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

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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

Keren Restaurant - Ful with egg - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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

Keren Restaurant - Veggie combo and chicken tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi (Beef) W/ Injera and Vegetables - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

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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

Keren Restaurant - Veggie combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - #3 and #4 - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - Vegetarian platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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. read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

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The food was really good. The service was amazing the person who is in charge of the service is really kind and a nice person! And the ambiance was great! Clean space very friendly environment. 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

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What a fabulous experience at Keren's. The food was authentic, flavorful and just enough spicy! Super friendly staff. read more

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Food/service was great, breakfast combo was plenty for 1. I had leftovers for later on. read more

Keren Restaurant - Breakfast combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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

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A takeout staple for us, we really like their take on beef tibs and shuro. Their injera is excellent- soft and gently tangy. So glad to see they're back! read more

Probably some of the best beef tibs I have ever had in DC! Get the Keren special if you like a mix of the veggie combo and the beef tibs. You won't be disappointed! Ive passed in front of Keren for years, so I was excited to learn they reopened after their brief hiatus. For a weeknight, the restaurant was so full and business was booming. I only had about a 10 minutes wait especially considering I showed up right at 7pm. The food is so affordable and you can expect to spend a little over $20 to feed two people pretty comfortably. Im already planning my next visit! read more

BEST OF THE BEST!!! My favorite Eritrean resturant!! I have been coming here for years!! read more

I liked it overall. The food was different from my last Ethiopian stop but served with enjera. Our waitress said this is Eritrean food and I drank an Eritrean beer with was a nice lager. Service was good and not to far from DuPont circle. read more

We had the tibs and veggie combo. The food was good but options were a bit limited. Also the portions were a bit smaller than we were used to. read more

Excellent food and service. Great to support small businesses especially one as personal as this one. They were closed for a bit but glad to hear they're open again. read more

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

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi (Beef) with Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi W/ Vegetables - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here with my colleagues from out of town, about 6 of us total. We had a table close to the window and it was nice to watch the cars go by. Service was also good. The staff was friendly and helpful to decide our Ethiopian food first timers. I ordered the Keren special with beef. It was a good and flavorful as I remember. The beef was seasoned well and I really like the veggies it comes with along with the enjera. It always feels like a lot of food with the enjera and various sides, I had leftovers. read more

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

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The restaurant is small with a huge heart! The staff was very helpful as we looked at the menu. I was surprised by the variety of pasta dishes. Everyone loves their food. The portions were generous. read more

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

Keren Restaurant - Breakfast Combo with Egg Silsi - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

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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

Keren Restaurant - Closed restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

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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

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi W/ Vegetables - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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

Keren Restaurant - Grilled Chicken W/ Salad Or Vegetable - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've gone here a few times over the years and it is a consistent favorite. I love a good hole in the wall spot. I always get the Keren Special or the Veggie platter (which is the same as the Keren Special without the meat). The Keren special is great with the chicken or beef. This time we got beef and it may be my new favorite. It had more flavor than the chicken, but either way you can't go wrong. Unfortunately I've never branched out to the breakfast dishes but they look great. The flavors and spices are so good. The portions are great. You can split either dish between two people, maybe 3 if you're all light eaters. The food always come out fast, which is always nice. And the prices are fantastic. Very affordable. read more

Keren Restaurant - Vegetables W/ Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Small cute cafe near Dupont Circle. We came in at 6:15pm on a Thursday, and the place was filled up by 6:30pm. I have never had Eritrean food before or not that I know of, but I would assume the food would be similar to Ethiopian food. Prices on the menu were very reasonable, much cheaper than the Ethiopian places I go to in Houston. They also offered all day breakfast and sandwich options in addition to the large injera based platters. Noting the prices, I opted for the veggie combo thinking it was going to be a smaller dishes. Nope. It was huge and every item on the dish was some of the best I have had. The injera was not as dark as the Ethiopian places I have been to. I assumed that it had less teff but it was also less sour which I preferred. I am definitely returning here if I get the chance again; only more cognizant of the portions. read more

Keren Restaurant - Veggie combo plus Eritrean beer in the background. - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

They've been voted best Eritrean (Eritrean use to be part of the Ethiopian empire) consistently for years, and we've been coming here for over a decade. A small space but their food is amazing! Also it's super affordable. Their Keren Special is enough to feed two people. We get take out from here like every other week. They do a great job packing their to-go orders and the people that work there are all so nice. read more

My friend recommended Keren Restaurant. He used to live nearby for many years. He and his family ate at Keren regularly. I met my friend and his son at Keren Restaurant. We ordered two specials amongst the three of us. We had plenty to eat and it was filling. Eritrean chicken is flavorful and seasoned incredibly well. The greens and other veggies on the plate combined with the chicken create a balanced meal. It's not too spicy and and the bread soaks up the flavors. We had a memorable meal with great service. read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When I moved to DC from Dallas, I missed a local bakery that severed Fatta Silsi and Fuul. I typed those dishes into Yelp and this gem popped up. Since then, I have been back several times for their breakfast! Everything is delicious here so you can't go wrong but our faves are the Fatta, Fuul with eggs and the beef tibs. I could honestly come here every day and be content. Cannot stress enough how much I love this place! read more

As a big fan of Ethiopian/Eritrian food, i was really looking forward to trying the place. However, compared to other places i've been, the veggie combo was a little less flavorful. It was really three star food, however the service was fast and attentive. It's the kind of affordable, hole-in the wall place I appreciate it. I don't think i'll be adding it to the rotation, but was a solid meal for what it was. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi (chicken) W/ Vegetables combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia