Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Heat Da Spot

    4.8 (534 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Order Heat Da Spot Takeout or Delivery

    Heat Da Spot Photos

    Business Info

    HEAT DA SPOT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like Heat Da Spot

    Recommended Reviews - Heat Da Spot

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Heat Da Spot

    Eisha K.

    I had the ethiopian breakfast which is just eggs and injera, and a mango soda. I think the food was okay but prices were quite high. I'd rather have smaller portions/cheaper prices than a huge $$$ one

    Been in DC for over 2 weeks visiting. During that time I have eaten at several locations, none of which were repeated with the exception of Heat Da Spot. The food here is phenomenal. The coffee is out of this world. Above that, the family that runs the place is super friendly and inviting, you feel like you are family when you walk in the door. Not sure what to order? They are more than happy to offer some suggestions. Next time I'm in DC, this is definitely the first place to stop. I will be missing the coffee when I am back home.

    Veg platter (big enough for 2) & Ethiopian breakfast (non veg)
    Yvette 'Divie' E.

    So this place is fascinating -- great food, chill vibe, toddler doable-ish with some creativity... Food/drinks: veg platter (works for two - fyi), Ethiopian breakfast, smoothie, and tea were all fantastic. Gluten free injeera is available for surcharge. Well seasoned. And enjoy the spicy homemade green sauce as well; it's worth it! Service: Fine but you do have to do some work. You stand in line, order at the counter, and then they bring the food to you wherever you're sitting. Comes quick-ish. Ambiance: quirky. Main room has traditional furniture with royal-like chairs; it was crowded and people were working from there. Outside there's a heated patio situation; it's all bumper to bumper but we snagged a perfect space for a toddler. Lingering is not the norm for group meal/date. Kid-friendly? Saw no high chairs, would not want to bring stroller in, did find seating space that let her move more freely. Best part: this place is not precious. I'm not mad at it. Would do it again!

    Ethiopian Vegetarian Style Breakfast
    Madison C.

    well loved for a reason! very kind owners and delicious food. the green sauce is really spicy but so good. the inside is eclectic and there's a huge patio through the inside too.

    Suri S.

    Had brunch here with a DC local, recently. It really is a diamond in the rough and feels like a NYC bodega. The staff were very friendly and I liked the decor inside, feels really unique. I ordered the ETHIOpian STYLE X (Sambosa) with the eggs and injera. It was very cooked very well, and I enjoyed the spices and flavor profile. I wished the particular dish came with more options, although this place has plenty of choices on the menu. Heat Da Spot a fast casual experience, unlike a late-night dining experience at somewhere like CherCher. However, place is bustling with locals for great reason. It works for meeting up with friends or grab-and-go meals. I'd highly recommend to drop by for a visit!

    Jennifer V.

    Everything at this place is so unbelievably BOMB. The menu is killer and has something for everyone. The service is so kind. They have a very cool coffee selection. Everything is priced exactly the way it should be. There's seating outside for small parties. This place is the embodiment of DC cuisine and I highly recommend it for everyone.

    Vegetarian omelette with sourdough toast.
    Lydia B.

    Lovely experience. The staff is so kind and welcoming. My omelette had an abundance of vegetables and quite savory. Will definitely be back to try other items on the menu.

    Kaya E.

    When you walk into Heat Da Spot it automatically feels like you've stepped into your grandma's kitchen--homey and filled with love. There's highlight menus everywhere on the wall with things that they offer. What stood out most was the sign above the register that says, " Do not rush the chef. We're not fast food. Your food is made with love. Place your order and sit on the throne kings and queens" lol I loved this sign so much. It reminded me to chill out so I sat down and enjoyed a soursop drink while my to go order was being made. I ordered a bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel. Unfortunately I was not really a fan. It seemed like a small portion for the price. The egg tasted weird and microwaved and the bagel tasted like a Thomas bagel you would get from the grocery store. The bagel also came with a special spicy green sauce that I wasn't too fond of. I think the next time I will just go for the Ethiopian breakfast. Service was great, I'll return to try something else.

    Taylor L.

    One of the best places for breakfast in DC. Super friendly staff, delicious food, options for everyone. The outdoor seating area is great!

