Noja

This was hit-​n-​miss for me as to the food taste. We were there for Valentine’s, but I had made the reservations so far in advance that I did not know they had a special price fix menu only. Our scallop starter on grits was very good — cooked perfectly. The seafood boulliabase was boring — a blah broth with 2 little mussels in it. My snapper entrée in parchment was tasteless and slightly overcooked — I did not finish it. My husband did like his duck entrée. Then I had the ginger donut for dessert — good donut although I could not detect any ginger in it. Our server must have been new. He didn’t know the price of the 4-​course menu, he offered coffee at the end but not tea or other drinks, ran off and I had to flag him down to ask about tea.
The thing that really bothered me was that the tables were so crammed in I was seated on the crack in the bench and couldn’t move otherwise I would be on top of people next to me. SInce it was Valentine’s there were no other tables. I also don’t like putting my rear-​end in other tables when I leave mine. I hate eateries that cram tables in too close!

Once again, a very nice meal, professional service and happy that this quality of restaurant has a home in downtown Mobile. Several fresh seafood choices, great appetizers and seasonal menu items that always please. Small but nice wine list is reasonably priced and even during the craziness of Mardi Gras on a Friday night, you can park on the street just a short two blocks away. After living and dining in Nashville and Miami the last 30 years, now living in Mobile, NoJa is a trusted favorite that compares with some of the most consistent quality choices in the south.

If I could I would give Noja 4.5 stars, but alas that isn’t available.
Food was great, service was good. For our appetizer we had the scallops and they were fabulous! I think the best meal at our table was the hanger steak. LOVED it and I am not really a beef person.
My only complaint was there was no kid’s menu. I am ok with their not being a set kid’s menu but not ok with spending $ 30 and $ 34 for my 9 and 10 year old boys to eat dinner. Why not come up with something on the spot and not charge adult prices for it? We would go back, but make sure to find a babysitter first!

Finally had a meal there after hearing so many people rave about it. It was excellent. The food, the service and the ambiance. They weren’t trying to get too complicated or fancy just providing a solid meal. Will return.

One of the best restaurants on the coast, hands down.
I like the casual/​rustic upscale setting; a little bit special but without being stuffy or pretentious. Tables on their courtyard is lovely when the weather is nice.
On each of our visit, every staff we encounter @NoJa had all around excellent attitude; welcoming, friendly, attentive, personable, prompt, professional, and knowledgeable.
We have enjoyed some amazing fish with crisp skin on — Ah-​may-​zingggg. Expertly cooked, tender, moist, with just the right amount of «crust» from the crunchy skin. Highly recommended!
I do agree with other reviewer about the chef being «heavy handed» with sauces on occasions. When good food is prepared carefully, it should not need to be smothered with a lot of sauce.
Their appetizers are great too, from mouthwatering big scallops to rich pork belly. Salads were unfortunately too small for us (especially for the $$) but still tasty and prepared well. If anything, I wish they had more vegetarian friendly/​lighter options that is not just salad. Their menu is really heavy on meat and fish.
It should be noted that their wine menu is great. Each of us started the evening with a cocktail and they too were made well.
Dining at NoJa may be on the pricey side, but worth it for the quality and consistency. We will be back soon!

It was the perfect place for a first date. Amazing food, atmosphere and service. You can’t go wrong!

If I could give them 6 stars — I would!!! My husband and I just finished another FLAWLESS meal (service, food and ambience) at NOJA. We eat there often. They have plenty of opportunities with us to have an «off night» — but they never do!!! Everything about this restaurant EXUDES first class — and we eat at a LOT of nice restaurants in our travels. NOJA is top notch for Mobile — which– by the way — INCLUDES a «dress code». I am ALL FOR THAT! It is also not cheap. If you don’t want to «dress» for dinner or don’t want to spend what NOJA charges — go to Mediterranean Sandwich Company or the OK Bicycle Shop. — They are both LOCAL — and FABULOUS! Back to NOJA… skip any posts about their dress code and/​or their prices! Go to NOJA when you are wanting… and are willing to pay for the best Mobile has to offer!!! Enough said!

We were checking out restaurants in Mobile and were told several times that this location was really good. We were pleasantly surprised. The wait staff were very good and Mark came over to deliver some appetizers and engaged us in some great conversation. The delicious food was excellent, amazing. Our highlight was the incredible service provided by Mia our waitress. You should definitely put it on your must go list!

Went here on a date with my girlfriend. 5 stars all around. We loved the casual atmosphere and setting. Our server Steven was attentive all night with excellent recommendations and drinks.
We started with the pork belly for an appetizer then split a filet and the duck as entrées. Probably the best pork belly I’ve ever had and one of the best filets I’ve had in a long time, the duck was also excellent. We finished with a ginger donut for dessert with the «Black Sea» cocktail, a perfect combination and a must have for your first trip.
It was reasonably priced and overall a great experience!

Stopped at a place called Nojas. They served the best scallop and steak I’ve had quite a while. On the side they give you ginger donuts and ice cream they also served shiitake mushrooms with the steak and scallops the staff was very helpful and served us quickly good eats!!!

Trying a place ive walked by like 100 times. Its pretty good. Make sure you wear something nice and dont come in dressed like a asshat like i did. I had the fish of the day and my girlfriend had the steak. We both enjoyed it. If you wanna blow money on some pretty good food this is a place you can do it.

We had tried for two years to get a reservation at this place during a work conference. Finally got in! My husband swears the best lamb chops he’s ever had are here at Noja! The squash we had was probably the best I’ve ever had and he couldn’t stop talking about his fingerling potatoes! Everything was superb! We love the ambience, the food, and even had the chef stop by our table to ask us how we enjoyed our food. Highly recommend!

