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Excellent Ethiopian food with made to order spice levels, large portions, and very reasonable prices. Service was fast and friendly. The food was delicious and I had leftovers for a second meal (at $20)! Adding this place to the rotation of great reasonably priced restaurants!
Visited Keren's during lunch time it was quite busy. The restaurant is quite small and cozy. Staffs were super efficient. I ordered Keren's special and everything was tasty. It's my second time trying Eritrean food and I love it. I enjoy the side potatoes and veggies a lot. I couldn't eat it all as the portion size is massive. Two people can easily order one for lunch. Highly recommend if you are around the DuPont Circle area.
The portions were pretty big to the point that one dish filled me up even as someone with a large appetite. The fish dulet (tilapia) was delicious and filling, and was not super spicy even though I ordered it spicy. The enjera was pretty good too. I would come back the next time in D.C. to try their breakfast dishes.
I recently went back to Keren for the first time for a weeknight dinner since the fire there a couple 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!
While walking around D.C. I decided to try this Ethiopian restaurant. It's small, clean, and has ahome type atmosphere. I ordered the Special Tibsi- Chicken, lentils, vegetables, and an injera. This was probably the best meal I have enjoyed while in D.C.! The chicken was so flavorful and the lentils were perfectly cooked. The portion was very large and it could have easily served two people but I tried my best to finish it on my own. I didn't want to stop eating that chicken! The injera was spongy and light and didn't fall apart when you picked up your food. I will recommend this place to everyone and the only reason it's not a 5 star is because the attention to service could have been better on this day. You will not be disappointed eating here.
Amazing restaurant for Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine with large portions and some of the best food in D.C.! Very friendly staff who came to check on us up all the time. Recommend trying their #3 or their #4 (or both!) and you can absolutely split one of the dishes with 2 people since the portions are quite large. The restaurant is a little small, so make sure to get there early, but the atmosphere is very cozy and I truly appreciated the experience.
A friend and I made Keren Restaurant our first stop when we arrived in DC this weekend. I was really 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.
I have long been awaiting the reopening, and was pleasantly surprised to see they opened a few weeks ago. The place is your standard Ethiopian spot. It feels comfortable and intimate. There's a not a lot of tables and reservations are not available at this time. Prepare if you plan to go during a busy day/time. There's food is prepared quickly and served bubbling and hot table side. I ordered the vegetarian platter and shiro. Both were very good, although I think I would ask for the shiro to be spiced up quite a bit. The cabbage and potatoes were my favorite vegetable sides. They were so flavorful and delicious, with the potatoes just perfectly cooked. I also appreciate the large serving of salad. It like this is always skimped on at most places, so it was happy to see. My one irk is the bathroom setup. To use the toilet my face was in a urinal, which was an odd start to the meal.
Even though it was dinner time I got their breakfast sampler and it was delicious. The fava bean dish, buttery tortilla, eggs, and warm bread, with Eritrean tea. The service was so friendly, you feel right at home.
I came here for lunch with a group of friends and it was the cutest place. Situated on the corner of Florida and 18th it's easy to miss, I've probably passed it dozens of times in my years of trekking up to Adams Morgan. When we arrived we got a warm welcome as my friend knows the owners, and we sat at a table near the back. Since it was my first time visiting along with another friend we did some sampling of the menu and decided to order a few dishes to share from the breakfast menu and a pot of tea. The tea was good but really strong I asked for honey to cut the strength. I can't recall the names of everything we tried but it was all very fresh and full of flavor. It took a while for the food to come out but that's ok this place felt very welcoming. They had a steady stream of customers both dining in and doing to go orders. I would visit again and recommend you check it!
Keren is back!! After a stint away, it's back and people couldn't be more happy. First opened in 1987, Keren is a small Eritrean restaurant just south of Adams Morgan. Walking in on a Wednesday at 5:30pm, we got a table for three right away. Service is quick and friendly. Within minutes, our honey wine and Keren Special were on our table. The Keren Special is a mix of beef and veggie dishes on injera. It's very tasty!
What a fabulous experience at Keren's. The food was authentic, flavorful and just enough spicy! Super friendly staff.
