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Aksum Reviews List
Aksum
Aksum is one of Philadelphia’s favorite BYOB restaurants.
Located in the thriving Baltimore Avenue corridor in vibrant and diverse University City, the year-old restaurant features a bright Mediterranean menu that focuses on simple and fresh ingredients, with accents from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Chef Wayne Whiteside
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Located in the thriving Baltimore Avenue corridor in vibrant and diverse University City, the year-old restaurant features a bright Mediterranean menu that focuses on simple and fresh ingredients, with accents from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Chef Wayne Whiteside
41 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 41 reviews
5 stars
(16)
4 stars
(17)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(27)
- fit for foodies(17)
- great for brunch(9)
- special occasion(9)
- good for groups(8)
- romantic(8)
Aksum Reviews List
Review 1 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Nice
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I enjoyed my dinner here. I came with friends and we had a great time."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 2 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
great cuisine
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"nice range of foods. based on mediterranean offering from North Africa and Europe but with a twist."
Dined on 6/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch
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Review 3 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tickle your taste buds
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Different spices give a new taste to the usual fare. Pleasant presentation to try new tastes in very casual and eclectic atmosphere. Will go again. E erroneous in our part of five plan to return."
Dined on 5/23/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Hookah
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Spend an evening dining on the sidewalk, smoking a hookah, eating great food, drinking byob. Servers are delightful."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Better than the neighborhood buzz
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I went for brunch this past weekend, and the food was great. Everyone in the neighborhood has been calling it mediocre-to-good, buty experience was a step above that, and I'm not the easiest to please. Maybe because it was brunch?"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for brunch
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Review 6 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome meal and service!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"All around great experience from start to finish. Very good service and, the meal was better than expected! We are a very picky family
and were all totally plead with every aspect of our experience. BYOB was an extra added treat."
and were all totally plead with every aspect of our experience. BYOB was an extra added treat."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was our first time at Aksum. We enjoyed everything. Our server, Elly, was amazing. The only thing we did not like was how crowded the tables were together. We were a party of 3 and one of the chairs was in the middle of the aisle, with a lot of maneuvering needing to be done when the servers were trying to get by. Other than that, we loved it and will be back."
Dined on 4/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
One main problem
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food is pleasant and it is a nice neigborhood restaurant, but they always bring the main dishes before people are finished with their appetizers and plop them down on an already crowded table."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2011
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Review 9 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Horrible - Stay Away
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was horrible, the service was terrible and the server lied when asked a specific question about the preparation of an item before it was ordered. All in all a terrible experience and I would say most emphatically...stay away. Don't waste your time and money."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
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Review 10 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Varied and interesting food.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Varied and interesting food. Some combinations we didn't expect. The cinammon in the mushroom soup had a mixed review but the mustard in the lentil salad was a hit."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 11 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
AWESOME!!!!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant was awesome. The food was great. We had the grape leaves, Garlic Hummus and the tortilla stick for appetizer was awesome. The Wood fire lamb was also awesome. I wasn't too crazy about the Mediterranean chicken and shrimp plate but my friend liked her dish. She had the Tiramusi and said it was good. I had the Orea Beignet and that too was awesome. If you can't tell, my experience was AWESOME!!!! great place to eat. I also saw that they have a brunch menu that includes a creme brulee french toast that I plan on going back for and trying. I will definately be going back."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
great!
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I really enjoyed my experience here. The food was great (lentil soup was very tasty& lamb chops were great), the hookah was affordable (20$ for whole table), the atmosphere was nice and the service was good. I can't wait to return!"
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, hot spot
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Review 13 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Delicious food and a great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Delicious food and a great atmosphere."
Dined on 03/18/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 14 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
hidden amazingness
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great place. We were in a party of 4. We came from the outside it looked like a corner bakery... we were all blown away by the food and service and everything overall. Its a hidden gem of a place and its perfect that not a lot of peiple are being served at once. The staff really is always around. The ny strip steak was possibly the greatest I personally have ever had. Everything was perfect."
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 15 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This place is great, and for
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This place is great, and for the price it can't be beat. The lentil-mustard salad was fantastic. We will definitely be bringing people here in the future."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 16 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We were a party of 3 on a
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We were a party of 3 on a Saturday night. The service and the food were both excellent. The seating was not so great. As the place was very crowded, there was only one table that was available, one of our party was left basically sitting in the middle of the aisle where the servers had to continuously excuse themselves for walking around me. The table was too small for a party of 3.
Fortunately, everything else was excellent and we will definitely return."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 17 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Went for brunch, nice portions!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went for brunch, nice portions! Looking forward to returning soon!"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 18 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good Hookah, bad food!
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"It was couples night and we wanted to try something different! My boyfriend has been dying to try hookah so we decided to try this spot out. First, the venue looks nothing like the pictures on the website! It's small, crowded, and there isn't a waiting area! We walked in, and we were in the dining area, entrance, AND bar! Two, the food was subpar! I had the salmon, it was undercooked, my mashed potatoes were too spicy, and the portions were extremely small! My boyfriend had the chicken and shrimp which consisted of a leg thigh quarter and 2 shrimp! Presentation of the food was great, but I would've rathered more food then a pretty plate! Our friends had the rosemary chicken and didn't have any complaints besides the portion being kid size!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
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Review 19 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food- a little spicy.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food- a little spicy. tables so close waitress had a hard time getting past my chair. Chairs are comfortable."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The stuffed grape leaves tasted
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The stuffed grape leaves tasted as if they were from a can."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch
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Review 21 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing Food, Wonderful Staff!! GO!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"You know when you go to a prix fixe meal and only one or two of the four courses are yummy? Well, this was NOT at all the case at Aksum. My boyfriend and I went for Valentine's Day and it was one of the best meals I've ever had!! We enjoyed a spicy tomato bisque, salad with pear, caramelized walnuts, gorgonzola, and mixed greens, scallops over risotto, the vegetarian option with couscous, and the chocolate red velvet dessert. Every single course was absolutely delicious. They even served us a glass of complimentary champagne - nice touch Aksum!! We WILL be back!!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 22 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great special event dining
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"They made for an awesome Valentine's Day!!!!
The food was very well executed,friendly service & even though they were packed for the holiday and had a special Prix Fixe menu they accomadated my special food request.
The vegetarian dish I had was nice and flavorful, lots of times the veggie dishes at places are bland so I was very happy about that."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 23 for Aksum
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Simply Spohisticated
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The ambience and crew were very welcoming, the service and food were fantastic. I would definitely recommend to friends and plan on going back soon."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Aksum
Based on the average of (18) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
2 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic