I'm sorry to say that, despite the very friendly service at Asmara, I won't be going back anytime soon because the food is not that great. Having lived in Philadelphia for three years, I'm spoiled when it comes to great Ethiopian food. Asmara's food is simply bland compared to the ones I've had in Philly, even when I ordered a spicy dish. The lunch special price is reasonable, but I honestly would rather spend my money on other proven delicious foods. read more

Ethiopian food is good stuff and this place is good. The injura was tasty as was the lamb, salmon and chicken. Overall, however, it was a bit under whelming compared to other Ethiopian I've had elsewhere. I would recommend the food if you want some. The atmosphere was a bit less than great. There was no music, some regular tables and photos on the walls, unlike all the other places which were much more traditional. The staff was pleasant and attentive. read more

Asmara - Great for sharing! - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

Tucked away in Portland, Asmara is this quaint little Eritrean restaurant with tasty food options. Everything is served on injera, a sourdough flat bread. The sides are served with the main course on this bread. They have delicious African tea and a coffee ceremony that suppose to a delightful experience. It's family owned and locally run. Can't recommend it more for a new experience! read more

Asmara - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

We were HANGRY and the food took 30 min to arrive after placing the order. We were thinking we are never going to come back again. And then the food came... Food was Amazing! We got three entrees (two vegetarian, one chicken) on the huge injera (Bread). I also learned on this trip that Eritrea is the neighboring country to Ethiopia and have a lot of cultural similarities and that shows in the food. Food was delicious, flavorful and plenty. We tried the African Tea with Rice Milk and that was pretty good too. Overall 5 Stars! Definitely coming back next time we are in Portland. read more

Amazing food and super nice owners. Went to broken arrow down the street for 12o nicks and was still starving so came here for the chicken it was delicious. Great portions and prices read more

Don't come right when they open? I was worried when we came for lunch today when we were at the door at opening time and had to wait a few minutes for the owner/cook to arrive and open the doors. I had a sinking feeling we'd be getting microwaved leftover dishes... I was right. We ordered a couple vegetarian options and some hot tea. We had to wait quite a while for the tea and the food to arrive, which I don't mind if the food is being prepared in the kitchen. Sadly though we heard the microwave beeping continuously and the food finally arrived with that microwave leftover texture and unevenly heated. The injera was literally cold but at least it was tasty. The food was less flavorful than I've had other places and the prices were higher. I love local, small, family businesses and was really excited to get some yummy food today but we left food on the plate and have upset tummies from the microwaved, tepid food. The people were oh so nice but the experience and food was not, sadly. read more

This place is legit authentic in a really good way. The Injera is fantastic, and truly fermented in a way that lend a terrific sour undertone to the well spiced dishes. Owner is a joy to speak with as well. Worth the visit read more

Great food. Good service. The lamb with peppers was a favorite. Happy to be able to visit again while in portland.

Delicious! Healthy and clean food. Vegan options are amazing. Hearty portions and reasonably priced. Family who owns and works there are friendly and accommodating. read more

After 9 years of living in Portland, Asmara is STILL my favorite "cheap eats" go to restaurant. The woman who owns the place always remembers me, asks to see pics of my daughter, and totally knows that it's me on the phone when I place my order, so I don't even need to ask for extra injera anymore, it just shows up in the box. As my wife isn't a fan of Ethiopian/Eritrean food, I typically do take out and we have a picnic at home, but I also love lingering here and having their honey wine, or coffee service. I've tried almost everything on the menu, but my two regular go-to dishes are the spicy beef with potatoes, or the chicken tbesi - spicy chicken stew. I typically get the red lentil side, and even though I know it's probably bottled italian dressing on the salad, it works SO well with the injera and the rest of the dish. Cost is about $10-12 per meal, and there is SO much food. I've had Ethiopian/Eritrean food in San Fransicso, NY, and Boston - and this is hands down the best place I've ever had this kind of food. read more

