Never experienced Ethiopian cuisine before and came with 4 other friends, two of which had experience with the restaurant before so we had an idea on how to share the food and what to split. The server was very understanding and nice. She explained the dishes well and helped with the overall acclimation to the eating style. Friendly and thoughtful, there was constant refill of the injera and water. Even though we sat in the back, they were very attentive. We went for spicy and non spicy meat portions and then two vegetarian options. Our party agreed on what to order and that is how we ordered the food instead of doing the platter option since there was more variety this way. The Spinach and Foussulia were unexpectantly flavorful for vegetarian options. Foussulia (beans) had great spice and a kick. The Yebeg Watt (lamb) was the best and probably my favorite out all the dishes, would definitely recommend getting that dish. Doro Watt (chicken with a hard boiled egg with berbere sauce) was a good choice, the meat was so tender it fell off the bone. When sharing with people, this is a great option since the price split between six people is very reasonable for the amount of food (and refillable injera). read more

Zemam's - Doro Watt, Spinach, Yebeg Watt, Spicy Tilapia, Mincheta Bish, Foussalia - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

So good, I have been going here for years and it has been consistently perfect and amazing with great service. Highly recommend going as a large group so that you can sample as much as possible, but makes for a fun date place too! read more

I used to frequent here when I attended college from 2004-09 and totally miss this restaurant. The owner is amazing and when my friend and I would dine in would load up our portions since he knew we where college students. The food was always amazing as was the service. Next time I visit Tucson I will definitely have to visit Zemam's and recount my memories with Amanuel. I loved dining here and totally recommend all the dishes they offer. Now I want and am craving Ethiopian food as I recall my college memories;) read more

I've loved every dish! I've been going here for at least 20 yrs. I'm never disappointed! Try Lega Tibbs for meat eaters and pretty much everything for vegetarians. My favorite are Gomen Alicha, Spinach, Kik Wat, and the mixed veggies. read more

Food is always great. Nice people. Unmatched for Ethiopian in Tucson.

I do not live in Tucson, but I've visited Zemam's twice - with about 10 years between visits. This place is a total gem. It's the first place where my kids every tried Ethiopian food, and turned them into fans. I love everything I've tried at Zemam's, in particular the Gomen Alicha, the Spinach, and the Yekik Wat. Mmmmm - heaven! Get a combo plate so that you can sample several dishes. There's not much parking, but it's easy to just park on the neighboring cross-street. read more

I asked my colleague, who is a bit of a foodie, if Tucson has any Ethiopian food. She got very excited and suggested Zemam's. It's a cute little repurposed house not too far from my hotel room. The smells were so good when I walked in! We ordered three combination plates for five of us, so I got to try a good portion of the menu. I loved almost everything. Only the collard greens, usually one of my favorite dishes, was too spicy for me. My favorites: the spinach, the chopped beef, the sliced beef, the cabbage/carrot dish, the chickpea dish, the split peas. I couldn't narrow it down to a single outstanding dish! Like most Ethiopian restaurants I've been to, the service is leisurely but very friendly. Thankfully, I was told it was BYOB, so I brought a cold bottle of 805 to enjoy. And the cost for five people, arriving hungry and leaving overstuffed and carrying a box of leftovers? $10 each. Unbelievable. read more

The employees are always so polite and are very efficient workers, the setting of the restaurant really compliments the food, the food is absolutely to die for and I've been eating there most of my life, every single time without fail it was absolutely mind-numbing how delicious it was. I could not think any more highly of this restaurant and it deserves a Michelin star. read more

It is so hard to find authentic foreign cuisine, unless you are at Zemams. This is the tastiest Ethiopian food and true to its culture. Thank you for giving us a true Ethiopian experience in Tucson. read more

Oh man, I rarely have Ethiopian food, but this place makes me want it way more often! Totally recommended for adventurous eaters, but really I recommend it for everyone. The decor is as if you're in someone's home, front door included. Threw me off at first, but really liked it right away. Great to go with a small group so you can try several different things by ordering a few "combo" plates. Probably not helpful, but I feel you can't go wrong anything. Be ready to eat with your hands for the full experience, so make sure your hands are clean. Will definitely come here again if I visit Tucson in the future! read more

I've been coming to Zemam's for a while now, and I'm never disappointed. When I feel like the fat and grease of American food is just getting to be too much, the cuisine here is just right. The building itself might be the only drawback, as it is in an old house and could use some renovations. The food here is served family style (all dishes ordered for the table are served together) and eaten with your hands using the bread (Injera). The vegetable dishes are hearty and filing but still feel very healthy, a great option for vegetarians. My personal favorites are the spinach and chickpea vegetable dishes. My favorite meat dishes are the Mincheta Bish (beef) and Yedoro Alica (Non-Spicy Chicken). Do be warned that if they say spicy, they mean it! Oh, and I always love their Ethiopian style tea. I would suggest they try introducing some dessert, though, as I think I'd really like whatever they came up with! read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I normally love this place. Today I came for dinner. DINNER. NOT an appetizer or sampler. And I get two pieces of cauliflower with a few carrots and the rest under it is burned crumbs. CRUMBS! And charcoal burned. Then I order the cabbage, potatoes and carrots in turmeric. One of my favorite dishes. Two slices of carrots. Two leaves of cabbage. Literally one small potato cube and -- TURMERIC so overwhelming that it was bitter and sour at once. I need to try Cafe Desta... sad. read more

Charming little place, a staple in Tucson for around 25 years. Read all about it. I did. Its history makes Zemam's a must-visit, and not only for the food. Welcoming atmosphere, friendly, accommodating staff. Other patrons were obviously enjoying themselves, which is always a good sign. Undecided on what I wanted, I asked for suggestions based on my interests and on my lack of interest in some things. The food was very good. Rich textures, exotic tastes to the non-initiated, so please be adventurous. Nothing tastes what some would call "nasty." Do not be afraid. Definitely worth a visit with return visits to sample more of their home cooking. I WILL be back. If at all possible, do go with a group so more of the menu can be sampled. I was solo, which limited my ability to try more of the menu. Though not a large menu, there are options for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegan palates. Probably a good idea to wash your hands before eating, as you will learn. You'll eat without utensils unless you ask for them, but don't. This is a cultural norm. As can be seen from others' photos, food is served on what is to non-Ethiopians a large pizza platter, which is lined to the pan's rim with a large, thin injera, the traditional Ethiopian bread. Atop the injera are mounds of the ordered food. A basket of smaller pieces of injera, folded nicely as is tradition, accompanies the large platter. Tear off a piece of injera, then pick up some of the food with the torn injera and enjoy. What fun it is! Sort of like eating the bowl. Highly recommended to all. If you don't like the food here, you are in the wrong restaurant. read more

SOOOO good. And cheap. The veg sampler is so perfect - we usually split it unless we're crazy hungry, and it's a nice (cheap!) light meal that means we can also go home and eat cookies if we want to, which we normally do. Even if you get 2 samplers, it's a total bargain, and lots of food. I'm sure some people order the non-sampler version of the dishes (i.e. an entree with just one dish), but I'm not sure why you would do that. Why would you do that? The service can be a little spotty at times, but it's never bad. The staff is always warm and pleasant, and when you leave you'll smell like delicious Ethiopian food for the rest of the evening. Yum. read more

Santi and I were looking for an Ethiopian restaurant in the area and managed to find Zemam's on Yelp. The converted house encompassed plenty of cultural artifacts, and a long walkway that divided the cozy dinning areas. There was a great deal of privacy due to the breakout rooms. As a result, some may find it difficult to discern a collective ambiance while others might perceive it to be home-like. We ordered two Mixed Veggie and Meat Samplers ($12.75 each) that came with two veggie and one meat items of choice. These items arrived on the sample platter, layered on top of a bed of fluffy injera. Overall, the food came with generous servings, greasy as the food soaked through the injera, and the flavors were not as spicy as expected. Among the vegetarian items, we enjoyed the Yemisir Wat, as it came with plenty of brown lentil stewed with onions, tomatoes and green peppers. The Shiro was also really fantastic as the pureed chickpeas were complex and flavorful. The Gomen Wat came with leafy collard greens cooked down with garlic, coriander, and cayenne to provide the heavier notes. Finally, the Yemisir Kay Wat was delicious but greasy with spicy red lentils sautéed with onions and berbere. Among the meat items, the Mincheta Bish arrived with minced beef with a combination of cardamom, funugreek, garlic, and berbere. The flavors were solid, but I preferred the texture and taste of those from Famous Ethiopian Restaurant. The Spicy Boneless Chicken were simmered with berbere and turned out moist and tasty. The food could have sharper notes, but it was still a satisfactory dinner. Our server had to maneuver between different dining rooms, so it was difficult to flag her down once the restaurant got really busy. Despite the structural limitation, she did an okay job to check on us and refill the injera. I will likely try other Ethiopian restaurants in the area before deciding whether to return. read more

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It's BYOB, it's friendly, it's casual,it's easy on the wallet and it's delicious and fun! But there's more to be said! This place is great for groups, especially those that don't mind eating with their hands. Ordering a sample platter or a variety of items if your choice is definitely the way to go. Tonight, three of us shared three items-chicken, beef, chickpeas Plus the extra sides that came with the platter. I think it was a fair amount of food. I would liked to see more chicken in the chicken dish, because it was so good. I paired my meal with warm and spicy Ethiopian tea. It was quite pleasant! I don't know what to look for in terms of dryness in the injera that other yelpers point out, but I enjoyed the spongy goodness with every bite. The spices sure stick with you! I could smell my hair on my drive home. read more

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If you've never had Ethiopian food before, and even if you have, this place is BY FAR the best place I've ever had it. I always take home leftovers from any restaurant I go to, EXCEPT this one. OMG, just writing this review makes my stomach growl. Also, if you want to teach your friends or kiddos how to share, Zemam's is the place to do it. It's all about dipping into the same dishes like one big happy family. :D What to order here? Pretty much ANYTHING. I know, that's not really helpful is it? But it's SO true. For the best deal and variety, DEFINITELY get their combination sampler (I'd generously suggest one combo order per person). Each combo comes with 3 choices, so doing the math, that 6 different dishes to order if you go with a friend/significant other! With that being said, if you have no idea what to order, I suggest ordering 1 chicken dish, 1 beef dish, and 1 chickpea dish. :) These are all my top picks Slow-cooked Chicken: 1) Doro Wat 2) Yedoro Alicha Tender Beef: 3) Zigni 4) Mincheta Bish Chickpeas (basically, Ethiopian style hummus): 5) Shiro 6) Kik Wat The service here is wonderful, and they serve generous portions of Injera (Ethiopian bread) to go with your dishes! Eat it up! read more

Zemam's - All of it, gone. No leftovers! - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The gist: -hearty, savory food -eat with your hands; family style! -excellent vegan options -quite cheap -unique atmosphere I'm writing this review now, having come to Zemam's two days consecutively. -hearty, savory food with vegan options Food is served on a thin layer of injera on a flat pizza pan. Injera included on the side. The soft, spongy texture of the injera, sourdough in taste, gives a unique contrast to the texture and flavor of pureed chickpeas, spicy lentils, and stewed vegetables. What surprised me is that there's no need for heavy cream to achieve what would otherwise be similar to a curry. If you like sourdough breadbowls, you'll find nice similarity. I can't speak for the meat dishes, but I sat next to two Navy sailors the second time, and they devoured, without complaint, what looked to be like 9 chicken entrees. In particular, the salty and only slightly sour collard greens gave yet another contrast to the lentils, chickpeas, carrots, and spices. the two of us ordered the vegetable sampler and got out of there with a $14 bill. Coffee included. There's food that seems to translate well to its environment. Seafood doesn't translate well in the desert, for example, no matter how fresh or recently its been shipped. But Zemam's does, and it's not just that feeling of "this isn't natural here, it doesn't taste the same." Maybe it's the heat, the colors, the flavors, the smells. -unique atmosphere When you enter this house turned restaurant, it's immediately clear why Zemam's has it's reputation. You go to Zemam's to get away from mass produced food culture: food that's been frozen and shipped, restaurant art, uniforms, menus. It's a place that Tucson can be proud of, a place to bring out of town friends and relatives. The decor here isn't plain or low budget, as some reviewers previously mentioned--it's unique, idiosyncratic, and altogether different from the grip of what we usually assume for a restaurant space. read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Unique & Delicious... the two words that escaped my mouth after dining here. Why have I not ventured into Ethiopian dining before? Im addicted and will search for other places all thanks to my Zemam's experience. Visiting Tucson, I wanted to explore a restaurant I've never been to before even though I lived here for over 12 years. I yelped and found Zemam's, suggested it to my friend which I was to have dinner with and she said she loved it there, even mentioning their BYO wine with $1 corkage fee. I drive up to the run down old house that my GPS leads to and am already thinking "Is my friend crazy?! This place looks awful". I go in anyways and there are a few people dining, including my waiting friend. The decor? Umm well there barely was any... it was drab and bare. The chairs and tables, well hello senior citizen church function... Seriously, it was reminiscent of that. We look at the menu and decide on 2 vegetarian platters to share (that's 6 different dishes, they only offer 7 total so we had the server decide on our choices). Also you can order a normal sampler platter which then can include meat. The best options so you can sample the most of their dishes. Food comes out on a giant pizza platter. The selection is served on a rolled out piece of the injera bread with a side of the bread for eating. The bread is cold and flat yet spongy. No utensils found here. We dig in and I am in love with the flavors of the meal as well as the experience of completely eating with my hands. We shut the place down, oops, that's what you get when two friends have not seen each other in months, but the service was friendly from beginning to end. After I leave, I think about how glad I am the place isn't some fancy establishment, the vibe complemented the experience perfectly. Although I still wouldn't bring s date here. 4 well deserved stars as I have nothing to compare it to. read more

This place was soooo delicious. Lived in Tucson for several years I can't believe I didn't try this until this year!!! Busy restaurant cozy atmosphere & fun trying the different foods on the platter!!! Get a meat platter & a veggie platter you won't be disappointed!!! read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

This is my favorite date night spot. The prices are reasonable and overall, the staff is very friendly and attentive. I never had Ethiopian before coming here but now I crave it all the time! Everything on their menu is so flavorful, delicious and unique compared to any other place in town. Another reason I love this place is that you can bring in your own preferred adult drinks and they will happily provide the glasses and bottle opener if needed. Eating here always leaves me feeling so content and satisfied. Give Zemam's a try, you won't regret it! read more