    Sydney G.

    3 years later and Heat Da Spot remains one of my favorite spots in DC. I love their traditional Ethiopian breakfast, but literally everything on the menu is delicious! And the service is amazing--you can really tell the love and care they put into every meal they make.

    Sausage Omelette, I added bacon.
    Vinton S.

    I happened to be in Washington DC for work and stumbled across this spot close to the Howard University Campus. I went with the Sausage Omelette and added bacon. This thing was AMAZING. It was packed with green peppers, tomatoes, red onions, potatoes and cheese. The toast came with light butter and a honey drizzle. If you are OK with somewhere where the decor is not so fancy, this place is a GEM. The owner was so accommodating and went above and beyond to ensure I enjoyed the experience. Their honey cinnamon iced coffee with cream was a winner. Oh, I was also able to log onto my laptop to get a few work items done due to the free WIFI. Please check them out.

    Chicken tibs with eggs and veggies
    Zhen C.

    Sharing some more photos! Tried something that wasn't one of the Ethiopian entrees - the pizza bagel. And that was insanely good. Continues to be a 10 out of 5 experience

    Home Fries
    Sophie T.

    What a cute spot for breakfast! Shoutout to the DC CM Sydney for bringing me here while I was visiting DC! It's a great local business with the friendliest staff and a large menu of breakfast and lunch items - mainly specializing in Ethiopian food but they also have just about everything you could think of. I ordered a sausage egg and cheese on a biscuit and swapped the hashbrown with a side of home fries. My plate came out with 2 sandwiches! I was so full after the one I couldn't even dig into the second. There's limited indoor seating and some great seating outside. All around a very flavorful and friendly place for sure!!

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alma F.
    7
    123
    10

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lydia B.
    70
    68
    153

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kaya E.
    2538
    565
    1807

    1 year ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 4
    Love this 8
    Oh no 4

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of June J.
    120
    203
    1293

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim D.
    148
    940
    6525

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill E.
    8
    59
    107

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    The kindest staff, they treat you like family here. Amazing food. Best breakfast in the DMV.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jafreisy P.
    111
    64
    105

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jake L.
    118
    16
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Heat Da Spot

    You might also consider

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

    4.4(912 reviews)
    1.5 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    This spot was one of the highlights of my trip to DC!…read more My friend and I shared the Chercher Vegan Special with the Chercher Beef Special Tibs. The vegan platter was phenomenal- super flavorful with so much variety which I loved. As for the beef, it was tender and seasoned well. Honestly, it was hard to choose which one was our favorite because everything tasted so good! And when we were running low on Injera (Ethiopian flatbread), our server gave us more. On top of the delicious food, the service was friendly and the inside was small and cozy (there's also outdoor seating too!) Overall, fantastic spot for Ethiopian food and I will definitely come back if I visit DC again.

    Despite being located in a quaint setting that looked like a remodeled house with beautiful decor…read moreinside and out it lacked in key features necessary for a favorable rating. Namely custom service and the unfortunate late discovery of hair in my food. Arrived for a late lunch and the restaurant was sparsely populated. I noticed outdoor seating and wanted to enjoy the sun. No one was seated out there and I found a spot. A server came out @5 minutes later and advise me that I couldn't sit there. She mentioned seating was for larger parties despite being midweek and After most lunch rushes. I was moved to another table. The view was fine and I ordered my lunch. The platter I ordered had beef tibs, vegetables and njeri. As a connoisseur of Ethiopian food, I was accustomed to having lentils included in the meal. I soon found out that that was not the case, and also that utensils was not given unless requested. The couple that had finally joined me on the patio requested utensils. I opted to follow traditional style and used the njeri as my utensils. The food had good flavor and was enjoying despite the lack of lentils until I came across a piece of hair. I immediately lost my appetite and brought to the attention of the person at checkout, as it appeared, you had to bring your bill to the Bar area to check out. The person was unapologetic and swore that no one's hair was exposed. I feel that was the way of them saying that it was my hair, which was farther from the truth. I was not seeking a discount and gladly paid my bill while pointing out the obvious about the extra bonus in my meal. Sadly, I was recommended by the workers at the Marriott where I was staying. Its proximity to the hotel and adjacent Washington Convention Center made it a great choice for lunch, and was happy for the referral. They spoke highly of this restaurant, and that made the experience worse as I was anticipating the goodness. Hopefully receive better treatment when they dine there.

