Abyssinia Restaurant and Cafe
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I came here with a group of 9 people and we had a great meal. The decor is very Ethiopian and cosy. We ordered three Abyssinian signature platters to share and there was definitely enough food for everyone to eat their fill. If you've never eaten Ethiopian food before, be prepared for an unusual experience. Firstly, don't expect silverware-you eat with your fingers and a pancake-like Ethiopian flatbread/waffle that can be used as a spoon or a scoop or a small plate. The food varies from quite spicy to mild but the flavor of each individual dish is distinct. Our server was very personable, very helpful and brought our food and drinks out quickly. I had an African beer, the St. George, which had a nice smooth taste. Parking is easy in the small strip mall parking lot. Try this place out for something different. Enjoy this ethnic food experience.
Delicious Ethiopian food. Sorry i didn't take any food dishes pics. I was too busy eating. You will not be disappointed. Eating Ethiopian food is not the traditional going to eat and be done as soon possible. This is a seat down meal to eat and enjoy your food and enjoy the conversation. Every time we go, it's a 3 hour dinner. We love it every time! The family that owns the place are lovely and they always treat us like family. We love supporting this local family owned restaurant. Will return often!!
Abyssinia is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, you are warmly welcomed by the wonderful and kind owner, whose gracious hospitality sets the tone for a truly memorable meal. The portions are incredibly generous, making it a perfect spot to share and savor with family or friends. Every dish is deeply flavorful and clearly made with care--rich stews, perfectly spiced vegetables, and the soft, tangy injera that ties it all together. It is the kind of place where you feel at home, and where the food speaks for itself. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates delicious food and a great atmosphere.
This place has an excellent vegetarian plate. We also love the lentil sambusas. We don't eat the meat options so can only attest to these 2 items. We order them all the time and never come away unsatisfied. Oftentimes we may show up and be the only patrons but there are flourishes that feel just for you. The music will play, the colorful lights turned on and the Ethiopian styled decoration really come alive. Today 2/4 they had a nice incense in the air with many takeout orders coming through.
I definitely recommend either dining in or calling your order in because I've had online ordering issues twice. Last year I ordered online, I arrived and the door was locked with no one there during operating hours, no updates anywhere online, had to get a refund through whatever third party ordering system I used. Today I ordered through their actual website, my husband arrived and they said they never got it, despite me having a receipt and a screenshot from my bank account showing they took money out, they tried to get him to pay twice. They said to just cancel the order online but that wasn't an option. They claimed they won't get the money for it which is crazy because where is the money I paid going then?! And weird that I should have to pay twice because of an issue with their website, that's something they need to sort out on their end. Onto the food, it was amazing! And a massive portion for an affordable price. I got one sambussa and the veggie combo, which had some lentil and veggie dishes on injera. The sambussa was spicy, everything was super flavorful and perfectly spiced! Would be great to share or to have as two meals!
My primary Ethiopian Restaurant was closed. Decided to try this restaurant. The customer service was excellent. I did the vegetarian platter I liked the red lentils, there was a potato dish but not much of it, and cabbage were my favorites. The cabbage was cold not hot my only issue but the flavor was good. I will go back and try a meat platter. The prices were higher than my other Ethiopian restaurant. Interior was nice & quaint.
I used to love this place. This time I went back and it was an odd experience. There were chairs upside down I thought they were closed. The lady said they were open but left chairs upside down on the table as we sat down and ate. The tv music was blasted so loud we could not talk. She turned it down a bit after we asked politely, but it was still so loud we moved to the other side of the room cuz she had seated us under the tv. My sis, niece and I ordered a combo. The plate looked good, but I kid you not, each item was like 2-3 tablespoons of food, or sauce. I know it would be saucy... but this was 90% dips with no sustenance. There was ONE chicken drumstick on the whole plate in the brown sauce, a few more "meat" items... but the meat was so small, like tiny strips of jerky, and so hard that it was hard to chew and def didn't fill us up. It was meat garnish. The little bit of veggie helped fill us a bit.. and lots of bread. And everything kind of tastes the same now, unlike before. I was so disappointed. This platter of saucy bread for dinner was $47. We could have gotten 3 decent meals with meat for that price. Then at some point she took a smoking coal out on a plate and left it by the register and left. The smoke filled up the room so fast we actually lost visibility. Then we started coughing. Just as it crossed my mind we could be in the middle of some ambush attack, she came back and moved the coal to the backroom, still smoking. But it wasn't next to us anymore. At this point, we were hungry, had poor vision, couldn't hear, and couldn't breathe. I asked for a box for my leftover bread and sauce. She ran my card and told me the total amount was $90 something without showing me an itemized receipt. Was it right? We had three non alcoholic drinks and an app too..maybe it's right. Maybe she charged us for the bottle waters we did not ask for. But I wasn't going to argue. I paid and left a decent tip cuz I was scared, we grabbed our bread dip and left. I got outside to the parking lot and could breathe. Then I wondered if I had just walked into the twilight zone.
