, there wasn't anything I particularly liked about Aksum that makes me want to return.
(2)
Pattie O.

Stumbled in here on a snowy Friday night before a show at Curio Theater. Best mussels ever (in a kind of Moroccan-tasting jalapeno sauce) - so good that we ended up dipping the risotto balls in the sauce. The lamb shanks were tender and perfectly seasoned. My chicken was a little over-cooked, but so flavorful that it didn't matter. Just sorry this isn't closer. On the other hand, nice to have a go-to place in West Philly.
(4)
Sofia S.

Love that this place is directly across the street from me. Finally decided to take a stroll over for dinner. I liked the food and the ambience. I will definitely be returning. The servers were professional, but not very warm or friendly. Would love for them to work on that. All in all, I would recommend it to a friend.
(4)
Shreyas S.

Really good ambiance, good hookah, good service.
(4)
Lauren C.

I keep meaning to write an update for this place, so here goes. I've visited a few times since my last review (where I left unimpressed) and each time I've become progressively more and more unimpressed. It's not the food - the food is fine, basically - it's the service. One example: I stopped in with a group for hookah a few weeks ago. The server took our appetizer orders but ignored our hookah request. When she came back (20 minutes later) and we tried again with the hookah order, she said we were 5 minutes past "last call." I'll note that I don't run with a rowdy crowd. We're a relatively well-scrubbed bunch of late 20/early 30somethings, we clearly weren't going to cause trouble, and we WERE going to leave a nice tip. I'd love to support Aksum, but I have a major issue with the service every time I end up there and the food just doesn't make up for it. Oh, they did drop the corkage fee. So there's that.
(2)
Briana J.

I've been to Aksum for both brunch and dinner, and either way, it's good. I must say, I'm a bigger fan of their brunch. The Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e french toast is absolutely delicious and not too filling. I tried some of the cinnamon pancakes as well, and while they were good, I don't think I like them enough to order them myself. For dinner, I've gotten the grilled chicken wrap and I think that it's filling enough for dinner even though they don't consider it an entree. Some problems I have with Aksum: They market themselves as though they are some high-end, expensive restaurant, even though they're not. For University City Dining Days, their 3-course menu was $35 - way more than I would ever spend there on a regular day. Also, when my friends and I made a reservation for 10 people, they said that there was a $20 minimum each person had to spend. Considering what I usually order, that would mean I would need to buy an appetizer, drink, and and *my entree* in order to meet that quota. Personally, I'm full just from the wrap, so I thought that needing to buy more food was ridiculous. I can understand a requirement where everyone has to order a meal or entree, but a $20 minimum at a place where my meals are usually $15 including tax and tip makes it really unappealing for college student groups. Although their food is great, we chose another place that night. Overall: Delicious brunch, great dinner BYOB spot, not so great for large groups if you're trying to eat on the cheap.
(4)
Blondie G.

The oven-roasted Brussels sprouts appetizer with bacon/pancetta/goat cheese/fig marmalade was fabulous and the perfect size for two people. I had the fish special (whole cooked fish) and my husband had the roasted duck--both delightful. Warm bread pudding with ice cream for dessert was the perfect ending to a reinvigorating meal with one of the nicest waitresses I've had in a while. Glad I came back to Aksum!
(5)
PixieCat X.

Have gone to aksum a couple of times over the last year and seems to be getting worse each time. The last few times we have been hurried out of the restaurant as early as 45 mins before their closing time. They do this by turning off the music and stacking chairs which is really unprofessional. On one of the occasions, they forgot to put an order in so we had to wait 20 mins for another entree. On top of this they still rushed us to leave before their closing making us feel really uncomfortable and not having enough time to finish our food and drinks. Their food has also gone downhill. I was really impressed by their food but the quality has become inconsistent with the seitan being a must avoid. Overall this is a great concept for a restaurant but poor service and rude treatment keep this from being a place I will frequent.
(2)
Farzin K.

Went there with a large group - reservations were a snap in advance. Decor is very nice. It's located on a main street so good amount of street parking (esp. since it's not Center City). I went for brunch. Great combos of having exactly that -- lunch and breakfast. I always get confused when I go to many brunch spots and I have to choose between lunch or breakfast, but here I could have both b/c the entree's seem to be created that way. The food was fresh. And tasty!! There were 9 of us gals. We all enjoyed our food (each of us got something different, sorry I can't remember it all, I should have wrote this review right away), one of my friends placed an order to take home for her husband b/c she liked it so much. It's not a huge spot, but it's not tiny spot either. If you are going on Sunday for brunch, you should probably make reservations to be safe.
(4)
Josie C.

Went by myself last night and was seated immediately; server was very attentive and nice. I ordered the rosemary chicken, which was great; just the right portion size and very flavorful. Great ambiance even for a lone diner!
(5)
Cindy L.

My friends and I had a goodbye dinner here. Overall the service was pretty decent and nice decor. Here are the things we ordered and my opinions of them: Mussels: We liked this. Cooked well with a bit of a kick! Baklava: We all felt this was much too sweet for our taste. Pastry was nice and flaky though. Jumbo shrimp pil pil: I thought the shrimp was cooked perfectly, but the rice was a bit too salty. Lentil soup: This soup was loaded with veggies but much too salty. Calamari: We liked this as well as the sauce that came with it. Nice place, but the flavor for some of the dishes were a bit off.
(3)
Ayana P.