Didn't know I'd fall in love so early in the year. It's only the second day but here we are. The service was swift and thorough. We got spiced Ethiopian Tea and the #4 with beef. I do not know for the life of me why this isn't #1. Everything was delicious and I will be coming back several times over the next few months. With me being observant I recognized several people walking by and patrons beside us with the same sentiments "we back!" The place was pretty intimate but not noisy. Love it here.
Keren is an amazing, no frills Eritrean spot located in Adams Morgan! Lots of great options for vegetarians, 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! read more
3 months ago
My first experience with Ethiopian cuisine at Keren was such a memorable one. The staff was incredibly 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. read more
A Michelin restaurant serving Eritrean food, with a focus on breakfast and cafe style dishes. I dropped by for a quick breakfast after a morning run. Ordered the Eggs Silsi with French bread. By default the dish had three eggs, but I asked for just two eggs. The dish was basically scrambled eggs with tomato sauce, green peppers, onion and berbere sauce. It was very fluffy, similar to a Sabzi kookoo. It tasted spicy, earthy and a bit smoky. Compared to Turksih Menemen, it was drier, spicier and earthier, and had no cheese. The French bread was nice and hot. Spreading some eggs silsi on the bread and it was heavenly! Moreover, the restaurant was small but very clean. The staff was friendly. Highly recommended if you want some African cafe food! read more
Excellent Ethiopian food with made to order spice levels, large portions, and very reasonable prices. Service was fast and friendly. The food was delicious and I had leftovers for a second meal (at $20)! Adding this place to the rotation of great reasonably priced restaurants! read more
Visited Keren's during lunch time it was quite busy. The restaurant is quite small and cozy. Staffs were super efficient. I ordered Keren's special and everything was tasty. It's my second time trying Eritrean food and I love it. I enjoy the side potatoes and veggies a lot. I couldn't eat it all as the portion size is massive. Two people can easily order one for lunch. Highly recommend if you are around the DuPont Circle area. read more
The portions were pretty big to the point that one dish filled me up even as someone with a large appetite. The fish dulet (tilapia) was delicious and filling, and was not super spicy even though I ordered it spicy. The enjera was pretty good too. I would come back the next time in D.C. to try their breakfast dishes. read more
I recently went back to Keren for the first time for a weeknight dinner since the fire there a couple 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! read more
8 months ago
While walking around D.C. I decided to try this Ethiopian restaurant. It's small, clean, and has ahome type atmosphere. I ordered the Special Tibsi- Chicken, lentils, vegetables, and an injera. This was probably the best meal I have enjoyed while in D.C.! The chicken was so flavorful and the lentils were perfectly cooked. The portion was very large and it could have easily served two people but I tried my best to finish it on my own. I didn't want to stop eating that chicken! The injera was spongy and light and didn't fall apart when you picked up your food. I will recommend this place to everyone and the only reason it's not a 5 star is because the attention to service could have been better on this day. You will not be disappointed eating here. read more
Amazing restaurant for Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine with large portions and some of the best food in D.C.! Very friendly staff who came to check on us up all the time. Recommend trying their #3 or their #4 (or both!) and you can absolutely split one of the dishes with 2 people since the portions are quite large. The restaurant is a little small, so make sure to get there early, but the atmosphere is very cozy and I truly appreciated the experience. read more
A friend and I made Keren Restaurant our first stop when we arrived in DC this weekend. I was really 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. read more
9 months ago
I have long been awaiting the reopening, and was pleasantly surprised to see they opened a few weeks ago. The place is your standard Ethiopian spot. It feels comfortable and intimate. There's a not a lot of tables and reservations are not available at this time. Prepare if you plan to go during a busy day/time. There's food is prepared quickly and served bubbling and hot table side. I ordered the vegetarian platter and shiro. Both were very good, although I think I would ask for the shiro to be spiced up quite a bit. The cabbage and potatoes were my favorite vegetable sides. They were so flavorful and delicious, with the potatoes just perfectly cooked. I also appreciate the large serving of salad. It like this is always skimped on at most places, so it was happy to see. My one irk is the bathroom setup. To use the toilet my face was in a urinal, which was an odd start to the meal. read more
