When I travel with various groups of friends to new cities for events, we always try to visit at least one Ethiopian restaurant. In Portland, we made the wonderful discovery that there were almost a dozen in the area, and we had a difficult time figuring out which one, or ones, to visit. We initially chose Bole because of consistently good reviews and being relatively close to our hotel. It of course had the welcoming feel one expects. Ordering for our group was a little more challenging than usual, because much of their menu is set up for single servings. But has been the case at most Ethiopian restaurants, if you can convey to your server exactly what you want in a group platter, they can make it for you, which they of course did. The food came out quickly and looked and tasted wonderful. Bonus points for having beets in the vegetable platter. They do make the meat dishes slightly spicier than expected - we asked for them medium, and the lamb dish was much more than medium. Tej is available by the glass; ours was room temperature and slightly fizzy. Additional injera is available on request. Those aside, our dinner there was really enjoyable, and while we'd want to check out other Ethiopian restaurants in Portland, we'd certainly return here. read more

Bole Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place is one of my favorites! It's a cozy hole-in-the-wall spot with incredible food! I wish more people knew about it cause I want it to stick around. I always go with some people and split a meat combo and veggie combo. This is enough to feed 3 people or 2 if you are very hungry. I'd also recommend the honey wine. read more

Bole Restaurant - Meat and veggie combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

How delicious. Very warm server. I loved the vibe. Perfect portions. Well priced. Lamb and beef... holy yum

Amazing Ethiopian food in cute restaurant on Alberta. Cannot recommend highly enough!

My first experience with Ethiopian cuisine, and it was phenomenal. Very nice lady waited on me and directed me on what to eat. I had the Key Wot-Spicy and it exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this nice little restaurant. read more

Add this to the many Portland Ethiopian restaurants and carts I've tried over the years. Maybe it's difficult to mess up this cuisine because once again the meal was very satisfying. I craved beef tartar, but you only get the one dish for $20. So I opted for the veggie combo which was a good value and excellent variety for $17. Unless you're very partial to a specific dish, the combo is the way to go. Sadly, they were out of honey wine, a staple at any Ethiopian restaurant, so that was a bummer. The service was very pleasant and the atmosphere very homey and inviting. A definite recommend. read more

Bole Restaurant - The veggie combo is the way to play it. - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Ethiopian food is my favorite cuisine. The restaurant is just blocks from our house, so it feels like a profound blessing. The ambiance was set by the exquisite scents that greeted us after a long, long day. The warm reception and kind attention of the proprietor were equally welcoming. The food arrived piping hot and with ample injera. I realized that I had never been served such ample portions so fresh from the kitchen that they were still steaming. The veggie combo combined with Key Wot and Doro Wot was amazing, perfectly spiced and so delightful that we had a second serving just to prolong the joy and satisfaction- and it was offered immediately. A wonderful, family-like experience with great food, and outstanding service. We will be a regular visitors! read more

Been here a few times now and always been happy. I've tried their classic Ethiopian spread with Injera (the spongy bread that you use as a utensil) which has a mix of mushy meat and vegetable piles which admittedly doesn't sound appetizing but it is. I couldn't tell you what any of the actual ingredients/meats were on my plate but it was all tasty and colorful. I've also tried their Awaze Tibs which is a grilled meat dish (beef I think) reminded me of a fajita plate sort of. Though I haven't eaten enough Ethiopian food to be able to decide between which out of the few nearby Ethiopian spots is the best but I've enjoyed them all. I think even your white grandmother could enjoy this if she's a bit of an adventurous eater. The flavors here are all very mild while still tasty nothing spicy or too new flavor wise. and not just here most Ethiopian spots I've been. The thing that makes this one my favorite is the very cozy vibe in here. Only a few tables and not very good for a group larger than 5 (at least without calling ahead so they can rearrange tables). The lady here is also very nice. read more

Bole Restaurant - Habesha beer - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Such an amazing place. The service is wonderful and the food is INCREDIBLE I've been to quite a few Ethiopian restaurants within the Portland area and Bole is by far the best. This is the place that I keep coming back to and I keep bringing friends and family so they can have the same delicious experience. read more

