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Al Jazeera

3.5 (45 reviews)
Open 9:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Al Jazeera Photos

Business Info

AL JAZEERA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Al Jazeera

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Hannah H.

With another Snow Day, my husband and I decided to check this hole-in-the-wall near Skyline. Parking was a little rough, as it was jam-packed to the brim and there were trucks delivering food for the stores in the plaza. However, we were lucky to get a spot in the corner! When we walked in, we were told that we could sit anywhere. All the tables were pushed to the perimeters, and the buffet was set up in the middle. There were stuffed grape leaves (very well-packed and it was delicious), tabouleh salad, salad with dressing, diced vegetables, hummus, bone-in chicken in a savory tomato sauce (one of my favorites as it was quite tender), roasted bone-in chicken, spinach, okra, rice with lentils/pasta (I loved the little lentils), soup, fried fish, a tomato-based ground beef with eggplant, and puff pastry filled with minced chicken, topped with sesame seeds (I would love to eat these for breakfast!). There was even a chef who was carving a whole-roasted lamb and he gives you a generous piece (there is rice next to it as well)! The lamb was not game-y at all, but it was a whole roasted lamb - you can season it yourself with salt and pepper at your table, but I didn't think there was any need - it was quite delicious, and almost resembled pot roast. Yum! It's a buffet style, so you get a new plate every time you go up and you eat to your heart's content. The staff were very friendly, and I enjoyed the fruit punch that was also available - very refreshing! There was also lemonade and tap water if you choose. I thought it was a great find, and I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +AYCE lunch buffet +stuffed grape leaves +whole-roasted lamb (!!!) +limited seating available

Sal A.

Lunch buffet with a beautiful roasted lamb sunbathing on a bed of rice. Delicious side dishes and salads to stuff your belly till you can no longer remember your own name. Top it all off with the spice tea with milk. All this at a reasonable price so you can do it again next week.

Interior
Shea B.

The food at this local VA Halal spot is pretty tasty! I have been going there for a few years. If you go during the time that they are busy, you must be patient. Parking during holidays (Ethiopian/Muslim) is always packed so be ready to hunt for parking. Lunch time is usually wide open for this strip mall. Lamb Hanif is excellent. They don't always have ice and the drinks are general soft drinks, fresh mango and fresh orange juice which is on point. The customer service is ok but does get pretty bad when it's packed and real busy. It requires a lot of patience. The food quality does take a hit when it's super packed and busy but if you pick a time (lunch) and non-busy days in the evening it's excellent. We love it. Their fairly friendly. However, remember, be patient. If your not a patient person your going to complain and be mad.

a woman sitting on a bench in front of a restaurant
Muhammad M.

Amazing food. Some of the best lamb I've ever had. A bit expensive for the atmosphere and ambience. I highly recommend the Al Jazeera special with lamb. Parking is sometimes a challenge since it shares a lot with the rest of the plaza.

Grill chicken one of the best

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2 months ago

Great place to cater work or social large group events! The food travels well and general dietary notes are listed on the menu.

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The closest to authentic Yemeni food I've found in the area...

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Review Highlights - Al Jazeera

I generally stick with the masloog, hanith, or mendhi but occasionally show up for the buffet at lunch on Fridays and Saturdays....

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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Enjera Restaurant - Guest's Order: Beef Injera Special

Enjera Restaurant

4.3(650 reviews)
3.6 miCrystal City
$$

I came to Enjera for dinner and the food was delicious. Everything was seasoned to perfection and…read moreour server was really nice. We ordered the vegetarian sampler mixed with the meat sampler. My favorite parts of the meal were the chicken and lamb. It was a warm day so we sat on the back patio, which had good background music and curated a great vibe. I definitely suggest outside seating if it's a nice day when you try!

I've been a customer here for a few years, I have mixed thoughts about this place…read more Nestled in the heart of the Aurora Highlands 23rd street restaurant strip, Enjera is a quaint, cutely-decorated eatery, adorned with paintings by Ethiopian artists, the city skyline of Addis Ababa, and framed French/Italian wine adverts. It's eclectic and encapsulates an element of the immigrant experience in how it's decorated. Likewise, despite three stars, I do keep coming back because the food is quite superb. Always flavorful and with a decent variety of traditional dishes on offer. Their veggie combo is among their signatures, and I often also get the Asa Spris (curried fish stew) when I visit. I do, unfortunately, have to dock a star here for some of the cuts they've had to make; a small side salad used to accompany most entrees, but now costs $9. I understand inflation is ever-present, but that's eyebrow-raising. Moreover, the injera they provide seems to be in smaller bundles than previously, usually not enough to complete a meal including the piece it is served on, which means you usually need to ask for more. And this segways to why I have to dock another star for the service quality; it could be much better lately. Typically, I find that I have to seat myself, which isn't a huge deal, but the waiters often disappear from the dining room for up to 15 minutes at a time. I've had to get up to refill my water or grab napkins from the waiter station, which I feel bad doing because it's technically not somewhere clients should be accessing on their own, but I often don't have any choice. Finally, the website hasn't been updated in years; don't look at the menu posted there unless you want to lament how inflation has taken its toll on affordability. Overall, I give Enjera props for having quality fare and a nice little venue, but there are some issues I'd encourage management to address.

Photos
Enjera Restaurant - Entrance lobby

Entrance lobby

Enjera Restaurant - Veggie Combo For 1

Veggie Combo For 1

Enjera Restaurant - Patio sitting area

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Patio sitting area

Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant - Mix Veg Sambusa

Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant

4.7(713 reviews)
15.9 mi
$$

After almost 7 years, I was in the area again and I was super happy to be able to come back…read more The food is still amazing The people are still awesome, one of the best services I've ever had. We all loved it, and can't wait to be in the area again !

Enatye is a true hidden gem, tucked away in the back of an industrial park. You'd never know it was…read morethere unless someone told you--or you were actively hunting for Ethiopian food. At first glance, I wasn't impressed ( yeah yeah judging a book by its cover... I know better) I was wrong. The food was very flavorful, generous, and downright satisfying. We started with the sambusas (meat and veggie). They were good, though a bit mild (personally for me), I still give the edge to an Indian samosa, but that's just me. The combo is absolutely the move. We shared a three-person platter with lamb, beef, and chicken tibs, plus a variety of vegetarian dishes (see photos). Everything came served on rolls of injera, the spongy Ethiopian flatbread. This is a hands-on meal. As in, you eat with your fingers. Yes... it was glorious. The presentation is classic Ethiopian style: a large platter lined with injera, topped with meats and vegetables spread out like they're feeding 50 million people. The trick is to tear off the injera under the food, not the extra rolls, because it soaks up all that flavorful gravy. It's harder than it sounds, but totally worth it. The main dishes were very flavorful. I was genuinely impressed by both the quantity and the depth of flavor across the entire meal. These are the happy surprises I live for. Highly recommend giving it a try.

Photos
Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant - Real flowers always a nice touch!

Real flowers always a nice touch!

Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant
Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant - Latte

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Latte

Enat Restaurant - Vegetarian platter with ribeye tibs

Enat Restaurant

4.2(291 reviews)
1.9 mi
$$

One of my favorite Ethiopian restaurants in the area. The food is always really tasty, and the…read morestaff is nice and friendly. I typically get a vegetarian combo and it always tastes delicious. On one visit, the owner stopped by our table and explained how Ethiopian food is typically eaten, which was such a thoughtful touch and really nice to learn. Overall, it's a great spot and one I'm always happy to come back to.

Promising First Visit, Let Down the Second Time - Wish There is a Negative Rating…read moreDec 2025 * Friends I wish there was negative rating!!! This was my second visit to Enat Kitfo, and unfortunately, it was completely different from my first -- in a very disappointing way. The first time, I happened to be in the neighborhood and searched for an Ethiopian restaurant nearby. I decided to try Enat Kitfo because it was nearby, and I was genuinely impressed. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the server was kind and attentive. The owner even came to greet me, checked on my dish while I was eating, and made me feel welcomed. It was such a positive experience that I shared it with others and looked forward to coming back with my family. Because of that great first impression, I drove more than an hour for my second visit, this time with a friend who had just arrived from back home. We came around 6:00 PM, during the Eagles vs. Lions game in the 4th quarter -- it should have been a great evening. Unfortunately, the experience could not have been more different. The waitress was kind but inexperienced and had to ask the owner about everything. When the owner came out, he appeared unwelcoming and dismissive, which was surprising given how well he treated me during my first visit. As an Ethiopian who has lived in the Washington, DC area for a long time, this interaction reminded me of the old Ethiopian restaurant culture of the 1980s and 1990s, when Ethiopian customers were often treated poorly, while customers from other countries were treated as masters -- even though Ethiopia has never been colonized. Thankfully, competition have improved customer service standards over the years, which made this experience especially disappointing. We ordered Cotlet (fish) and Tsom Beyaynetu aka Veggie (Combo). The Cotlet (fish) was delicious, well prepared and enjoyable. However, it arrived without the combo. We waited, assuming the Tsom Beyaynetu (Combo) would follow, but no one checked on us. I eventually went to the bar to ask about it. The owner's response was simply "" (okay), with no concern or apology. When the combo finally arrived, it was delivered as if nothing had gone wrong. While the fish was very good, the Tsom Beyaynetu (Combo) -- which I had truly enjoyed during my first visit -- lacked flavor this time. There were many items on the plate, but none stood out as good. No one came back to check on us, and even ordering drinks required me to go to the bar myself. Overall, the service was extremely poor, worse than many Ethiopian restaurants from decades ago. With so many good Ethiopian dining options available today, I will not be returning. I truly want Ethiopian-owned businesses to succeed and flourish. However, I am accustomed to the American service standard and vote with my wallet. I do not accept neglect or disrespect as a customer. I hope this feedback is taken constructively so future customers are treated better and the business can improve. I wish Enat Kitfo the best, but without meaningful changes in service and consistency, it will be difficult to succeed in today's competitive environment.