    Photos
    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart
    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart - Vegan assortment with some kid of beef dish

    Vegan assortment with some kid of beef dish

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart - Same photo

    See all

    Same photo

    Keren Restaurant - Spread the Silsi on the French bread and it is heavenly!

    Keren Restaurant

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Keren is an amazing, no frills Eritrean spot located in Adams Morgan! Lots of great options for…read morevegetarians, we got the: - Breakfast combo (Mashed fava beans, Egg frittata, and Kitch tesmi): Loved this! The ful or fava beans cooked with berbere and topped with onions, jalapeños, and tomatoes was unique, but also reminded me of familiar Indian pav bhaji in a sense (especially coupled with the amazing crusty bread). The kitch tesmi (torn unleavened bread called kitcha mixed with spiced clarified butter and berbere) was so interesting. The eggs were basics done really well. - Keren special (Lentils, Cabbage, Spinach, Potato with Carrots & House Salad, and Special Tibsi): The injera was soft, bouncy, and had the perfect amount of fermented essence. All of the veggies were absolutely delicious and so flavorful. My family said the meat was great too, very tender. Service was fine, but fair warning that the food did take quite a bit of time (however, it was definitely worth the wait). There aren't a ton of tables so you might have to wait if you go during rush times. 9.5/10 would recommend!

    My first experience with Ethiopian cuisine at Keren was such a memorable one. The staff was…read moreincredibly friendly and welcoming, and the surrounding neighborhood felt vibrant and full of life. We walked into a cozy, intimate space and were lucky to grab a small table for two by the window. Since it was our first time, we asked for guidance in choosing something authentic. Our server pointed us to the left side of the entrée menu, and we followed her lead. We ordered the special tibsi with chicken and the special shiro served with enjera--a traditional chickpea dish presented in a clay pot. Both dishes came with spongy enjera, which you tear and use to scoop up the food by hand. It made for a fun and immersive dining experience. The food was rich and flavorful, and we truly enjoyed everything we tried. Midway through, we did ask for forks as the enjera started to feel a bit heavy for us, but it didn't take away from the experience. Overall, I'm a fan and excited to explore Ethiopian cuisine more--maybe even closer to home next time. Highly recommend Keren if you're looking for something delicious, authentic, and welcoming.

    Photos
    Keren Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Keren Restaurant
    Keren Restaurant

    See all

    Abuare  Restaurant - Ethiopian Tea & lamb DELICIOUS

    Abuare Restaurant

    4.8(71 reviews)
    1.2 miU 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.

    Photos
    Abuare  Restaurant - Inside the resturant

    Inside the resturant

    Abuare  Restaurant - Fish dullet with veggie platter

    Fish dullet with veggie platter

    Abuare  Restaurant - Lamb

    See all

    Lamb

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar - Veggie and steak meals with all the lentils!

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar

    4.8(41 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    5/5 When family…read morecomes to town, I take my hosting responsibilities very seriously. My sister and brother-in-law were visiting DC, and since my sister had never tried Ethiopian food before, my partner and I decided that CherCher would be the perfect introduction. Thankfully, we chose wisely. We had a reservation, although funny enough, no one actually asked us about it when we arrived. Fortunately, it didn't matter because the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were seated immediately. Sometimes the universe just aligns in your favor. We kicked things off with a bottle of honey wine because if you're introducing someone to Ethiopian cuisine, you might as well commit to the full experience. For food, we ordered the Deluxe Veggie Platter, which included three types of lentils, chickpeas, collard greens, beets, cabbage, and the tomato and onion salad--which, in my opinion, deserves its own fan club. I also ordered an extra green salad because I know who I am and what I like. For the meat dishes, we went with the Gored Gored, the Assa Dullet (tilapia), and the Lamb Awaze Tibs. Every single dish was delicious. The flavors were rich, well-balanced, and exactly what you hope for when you're craving Ethiopian food. The Gored Gored was especially flavorful, and the Lamb Awaze Tibs had just the right amount of spice and tenderness. One thing I always appreciate about CherCher is how quickly the food comes out. There's nothing worse than introducing someone to a cuisine for the first time and then having to spend 90 minutes explaining what injera is while waiting for the food to arrive. The kitchen moved quickly without sacrificing quality. The service was also exceptional. Both women taking care of our table were warm, attentive, and genuinely kind throughout the meal. Great service can elevate a meal, and they absolutely did. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but it's cozy rather than cramped. They also have a covered outdoor patio, which I'm sure is lovely during the approximately four weeks a year when DC weather isn't actively trying to harm us. As for pricing, I found it to be very fair and comparable to other Ethiopian restaurants in the area. Considering the quality of the food, service, and portion sizes, I left feeling very satisfied. Would I return? Absolutely. In fact, CherCher remains firmly on my list of places I take out-of-town guests when I need DC to show off a little. As I always say: I'm not difficult to please. I just have standards.