Cozy hole-in-the-wall with a family-owned vibe. Came in on a Wednesday night with my lovely accompaniment and we had the place to ourselves. Sat at the window booth and had a nice view of Oak street on a rainy night. Not your normal "Maine" fare, however totally worth making a trip to Portland for. It was more of a dining experience as compared to just ordering and eating. Thought the honey wine would be painfully sweet but was just right. Strong honey flavor. The highlight of the chop-chop salad was the dressing and torn bits of Injera. Chickpeas were flavorful, delicious and creamy. Meal was serve communal, without utensils. My new favorite utensil? Injera! Think of a pancake made with sour dough. Meat served next to vegetarian entree. Strict vegetarians who would be offended by this, be warned! Went back with a friend to try the vegetarian sampler. Menu says serves 3-4 people for about $41 but we were able to finish almost the entire platter. Perfect amount left for lunch the next day. The chickpeas remain my favorite, although everything was delicious. Tried the Tusker Ale this time around, a traditional beer in Africa and although I'm no beer-connoisseur, I really enjoyed it. The very friendly and thoughtful owner served our food and engaged in interesting conversation. He even remembered me the second time I went in. I find myself wanting Asmara over and over and over again.... read more

This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant ever. I have yet to find a better one in NYC and whenever I'm in Portland I always have to come here. Technically its Eritrean food, but the menu is the same as any Ethiopian place ( I can't tell the difference). What makes this place so good is they don't dumb down their food for Americans. They make it spicy and authentic and its awesome. I'm sick of how bland and mild the other ethiopian restaurants I've been to are, just 'cause the rest of my country is a wuss doesn't mean I am! The fiery lamb/beef/chicken stew is my personal fav. GO HERE. read more

we dropped into this restaurant because I have never seen such strong recommendations on yelp. And this time, yelp did not lead me astray. This place is so authentic, so delicious that the family that owns this place just had to be from eritrea. I'm not sure, I didn't ask. what I am absolutely sure is that the the family was so warm and welcoming that they make southern hospitality seem like the culture of cannibals. No fewer than three different people came out to apologise for their perceived sense of slow service (it was not slow). When the food 'finally' came out, I told the owner that it was really good. He asked if I ever had eritrean food before. I said I had ethiopean food once. He laughed and said it was all the same thing. With service like that, it's definitely not all the same. read more

Eat with my hands? Why not. Not to worry they will give you a spoon or fork if you aren't dexterous enough to shovel the grub into your pie hole with your paws. And shovel it in I did. This place is my favorite sort of place, a small hole in the wall next to a more popular cafe. They won out since my friend and I didn't have cash and Asmara takes plastic. We walked in around 130pm and were suddenly worried, it was empty, just us and the waitress and owner (mother and daughter.) Those worries were calmed by walk in lunch take away. We ordered and the food was to our table quickly. I felt bad that my friend and I had to have separate plates, she's strict vegetarian and I ordered meat. But they accommodated us without issue. The food arrived quickly and man, it was good. There was enough that I couldn't finish my meal (Chicken stew) and my friend left feeling that she'd eaten too much. The food was flavorful and delicious. Prices for lunch are extremely affordable, with dinner prices being a little more expensive. I left here wanting to take all of my friends for lunch, too bad I don't live in Portland. A spot I'll remember for the next time I'm traveling through Portland. read more

So I am the jerk who just gives them four stars. I know I know. Let me explain...I love Ethiopian food (yes I know this place is Eritrean) and i have had it in many places (Toronto, LA, Detroit, Denver, Portland) but this is not my favourite place nor is it my second favourite BUT it is very very good and the prices are good. The thing that really makes it is the ambiance, not because it is fancy and well appointed, but because it is a small, family run business with all the warmth and care that comes with that. What I assume are the owners' kids were there doing their homework and the older daughter took our order. Some people who were sitting across from us got fed up with waiting and left before they got their food. Come on, if you go for Ethiopian you know you have a bit of a wait ahead of you, this happens everywhere and it is just part of the experience...relax and have a beer and chill out mannnn. Anyhow the portions were large and filling and the Injera was supplied on demand when we ran out. Really a Gem in Portland and worth a try (and a return trip!) read more

If I could give Asmara 10 stars instead of 5, I would. Since moving from Portland I have tried Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants all down the east coast and have not found anything close to as delicious this place is. I've had nearly everything on the vegetarian menu at this point and they are all delicious. Definitely get the appetizers, sambusa is so good. The service is a little slow, but it's worth it for such a rich food experience. It's small and definitely not the kind of dining that Portland is known for, but I would say it's a MUST for any visit to Portland. read more

