Kaffa Crossing
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I am very much on the hunt for good Ethiopian food in Philadelphia and this area in particular seemed like it would have it so I was very hopeful. Ultimately, the restaurant was just okay. For one, we came in at a time when they were very not busy and the reception was not so welcoming--which can be fine. But then your entire experience in deciding upon food is through an app, which I wish weren't the case and wish there were more interaction with someone who could provide recommendations. It took a full 28 minutes to receive our first food, which was the sambusa and very much not worth the wait or the money. Be aware that the prices currently are very different than those listed on Yelp/online. So the $7.25/2 sambusa platter finally came and was a much too hot to eat and really just full of lentils with nothing else-a fairly dry concoction. After another long wait, we received the 2 mains on a plate of injera. The doro wot was what we were super pumped about as it is advertised as their expertise. This consisted of essentially two chicken legs (minimal meat) and a sauce that was fairly mid in terms of flavoring-especially not worth it for the price. We had also gotten yebeg tibs, thankfully, because this was infinitely better in terms of flavoring and portion. This ultimately filled us up. The most positive aspect of the meal was the injera itself, which was nicely done and plentiful. We had initially considered getting some meals to go but once we had the actual meal and experienced the 1) service and 2) price, we ultimately decided against it. Which is a shame. I appreciate that they maybe were a bit busy with lunch takeout but in terms of who was presently in the restaurant it felt like things took an exorbitant amount of time. Will probably try one of the many other places nearby next time.
Fast internet, delicious coffee, delectable injera and eggs. Great Ethiopian tunes. The best spot to get some work done, meet with friends, or relax. And all time great spot.
Pretty good Ethiopian food! Asked for recommendations from the waitress and got the sambusas and the Lamb Tibs. Overall, thought it was solid. Sambusas we're crispy and slightly spicy, good lentil filling. The Tibs paired with injera was good but the proportions were a bit off, loved the lentils. The lamb itself I wish had more flavor, but the additional jalapeños weren't too spicy and were a good addition. Biggest complaint was the service. Walked in and nobody helped me, and when I ordered, there wasn't a friendly demeanor when I was asking for recommendations. Also took over 30 minutes for the check and no water refills during my entire time there. Food was okay but not inviting enough to return.
Yebig Tibs (lambs) 4.5/5 would get again. Tofu Wat - 3/5 , Tomotaey but good. Would try something else next time though. - First time having Ethiopian. Almost asked for a spoon and made these into burritos lol. But we ate it right instead. - Would come again, hoping to try some soups next. ............................................
Great, flexible staff & delicious food. The menu had a lot of breakfast and sweet drink options. Great community and lots of flavors to try.
I recently ordered from Kaffa Crossing and enjoyed my meal. I used to frequent this establishment many years ago, and I've never taken the time to write a review until now.The Yebbeg Tips had the perfect amount of spice and tenderness. It was also incredibly affordable for the amount I received. However, it was the okra dish that was my favorite this time. The okra was cooked to perfection, with a unique blend of spices. What I appreciate most about Kaffa Crossing is the consistency in the quality of their food and hospitality. If you're looking for a place with both great food and a welcoming ambiance, Kaffa Crossing is the perfect choice. It's a place that I'm grateful to have rediscovered.
My neighbor brought me here for lunch. And I'm so happy he did. I was mildly familiar with Ethiopian food before this. I've been learning through our neighbors. After this meal I want to learn so much more. I went with the special beef tibs on the mild side. The flavor and tenderness were extraordinary. Paired perfectly with the injera And I love the iced coffee. Ethiopian coffee is special. Highly, highly recommend this place!
Came to this place because a waiter at an Ethiopian restaurant in NYC told us he used to go to Kaffa Crossing for the kitfo, which we did not try this time. Overall, pretty good flavor, especially for the price! Quality was overall good. Sambusas were great, nicely spiced. The beef in the special tibs was a bit chewy, but the seasoning and spice level were great. I liked the shiro wot, but it wasn't my favorite, and my husband said the shiro was a bit bland. The veggie combo was also a tad on the "healthy-tasting" side--the greens especially were a bit undercooked/bitter. But compared to the last Ethiopian place we went to in Philly, this experience was great! Service was slow because there was only one waitress, but it wasn't egregiously bad. Casual ambience, though the lights were turned down for some mood lighting after we walked in haha.
