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    Ethiopic

    4.0 (820 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ethiopic Reservations

    Order Ethiopic Takeout or Delivery

    Ethiopic Photos

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    ETHIOPIC ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Ethiopic

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    Imani G.

    Ethiopic has a warm, intimate ambiance that makes it a nice spot for a relaxed dinner. The food was really good and definitely helped elevate the overall experience it was flavorful and well prepared. Service, however, was just okay. Our server was also the host when we arrived. There was a small awkward moment when we were seated she just kept pointing to the table she wanted us at which felt a bit abrupt. When it came time to take our order, she didn't seem fully attentive, which took away slightly from the experience. Overall, the food and ambiance really carried the night. With a bit more attentiveness in service, this could easily be a standout spot. I'd still recommend it and would return, especially for the food and intimate setting.

    Trying Ethiopian food for the first time! - Ethiopian cuisine featuring a large round injera bread with multiple toppings including lentils, vegetables, and stews, accompanied by bread rolls and a basket of bread.
    Julie h.

    Heard DC had a big population of Ethiopians and we had to try the food. So we found Ethiopic when we were close to one of our stops off the big bus tour. So we came in for lunch. Our server was very sweet and recommended that we get the veggie sampler and beef or lamb tibs. We opted for the lamb option and a sambusa order to start. Loved the beef sambusa the most out of everything! We broke bread and ate what came and had a great experience.

    Complimentary Bread
    Nicole J.

    My friend tried the sambusas at the H Street festival and talked about how delicious they were the time we were there. We tried to get some when the festival was over, but they had already shut down. To our surprise, they owned a restaurant and told us to come inside to order. We sat as the bar and was greeted my Tigest. She told us the different types of sambusa options and we were able to get one of each: chicken, beef and lentil. While we waited, she bought us some water and complimentary bread. The bread was so soft and the dipping sauce was divine! 10 minutes later, our to-go order was ready. By the time I got home, they wre still warm and I quickly dove in. The lentil was definitely my favorite but the green sauce took it too another level. I believe it was a cilantro, jalapeño and lime combo. I'll be sure to ask when I return to the restaurant to try for dishes.

    Artwork inside - A framed painting depicting a stylized face with closed eyes and a calm expression is displayed on a white wall inside a restaurant.
    Anne S.

    Really good vegetarian platter that had one of every vegetarian option on the menu. The beef sambusa was absolutely delicious as well. Space is clean with a chill ambiance and the service was very friendly.

    Jennifer S.

    Food was so good - we got 1 veggie platter and 1 meat platter to split between 4 people and it was more than enough food. However, there were some issues with the restaurant itself. There were multiple fruit flies that kept flying around and landing on our food and drinks. The bathrooms were not clean and were missing toilet paper. The service was on the slower side and not as attentive as it could've been. The platters were very quickly removed when the eating slowed down despite not asking for it to be removed. Would recommend getting takeout from this restaurant over going out to eat.

    Grisel D.

    This place is fantastic. Beza was kind and had great recommendations. The ambiance is low light and just a great all around vibe. The food is to die for. I had the Ethiopic signature tips for entree, sambusas for appetizer and the most decadent crème brûlée for dessert. There is a THICK layer of sugar caramelized on the top. This is the best creme brulee I have ever had and I order wherever they have them. I recommend doing a sampler if you come in a group. You will not regret it. Flavorful, great size and DELICIOUS. The servings are great proportions. Service is immaculate and all around great gem in DC.

    Habesha beer- it was good
    Lisa D.

    I've never had Ethiopian food before, but I thought I'd try it at a friend's suggestion. We had the vegetarian sampler but added a side of lamb tibs. The lamb was excellent. The sampler was good- I'm new to this so had some trouble getting the hang of how to scoop up the food! I'd do it again. Cool experience, and Ethiopian beers as well!

    Veggie Sampler II + Beef Tibs (not include together must order separately )
    Tiffany J.

    Very Good . Nice service. Food nice and hot . nice music . no booths . the only thing i didn't like was that the sample doesn't have the option to add meat but other than that good

    Baklava was okay - Three pieces of cooked meat are inside a clear plastic bag, placed on a paper-lined surface, with some juices visible.
    Bansari M.

    So basically when you eat Ethiopian food you hope to eat it in the restaurant to enjoy the whole experience. I on the other hand wanted a cozy evening and got my Ethiopian food delivered. I ordered the vegetarian sampler 2 which came with seven small portions of different Ethiopian Curry items. There is plenty of Injera that they give you with a sampler this size. Definitely a shareable size and Not for solo consumption unless you want to eat leftovers next day which is a soggy yummy delight too. I truly enjoyed the cabbage and the onion tomato jalapeno salad. The lentils can get spicy if you are not used to spice. The Injera is just perfect And generous in portions. I also tried the baklava which was a little flat and tasted slightly different than the Mediterranean baklava as I tasted whole peanuts. I have never tasted peanuts in a baklava before. Overall a good product to fill your Ethiopian cravings.

    vegetable sampler
    Laks P.