This was a wonderful dining experience. This is definately a place to fix those spicy food cravings. (althought they do have mild options) The service was absolutely excellent. They were so attentive, friendly and accomadating. They provide wet cloths to wash your hands before serving your meals. The food was an entirely new and exciting experience for my taste buds. The injera (bread that the food is seved on) was light and held up well to scooping up the food, until the center gets soggy. They will provide plenty of extra injera to sop up all the deliciousness. The veggie somosas had a crispy exterior and a medley of veggies inside. I ordered the spicy chicken dish with the cabbage and potatoe side. The chicken does come on drumsticks and im not a fan of bones but it was tender and bursting with spicy flavor. The cabbage and potatoes were so good, I definatly would have ordered a larger helping. The salad was fresh and simple with a wonderful vinagerette dressing. The house made mead was wonderful, with a delightful taste and smooth sweet honey finish. I would come back for this alone. They also offer soda and kenyan beers. I would definately like to come back and enjoy a coffe ceremony. read more

Injera, berbere, keyi, alitcha...all part of the everyday household lexicon, right? I learned a lot on my first trip to an Eritrean restaurant, which I understand is close to, or actually is, Ethiopian cuisine. I can't seem to get a straight answer, but whatever - this food is delicious. Asmara is a tiny place heated to about 270 degrees, so tip #1 - don't wear a sweater. (The restroom is heated to torture chamber levels. WTH?) Tip #2: Order some of that delicious honey wine. You won't be disappointed. I'm more of a beer guy (and I ordered the Tusker lager from Kenya, and it was awesome), so I didn't order it. But one of my dining partners was kind enough to give me a taste. It was a perfect balance between sweet and quaffable, and not an extreme alcohol kickback like many meads I have tried. I could wander in here during a snowstorm (in a bathing suit) and drink a handful of those puppies down. Tasty. The food here is the real reason to come (along with the service, which I will get to). I wasn't terribly impressed with the veggie sambusa appetizer. I found the outer fried shell a little too hard, and the inside a little bland. The American in me craves a dipping sauce of some sort for this kind of appetizer. But the dinner - wow, this was good. You get a choice of injera or rice (the injera comes by default if not specified.) What's injera? It's about as large as a Dutch pancake with a slightly thicker consistency and a wheat-colored tone. On top of that injera are three portions - the main dish (basically lamb, chicken or beef with different veggies, spices and/or sauces mixed in), a side dish (choice of three) and a salad. You rip off a piece of the injera and do your best to estimate how much you can fit inside it, awkwardly grasping at food without trying to make a huge mess. Sounds awful, but it's a neat experience. The flavors were intense. I ordered the Lamb with Spinach, which is sautéed with onions and berbere. What's berbere? No clue, but it's hot and it's tasty. Not unbearably, meathead-nuclear-wing-eating hot, but very spicy hot. The Tuskers went down quick. So did the food. I would say the big surprise of the meal was the red lentil stew side dish, which I absolutely loved. On next visit, I may order this as my main dish. (Yes, there are a few vegetarian options.) This had incredible flavor and beautiful consistency, with a scrumptious red pepper sauce swimming with the lentils. Highly memorable. But beware - this is a very filling meal. I advise you eat slowly (unlike me). Final note is the wonderful service. Very nice folks who own this place, checking in to make sure we enjoyed our meals. All pleasant demeanors and it felt like they were welcoming us into their home. If you're unsure about Eritrean (Ethiopian?) food, give this place a shot. Worth it. read more

Dang. What a place. I really enjoyed my dinner at Asmara. Not many people I know in Portland have been here before which is surprising but I often here people saying "I've been meaning to try that place!" Well....just do it! If you have never had Ethiopian before or if it's your favorite, this place is awesome. Super friendly staff. If it's a slow night I recommend ordering one dish at a time and then continuing to order as you decide what you like best and how much more you want to eat. They have Tusker (very common Kenyan beer), which I found extremely exciting. I just highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone as a step away from the 'normal' downtown dinner spots. read more

Awesome food. The owners were great and made the food right then fresh. The injera was great, so was the chicken. The vegetarian options were yummy too- lentils and collard greens read more

We enjoyed this place immensely. It's not going on my list of "must eat before you die" places, but we will be back regularly. I agree with some of the other posters that I have had bolder Ethiopian food before- but this was very flavorful. My partner's remark was that the balance of the spices was really exceptional. Excellent injera, and they gave us a little extra when it was clear we needed it. Eating without utensil efficiently takes practice! :) We went as a couple, and were served as a couple- one big plate of injera (sour dough flatbread/pancake) with all of the food we ordered. I was into this! We share everything anyways. All of the entrees are of the format that you pick your main dish, you pick one of three vegetarian sides, and rice or injera. Love this, you get to try a lot of things! Food was very tasty, and felt very healthy. We only ate off of the vegetarian menu, but I would like to try a lamb dish next time. We tried the collard greens and kale, red lentil soup, f'oul, and shiro. The only thing I didn't like that much was the collard greens- a little bland. We loved the f'oul and the shiro. A little pricey- $13 for veg dinner, $15-16 for lamb, rest in between. I say this is pricey because the veg ingredients are dirt cheap, and it's not very labor-intensive to make. I think this is partially because they don't do a huge volume, and partially just because it's exotic. One of the things that really stood out to me is that there is absolutely zero waste at this restaurant. Nothing is disposable, no utensils means less to wash, minimal use of dishes, and the hand wipes we were given before we ate were cloth napkins dipped in some kind of sanitizing liquid (btw, I have insanely sensitive skin, and these did not cause a reaction) All around, great experience! read more

