Ela
Mediterranean restaurant · Atlanta
1186 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Highlights
Mediterranean mezze, skewers, and cocktails with a lively vibe
Mediterranean mezze, skewers, and cocktails with a lively vibe
"When: Mon-Fri, 4-6pm | Sat-Sun, 3-5pm Ela's shareable plates are damn-near-perfect at this Mediterranean restaurant in VaHi. So take advantage of the discount at happy hour with cauliflower falafels for $8 and hummus dip for $6. Plus, red and white wine are $6 a glass." - juli horsford
"This Virginia-Highland spot excels at brunch with its playful approach to Mediterranean-style dishes. You’ll want to bring a friend or two to share items like the spherical, pistachio-crusted baklava cinnamon roll, Ela’s salad with poached eggs and crisp onions, and the warmly spiced shakshuka. Their creamy, tangy Greek frozen yogurt rounds out the mid-morning meal." - Lia Picard
"This Mediterranean spot in Virginia-Highland is the right choice when you’re with a group who doesn’t respect plate boundaries. Their damn-near-perfect shareable small plates mean everybody wins—even if the entrees come up short. Ela’s dining room is constantly full. Couples settle into booths or patio tables while small groups pass around those excellent small plates, like crisp falafel balls with moist centers and handmade spinach and feta pastries with an impossibly flaky crust. Sauces move from mere sideshows to the main event with a flight of five delicious sauces. Including a housemade hot sauce, green chermoula, and a smoky harissa, these dips are a must-order if you opt for any of the skewered meat entrees, especially the extremely bland and too-chewy lamb and the under-seasoned chicken. photo credit: Frankie Cole There’s no shortage of restaurants in Va-Hi, but Ela stays packed (make a reservation, even if it’s a Tuesday). That’s partly because it checks the box for a moody space that feels vibey even if it’s not doing anything particularly special. And partly because the small plates are just that good. Just make sure to invite the friends who like to share—particularly the ones who won't shame you for double dipping in the chermoula. Food Rundown Get Sauced This small plates accoutrement has five different sauces and if they were each bottled for purchase, we’d buy them all. The green chermoula is our favorite because of the fresh herbs. Steve's Greek Fries We don’t know Steve, but we like his cheese- and herb-sprinkled french fries. Get these with the sauces and you'll probably grown fond of Steve, too. Hummus Trio Dunk tiny triangles of soft pita into three different bowls of hummus. The standard chickpea is fresh and reliable. But the tamarind eggplant option steals the show with a nutty taste that’s a little more interesting. photo credit: Frankie Cole Cauliflower Falafel Order this, especially if you’re a falafel fan. Its crispy exterior gives way to a moist interior (likely thanks to the addition of cauliflower). These pair well with the yogurt-based sauce it sits on top of. Grilled Artichoke This is tough. Literally. If we hadn’t spit it out, we’d likely still be chewing it right now. But the lemon aioli it’s served with is actually stunning, proving their sauce game is elite. Yaya’s Hot Pockets They have one with lamb, but the move here is to stick with the spinach-feta vegetarian option. These aren’t the hot pockets you stick in the toaster oven at midnight. They’re large triangles with the filling bursting out of the seams and a flaky crust that we’ve never been able to perfect in our own homes." - Juli Horsford
"The pan-Mediterranean spot, Ela, in Virginia Highlands is becoming a local favorite for their mezze-style dishes. But it’s their cocktails that bring a breezy, coastal feel to the meal. Sherry lovers (raises hand) rejoice, because the restaurant’s Lyre Lyre cocktail with Lustau manzanilla and amontillado sherries with spiced cocchi torino is a Spanish dream. The Spice Road cocktail is made with mezcal and the tangy berry spice, sumac. For a true night cap treat, dare to try the 2016 Vinsanto Domaine Santos made from dried grapes from Santorini, Greece. The caramel and nutty notes of the dessert wine feel like a hug after a good meal." - Molly Harris, Eater Staff
"Ela will take over the space formerly occupied by The Original El Taco in Virginia-Highland. Their Mediterranean menu will showcase Greek, Moroccan, Israeli, and Turkish flavors with dishes like Moroccan hot chicken and a lamb kofta burger. " - nina reeder, juli horsford
