Beteseb Restaurant
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According to the last US census and multiple studies, the Washington, DC area has the largest Ethiopian community outside of Africa. While the Adams Morgan neighborhood was the original hub of the community back in the 1970's, for me Silver Spring is the true "Little Addis Ababa" in the DMV. Recognized by both The Washingtonian magazine (https://washingtonian.com/100-very-best-restaurants-2026/beteseb-3) and EATER - https://dc.eater.com/venue/49060/beteseb-restaurant - head chef Chef Darmyelesh Alemu was recently nominated as a semi-finalist for a 2026 James Beard Mid-Atlantic region award. Met up with some folks recently for a group dinner at Beteseb and was thoroughly impressed. As is always the case with Downtown Silver Spring, parking can be a challenge limited to mostly paid street meters; or it's a brisk 10 min walk from the Metro. The interior is tastefully decorated, if not a bit too "busy." In the back towards the kitchen is an array of Ethiopian antiques, pottery, and artwork atop wine racks. The walls are also adorned with beautiful artwork against a neutral color palette. I don't quite understand the large cooler filled with beer and other beverages; gives off a bit of convenience store vibes. But I'm not here for the decor...but for the highly regarded food. We had a large group of 10 people, so the food took about 20-25 minutes to arrive; which is fine since that meant it was being prepared fresh. Several folks ordered various combo platters...which were huge (pics available from other reviews). I wasn't super hungry, so I got the collard greens with beef which as delicious! The collard greens had been slowed braised for hours which broken down the usual tough fibrous texture of the greens. The flavors were a subtle mix of slight bitterness and saltiness which mixed perfectly with the stewed beef. The injera wasn't dry and was the perfect culinary vehicle to tear off pieces and envelope small amounts of my dish. I intended to save some of the entree for lunch the next day, but wound up eating it all there! I finished the meal with some spiced tea, which aided in digestion as I chatted with my dining group. Service was efficient and non-intrusive. Utensils were provided as requested and water glasses were filled when needed. I can see why Beteseb is so highly rated. It's well-prepared food at reasonable prices. Note, individual checks are possible as long as servers are notified at the beginning of the meal. Price for single entree, hot tea, tax+tip was about $30.
This is a great spot. It was a bit hard to find since signage isn't super clear, but it's pretty tiny and located on the corner. I ordered the vegetarian platter and felt it was a good deal and amount of food. I ordered a boiled egg as well as a side of ayib. The ayib was great and the egg was delivered about halfway through my meal which was odd--I actually forgot I ordered it. If it can't be delivered with the meal, it probably shouldn't be offered. At the point I received it I was near done eating. The food tasted good and had a good price point. They also offers Ethiopian beer which was great. This was a good spot, definitely a hole in the wall so I do suggest making a reservation.
Honestly, I thought it would be a lot better with so much hype. Everything was a bit off. The service was OK. Our waitress didn't check in at all. When you go in, you have to have the mind set that it is a small business restaurant. I think it's because when I hear James Beard, that service is a part of it. They didn't know what beers they had or wine. I had to think what beers would be here based on me being at a Guyanese event! lol. The food was OK! It wasn't mind blowingly good. There is another Ethiopian spot in SS that was so nice and extremely good food so I thought this would be 10x that. This is small, but there was no music and it was sooooo bright in there. I feel like all of that sets the mood for the experience. The positive is that it is still extremely reasonable. We walked out of there with a $60 bill, which was two beers, beef and veggie platter and a side of rice and chicken drum. Also, you are still supporting small business when you go and not some chain.
The food was fantastic exactly what I wanted from an Ethiopian restaurant and the prices were super reasonable. I visited Beteseb with two friends and we got the veggie combo platter and the doro wot! They gave us plenty of extra injera on the side we didn't even have to ask for more. Service was great! The menu is so cute; I thought it was so clever to visualize the platters like that instead of just listing everything.
Excellent Ethiopian in Silver Spring on Georgia Avenue!! We got the veggie combo and added crispy beef, also baklava for dessert. Great service, large portions, absolutely delicious food.
Amazing food and value. I'd knock off half a star if I could for not having Tej and not even knowing what wines they DID have lol. But for the Ethiopian food it's a winner as expected. The vege combo was amazing and HUGE for a great price. I was able to substitute a couple veges I don't like for doubles of ones I do like, very appreciated. Meats and fish come with two veges on the side. Great food.
The food was so good that I had to pace myself before I overate! I opted for the special Kitfo and its was seasoned very well. I also ordered the atkilt alicha and that was BOMB. The salad had the perfect amount of dressing and I left satisfied. The server was friendly and paid the right amount of attention to us. I enjoyed my meal!
Small place with a pretty nice atmosphere. Great beer selection and the menu isnt overwhelming which is nice. I ordered kitfo raw and a sambusa and ofcourse and ice cold Habesha! Kitfo wasnt the best I ever had but it was still good. Service was good for how late in the day I came. I was here around 9:40pm.
Heard from others that both DC and Silver Spring, MD has some great Ethiopian food so we decided to give this spot a try! We went on a late Sunday night and there were plenty of tables. After being seated, I noticed that the menu they handed us looked like an updated menu that had great visuals and a refreshed look to it! It's actually the shape of a semicircle so when you open the menu to the first page it actually looks like a complete plate of injera and all the veggies +/- meat which is great for those who haven't had Ethiopian food before. (Included pics of the menu here) We ordered the Veggie Combo and the Lamb Tibs entree which we thought was the perfect variety for two people--especially since getting a taste of each veggie option offered gives you the best of both worlds. They also ask you whether you want everything on one plate which is great for sharing! Everything was very filling and flavorful. Service was good, and it was a ton of food--enough to bring home for another meal (we just ordered some injera to go with our leftovers). What we ordered: -Veggie Combo -Lamb Tibs Entree
Service: No reservation needed when we arrived, and we were seated and attended to right away. The staff was friendly and helpful, which made the experience even better. As the evening went on, it started to get more crowded around 7 PM, so if you're coming during peak dinner time, a reservation might be a good idea. Taste: We were in the mood for Ethiopian food and decided to check out Beteseb based on the great reviews--and it didn't disappoint! We ordered a platter with extra tibs, and it was more than enough for the three of us. Every bite was flavorful, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. You can really tell the food is made with care. Ambiance: The space is cozy and welcoming, and we loved the creative presentation of the dishes--it added a fun and modern twist to traditional Ethiopian fare. It's a great spot for both casual meals and special gatherings. Recommendation: Beteseb is definitely a gem. If you're looking for delicious Ethiopian food in a comfortable setting with great service, this is the place. We'll definitely be back!
My boyfriend and I finally had a chance to come here after we had been wanting to check out Silver Spring's Ethiopian food scene for a while. We decided to try Beteseb based on all its recent recognition, and it did not disappoint! We went on a Tuesday evening so it was pretty quiet, just a handful of other guests. Service and ambiance were fine, nothing standout but nothing negative either. The food, however, was delicious (and reasonably priced)! We shared the beef & veggie combo platter and each had a glass of wine. The food was so flavorful, everything was well cooked, and the platter included a nice variety of complementary tastes. My only complaint was the lack of customizability in the combo platter. Some sort of "build-your-own" option would have been great so we could order a variety of meat selections rather than a few different kinds of beef. We were allowed to swap out some of the meats for veggies, but not for alternative meat types. It would be great if they would offer a few different combo options, even if the other meats come at a higher price point.
Good is INCREDIBLE!!! Dare I say this may be the best Ethiopian spot I've tried in DC. Boyfriend and I shared the beef and veggie combo for $31.99. Greta food. Great price. Perfect amount for the both of us. Service was good and ambiance is nice. 10/10 experience
I love this place and I love Ethiopian! On a weekend, it gets pretty busy, but I've never made a resy. The service is always great and the portions are huge. We had the doro wot (chickpea puree), cabbage and potatoes, a salad, beets, collard greens, beef and chicken. My favorite vegetable side was the cabbage and potatoes which were stewed in a curry. Don't underestimate the salad which offers a refreshing addition for the injera. They toss the alas with salt, pepper and oil. As for the chicken, it's fall off the bone tender - so good! That also comes with a boiled egg. We received all of this for $30 - what a delicious deal!