Great food and sweet service. I had the Sambusa for my appetizer, and Special Tibs (beef) and Yebeg Tibs (lamb) for my entree. The Sambusa were a bit small, but still delicious. The entrees were both really tasty, and complimented injera served with it perfectly. I rarely have Ethiopian food, so take this with a grain of salt, but I had a good time, and would come back.
Ive been trying out different Ethiopian restaurants in the area and this was horrible. Disgusting. Not sure how its highly rated. The doro wat was dry tough and seems old or something. It was theeee worst doro wat I have ever tasted in nj or Philadelphia. The tofu tibs were just tofu in seasoning not really marinated or textured. The only thing edible was the vegetable combo but even that was mediocre. I would never go here again. O! The egg was yummy.
Continuing on my journey to try all the Ethiopian spots in Philly, Kaffa Crossing was a decent attempt. I originally gave this a 4 but after consideration of the food portion and quality of service, I have to give it a 3. My boyfriend and I shared the vegetarian combo as well as Doro Wot, and while the food was relatively good, the injera was cold and we didn't get that much food when compared to other places in the city. It was also kind of hard to get the staff's attention when we needed water or something. I mean, for the price, it's worth it, and I guess you can easily get another serving if your party is feeling particularly peckish, but I can't say this would be my go-to Ethiopian spot if I had other options.
I have been to a good amount of Ethiopian restaurants because of my love for the food, especially the injera (fermented bread) that it is served upon. I decided to come here for my birthday awhile back and was absolutely amazed by the deliciousness of the food here. It was all so flavorful and captivated my palate. I will surely be returning any chance that I get.
Kaffa has been our go-to for a couple years now. Not as flashy or high end as other Philly Ethiopian joints, but also not as expensive or busy either. Service is always prompt and still uses a covid-era mobile ordering/QR system that actually works pretty well. Vegeterian combo is huge, and paired with an additional entree (we like the tofu or okra wat) is more than enough for 2-3 people. All items are tasty and spicy. Decor is dated and minimal and that is 100% ok! Be sure to ask for awaze if you want it even spicier. read more
2 months ago
Looked at the online menu because I was feeling under the weather wanted some soup , said call for daily soup option. Soup of the day was mixed vegetable. Tasted amazing and brought me back to life a little after being sick for a few days. Air conditioning also felt amazing and had such a peaceful vibe. read more
1 year ago
I don't come here often enough even though I live relatively close. It's always a bit dark in there and seems like now enough customers come, but it is not. It's still pretty popular. This time my daughter and I had veg platter and it was plenty of food for the two of us. I just found out they offer traditional Ethiopian coffee experience for $25 (all through the week). I thought it was a bit pricey, but I may do it next time. The only time I had the privilege of traditional Ethiopian coffee experience was at Alef (and I am not sure if they offer it now). read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
I am very much on the hunt for good Ethiopian food in Philadelphia and this area in particular seemed like it would have it so I was very hopeful. Ultimately, the restaurant was just okay. For one, we came in at a time when they were very not busy and the reception was not so welcoming--which can be fine. But then your entire experience in deciding upon food is through an app, which I wish weren't the case and wish there were more interaction with someone who could provide recommendations. It took a full 28 minutes to receive our first food, which was the sambusa and very much not worth the wait or the money. Be aware that the prices currently are very different than those listed on Yelp/online. So the $7.25/2 sambusa platter finally came and was a much too hot to eat and really just full of lentils with nothing else-a fairly dry concoction. After another long wait, we received the 2 mains on a plate of injera. The doro wot was what we were super pumped about as it is advertised as their expertise. This consisted of essentially two chicken legs (minimal meat) and a sauce that was fairly mid in terms of flavoring-especially not worth it for the price. We had also gotten yebeg tibs, thankfully, because this was infinitely better in terms of flavoring and portion. This ultimately filled us up. The most positive aspect of the meal was the injera itself, which was nicely done and plentiful. We had initially considered getting some meals to go but once we had the actual meal and experienced the 1) service and 2) price, we ultimately decided against it. Which is a shame. I appreciate that they maybe were a bit busy with lunch takeout but in terms of who was presently in the restaurant it felt like things took an exorbitant amount of time. Will probably try one of the many other places nearby next time. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Fast internet, delicious coffee, delectable injera and eggs. Great Ethiopian tunes. The best spot to get some work done, meet with friends, or relax. And all time great spot. read more