    Good food on a Tuesday night. The weather was frigid so there were not that many customers and probably emptier than usual, but still good ambiance. We got the small vegetable sampler with the signature lamb tibs to share between 3 people and it was the perfect amount of food. The service was great and the meal was delicious. Definitely a great Ethiopian spot in NoMa!

    Ashlee A.

    My first time in a long while with such a spread! Reservations I would suggest but we were able to squeeze in a table or two on a Sunday evening. Ordering is through QR code and thankfully I had my experienced friend with me as I truly did not know what to order or even expect. Once I shared plate came, we went to work! Loved trying the different combo and see what I liked best though. I wish the injera in the basket had some type of paper underneath instead of just sticking to the wicker basket. Samosas were perfectly crunchy with not too much breading to filling ratio.

    Ethiopic Signature Tibs
    Arthur C.

    I got the lamb tibs, which were full of flavor and large enough to easily feed 2 people. The spice level was pretty mild and there was enough injera to competent the lamb. The service was top notch and it was a pretty restaurant.

    Ethiopian cuisine served on a decorative plate, including lentils, vegetables, and potatoes, with a side of injera bread and a bowl of meat stew.

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    2 months ago

    Had a lovely time! Food was delicious, and service was great. Also got a birthday dessert which was very thoughtful.

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    19 days ago

    Food and service is excellent. I was very disappointed to find out tips don't go directly to servers.

    Business owner information

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    Meseret B.

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    2 years ago

    I recently ordered the vegetarian sampler with croaker. This is my go to Ethiopian restaurant and the food is always great.

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    8 months ago

    Lot of hype, but not that bad. Not that good, though, either. Tibs were a little spicy- too dependent on the jajapeńios. H Street tried...

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    Page 1 of 21

    Ethiopic Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ethiopic

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

    (902 reviews)

    $$

    Shaw, Downtown

    Super tasty food, fast service, friendly staff, very reasonable pricing…read more This has become a regular for my wife and myself. We eat here at least three times a month. We prefer to go on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday when the crowds are thinner. But don't hesitate for a Friday or Saturday night if we feel like eating their great food. The fare and service is always top notch whether it's hopping or sparse. We almost always get the vegan deluxe. If we feel like some meat, we add another dish and they are all good. I also enjoy their Ethiopian beer, Habesha Cold Gold. It is light, crisp, and refreshing with a clean finish. It has a mild malt sweetness up front, very light bitterness, just enough to balance and is smooth and clean with no heavy aftertaste The Vegan Deluxe is a combination plate that includes everything from a wonderful salad with fresh jalapeños and tomatoes to a wonderful assortment of lentils spiced in different way, also cabbage & carrots, and greens. I always feel good after our meals because the food is so fresh and beautifully done. Our pocketbook is grateful, too. My wife and I can leave with a bill of about $30 including food, a beer and tip. Not many places in Bethesda you can do that. The staff always smile and are helpful whether providing standard service or troubleshooting a challenge. The ambience is not upscale, but it's clean, beautiful, and filled with good people, whether it's the customers who are always having a good time, or the manager, who makes the rounds to ensure everything is going well.

    If I could give 10 stars I would. My boyfriend and I took a quick birthday trip to DC from NYC…read more This was a last minute dinner plan after we weren't sure how the rest of the day would look post bottomless brunch. WOWOWOWOW. small space so it gets packed quick. We didn't wait longer than 10 minutes to be seated. Our servers were so delightful and happy. My most pleasant surprise here has been the service !! They gave us great recommendations and even gave us a taste of all four honey wines they had to offer. We went with the house. YOU SHOULD GET THE HOUSE HONEY WINE !!!!!!! Everything we had was absolutely amazing. My vegan bestie got her veggie platter and my boyfriend and I split the beef tibs and were so so full and satisfied. We have been waiting for the opportunity to go back. This was our last restaurant stop during that trip, and it will be the first stop for our next. They play no games here !!!! Serious food, serious flavor, serious service!!!!!! We highly recommend!!!!!

    Keren Restaurant

    Keren Restaurant

    (1.3k reviews)

    $$

    I recently went back to Keren for the first time for a weeknight dinner since the fire there a…read morecouple years ago and was pleased to find that the experience, the affordable prices, and food were as good as I remembered. I got the chicken tibs and ended up also getting the veggie combo, both of which were perfectly prepared, extremely flavorful, and a fantastic portion size. I look forward to my next visit! From October 2022: I have been to Keren several times for dine-in and takeout and the food is always outstanding. I ordered ful with a side-order of injera to-go, and the ful was creamy and appropriately salted. Keren's use of tomatoes, jalapenos, and herbs complemented the dish and the accompanying baguettes well and provided freshness. I have ordered the veggie combo and meat dishes on several previous visits and always enjoyed them. Because Keren's food is so good and the physical space is small, Keren is always crowded and you should prepare to wait 15-20 minutes for a table and 20-30 minute waits for your food once you order. Nonetheless, the wait is worth it. I order from Keren regularly and look forward to my next visit!

