I've been coming here for decades. I love the family who runs this restaurant and the amazing food they have. Back in the day, there was fresh roasted coffee on Saturday evenings, but the food is still fantastic. We sat at a table this time, I prefer the 'pedestal' personally. If you're feeling a little adventurous just do it. It can be intimidating to not have utensils- you just tear off a piece of the Injera (like sourdough crepe) and pick up what you want to eat. Not everything is spicy- but some is, so if you're not up for spice, be careful. There are lots of vegan options and it's ok to call the waitstaff over (he doesn't like to interrupt). read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant is an absolutely amazing local gem of a spot. If you are looking for vegetarian or vegan options, I would highly recommend this place!! Upon entry, we were amazed by the ambiance and vibes of the place. There were traditional Ethipoian art works and decors hung on the walls which were absolutely beautiful. It was our first time trying Ethiopian so we were confused, however the staff were extremely helpful and gave us great recommendations. For a group of 5, we got the vegetarian combo and it came on a large platter on top of injera bread. Every single Wat was spiced to perfection and it surprisingly reminded me of Indian food. The injera was soft and delicious and was a perfect pairing with each Wat. The food was satisfying and the flavors were warm and homey. This restaurant will definitely be getting multiple visits from us in the future! read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Vegetarian combo with injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Went here with coworkers (I ordered a veggie combo) and they ordered meat dishes to share. Food was incredible! We all loved every bite! One thing is the wait was long for the food to be prepared but it was well worth the wait and staff were very kind read more

I tried to reserve on line the table for 2 people . 2 days in advance. I didn't get the reservation time I asked for. I gave them 2 hours time slut of my desired time. Again 2 days n advance! They kept bumping my reservation for at least 3 hours later from my requested time. I don't believe they are so busy to accommodate 2 people Did they want me to call for the reservation? I want to reserve on line. Their loss. I will go to a different Ethiopian restaurant. read more

My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Milwaukee. Definitely worth coming. We've been going here for many years and the owners are fabulous and the food is even better. read more

This is a lovely, cozy spot for delicious Ethiopian food! I met up with a friend for dinner here as she had never tried Ethiopian food before. There were only a few other groups in the restaurant when we arrived and it seems like much of their business is shifting to carryout. We ordered the mixed platter, which included 7 different entrees with plenty of injera. Everything was spiced to perfection and was delicious - I love the lentils and cabbage, and my friend's favorite was the lamb. Drink options are limited but delicious - I absolutely love the Ethiopian cinnamon tea, and they have some other unique options like honey wine and Ethiopian beers. The host was kind and attentive with us, and we never felt rushed. I will definitely be back - looking forward to another delicious meal there soon! read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Mixed platter for 2! - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Always wanted to go, but never had the chance until recently. Simple exterior and interior. It's the kind owner and food that grabs you. Even if you have 1 or 3 diners, everything is served communally on one silver plate. The vegetarian (and non vegetarian) dishes were excellent. Everything is an accompaniment to the injera which is very similar to the South Indian dosa (but with some extra fermentation). Definitely a cuisine that must be tried and thereafter will be a keeper restaurant. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

After 30 years in Milwaukee I just found out about this restaurant last night and boy, how sad I am at missing out for all these years. My bride and I ordered the Plate for 2. There was chicken,lamb, cabbage, collards, with a wonderful cheese portion. It was all served on a bed of teff bread and meant to be eaten with your hands for the authentic experience,forks for less adventurous. I recommend an order of the lentil sambusa( maybe 2, they are that delicious). Everything was seasoned beautifully and deliciously. The atmosphere is simple and tasteful. The prices are very reasonable. The waiter was very kind and patient with my slow decision making. I was so pleasantly surprised about this place that I wrote this review. read more

Ethiopian Cottage is great! They are now allowing dine-in as long as you have a reservation. The place itself is small but homey. The service is fast and the quality of food is great! We got a sampler of the vegetarian options that were all different with textures and flavors, but all amazing! None of them were really spicy. We also tried the chicken dish and it was definitely one of my favorites! Will be back and would recommend! read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Food was really good. I was not familiar with Ethiopian food but found that i really enjoyed it in spite of the raw onions. I would consider it a take out place but enjoyed it just the same. read more