8 months ago
I came here for lunch with a group of friends and it was the cutest place. Situated on the corner of Florida and 18th it's easy to miss, I've probably passed it dozens of times in my years of trekking up to Adams Morgan. When we arrived we got a warm welcome as my friend knows the owners, and we sat at a table near the back. Since it was my first time visiting along with another friend we did some sampling of the menu and decided to order a few dishes to share from the breakfast menu and a pot of tea. The tea was good but really strong I asked for honey to cut the strength. I can't recall the names of everything we tried but it was all very fresh and full of flavor. It took a while for the food to come out but that's ok this place felt very welcoming. They had a steady stream of customers both dining in and doing to go orders. I would visit again and recommend you check it! read more
Keren is back!! After a stint away, it's back and people couldn't be more happy. First opened in 1987, Keren is a small Eritrean restaurant just south of Adams Morgan. Walking in on a Wednesday at 5:30pm, we got a table for three right away. Service is quick and friendly. Within minutes, our honey wine and Keren Special were on our table. The Keren Special is a mix of beef and veggie dishes on injera. It's very tasty! read more
9 months ago
What a fabulous experience at Keren's. The food was authentic, flavorful and just enough spicy! Super friendly staff. read more
9 months ago
Didn't know I'd fall in love so early in the year. It's only the second day but here we are. The service was swift and thorough. We got spiced Ethiopian Tea and the #4 with beef. I do not know for the life of me why this isn't #1. Everything was delicious and I will be coming back several times over the next few months. With me being observant I recognized several people walking by and patrons beside us with the same sentiments "we back!" The place was pretty intimate but not noisy. Love it here. read more
4 months ago
The food was so delicious. We got the Beef tibs that came with lentils and a side salad. And we absolutely tore it down. The service was really amazing as well, she was so sweet and continuously offered us more injera when we were running low. Overall, very great ambiance as well with music playing, clean atmosphere and great vibes! Definitely would return!! read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
Super busy and they don't take reservations, but worth coming for sure! The platter is so delicious and definitely could comfortably feed 2 people, making this a really budget friendly option. I wish we got the platter with everything, but we just got the beef special. Would definitely come back! read more
4 months ago
The service at Keren is really friendly, with a strong long-term, locally owned vibe. The food was really excellent, too. Generous portions and reasonable prices. Definitely recommend. read more
6 months ago
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So happy I had my first experience with Eritrean food here, because I loved it! The restaurant feels cozy and the workers are absolute sweetie pies. I highly recommend the Special Tibsi (Beef) with Injera. Injera feels like a thin, spongy pancake with a slight sourness - It's perfect for scooping up the tasty meats and veggies. One platter is big enough to share between 2 people. Note: This is an interactive meal, in which your hands are your primary utensils. Forks are also available upon request. Add this DC gem to your bucket list :) read more
Yum! I've never had Eritrean food and this makes me want to have it all the time. Great casual spot for a quick dinner with friends. The line gets pretty long after 6:30 on weekends. We split the combo- vegetarian dishes around the outside and the beef tibsi in the middle. Everything was delicious, especially the greens and the beef. Seasoned well and the kind of spicy that is very mild and builds up over time. Would recommend the mango juice- it helped with some of the spicier dishes and was pretty unique- it was thick and almost jelly-like if you didn't shake it enough. read more
8 months ago
3 years ago
I loved Ethiopian and Eritrean food prior to this, and loved coming here with a wonderful group of people. These kind of meals are always so interactive, and I'm glad Keren was also the spot where we got to introduce my partner to this cuisine! I ordered the chicken tibsi and was happy to say it was a tasty and filling meal that included plenty of yummy spices. I also had an iced caffe latte too! The restaurant is a great little mom and pop shop and there is lots to look forward to with what's presented on the menu. I recommend sharing dishes since portions are always HUGE. Staff move smoothly even when it's busy. Can't wait to visit again in the future! read more
4 months ago
5 months ago