Pretty good Ethiopian food! Asked for recommendations from the waitress and got the sambusas and the Lamb Tibs. Overall, thought it was solid. Sambusas we're crispy and slightly spicy, good lentil filling. The Tibs paired with injera was good but the proportions were a bit off, loved the lentils. The lamb itself I wish had more flavor, but the additional jalapeños weren't too spicy and were a good addition. Biggest complaint was the service. Walked in and nobody helped me, and when I ordered, there wasn't a friendly demeanor when I was asking for recommendations. Also took over 30 minutes for the check and no water refills during my entire time there. Food was okay but not inviting enough to return. read more
2 years ago
Yebig Tibs (lambs) 4.5/5 would get again. Tofu Wat - 3/5 , Tomotaey but good. Would try something else next time though. - First time having Ethiopian. Almost asked for a spoon and made these into burritos lol. But we ate it right instead. - Would come again, hoping to try some soups next. ............................................ read more
2 years ago
Great, flexible staff & delicious food. The menu had a lot of breakfast and sweet drink options. Great community and lots of flavors to try. read more
I recently ordered from Kaffa Crossing and enjoyed my meal. I used to frequent this establishment many years ago, and I've never taken the time to write a review until now.The Yebbeg Tips had the perfect amount of spice and tenderness. It was also incredibly affordable for the amount I received. However, it was the okra dish that was my favorite this time. The okra was cooked to perfection, with a unique blend of spices. What I appreciate most about Kaffa Crossing is the consistency in the quality of their food and hospitality. If you're looking for a place with both great food and a welcoming ambiance, Kaffa Crossing is the perfect choice. It's a place that I'm grateful to have rediscovered. read more
My neighbor brought me here for lunch. And I'm so happy he did. I was mildly familiar with Ethiopian food before this. I've been learning through our neighbors. After this meal I want to learn so much more. I went with the special beef tibs on the mild side. The flavor and tenderness were extraordinary. Paired perfectly with the injera And I love the iced coffee. Ethiopian coffee is special. Highly, highly recommend this place! read more
Came to this place because a waiter at an Ethiopian restaurant in NYC told us he used to go to Kaffa Crossing for the kitfo, which we did not try this time. Overall, pretty good flavor, especially for the price! Quality was overall good. Sambusas were great, nicely spiced. The beef in the special tibs was a bit chewy, but the seasoning and spice level were great. I liked the shiro wot, but it wasn't my favorite, and my husband said the shiro was a bit bland. The veggie combo was also a tad on the "healthy-tasting" side--the greens especially were a bit undercooked/bitter. But compared to the last Ethiopian place we went to in Philly, this experience was great! Service was slow because there was only one waitress, but it wasn't egregiously bad. Casual ambience, though the lights were turned down for some mood lighting after we walked in haha. read more
Great food and sweet service. I had the Sambusa for my appetizer, and Special Tibs (beef) and Yebeg Tibs (lamb) for my entree. The Sambusa were a bit small, but still delicious. The entrees were both really tasty, and complimented injera served with it perfectly. I rarely have Ethiopian food, so take this with a grain of salt, but I had a good time, and would come back. read more
1 year ago
Ive been trying out different Ethiopian restaurants in the area and this was horrible. Disgusting. Not sure how its highly rated. The doro wat was dry tough and seems old or something. It was theeee worst doro wat I have ever tasted in nj or Philadelphia. The tofu tibs were just tofu in seasoning not really marinated or textured. The only thing edible was the vegetable combo but even that was mediocre. I would never go here again. O! The egg was yummy. read more
2 years ago
Continuing on my journey to try all the Ethiopian spots in Philly, Kaffa Crossing was a decent attempt. I originally gave this a 4 but after consideration of the food portion and quality of service, I have to give it a 3. My boyfriend and I shared the vegetarian combo as well as Doro Wot, and while the food was relatively good, the injera was cold and we didn't get that much food when compared to other places in the city. It was also kind of hard to get the staff's attention when we needed water or something. I mean, for the price, it's worth it, and I guess you can easily get another serving if your party is feeling particularly peckish, but I can't say this would be my go-to Ethiopian spot if I had other options. read more
5 years ago
I have been to a good amount of Ethiopian restaurants because of my love for the food, especially the injera (fermented bread) that it is served upon. I decided to come here for my birthday awhile back and was absolutely amazed by the deliciousness of the food here. It was all so flavorful and captivated my palate. I will surely be returning any chance that I get. read more
