I went to Semhar with 13 friends for my birthday and it was by far my favorite Ethiopian experience (mu sample size is 8 restaurants). Service: They were extremely accommodating for our large party and everyone was warm and welcoming. They really went the extra mile to provide a special experience for us, from the unveiling of the platters to the coffee ceremony. Food (most important part for me!): The vegetarian and meat platters we ordered were out of this world. Everything tasted fresh and well seasoned and the injera was the best I ever had. We loved the various spices used and each dish was cooked exactly how I like it. The date cake and Ethiopian coffee were also amazing. Ambiance: This also stood out for us. The lighting, scents, artwork and design added to the overall excellent experience. It was the perfect combination of cozy and lively. Price: The price per person was very reasonable for Amsterdam. There are a number of Ethiopian restaurants to choose from in Amsterdam but I highly recommend giving this one a try! Thank you Semhar for helping to make my birthday extra special :-) read more

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The food here is amazing!! My friend and I were a little spooked because we went to eat and were the only ones in the restaurant, but people slowly trickled in. We ordered one of the vegetarian selections and it was delightful. It was a massive amount of food but it was so good I couldn't stop eating it! I really enjoyed the spinach and the onions. Their honey wine is also delicious. This is my second Ethiopian restaurant I've been to but it definitely gets the title of my favorite. Seriously, this was so delicious. I wish I could eat here every day. read more

Semhar - The vegetarian meal - African Near Me - Amsterdam, New Hampshire

I wanted to try Ethiopian food so I went here... twice! We ordered something that was basically a sample of everything for two on a big round platter covered with what they called "pancakes", which is indeed pancake-like bread (but not sweet at all), and then topped with all the different kinds of sample portions on them. Very different and quite nice! The second time I went here I ordered it to be extra spicy. The restaurant itself is conveniently located with a canal view on one side and a street view on the other side, near the entrance. The restaurant is very clean yet it has a warm feel. The staff is also very friendly. Also, they have banana beer! Go figure. read more

Semhar - African Near Me - Amsterdam, New Hampshire

OMG great Ethiopian! Service here seems faster than in U.S. restaurants, but that doesn't mean it's fast or high-pressure. It preserves the relaxed flavor of a good meal. The flavors were savory and distinct; the guy who runs it was very friendly and helped us out (in English or Dutch) with any dishes we didn't recognize. (We eat Ethiopian at home too, so we weren't completely at sea.) They have a section with tables and chairs, and a table with more traditional woven stools. Tasty Ethiopian honey wine, for those who like it, or regular options of beer and wine for those whose preferences lie elsewhere. I would go back more often, but my stomach is only so large! read more

Semhar - African Near Me - Amsterdam, New Hampshire

I LOVE semhar. The food is exceptional, i am completely obsessed with ethiopian food, and really think this is one if the best! The mixed veggie platter is a wonderful intro to this extraordinary cuisine.... read more

Love the new experience of eating new cuisine. It's probably one of the oldest cuisine truth be told... Eating with your fingers adds more to the flavor than just taste with the mouths but also tactile through ones fingers! A good hand washing technique is a must when dining here. Vibrant colors and flavors will greet you as you take your first bite! Enjoy! read more

One of the best things about Ethiopian food is scooping up that final piece of injera that lays beneath all the dishes, soaked in sauces and oil. Unfortunately, Semhar follows a different arrangement, only putting the injera on the side, leaving me bereft of the deliciousness. That's seriously worth 2 stars off the rating! Jokes aside, I am sure they wouldn't mind giving me the soaked injera if I requested in my order. The seating is not traditional; you sit on regular chairs at a regular table. I wish it were a bit more traditional. The dishes are good and you could make it vegan by ordering cheese on the side instead of on top of your food. Otherwise, Ethiopian cuisine always has a lot of options for vegetarians. It is best to order a huge platter of everything to share. That said, pricing is based on 2's. And once you order a platter for 4, you could expect either huge amount of food or just a lower price. I felt that the price was a little too much for our party of 4. Service is great for Amsterdam standards. It is usually a bit slow to get your final check; they do serve tap water, which makes up for this! Wonderful location, and I wish they delivered. read more

I've been eating Ethiopian food for years. It's my favorite food, but I was disappointed with the mediocre Ethiopian restaurants in this town, until I stumbled upon Yelper A.J.'s review for this place and decided to check it out. After my second outstanding meal here, I'm prompted to leave a review. It's obvious that there's quite a bit of care and pride that goes into their meals and I like that the owner is very interested in what you think of his food. Their food is fresh and presented beautifully, you can tell that it's lovingly prepared. And did I mention their injera? Perfection! and don't be afraid to ask for extra! Last night, with our meals, we tried their organic, coconut beer and their organic, gluten free Buckwheat (white beer) and both were very good. Beautiful interior and great location. It's a nice final touch, that I've never seen before, when they bring out a warm dish of water to cleanse your hands at the end. I love introducing people to this often overlooked food and my vegan friend just adored it as well. read more

I did a European tour and stopped here while in Amsterdam. This was by far the best food I had all vacation. I also highly recommend the mango beer! It's an excellent compliment to such delicious food. We had the meat sampler platter (sorry I can't remember the name) but there wasn't one thing we did not like! read more

Poor service, average food and not a great experience overall. African food is so much mor than that. Try other places in Amsterdam, this is not worth your money or time. read more

if you want to lean relaxed in the chair , forget it . The chairs are to short /small. But food was good.