Ararat Middle East Restaurant

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111 E Northloop Blvd
Austin, TX 78751

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(512) 419-1692
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Reviews
( 17 )
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( 9 )
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( 19 )

Best

AFTER LEARNING THAT ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTARAUNTS WAS CLOSING,I HAD TO GO AND HAVE THE LAMB ONE MORE TIME. THE DINNER ITSELF WAS A LITTLE CHAOTIC AT FIRST (OF COURSE ITS UNDERS...

Worst

I have been twice and I will probably not return. Overall the food is tasty and quite healthy fare. But my biggest complaint is the waitstaff. I like a BYOB policy and don't m...

User review by asriyal 3/13/2005

Be warned - Monday is crazy hippie vegetarian night. You'll be seranaded by Simon & Garfunkel on electric guitar, served by a girl with ear plugs and dreadlocks, and the menu will consist of such dishes as ""tempura veggies"" and ""Green Goddess hummus."" I'd been looking forward to lamb, baba ghanouj, etc. and was, shall we say, quite disappointed. And then the server came to our table with a basket and solicited cash for the electric guitar player. Godawful. Don't go here on Monday nights. more
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Every Dinner is a Celebration 2/24/2005

My friends and I have an ""International Dinner Night"" once a month, where we are supposed to rotate to experience different cuisines. We have made Ararat a regular on the list, and for good reason. The food is WONDERFUL (my favorites are the baba ganoush and the Sizzling Combo (Chicken & Lamb). I lived in the Middle East as a child, and one of my friends is Lebanese -- he said that Ararat is the closest thing to his mother's cooking that he has ever found. After numerous visits, I have never had anyone in our group disappointed in the food, atmosphere or price. In fact, we joked last month about making our dinner every month at Ararat! Give it a try -- You won't be disappointed. Pros: Amazing Food, Unique Atmosphere, Thu-Sun Entertainment Cons: Not open for lunch, Hard to Find, Limited Seating more
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User review by sempidesiderata 2/10/2005

Each time I've gone to this restaurant, I've gone with friends who spent many years living overseas, including the middle east. We've all loved the food, the tea, the coffee. The only thing that could be improved is the service once the meal has been served; the server should check the table several times to make sure that there are no empty plates in front of the diner(s), etc. About that fee to open/serve the wine and get rid of the bottle...it's $1.50...no big deal to have a little class and overlook it, at least in terms of looking good for your date. Besides, you need to do a little homework and understand why they don't serve alcohol...think about it... I highly recommend it...just hope the server comes to your table often enough, and if not, don't be shy. I've been known to walk into kitchens... : ) Sempi more
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As if Lebanon is portrayed poorly enough 2/3/2005

If you like your food bland, overpriced, and unauthentic, then Ararat is the place for you. But be sure to ask your too-cool-for-school server to hide the flavor of the baba ghanouj with some more pomegranate sauce. And if possible, reserve your table near the belly dancer with the sweat glistening gut. Otherwise youll really miss out on the Ararat experience. Pros: after reading this, you won't have to, go there Cons: don't u need pros 1st more
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Great group place 1/18/2005

I went to Ararat with my father on a Wednesday night. It took us a little while to find - it's surrounded by several well-advertised businesses, and it is neatly tucked away with only one lit sign on the front. When we got there around 6:30, the place was nearly empty, so I was puzzled when the hostess indicated she might have a hard time seating us. We soon found out why, as the place started filling up around 7 or so. Lesson learned for next time - make a reservation. We were able to sit, and the food, service and atmosphere were all outstanding. Prix fixe for parties of four or more is $25 per head. Well worth checking out. Pros: Hidden gem, Great group place more
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Ararat is wonderful 11/12/2004

I Love Ararat! The food is fabulous and the service is good. It is such an intimate, cozy place. The Sizzling chicken and the salmon are excellent. Love the turkish coffee. I recently had a dinner date on the gazebo it is the most intimate, special, romantic setting I have ever experienced. Must have reservations. more
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no hateful customers please 7/15/2004

i for one am ever grateful that ararat restaurant remains true to the idea that 'no the customer isn't always right'. few restaurants stand behind their employees in the face of the customer but ararat restaurant is looking out for both. and therefore they attact a different kind of patron and employee.you can really tell they are a family and if your willing they'll take you in.much love and blessings to the long time staff and new owners.your community supports you. Pros: not downtown, vegan and vegetarian, byob Cons: , closes at 10pm, n/a more
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Going Downhill 7/2/2004

I visited this place a year ago and had a good time. But when I went back two weeks ago, I was really disappointed. I was particularly embarrassed because I'd told my friends how great it was and both the food and service sucked. Our waittress was really inattentive bordering on rude. The food was overpriced in my opinion and bland to the taste. I'd forgotten they don't serve any alcohol and one of us had to run across the street to buy some cheap wine. Then they charged us for the privilege of drinking it there! I've heard it has changed ownership recently and perhaps this is the problem?? In any case, I won't be going back. Pros: Decor Cons: , Rude service, Boring food more
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RUDE server 6/23/2004

We were extremely disappointed in the whole thing. The information about the Rajamani show that was on their website was inaccurate and the show had been cancelled. They charge you a $1.50 a person to bring in your drinks. The food is okay but nothing outstanding. I have had family members make much better tabouli and rice dishes. The atmosphere is uniquely decorated but in an tiny underground sort of way and not at all worth the $15 an entrée price. Then there was the rather uncouth waitress who was less than happy to wait on us because all we ordered was an appetizer plate and a salad. She was insulting and rude beyond comprehension...that was when she paid any attention to us at all. We will never be going back here again. Pros: Beautifully Decorated Cons: , Average Food more
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absolutely amazing food!! 4/1/2004

what a wonderful restaurant! i love the b.y.o.b. policy! it's a $1.50 corking/recyclying fee per person, but compared to a $15 corking fee i've paid at other restaurants, it's nothing. we ordered the dolmehs and the baba ghanouj, which was garlicky and slightly sweet, for appetizers. for our entrees we ordered the dolmeh felfel and the sizzling veggie and they were both delicious! the lemon garlic tahini and the spicy tahini sauces are to die for. the waitress was very nice and the food came out very quickly. overall it was fantastic and we'll be going back again! Pros: good prices, prompt service, delicious food more
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Food was okay, not great 1/2/2003

This was the first middle eastern restaurant I had been to in Austin, and I found the food lacking. The hummus was not traditional......with a bit too much lemon. The presentation was good...but the shish kabobs were dry and tough. But the ambience is really nice, even though we were seated outside since we didn't make any reservations. Its a small place with regular customers, so I definitely suggest booking a table before leaving. more
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Belly dancin' 11/27/2002

I've been here about 3 times and have had a good experience each time. The food is very good and the belly dancer makes things fun. Get reservations and don't try to take a large group. Pros: Tastey food, Dancer on weekends Cons: Just a little pricey, BYOB charge more
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a unique experience 9/29/2002

The food is authentic and well prepared. The atmosphere takes you to another country and the service is spot on. I really like to go in a couple or in a small group for an occassion. Reservations are a very good idea as the space is limited. Pros: fair prices, authentic environment, respectful service Cons: sometimes cramped, kinda noisy, corking fee more
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Only if you're on a diet 9/25/2002

It's a very crowded and noisy setting. There's little or no room to walk around. You're practically eating the food off of the table next to you. The food was -very- bland and extremelly overpriced. The combo appetizer (with the 4 ""dipping"" sauces) all taste the same and are served with pita-type bread that hardens like a rock only minutes after its served. The meat in the entrees are equally tough and lack substantial quantity. I don't expect a feast, but to walk out of there and crave fast food... that just isn't going to cut it. Cons: Food, Atmosphere, Price more
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Better here than there... 6/20/2002

Food is fantastic - I lived in Izmir, Turkey for 2+ years and found this food to be as close as I can remember. Great environment, crowded, but excellent service and food Pros: service, food, environment Cons: small more
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Menu for Ararat Middle East Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Ararat is warm and inviting, with Persian, Turkish and Afghani rugs covering every wall. Couples and groups sit upright at a conventional table or lounge on soft cushions around...

  • 6/15/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon 6pm-11pm Tue-Sun 5pm-11pm Kitchen closes at 10pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: North Loop
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