A-OK, not bad. Stopped in with my lady, but besides a big group dining in, not much else going on in the restaurant. We ordered the Sampler with doro wat and veggies and liked it. Service was very nice, but the whole night's dirty glasses were all piled up on the bar, which isn't the greatest. I like Ethiopian food, this place is especially good if you're looking for group-friendly dining, and I'm glad it's on the East Side. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I thought they were doing dining in but takeout only. We came here after eating some homemade Ethiopian food and this nearly compares! I got the vegetarian combo. I absolutely love the lentils and split peas, maybe two of my favorite dishes every time. So flavorful!!! Even if you're a strict meat eater, please try these, you can't go wrong! I tried a bite of my friend's order that was tibs and I do think I prefer theirs over Alem's. Very quick to serve takeout and staff was kind. I'm hoping for them to move to dine-in! read more

With great food and quick service, Ethiopian Cottage is definitely a place I'd recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Ethiopian experience. Although the prices were slightly higher than I anticipated, the flavor and experience were worth it. Be prepared to get your hands dirty! An authentic Ethiopian experience means no silverware. I really enjoyed this meal, and I look forward to going read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - The aftermath - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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This is such a chill and lovely gem. Just got the vegetarian platter for takeout. The bread was perfect and the spice is just enough to get your heart pumping. One dish is almost enough for two people. Inside was a vibe with some cool Ethiopian music playing and a game on the small tv. This would be a really good dinner date spot; if I could only get her to notice me. They have a lot of wine to choose from and the dude who took my order and rang me up was very sweet. read more

The food from Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant is a 5/5. The reason I am giving them a 4/5 is because of their owner/management. The man who frequently answers the phone/takes orders/deals with customers is not pleasant. He does not seem happy to have customers, but rather annoyed that he has to deal with them. He is the one who put his business on Groupon, yet he seems to have an attitude when you try to use said Groupon. He makes you pay tax on the Groupon price in cash when you pick up your to go orders. His Groupon says you can only use it for dine in, but the restaurant is closed for dine in because of covid. When you ask to use the Groupon despite this, he acts annoyed but says he will make an exception. Because yeah, the pandemic has been going on for a while and if you don't want people to use it for carry out yet the only thing you are currently offering for the last 1.5 years is carry out, then maybe you should remove your restaurant for Groupon since no one would be able to use it anyways? I have gone in to pick up a carry out order and have had to purchase something additional because I did not have cash to pay for the tip and I had to use the card for a purchase in order to add the tax onto it. This has happened several times and each time something does not add up. I end up paying way more than I had expected to and only realizing later. I believe that he may spontaneously make things more expensive or charge customers more for certain products without asking. The hours of the restaurant are also not very reliable (I once went on a weekday when their website said they should be open and the door was locked without a sign or anything indicating when someone might be back or what was happening. With all these sketchy sorts of issues going on, the restaurant still gets 4/5 because the food is just so good. It is so unique and so delicious. It is also fun to eat and fun to try new things. I have previously tried both the vegetarian and the meat combination platters. Both are very delicious. I would recommend that everyone in Milwaukee tries this delicious Ethiopian food, but I would also recommend being clever, smart, and cautious about the situations I mentioned above. Make sure you bring cash to check out if you have a Groupon, make the most of the Groupon when/if it is available, and check menu prices for accurate information. read more

I love their food! We tried the vegetarian platter for two with both the regular Injera (not sure if I spelled that correctly), the bread/naan/tortilla-like food to wrap the veggies with, and the gluten free version. I'm not too big of a fan of the collard green and the sauerkraut-like dish, they tasted more on the s ur side. There was nothing wrong with it, just my preference. I really liked the lentil dish, that looks like chilli, it's brown and textury. I would order a full meal out of it :) Used my hands to eat, no utensils required! The injera was perfect to hold all the food. Their decaf tea is good too, I like tea on the sweet side and would recommend putting sugar. Otherwise, try it without sugar and you're good to go! The seating has two different type, a normal dining table and one with lower seats with the table on the same level so you lean in a little to grab the food, see photos. It makes you feel like you're in a village eating with your hands. This makes for a unique dining experience! read more