Came here for lunch on an early Monday afternoon. I was seated right away and no point during my meal were all the seats taken. I'd expect Tuesday- Thursday lunch times would probably be a fair bit busier I had quite a few people recommend this spot to me. I'd never had Ethiopian breakfast before and as a believer in breakfast for any meal of the day I had to take advantage of the fact theirs is available all day. I went for the breakfast combo to try as much as I can, switching in the egg silsi for the frittata. I was surprised that it was served with French bread as opposed to injera. The egg silsi and kitch tesmi were both super tasty! Cannot recommend switching the egg from fittata to silsi enough, the former seems much more standard American by comparison. I wasn't a huge fan of the full regular, the fava beans are a pretty light flavor leading to that dish mostly just tasting like peppers and tomatoes The dinner menu seemed very different than other Ethiopian places I've tried in the last, I was especially surprised at the number of dishes that included spaghetti. My best guess is trying to provide options for those who don't want to dive fully into an unfamiliar cuisine, and there were plenty of more traditional Ethiopian dishes listed. Overall, I think this is a solid spot and see why it gets strong reviews, particularly given its location compared to other Ethiopian restaurants in the city. read more
One of the best meals I had in DC! We came for an early dinner and waited about 5 minutes. It's a small place so I can imagine this place having a long wait if you come with a large group during rush hours. We went with the group special with all the must try's like beef tibsi, chicken tibsi and veggie combo with sides as well. The portions were generous and everything was seasoned so well and delicious. I inhaled everything so quick. read more
This experience taught me a true lesson. Call the establishment before ubering there. Google and yelp both said Karen was open on Sat June 22nd yet they were closed when we got there. So that's my one star review bc they didn't update business hours online read more
3 years ago
This place does not disappoint! I tried out another Ethiopian restaurant in DC for convenience, and it paled in comparison to Keren (despite great Yelp reviews). I'm especially impressed given that I last came here 5 years ago; the food is still delicious! Everything is well seasoned and flavorful; the portions are generous, and it's not too expensive either. The tibsi beef is still my favorite! It is also definitely a good sign that it seems many locals frequent it. It is a bit out of the way of the more touristy areas, but the trek (in my opinion) is well worth it. The service is efficient, and the server was friendly. No complaints from this happy customer! In other news, it is not far (about 10 min walk) from the DuPont Farmer's Market (which happens on Sundays). My boyfriend and I walked over there right after. read more
Cute little Ethiopian restaurant in Adams Morgan. The server had a lot of good recommendations and the food we got was perfectly spiced and fresh. They gave us extra injera as well. I saw the table next to me get coffee which looked really good so I got it as well and I'm so glad I did. It was amazing! read more
This place changed my perception of Adams Morgan and Washington, D.C.. There is so much cultured food here and Ethiopian is probably my new favorite group meal. The atmosphere is friendly and intimate, not too loud and crowded. The service is like ordering from an old family friend or neighbor, they are that welcoming and kind. Definitely it what I was expecting for D.C. The shared platter is the way to go and it's perfect for 2-3 people. read more
4 years ago
After living pretty close to this Eritrean restaurant for several months I finally decided to give it a try. I must say - it did not disappoint! The flavors were rich and delicious with huge serving size. We were able to share one dish with two people. We had the chicken with salad and lentils.. it was absolutely delicious and tasted really fresh. The chicken has a nice spice but is not too spicy or overwhelming. The injeera accompanying it soaked up the flavors well. We were full after sharing one plate of this for dinner with two people. It was well priced at just $17 for a huge portion. The ambience of the restaurant is refined casual - the bar features some Eritrean wine and beer which are great accompaniments. We were able to walk in on a Saturday and get seated right away with a party of two. Some larger parties had a short 10-15 minute wait around 7pm. Overall, definitely plan to come back and try some of their breakfast all day options. Great spot for some authentic Eritrean cuisine! read more
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More info about Keren Restaurant
1780 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
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(202) 265-5764
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Is it halal food?
Do they have gluten free options?
I am gf and have been provided with all-teff injera here upon request for a small additional cost. It was delicious! I did not have any gluten reaction to the food here with the teff injera.
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