Stopped by there on a Saturday night after a wedding. I had the best steak I have ever had in my life. Great service, great atmosphere but most importantly amazing menu. This place is one of the best & consistent restaurant in Mobile that delivers upscale experience.
I recommend Noja to everyone who is looking for an exquisite dining experience, they have a beautiful outdoor seating available in the back.
Kudos guys. Glad to have a place like this in Mobile.

Exceptional service and even more exceptional food. Cooked to perfection just as requested. The fillet was phenomenal. If I regurgitated my filet and consumed it again, it would still remain a better experience than what one might consume at comparable steak establishments. Apologies for the graphic nature, but I hope the perspective has accomplished just how phenomenal it was. When returning to Mobile I will be returning here!

Well. Where to start. Here on a business meal and overall the waitress was 5 stars. Great if not excellent service.
Drinks were great and we’ll done
Food was only OK. Apps were good. Hot with good flavor. However once we got to the salads and entrees it went down hill. Everything was over dressed and over sauced. Need to let the food shine and not cover it up. The lamb was great but there was so much sauce it covered it up. Same with the salad that I actually had to send back.
Overall they need to let the food shine. It would be good if they didn’t try so hard to add flavor. Keep it simple and enhance what is there …

In Sept, My husband and I were in town from Los Angeles to attend a conference. After walking around downtown Mobile, we settled on Noja.
Oh my, the food is absolutely WONDERFUL!!! We had the lamb (and some other items as well), but wow, was it the most perfect lamb.
We would have stayed for dessert but the airport was calling us.
This restaurant is just good. Everything we had was fabulous!

If you interested in a romantic evening out with your significant other then this is the place for you.
The ambiance and the general vibe of this place is spot on. I would call this place business causal to dressy but I don’t think you would get strange looks
if you wore a pair of nice dress shorts in there. They have an extensive wine list as well as a full bar. The food is phenomenal .I have eaten here a half dozen times and have never had a bad experience. Last night we started off with the Seared Duck Foie Gras and for our entrées we had the 8 oz hanger steak with goat cheese in a red wine reduction with Noja potatoes. My wife had the Red Fish followed by a desert to die for. It was the Ginger Donut with pop corn ice cream. Delicious !!!. . Everything was in one word «Perfection». I strongly recommend if you are in town or live in Mobile and have not tried this place you should definitely try it out You won’t be disappointed.

While I’m not a Mobile resident, I would dare to say this is one of the better restaurants in the city! Saturday afternoon were able to make a reservation for a party of 6 at 7:30 that evening. Good luck trying to do that in NOLA!
Our table was promptly seated. Everyone started with a glass of wine, a decent enough selection with something for everyone. Ordered the crispy pork belly in a honey-​ginger sauce for the table, just for a taste; this was done well. The seasonal vegan soup had great flavor! (this was out of the norm for me, pleasantly surprised). As an entrée, the majority of the table ordered the Hanger Steak. Really enjoyed this dish! Cooked well, with a dollop of goat cheese on top. Served with Noja potatoes (mix of mashed sweet/​russet potato). For the dessert, we had 2 orders of the Ginger Donut with ice cream for the table to share. You have to get this! It was delightful and ended the meal on a high note!
Our server Steven was knowledgeable and personable. He handled our table with ease and checked on us often enough without being intrusive. Located in downtown Mobile, Noja is a great place to start the night! Hope to make it back here again.
Note: Steven made us a taste of a cocktail he called a «snake bite» to have with our dessert. It was a coffee base with who knows what else included? But, it was delicious! The perfect after dinner drink.

Our favorite restaurant in Mobile, or within a 200 radius for that matter! Its fine dining at its best… which means you will get a fabulous meal that you will remember for a long time. Its a special treat place however, as it is expensive. The last time we went there we just got some after dinner drinks, donuts, and the bark. The desserts are to-​die-​for!
If you go, get the donuts as they are delicious (but everything really is there). The steak is really my favorite, but again you really cannot go wrong. I even ran into a celebrity chef there once, who was in town to judge a local food event, so you never know who you will see. I love the atmosphere, with the muted colors and brick wall. There is an outside area, but we have never been.
The wine selection is excellent, and the staff do not rush you and allow you to enjoy your meal. The staff is very knowledge and make you feel at home. Its fine dining, but without the attitude. Go there on your next special occasion… you will be glad you did!

WOW!
I just had my first dinner here and bless the next poor man who asks for my ideas for a place to dine. However, if he doesn’t adore the entire experience as much as I did recently he isn’t worthy anyway.
This place was not on my radar at all and is located in a historic section of downtown that is being renovated and offers many sites. That alone is handy because we had to talk a walk after our meal to savor the delight. Noja is charming with a nice courtyard. The service was some of the best I have ever had. You can see to the kitchen and I would define the atmosphere as relaxed yet professional. The prices are in line for the meal, but high enough to keep rowdy people from nearby bars away. Dress for a lovely time and make a meal here one to remember!
My favorite things, besides the service and environment, had to be a nice wine list, the small plate offerings, the fact the portions were appropriate and that I felt invited to take my time. While I consider myself a foodie, rushing through a meal is very unappealing to me.
OK I will confess I ate too many things, but could not help it. The scallops were some of the best I have ever had. They were cooked to perfection and had goat cheese on them from a little town near me in Alabama that has been around for 20+ years. The lamp chops on the tapas menu were also delish. I tried the foie gras from my date’s plate — heaven!
From there I was only a sampler from another’s plate, but for not being a real fan of red meat his steak melted in my mouth.
Next time I go the dessert and coq au vin are on my list — however I understand there is sometimes an off-​meu and the regular menu changes according to seasonality.
This is way up there in my books.