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Very good Ethiopian place! If you have a craving for injera with some great Ethiopian curries, this is a great place. We got takeout from here and will make this part of our regular rotation. The staff was very nice, especially to help us know what dishes have certain ingredients for my son's allergies. read more

First time trying Ethiopian food and it was Outstanding!! So much flavor in every stewed dish. Eating with the rolled up spelt bread was easier than expected and a fun new experience. We will definitely return here. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Sampler platter with meat and an order of Tibs beef - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We drove all the way from Kenosha to try and glad we did. We took a Chicken and beef platter to go and found a nearby park bench. The portion size was perfect and the flavors so yummy. The chicken in particular was delish. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Combo platter to go - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I wouldn't recommend. Not only myself but both of my kids felt a little sick after eating here. The dinner just didn't sit right. I've had Ethiopian food before in Minneapolis, but this was mediocre compared. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Milwaukee!! Prices are reasonable and they give you lots of food. The food itself is absolutely delicious; best injera I've ever had. Inside is charming and comfy. The waiter/I assume owner is always very kind. read more

I'm not an Ethiopian cottage virgin any more. I feel that I need a badge. Not sure what this badge would be called or what it would look like. Hmmm? So, I came here a boy and left here a worldly man. Because of YELP. TYVM. UYE Unofficial Yelp Event Supper club series. Organized by Josh. I missed going to the other location a few times due to fear of eating the unknown and un pronounceable. So it took me a few years to find courage and research to become familiar with Ethiopian food. Our group of 9 were quickly seated at a section with chairs and two giant baskets. A few of us peeked inside. I expected to see a snake or some kind of appetizer food but it only had a metal pan inside. We ordered a few drinks they were out of st George so I got the next best thing. Guinness. They also had a sweet Ethiopian honey wine and Ethiopian tea if you prefer. This is a place that friends can enjoy experience good company and eat with your hands. I recommend the variety platter it will come with vegetarian and meats. I'm still unaware of exactly what I ate. The reddish sauced dishes tend to have deeper spiced flavors. Some were vinegar and some had traditional flavors like collared greens. Special thanks to all of the Yelpers who taught us how to eat. Ethiopian style. Food 4 the food was very healthy, mechanical soft chop texture. With very little fat I expected greasy stinky fingers but the wet naps at the end helped greatly. Ambi 4 no fruit flies today. Servi 4 one lady took of hosting, drinks, food and cleanup. I'd say be patient because most places would have staffed up the front of house. Loca 4 Value 4 70/2014 read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - On the E side of Farwell. - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Delicious food. Great service. Wonderful staff. Eat with your fingers! Very authentic. Service is fast. Restrooms are decent. Nice mix of vegetarian and meat dishes. Great place to bring vegan friends and meat eaters. Looking forward to visit soon read more

We had been here a few times before a few years back, and it was one of our fave places to eat. Delicious food, generous portions. Then, we moved to the coast for awhile and have just returned. So when a Groupon for a chicken + beef platter for 2 came up, we figured we would give it another try to see if it was still as good as we remembered. We came in on a Friday night, early-ish, and were surprised to find the place pretty empty. They were out of honey wine *sad face* and the waiter didn't seem sure about whether they had gluten free injera or not. We did end up with what appeared to be GF injera, but were not charged extra for it. The food was SO GOOD and the saving grace of the meal. The bread seemed fresh. The flavors, delicious. Everything was well prepared. The portion size did seem a lot smaller than we were expecting and that was different than we remembered. Typically the "platters for 2" in the Ethiopian restaurants we frequent are so much food that it fills both me and my partner in addition to our toddler, sometimes with leftovers. This was barely enough to curb everybody's hunger. I'm not sure if perhaps the business is struggling and so they've changed their portion size or maybe they give a smaller portion size to Groupon customers. Maybe we got spoiled living in the Bay Area (check out Ensarro in Oakland if you ever make it there!). Or maybe they are just very inconsistent with their portions. But, I would be hesitant to return to pay full price for what we received. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Beef + chicken combo for two - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I've eaten mostly the vegetarian dishes at Ethiopian restaurants around the US, and the food here is definitely amongst the very best. The service was also quiet but effective. We drove up from Racine WI to dine here, and it was well worth the drive. A careful blending of spices and just a tiny hint of heat made each dish truly a treat. Of course, if you don't like sharing dishes eaten with your hands then you may not like Ethiopian fare served this way, but my wife and i would eat here again any time. If you want to try something a hint different, come eat here. And we aren't alone. We heard every other table in the place thanking the waiter for a wonderful meal. Well done Ethiopian Cottage! read more