I went here for lunch yesterday, probably my fourth visit. It reminded me how wonderful this place is. Opening the door fills you with wonderful aromas. The warm welcome from the owner opens your smile. You are transported to another culture, prepare for an unhurried pace. I am not saying slow, just relaxed and homey pace. The food has always been absolutely wonderful. Exotic spicy stews served on fresh injera. All food is eaten with the hands, using the injera pancake as a handle. My wife had the f'oul and collard greens, I had lamb tibneh(?) and red lentils. We both loved every nibble. Go here, you will love the food and the people. read more

Our meal at Asmara was very good. Flavorful, exotic, well spiced, it was all very good. I got the Shiro which had a chickpea dish (delicious) with a side of kale and greens (delicious) and a salad (yummy). My boyfriend got the lamb tibsi which was well cooked and a side of red lentil stew and rice instead of the injera. We also had the honey wine which was good and worth a try. The food was all very good, but some dishes on the plate were warmer than others, and I really like all my food to come out hot. If you like Ethiopian/Eritrean food or middle eastern food you may like, but the flavors were not my favorite. Not saying they were not very good, just not my preference. read more

To start I had no idea what to expect when walking into the doors of this place. Was I going to be sitting on a pillow on the floor? Will there be anything on the menu I like? I came here with a pretty big group and was surprised how fast the staff took drink orders and had them delivered. People in the group ordered the honey wine and it seemed to be a big hit. My wife and I split a dinner and I'm glad we did because it was big enough for two. We ordered the spicy chicken. I was a little surprised that the chicken was still on a bone even though it was covered in sauce and the closest silverware was located at the restaurant next door. The flavors were great, the sauce was spicy and had a nice kick, it wasn't as spicy as I imagined but still very good flavor. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for something new to try. read more

Consider this fair warning that the Asmara experience probably isn't for everyone. I appreciated the service here, mostly, though I would have loved the opportunity to order dessert before being given my check, but the food was very disappointing for me. I ordered the #6, Alitcha Derho or chicken stew, which costs about $15 for a dinner portion and comes with bread, a salad and a side. I wasn't given the option of which side I wanted, but was served the red lentils. When my food arrived, most of it was cold. The chicken curry stew was bland and the lentils were so spicy that I couldn't eat them (admittedly a problem with me, not the food, but I would have liked the opportunity to pick the other cabbage and potato side when I ordered). The bread was cold and fell apart under the weight of the food, making it difficult to eat with. The texture and temperature of everything made me feel like it had been pre-cooked and then just microwaved to warm before service. Additionally, the portions of everything but the bread were small given the price tag. The one element of my meal I did enjoy was the honey wine, which was unfiltered, sweet and strong. I thought about going back again to see if this was just an off experience before writing this review, but honestly I can't see spending this amount of money to be disappointed again. You may well love Asmara, it may be that it was simply "not for me," but I'll pass. read more

The vegetarian platter for three is great! I would highly recommend this place. The owner Asmeret is great to talk to. read more

Asmara - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I came here for lunch with my boss this week. The service was prompt and polite, and was happy to explain anything about the menu. Since this was my first time eating this cuisine, I wasn't 100% sure of what to expect, so I tried something that didn't seem too out of my comfort zone. It was one of the chicken stew options. The tradition is to eat this food with the spongey textured bread which helps soak up the sauce. I enjoyed the food and will definitely return. I will probably go more out of my comfort zone next time too! My boss had the okra and potato dish which was delicious and flavorful. I know I will be back with friends to try more dishes! read more

Had a nice lunch and enjoyed it very much. Nice little find in Portland. Service was friendly though I waited a little long for my food but it was worth it. read more

