A friend told me about this place, from the name I always thought it was just a market, but it is…read moreactually a restaurant as well. I guess they recently remodeled, we tried a few times before we managed to catch them open and ready for business. Plenty of easy parking out front. Not too hot inside on a warm day. There were some samosas for sale on the counter. It has a separate seating area and some things for grocery type things and household items for sale around the edges. On the day we visited we were the only diners, but lots of people came in to use the store part. We both ordered the vegetarian combo. It was large and filling. It came with a beet section, which is something I have not experienced at other Ethiopian restaurants. My favorite part was a dark brownish item, but unfortunately I do not know what it is called. I also really enjoyed the salad section. I am not aware of other Ethiopian places in the area and the person behind the counter let me know that many people come from northern cities to dine here. It's nice to have this in the area. I know many people that are curious about Ethiopian food and it is nice to have a place closer to take them to experience it. Glad to have found this hidden gem.

In short A solid Ethiopian option in an area that has no…read moreother options. In long They just started serving food last spring, judging by their Instagram. This parking lot has had tons of interesting food options over the years, and still does. Alem heavily diversifies the area with the first African I can remember in this neighborhood, and still the only Ethiopian I can think of for miles and miles. Parking's free, and you walk in maybe thinking it's still only a store--look to the left, and there's now a casual, low-key dining area cordoned off with chest-high screens. 6 tables. Last night it was groups of friends, all clearly revisiting the food of the old country. Everybody had the big combo platter in front of them same as every other Ethiopian place you've ever been. One table called for coffee, and it came out smelling amazing in a gorgeous service set. They sat chatting and laughing until we left, even though they had already finished eating when we arrived. I love the friendly hang vibe here. The food is solid. All your familiar favorites--stewed meats, veg, chicken leg, hard-boiled egg, white cheese. No random iceberg-mix salad here, though, which is cool. The spicy injera appetizer, served cold, really hit the spot. I'd love more seasonings in the food, and more tartness in the injera. And I wouldn't mind things coming to the table hotter, either. It's rare to find flavors on the milder side like this at an Ethiopian place. But we demolished a huge platter of food and it was easy to enjoy. The market has all kinds of stuff--weaving, spices, traditional clothes, just a huge variety of things like a mini bazaar. The people here are so warm and friendly, just the nicest and kindest. I'm so happy to have Ethiopian near me.

I found Ahadu Ethiopian via the Seattle Met Magazine top 50 list. Located in the Northgate…read moreneighborhood, they are one of at least three Ethiopian restaurants within a street corner. The server greeted us kindly with the QR code to scan for the menu. The restaurant is modest, older, and smaller, with several tables inside and outside. We were one of two parties in the restaurant, so it wasn't busy. I must admit I was surprised to see so few people there. The proprietor came out to greet us during our meal; she is a very kind and warm lady. In short, I strongly recommend this restaurant. The Food: Ahadu Combo, $43 - 5 Stars Menu: Key Sir, Atter, Misir, Kitfo, Weta Geba, Key Wet, Gomen, Ayeb, Mitmita, Awaze. Three full size injera breads are included. When ordering, we asked our server if this is enough for two people. She replied that it feeds 3 to 4 people. We smiled knowing we are big eaters. We almost finished! We took a small portion home. This has an impressive amount of food. The lentil and the split peas are filling in addition to the three beef proteins. By now, we have eaten enough Ethiopian food that we can tell when we are 'more' or 'less' satisfied after each meal. They are never bad, since the flavors are so good. While I can't precisely describe it for this meal, this combo is very, very satisfying, compared to all others in recent memory. Their food has a slight spicy kick, which is the traditional flavors of Ethiopia. We enjoyed literally everything in this combo. The flavors truly complimenting each other as we switched between dishes. Ref: Key Sir: Red beats and potatoes cooked with red onions, jalapenos, and garlic Atter: Split Pea Cooked with chopped onions, Turmeric and garlic Miser: Red lentil stew cooked with red onions, garlic, and berbere Kitfo: Minced ribeye beef marinated in mitmita, coriander, and black pepper Weta Geba: Beef chunks cooked in an open skillet with red onions and jalapenos Key Wet: A stew made from chopped onions, berberay, ginger, garlic, and beef chunks Gomen: Collard greens and spinach cooked with diced garlic and red onions Ayeb: Ethiopian cottage cheese Mitmita: Spice mix in the center Awaze: Red spicy sauce