Oh my goodness! I absolutely LOVE this place! We hesitantly tried Zemam's over a year ago. We had never experienced Ethiopian food and were a bit taken back by the looks of the place, but we've been back several times. Not only has Ethopian food grown on us but it's become one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson Normally when going we've hit it on a downtime. In fact I've wondered how the restaurant stays open most of the time. But this particular visit showed me exactly why. We must have hit it on the busy night. Not only that but the several Yelp stickers in the window lead me to believe that we've helped business a bit which is awesome! The hubs and I stopped and grabbed a bottle of wine to take with us since their policy is BYOB + $1.50 cork fee. We immediately grabbed one of the many open seats and our waitress came over with wine glasses and cork screw immediately. We decided to split the combo which is 1/2 protein and 1/2 vegetarian option, of which you can choose your own dishes. Once again the food was absolutely amazing!!! I find it funny that every single time I do Ethiopian, I look at the platter of choices on top of the Injera bread and think to myself, "there is no way that is going to be enough food." Ironically enough, I leave stuffed to the point of being incredibly uncomfortable. On this particular visit the vibe of the place was awesome. Slowly, most of the tables filled in and the place was packed within an hour of us arriving. There were tables of 30 somethings drinking their top-shelf Hefe's, the 40 somethings drinking their bottle of cheap vino (us), the 50 somethings with their multiple bottles of wine doing tastings and then the 20 somethings that seemed to walk in, one after the other...after the other....after the other, carrying their 6-pack of Miller Lite and Budweiser. It was like a multi-age frat party feel. Everyone talking to everyone, helping each other maneuver strollers through the chairs...pretty freakin' sweet if you ask me!! read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Zemam's is an interesting yet mixed bag. The summary of this review should read something like this: If you want a completely unique experience and are willing to overlook any potential downsides (including cost), go for it. If you're the kind that isn't willing to sacrifice anything, there are even better Ethiopian options in town that are much less eclectic. I think eclectic best describes Zemam's. First off, the location itself is somewhat small and curious. It's just not the first place you'd expect a restaurant, and once inside, it's clear that the layout was once intended for a house turned office turned restaurant. The bathrooms are right next to the entrance, the dining room is subdivided into many smaller rooms, and the interior feels like a vaguely off-putting labyrinth. It's actually interesting, since it sets the atmosphere off as something out of the ordinary. Completely out of the ordinary. The food at Zemam's is average for Ethiopian, say a 7.5/10. It's the C student in the class - not the highest, not the lowest, just satisfied with average. It's hard to really write about Zemam's since there's nothing really bad about it, it's just... for lack of a better word... different. Like Ethiopian should be, there are no utensils. The food you order is shared on a communal piece of bread, and other bread is used to scoop from the platter for each serving. The bread itself is cold and slightly rubbery, like a spongey sourdough - how it should be. Imagine small tortillas but thicker, spongy, and salty. I humorously call the food "paste," since that's what it looks like. You get a bread plate with tons of pastes, and then use individual bread pieces to scoop the paste into your mouth. Zemam's is a cool experience, but what I find off-putting is how expensive it is. There's no getting around the fact that it's definitely expensive for what you get (probably too expensive for what you get, volume wise), especially compared to the other Ethiopian options in town. That said, it's just the right combination of eclectic and surreal to be something different and enjoyable occasionally. read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I'm not lying when I say that I could eat at Zemam's every day of my life and be perfectly content. It's absolutely delicious! And a great price, too. My husband and I came here for the first time about a month ago. We had so much fun and I want to share the experience with everyone I know. Walking in, as other reviewers have shared, you see a small house re-purposed into a restaurant. Some people mention being put off by this, but I felt it was very cozy and warm and even a bit intimate. The decor isn't anything sophisticated but there is just enough to feel comfortable. The chairs are pretty small and can be close together. I was seated right next to a wall and I'm glad I'm not a large woman because I would have been squished! We were served by several people and they weren't pushy at all. They were friendly, kind, and prompt. If I'd never eaten Ethiopian before I would have wanted them to explain a little more about how the restaurant works as they basically just took orders and brought food and beverages with little small talk. So, if you've never tried this particular cuisine before, do some research first so you feel prepared. Now, onto the meal. I ordered Ethiopian coffee to drink, which had a delicious yet subtle spice to it. It really brought out the flavor of the coffee and was absolutely delightful. We wanted the full experience, so we ordered two samplers. They come with the delicious, slightly sour spongey bread that pairs so well with the spiced food you eat it with. Everything was fresh and piping hot. I'll describe each a bit and how we liked it: Shiro - slightly sweet and very flavorful, loved it Gomen wat - My least favorite, kind of bland and the collard greens were overpowering to me Gored-Gored - a ground beef that was absolutely incredible with delicious spices, the meat wasn't too fatty and was just right Yedoro Alicha - the chicken had such a unique flavor with the Ethiopian spices, it was warm and had a sweetness to it, delicious Doro wat - similar to the other chicken dish we had but spicy. I would probably just order this one next time Yebeg wat - the lamb dish was amazing, never enjoyed lamb so much in my life; it was both of our favorite dish Spinach wat - mostly just spinach, also wasn't my favorite (definitely preferred the meats in this meal) Yemisir kay wat - a very unique and unusual dish with a great warm flavor; really liked this one My personal opinion is that you can't go wrong here. Come with someone you like as eating with your hands can be awkward at first (we saw a couple on a first date here - I advise against that!) but it is so much fun. It was a great bonding date for us. Everyone in Tucson needs to try it at least once. read more