I ate brunch here with a group of eight lovely ladies today. It was so wonderful! The dining area decor and furniture is classic with a bohemian twist and includes cute throw pillows as accents. I didn't want to leave because it was so cozy. Everything on the menu looked yummy. I may have changed my mind five times while waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. I ended up with the salmon and spinach omlette which came with twice fried potatoes. It was scrumptious. I highly recommend it. The only downside is that when I go back I may not try anything else because it was so damn good. Someone else in our party had pumpkin pancakes that almost made me want to slap someone from just looking at them. No-- I didn't taste them, but I kind of did with my eyes. Finally, we ended everything with complimentary mimosa's. Ho-ney (honey), that sealed the deal. I'm even going to give the food and atmosphere of Aksum credit for stimulating great conversation throughout the entire brunch. If it sucked we would have probably spent the entire time being miserable and talking about that. Excellent job Aksum. I will be back.
(5)
Tempest M.

Loved this place! We came here on a Saturday night around 9pm and seated immediately. Our server was attentive and pleasant the entire time. We ordered the mussels and calamari for appetizers. We chose the lamb chops and lamb shank for our entrees. The food was delicious. Though I preferred his shank over my chops. I couldn't leave without trying the oreo beignet and now I have a foodgasm every time I think of them!! The ambiance was also very intimate and sexy. I will definitely visit again.
(5)
Natalie B.

My boyfriend and I had a very average and somewhat disappointing brunch at Aksum last weekend. We ordered orange juice and jasmine tea for drinks. The juice came with ice, which I thought was a little weird, and our waitress forgot about the tea (thankfully we weren't charged for it). We had the grilled calamari topped with marinara sauce and peppers for an appetizer, which was pretty good. The best part of the meal was my shrimp and avocado omelette topped with feta cheese. It was a unique and tasty combination of flavors, but the fried potatoes it came with were unimpressive. Their flavor was very light, and after the first bite, it was gone, so chewing the rest of the potato was like a chore. My boyfriend had a chicken omelette and was also disappointed in how average it was. The place is well decorated with booths and throw pillows and huge windows, which made the restaurant bright and cozy. However, it did get pretty loud with only about half of the tables filled. Aksum looks and sounds good in theory, but our experience just came up short. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that great either. Not really sure I will be returning.
(3)
Saniyyah T.

Great food and friendly staff = a winning combo for me!! I've tried their delicious brunch and also had the pleasure of enjoying dinner here as well
(4)
Rosalyn S.

We made a last minute large dinner party reservation for a birthday, and Aksum was happy to accommodate us. We showed up to this cozy and atmospheric BYOB with more wine than people, a bottle of scotch and a bottle of whiskey. The waitress passed out shot glasses along with the goblets, and we never had to ask. We started with two hookahs and they were expertly prepared, and delightful. The appetizers arrived together and requests for extra pita were quickly fulfilled. Very soon the compliments began. From the lamb shank to the rosemary chicken, to a special dish of grilled salmon over rice for a guest with a dairy allergy, the accolades would not stop coming. Each guest was raving for the rest of the night about our choice of venue for this party. House made bread pudding and Oreo beignets rounded off the meal sweetly, and there was a moment of stunned silence as everyone at the table tried their bites. I absolutely cannot wait to visit Aksum again for a surely amazing BYOB brunch!
(5)
Phil T.

Aksum Cafe, a b.y.o.b. with Mediterranean flair, opened to the public this past Wednesday. I was lucky enough to have dinner there on Friday. The Mediterranean theme at Aksum is demonstrated through its menu and preparation. The decor is open air: windows overlook Baltimore Avenue and are usually open. Ordering makes the most sense tapas-style. Two diners would be wise to split two small plates and one large plate. Small plates include salads, grape leaves, hummus, calamari and pita wraps. Large plates include orzo (with or without chicken), rosemary chicken or lamb chops with mashed potato in addition to several seafood dishes. My dinner companion and I split the house salad and the rosemary chicken. The one disappointment of the evening was the house salad, which was a bowl of lettuce and feta cheese. The dressing was quite tasty (lemon juice, olive oil, pepper and other spices) but at $7.50 it was a bit pricey. We probably should have gone with one of the more enticing salads. The rosemary chicken was stellar. This chicken was grilled well in a smoky, savory au jus with creamy mashed potatoes and grilled, sauteed asparagus. Service was excellent. Diners can pay with cards using an iPad which is cool and efficient. Please note that although there is a bar, it is a hookah bar and Aksum is still very much a b.y.o.b. I will have to come back and try the hookah as well as sample some of the desserts. For a restaurant open for only three days, Aksum Cafe impresses. Grab a bottle of wine and give this place a shot!
(4)
Secret V.

These folks could take tip from Vientienne when it comes to being more veg-friendly. Here's how: The number of veg dishes is super limited, so those of us who don't eat meat or dairy aren't likely to come back. What Aksum could do is offer veg versions of all the stuff that's normally meat or dairy based--like having the option of "with beans" or "with chicken". This is important in West Philly where there are a large number of vegetarians and vegans who are very excited about supporting more veg-friendly businesses.
(2)
Andrea V.

