Aksum

4.3 (495)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

About this restaurant

Romantic
Neighborhood gem
Innovative

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.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Hours of operation
Brunch Wed–Fri 8:00 am–2:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Website
http://aksumcafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jason Ballman
Private party facilities
Aksum provides creative packages with personalized menus for unique events.

Location
4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Neighborhood
West Philadelphia
Cross street
47th
Parking details
Street parking on Baltimore Ave and free parking lot on 47th and Warrington.
Public transit
34 Trolley
Additional
BYO Liquor, Cafe, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Lentil Soup**$5.00
Lentils slowly simmered in vegetable broth with onions, carrots and Mediterranean spices. Served with tzatziki and warm pita
Spicy Crab Bisque$8.00
Soup du Jour
- MKP
Balela Salad*$10.00
Chickpeas, apples, roasted pepper, grape tomatoes, red wine vinaigrette
Beet Salad*$10.00
Confit garlic walnuts, goat cheese, fennel, orange-champagne vinaigrette
Fattush Salad* ^$10.00
Cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, onions and feta cheese with lemon vinaigrette. Served with pita
Harvest Salad*$10.00
Mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, balsamic vinaigrette

Tapas

Stuffed Grape Leaves** (Served Cold)$6.00
Stuffed with rice and savory herbs. Served with tangy tzatziki sauce
Roasted Garlic Hummus^$7.00
Ground chickpeas, tahini, garlic, black olives, olive oil and lemon juice. Served with warm pita
Fried Calamari$12.00
Agrodolce,‎ pickled fennel, jalapeno
Med East Platter* ^$11.00
Roasted garlic hummus, lentil mustard salad, stuffed grape leaves and tzatziki. Served with pita
Crispy Brussel Sprouts*$11.00
Balsamic reduction, bacon, gruyere cheese
Steamed Mussels$12.00
White wine and herbed butter
Spinach and Artichoke Dip$8.00
Served with warm pita bread

Entrees

Aksumite Vegetable Tagine$14.00
Eggplant, tomato, squash, and chickpeas slowly simmered in Mediterranean spices and served with Israeli couscous
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto$16.00
Creamy vegan risotto, roasted butternut squash
Pesto Cream Gnocchi$14.00
Fennel, zucchini, sun dried tomato, pesto cream
Lemon Caper Chicken^$16.00
Garlic red bliss mash, green beans, lemon caper sauce
Pan Seared Salmon$20.00
Cauliflower puree, roasted cauliflower, garlic spinach, and tarragon cream
Roasted Lamb Chops$26.00
Garlic red bliss mash, garlic spinach, red wine jus
Rib Eye^$30.00
Rosemary sage fingerling potatoes, confit tomato, rosemary-sage jus
Sea Bass Fillet$24.00
Roasted root vegetables, sautéed kale, citrus beurre blanc sauce
Moroccan Lamb Burger$17.00
Pickled red onion, gruyere cheese, tzatziki, brioche bun, steak fries
Moroccan Spicy Shrimp^$18.00
Spicy shrimp, linguine, olives, chili, grape tomatoes, baby kale, and a garlic cilantro puree

Just for Kids‎

Kids Mac and Cheese$5.00
Elbow‎ macaroni with a cheddar cream sauce
Kids Chicken Linguine$7.00
Linguini and chicken in parmesan cream sauce
Kids Chicken Fingers and Fries$6.00
Served with honey mustard

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Aksum.

4.3

(495)

4.3Food
4.2Service
4.2Ambience
3.5Value

Noise • Moderate

495 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia8 reviews
1.0
Dined on August 18, 2019
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Everyone that knows me and follows me on social media knows that this place has been my go to brunch place. I’m absolutely obsessed with anything BRUNCH! However, I’ve been super busy with life, new promotion, turned demanding job. A child who’s been going through hip surgery and rehab, and all that life can bring you. So, when my friend wanted to go out and I found time to squeeze in “me” time. Of course I’m choosing Aksum, welp! I ordered my fav, chicken and waffles which kept changing from the very first time I had it, but it was good so I kept ordering it, until NOW! Three flavorless chicken fingers and four doughy non flavored waffles, so unimpressed. WTH! happened, I know it’s been some time, but why change a good thing. I won’t even really mention how runny my GF’s grits were, or how cold her potatoes were or the burnt toast she sent back. I’ve suggested this place to friends and strangers and now, I’m literally googling new brunch spots. I was hopeful my experiences would remain positive at Aksum, since my horrible experience at Bookers was ignored by both management and the owner. Sigh!
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WS
WalterS Gold
Philadelphia15 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 11, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was good service was great we had a wonderful evening sitting by the window we are so looking forward to going back again very soon and trying some different things on the menu
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t
tanial Gold
Philadelphia50 reviews
2.0
Dined on August 2, 2019
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
I’ve eaten here several times and for various occasions - GNO, brunch, Father’s Day... This was by far the worst experience I’ve had. The online menu is outdated and not reflective of current menu options. All of the service staff were kids who seemed to be more consumed with socializing with each other than waiting tables. One girl wore a half top and tights; I wasn’t clear if she was coming from the gym or chose that for work. She even danced/jiggled at the table next to us while she waited to collect a payment from other guests. The lamb chops were tough and fatty. Poorly prepared at best. When we told the waitress we weren’t satisfied with our order she replied “oh sorry” and walked away. No effort to correct or offer another choice. Dessert was great. I won’t be back.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia1 review
1.0
Dined on August 2, 2019
1. Overall 1
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Not nearly what it used to be. Disappointing
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JJ
JordenJ
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 23, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had a nice dinner by myself at Aksum. Food was delicious, BYOB option is always great, and the service was smooth and informative. Another plus, it was restaurant month and it was such a great value! Will def go back.
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IH
IronHillafterLinvilla
Philadelphia12 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 17, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Family came into town from NY and I wanted to try Aksum for the first time. My 9 year old daughter did not like her meal, but she is a picky eater. The waitress noticed that she didn’t like it and offered her a free dessert to make up for it. That was a wonderful gesture. All other meals were great and enjoyed by the rest of us. Good food, excellent service and a great value.
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c
carols
Philadelphia1 review
2.0
Dined on July 11, 2019
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The night we dined there, Aksum didn't have several of the items we wanted to order, including watermelon salad (in the middle of watermelon season!) and lamb chops, my all-time favorite entree. How could a restaurant run out of lamb chops? I wouldn't come again. Don't want to risk paying for food I didn't truly want to order.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia1 review
4.0
Dined on July 6, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
This place is small and intimate yet there is no air on. It’s so hot. The food is good but the servings are modest. $30 for one lamb chop! BYOB is great for dates/special occasions but the value just doesn’t line up with the surroundings/food. Waitress was good, even though she was the only one waiting on tables.
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SD
SherryD
Washington DC16 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 30, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Great brunch menu
Is this helpful?
MO
MorolakeO
New York City5 reviews
3.0
Dined on June 29, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
This would be an outstanding review had our food not taken a full hour and fifteen minutes to be delivered to our table. The server was nice, the food was outstanding, but my party was so irritated by the time the food came that it was hard to enjoy. Don't think we'll come again.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Hours of operation
Brunch Wed–Fri 8:00 am–2:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Website
http://aksumcafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jason Ballman
Private party facilities
Aksum provides creative packages with personalized menus for unique events.

Location
4630 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Neighborhood
West Philadelphia
Cross street
47th
Parking details
Street parking on Baltimore Ave and free parking lot on 47th and Warrington.
Public transit
34 Trolley
Additional
BYO Liquor, Cafe, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Aksum

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Menu

Soups And Salads

Lentil Soup**$5.00

Spicy Crab Bisque$8.00

Soup du Jour

Balela Salad*$10.00

Beet Salad*$10.00

Fattush Salad* ^$10.00

Harvest Salad*$10.00

Tapas

Stuffed Grape Leaves** (Served Cold)$6.00

Roasted Garlic Hummus^$7.00

Fried Calamari$12.00

Med East Platter* ^$11.00

Crispy Brussel Sprouts*$11.00

Steamed Mussels$12.00

Spinach and Artichoke Dip$8.00

Entrees

Aksumite Vegetable Tagine$14.00

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto$16.00

Pesto Cream Gnocchi$14.00

Lemon Caper Chicken^$16.00

Pan Seared Salmon$20.00

Roasted Lamb Chops$26.00

Rib Eye^$30.00

Sea Bass Fillet$24.00

Moroccan Lamb Burger$17.00

Moroccan Spicy Shrimp^$18.00

Just for Kids‎

Kids Mac and Cheese$5.00

Kids Chicken Linguine$7.00

Kids Chicken Fingers and Fries$6.00

Reviews

Additional information

Not available on OpenTable