Lovely service and a delicious meal! I highly recommend the beef tibbs and the vegetarian plate…read more Each dish was perfectly seasoned and prepared. I can't wait to return!

Are you tired of eating the same few cuisine all the time? Sushi and burger and the usual? Well,…read moreventure out and try Ethiopian food. 1. Reservation: recommended if you are coming on Friday or Saturday. 2. Food: very good - Enjara: the bread made of teff. it is very unique and it was my first time trying it and I loved it - collared green was good - yellow split beans were excellent options for vegetarion dish - red lentils were unique in seasoning. 3. Drinks they have full bar, mixed drinks and beer and wine options are available. 4. Service: very nice and welcoming 5. Extra: they serve their Ethiopian drink Tej is an aded bonus, it is nothing like I know. Technically a honey-wine. 6. They have LIVE MUSIC! call and check with them. Artists usually come on Saturdays. Cannot wait to check them out. Highly recommend!!

I am not Ethiopian but I have visited this restaurant a few times and have heard and been…read morerecommended this restaurant by other Ethiopians who say that the food here is good & it is! I always have a great experience here and enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant with the big screens to watch sports. This is where I tried tere siga (raw meat) for the first time and had a pleasant experience that I can now say I know how to eat it. I have had their tere siga, goden tibs, kitfo, asa goulash, and regular tibs. All very flavorful and items I would come back to order again. Their coffee is also great and poured out of a jebena like how it is traditionally and should be made. The customers that love this restaurant will not normally go out of their way to write a review, but seeing some of the negative reviews I needed to post one of my own.

Decided to order take-out from this place after my ethiopian friend made me kitfo. We've ordered…read moreout a few times now & have this place on daily rotation now! So far, we've tried -Awaze tibs: beef cubes sautéed with some veggies, spices. Very spicy! Beef was tender & was drowning in oily sauce. Too oily in my opinion but we loved the spice & flavor. -Geba Weta: tender meat sautéed with veggies, herbed butter, spices. My personal fave! Not spicy. The beef is beyond tender & the sautéed onions & jalapeños add great flavor & slight sweetness. -Kitfo: raw ground beef mixed with butter & spices. Ethiopian tartare if you will :) Also very spicy! We order this every time & absolutely love it. Don't forget to order extra injera for the leftovers. The portions are SUPER generous & good for 2-3 meals for hubby & I (& we both have hefty appetites!). Excited to try their other dishes & dine in!

One of my favorite Ethiopian restaurants in the area. The food is always really tasty, and the…read morestaff is nice and friendly. I typically get a vegetarian combo and it always tastes delicious. On one visit, the owner stopped by our table and explained how Ethiopian food is typically eaten, which was such a thoughtful touch and really nice to learn. Overall, it's a great spot and one I'm always happy to come back to.

Promising First Visit, Let Down the Second Time - Wish There is a Negative Rating…read moreDec 2025 * Friends I wish there was negative rating!!! This was my second visit to Enat Kitfo, and unfortunately, it was completely different from my first -- in a very disappointing way. The first time, I happened to be in the neighborhood and searched for an Ethiopian restaurant nearby. I decided to try Enat Kitfo because it was nearby, and I was genuinely impressed. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the server was kind and attentive. The owner even came to greet me, checked on my dish while I was eating, and made me feel welcomed. It was such a positive experience that I shared it with others and looked forward to coming back with my family. Because of that great first impression, I drove more than an hour for my second visit, this time with a friend who had just arrived from back home. We came around 6:00 PM, during the Eagles vs. Lions game in the 4th quarter -- it should have been a great evening. Unfortunately, the experience could not have been more different. The waitress was kind but inexperienced and had to ask the owner about everything. When the owner came out, he appeared unwelcoming and dismissive, which was surprising given how well he treated me during my first visit. As an Ethiopian who has lived in the Washington, DC area for a long time, this interaction reminded me of the old Ethiopian restaurant culture of the 1980s and 1990s, when Ethiopian customers were often treated poorly, while customers from other countries were treated as masters -- even though Ethiopia has never been colonized. Thankfully, competition have improved customer service standards over the years, which made this experience especially disappointing. We ordered Cotlet (fish) and Tsom Beyaynetu aka Veggie (Combo). The Cotlet (fish) was delicious, well prepared and enjoyable. However, it arrived without the combo. We waited, assuming the Tsom Beyaynetu (Combo) would follow, but no one checked on us. I eventually went to the bar to ask about it. The owner's response was simply "" (okay), with no concern or apology. When the combo finally arrived, it was delivered as if nothing had gone wrong. While the fish was very good, the Tsom Beyaynetu (Combo) -- which I had truly enjoyed during my first visit -- lacked flavor this time. There were many items on the plate, but none stood out as good. No one came back to check on us, and even ordering drinks required me to go to the bar myself. Overall, the service was extremely poor, worse than many Ethiopian restaurants from decades ago. With so many good Ethiopian dining options available today, I will not be returning. I truly want Ethiopian-owned businesses to succeed and flourish. However, I am accustomed to the American service standard and vote with my wallet. I do not accept neglect or disrespect as a customer. I hope this feedback is taken constructively so future customers are treated better and the business can improve. I wish Enat Kitfo the best, but without meaningful changes in service and consistency, it will be difficult to succeed in today's competitive environment.