You can tell that this place was a labor of love for the owner and even for the staff. They are all very nice and enthusiastic about the place, the food, and bringing something new to the neighborhood. It's beautiful inside. I especially like the open-air feel. Honestly, it reminded me of late nights spent in Nice - probably since we didn't get there until after 9. Just a gorgeous little BYOB with great ambiance. I had the fattush salad since I wasn't super hungry, and it was delicious. Their pita has a honeyed taste to it, a nice contrast to the other savory flavors in the dish. It was light, fresh, and exactly what I wanted on a humid summer evening in Philly. I also got the oreo beignets for dessert, which came with fresh berries and vanilla ice cream. Very tasty - you don't have to go all the way to the shore to get fried oreos anymore! (or the heartburn that usually accompanies boardwalk food - not that I'm complaining) I'm a big fan of hookah, so the fact that I now don't have to venture too far when I fancy a smoke is great. Their selection is good and cheaper than some other places in the city, depending what you select. I had the Rommann orange peach. It was smooth, with just the right sweetness - not overwhelming. It tasted like a peach jolly rancher and lasted for hours of good conversation. Overall, I'm impressed by this place and will definitely be back. I love brunch so I hope they won't let me down on that front! I'm actually worried that by leaving a good review it will become super popular and I won't be able to get a seat...so disregard everything I said before this. It sucks. :)
(4)
John A P.

Surprisingly Good...didn't think I would much like Morroccan, but it was very good...I had the chicken & shrimp, the Wife had the salmon with a shared small plate for an appetizer (which could have a enough for one!)...will definitely return...
(4)
Jeff R.

Great food, phenomenal service and classy atmosphere. I ate there last night with a party of 4 and was overwhelmed by how good everything was. You must try the wild mushroom soup and filet mignon. The portions were perfect as well. Not the tiny portion you'd get in Manhattan, but not wheelbarrow size portion you'd get in a chain restaurant either. Perfect portions. And delicious at that. Our waitress was great as well. Friendly, helpful, quick and witty. You must give the hookah a try as well. We mixed cherry and mint tobacco and it was excellent. A nice after-dinner activity. If you want a nice evening out, Aksum is a definite winner.
(5)
Sarah S.

Brunch was average. I got the green eggs and ham, which was good but nothing special.
(3)
Morton Y.

Expected great things. They did not deliver. There at 5:30 on a Sunday. Ambiance was lovely-sat next to great open window Attractive place, very clean. Our server was very good and attentive (we and one other couple were the only patrons) that early. The octopus starter was decent but not near the quality of Dimitri's. The mushroom soup was tasty, but not out of this world. The lamb chops were excellent as was the chicken-shrimp plate. My shrimp dish was mediocre--absent of any distinctive flavor. We left full, but some of us were not fulfilled. Service was ****, but food was *** star. Parking was easy in front.
(3)
Alex Z.

This place seems overpriced. I'm the type of person who would rather spend $8-12 on dinner and go out to eat twice, than pay twice that and go out to eat once. This place is in the "eat once" range, and it's competing against "eat twice" restaurants in the same neighborhood that, in my opinion, have better food. Portions are small. I find I can't get enough food to satisfy myself without spending $25-30. The quality of the food is good, but it's not mind-blowingly amazing, and, to be blunt, some of the other restaurants in this neighborhood are. I feel like I'm paying more for the presentation of the food and the slightly-upscale atmosphere than for the quality of the food itself. Another comment...this restaurant falls into the classic trap that a lot of higher-end restaurants do with their seafood selection: serving the same fish I can get anywhere, salmon, red snapper, which tend to be higher-priced selections, when there are other fish that are cheaper, more sustainable, and I think taste better. Get creative! Stop doing things the way they are done everywhere else. Another way you can get me to pay a little higher price is if you're doing something genuinely novel, but this place didn't really strike me as original enough to compensate for their combination of higher prices, smaller portions, and good-but-not-amazing flavor. The other day I had an amazing catfish soup at an Ecuadorian restaurant in Upper Darby, showing genuine culinary genius. Get some cheaper fish and find creative ways to cook them. Maybe you could lower your prices too! This is what will get me in the door. Service was good, I will say that. I see a few complaints about the service from others but I've had very good experiences. But, I came here closer to when this place opened, and it was not on a busy night. I'm not really that interested in going back, although I wouldn't object if someone took me here again, so long as they paid for me.
(3)
Jessica R.

Aksum is a great addition to the West Philly brunch scene! It's nicely decorated, and has a really nice low-key atmosphere that's a nice change from the usual packed brunch craziness. We started of the meal with complimentary mimosas. I'm not usually a huge mimosa fan, but I really enjoyed mine - it had the perfect ratio of champagne to orange juice, and the orange juice tasted really good (I was afraid of low-quality artificial tasting juice since it was complimentary). Aksum's brunch menu is really unique, and I love that they take traditional brunch and give it a Mediterranean twist. I had the griddlecakes, which came topped with blueberry compote and a side of sausage and eggs. The griddlecakes were delicious, and the blueberry compote was the perfect compliment - I loved that they gave a generous amount of compote so I didn't need any syrup. I got scrambled egg whites, which were some of the best I've had! I also tried my friend's dish, which was poached eggs in a tomato based broth that reminded me of a cioppino flavor. Also delicious, and definitely unique. The twice-fried potatoes have tons of flavor and a great crunch. The service was great, and I really appreciated that one of the waitresses was so nice about taking a picture of us. My only complaint is that the Ipad method of paying (via credit card) is really confusing, especially if you're splitting the bill with other people. I would suggest giving people the option of a traditional credit card bill if possible.
(4)
Olga D.