I happened to randomly check the TGTG app on a Friday morning and saw Ahadu pop up a couple of key…read morewot bags. End of day food for 66% off certainly entices me to try a new place and cuisine! I haven't had much Ethiopian food before, only twice and the last time was years ago. When we walked in, the place was completely empty, but the cashier greeted us warmly like we were regulars. He was super friendly and talkative; this seems like a great family owned establishment. The food took about ten minutes to arrive. Key wot ($6.99 via TGTG, normally $21) - This meal is HEFTY, weighing in at almost 2.5 pounds. It includes a piece of injera, folded up on top, then another piece underneath, acting almost like a box for the key wot beef stew. The stew has deep, concentrated savoriness, like it's been stewed for hours upon hours and reduced. It's fragrant and has a spice that starts to build and build, warming the entire mouth. There are plenty of small chunks of beef, and even beef bone. In addition to the key wot, they give two small sides of gomen and ayeb. The gomen consists of finely chopped collards, a pretty simple dish with plenty of vegetal flavor. The ayeb is like a cottage cheese, creamy and milky. It's a dairy element that helps with the heat of the dish. As we were leaving, we saw some people, who I think are Ethiopian, come in and order just a bunch of injera. If that's not a positive sign, I don't know what is! I'd love to return in the future to try some more! Bathrooms - Single unisex room

Delicious food, has been consistent for YEARS! Highly recommend their sweet plantains!read more

I haven't had much West African food in the past so when we were looking for some new food to try…read moreout over the weekend, we came across Bantaba. As other reviews state, this is kind of a strange restaurant that seems more like it's for regulars rather than new customers. There's no actual printed menu other than hints of a menu on the signboard above the register (and we confirmed this with the cashier). I guess this is to save on cost, which coincidentally also allows them to adjust pricing on the fly? There are photos posted of the menu from 2024, but my guess is those are of an old pre-COVID menu, given that the prices increased over 50% at this point. Per other reviews, dine-in orders are also packaged in takeout boxes and can take a variable amount of time to cook. We don't usually get takeout much, but decided to call in an order for this visit. This was at around 5PM on Saturday and we were promised a 30 minute wait. We arrived 30 minutes later, paid for the order, and it ended up taking about another 10 minutes. Not too bad. Benechin Beef ($18.99) - As I learned, benechin is essentially a different term for the more commonly known (at least in the US) jollof rice. In this case, the rice has a deep tomato and spiced umami that combines a pleasant saltiness with a heat level that builds and builds. It's topped with a small side of cabbage that seems to be stewed in the same spices as the rice. There's then a piece of yucca root, stewed but still rather toothsome with fiber strands all in one direction like muscle grains. For the beef, they include four pieces of thinly sliced barbecued meat. The meat is extremely flavorful with what seems to be a black pepper and allium based spice mixture. In terms of texture, it's quite tough and chewy, almost to the level of beef jerky. (4/5) Afra Lamb ($20.99) - This dish comes with a choice of rice or salad, not both as the older menu states. We went with the rice which comes in a smaller container and is a long grain rice cooked until perfectly fluffy. It's cooked with salt, which is something that I'm not used to. The larger container includes a mound of bone-in lamb meat doused in a savory and tangy mustard based sauce. The meat is a very interesting mixture of off-cuts, a combination of cross-cut ribs, shanks, lamb chops, and some random other cuts. The lamb is mostly bone in and there are tons of small bone shards all over the meat, making it a bit of a pain to eat. The meat isn't very gamey and all and is much more tender as compared to the beef jerky in the benechin. On top of the lamb, they include mustard infused softened onions and whole quick-charred onion rings, resulting in a still crunchy texture. They include some powdered dried chilis is a small pile hidden under the onions. Be careful - it's starts out smoky like paprika to start and the heat only starts to build after a couple of seconds. (4/5) Bantaba is a great place to try some new food. While it's not the most beginner friendly restaurant, it offers some flavors and dishes that are hard to find around Seattle. Bathrooms - Single unisex room