Extraordinarily friendly…read more The sampler is easily large enough for two people. We had the sambusa which we loved. The hummus was different but good. We also tried the juices, which were more smoothie like but made without milk! It was a warm ambiance.

I can't say enough about how much I loved my experience at Hawwi. This is. Is one of my top…read morefavorite Ethiopian restaurants. I've been to so many and none compare to Hawwi. The food was just out of this world. You can tell that it's made with love. Meats were tender, packed with Ethiopian flavors, and served with the finest injera. The restaurant itself is very low key. The dining room is decorated with beautiful pieces of Ethiopian art work. Our server was so kind and made us feel right at home. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of food served. It is BYOB so be sure to bring your favorite beverage. For two of us we ordered the Kitfo, Tibs, cubed fish (tilapia) and five different veggies. It was plenty of food. My one and only critique would be with the cubed fish. It was a bit on the sweet side, and not as packed with the flavor as the other dishes. However, some may like sauces on the sweeter side. Can't wait to go back for another visit!!!

I'd heard this was the best Ethiopian restaurant in northern Virginia and it did not disappoint!! I…read morehad such a good experience at Makeda. I ordered the vegetable combination for $24, and for $25 I tried Kitfo (raw meat dish) for the first time, both to share. They were yummy! The Kitfo had a spicy kick to it but even with my low spice tolerance it was not unmanageable. It was my first time trying Fasolia Wot (string beans and carrots) in the veggie combo and it might be my new favorite! It had an unexpected sweet flavor that I can't describe. All in all it was a great meal and I'll be going back for sure.

This spot was recommended by a friend and I vaguely remember…read morevisiting before but it has been some time. We arrived on a Tuesday around 12:30 and quiet. A good size dining area as well Bar and saw an area for Live Entertainment. Modern decor with some interesting artwork. We were fasting so were limited to fish and veggies for lunch. We started with Timatim Firfir. Just the presentation of this appetizer was enough but the combo of the tomatoes, onions, Awaze wrapped in injera was delicious. We also ordered veggie (Lentil) Sambusa which was just right crispy and hit the spot. For main, we ordered the Veggie combo-our favorites were the Misir Wots and Beet Salad. We saw the Tuna Kitfo on the menu and ordered as we had never tried this one. Exquisite dish and a must try. As a lover of the Beef Kitfo, this is a formidable alternative. We finished with Macchiato which was bold and reminded me of the ones I had in Addis. Service was friendly and attentive. They picked up quite a bit by the time we left around 2:30. Will be back to enjoy the rest of the menu. Don't miss the Tuna Kitfo/Timatim Firfir.

Went here twice at this point and both times were amazing. The customer service here is the best,…read moreour waitress was so genuine and kind. Almost feels like you're eating at someone's house (in a good way!). We usually get the vegetarian platter with the 8 sides. It's so good and more than enough food for 3 people. Every single one of those sides are so so tasty. I also get a side of mithmita and green sauce which to me are a must! Another plus is that this place is very affordable. Get the Ethiopian coffee too--I'm not one to like black coffee but it's actually not bitter and just very flavorful. We really enjoyed that!

This was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine, and I loved the food!…read more I ordered the appetizer Abeba Gomen-the crispy cauliflower paired very well with the accompanying spicy green dipping sauce. The Sampler of 8 vegetarian dishes with injera was also amazing. All the items were unique, flavorful, but my favorite was the Misir wot, which was creamy and delicious. It was a wholesome meal, and the portions were big (our order was sufficient for two people). We went on a Saturday evening, and the ambiance was nice and relaxed, with live jazz music playing. Our server, Hani, was very friendly, and overall the service was excellent. The prices are very reasonable, but one point to note is that a 15% gratuity is already included in the bill. So, check the bill before you tip to avoid accidentally tipping twice, as I did. It was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone, especially vegetarians trying to explore Ethiopian cuisine.

An absolutely delightful little Ethiopian off Columbia Pike…read more I have walked by this place numerous times and finally went in for Sunday brunch. I had checked ahead of time on gluten free options and, while not explicitly listed on the menu as GF, the injera which I can best describe as a crepe is gluten free being made with teff flour that does not contain gluten. For my order, I got the eggs with beef. This came on an injera and with a side of it as well. You then use the injera to scoop up the eggs and veggies and eat by hand. It was a new, fun experience for me. After the meal, they give you a wet nap to clean off your hands though it wasn't a messy meal by all accounts. I also ordered the latte. It was ok. Next time I'll get the cappuccino. The staff were all friendly and attentive.

Very casual Ethiopian restaurant with a solid menu of very authentic dishes that come in very large…read moreportions I came here for dinner with my fiancé and we early could have split one of the entrees between the 2 of us. Also, they really don't skip on the meat here which I love. Food was very tasty The place is also attached to a small Ethiopian coffee shop that also has a variety of desserts

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.