Favorite restaurant in West Philly hands down. It's a bit pricey compared to most in the neighborhood, but the food is just so so good. Never disappoints.
(5)
Matt A.

I went to Aksum during their opening week. At that point, they largely had a test kitchen. It was alright. It was a test menu: a few sauces, meats, and starches were being mixed around. Last night, I'm hopeful that Aksum will continue to provide quality food at a reasonable price in our neighborhood. My friend initially ordered fried calamari to share. So rarely is this a good move in a restaurant, I was thrilled to have succulent, delicate, and flavorful little fruits of the sea. We all had the special, grilled cod on a bed of shiitake and faro, in a lemon cream sauce with a few roasted asparagus stems. It was great. Really great. The asparagus and the faro had real texture, just on the right side of chewy. The cod was cooked wonderfully. Our service was a bit inconsistent, but this issue aside, I was thrilled by my experience. If you live out west but are thinking of going to a BYO in Rittenhouse, consider Aksum one of these times.
(4)
Daniel U.

I want so badly for Aksum to be the high end BYO on the Baltimore corridor. I keep going back hoping that this meal will be better than the last, but it keeps disappointing. The last time I was there I ordered the Honey Glazed Salmon with Mashed Potatoes and Haricots Verts. No where in the menu did it say this would be a spicy meal but it was one of the spiciest meals I've had since eating in Hunan, China. I am a lover of spicy food, but this had no flavor. I heard other people complain about the dish as well. So here is my open letter to Aksum, please upgrade your chef staff. This business will not last long if your food is more expensive than all the other restaurants in the area but not as good. The food at Vietnam, Ventienne, Grilled Fish, Dock St., Desi Village, and Dahlak are so much better. This is the first review I've ever written for Yelp despite having used it as my bible for restaurants for so long. I care a great deal about my neighborhood and had the highest hopes for this business when it opened. Aksum needs an overhaul if it expects to compete with all the great food options we have in West Philly.
(2)
Stephen S.

Great service, the waiter was very helpful, giving good explanations of the dishes to help me make my choice. The prices were a little high and I was extremely disappointed to see a corkage fee (Seriously, a corkage fee in Philadelphia?). I would love this place if you got a little more bang for your buck. As it is, Aksum is a nice addition to Baltimore avenue's menu of options.
(3)
Melissa C.

Awesome food and great service, especially for a BYOB. Excellent vegetarian/vegan selection, and even the meat eaters loved it. I'll be back!
(5)
Ben P.

Service is Aksum's downfall. I went in with high hopes based on reviews and photos. Food was ok. Nothing special and I'm confused a bit about their concept because the menu seemed a bit all over the place to me. The highlight of the meal was a fatoush salad in the beginning. But here was what I experienced from our server. A party of four was sat with 3 place settings and a wine glass that looked like it had been licked clean. Our server came over at one point to tell us that our entrees were almost ready and should she clear our appetizers. No. You should fire the entrees when you, an experienced server, knows it is the right time. And when I place my fork on the appetizer plate you're about to clear...don't take it off and put in on the table. In addition, she dropped every plate on the table clumsily and almost spilled our soup. She also at one point so rudely interrupted a conversation that no one really knew what to say.When waiting tables, I've absolutely found ways to get involved in a table's conversation, but you don't ever flat-out interrupt. It was awkward. At the end of the meal, when I asked for the two corks from our wine bottles (which should have been on the table) she returned with two others, one of which had been cut to fit into the bottle because she lost ours. Fail. Other things like chairs stacked in the corner and visible kitchen mess made for an atmosphere that just wasn't inviting. Doubtful we'll return.
(2)
Danielle L.

The food was very good (had the lentil soup, chicken, while my friends tried the lamb chops, hummus, and tiramisu--everything was good). I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the hookah, and the food! I can't wait to return. Also- The prices were right for the quality, and since it is BYOB, it makes the prices even better. Also the hookah was very reasonable (20$ for a pipe/per table).
(4)
Kerry D.

I just got home from eating at Aksum during Dining Days. It was my first time in the restaurant and I am definitely going to try and return. I started with the mushroom soup which was interesting, it definitely has cinnamon in it and isn't all that mushroomy. It was a decent soup but nothing I'm ever going to eat again. Portion wise it was huge for an appetizer, so that's definitely a plus in my book. I also appreciated the fresh pita slices on the side. For my entree I had the filet with artichokes, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. The horseradish sauce was good and reminded me of something I've eaten before but i am still having a brain fart on what it was and where. The fillet comes out cut into strips which I thought was a bit odd but whatever. It was a *perfect* medium rare so I was completely happy! And there wasn't any over salty or peppery flavor, just a perfectly cooked steak. The artichokes were really good. The only let down on the plate were the mashed potatoes but oh well, I still ate them all. Baklava for dessert, and if you were worried about the clove in the clove sauce, don't be. My plate came out only drizzled in honey, or the clove sauce tasted exactly like honey and therefore no worries about it being clovey. It wasn't the best baklava I've had but I would eat it again. Service. There was only one waitress which seemed to work. There were only about 12 people tonight at 8pm so she didn't seem to be having any real problem keeping everyone sorted and taken care of. You do have to wait a few minutes inbetween courses and to initially get your food but, if you're in a group it shouldn't be too noticeable. All in all, I wish I had known about this place sooner. One caveat is that it's rather small so probably not good for a huge group of people (I'd say it only seats about 30). AND it is a BYOB, avoid the "virgin" sangria unless you like herbal tea completely unsweetened. One of the guys at another table had some fruit juice that looked really good. I just stuck with the water.
(4)
Char P.

The service was great and the Salmon Omelette was divine! Would have gotten 5 stars if the table wasn't so wobbly. Great place to meet up with friends for a nice meal with good quality... local products.
(4)
Fresh Focus P.

First time here. What a pleasant surprise! The spicy crab soup was awesome! Highly recommend it! Our salad was fresh and tasty. Presentation of food was great, I felt like i should take a picture of it! Atmosphere was nice, ( although a bit chilly, but it was a cold winter evening) Our server was delightful! I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Bob L.

TL;DR: I gave Aksum a 3 because it took forever to get the check and I didn't like my entree very much. BUT, my fellow diner's entree was completely awesome, and our appetizer ruled. FIrst off, get the hummus, which is like silk, with a beautiful garlic taste. My meal (the shrimp pil pil) was really bland and the rice was wet, flavorless and overly starchy. Her meal, on the other hand, was the braised lamb shank drowned in a light, savory olive oil with tiny little potatoes of both white and blue persuasion. We attacked that thing and it was delicious and big enough to split (side note: on a later visit, we got the same thing and the portion seemed about half the size...bummer). Desert: we got the fried oreos. Nicely done, and the savory batter was balanced with mixed berries to add some sweet-tartness. They've got a really nice way of signing the check, which is an iPad app that calculates tip at 15, 20 and 25%, but I wonder if that tech also slowed down our server. We waited for a really long time to get the check, and I hate the feeling of longing to leave a place but being held captive by financial responsibilities.
(3)
Hope B.

Went into Aksum on a whim for brunch. FANTASTIC food! I had the French Toast with sausage and berries. It came with a mimosa! In addition, I needed to get in and out and asked for quick service and quick it was. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Kathleen H.

I had a pleasant dinner here a couple of days ago. I liked the atmosphere a lot -- soft lighting with simple modern decor and huge windows looking out onto the street. I was there with my mother, but the place has a sort of romantic atmosphere and would be good for a date. Service was very friendly and attentive but not annoying, and when we got seated at a table that had a bit of a draft, the server was very accommodating about finding us a more comfortable spot. As for the food, it ranged from pretty good to really good. Portions were HUGE! I was very impressed by the mushroom soup (which my mother ordered, but I couldn't stop stealing spoonfuls). It had a very creamy texture and a lot of cinnamon, which worked amazingly well. I would go back again just for that soup. The lentil soup (which I ordered) was nice, but nothing too special...a thick, hearty stew that could be a meal in itself. As a main, I had the vegetable tajin. It came with nice, subtly spiced large grain cous cous and lots of vegetables cooked into a very tomato-rich stew with lots of very warm, lovely-smelling spices. It was just a little spicy/hot...enough to warm your tongue a bit but nothing overpowering. I enjoyed it, but thought the tomato-y flavors were a little too strong; I'd like to taste more of the eggplant and other veggies. I was so full from the soup that I only ate a few bites before asking for a box, and the tajin made a great lunch the next day. Overall, I left happy and curious about some of the other things on the menu. I'll be back to reorder the mushroom soup and to try some of the other plates.
(4)
Crystal C.

Food was delicious and the service was good. I went with a party of six. on a Wednesday night, to celebrate one of our colleagues. Everybody liked their food and the waitress was kind and attentive enough. We all cleaned our plates. The atmosphere is pretty cool too. It's nice to go to a restaurant in a neighborhood where it is easy to find parking. I'm really surprised by some of the other reviews that have slammed this restaurant.
(5)
Anne W.

I went to Aksam last night with a party of 9 for dinner. I really liked the restaurant and I would go again. Here's what I noticed: The Good: The food at Aksam is really good. Half of my friends are vegetarian, and there are many vegetarian options in the menu. Also, the great thing about Aksam is that they have seitan already and you can ask them to incorporate it into your meal instead of meat. I split a Med East Platter and a Chicken Orzo with my friend. The Med East Platter is amazing! The lentils are cooked perfectly and the spices were great. The portions are generous. The Orzo was a tad overcooked but was delicious in the morning cold. Besides the food, the decor is really nice and the pricing very reasonable. You can also do hookah! The Not-so Good: The service was not terrible, but not attentive enough to be called good. We had made a reservation, but they chose to seat us awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant directly in front of the door which was drafty. Also, because we were in between the bar, the door, the kitchen and the bathroom, there was a lot of outside motion around us. Also, we had to ask for our water to be refilled several times. It sounds demanding but that fact attests to the lack of attention given to us by the wait staff. We also had the wrong bill given to us with food that we did not order. Our bill was ~$130 and the original one given was for ~$175. So make sure of your orders. The good thing is that you can do separate cards which is very convenient in a large BYO setting. Overall, I liked the food and the atmosphere, but would have liked more attention from the waitstaff and more care taken into the bill.
(4)
Shareef J.

