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It was our first time having Ethiopian food and we are so happy to have found this spot. Ethiopian food has instantly became my favorite cuisine. At first it was overwhelming, but the friendly and welcoming staff explained the menu. We got the sample platter to start. I loved their yellow lentils and their yummy beef tibs. The injera bread was also super soft and yummy. This is a perfect date night spot! The vibes were very intimate. I also loved that we got to eat with our hands!
Food is tasty, came out fast, and the service was patient and kind. The roti was amazing. Veggies were addicting. Ambiance is very homey, feeling not too fancy or too hole in the wall. Very nice art, enough space for comfortable seating. Highly recommend!!
Highly rated for a reason !! From the drinks to the food, to the service! It was so great. We ordered the meat platter and drinks from the bar. It was amazing! The servers were really kind and attentive, and the music was also very enjoyable. 10/10 would recommend !
This was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine, and it was pretty good. You eat the food by wrapping it with the injera. I asked for a side salad and that's what the tomatoes were, so not sure if they have what you'd typically expect. There are two types of injera made from different flours, one being less sour and more in-line with American bread, and I can recommend that one as the original is too sour for me. Staff are all Ethiopian or Eritrean, and several of the customers were too. Overall interesting experience.
I had just wrapped up a photo shoot and wanted to treat my photographer to a late lunch. It was that awkward time of day--too late for lunch, too early for dinner--so I searched for places nearby and this spot popped up. Neither of us had been before, and he had never tried Ethiopian food, so we decided to give it a shot. He was genuinely surprised by the style of food and how it was served--definitely a new experience for him! The portion sizes were huge, the prices were very reasonable, and the flavor? Amazing. You can tell everything is made with care. The restaurant itself is simple--nothing flashy, just a clean, no-frills space with limited seating. There's street parking around, which is a plus in D.C. If you're looking for a quick, flavorful, and affordable meal in the city, this place is a solid choice. Great food, great service, and an easy win for introducing someone to Ethiopian cuisine.
We came here after YelpElite SweatBox and the rating is accurate. 4.9! Only reason why not 5 for me is because there could've been more lamb and the waitress spaced on giving her card back...we were deep in convo almost left until I questioned the card. Maybe I hadn't paid attention to the menu at Ethiopian restaurants in the past but I've never seen Ethiopian tea on a menu. I'm a tea girlie so tried it and it is WORTH THE TRY! So good. The lamb vegetable dish was amazing. Seasoned perfectly - not salty, just right. Go, enjoy!!!
Located in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood, this location is easily accessible via public transportation. Driving and parking are a headache you put on yourself if you go that route. It's located in a lower level, garden apartment-style setup. The menu could use some clarity. Limited options but with price increases, they stick to what they know. On my first visit, I had a lot of questions and from photos posted online, you'll need to order a veggie platter in addition to your protein option to make it a proper entree. I did have an issue with the veggie platter being $23 for two tablespoons of about six items. Paired with the fish dulet, it was enjoyable and enough for two people to share easily. Because I had the fish dulet and a veggie platter, there was plenty of injera. The decor is eclectic and you'll find yourself studying the wall art trying to decipher what's going on in the images. The bathroom is tiny and could prove to be a challenge if you are a full-figured individual. Not a lot of interaction between the two ladies who were working that day and the patrons. I did have to request a wine glass for my Tej (Honey wine). Why she thought I'd sip it out of the little jug it was in is diabolical. You'll find with some genres of eateries and cultures, no discounts of any kind are promoted. Capable of accepting cash, credit/debit, and contactless pay for payments. No hidden surcharges and an overall pleasant dining experience.
One of my favorite places to have some Eritrean/Ethiopian cuisine was Kerens. Sadly a fire happened more than a year ago and the place is still closed for "renovations". So now I am on the hunt to see who makes the best tibs and injera in the DMV and my search landed me at Abuare. This place is located near Adams Morgan and the Reed-Cooke area and if you know the surroundings around U Street then you know there is a large concentration of African eateries in the area. As with any place there are some differences. One of the main differences is that Abuare when compared to other places serving similar cuisine there are no veggies included. I am very use to getting a platter with your choice of meat if you choose. Here if you order lamb tibs or fish dulet it just comes with that (injera included) and no sides. You have to order the sides and I recommend the veggie platter especially if you are sharing. We started with the beef sambusas. They were good and came with a nice spicy sauce that had a little kick that was not overwhelming. Trust me save some for your meal to add that pop. So for our selections I chose the beef tibs and the spouse went with the fish dulet. The food was cooked very well as we shared the veggie platter. The beef was not chewy but I do wish it had a bit more kick but the sauce from the sambusas helped with that. I think they seasoned or marinated the meat before cooking. Another good aspect was that you provided with more than enough injera for your meal. Plenty of times I find myself running out. Maybe it is just me but the prices seemed higher here and perhaps that is just how it is now. I am not very use to an a la carte option for sides but hey every place is different. At least there is not a 22% surcharge added for my convenience then told it is not a tip written inconspicuously on the menu or posted somewhere you will never look. Still the service and food was good and if I do not find other spots to go to this will be my go to for Ethiopian bites. If you enjoy food like this I would highly recommend Abuare.
Flavors are just jumping off the plate here. The combo plate and so many different flavors/textures, was so enjoyable to eat with friends. And some of the dishes were so savory/rich. The lentils were well cooked and each type of food has such distinct flavors. The service was excellent and the restaurant was hardly busy on a Sat afternoon. Delicious!
Best Ethiopian food. Very homey restaurant with great Ethiopian food. Crave this all the time. Restaurant is nothing flashy but super authentic. The service is great and quick
Wow. Abuare must mean perfect because thats what my experience was. Delicious flavors, all foods fresh and distinctly tasteful. Perfect spice level (for me). I ordered the shrimp, and the awaze tibs with side of collards and red lentil. Not only would i get all of these again, but i am excited to try more offerings on future visits (because i WILL be back). And guess what? It was served HOT, not room temp like a lot of places do now. Portions were plenty. The spiced tea is so good i had to get one to go. It was deliciously earthy, spicy, and herbal. Service was kind and welcoming. Ambiance was relaxing and inviting. I hope they are around a while. Definitely will come back next time i have a taste for Ethiopian food.
I love this place. I visited DC on a nice relaxing trip to get away from the deep south for a while and found this place while strolling! We could smell the aroma from over a block away and decided to walk in as it was too aromatic to pass by! It was one of the best decisions I made on this trip as we were welcomed by our waitress right away. She started off my taking our drink order and talking to us about their vegan options. We opted to go for the platter and share among the group to have a family style experience as the food was plentiful. The bread was the best texture to hold up against those sauces while offering the flavor we all crave when thinking about Injera! The lentils were my favorite and cooked wonderfully with a high flavor profile. The other options were so good that I ate past satisfaction because I wanted the experience to last even longer! The restaurant was clean, which made the experience of eating with my hands better. The restroom was clean and was a shared area that was well maintained for a place like this! We ordered the Bakalava dessert, which was amazingly delightful! It came warmed, which I unexpectedly enjoyed. After having a wonderful meal, we set at the bar and talked about before leaving the restaurant. We got to talk to one of the staff as we awaited our ride, and she was very knowledgeable on things to do on a weekday. We finally got our ride and looked back and talked about this place for the rest of our evening! We eventually went back the day before our plane left and had another wonderful experience. When I visit DC again, I will make it a point to stop here! You should too!
you cannot go wrong with the deluxe combo. at $40, it is one of the cheapest but most filling and also healthy meals in the DC area. the restaurant is clean and quiet
Your standard Ethiopian restaurant that offers classic fare at reasonable prices. When in DC, I always try to get Ethiopian, and it always seems to come from a place where I have to take stairs down (NYC included) oddly enough. I went with the Abuare lamb tips, which were a bit spicy with the jalapeno, but packed full of flavour. It came as a set meal, but only with daal, which I was sad about at first but it was more than enough food to fill me up. The injera was plentiful and the lamb was tender and perfectly seasoned. Service was uncharacteristically good, but that might just be because it was off hours, but regardless, I was appreciative. read more
This place so cozy and delicious! We ordered the combo with two meats, and my friend ordered doro wat to add to it. I don't eat beef or chicken, so I only had the vegetarian options. The cabbage was the highlight! Flavorful and it wasn't spicy in my opinion. I also enjoyed the shiro! The injera was flowing and it food was more than enough for three people. And the service was welcoming and warm. read more
As soon as you step down those steps from U St. into Abuare you know it's going to be . This quaint restaurant offers great Ethiopian food, dine-in, takeout and a full bar. Great friendly service! When you dine in, it feels like you're just having lunch or dinner amongst family. The lamb or beef sambusas are the perfect appetizer. If you want to kick it up a notch, it comes w/ a red hot sauce that is delicious but definitely has some heat to it. Just remember you get one sambusa for $3.50, so make sure to say how many you'd like if ordering more than one. Having a hard time deciding from their menu, I'll help you out and make it simple.... Just order the vegetarian or meat combo. The dishes can easily feed 2-4 people and give you a mix of wonderful flavors. I myself love the Abuare Meat Combo that comes w/ the lamb tibs. But they certainly have a vegetarian combo too. read more
11 months ago
It was our first time having Ethiopian food and we are so happy to have found this spot. Ethiopian food has instantly became my favorite cuisine. At first it was overwhelming, but the friendly and welcoming staff explained the menu. We got the sample platter to start. I loved their yellow lentils and their yummy beef tibs. The injera bread was also super soft and yummy. This is a perfect date night spot! The vibes were very intimate. I also loved that we got to eat with our hands! read more
Food is tasty, came out fast, and the service was patient and kind. The roti was amazing. Veggies were addicting. Ambiance is very homey, feeling not too fancy or too hole in the wall. Very nice art, enough space for comfortable seating. Highly recommend!! read more
1 year ago
Highly rated for a reason !! From the drinks to the food, to the service! It was so great. We ordered the meat platter and drinks from the bar. It was amazing! The servers were really kind and attentive, and the music was also very enjoyable. 10/10 would recommend ! read more
This was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine, and it was pretty good. You eat the food by wrapping it with the injera. I asked for a side salad and that's what the tomatoes were, so not sure if they have what you'd typically expect. There are two types of injera made from different flours, one being less sour and more in-line with American bread, and I can recommend that one as the original is too sour for me. Staff are all Ethiopian or Eritrean, and several of the customers were too. Overall interesting experience. read more
I had just wrapped up a photo shoot and wanted to treat my photographer to a late lunch. It was that awkward time of day--too late for lunch, too early for dinner--so I searched for places nearby and this spot popped up. Neither of us had been before, and he had never tried Ethiopian food, so we decided to give it a shot. He was genuinely surprised by the style of food and how it was served--definitely a new experience for him! The portion sizes were huge, the prices were very reasonable, and the flavor? Amazing. You can tell everything is made with care. The restaurant itself is simple--nothing flashy, just a clean, no-frills space with limited seating. There's street parking around, which is a plus in D.C. If you're looking for a quick, flavorful, and affordable meal in the city, this place is a solid choice. Great food, great service, and an easy win for introducing someone to Ethiopian cuisine. read more
2 years ago
We came here after YelpElite SweatBox and the rating is accurate. 4.9! Only reason why not 5 for me is because there could've been more lamb and the waitress spaced on giving her card back...we were deep in convo almost left until I questioned the card. Maybe I hadn't paid attention to the menu at Ethiopian restaurants in the past but I've never seen Ethiopian tea on a menu. I'm a tea girlie so tried it and it is WORTH THE TRY! So good. The lamb vegetable dish was amazing. Seasoned perfectly - not salty, just right. Go, enjoy!!! read more
Located in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood, this location is easily accessible via public transportation. Driving and parking are a headache you put on yourself if you go that route. It's located in a lower level, garden apartment-style setup. The menu could use some clarity. Limited options but with price increases, they stick to what they know. On my first visit, I had a lot of questions and from photos posted online, you'll need to order a veggie platter in addition to your protein option to make it a proper entree. I did have an issue with the veggie platter being $23 for two tablespoons of about six items. Paired with the fish dulet, it was enjoyable and enough for two people to share easily. Because I had the fish dulet and a veggie platter, there was plenty of injera. The decor is eclectic and you'll find yourself studying the wall art trying to decipher what's going on in the images. The bathroom is tiny and could prove to be a challenge if you are a full-figured individual. Not a lot of interaction between the two ladies who were working that day and the patrons. I did have to request a wine glass for my Tej (Honey wine). Why she thought I'd sip it out of the little jug it was in is diabolical. You'll find with some genres of eateries and cultures, no discounts of any kind are promoted. Capable of accepting cash, credit/debit, and contactless pay for payments. No hidden surcharges and an overall pleasant dining experience. read more
One of my favorite places to have some Eritrean/Ethiopian cuisine was Kerens. Sadly a fire happened more than a year ago and the place is still closed for "renovations". So now I am on the hunt to see who makes the best tibs and injera in the DMV and my search landed me at Abuare. This place is located near Adams Morgan and the Reed-Cooke area and if you know the surroundings around U Street then you know there is a large concentration of African eateries in the area. As with any place there are some differences. One of the main differences is that Abuare when compared to other places serving similar cuisine there are no veggies included. I am very use to getting a platter with your choice of meat if you choose. Here if you order lamb tibs or fish dulet it just comes with that (injera included) and no sides. You have to order the sides and I recommend the veggie platter especially if you are sharing. We started with the beef sambusas. They were good and came with a nice spicy sauce that had a little kick that was not overwhelming. Trust me save some for your meal to add that pop. So for our selections I chose the beef tibs and the spouse went with the fish dulet. The food was cooked very well as we shared the veggie platter. The beef was not chewy but I do wish it had a bit more kick but the sauce from the sambusas helped with that. I think they seasoned or marinated the meat before cooking. Another good aspect was that you provided with more than enough injera for your meal. Plenty of times I find myself running out. Maybe it is just me but the prices seemed higher here and perhaps that is just how it is now. I am not very use to an a la carte option for sides but hey every place is different. At least there is not a 22% surcharge added for my convenience then told it is not a tip written inconspicuously on the menu or posted somewhere you will never look. Still the service and food was good and if I do not find other spots to go to this will be my go to for Ethiopian bites. If you enjoy food like this I would highly recommend Abuare. read more
Flavors are just jumping off the plate here. The combo plate and so many different flavors/textures, was so enjoyable to eat with friends. And some of the dishes were so savory/rich. The lentils were well cooked and each type of food has such distinct flavors. The service was excellent and the restaurant was hardly busy on a Sat afternoon. Delicious! read more
5 months ago
Wow. Abuare must mean perfect because thats what my experience was. Delicious flavors, all foods fresh and distinctly tasteful. Perfect spice level (for me). I ordered the shrimp, and the awaze tibs with side of collards and red lentil. Not only would i get all of these again, but i am excited to try more offerings on future visits (because i WILL be back). And guess what? It was served HOT, not room temp like a lot of places do now. Portions were plenty. The spiced tea is so good i had to get one to go. It was deliciously earthy, spicy, and herbal. Service was kind and welcoming. Ambiance was relaxing and inviting. I hope they are around a while. Definitely will come back next time i have a taste for Ethiopian food. read more
I love this place. I visited DC on a nice relaxing trip to get away from the deep south for a while and found this place while strolling! We could smell the aroma from over a block away and decided to walk in as it was too aromatic to pass by! It was one of the best decisions I made on this trip as we were welcomed by our waitress right away. She started off my taking our drink order and talking to us about their vegan options. We opted to go for the platter and share among the group to have a family style experience as the food was plentiful. The bread was the best texture to hold up against those sauces while offering the flavor we all crave when thinking about Injera! The lentils were my favorite and cooked wonderfully with a high flavor profile. The other options were so good that I ate past satisfaction because I wanted the experience to last even longer! The restaurant was clean, which made the experience of eating with my hands better. The restroom was clean and was a shared area that was well maintained for a place like this! We ordered the Bakalava dessert, which was amazingly delightful! It came warmed, which I unexpectedly enjoyed. After having a wonderful meal, we set at the bar and talked about before leaving the restaurant. We got to talk to one of the staff as we awaited our ride, and she was very knowledgeable on things to do on a weekday. We finally got our ride and looked back and talked about this place for the rest of our evening! We eventually went back the day before our plane left and had another wonderful experience. When I visit DC again, I will make it a point to stop here! You should too! read more
9 months ago
9 months ago
Ethiopian food has definitely been my go to cuisine in 2023 ever since I tried Keren. This spot is another hidden gem and amazing portion sizes that you could honestly share amongst 2-3 people. The food was amazing, and the owner of the restaurant was extremely nice! Would definitely recommend! read more
1 year ago
This place was absolutely amazing. Everything was good. The server was attentive. I also had some excellent recommendations. read more
2 years ago
The food was really great and the service was very attentive. At some point I asked them to turn the music down and they did. The veggie combo was classic and the chicken Tibs was great. My friend who ordered the lamb liked it but the rest of us don't really like lamb so we couldn't vouch for that. I also like that they had Teff (gluten free) injera. Everything on the plate came out to be about $70 + tax. read more
2 years ago
Early dinner on a Wednesday night, the place was quiet, a few tables filled but it was very bustling when we left. Our server was genial and efficient. We got sambusas and the veggie platter. Everything was well seasoned and fair in portions. I will say, this was the least sloppy veggie platter I had ever had. No wet injera at the bottom, hardly any grease or dressing. Just enough injera too! The sambusas had a nice spice to them. I appreciated the finely chopped beets too, sometimes not included in a platter. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Amazing experience !!! Our waiter was so nice and always made sure we had everything we needed. We were visiting from out of town and because of that, she decided to offer us the most amazing coffee. The food was also amazing as you can see. Highly recommend it !!! read more
Wow! Not cursing in this review is a willful and effort filled choice. The food here is --- AMAZING! Great flavors, spice, and a nice touch of heat. If you want a little more spice (heat), ask for mitmita on the side. It's freaking DELICIOUS! I was sweating and couldn't stop eating it, LOL! I got the beef Firfir and highly recommend it. You'd be doing yourself a disservice not having some Tej (honey wine) while you're here. Tastes great without being overly sweet and it helps tamp done the spicy heat. The restaurant has a new bartender and she goes by Zee', but she makes a Bloody Mary that I absolutely love and I have never, never been a fan of bloody Mary's. She uses some Ethiopian spices in hers and one or two other secret ingredients, and it is phenomenal! I will definitely be back here multiple times! Sunday is a good day for me and, especially earlier in the day, it is pretty chill. If it's not late evening they play more traditional/chill music (mix of Ethiopian, Jazz, Latin sounds) and it really adds to the ambiance. I've been bobbing along and tapping my feet for quite a while without thinking about it. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
This restaurant is not flashy and it seems very authentic. Every single dish was excellent, especially the lamb tibs. The lentil sambusa was fried to perfection and the veggie platter was filled with various delicious flavors and textures. Our server was incredibly kind and rearranged the tables for our party. Everything was affordable and I really enjoyed the music playing in the background! read more
3 years ago
The food and service were excellent! A small welcoming restaurant with a full bar! Our server was helpful and friendly and we loved everything we had food, beer, mocktails, and cocktails! Highly recommend! read more
3 years ago
I cannot say enough wonderful things about our meal last night. Coming to DC from Charleston, where exceptional ethnic food is almost non-existent, we were overjoyed to find Abuare. The woman waiting on us was as hospitable as you can get and her recommendations were perfect. The meat and lentil (separate) sambusas were freshly folded and delicious with excellent individual flavors. Don't forget to ask for both hot sauces. One is traditional red chili sauce while the other was more chunky/vinegar/garlic/ginger deliciousness. The two meat special was also phenomenal. The recommendation to have the Lentil and Chickpea as sides was, like everything else, perfect. Finishing with baklava and their Ethiopian "Sambuca" is highly recommended. Don't hesitate to head to this cute, intimate, casual spot with incredible food and even more incredible hospitality. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
Great food and drinks! We got vegan sambusas and the vegetable combo and both were delicious! read more
4 years ago
AMAZING! This was my first time having Ethiopian food and it was so so good. All of the food was made fresh to order, and it showed. The service was great, they were very helpful in recommending dishes to order, and very attentive. The ambiance was great, it feels so homey and welcoming. Cannot say enough good things. If you're planning on getting Ethiopian food in DC (whether you're a seasoned vet or a newbie), this is the place to go. read more
3 years ago
My husband and I recently shared a delicious meal at this restaurant. The service was truly memorable- the chef gave us a shot and came out to meet us and the waitress was also very nice. The ambiance is ok but honestly if the food is amazing and the hosts charming and helpful thats enough for me! Wish I lived closer. read more
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More info about Abuare Restaurant
1524 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
U Street Corridor
Directions
(202) 506-4070
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https://abuarerestaurantandbarwashington.com
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