Of all the Ethiopian restaurants in visited in Portland, this by far got my eyes rolling to the back of my head the food was absolutely delicious. What was interesting was the injera was unique, it was a tab bit sweet, with a hint of sour blends and perfectly sticky enough to help grasp at the food when eating with the hands. This place is definitely my favorite and my future frequent visits from me. If you haven't tried traditional Ethiopian cuisine, GO HERE NO JOKE read more

Bole Restaurant - I had the veggie combo platter, with injera. - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I seek out Ethiopian food and I have been curious about this place with a bright facade. I had the veggie combination and the Misto, beef in two sauces, takeaway. The veggie combo had beets, green beans and carrots, yellow split peas, collards, cabbage and carrots, red lentils and green lentils. It can feed two. I would ask if it is vegan, if you do vegan, the green beans and carrots tasted buttery. Bole follows the flavored by ingredients, mild spices, and a very small amount of salt. All of the veggies were tasty. The red lentils had a little spice. The key wot beef was mild-medium spice, a little thicker berbere, but not like the old Jarra's, or strong cinnamon & clove flavors. It has a slight sour flavor. The alicha wot beef was the star menu item. It is sweet, onions in the dish are blended into a sauce, where other places they would be sliced. There is a blended green vegetable in there too, and carrot pieces. Both meat dishes had ginger in their melange of flavors. The injera was fine, sour not lemony, and not bitter, though I like bitter. It is a small restaurant with a full bar. Their prices are extremely reasonable. I'm adding it to my list of Ethiopian food https://www.yelp.com/collection/S6aAlFKE7m1h14Lmf1_EDw/Ethiopian-Food-Yum. I would put it near the top of current Ethiopian/Horn of Africa restaurants operating today in Portland. read more

No flavor in the food everything tastes like nothing.doesn't even taste like authentic Ethiopian cuisine.very disappointing.

I'm from California, this was the best Ethiopian food in Portland, the atmosphere is beautiful too! Best service in town read more

Bole Restaurant - Ethiopian restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great Ethiopian food. Friendly atmosphere. Family owned. Fast service Freshly cooked dishes. read more

Delicious, authentic Ethiopian food. We had a variety of plates, each was a slice of heaven. Will come back again.

Colorful, modest, and incredible yummy food. We loved all the combo meat dishes they served us! So good!

Absolutely the best Ethiopian food I've had in the U.S. Fresh, smoky, spicy, tangy--the whole flavor array. Very kind proprietor.

Delicious and a cozy atmosphere. Flavors were distinct among the many different dishes. Service was attentive but not intrusive or rushed. Bole was a good place for conversation and fellowship. read more

Amazing food and great ambience. Family-owned authentic and delicious food. I ordered the veggie plate and the injera was some the best I've ever had. Got there early for dinner and it was packed before I left. Was in Portland visiting for work but is at the top of my list for my return trip. read more

A lovely Ethiopian spot on NE Alberta. Friendly, warm service. And the food: OMG! The best Ethiopian I have had in town. Wonderful experience. read more

After spending a week in Portland, this establishment is at the top three of my favorite places (others were Mexican and American burgers. All unique of each other). The atmosphere set is very inviting and soft on the eyes, loaded with what the owner chooses to show as their Ethiopian culture. A party of three, we had the Key Wot beef and awaze tibs (lamb) and it was a wonderful flavor dish. The lovely woman whom served us, she was working solo. The wait didn't feel extended as the setting laid is one to look around and comment. Ethiopian coffee, fresh and nothing added ?my request) - very robust and much power in the brew! She explained the breading used as the utensil and, personally, I should've asked her name. read more

Bole's food is amazing! This is my second visit and my mouth was watering even before I arrived, it was better than I remembered! Incredible Ethiopian food! read more

Bole has great food and generous portions. It is a sweet and intimate spot on Alberta!