WEEKDAY LUNCH SPECIAL $7.99 MON - FRI 11AM - 3:30PM The restaurant was SMOKY like someone lit incense or coals. It didn't bother me too much but I could see how some people would not be a fan. I tried the NON ALCOHOLIC HONYWINE. It does have a fermented taste to it but it mainly tastes like sweet diluted honey. It came in a beautiful drinking vessel. They also gave me a bottle of water I opted to try the AZEB GOUDA MIXED PLATTER which comes with 3 meal dishes. The dishes were served on a large plate covered in large INJERA. Injera is like a sour flatbread with a spongy texture. The meal is meant to be eaten with your HANDS using the injera to scoop the bites into your mouth. They don't bring you silverware but ask if you want it. Serving on the injera really allows all the sauce to soak in. (1) KEY WAT was a spicy beef stew. This was honestly not spicy at all but bold & flavorful. (2) DORO WAT came with a chicken drum & a hard boiled egg. The egg was a bit over cooked but the drum was one of the most TENDER chicken I have ever had. (3) YEBEG ALICHA WAT is lamb & I believe its the green option. Everything was tasty & hearty. This sampler platter can feed 2 people easily & it also made for good leftovers. Such an experience appreciating this ethnic food. Would have loved to try the vegetarian dishes & Ethiopian coffee
Was stunned at the food! 10/10 experience. Went late on a Saturday and service was great. Was cute for a date night, because the plates can be served family style or individual
Got the Abyssinia signature platter, honey wine and Pinot noir. The honey wine was not very good and the Pinot noir tasted stale. The lamb meat was the best part of the platter. The remaining vegetables and meats all had a slightly off after taste. The injera also looked a bit undercooked here. Everything was a bit cold. We came earlier in the week when the business was supposed to be open and the doors were locked. We called ahead a couple more times and no one picked up. We only went after we connected with someone and told them we were coming in 30 minutes. Tablecloths are a bit dirty. Shop is small and has cute ambience. The music was elevator music from a YouTube channel. There was one person seating, cooking, serving, billing. It's a slow process especially if you need something. Overall glad we went once but there are much better Ethiopian options in the valley and we won't go back.
Wow!! Simply an amazing cultural experience with delicious food you probably wouldn't find anywhere else. Staff are helpful and very welcoming even to people who might never had Ethiopian food before. For the flavor and price, this is definitely a fantastic restaurant worth a visit - I especially recommend if you're interested in family-style finger food and supporting small businesses. If I could give them 6 stars, I would!