My introduction to Ethiopian food came by way of our vegan friends in Tucson, and I am hooked! The venue itself is a little on the shabby "hole in the wall" side, but you can tell the proprietors take pride in keeping it clean and homy looking. Besides, you don't go there for the décor, you go for super yummy stuff! read more

outstanding and tasty: The menu looked good but the prices made me apprehensive. We ordered 2 sampler platters ($10 for each sampler platter = 3 entries) and salads. Salads were not fresh but had a tasty vinegar dressing, but definately not worth the $3.50. The platters arrived & I was dumbfounded, little, almost non-existent, "clumps" of food upon a thin bread. I was hungry and it did not fill us up, so we ordered a regular dish, still extremely small portions, another $8.50. The food is at best, a new experience, tasty, light and unique. The bread lacks any defined flavor & is interesting. Total price $46 for 3, a bit much but I liked it. In all, this place is attempting to be 'avant-garde' & charge top prices for average yet unique food, go here only if you can afford it. I sure as hell can't. read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Yo!!!' This place is the BOMB!! I could literally eat here every day. Super pleasant staff, prompt and helpful, food is to die for!

I went in here after many many recommendations. Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. The service was terribly slow. I tried to dismiss it due to the restaurant being a mom and pop run establishment. We were given water and not even offered the choice to order a soda or iced tea. When I brought it up, it took 30 minutes for them to bring it out, and another 30 minutes for the food to be brought out... warm-- not hot, and tasted as if it was a few days old :( The portions are ridiculously small!! And for $10 a plate, all 3 of us were left unfilled afterwards! The owner is a very nice man and will sit and explain all the dishes to you which was very nice. My only major qualm is the portion sizing for the price. I don't mind waiting a long time as long as the food is worth it. I understand that they got the Zagat rating in 1999-- but that's almost 10 years ago. They need to stop slacking off just because they once upon a time received it (with no other Ethiopian food competition here). read more

How have I not reviewed Zemam's yet?!?!?! This has been my favorite restaurant for the past 10 years. I've made a sport out of taking new friends to this place and blowing their minds with the authentic experience and the delicious food. I am a vegetarian, so obviously a bit biased, but everyone seems to enjoy the vegetable dishes more than the meat. I recommend #1, #5 & #10. I crave the spinach, and the vegetable dish. The new addition of the green beans is spectacular. The waitresses are all so welcoming and helpful. I am so happy for them to have made it onto Guy Fieri's show :) They definitely deserve all the business they're about to get! read more

Excellent Ethiopian in Tucson. Great service,great food! We always get an array of meat and veggies...always delicious! The injera bread and the ambiance top it off. Thank you! read more

I was tempted to order the Doro Wat (chicken dish), but the table next to me had 2 meat items that looked very dry and lacking the flavorful sauce that makes the dish. So I just got the vegetarian sampler platter. The vegetarian dishes I had were very delicous. However, the injera was very dry. Injera should be spongy and have slight flavors of bread, like sourdough. But theirs was flat and flavorless, like white bread. Dry and flavorless....not a good combo. If Iived in Tucson, I don't know that I would dine here again. read more