First let me start by saying the food is amazing. When they get it right I'm the happiest person on earth... but they rarely get it right. I don't know if the guy there doesn't understand but he never ever ever gets my order right. Today I ordered chicken... when I got home I had beef... I call back and the woman says, we don't have chicken...and I'm like so you just give me anything??? I don't eat red meat! But I paid for a meal. And they offer no resolution. I know it's covid but at least give me what I pay for read more

I just love this place. This is the one and only Ethiopian restaurant I have been to in Milwaukee (...in all of Wisconsin actually), and I have no reason to look further for something better or variety in my Ethiopian cuisine. It's a small, family-owned business that takes pride in their hospitality and quality of food. They always have a Groupon available, so find it and go! It's for a veggie platter for two and it is more than enough food to share. We also like to throw the doro tibs in for good measure and by the end of the meal, my belly is happy and full. I don't need to speak to the flavors of their food because the fact that the trip from Bayview to the Eastside is still made when the crave for Ethiopian is strong, should speak for itself. And it is worth the short, 15-minute drive every time. read more

Take this rating with a grain of salt. First time ever eating Ethiopian food so nothing to compare against. Ordered the vegetarian platter and shared with a friend. Really enjoyed the experience and flavors of eating something new. Everything was cooked perfectly, enjoyed mixing the items, was fun to eat. The different flavors worked well together. You owe it to yourself to try some new things and experience food in ways you never have. I have zero complaints about the quality and delivery and service of my first Ethiopian experience but will be totally honest, not really my thing. I would go back to try some other dishes however, as it was very good and who knows, maybe I'll find my thing, and end up eating there every other week as some friends of mine do! read more

Food, service and just everything about this place is so unique and delicious if you haven't tried it you better!

So far this is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Milwaukee, though truth be told, I haven't tried the others because Ethiopian Cottage is so darned delicious. We often go with a Groupon for the veggie platter for 2, which is more than enough for two people - sumptuous lentils, impeccably spiced greens and outstanding potatoes and carrots, the platter is perfect with the homemade injera to pull it all into one perfect handful of food. I'll add a meat to this - most recently the doro tibs, which was phenomenal. We have typically stuck to the drumstick chicken, but the white meat stewed in onions and spices really pulled the veggies together. So much so, it was possibly the first time we cleaned the plate. read more

I have to admit: when I first entered I wasn't hit by the magic of this place, it took me about 5 minutes to truly appreciate what is going on here. I had a combination platter, and it was very good! The service was pretty good too. We ordered a tea and it came when we were ready to leave, so be aware that it takes a while for them to make the tea, but it is super flavorful and a good digestive, maybe that's why they bring it after dinner(?). The tables have a sign between the glass top and the table itself featuring an Ethiopian honey wine, which I thought it was cool that they have this home made whine (sadly they were out), but kind of tacky that they promote it in that way. An other thing that was messing with the ambiance was a tv with a hockey game. I would think that if they have a tv, they should probably play some Ethiopian channel or cultural videos, or even a soccer game instead of jockey. The food: really good! Pretty much every item on the plate was beautiful, the eggs where over cooked, but the meat was tender and each stew and curry were flavorful and delicious! We had lentil sabosas as an appetizer, and I recommend you to try that too! Mmmmmmm mmmmm mmmm. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Chicken+beef combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