27 days ago
Abyssinia is an absolute Phoenix gem! The Signature platter was a generous feast of tender meats, lentils, greens, vegetables, house-made cheese, and fresh injera, while the sizzling Fim Tibs was exceptionally flavorful. The traditional coffee ceremony--complete with glowing coals, fragrant incense, and beautifully served Ethiopian coffee--made the evening truly unforgettable. Authentic food, warm hospitality, pleasant attentive service, excellent value, and a wonderfully rich cultural experience. We cannot wait to return! read more
1 month ago
2 years ago
The food was spicy. Hearty. I tried the fish gallahs and it did not disappoint. The base was a thick gravy with veggies and chucks of fish. The mango juice was comforting. The ambiance was soothing, very relaxing. There is a small dining area as is a small bar area. Great place for date night or to catch up with friends. While it didn't take long to receive our food, getting the bill was a challenge. There was only one waitress who may have been assisting in the kitchen as well. Is located within a shopping center. There were parking space available during my visit. Accessible parking and entrance. read more
I came here with a group of 9 people and we had a great meal. The decor is very Ethiopian and cosy. We ordered three Abyssinian signature platters to share and there was definitely enough food for everyone to eat their fill. If you've never eaten Ethiopian food before, be prepared for an unusual experience. Firstly, don't expect silverware-you eat with your fingers and a pancake-like Ethiopian flatbread/waffle that can be used as a spoon or a scoop or a small plate. The food varies from quite spicy to mild but the flavor of each individual dish is distinct. Our server was very personable, very helpful and brought our food and drinks out quickly. I had an African beer, the St. George, which had a nice smooth taste. Parking is easy in the small strip mall parking lot. Try this place out for something different. Enjoy this ethnic food experience. read more
1 year ago
Delicious Ethiopian food. Sorry i didn't take any food dishes pics. I was too busy eating. You will not be disappointed. Eating Ethiopian food is not the traditional going to eat and be done as soon possible. This is a seat down meal to eat and enjoy your food and enjoy the conversation. Every time we go, it's a 3 hour dinner. We love it every time! The family that owns the place are lovely and they always treat us like family. We love supporting this local family owned restaurant. Will return often!! read more
5 months ago
Abyssinia is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, you are warmly welcomed by the wonderful and kind owner, whose gracious hospitality sets the tone for a truly memorable meal. The portions are incredibly generous, making it a perfect spot to share and savor with family or friends. Every dish is deeply flavorful and clearly made with care--rich stews, perfectly spiced vegetables, and the soft, tangy injera that ties it all together. It is the kind of place where you feel at home, and where the food speaks for itself. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates delicious food and a great atmosphere. read more
8 months ago
This place has an excellent vegetarian plate. We also love the lentil sambusas. We don't eat the meat options so can only attest to these 2 items. We order them all the time and never come away unsatisfied. Oftentimes we may show up and be the only patrons but there are flourishes that feel just for you. The music will play, the colorful lights turned on and the Ethiopian styled decoration really come alive. Today 2/4 they had a nice incense in the air with many takeout orders coming through. read more
I definitely recommend either dining in or calling your order in because I've had online ordering issues twice. Last year I ordered online, I arrived and the door was locked with no one there during operating hours, no updates anywhere online, had to get a refund through whatever third party ordering system I used. Today I ordered through their actual website, my husband arrived and they said they never got it, despite me having a receipt and a screenshot from my bank account showing they took money out, they tried to get him to pay twice. They said to just cancel the order online but that wasn't an option. They claimed they won't get the money for it which is crazy because where is the money I paid going then?! And weird that I should have to pay twice because of an issue with their website, that's something they need to sort out on their end. Onto the food, it was amazing! And a massive portion for an affordable price. I got one sambussa and the veggie combo, which had some lentil and veggie dishes on injera. The sambussa was spicy, everything was super flavorful and perfectly spiced! Would be great to share or to have as two meals! read more
2 years ago
My primary Ethiopian Restaurant was closed. Decided to try this restaurant. The customer service was excellent. I did the vegetarian platter I liked the red lentils, there was a potato dish but not much of it, and cabbage were my favorites. The cabbage was cold not hot my only issue but the flavor was good. I will go back and try a meat platter. The prices were higher than my other Ethiopian restaurant. Interior was nice & quaint. read more
1 year ago