I just came from here on a nice night. FABULOUS food. I had the lamb shank, which fell off of the bone. There was a little too much oil, but the fingerling potatoes and carrots were a nice match, My wife had the chicken and my mom had the salmon. Both were very pleased. Worst part of the night was the wait. The restaurant was about 80% full on a Sat night, yet we waited about 20 for our grape leaves appetizer. It was another 20 min or so for the meal. We were starving by the time it came through, but wow was it worth it! Signing the bill on an iPad 2 with the square app is pretty swanky. However, they need to set it to tip by %. A geek like me can calculate the % myself, but they may be losing out in tip money if they keep the current setting of tipping by $ increments. All in all, a great experience and a perfect addition to the Baltimore corridor,
(5)
Ariel D.

There will never be enough BYOBs in the world, so I love that another one cropped up in my neighborhood. I came here with 2 other people on a weekday night, and it was all we could hope for and more. The casual service and the classy decor seem at odds with each other, but once we stopped expecting the super-swank treatment, we enjoyed ourselves. None of us were hungry, so we shared a couple of tapas. There was no pressure to order more, and we thoroughly enjoyed the food. I wouldn't expect something as simple as a strawberry and avocado salad to be notable, but the one at Aksum is super tasty. I could eat five of those. Our server (I want to say her name was Maggie, but I'm not 100% sure) was fantastic, and made the night that much better. We will definitely be stopping by again.
(4)
george k.

The last time we ate at Aksum, it was a very unsatisfactory. The grilled calamari were tasteless and rubbery. The lamb shank was inedible. I posted a review on that disastrous dinner. After some time away, the two Ks and I decided to return to Aksum for dinner last night. The dinner last night was very enjoyable. Night and day. We ordered the hummus, which is a favorite. Instead we were given the Mediterranean platter with hummus, tzaziki and lentels, compliments from the chef. We were charged only for the hummus. Nice touch. The platter was delicious and filling. We ordered the fired calamari with arrabiata sauce next. This was also tasty, although some of the calamari pieces were saltier than others. We had to order the lamb shank and see if the last shank was an anomaly. It was. Last night's lamb shank was tender, fell of the bone with a slight tough of the serving spoon. The fingerling taters and green beans were cooked well. We finished with two desserts, the bread pudding and the oreo beignet. Both were very good. The oreo beignet was my favorite, a bit decadent with ice cream and fresh fruit. Our server was pleasant, informative and competent. She also is a very interesting young lady. We enjoyed our dinner last night very much.
(4)
Jules R.

Random discovery--glad we stumbled on this place. Service was a tad slow (they're still figuring things out--only opened a short while ago), but wait staff is caring and attentive. Problem seems to be in the kitchen. Dishes were fresh (great hummus--prepared on site) and attractively served. I'm curious to come back in a month or so. I bet they're here to stay. Bravo, Aksum.
(4)
Rachel W.

i like: the interior, friendly service, variety of salads. grilled shrimp on a bed of greens was good, the beet salad was yummy. each salad had a flavorful dressing. i dislike: the hummus! the texture was strange and it had an odd aftertaste. the shrimp came with a "yogurt sauce" on the side that was not only unnecessary but watery and bland. the fact that the two distinctly mediterranean items we had were bad is a real turn off for me. so, while there were some enjoyable parts of the meal, it wasn't good mediterranean. realistically, i'll probably go to aksum in the future for brunch. saw some people enjoying some eggs, etc outside yesterday and the fact that it's a BYO means mimosas will be involved. i'm glad it's an option in the neighborhood but don't think i'll be going back for dinner.
(3)
Jessica Y.

awesome brunches.
(5)
Terry C.

My girlfriend's drawn to Mediterranean culture and cuisine so this place immediately appealed to us. We saw the 'open' sign and waltzed in. The proprietor told us that she was closed BUT she'd 'accommodate us' and with that we sat down. I had the mahi mahi wrap and my girlfriend had the coriander eggs and we were comped hummus and bread. It. Is.Amazing. We need MORE places like this in our neighborhood. The owner's warm, inviting and very very knowledgeable. You'd be remiss at a foodie or food lover if you didnt at LEAST try the brunch. Absolutely incredible.
(5)
Rima S.

Loved this place! Very warm and trendy!
(5)
Amy H.

surroundings/ambiance: cozy with modern furnishings, soft guitar music, dimly lit but not so dark that I can't see the food I'm eating service: friendly, helpful without hovering, my waitress knew the menu and competently made suggestions from the menu when asked Veggie Tanjin with cous cous - 4/5, delicious and could probably be shared by 2; I chose this dish because I love eggplant, but don't expect it to steal the show. i don't remember ever liking cous cous in the past but this was pretty darn good. Fire Roasted Red Pepper And Tomato Soup - 3/5, more on the puree side, with a slight spicy kick. too salty for my taste. It's served with pita but I don't really see how you can dip that in a non-creamy soup. Thick Wild Mushroom Bisque - 3/5, very very creamy. somewhat salty, but very good for dipping. eating this will definitely make you have a food baby afterwards. Hummus - 5/5, definitely mixed with yogurt because it was super creamy. If I had to order all over again, I would definitely get this item and ask for an extra to take home. Would definitely return again!
(4)
peter f.

The entree was terrible! The Rosemary Chicken was covered in thick, greasy skin and cut very poorly, making it extremely difficult to get the meat off the bone. The garlic mashed potatoes were overpowering with garlic (I had to swish water and wine around my mouth several times to get rid of the dominating garlic). The ambiance and the BYOB aspect are the only reason it gets 2 stars. If they get a new chef, I may re-visit and re-rate them.
(2)
Julia S.