Never would have guessed that I'd find a great Ethiopian restaurant in Maine. I was even more shocked to find that the food was just as good, if not better, than any Ethiopian that I've had before, even in D.C. We had the vegetarian sampler and each dish was nothing short of amazing. It just felt like all the food was made with love. However, I was a bit taken aback by the price. It was about $32 for the lunch portion. My local restaurant only charges $14 for the same thing. This wouldn't stop me from eating here again, just something that surprised me a little. Service was good. I've only been a few times because I'm not local to the area. One of the times we went, they had a small group come in and it seemed like they weren't used to serving so many people at once. I'm assuming this is family run, as there seemed to only be one or two people cooking. It took a while to get the food, but once our food got to the table, it was entirely worth it. This is definitely a rare gem in meat and potatoes Maine. read more

We were excited to try this place after seeing the great reviews. Ultimately I felt a little let down though. I like trying new foods, I just found the flavors to be a bit off for my tastes, the curried chicken and injera particularly. (I didn't realize injera was literally sourdough). I did like the chicken with onions peppers and tomatoes though. I may come back for lunch and give that particular dish another shot, with rice. The dinner price for the portion size was a bit steep too. I left feeling like I could have had a better meal for the money elsewhere. It was a new experience though. read more

Asmara - Two chicken entrees. $32. - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

Absolutely delicious. Honey wine was just right - not too sweet. If don't know Eritrean food, don't worry - you will become a fan here! Great service as well! Small, informal, family owned. read more

Asmara - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

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This would definitely be a consideration for 5 stars. The feel was homey and the only nice lady working there was super friendly. The food was goo the place was clean and the lunch price wasn't too bad. 8.95$. You will be eating with your hands. Pleased with my experience. A different preference will give this eaterie five stars. read more

Asmara - Home-made honey wine! - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Great find! I have been to a few Ethiopian Restaurants in a few States but the food here was Superb, has the Lamb with okra and could not stop eating:))) Great experience! read more

Maybe Ethiopian food just isn't my thing...it's just not the ethnic fair I would choose for a night out. But as far as Ethiopia restaurants go, this place has pretty good food. Different lamb, chicken, beef, and vegetarian dishes. They're all served on the injura (traditional Ethiopian item that serves as a plate and utensil- think of it as a slightly spongy sour pancake/tortilla/naan). I've had a bunch of their different dishes and stews. All of them have been good, but lack the intense flavoring and spices that I would personally want. We tried the salmon dish that they only make on Friday and Saturday nights. It was okay, nothing to write home about. Large chunks of salmon, but stewed to the pint that the freshness of the fish really doesn't matter. The place is adore end with some Ethiopian art pieces. It's a small restaurant closer to the arts district than the old port. Food can take a little while to come out, so don't expect a quick bite to eat. Overall, Asmara is a good restaurant. Not somewhere I would personally choose, but wouldn't be averse to having a group meal there if others had picked it. read more

This was my first experience with Ethiopian food, and I have to say I enjoyed it. Very social and communal. While the food was tasty, I have to say I felt it was lacking a bit of flavor or punch. We tried several dishes together- spinach, lamb, chicken and salmon. The injera was great, and they were definitely attentive to give you more. The honey wine is made in house- and it was interesting and very sweet (though I think a one time experience for me). Overall, I look forward to trying Ethiopian food again-- but may at a different venue. read more

Small on the inside. Hand-only Ethiopian food that is bursting with flavor! The fish-stew dish that I had was absolutely delicious. read more

The amount of food was great. I am so full. Getting to eat with my hands was fun. The taste of every part of the meal was the best. First time eating Ethiopian food. Highly recommend you try it. I will definitely be back with friends. read more

Asmara - Lunch special $8.95 Anything on the menu. Very good deal. - African Near Me - Portland, Maine

I had the best meal in over a year at Amara. We had the vegetarian sampler meal and the fit fit appetizers and everything was fresh and wonderful. I only wish I lived closer so I could come back every week. read more

If you like ethnic food, there's no place better than Asmara. The owner, Asmarat, hails from Eritrea and makes the most incredible injera. The style here is no silverware, no hesitation, dive right in. Be prepared to get down and dirty. This place lays out one large pancake-like bread, tops it with lamb, chicken, beef, oils, dressing, sauces, veggies and other delicatessens. Recommend ordering a few toppings. Come with friends. read more

I love this place for lunch! I've not tried it for dinner but the lunch specials and the fact that it is not crowded gets my thumbs up. The lady that runs/cooks is super sweet and very accommodating. I've not had Ethiopean food this good since I left Los Angeles. The injera is wonderful as are the vegetarian dishes. Awesome place! read more