Came here for a birthday and loved my first Ethiopian food experience. We shared the Meat & Veggie…read moreCombo, Alicha Tibs, and Ethiopian coffee - everything was packed with flavor. Huge shoutout to our server for being patient and guiding us through the menu. Trying injera for the first time was a highlight, and the Ethiopian coffee was especially cool: served in a beautiful pot, with a small station where they roast the beans and prepare it fresh. Parking is a bit tricky, but the space is large, lively, and great for groups, with a bar and an event-friendly layout. Fun, flavorful, and memorable - would absolutely come back.

If your looking for a good Ethiopian place in the Tukwila this is it! This place is so big and…read morespacious! Great for big groups! The owner of this place is so sweet! If you're new to this place and aren't sure what to order she would explain to you what's on the menu and give you her recommendations based on your preference! For non meat eaters there are options as well! Portions are huge! Definitely shareable!

Jebena Cafe is truly a gem in Shoreline. This family-owned Ethiopian restaurant is one of those…read morerare places that is consistently excellent every single time. The food is always fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor--you can truly taste the love in every bite. The injera and dishes are incredible--rich stews, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly balanced spices. My go-to order is the vegan combination plate, and it's so generous it's easily enough for two people to share. Every plate feels like a colorful feast and everything tastes homemade. What makes it even better is the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The owners are genuinely kind and friendly and make you feel like part of the family the moment you walk in. They also roast and serve their own Ethiopian coffee, which is absolutely worth trying. There are plenty of Ethiopian restaurants around, but honestly I won't go anywhere else. Jebena Cafe is a place I happily recommend to everyone who loves amazing food and wonderful people.

I really had not tried Ethiopian food at a restaurant before, and I have to say this was a great…read moreplace to get started. I first should mention the vibes are just phenomenal. It's a pretty small place, but really feels like a home with all the simple art on the walls. I absolutely have to mention the lady who appears to run this place, who is one of the most delightful people I've encountered. She is truly a treat and so warm, caring, and impossible to say no to. The food we shared was the Meat Combination #2, which comes with kitfo (ground beef), Qey Wot (lamb stew), beef tibs, and a few vegetarian curries and other vegetables. This all came on a plate of injera, and injera came on the side as well. The size of this is truly massive. Despite ordering a single dish for two people, we were unable to finish it all. It's simply one of the biggest plates of food I've seen. I think this plate size is suitable for three hungry people, and possibly four. Quality-wise, I would say the majority of the food was solid, but nothing extraordinary. This starts with the samosas, which had a good outside but the inside felt a little bland. I liked the way most of the meat was cooked, particularly the lamb, but everything on the plate felt it was missing that kick of extra flavor. There really wasn't much spice here at all. Compared to Indian food, the closest approximation I have, you don't feel the same level of spices in the stews and curries found here. That being said, everything on this plate was still enjoyable because of how you could mix different things together. I loved mixing the cheese, ground beef, and some of the sauteed greens in one bite. This was all helped by how good the injera was. It was super thin, fluffy, and surprisingly tasted a bit sour when tasted on its own. The amount of air bubbles in this thing was crazy. It was the perfect instrument to get all the liquidy food on the plate into your mouth. For being just over $20/person, including tax + tip, this was an amazing deal. The amount of food you get vs the price is some of the best dine-in value you'll have in the city. Overall, a super cool and interesting place with a great value. 8.25/10

Listen. You like good food? Go here. One combo is more than enough for two people. Get some…read morehoney wine. Enjoy yourself. Make the leftovers into a breakfast scramble the next day. Trust me on that. Belly dance every third Saturday. Go watch. 10/10 will return.