3 years ago
I visited on Saturday afternoon - lucked up and found street parking. I seated myself - waistress came by quickly with a menu. I ordered the veggie combo - it arrived quickly. Some of the temperatures seemed slightly off to me. The flavors were somewhat bland in comparison to other Ethiopian restaurants I've tried. The portions were ok. read more
3 years ago
Love Ethiopian food. Got the veggie platter x2. Service was very slow. The best thing on the platter was the collard greens. I surprisingly enjoyed the salad dressing. They give you plenty of injera. Also got coffee. I take mine black. It was fantastic! Restaurant was clean. Servers were friendly. Would recommend. read more
7 years ago
I ordered bozena shiro from Beteseb Restaurant. I Came home with this meal that isn't even one serving soon of shiro. I can't believe my eyes when I opened the order. It is not fresh and It looks like That was the last serving they had. I'm so disappointed & not worth the $13 I spent. Will never order from them again Lucy's restaurant next door is way better. read more
We got the veggie platter with some beef stews. The food was good but nothing too special. I thought the beef was a bit too lean and dry for me. I like fat. The lentils and potatoes were good. I also love injera in general read more
3 years ago
Loved this cozy little Ethiopian restaurant at the corner of Georgia and Thayer avenues! I went there when visiting silver spring after I had seen a pbs documentary featuring this restaurant. We ordered the vegetarian platter which was served family style (Ethiopian family style). But the waitress was very accommodating to our American ways and gave us small side plates so we could have our own. The atmosphere was one of locals hanging out. Hands down the best Ethiopian food I've had read more
5 years ago
The best! The food is outstanding !! It's a nice little place. The service is great . They are very nice and helpful . They gave wonderful suggestions . The food is the best I have had in a very long time . All the reviews are legit ! Loved it! read more
Really nice Ethiopian food here. Had an interesting almost rare-cooked meat along with the veggie combo. Was easily enough for two people. Waitress was also very quick and friendly. Conveniently across the street from astrolab brewing read more
4 years ago
Delicious! Friendly staff. Amazing food. My favs are the tibs (spicy and/or ribeye tibs, both good!) + greens + salad + cabbage. Loved the combo of flavors They're also generous with the injera! read more
7 years ago
Holy yum this is the best Ethiopian I've ever had!!! I got the veggie plate and couldn't decide which was my fav because it was all sooooo delish. For other nervous parkers, I parked in the Wayne garage and walked about 5 min rather than attempt to parallel 8-) read more
3 years ago
First time in Beteseb and we will be back!! The food was delicious, good service, family ambiance. read more
3 years ago
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2 years ago
Silver Spring, Maryland is becoming one of the go-to cities for great Ethiopian food. This was my first time eating at this restaurant and I was not disappointed. The waitress was very polite and patient in selecting the right food and beer for my friends. read more
7 years ago
We were in Silver Spring for the day and took the opportunity to get Ethiopian food. This place was highly rated, and I can understand why! We ordered the veggie platter and the doro wot. Both were tasty. I especially loved all of the lentil dishes in the veggie platter! The shiro was also good, but it was missing something. The servers were attentive and friendly, although the food took a little longer than expected to arrive at the table. The restaurant was exceptionally clean, bright, and airy. All and all - great food, good prices. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
This is my first time here i was looking for zigni which they dont have on thir menu but the waiter suggested i get dora which i think is similar. The restaurent is very clean and well-ventilated, they have a good selection of beer and wine and their menu is big too. The food i got was very deliciously hit and spicy very rich in flavors and was finish in no time. I will definitly come back and try other dishes ... The staff are very friendly and nice.. read more
Most Ethiopian restaurants inconspicuously fall under a "Veggie platter" joint or "Meat haven". According to Ethiopian word of mouth, Betseb has the best kitfo in town--meat haven! I read the yelp reviews prior (all non Ethiopians) and was prepared to either; 1) Bring an industrial grade megaphone 2) Utilize my Resting B**** Face to get their attention while wallowing in silent protest Much to my surprise, my party got the royal treatment! It was the eve before Ethiopian Christmas and the place was packed but server squeezed us in the back. Even the man I suspect to be the owner/manager checked on us. The anticipation for the food COULDNT BE HIGHER! I was prepared to leave my "Desta-Atlanta" days behind me lol FOOD: Kitfo (steak tartar/ $16) and derek tibs (sauteed prime cuts/ $14) Kitfo was sorely lacking on butter. After the first bite my friend and I automatically noted the disparity in the makeup; kitfo is a delicate balance between minced prime meat, spices and Ethiopian kibe (homemade butter). For their mainstay to be kitfo and not deliver is really crushing. The kitfo was accompanied with gomen (collard greens) and ayb (homemade ricotta like cheese). Tibs was good. BUT its such an easy dish that most Ethiopian restaurants cant fuck it up. The reason I trekked to Silver Spring was for the Kitfo-- and that kitfo aint it. The hunt for the BEST KITFO spot in the DMV continues....stay tuned NOTE: Keep in mind of cultural barriers, things that you deem universal are not. If you're not being attended to just physically walk over to a server and vocalize that your party is ready. If issues continue then its your right to make it known in your tip. read more