I have been craving Ethiopian food and Bole hit the spot. Great service, quaint atmosphere and the food - well - nothing short of Divine! I HIGHLY recommend Bole. We will be back. Thank you. Oh - we ordered the vegetarian and misto combination. FABULOUS! read more

Great little family restaurant with tasty authentic Ethiopian classics. Their injeera is really great--so light and lacy you can see through it! read more

The flavored were amazing and it was some of the best food I've had in a while! The server was so friendly and welcoming. Will definitely be back! read more

Fantastic food, fantastic service, and great bang for your buck! Go here now please. I

My partner and I went here yesterday on a Friday evening at 5:15. There were 2 other tables there were seated. We were waiting to be seated and the owner tells us in a low voice, almost as if they didn't want the other tables to hear, that they were out of injera. It seemed off as it was only 5:15 on a Friday and to be already out of injera and two other tables were seated, and to tell us in a whisper? It was off-putting and we thought maybe it was because we were a queer couple. We ended up going to Abbysinian instead. Maybe it was a coincidence, but either way, how do you run out of a main menu item at 5:15 and you aren't a new restaurant and were hardly crowded? There are plenty of other Ethiopian restaurants to try that we are okay not returning to this one. read more

As good as you can get for Ethiopian food. -Flavor -Lot of options -Great injera -Flexible -Great service We came with 10 people and the did a great job on everything. Thumbs up for this place. read more

Bole Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Recently from the Seattle are, my sister took me to Bole, I immediately felt at home in a convivial environment. We were served as though we were longtime honor guest, our menu choices were explained to us, and Bole made helpful suggestions which enhanced our dining experience. Bole seemed like an authentic Ethiopian Restaurant, catering to Ethiopian and the general public, who wanted great cuisine at an affordable price. I was greatly impressed by the delicious generously portioned cuisine, prompt and courteous service, comfortable ambivalence, and exceptionally affordable prices. read more

I got the vegetable combination with two extra Injera. The Injera is so good, my favorite. So flavorful and tasty. I can't wait to come back and have a more veggies and more injera. The beets aren't on this one but it's also a good dish. read more

Bole Restaurant - Vegetable combination with two extra injera. - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The food was delicious. Language barrier messed up our desire to get seconds but it kept us from spending more money.

Small restaurant.good service. We really enjoyed the food. The vegetarian combo is a great deal.

HOLY BOLE! I have never had Ethiopian food but let me tell you what; it was bliss! I had given up on lentils they had always been under cooked and poorly seasoned but not these! They have renewed my interest in them, I ate the whole plate and could have eaten more if i wasn't so full. And the injera bread, ahh chef kiss, for something that is so simple it was incredible and compliments every dish so well with the tangy zip on the back of every bite. And such a unique texture but again compliments the heartiness of the entree. I have never been so content with such simple ingredients, absolutely recommend. The dishes are simple but excellent and the atmosphere is small and cozy perfect vibe for a rainy afternoon meal. I had the Defin Miser- Wot and my husband had the Derek Tibs with Lamb- again excellent, perfectly cooked lamb simple ingredients but seasoned so well and bread to soak up all the beautiful sauce leaving you with a clean plate and full belly. read more

Open now! Lovely little place, easy to miss but for the bright colored exterior. I got the veggie combo which was easily enough for two (or lots of leftovers for one). Cabbage was edging towards bland but the spicy red lentils were divine and the beets both sweet and savory. read more

Bole Restaurant - Veg combo (minus gomen). - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Got the veggie combo and meat combo to go, $14 each. The Injera was fluffy, sour, perfection and it was so plentiful. Both combinations were so delicious, I couldn't decide which was my favorite! Everything was flavorful, fresh and satisfying. I highly recommend Bole, especially of you are trying to support black owned business. read more

Great meal great service! Would recommend especially if you're in the Alberta/MLK area.

This place is just so darn tasty! I've been here three times and have had basically everything on the menu - it's all good! The injera is perfect - spongy and light with a pleasant acidity. It's a small place with a small staff, so bring your patience along with you.... you will not be disappointed! read more

We're visiting from San Francisco- this place was so amazing! We ordered the combination vegetarian with a few other meat dishes- so delicious!! read more

Bole Restaurant - Amazing food! We inhaled our entire meal!! - Ethiopian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We LOVED our veg meal from Bole. My 17-year old daughter devoured the leftovers for breakfast the next morning, a huge compliment to the chef! Everything we had were particularly delicious versions of each dish. Thank you so much; we will surely be back soon! read more