Great casual spot for Ethiopian food. I will admit I do not know if their food tastes how it…read more"should" but to me it was pretty tasty. We got the veggie combo and the Enat combo and both come with a generous amount of food easily split between two individuals. The restaurant seems to be family run so service can be slow at times, but the staff are all very kind and generous. I will happily go back for more food in the future!

0 star for food: Pictures explain themselves. 0 star for the…read moreservice: as the waiter used bare hand to scoop a meat from our dish to show us the meat is chewable.

Amazing service , very kind lady Smells really good inside…read moreand it's very clean Food was absolutely amazing, I felt like I was in a trance while eating. Took us about 12 minutes to kill the food Very good portion too. I'm full. But overall the owner seems very sweet and that makes me want to come back and support this place. Try it you won't regret it .

It took me a while, but I started loving Ethiopian food a lot more and started appreciating the…read morecuisine the more I had it. It's hard for me to compare Ethiopian restaurants here just yet since the cuisine isn't something I have to often still, but it's definitely been quite good the time I've had it. This is no exception either. The platter was quite large and I enjoyed almost every thing on it. I don't know the names of everything still, so sorry for my ignorance, but both the meat and veggie items on the platter were very good. There's nothing special about the egg, but for some reason, it hits different with that sauce here. So freaking good! Service was friendly, but the place was pretty dark and dreary. Definitely has more of a night scene vibe or just a dive bar kinda vibe. There is a bar attached in another room close to the back. So maybe it use to be a bar and the design of the place just hasn't changed. The restaurant did feel very wide and spacious. Possibly for a dance floor or something. Anyways I had a good time and food was delicious.

We decided to try this place out when we visited Seattle as we were craving Ethiopian. The ambience…read morewas not great, the lights were full and not crowded for a Saturday. Veggie combo (4 stars): There were at least six delicious sides to the injera. The lentils were fresh and delicious. Loved the authentic food. I wish they let us replace a few veggie options with meat options.

We ate at the blue Nile restaurant during lunchtime. We selected the buffet, which had a very good…read moreselection of vegetarian and vegan options. They had several different types of lentils with varying degrees of spiciness. They also had split chickpeas with spinach and another item was potatoes with cabbage and carrots, which was amazing. The various dishes were all excellent, and the spices were perfect. The Injera was perfect also. We will definitely enjoy eating here again when we visit Victoria. We know what good Ethiopian food tastes like and this was very good. The service and ambiance was great.

A fantastic takeout experience for something different! The…read morecombos provide a chance to get a large portion of downtown types of food to try, eating it with pieces of the injera bread that surround the inside of the container. I like the meat lovers combo, while my girlfriend who doesn't eat red meat goes for the Chef's Favorites Combo. The value is awesome, the food is great, and the people are super friendly so give it a shot!

Delish Ethiopian was great. The food was super good, the service was attentive, and everyone there…read moreseemed genuinely nice. We ordered the Delish Special, and it was the perfect amount of food for two adults and two kids -- good portions and a great way to try a little bit of everything. We'll definitely be back!

Delish is exactly that, Delicious!…read more This was a delivery order so I didn't get to experience the ambiance of the restaurant or customer service but the food was great and makes me want to dine in! I got the veggie combo to be able to taste all their veggie dishes! And it was a perfect variety. They were all tasty. My top three favorites were the Miser Wat, Ater Alicha Wot, and Shiro Wat! Also the best injera I've ever had. The flavor was well balanced and the texture was perfect!