    A friend and I made Keren Restaurant our first stop when we arrived in DC this weekend. I was…read morereally hungry and thrilled to finally be checking out this Eritrean restaurant that has been open in DC since 1987. 1987, y'all. That's almost 40 years, and that says a lot. The restaurant is casual and comfortable, with big front windows that keep the small but long restaurant light and bright. And the service was friendly throughout. But the food is why we were there. We each started with a cappuccino, which was great after our drive and with our brunch meal. And then - shockingly - we both ordered the same thing: Ful with eggs. Ful is a dish popular across parts of the Middle East and North Africa made from stewed fava beans. It's often eaten for breakfast. When I had Ful for the first time many years ago, I fell in love. And whenever I see it on a menu, I'm done with research and options - that's it, that's where I'm going, that's what I'm ordering. Keren's Ful is topped with fresh tomatoes, raw onion, raw jalapeno, creamy yogurt, and olive oil, and then you can choose to top the dish with eggs, tuna, or sardines, or served alongside a salad. The beans (made with Berbere spice) are the obvious star of the dish, and Keren's version of one of my favorite breakfasts was delicious, warm, comforting, filling... I loved it. It's a big bowl (and served with some great French rolls), so we weren't able to finish every last bite, which made me a little sad, because it was delicious. They have a full menu for breakfast (which they serve all day, every day) and then a full menu of other items (including combo platters). I loved my Ful, and I'd go back for that alone. But I'd also love to return to try more of their menu. Maybe with more than one friend next time so we can share and enjoy more of their Eritrean food and hospitality.

    Abuare  Restaurant - Ethiopian Tea & lamb DELICIOUS

    Abuare Restaurant

    (69 reviews)

    U Street Corridor

    This was an unexpected but amazing find. After my original dinner plans with my girlfriend…read moreunexpectedly shifted I decided to refer to a recent list that was shared with me, and this spot came up. It wasn't too long since I had last had ethiopian, but I only have it a few times a year. So I was pretty excited. Once we got there, there was only one of the party inside, and it had the usual delightful decor. We got to choose where we wanted to sit and we browse the menu. We were curious about whether the honey wine was on the sweeter or dryer side, and the lady taking care of us was kind enough to let us taste it before committing. We decided to share a bottle, and we decided to do a deluxe platter as well. That included six veggies and one protein of our choice. We decided on the lamb tibs. Everything came out, and it was all fantastic. I can count the times that I have had Ethiopian lamb, and this definitely did not disappoint. I missed having beats, but I did really love the lentils. Honestly, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this spot before. The food was fantastic and I'm looking forward to returning sometime.

    Your standard Ethiopian restaurant that offers classic fare at reasonable prices. When in DC, I…read morealways try to get Ethiopian, and it always seems to come from a place where I have to take stairs down (NYC included) oddly enough. I went with the Abuare lamb tips, which were a bit spicy with the jalapeno, but packed full of flavour. It came as a set meal, but only with daal, which I was sad about at first but it was more than enough food to fill me up. The injera was plentiful and the lamb was tender and perfectly seasoned. Service was uncharacteristically good, but that might just be because it was off hours, but regardless, I was appreciative.

    Family Ethiopian Resturant - Family Meat Special

    Family Ethiopian Resturant

    (180 reviews)

    $$

    Shaw, Downtown

    Went a little out of the way on our tour of the monuments to come here and it was well worth it! I…read morehaven't had much (if any) Ethiopian food and this was an amazing first entry. We got a family platter so we could try a bunch. It said it serves two but between four hungry people, we were actually pleasantly filled by the end. The platter was delicious, I would eat everything on there again. I couldn't tell you exactly what everything is, but the cooked vegetables were one of my favs and the injera was so light and delicious. The shop itself was very cute and we got our food pretty quick!

