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Great cafe with awesome service and ambiance. We were exhausted from drive from NYC, perfect place to rest, recharge before meeting up for dinner with family. Great Ethiopian cafe. Will have to come check out the food.
My husband and I came in for lunch on a weekday and it was not busy. Casual spot with a cafe vibe. We were quickly greeted and seated, and we ordered the vegetarian combination and the doro tibs to share. The food came out very quickly, which was surprising given our experiences of waiting forever at other Ethiopian spots in the city, but the food was just as fresh and very tasty. My husband loved the doro tibs. I liked the sauce but the chicken was a tiny bit dry. And the veggie combo was good, but some of the lentil dishes were better than others. My biggest issue was with the injera, which was more sour than I'm used to, and also thicker, which means each bite is more filling. I like my injera a bit thinner/milder. Otherwise, the food was good! And I enjoyed the mango smoothie I got there, too!
This has been literally the only good Ethiopian restaurant I've tried in Philadelphia. All of the other places are below average for sure. I tried the veggie sampler. First of all the portion size is very large. They also have 100% teff injeera available if you ask them and it was some of the best injeera I've had!
We ordered the veggie combo and doro wot. It was delicious. Staff was friendly and food came out quickly.
The person who was our server was also the owner, and man was he awesome. We are very familiar with the customs of Ethiopian food, but he was ready to assist and recommend dishes if we needed help and was super friendly. The restaurant is small and cozy with a second story for additional space with an aesthetic that pays homage to their culture. The food was delicious along with their shakes, and the injera was fresh and flavorful. Their portion size was perfect, especially for two people; one of them (my partner) had a huge appetite. Our only issue is the location. It is difficult to find parking as the restaurant is located near the Philadelphia City Hall. There was no wait time during the middle of the week, the prices were fair, the restroom is only one toilet and Im sure you don't have to wait, and accessibility can be a little difficult as the space is small, but it is possible.
Just spectacular. I tried the Ethiopian raw beef for the first time, along with vegi sides, it was excellent. No complaints about anything.
Apparently the Good Karma Cafés are all closed, despite the sign at the defunct one at Walnut and 24th Street that says to visit! So being a little hot and thirsty and not happy with the single college kids hogging tables at Alchemy, I "discovered" Almaz Cafe. Actually, Almaz has been around 15 years. Loved the No. 3 Sparkling Strawberry-Lime Smoothie, with added banana, for a sweet smooth taste cut by the lime and banana. Careful! I got a brain freeze on my first heavy sip! For a light bite, the owner suggested their homemade chicken soup chunks with rice and croutons in a crock. Really delish and a much needed pick-me-up between meals! Hung out a while to regroup and read while listening to some moody Ethiopian jazz organ music. Very chill on this hot Phillie day. Highly recommended place to get your mojo back. Note: I noticed someone cleaning backs and sides of chairs and walls and vertical surfaces--it's comforting to see a café cleanliness ritual in these times. We should all be so cleanly in our own lives!
Just happened to park next to this place and noticed it. Ethiopian food has been a recent discovery of mine. I had to try it. Simply put it was excellent. The doro (chicken) tibs were tender with a great flavor without being overpowering. Everything else from the injera bread to the sides were of good quality as well. I'm a big fan of Ethiopian coffee now and the iced coffee here is very worthy of its reputation. I've been to a few Ethiopian restaurants in the city now. This is probably my second favorite. But it's a very high second. Maybe 1.5. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to try this food. And the people running it were very nice. Support the small businesses in Rittenhouse. It's more fun for me to get a meal at a place like this than it is to go to the trendy spots.