We recently had a wonderful three-course dinner at Aksum as part of a large party. Aksum generously donated the proceeds that night a local arts organization, and the place was packed. We arrived to find really delicious cheese crisps on the table. The main course of lamb chops were the biggest I'd ever seen, and sauces and accompaniments paired perfectly. The lemon-cello bread pudding is not to be missed - a stunning dessert loved by all at our large table. Aksum is obviously a beloved part of the neighborhood and very connected to the community, and they give more than just lip service here, supporting both local and the arts. Thank you, Aksum!
(5)
Shanee S.

The lamb chops are good and if you excuse the servers who are all getting used to a new place, it's pretty decent food. The decor is mod and cozy and I love the windows that open onto the street. My fiance is in love with the Mahi Mahi pita wrap and the mashed potatoes are delish. It's worth a trip to support a local business. They should hurry and expand the menu though.
(3)
Julia C.

I had an absolutely delicious mahi mahi wrap for lunch the other day! The pita was so light, fresh and had been charred on the outside which was an excellent touch. I don't normally like coleslaw but all the veggies in it were wonderfully crunchy and it had a nice flavor, not just mayonnaise flavor which to me is gross. All the veggies in the wrap were also super crunchy which was great since both the wrap and fish are soft. My mom had the falafel and a side of spinach and she loved them both and ate everything on her plate. I'm looking forward to going back again! The service was also very good.
(4)
michael d.

We ate at Aksum 5 or 6 times since opening and enjoyed it but it wasn't anything I found myself too excited about. Then over the December holidays I took my visiting parents there and we had a meal we talked about for weeks afterwards; it was absolutely perfect. We started with the humus/pita plate and strawberry/avocado salad. Both were amazing. Even my 20 month old son kept saying "mo, mo" (more). My main dish was a salmon special that blew my mind; total out of body experience; I ate it all and didn't want to share with any of my loved ones I was dining with. After leaving I read Aksum recently hired a new chef. So that explained the change there. We ate there again last night and left feeling the meal was worth every penny. We had the honey salmon, red snapper, special beet salad, and humus/pita plate. I love that I can go there and not bring food for my toddler, he eats everything there, even the beet salad which was divine. Think of this as a brand new place since their new chef started. Try again if you went there before and were not pleased. You won't be sorry. I'm am the worst food snob and don't enjoy eating out because I'm so picky. This place rocks and is raising the bar in west Philly. Long live Aksum.
(5)
Amanda S.

I think that the atmosphere of this restaurant is wonderful and that it is a great addition to the neighborhood. We were very excited when it opened, but I must say that we were pretty disappointed with the majority of the food that we tried. We split the hummus appetizer, and then my fiance got the chicken wrap for his entree and I got the lamb shank. The hummus was a very small portion and was REALLY spicy. I think maybe they made a mistake and put too much cayenne pepper in it? We were warned that it was garlicky, but that wasn't it-- this set our mouths on fire! The chicken wrap, though, was the most disappointing part of our meal. My fiance said it tasted like something you could get at Subway (but it was smaller)-- the chicken wasn't spiced at all and the "tahini" tasted like mayonnaise. You'd be much better off at Saad's or Kabobeesh for a chicken wrap. My lamb, on the other hand, was very well cooked and I did enjoy it. I asked for it without olives, though, and it was almost cloyingly sweet without them. Over all, I was really excited for a place like this to open up in our neighborhood. I hope they will change some things up about their menu so that we can go back and enjoy it-- after our first experience, my fiance is reluctant to return!
(3)
Billy B.

Came on a rainy and clearly slow night. Think that the kitchen was close to closing but neither the server, nor any management who seemed to be on the floor gave any indication. We never felt rushed or pushed out. We were treated promptly, kindly and professionally. The rosemary lamb chops were incredible, and definitely try the nightly specials. The oreo begniets were delightful and perfect. You guys are doing it the right way and we're rooting for you. Our only concern would be to dim the lights a bit. (lighting looks like a diner) ps. Hoping there is a liquor license in the works!!!
(5)
Andrea L.

TL;DR: I hosted dinner party for 40 people - worked out perfectly. Favorite dish is Orzo Arrbiata. Service is incredible. _______________________________________________ My first time at Aksum was for a small dinner and due to its success, I decided to plan my birthday there. Though I definitely maxed out Aksum's restaurant capacity (I had around 40 guests), the perfect execution of my special night on such a large scale is what makes me wholeheartedly recommend Aksum - whether it be for an intimate dinner or a large party. A casual afternoon stroll into West Philadelphia led me to stumble upon this hidden gem. With large glass panels for windows, outdoor seating and dimly-yet-cozy-lit interior, what more could you ask for when such is both a BYOB and a place for shisha (Hookah)? The manager Hannah is incredible. She handled everything from party planning to event management with professionalism, grace and an unbeatable smile. Her team is also fantastic - they dealt with every inquiry speedily and appropriately. The impeccable service definitely sculpted the success of the night. With 40 hungry guests, I am positive that our group pretty much tried everything on the menu. I had an exceptional Angry Baby Eggplants for starters. It was just the right amount of sauce and neatly balanced out the freshness of the eggplant. For my entree, I had the Honey Glazed Salmon. It was a good dish but it definitely loses to my friend's Orzo Arrbiata. The orzo was cooked in a tomato-based sauce and it was delightful. Only criticism someone had was that their lamb shank was a bit dry. I would just like to thank Hannah again for making this night incredible. Every single one of my guests had a terrific time (pledging to return!) and I am extremely happy that Aksum was the one I chose to host my special night with.
(5)
Doga K.