    I had a favorite Ethiopian place. Instead, my daughter brought me to Chercher. Great choice!…read more Meant to be shared and even better to be with those we love. Our reservation. Thank goodness we had one! Getting ahead of myself and staying there.... Lamb Tibs were a clear victory over an already winning day. Wash your hands (crossing your fingers is optional) & roll up your sleeves, Chercher is divine messy greatness!

    Photos
    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar - Glasses!

    Glasses!

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar - Checher Vegan Deluxe - an assortment of vegetable stews, include peas, lentils, collard greens, carrots, and more, served atop injera

    Checher Vegan Deluxe - an assortment of vegetable stews, include peas, lentils, collard greens, carrots, and more, served atop injera

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar

    See all

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

    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

    3.5(987 reviews)
    1.0 miU 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!

    Photos
    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Seating

    Seating

    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Injera!

    Injera!

    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat and vegetable sampler

    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.6(300 reviews)
    0.5 miColumbia Heights
    $$

    An absolute must try!!! Spent a night with friends and enjoyed the sampler platter. Everything was…read moredelicious! Goat, beef, and lamb stews were amazing. The vegetarian options were well seasoned and we enjoyed it all. I normally do not like mushrooms but became a fan. To top it off we got the coffee, and as a coffee lover I must admit, this may be the best coffee in DC! Will be back soon!

    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.

    Photos
    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant
    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant - Injera, Yemisir Wot, Asa Tibs, cottage cheese and collard greens for pairing with the kitfo, Kitfo, Kik Wot, Beet and Potato Salad

    Injera, Yemisir Wot, Asa Tibs, cottage cheese and collard greens for pairing with the kitfo, Kitfo, Kik Wot, Beet and Potato Salad

    Letena Ethiopian Restaurant - Cozy ambiance

    See all

    Cozy ambiance

    Ethiopic - Beef Sambusa

    Ethiopic

    4.0(824 reviews)
    2.4 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast
    $$
    Gift cards
    Mobile services

    Ethiopic was a solid experience, but did not quite stand out in a city with so many strong…read moreEthiopian options. The vegetable sampler had a decent flavor profile, and I enjoyed the beef tibs the most out of what we ordered. The fried tilapia was fine, but nothing particularly memorable. If you are someone who has Ethiopian food occasionally, I would probably recommend exploring some of the other spots in DC where the portions feel more generous and the flavors hit a bit harder. Service can also be a bit inconsistent, which matched some of the earlier reviews I had seen. We had ordered drinks that were forgotten until we followed up. Overall, not a bad experience, just one that blends into a very competitive dining scene.

    Ethiopic has a warm, intimate ambiance that makes it a nice spot for a relaxed dinner. The food was…read morereally 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.

    Photos
    Ethiopic - Artwork inside

    Artwork inside

    Ethiopic - Beef Tibs, Ethiopic Signature Kitfo, Miser - Spicy Lentils, and Doro Aletcha Wot | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    Beef Tibs, Ethiopic Signature Kitfo, Miser - Spicy Lentils, and Doro Aletcha Wot | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    Ethiopic - Inside seating

    See all

    Inside seating

    Heat Da Spot - coffee - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...