After years of keeping my loyalties to West Philly Ethio food, I found myself a stone's throw from Rittenhouse with a hole in my stomach the likes of which only a few layers of sour injera, savory gurshas of veggies, and raw beef could satisfy. Each meat dish comes with two veggie side dishes of your choice, as is the custom for almost all Ethiopian restaurants in the city, and looking online, I decided on the Lamb tibs, the kitfo, and gomen, cabbage/potatos, and two types of lentils. The reviews online complained of portion sizes so I went a little extra with it to share (with my tomorrow self, of course. I'm welcome!) Came into the shop for pickup, paid with card, and the case had a good collection of pastries, baklava and other cake-like things. Looks like it would be a nice space to sit and enjoy a coffee as well, with a second floor space overlooking the shop. I made my way home, the two boxes wrapped on my lap keeping warm in their insulation of styrofoam and teff blankets. My first bite was the injera. Always the injera, to test the sourness, the firmness and density. This stuff is my favorite type. A little funkiness that adds a tang to every bite. The lamb was tender, the kitfo was well flavored and not too spicy, and gomen and lentils were tender and the cabbage was mostly there too, just a few undercooked bites. But honestly, for the same price as what I'd pay for my other favorite places around the city, I got just about the same amount of food in a style that I recognize and love. Will be back for takeout once I'm back around the square! Thanks so much.
The food was scrumptious at Almaz! I went with a couple friends who never had Ethiopian and they loved the flavors. The portions were good and there was plenty of injera to dip the food in. The shop itself is quite small but it was very cozy. Despite sitting on the top floor away from the kitchen, the service was still wonderful. Would highly recommend coming here to eat.
5 months ago
absolutely love this homey little spot for ethiopian food! i've been to almaz cafe several times, it's my go-to place whenever i'm craving ethiopian food. this time, i came with my boyfriend and we shared two of their dishes. he got a chicken dish and i got a beef dish. everything was absolutely delicious and so so flavorful! the meat was tender, and the injera was soft and spongy with the perfect amount of tang. i enjoy every bite i have here! the owners are the absolute cutest and the service is immaculate. they're so friendly and are always happy to offer dish suggestions. service was fast, and they were excellent about refilling our water. great experience overall! read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
Great cafe with awesome service and ambiance. We were exhausted from drive from NYC, perfect place to rest, recharge before meeting up for dinner with family. Great Ethiopian cafe. Will have to come check out the food. read more
My husband and I came in for lunch on a weekday and it was not busy. Casual spot with a cafe vibe. We were quickly greeted and seated, and we ordered the vegetarian combination and the doro tibs to share. The food came out very quickly, which was surprising given our experiences of waiting forever at other Ethiopian spots in the city, but the food was just as fresh and very tasty. My husband loved the doro tibs. I liked the sauce but the chicken was a tiny bit dry. And the veggie combo was good, but some of the lentil dishes were better than others. My biggest issue was with the injera, which was more sour than I'm used to, and also thicker, which means each bite is more filling. I like my injera a bit thinner/milder. Otherwise, the food was good! And I enjoyed the mango smoothie I got there, too! read more
8 months ago
This has been literally the only good Ethiopian restaurant I've tried in Philadelphia. All of the other places are below average for sure. I tried the veggie sampler. First of all the portion size is very large. They also have 100% teff injeera available if you ask them and it was some of the best injeera I've had! read more
2 years ago
We ordered the veggie combo and doro wot. It was delicious. Staff was friendly and food came out quickly. read more
3 years ago
The person who was our server was also the owner, and man was he awesome. We are very familiar with the customs of Ethiopian food, but he was ready to assist and recommend dishes if we needed help and was super friendly. The restaurant is small and cozy with a second story for additional space with an aesthetic that pays homage to their culture. The food was delicious along with their shakes, and the injera was fresh and flavorful. Their portion size was perfect, especially for two people; one of them (my partner) had a huge appetite. Our only issue is the location. It is difficult to find parking as the restaurant is located near the Philadelphia City Hall. There was no wait time during the middle of the week, the prices were fair, the restroom is only one toilet and Im sure you don't have to wait, and accessibility can be a little difficult as the space is small, but it is possible. read more
