Aviv Hummus Bar — Restaurant in Seattle

My original review, of a few years back, was highly positive. I went to Aviv today (15 February 2025) and unfortunately need to post an edited review due to some fairly recent changes:

It's a bummer to have to write this review. My family has been going to Aviv for about four years now, probably a couple of times a month, sometimes more, and we've loved it. We've spent a lot of time in Israel--we used to go for a month or so every summer--and this was the first place that came close to our favorite food there.

What I am writing today, with sadness, is not about the food.

Today we entered and were told to sit where we wished, which is typical. We sat, and waited for someone to bring us two menus, water, etc. No one came out, though there were three people behind the counter and the place was not terribly busy. I finally noticed that there were no glasses or silverware on the table. I then saw that there was a new placard instructing us to scan a QR code, order, and pay from our phones.

First off, trying to read a menu on a phone is ridiculously impractical, because you can't actually view the entire menu at once, but rather need to scroll up and down through every option in every category. It's time consuming and frankly annoying at a sit-down restaurant where you are set to shell out around $50 plus a tip.

Second off, we do not have a means to pay from our phones. I understand how to set this up, but we choose not to.

I asked my husband to go up and see if they still had paper menus. He did so, and as the fellow reluctantly handed them over, he grumbled "it's exactly the same thing."

But it's not. As above, trying to go scroll through a menu on a tiny phone screen is in point of fact entirely different from looking at a paper menu.

Anyway, we left. And we won't be back.

I don't mind going to a counter to order--indeed, after we left, we went to a favorite taqueria where you do just that: go to the counter, look at the paper menu, order, and pay. We chatted with the guy at the counter for a bit, the food came out quickly, and it was great.

But I do mind forcing all humans interaction to be mediated by an utterly needless app that forces customers to navigate a tiny menu, order that way--without the ability to ask questions--and then use an app to pay.

This is senseless. Removing all human contact in a dining transaction--when you can literally see the other humans about 5' away--and forcing it onto a digital interface is senseless. It's senseless and unpleasant and has lost us as customers.

Aviv is a tiny place, and it used to feel like a welcoming one. Today, that was not our experience. I know that a lot of Seattle restaurants are experimenting with how to deal with the minimum wage increase, and I suppose this is Aviv's angle.

And maybe it will work. But for us, it doesn't.

Again, the food is good, and I'll miss it. But not enough to have a dining experience that is actively...

I am updating my review from today:

I had to reduce my rating because I can’t believe how poorly they treat their customers. I have visited Aviv many times, but today was different. I came in shortly before closing because a family member recently had surgery and can only eat soft foods at this time. Unfortunately, when I asked for hummus, they only gave me a tiny dollop in a plastic to-go container for $24! I can't believe I keep coming back here. While the hummus is delicious and has a unique flavor, it's just not worth it anymore.

On a positive note, the man at the register is fantastic—vivacious, funny, and friendly. They are lucky to have him. It seems they must be doing something right since people keep visiting despite the high prices. If Met Market ever starts selling their hummus, I will definitely buy it there instead. I'm planning to return to Mamnoon from Met Market because it's a much better deal and just as tasty. If you’re in a rush before closing time, I suggest not skimping on portion sizes. This place is incredibly overpriced. I can't believe what they charge for simple hummus. On the bright side, the hummus is absolutely delicious. However, their menu is complicated, with poor explanations of the various add-ons and sides. I added about four or five different sides to mix into the hummus, and NONE of them were good! I should have just stuck with the basic hummus.

Unfortunately, the staff lacks the patience to explain the different sauce options, which makes it difficult to make an informed decision. If it weren't for the high prices and the disappointing mix-ins, I would have given this place a better review. Instead, I took off stars for the pricing and for the small portions...

I was greeted very pleasantly at Aviv. As soon as I walked in the door I got a really great greeting, the place smelled great and I got an order in within seconds. They have really great hospitality!. It's a cool place too, I love all the colorful bar stools and nd decor. It's not exactly a place you want to go sit and eat, but it would totally be fine to sit down there, although I got mine to go. I got a falafel pita, which cost 18 bucks And a a 4 oz container of hummus, which I believe was eight bucks plus a 10% auto gratuity on your bill. Rent must be pretty high there, as well as having to pay the ridiculous minimum wage of Seattle. Speaking of which, why a 10% autogratuity?! And then when you're checking out on the pad they ask you if you want to tip 15, 20 or 25%,! That makes no sense whatsoever to me. I would have gladly given them 20% because they were so friendly. But being forced to give 10%?! I gave them a couple extra bucks anyway , because they were attentive and good.

The falafel pita was pretty good. Not worth 18 bucks, not even close. Chickpeas just don't cost that much. Furthermore, canned chickpeas make it so that you don't really have to exert a lot of Labor. The falafel had a good Tahini sauce on it and you couldn't really tell the chickpeas were canned. But when you ate the hummus, you could totally tell. Not to mention, the hummus was completely devoid of garlic, lemon, maybe there was some tahini in there. I don't know, but yeah salt maybe? The hummus was bland as hell. The pita was pretty good though.

Anyway, no idea how people love this place So much, but I'm glad they do. I'm all for small businesses and independent restaurants, but regrettably I will be making my own falafel out of the Plenty...