This is such a welcome addition to Baltimore Street!!! I've had the pleasure of coming across this place while walking around the neighborhood yesterday with my girlfriend. We had eggplant salad as an appetizer and I had amazing lamb chops while my girlfriend went for the mahi mahi. We were both really impressed with both the food and service. Next time I'll make sure to bring a bottle of wine with me to make it all perfect. It deserves the 5-stars because of the amazing service! It's nice to see so many smiling faces.
(5)
Meldina S.

Had dinner here last night with 5 of my friends. A few people in our group had been before, with mixed reviews (2 said it was fabulous, 2 said it was okay). My dinner was delicious. I started with the grape leaves, which are served cold--absolutely perfect after a hot day. I moved on to the special red snapper entree, which was grilled and served with the a tomato avocado relish. It was amazing! Other folks in the group started with the wild mushroom bisque, which they claimed was a bit too thick..more like a sauce then a bisque. Two people had the avocado and tomato salad which, by all reports, was fabulous. Entrees had by others included lamb chops and the roasted chicken. All reports were that the food was really good. The waitress wasn't perfect but very nice, and that kind of thing doesn't bother me. All in all, I think Aksum is a great addition to our neighborhood. Looking forward to returning with my husband!
(4)
Travis G.

My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a shot for a Valentine's day dinner, and are glad we did. The food and service were both fantastic. We started with the roasted tomato soup, which my bf thought was fantastic, and tried the mussels and grape leaves as well. The mussels were just as good, with a slightly spicy tomato broth which our server brought us extra pita bread to eat with. The stuffed grape leaves were fine, but not exceptional. Both of our entrees were delicious, and quite reasonably sized-we went with the rosemary lamb chops, and the red snapper. The snapper came with a side of creamy couscous which was delicious, and complemented the snapper's tangy olive/caper/tomato topping quite well. The lamb chops and the side of orzo they came with were also great. We decided to split the limoncello bread pudding from a special Valentine's day menu-we both agree it was one of the best bread puddings we've had, and are sad it isn't on the regular menu! Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. The environment was very mellow and relaxed-it did seem like some of the tables were a bit close together, but that might just be to accommodate additional reservations for the holiday. I noticed some other reviewers mentioned a corkage fee, but it looks like they have indeed dropped it. Overall, dinner here was great. Apparently they also have a brunch menu, which I'm looking forward to returning to try!
(5)
Yvette M.

The menue is fab. You could do a small plate and a great desert like the Oreo's aah to die for. Or you do the full Monty with soup sald and dinner,I've done both. The tea selection is awesome . My favorite is the chai, hot and spicy gose great with the lamb shank! The atmosphere is upscale and comfortable all at the same time, not and easy feat! The wait staff are the right on point. I've been here several time and be a repeat customer in fact I making resvations now! The part of all is that it's in the Hood!
(5)
Adam G.

This is now the third meal I had at Aksum, and I was inspired to write a review. I have had two brunches and a dinner at Aksum, and while the dinner was super delicious, I am thrilled to little bits and pieces to have a brunch place in the neighborhood. The Moroccon eggs were awesome, with just the write amount of spice, and the Foul (with fried egg and cilantro) was just so great that I ate far too much in one sitting. The atmosphere is also very good, and relaxed, and the staff is always super nice. Keep up the good work, and I"ll keep coming back!
(5)
E. R.

I have visited Aksum three times and my visits could not have been more different. The first time we visited, each entree was fabulous--particularly the sauces on the lamb dishes. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The second visit left little impression. The third visit, however, was for brunch and was subpar at best. Not only did our order not go in due to a computer glitch, but then a blame game ensued with the manager openly blaming the server. In general, not cool. The manager was also quite testy and seemed as if WE should feel sorry for her. This is not the way to treat customers who by that point had been waiting nearly forty minutes for their order. After finally putting in our order, the manager returned ten minutes later to tell us that there were not sufficient ingredients for one of our dishes. At this point, I was ready to leave. However, we waited, and the food was fine. For paying, the iPad function also limits the percentage tip you may leave, which complicates bill splitting. In general, I think Aksum has potential but needs a few improvements. For all visits, there were dishes that were not available. Thus, they need to keep their essential supplies in stock. Second, they need to present a united front. No excess blaming necessary. Say you're sorry, comp a significant portion or all of people's bills if you're in the wrong (this is standard at other establishments), and give them some free hummus. This will keep people coming back. Third, consider whether you really want to use the iPad program. It's cool but seems ineffective and prolongs the paying experience. Diners want efficiency more than gadgets!
(3)

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Address : 4630 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA, 19143
Phone (267) 275-8195
Website https://www.aksumcafe.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:00 pm - 11:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Aksum

4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19143

Aksum Menu

Soup

Salad & Tapas

Large Plates

Desserts

Hot Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Aksum

Soup

Salad & Tapas

Large Plates

Desserts

Hot Beverages

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