9 months ago
Apparently the Good Karma Cafés are all closed, despite the sign at the defunct one at Walnut and 24th Street that says to visit! So being a little hot and thirsty and not happy with the single college kids hogging tables at Alchemy, I "discovered" Almaz Cafe. Actually, Almaz has been around 15 years. Loved the No. 3 Sparkling Strawberry-Lime Smoothie, with added banana, for a sweet smooth taste cut by the lime and banana. Careful! I got a brain freeze on my first heavy sip! For a light bite, the owner suggested their homemade chicken soup chunks with rice and croutons in a crock. Really delish and a much needed pick-me-up between meals! Hung out a while to regroup and read while listening to some moody Ethiopian jazz organ music. Very chill on this hot Phillie day. Highly recommended place to get your mojo back. Note: I noticed someone cleaning backs and sides of chairs and walls and vertical surfaces--it's comforting to see a café cleanliness ritual in these times. We should all be so cleanly in our own lives! read more
Just happened to park next to this place and noticed it. Ethiopian food has been a recent discovery of mine. I had to try it. Simply put it was excellent. The doro (chicken) tibs were tender with a great flavor without being overpowering. Everything else from the injera bread to the sides were of good quality as well. I'm a big fan of Ethiopian coffee now and the iced coffee here is very worthy of its reputation. I've been to a few Ethiopian restaurants in the city now. This is probably my second favorite. But it's a very high second. Maybe 1.5. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to try this food. And the people running it were very nice. Support the small businesses in Rittenhouse. It's more fun for me to get a meal at a place like this than it is to go to the trendy spots. read more
After years of keeping my loyalties to West Philly Ethio food, I found myself a stone's throw from Rittenhouse with a hole in my stomach the likes of which only a few layers of sour injera, savory gurshas of veggies, and raw beef could satisfy. Each meat dish comes with two veggie side dishes of your choice, as is the custom for almost all Ethiopian restaurants in the city, and looking online, I decided on the Lamb tibs, the kitfo, and gomen, cabbage/potatos, and two types of lentils. The reviews online complained of portion sizes so I went a little extra with it to share (with my tomorrow self, of course. I'm welcome!) Came into the shop for pickup, paid with card, and the case had a good collection of pastries, baklava and other cake-like things. Looks like it would be a nice space to sit and enjoy a coffee as well, with a second floor space overlooking the shop. I made my way home, the two boxes wrapped on my lap keeping warm in their insulation of styrofoam and teff blankets. My first bite was the injera. Always the injera, to test the sourness, the firmness and density. This stuff is my favorite type. A little funkiness that adds a tang to every bite. The lamb was tender, the kitfo was well flavored and not too spicy, and gomen and lentils were tender and the cabbage was mostly there too, just a few undercooked bites. But honestly, for the same price as what I'd pay for my other favorite places around the city, I got just about the same amount of food in a style that I recognize and love. Will be back for takeout once I'm back around the square! Thanks so much. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
The food was scrumptious at Almaz! I went with a couple friends who never had Ethiopian and they loved the flavors. The portions were good and there was plenty of injera to dip the food in. The shop itself is quite small but it was very cozy. Despite sitting on the top floor away from the kitchen, the service was still wonderful. Would highly recommend coming here to eat. read more
I had lunch at Almaz Cafe last weekend with my mom and husband. My mom is vegan so we mostly enjoyed the veggies! We shared the veggie combo, the foule, and the doro wot (chicken). The veggies and foule were good, but the doro wot wasn't quite as flavorful as I've come to expect (it's one of my favorite dishes). The service was great. And the restaurant is understated, casual, and comfortable. A good casual spot for lunch. read more
3 years ago
Quaint full-service restaurant with Ethiopian food. About half the food is Ethiopian, and the other half is (American) sandwiches and soup. I got the sega alecha (beef stew). Came with injera bread (a sour, spongy flat bread made from teff). Definitely different from the usual fare. read more
