Cozy family-run spot. Love the vibes!…read more We got the Shewhat Special (vegan sampler + chicken/beef combo) and added the Selam Special (shrimp/mushrooms/spinach). The platter was flavorful and gorgeously colorful. I particularly enjoyed the lentils and Selam Special. Highly recommend the sambusas--the pastry was piping hot and so flaky!! Delicious paired with the sweet chili sauce. So glad to have finally made it here for some authentic Ethiopian cuisine (':

If you are considering Ethiopian food, just wash your hands and come here. It's like dining in a…read morefriend's home, welcoming, warm and genuine. The owner Abby D. is also the chef and her love and pride in her cuisine shines through her cooking. Having eaten Ethiopian food only in the US, this is the best version that I've had across Chicago, NY and DC. They offer indoor and covered outdoor seating, giving it a homely comforting vibe. Since it was just the two of us, we ordered the vegan sampler and the lamb tibsy (spicy). The lamb was delicious and well spiced. All the dishes were served on a platter of injera - sour, spongy bread that just soaks up all the flavor to perfection. I enjoyed the red lentils (misir wat), yellow lentils (alicha) cabbage and carrot stir fry, collard greens and a house salad that had a dressing which perfectly complimented the rest of the dishes. They also offer additional injera should you need any - we didn't. You eat with your hands from the common platter, but they do provide additional plates and silverware should you need it. The portions are generous and we ended up taking some of the food home. They have a bunch of dishes I'd like to try, so I'm definitely going to be back!

This place is special. This evening 4 friends who are loved like family and myself sat down to eat…read moreand share our recent experiences/discoveries in this thing we call life. We were quickly seated. Shortly after we were given our water. As we pondered the delectable menu one member of our group brought our attention to the beautiful artwork surrounding those eating. The images are breathtaking portraits of individuals who look to be part of the Eritrean community. Sounds of laughter from the surrounding tables and feelings of safety from the peaceful internal environment embraced us as we looked. Then the food came out. It was full of color and there was clearly intentionality behind the presentation. Upon tasting the dish, flavors of savory seasonings, fresh vegetables, and soft injera filled the mouth. It was more than enough food for us all and we ended up taking left overs. If you are near the area I HIGHLY recommend paying this spot a visit.

Came here for lunch with some friends on our break. We ordered the sampler that included both the…read moremeat and vegetarian versions of dishes. We also ordered a side of injera (sour flatbread). The food took a bit of time to come out but we didn't mind since we were chatting. This was my first time trying Ethiopian food. Eating the food was interesting and fun. Ethiopian food is made to be eaten with your hands and no utensils. My favorites on the platter were the salad, Dorho Chicken, and Potatoes. I wasn't a big fan of the sourness of the injera, but I did love the softness of the flatbread.

There are a lot of Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants in the SF/Bay area and particularly in the east…read morebay. I've been to most. Asmara is my favorite. I have been going since it first opened in 1985. I met the owner, Kesete then and he is still the owner. Great food, lots of dining space and as of 2026 they have an expanded bar in the adjacent space. Check out the rest and then come to the best.

The guys at Jerusalem Coffee recommended for my friends & I to walk over to Asmara for dinner when…read moreI said I have not had Eritrean food before. They said Eritrean is very similar to Ethiopian food so we finished our beverages & headed down Telegraph to Asmara. We were delighted when we were told to wait at the bar next door until they have a large table for our group. I asked the server to bring us their popular dishes, enough to feed 7 adults and she told me not to worry, that she would take care of it. She brought out the Meat Combo and the Beef/chicken/lamb tibs along with platter of veggies and eggplant. She gave us enough injera to keep us munching away. The food and service were Fabulous so naturally we had a great evening.

One Saturday evening, I was around the neighborhood and, after a long walk, decided to…read morespontaneously try this Ethiopian spot. It was pretty crowded when I arrived, so there was a wait, but I didn't mind at all. The restaurant was much more spacious than I expected, and there was a good amount of staff working. This was actually my first time trying Ethiopian food, so I let my server know that I was excited to try something new. He asked if I liked spicy food, and I immediately said YES. I ordered a samosa-style appetizer along with a meat platter that was FILLED with food. While waiting, I noticed everyone eating with their hands, and I wanted to experience the food the same way and respect the culture. Once I started eating, every bite hit me with so much flavor and spice! The appetizer was more subtle, filled with vegetables and paired with their house sauce. The meat platter, though, was the star of the show. I grabbed a piece of injera with every bite and scooped up everything on the plate. The flavors were incredible, and every time the host came by, I couldn't help but smile and tell him how delicious everything was. At one point, I eventually had to ask for a spoon. By the end of my meal, I was completely satisfied. As I was walking out, I noticed a portrait of a woman who looked familiar, and one of the workers told me it was their mother. That's when I learned this was a family-owned business, which made the experience even more special. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed every moment of my visit. Great food, welcoming people, a family-owned atmosphere, and an experience that was completely new to me. If you enjoy supporting family businesses, trying new cuisines, and being spontaneous, you MUST give this place a try!

Wow! So, I've eaten here at their old location on Grande Ave and the food was absolutely to die…read morefor. The hummus, meat and veggie platter, hot tea, lemonade are the best I have ever had. It tastes so nourishing, delicious, and wholesome. The cooks so clearly know what they are doing. Color me absolutely surprised when I was feeling the craving and I went over to their new location and WOW!! It is so stunning, beautiful interior and outdoor patio with outdoor heaters, fountain, ambient music. The servers are so attentive as well, and it is so wonderful that they pack up the leftovers for you. Cannot recommend this place enough, and so happy for them that they are at this new location. I hope they flourish for years to come

Admas Restaurant catered a two-day event, and I attended each day. Both days offered several…read moreHabesha dishes and lasagna. Every dish was fresh, made with generous ingredients, had the perfect texture, and was DELICIOUS.Many people at the event also complimented the tasty food. Service and presentation were excellent. The staff was friendly, attentive, clean, and punctual. They arrived well-prepared and helped make our event unforgettable. I highly recommend them.

First off, I ordered for delivery…read more I love Ethiopian and Eritrean food, so I was excited to see this spot finally open for deliveries in my neighborhood! I think I've eaten at the majority of Ethiopian restaurants in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, so I'm a fan. Sadly, I was NOT a fan of this spot. :( (For context, I tried to go back to the delivery app to give a review, but the window for leaving a review had closed.) I looked over the menu and I was suspicious that there was no standard Doro Wot for delivery, but, whatevs --sometimes restaurants leave off certain items on delivery apps. I got the Chicken Tibs and Beef Tibs. The beef was spiced, but the chicken tasted bland and watery. Both seemed to be missing salt. The beef tibs was tougher than I'm used to. Maybe it was an off day. The Yemisir Wot (stewed red lentils) was flavorful. The vegetarian combo was a complete miss for the price and the portions were super small. The Tikil Gomen (cabbage, carrots, potatoes) looked like one tablespoon had been scooped out and put on the injera. It came with Yemisir Wot, Yekik Alicha (yellow spiced lentils), beets(???), Gomen (collards), and green salad (though I don't remember getting the green salad in my combo). The Gomen (collards) were super bland and tasted like reheated frozen collards. My last issue is that the a-la-carte items are photographed with a small salad and injera, pretty standard (see attached image from site). Unfortunately, the a-la-carte options came singularly in a container with a side of injera. Bummer. If I hadn't included the vegetarian combo, I probably would've been even more upset. What I did like: --- - The Tikil Gomen and Yemisir Wot were well spiced and tasty. - Plenty of injera, almost too many. I think my biggest issue is that given the portion size, most items are between $16 - $24, so if you're looking to have a rounded meal (injera, vegetables, meat), you're going to have to order multiple items and that adds up fast; it will be cheaper if you just eat in or call them and order for pick-up. (I'm also kind of bummed because I was rooting for them since they are in the space where Casa Vallarta used to be.) If you plan to go, I'd suggest sticking to the vegetarian options.

I had a great lunch at Cafe Colucci!…read more This place came highly recommended, and it didn't disappoint. I ordered the turmeric beef with a side of shiro and it was delicious! The beef was super tender, the shiro was flavorful, and the injera tasted fresh. The portion size was quite generous, especially for lunch. Next time I visit, I'm definitely ordering one of the giant platters to share. The platters were enormous and looked incredible! So many good Ethiopian restaurants in the East Bay, but Cafe Colucci stands out. Can't wait to return!

3.75 STARS A…read morenational survey shows that only 18% of Americans have tried Ethiopian food. Some of y'all are missing out on the bold, richly spiced, deliciously satisfying grub....and the heartburn. ;) What brought me to Café Colucchi is Doulet, a hard to find dish but more on that later. An institution in the town, Café Colucci interestingly began as a European-style café with a handful of Ethiopian dishes before eventually evolving into a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with a full bar. Walk-in only, no rezzies. Indoor and outdoor seating. Note: While they have a lovely dog-friendly patio, it's not always open. I first visited in April but was told the patio wouldn't open until May. When May rolled around, I tried calling multiple times but could never reach a live person. I also sent an email with no response, tho I eventually got a reply after messaging them on Yelp. When I returned last month, the patio was closed for a private event. Luckily, they were accommodating and said we could still sit outside as long as we finished within an hour. F O O D * Doulet: Raw beef, lamb liver, tripe ($21) - Choice of temp: Raw, rare, medium rare, etc. We chose to have the doulet the traditional way: raw....and it was BOMB! Deliciously beefy and buttery, the doulet was packed with warm spices and a nice kick of heat. The bits of tripe added a slight chew, giving it a more interesting texture than kitfo. The injera's tang perfectly cut through the richness. * Doro Wot: Chicken Stew ($21) My fav Ethiopian dish to order, the chicken stew (two tender drumsticks) was rich and spicy with a complexity from the spices and deeply caramelized onions. * Begue Wot: Lamb Stew ($22) Recommended by our server, this was our least fav dish. While flavorful, it was mainly bones with tough meat. * SIDES With each entree, choose a veggie side: --Shiro: Savory, earthy with the chickpeas broken down to a silky gravy-like consistency. --Misir Wot: The red lentil stew is boldly spiced from the niter kibbeh with a heartier texture than the shiro. * CARBS With each entree, choice of injera or rice -- Teff Injera (+$2.50 x3): Fresh and spongy with a good tang. -- Rice: While nicely cooked and fluffy, you get very little of it. The center is left open for the stews so the rice is arranged in a thin layer around the outer perimeter. S E R V I C E Warm, friendly staff. Food takes awhile to come out so we only had about 15 minutes to eat. A M B I A N C E Casual and welcoming with an open kitchen and sacks + displays of Ethiopian spices. Awesome patio with tropical plants and vibrant Afrocentric mural. Overall, I can see why Café Colucci has been an Oakland staple for yeaaars. There are only a handful of spots in the Bay Area that serve doulet, and Café Colucci is one of just two I can confirm that offer it with offal. So if you love tartare but want something with bold, explosive flavors, don't sleep on it!

Highest recommendation! The food was absolutely delicious. The environment is lovely and clean, and…read morethe service was absolutely sweet, caring and warm. I wish I lived closer so I could be a regular.

I know NOTHING about Eritrean cuisine so take this with a grain of salt…read more $22.04 for lamb tibs was: delicious but a little sour (bread wrap, expected), and ultimately too greasy for me. I was happy to eat something new, different, unique! And my curiosity has me wanting to go back a few more times. But at least with the Lamb Tibbs, it's not something I need to eat again. 3.5 stars for the dish.

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and what a beautiful experience! We came as a party…read moreof six to celebrate and didn't call ahead, but we were welcomed and taken care of wonderfully. Our waitress was excellent! She patiently explained the different dishes, answered our questions, and made sure our food came out in a timely manner. The owner was just as welcoming and even helped us celebrate and took pictures with us, which made the experience even more special. Great food, excellent service, and such warm hospitality. They definitely made my first Ethiopian food experience one to remember!

It's been along time since I've came to eat here!…read more This place is one of my favorites! We got the combination plate! We were so full and it was two of us! Food is delicious and so flavorful! I am never disappointed when I come here! Friendly staff, place is clean! Parking is a little tight. Only thing is the plate they put the food on looks a little smaller than the big round ones they use to use.

We ordered the veggie sampler. One dish was ok but the others were bland and didn't taste fresh. I…read moredidn't even want the leftovers. The ambience was depressing and the restaurant was dirty. This is my least favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Oakland, there's much better places around the lake.

Love this place every time I go, quality Ethiopian food, small and quaint, relatively casualread more

I had never tried Ethiopian food before, so this was a completely new experience for me. The reason…read moreI finally decided to give it a try was because I work in the same building and would often catch the aroma drifting through the hallway--warm, rich, and incredibly inviting. Every time I smelled it, I told myself that I have to try it. When I finally stopped in, I was not disappointed. It was flavorful, comforting, and it actually tasted like Thai food a bit. I honestly don't even know the names of the dishes I tried, but I enjoyed every bite. This first visit has definitely made me excited to come back and explore more of the menu. I can't wait to try my next dish!

Go for the food and service, not the ambiance. The food was…read moreamazing. I'm not an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, but I enjoy it and would not hesitate to go back to Romanat. In fact, it would be at the top of my list if I was hungry for Ethiopian. Service was friendly and attentive. Helped guide us to a platter for our small group and it was the perfect choice. It's not a beautiful restaurant, but the food is the star and the reason to go.