VEGAN FRIENDLY!! Soooo amazing. Got the veggie combo and it was such a great variety of flavors. Really good fresh tea and the coffee is great for coffee lovers. read more

Some reviewers thought that the basic underlying food element at the Ethiopian Cottage is like a "pancake" and that the chicken was not fresh so the place will probably close down soon! Now, after eleven years in business and preparing very authentic Injera and other traditional specialities, people need to be encouraged to visit here if they want to experience a quality unmatched in much American cooking. Ethiopian cuisine has the most unique preparation in Africa and can hold its own against other complex world cuisines like Chinese, Mexican and French. Injera may look like a pancake, but it is the unique Ethiopian bread made from tef, a very ancient grain. The wonderful flavors in spinach and cabbage and the meats braised in simmered onions rather than oils are unique to Ethiopian preparation. Milwaukeans are fortunate to have at least two downtown Ethiopian restaurants and locals should expand their tastebud panel by trying more and more of this world-reknowned cuisine. And people who think that the portions are too small may not realize that you're supposed to eat the "injera plate" with the ingredients on top of it. If you eat correctly, there's no way you can finish all the food. read more

My first attempt at sampling Ethiopian food, with a nice group of fellow Yelpers, convened at Ethiopian Cottage. The restaurant was bright and clean, and service was fine. Is injera my favorite kind of bread? Absolutely not, but it was an acceptable vessel to get the flavorful meats and lentils we ordered to my mouth. I think I would have appreciated the bread much more if it was like a soft pita bread, but then I never would have been able to eat the amount that I did because the bread would have blown up in my stomach like a helium balloon. read more

This place is doing carryout only during COVID (Aug 2020). My group of friends loves this place for the deep flavors and varied menu that works for vegetarians and GF. As a carnivore, I recommend the lamb in tomato based sauce. There is also a reasonably priced combo plater ($18 or $33 for 2 people) so you can sample the chicken, lamb and veggies at once. The portions are generous and seasoning on the mild side. read more

Definitely one of my top 5 restaurants in Milwaukee. Ethiopian Cottage has a warm atmosphere, kind employees, and a vegetarian sampler platter that is to die for. I especially love the lentil and the chickpea flour dishes. They also provide plenty of fresh injera to scoop up all these tasty little eats with. I highly recommend eating here. read more

We all know the service industry is being hit hard with covid, so we've decided to start a weekly takeout night with a 'new to us' restaurant each week. And with Ethiopian Cottage as week 1, the bar is set high. We're a house of vegetarians so we had the vegetarian platter for 2; also the perfect option when you want a little bit of everything. But don't be fooled, this will fill you up and probably lead to delicious leftovers. read more

Got this with a Groupon but would happily come here without the Groupon. Get the honey wine! It goes really well with the spicy, earthy flavor in many entrees. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Meal for three. We crushed it! - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I don't know why, but it's taken us a year to try this nearby restaurant. But it was worth the wait. On Saturday evening I think we were waited on by Yigletu, the owner. But whoever it was, he was very nice and helpful. And he seemed even happier when he saw we'd cleaned our plates! We had had a big lunch, so we shared an individual vegetarian sampler platter, plus an order of whole lentil Sambusa from the appetizer menu. The Sambusas were small, a bit greasy, and came with no dipping sauce. We'd skip them next time. The vegetarian sampler platter was large and tasty. A bit light on Injera, but only slightly. Overall very satisfying. Our old favorite, Asmara Eritrean Restaurant in City Heights in San Diego (apparently now closed, sadly) had some really tasty African imported beers. That would be a nice touch here, since we think beer goes much better with this kind of food than wine. But a Sam Adams Lager for $4.00 ain't bad either. read more

This place never disappoints. Friendly and quick service. Love the lentils and sitting at the mesob tables. Was a bit disappointed that the vegetarian option didn't have the eggs that I had during a previous meat option visit. I'll be sure to ask to add them next time. read more

Ethiopian Cottage Restaurant - Vegetarian platter. Yum!! Missed the eggs though - Ethiopian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin