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New Mediterranean Restaurant Ēma Opens at Domain NORTHSIDE
Ēma, a sister restaurant to Aba, will feature a mezze-style menu led by 'Top Chef Duels' winner Chef CJ Jacobson.
Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:55pm
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After over a year of anticipation, the new Mediterranean restaurant Ēma is set to open this weekend at Domain NORTHSIDE in Austin. Ēma, a sister concept to the popular Aba restaurant, will focus on California-inspired Mediterranean fare with a menu of vegetable and seafood-forward dishes like sweet corn hummus, octopus carpaccio, and grilled shrimp kebabs. The drinks program will also highlight Mediterranean flavors with offerings like a tequila yuzu espresso martini and a curated wine list.
Why it matters
The opening of Ēma marks the first location of the restaurant outside of its original Chicago area, signaling the growing popularity of Mediterranean cuisine and the continued development of Austin's dining scene at the Domain NORTHSIDE mixed-use complex.
The details
Ēma, which means 'mother' in Hebrew, is the third restaurant under the Ēma name and will be helmed by 'Top Chef Duels' winner Chef CJ Jacobson. The menu will feature a mezze-style format with a focus on vegetables and seafood, including highlights like sweet corn hummus, octopus carpaccio, and grilled shrimp kebabs. The drinks program will also showcase Mediterranean flavors with offerings like a tequila yuzu espresso martini, a curated wine list, and plenty of mocktails.
- Ēma is set to open this Saturday, January 31, 2026.
- The restaurant was first announced over a year ago in late 2024.
The players
Ēma
A new Mediterranean restaurant opening at Domain NORTHSIDE in Austin, Texas. Ēma is a sister concept to the popular Aba restaurant.
Chef CJ Jacobson
The executive chef of the new Ēma restaurant, who is known for winning 'Top Chef Duels'.
Domain NORTHSIDE
A mixed-use development in Austin, Texas that is home to the new Ēma restaurant location.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
The opening of Ēma in Austin's Domain NORTHSIDE signals the continued growth and evolution of the city's dining scene, with the new Mediterranean restaurant bringing a fresh culinary concept and high-profile chef to the popular mixed-use development.