Wow, this is my first update where I felt the need to tell the world how much I love a place. In the neighborhood, I like comparing similar restaurants and dishes to see what I end up liking the best. The past year, Ethiopian food has made me excited every time I get the chance to grab a platter. Overall, Kaffa Crossing has given me several dishes over the past few months that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. Unlike nearby ethio places, their meat is seasoned and oiled to perfection, without any extra grease or unneeded heaviness. The lamb is boneless, which was new to me, and the spice level on it when I said "make it spicy" did not disappoint. The derek tibs are filled with so much meat, so many peppers, and the pieces are so chewy like I always want for dried beef tibs. The injera here is super sour, which is also a plus over a few others. They also have lentil rolls, both the spicy and the yellow lentils, for 3.50 that can fill you up if you aren't feeling meat or other veg. The vibe here is relaxing and focused on the dishes. Will be back to try more of the veggie dishes (like okra, tofu wat, and others), but in the mean time, don't hesitate to choose this place for your first go around! read more
4 years ago
The food was Very bland. No flavor. My friends and i all got something different and it was the same theme across the board. The Spicy beef had a bit more flavor but still wouldn't have it again. The bread is sour. Asmera beer wasn't too bad. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
Yummmmmm. Delicious food, on the spicy side. I highly recommend. Outside tables, wonderful service from a very kind woman. I dined with my friend, we're both vegan, and we're leaving happy and full :) This place is open, page needs updating! read more
Came to this place after wanting to try Ethiopian cuisine for a long time. It was pretty empty when we came in but you can see they have quite some fan base. The person taking the order took time to explain the dishes. We ordered the veg platter, side of shiro wot, chicken doro tibs and injera. Injera is like Indian dosa. Vegetarian dishes here were a little bland for my taste but I think it's normal with Ethiopian food. Doro tibs were really really good and a highlight of the meal. Order spicy, you won't be disappointed. Portion sizes were huge. 4 of us could not finish 2 full dishes. It did take server almost 15-20 mins to bring our check when we were done. We finally had to go to the counter and pay. I will definitely come back to try beef and lamb tibs. read more
You know that old adage about never going grocery shopping while you're hungry? The same reasoning applies to putting me in charge of ordering for a group at a restaurant when I'm famished. Bad things happen. And by "bad things" I mean "obscenely excessive quantities of delightful edibles." That pretty much sums up our experience at Kaffa Crossing. We went from hungry to stuffing-our-faces to explosively-full. At least it was on good food. For future reference, do -not- order two meat dishes and two veggie combos for four people. You will not finish it all. Three dishes between four people (who eat a lot) is way more reasonable. Don't miss out on the Yebeg tibs - tender, savory, and kicked up with some jalapeños, you can't go wrong. As others have mentioned, the injera here is stellar; it's just the right consistency of sponginess, and no portion of the huge rounds were dry or tough. Don't be deterred when you first walk into the space. Chances are, folks will be sipping java and working on their Macbooks, but you're in the right place. Apparently, Ethiopian café/restaurant hybrids are a thing in Philly. Who knew? Kinda dangerous - it'd be easy enough to drop in to grab a coffee, working through the morning from the cute, homey ambiance and end up never leaving because the dinner's just that compelling. NB: Plastic's accepted, but AmEx is not. read more
I like Kaffa. It's been around for years in a couple different iterations. When it first opened, it was exciting...Ethiopian food, sweet atmosphere and they held discussions, poetry readings and performances. That ended and it was strictly a cafe. Since then, they instated a full bar and offer good food. Service can be slow and at times, "figure it out yourself" but this isn't a place that is competing for a recognized spot in the Philadelphia food scene. It's a comforting place to eat good Ethiopian food. Try the spicy ful medames and order a beer. Make it a sweet lunch with a good friend and you have yourself an afternoon. read more
I travel to Philadelphia on occasion for work, and was looking for something different than the usual Philly cheesesteak or Italian. Needed some fresh veggies. Ordered Kaffa via Uber Eats, and was so pleasantly surprised! Unusual but delicious dishes! I had the veggie tuna salad and vegetarian combo. The salad tasted nothing like tuna, which was a very good thing. It was so very yummy!! It had me wishing I could figure out how to make it at home. The veggie combo was certainly odd looking. It came wrapped in a type of bread that resembled a pancake. Inside were several different vegetables, all yummy. But the best were the greens. Absolutely delicious. Give this place a try! read more
14 years ago