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Enat Restaurant - Vegetarian Combination with Whole Fish

Vegetarian Combination with Whole Fish

Enat Restaurant - Whole Fish and injera

Whole Fish and injera

Enat Restaurant

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Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - Awaze chicken and dereck tibs

Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant

4.6(702 reviews)
4.3 miOld Town Alexandria
$$
Locally owned & operated
Minority-owned & operated

There are a lot of hip new Ethiopian places in DC. This Alexandria spot has been around a long…read moretime, and feels like it, for better or for worse. More for better in my opinion. The online ordering system was a bit baffling. There were a million boxes to check when I ordered a veggie combo, but it wasn't clear whether, for example, a drink was included or whether I had any actual choice of vegetables. I left it mostly alone. Their menu is varied. I had three different choices of sambusas, the fried savory pastry, and their mixed vegetable one had potatoes, green beans, and a distinctive sour spice mix. A more conventional spicy lentil creation also fit the bill. Getting a veggie combo to go left me with a bunch of small containers, each with a delightfully distinctive option. You'll get a wonderfully balanced meal this way, with many colors, flavors and textures. I opted to spend extra money to get 100% teff injera (this flatbread is usually made with a mix of Ethiopian grain and regular wheat when you order it at restaurants), which was spongy and a bit too crumbly for my liking. Gluten-free diners, and indeed most people with special dietary needs, will rejoice.

Words cannot express how much I love this place. My friends and I have been here three times so…read morefar, and every time the food is exceptional, service is kind, warm and welcoming, and the ambiance is very calm and relaxing. Hawwi is such an absolute gem in our neighborhood. Prices are extremely reasonable, and the portions are huge! They are also extremely family friendly. I really appreciated that they had small actual silverware and mini bottles of water for kids. My favorite dishes are so far their lentil sambusas, the vegan sampler and the tilapia. The baklava is also absolutely out of this world. Please if you are in the neighborhood, visit this place. They will make you feel like family! I even used some of my leftovers for my daughters school lunch the next day, and she ate it all!

Photos
Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - #17 surrounded by a veggie sampler!  Tasty....

#17 surrounded by a veggie sampler! Tasty....

Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - Super combo sampler! Sooo delicious

Super combo sampler! Sooo delicious

Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegan sampler!

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Vegan sampler!

Dama Pastry and Restaurant - Awaze Tibs

Dama Pastry and Restaurant

4.4(409 reviews)
3.2 mi
$$

Very casual Ethiopian restaurant with a solid menu of very authentic dishes that come in very large…read moreportions I came here for dinner with my fiancé and we early could have split one of the entrees between the 2 of us. Also, they really don't skip on the meat here which I love. Food was very tasty The place is also attached to a small Ethiopian coffee shop that also has a variety of desserts

After hearing so much buzz about the Ethiopian food scene in DC, I eagerly came to Dama based on a…read morerecommendation from a friend to check out the hype. As a verdict: Dama is so good that I find myself craving for it the very next day. Each dish is served in a sizable portion with the meat and veggies deliciously spiced and seasoned, all served on top of the soft pillowy bed of injera. Our group shared four different dishes: Special Veggies Combo, Fish Goulash, Lamb Alicha, and Lamb Tibs. We couldn't stop eating, but we also couldn't finish the food despite our best effort. Considering the quantity and quality of what you get, the price-point is more than reasonable. Service can be slow, likely because all dishes were served at once, so don't go there famished. We waited about half an hour before our food arrived, but once it did, it was worth the wait. The injera is refillable, which is awesome since it paired very well with all of the curries and cubed meat of each dish. There's a small parking lot in front of the shop, and it was easy for us to find parking there around dinner time. I'd happily go there again on my next trip to DC.

Photos
Dama Pastry and Restaurant
Dama Pastry and Restaurant - Meat combo

Meat combo

Dama Pastry and Restaurant - Iced Cappaccino

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Iced Cappaccino

Al Jazeera - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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