The atmosphere is very cozy and intimate, we came on a hot day and thankfully it was very cool inside so right off the bat I was thankful! The servers were very welcoming and accommodated a party of 8 of us without any reservations in the middle of the day so extra points for that too! The inside space overall is quite small, so I would probably just bring a friend or two if I wanted to feel comfortable in the space. The server was very attentive and we got our food rather quickly, and the server answered my friends questions and suggested popular dishes as well. I ordered the ethiopian iced coffee which was delicious and gave me a good jolt of caffeine, but I didn't feel overly caffeinated. I ordered the Beef Tibs and it came with a side of lentil stew, some cooked potatoes and of course tons of Injera. The meat was good quality, but nothing exceptional. It felt like a good home cooked meal which nonetheless made me happy. There was a good mix of spices and overall the bulk of the meal was good. The Injera was soft and plentiful, but it was a bit too sour compared to the other ethiopian restaurants I've had before. I would probably come back, but maybe just to share something with a friend, or for the iced coffee. read more
2 years ago
Best Ethiopian food i've ever had! Sometimes Ethiopian restaurants have so much food that you might as well have shared, but this had the perfect proportion of food per person. Service was quick, and although the physical space is tiny its beautiful! read more
2 years ago
This place is spectacular. We've never had Ethiopian food and came to try it this afternoon. The staff was so friendly and welcoming, and the food was amazing. We got the doro tibs and veggie combo to try a few different things. My favorite was the doro tibs, misir, and beets. As someone with a gluten sensitivity, the gluten free injera option was incredible. I also got a soda. The total was less than $50 for two people. A wonderful place and I will definitely be back. Next time I'm looking to try their Ethiopian iced coffee! read more
4 years ago
I had Ethiopian in DC a few months agao & it was so special & unique that I went searching for an Ethiopian restaurant here in Philly to try. I was very pleased to see that Almaz Cafe was one that we could venture out to! The restaurant is small & cute. The staff was very friendly & sweet. I really enjoyed the food. It's unlike any other I've tried before & it was absolutely delcious. I am excited to come back! The portions are good, we had leftovers for the next day! read more
4 years ago
The owner was a super nice gentleman. I had Ethiopian many times before and this place wasn't as flavorful but it was still good and I enjoyed it. The vegetable combo was a great way to try a variety of dishes. The Ethiopian spiced tea is a MUST! It's flavored with cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. It's so soothing and delicious. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
Solid 2.5 stars! Never a good sign when you walk into a restaurant and there's no one dining there. Pros: Clean restaurant, 2 story so lots of seatings available, fast service. Cons: injera was too sour, to a point where it's inedible. Chicken stew was decent but chicken was dry and over cooked. Vegetarian platter wasn't good, bland. The food came out too quick, not a good sign. Overall, I expected so much from this place. I love Ethiopian cuisine and dine in one in my hometown but this was far from perfection. read more
Very generous portions, but I was sad to say the food was just okay. I had the Doro Wat and an order of Kik Alicha. The chicken was good enough, but the injera tasted really off to me. Also, the Kik Alicha had a somewhat rotten taste to it that I couldn't put my finger on. I've had Ethiopian food from numerous places and was really craving it. I've made Kik Alicha at home before and it's turned out even better than what I was given. I'll try the Beef Stew next time and update my order if it's better, but from what I ordered, I will not be going back. read more
3 years ago
If you like Ethiopian food- especially vegetarian... do not miss this tiny cafe in the middle of 20th st. I had a vegetarian combo and it was soooo satisfying and tasty . I usually like spicy vegetarian but this is better without too much spice and so much flavor. read more
4 years ago
I'll come back again. The vegetarian combination plate, a traditional vegan classic, is beautifully done here. It's on the mild side so if you like spice maybe you'll want to request added pepper slices on the side, as I'll likely do next time. This time, I just sat in the sun and enjoyed a delightful lunch break, feeling very well looked after by the kind couple that runs Almaz. read more
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More info about Almaz Cafe
140 South 20th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center
Directions
(215) 557-0108
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https://almazcafes.com
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