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5 years ago
I heard good things about this restaurant so I had high hopes. Was NOT disappointed. The food is soooo good. Service is friendly. (If you want to sit outside, call ahead so they can set up for you) read more
5 years ago
This was my first experience trying Ethiopian food and I'm a little disappointed it was here. We wanted samosas but they didn't have them because the kitchen was backed up with orders. We ordered the veggie platter which comes with 6 veggie stews and we ordered lamb ribs. Everything was cold except the lamb. We asked for a box and said something to the waitress. She told us it should have been hot and apologized. Of course the injera at the bottom of the stews was mushy by now so it would have been nice if she had offered us more since we were taking home the cold food we received. Overall, I hope this was just a bad day for them because the food tasted good. read more
6 years ago
My favorite Ethiopian spot in the DMV! I love the the yebere tibs and the atikik gomen! Everytime my friend and I come here we eat wayyy too much because we LOVE it. To die for! I recently tried the Rift Valley red wine and loved it. Will be doing take out until COVID is over. read more
2 years ago
I don't know Ethiopian food but my friends do and they say this is as good as it gets. Everything was amazing. The general idea is this: You order a platter or an array of items and it arrives on a big platter lined with warm injera, a big pancake (like a tortilla) made from teff flour (which is gluten-free, by the way). You can get some extra injera. You tear off a piece and use it to pick up some food. No utensils! Everything was great. We had some chicken and lamb but the non-meat items are so good this a place you can easily go vegetarian and not feel deprived. Not sure what to order? Let the wait staff advise you. It will be great!! read more
4 years ago
Having eaten at most of the Ethiopian restaurants in Silver Spring, I can confidently say that this is my absolute favorite Ethiopian place to eat at! The vegetarian combo is my go to menu item of choice, but before I dive into how great the food is, let's talk about the restaurant environment. When I walk in, the first thing I notice is an open-space concept, with tables evenly distributed throughout the dining area, and an ideal location for small group or large community gatherings. Another thing I immediately notice is 2 large open ventilation systems strategically placed on both the left and right walls near the front entrance. You know how some restaurants leave you smelling like whatever food you ate at the end of your meal? Well, with this restaurant, there is no residual scent that catches onto your clothes because the dining area itself is thoroughly ventilated! This is perfect for me because I often come here for lunch and have to go back to work and meet with clients in person. The customer service is also consistently strong, as waitresses are attentive, check in on you an appropriate number of times during your meal, and are always open to modifying or customizing which ever dish you are ordering. Now- onto the food. I've tried most items on the menu and the veggie combo is a win for me. You can't go wrong with a diverse arrangement of Ethiopian vegetables neatly assorted over a blanket of injera. The atakilt wot is my favorite veggie option from the entire dish itself. To clarify, atakilt wot is cabbage with yellow potato. The combination of cumin and tumeric used to create this atakilt wot give off a rich, hearty, yet earthy aftertaste. The salad served with the veggie combo has a balsamic vinaigrette that pairs well with the slightly sour aftertaste that you typically experience with injera bread. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant to any all locals and visitors to the Silver Spring area! read more
Tried the vegetarian platter and another plate thats a chicken drumstick with a sauce. The actual platter is a great portion for a group actually. I shared with my husband and left satisfied but not super full haha. In regards to the other plate we got we thought it was expensive and so not worth it for the tiny portion(chicken drumstick). If its your first time here get the vegetarian platter. My advice is to get another plate in addition to the platter. They also had some great beer selection! I thought prices were overall moderately priced with a few exceptions. read more
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We always go to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant, but this time we thought we should try some other place. Beteseb was a refreshing change. We ordered Veggie Combo and Timatim Fitfit (small pieces of injera, tomato, onions and green pepper). Veggie combo came with yellow lentil, red lentil, cabbage, mashed peas, collard greens and kale. It tasted good. We were particularly excited to try Timatim FitFit. It had a sour kick in it and had a nice refreshing taste. The prices are good, quantity was perfect. Servers are very polite and friendly. Ambience is somewhat 'cafe like', I would not get a date here. It seemed more like a friends and family place. May come back if I crave the Timatim Fitfit ;) read more
7 years ago
More info about Beteseb Restaurant
8201 Georgia Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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(301) 448-1625
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http://betesebrestaurant.com
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