I used to love this place. This time I went back and it was an odd experience. There were chairs upside down I thought they were closed. The lady said they were open but left chairs upside down on the table as we sat down and ate. The tv music was blasted so loud we could not talk. She turned it down a bit after we asked politely, but it was still so loud we moved to the other side of the room cuz she had seated us under the tv. My sis, niece and I ordered a combo. The plate looked good, but I kid you not, each item was like 2-3 tablespoons of food, or sauce. I know it would be saucy... but this was 90% dips with no sustenance. There was ONE chicken drumstick on the whole plate in the brown sauce, a few more "meat" items... but the meat was so small, like tiny strips of jerky, and so hard that it was hard to chew and def didn't fill us up. It was meat garnish. The little bit of veggie helped fill us a bit.. and lots of bread. And everything kind of tastes the same now, unlike before. I was so disappointed. This platter of saucy bread for dinner was $47. We could have gotten 3 decent meals with meat for that price. Then at some point she took a smoking coal out on a plate and left it by the register and left. The smoke filled up the room so fast we actually lost visibility. Then we started coughing. Just as it crossed my mind we could be in the middle of some ambush attack, she came back and moved the coal to the backroom, still smoking. But it wasn't next to us anymore. At this point, we were hungry, had poor vision, couldn't hear, and couldn't breathe. I asked for a box for my leftover bread and sauce. She ran my card and told me the total amount was $90 something without showing me an itemized receipt. Was it right? We had three non alcoholic drinks and an app too..maybe it's right. Maybe she charged us for the bottle waters we did not ask for. But I wasn't going to argue. I paid and left a decent tip cuz I was scared, we grabbed our bread dip and left. I got outside to the parking lot and could breathe. Then I wondered if I had just walked into the twilight zone. read more
6 months ago
7 months ago
7 months ago
4 years ago
WEEKDAY LUNCH SPECIAL $7.99 MON - FRI 11AM - 3:30PM The restaurant was SMOKY like someone lit incense or coals. It didn't bother me too much but I could see how some people would not be a fan. I tried the NON ALCOHOLIC HONYWINE. It does have a fermented taste to it but it mainly tastes like sweet diluted honey. It came in a beautiful drinking vessel. They also gave me a bottle of water I opted to try the AZEB GOUDA MIXED PLATTER which comes with 3 meal dishes. The dishes were served on a large plate covered in large INJERA. Injera is like a sour flatbread with a spongy texture. The meal is meant to be eaten with your HANDS using the injera to scoop the bites into your mouth. They don't bring you silverware but ask if you want it. Serving on the injera really allows all the sauce to soak in. (1) KEY WAT was a spicy beef stew. This was honestly not spicy at all but bold & flavorful. (2) DORO WAT came with a chicken drum & a hard boiled egg. The egg was a bit over cooked but the drum was one of the most TENDER chicken I have ever had. (3) YEBEG ALICHA WAT is lamb & I believe its the green option. Everything was tasty & hearty. This sampler platter can feed 2 people easily & it also made for good leftovers. Such an experience appreciating this ethnic food. Would have loved to try the vegetarian dishes & Ethiopian coffee read more
8 months ago
3 years ago
Was stunned at the food! 10/10 experience. Went late on a Saturday and service was great. Was cute for a date night, because the plates can be served family style or individual read more
3 years ago
Got the Abyssinia signature platter, honey wine and Pinot noir. The honey wine was not very good and the Pinot noir tasted stale. The lamb meat was the best part of the platter. The remaining vegetables and meats all had a slightly off after taste. The injera also looked a bit undercooked here. Everything was a bit cold. We came earlier in the week when the business was supposed to be open and the doors were locked. We called ahead a couple more times and no one picked up. We only went after we connected with someone and told them we were coming in 30 minutes. Tablecloths are a bit dirty. Shop is small and has cute ambience. The music was elevator music from a YouTube channel. There was one person seating, cooking, serving, billing. It's a slow process especially if you need something. Overall glad we went once but there are much better Ethiopian options in the valley and we won't go back. read more
3 years ago
Wow!! Simply an amazing cultural experience with delicious food you probably wouldn't find anywhere else. Staff are helpful and very welcoming even to people who might never had Ethiopian food before. For the flavor and price, this is definitely a fantastic restaurant worth a visit - I especially recommend if you're interested in family-style finger food and supporting small businesses. If I could give them 6 stars, I would! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
The food was amazing! And honestly very well priced we ordered the veggie signature dish, 2 meat dishes and sambucas and it was very affordable. The service was great! Our waitress was very kind and super helpful ! The restaurant itself was very cozy, authentic decor, and I enjoyed being able to have our own private area to enjoy our food. read more
1 year ago
Food was delicious and the owner was very kind. Atmosphere was fantastic as well! Recommend the non alcoholic drink. Was Delicious. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
So good and so lucky I found this place! Had a veggie platter and it was fantastic. Also had some tej at the hostess's recommendation, and that was phenomenal. If you haven't been here, and you are in Phoenix, make sure to stop by. You won't be disappointed!!! read more