I've only had Ethiopian food a handful of times before, but I didn't find Kaffa Crossing to be particularly good. I wasn't feeling hungry enough for lamb or beef, so I ended up ordering the tofu wot. The injera was good, but I wasn't impressed with the tofu. The sauce had a hint of spice but was otherwise bland and kind of tomato-y. The service was mediocre and nothing special as well. I don't know if I'd return for the food, but their coffee and drinks menu looked amazing (Peppermint patty hot chocolate? Raspberry swirl latte? Totally my kinda stuff) - I'd go back to try those! read more
I LOVE Ethiopian food. I normally go to another restaurant in Philly and am more used to their style so I wasn't floored by Kafta, but the bread was delicious as usual, especially once it's soaked through. I wasn't as crazy about the style of the chicken, but the flavor was good. The service was great - very sweet staff read more
2 years ago
8 years ago
The West Philly neighborhood I lived is culturally diverse. With an Ethiopian immigrant community nearby, I was very lucky to enjoy some authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Kaffa Crossing is my favorite, in that it offers both delicious Ethiopian food and high-quality ethically-traded African coffee. I can't remember the names, but most platters I have ordered were tasty. Most dishes come with injera, a special type of spongy flatbread made from some type of grain. If you like adventuring exotic food, I highly recommend you to try some Ethiopian deliciousness at Kaffa Crossing. [This review is part of my West Philly memories] read more
It's been a while since I had Ethiopian food, but for what it's worth, get the vegetarian platter and include sides, that's the most price efficient way to go! Must get: vegetarian platter, layered tofu wot, injera wraps Meh: n/a Missed: meat dishes I gotta say, $40 for 4 people and stuffed to the brim is my kind of dinner spot. We came here on a weekday for dinner and were suprised to see only a few patrons dining at a prime dining period. However, that does not reflect the quality of the food. My favorite was the layered tofu wot, which surprised all of us with its potent spice and appealing presentation. While all of us ordered the vegetarian platters, I decided to get the okra as a side, and instead of a tiny dollop, they served it on a huge basin, as if I ordered a whole dish of okra. My wife got the eggplant, which was also quite delicious. The only downside is the service can be a bit brisk and slow, but id doesn't matter when the food is so amazing! Food: 5 stars Service: 3 stars Price: 5 stars Ambiance: 3 stars read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
Loveee this spot! I frequent this location as the food is delicious and the customer service is always on point!! I met my bf here to grab some dinner after we both got off on a Wednesday evening. It was a nice crowd not too crowded though! I started off with a Ethiopian spice tea that was sooo delicious, I love tea!! Then I chose the vegetable platter, which consisted of lentils, I only chose the yellow because the spice lentils are delicious they are just a bit too spicy for me, so I opted for an two sides of greens,salad and cabbage/potato &carrot blend. Mine came with extra injera which I never eat all of it lol . My bf opted for doro tibs n salad, it was spicy but had some good flavors! The prices have slightly gone up but hey that's the economy we are in currently. The menu has smoothies, teas, coffees just lots of great items to make a choice from. I'm pretty sure whichever you choose will all be delicious!! read more
5 years ago
Went here last night and had a great experience. It was my first time having Ethiopian food and I absolutely loved it. We ordered the vegetarian platter and then added a couple of extra veggie dishes (shiro wat and tofu wat). It was a great atmosphere, the service was quick, and the employees were really warm and friendly. read more
I have only gotten Ethiopian food from three different restaurants, including Kaffa Crossing, so I am not going to claim that I am an expert on Ethiopian cuisine. What separates Kaffa Crossing from other Ethiopian places I've gone to is the selection of beverages. I ordered the Ecstasy, which is a chocolate, banana, raisin, and soy smoothie. Needless to say, it made me ecstatic. Good thing I haven't had a withdrawal, but I definitely will go again to try other beverages. As for the food, I tried the vegetarian platter, which was served with injera. I added a side of eggplant because I love eggplants, but honestly the platter was more than enough to fill up one hungry person's stomach. I love it! I took one star off because service is on the slow side and the neighborhood is a little sketchy, but otherwise the food and beverage were good enough to make me want to come back. read more
4 years ago
Hands down the BEST Ethiopian food in West Philly!!! Truly a hidden gem. We usually get the timatim fitfit, veggie platter and yebeg tibs--and they never disappoint. Hanna (who I think is an owner) is the sweetest. Tell all your friends to try Kaffa Crossing! read more
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4421 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Spruce Hill, University City
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(215) 386-0504
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How late do they serve breakfast?
I'm pretty sure they serve it all day. They don't have a separate menu for breakfast...all items are in one menu.
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