    One of the great things about being in the area is the wide range of diversity in food from all…read moreover the world. The choice of East African food is abundant here. On one of our treks, we decided to go with a spot I had bookmarked for sometime , especially after seeing that it was recognized by Michelin as one of the best places to visit for Ethiopian food. They were not wrong and in my opinion this place has better food and service than some of the "fine dining " Ethiopian places advertised in the area. If you were ever a fan of Keren's then this might fix your Keren's fix. Family Ethiopian Restaurant is located among many other Ethiopian eateries. Actually this area to me is a hidden gem of great bars and places to eat. This place is not too big but not so tight that when you get up you have to worry about tipping over the drink of a customer sitting at the table next to you. Service is quick and I ordered a sambusa to start off with and it came out quickly and very, very hot. Wait a minute or two by taking out your phone to ensure you did your Yelp check in and snap that picture to upload as you check the menu to make sure you spell what you are uploading correctly. The appetizer was very good and despite saying it was meatless it did taste like meat was in it to me. For the main course I went with the lamb tibs (Yebeg Tibs). The injera had a bit more of a tangy flavor that I enjoyed. The lamb was cooked nicely and not a single chewy piece was in it as I have experience eating at various places serving lamb. The lamb amount was appropriate and they did not use the vegetables cooked with it as a filler to hide the lamb and make it look like more. Usually when I get a meal where injera is served there are at times when I feel not enough injera served with the food but this was jussssssttttttt right. Very good experience accompanied by good food at a more than reasonable price these days. This place has shot up to my number one spot over Abuare to get my Eritrean/Ethiopian fix. A solid 4.5 stars.

    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - We for the Vegetarian Plate #3, the Beef Goden Tibs, and the Awaze Tibs (Lamb)! Soooooo good

    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

    (987 reviews)

    $$

    U Street Corridor

    It's no secret that I love Ethiopian food--so when I say **Dukem Restaurant** holds a special place…read morein my DC journey, I mean it. This was actually one of the very first Ethiopian restaurants I tried after relocating to DC, so yes... this review is *long* overdue. From the very beginning, what stood out to me was how they manage to balance fine dining energy with genuine warmth. You get the elevated presentation, the polished atmosphere--but still the friendliness and hospitality that make Ethiopian dining feel like home. I'm a loyal veggie combo person (it's who I am at this point), so I was especially excited to see that their combo options offer a wider variety of dishes than most places. It's truly a "little bit of everything" situation, which is perfect when you're indecisive--or when you're dining with a large group and want everyone to taste it all. More variety, more flavor, more happiness. The food? Rich, flavorful, beautifully prepared. The kind of meal where you slow down and savor every bite. I'm already planning to return with my partner because I recently saw on social media that they offer Ethiopian wine and even wine flight tastings. Ethiopian cuisine paired with Ethiopian wine? Say less. I love when restaurants create experiences, not just meals. And of course, we can't ignore the moment they had in August 2024 when they went viral after receiving stellar reviews from viral food critic **Keith Lee**. What stood out most wasn't just that he praised them--it was that he spoke highly of Dukem while being candid about not having the same level of service and food quality at other local spots he visited. That says something. Excellence stands out. Dukem delivers flavor, hospitality, and atmosphere in a way that feels intentional. Whether it's your first time trying Ethiopian food or your hundredth (like me), it feels special every time. If you love Ethiopian cuisine--or just love great food and great service--this place absolutely deserves a visit. And if you're like me, it won't be your last.

    Finally made it to Dukem DC after first spotting it on TikTok, and happy hour did not disappoint!…read moreWe tried the Beef Tibs, Lamb Tibs, Special Dukem Veggie Combo #2, and Lentil Sambusa--all packed with flavor and perfect with the injera. Huge shout-out to Fefe, our amazing waitress--so friendly and attentive. Great food, great vibes, and an even better deal at happy hour. Already planning a return for the full dinner menu!

    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat and vegetable sampler

    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

    (298 reviews)

    $$

    Columbia Heights

    I ate here a few weekends ago with my boyfriend. I've eaten Ethiopian food a handful of times, but…read morewanted him to try since he's never eaten it before. Since they had high reviews, and weren't too far from me, I figured this would be a good place to try. We had perused the menu online before coming inside so knew what we wanted to eat. I ordered the veggie sampler with red lentils, tomato salad, yellow split peas, and collard greens and a side of goat stew while my boyfriend ordered the mushroom tibs (unfortunately there are no pics due to us being too hungry to snap a photo :-( ...The veggie sampler came with a side of injera. The injera came out way before the actual platter. Since I was very hungry, I actually nibbled on that, and wished everything came out at once. The veggies were pretty tasty, but for some reason, I wasn't excited about my overall meal. The goat stew was pretty good too. What I really enjoyed was my boyfriend's dish of mushroom tibs. It was nicely sautéed and well seasoned. I'd probably order that if I ever went back. The interior was very colorful and earthy. The owner, I think, was also very hospitable.

    Excellent Ethiopian spot! All the staff are super kind, and all the tibs have such good flavor…read more There is lots of seating inside, and there is a warm atmosphere you can feel as soon add you walk in. We got theMeat Lover Sampler for 3 people, and we left so satisfied and stuffed! I can't choose a favorite, everything was so delicious. Definitely worth the money, you have to stop here!

    Ethiopic - ethiopian - Updated May 2026

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