Omg. So good. I love Ethiopian food. We ordered takeout and everything was amazing. The injera (crepe-like bread) almost has a flavor of sourdough and blends beautifully with every dish. We ordered a vegetarian and a meat mixed platter and had leftovers for days! read more
3 years ago
This place was great! It was very authentic, and yet they have many options that are not that spicy. Everything was delicious, fast, and the service was super friendly. Would recommend 100%! read more
4 years ago
This really is one of the best places in Phoenix for exceptional Ethiopian cuisine. Before I rave about the food, let's talk seating. Tables are spread wide apart and seats are strong and sturdy to hold wide bodies like mine. Now to the food, y'all. We tried the Abyssinia Platter which has enough food to feed 4-5 folks. We wanted to sample a bit of everything so Azi (pronounced A Z) recommended it and the Honeywine, an alcohol-free drink that reminded me of the juices of peaches and limes. So refreshing. The dish arrived loaded with red, orange and green lentils, chicken, a boiled eggs, bitter collard greens vegetables, spicy pork and Enjera. Every dish was excellent, a completely satisfying experience. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Very kind staff, always welcoming, and great food. There was a very strong incense that was scenting the place, but we didn't mind it. read more
2 years ago
Abyssinia Restaurant and Cafe is a small Ethiopian Restaurant located in Phoenix. The atmosphere is all kinds of energetic. It's colorful, there's music playing and incense burning. You can sit at tables, booths, a bar or an area that looks more Ethiopian. They offer many vegetarian and several different meat dishes or combinations. You eat without silverware. You use the rolled flat bread to eat the food. I started with iced tea. It was really different but delicious. It was very fragrant with added spices. We shared two entrees. The #3 doro wat $15.99 national dish of Ethiopia ((chicken in a spicy berbera spiced stew with hard egg)) and the #9 Agelgel $19.99 combo - several vegetable dishes and three meats ((yellow lentils, green lentils, red lentils, collards, cabbage, lamb stew, beef stew and beef with onions. EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! but my favorite was the doro wat (the chicken) It was cooked to perfection and was juicy, flavorful, spicy and very delicious! Our server was amazing! She explained the food to us and did a really great job serving us. We really enjoyed everything but my only complaint is that you only get one small chicken leg for $15.99 (and that was my favorite) The portions on everything else were very large and we had a lot of delicious leftovers to bring home. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
The staff were really nice and the food was so good! Our group had sambusas, the spicy beef, and a lamb dish, and they were all excellent! We had the lunch special, too, which was a good value. I'd definitely return here! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Abyssinia did not disappoint! I am so happy to have found this place while visiting Phoenix for work. The ambiance is chill, good music and the restaurant smelt amazing inside. I ordered the Veggie combo and sambusas. Everything was delicious!! Sambusas we're hot and flaky with a kick of spice, just as I like them. The veggie combo had so many amazing toppings including my favorite Shiro. So much food I couldn't finish it all. After my delicious meal I enjoyed some amazing fresh Ethiopian coffee. This was truly a treat. The family who own the restaurant were so friendly as well. This is my new favorite Ethiopian spot to eat when in Phoenix. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for some delicious and authentic Ethiopian cuisine. read more
3 years ago
New to the area and have been dying to find an Ethiopian Restaurant home. I thought I was going to another location but didn't know the name. I decided to call and the woman over the phone was very nice and inviting. I decided to go here instead and was not disappointed. I ordered the Veggie Platter with double yellow split peas(my favorite), double cabbage(eh, pretty good but I am used to having carrots and potatoes with the cabbage), the red lentils were AMAZING. Other places I have been, their lentil dishes a runny and hard to collect with injera. Here, everything was the perfect consistency and easy to collect. Overall(Food)- 8, only because I thought the injera was a little rubbery. Cusat.service-9, only because she dropped the food off and didn't come back for a while. BUT, she was very sweet, hospitable and high spirit. I will be back. Really enjoyed the cozy colorful environment as well. read more
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More info about Abyssinia Restaurant and Cafe
842 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Directions
(602) 320-7420
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Ask the Community - Abyssinia Restaurant and Cafe
How do I make a reservation? I have tried calling multiple times. No one answers, and I can't leave a voicemail since there is no voicemail box. Are they even still open?
Hi sorry for the inconvenience try this number 602 320 7420 Or try the restaurant # aftet 2pm
Are you still in business? Went by today around 6:30 and it was dark and locked with no sign...
Yes we are still in business we have lost all employees and the owner is the only person working in the establishment so she leaves early if it looks slow. We usually open 11-7 very sorry for the inconvenience
Do they serve fufu?
No we don't serve fufu we serve east African food thank you for reaching out.
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