Great good and service. The sampler portion is good for 2 people - add a couple of injeras :) Gives you a cosy & family feel. Am used to eating off the same plate with friends and family. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are visiting or live in Tucson. read more

The food is delicious and the injera is so spongy, tart, and tasty. The combo platters are the way to go so you get to sample more. BYOB is always nice as well. Sometimes they are a little inconsistent - the chicken on one visit tasted like the pan it cooked in caught on fire but fine the previous time. I wish I could give it 4 stars but the service can be really lacking. It can be rather difficult to flag down a waitress to ask for more bread and can take even longer to receive it. The last time I went with a group, we requested more injera, were told it was coming, and it never came. Also, do keep in mind when splitting payments that they only charge $10 or more per card, so you may want to bring cash. The restaurant is a converted house so the dining area is very cozy. It's like being at a loud house party when it gets crowded, so be prepared. Overall, there aren't many options for Ethiopian food in Tucson so I will be back. The food is good and the injera is delicious. Just don't count on the ambiance or service. read more

This is in my top 2 restaurants of Tucson. The food is fantastic, just the best Ethiopian food I have every had. My son (10 years old) said in an earlier visit this was the best meal he has ever had. We ordered 2 servings from the vegetarian part of the menu #1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9. And we ate All of it! The staff is kind as can be, good ambiance. Definitely worth eating here read more

I can't deny the fabulous flavors of their food! I love Zemam's! I love that they do takeout and I love that soon the restaurants will be open for sit-down service! Thank you Zemam's! read more

We love getting the sample platters and trying different things on it. They are doing curb side pick up for the pandemic so it feels very safe! read more

This is a Rite of Passage for all Tucson foodies! Everybody talks about Zemam's and we finally tried it. We tried the meat sampler and it was delicious. It was packed with flavor and we were super happy about it. We split the sampler between two of us and left feeling very full! You have to come try this place as a great date night stop that will get you experiencing a new way to eat dinner! read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

WOW, this cuisine Is FANTASTIC !!! The presentation is unusual, but the flavors, quality and portions were over the top. If you've never tried Ethiopian cuisine before (our first time), you need to try it. I cannot vouch for any other restaurant, but Zemam's is a definite must try. The service was outstanding and friendly. Thank you Zemam's. !!! read more

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A couple things you should know if it's your first time. First, it can get packed and service can be super slow. Be patient! Second, bring a bottle of wine or beer. There is a small "corking" fee. They do not sell alcohol. Third, get the sampler. It's a lot of food and a great way to sample 3 dishes. They have a dedicated vegetarian section, most is vegan. Bring friends so you can sample more! Sharing is caring. I love the vegan potato dishes. The lentils are delicious too. Be prepared to eat with your hands! The give you extra Injera to scoop with. If you haven't had this delicious bread it's spongy, slightly vinegary and light. Yum! I haven't tried any of the meat dishes but there are plenty of chicken, beef, and I believe a lamb dish. It's a very communal experience, even if you eat alone. It's a bit cramped and yes the decor isn't new and pretty but focus on the food! That's the star as it should be. read more

Zemam's - Vegan samplers! Delicious and flavorful. 3 samples per person. - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I've been going to Zemam's for a couple of years now and love this place! I put this place above its only only local competition in town. It's a house that's been remodeled and it's the perfect place to go with friends...it's family eating all the way! Be sure to bring your own wine as the corking fee is nominal. I highly recommend getting a 3-dish combination plate (or two) as really every dish is worth sampling...and by the way, they typically add a couple extra samples of dishes on the combo plate at no charge. IMO the stand out meat-based dishes are the Gored, Mincheta Bish, and the Doro Wat. The stand out vegan dishes are Yesmir Kay Wat, Shiro, and Yetakelt Wat. The injera is the perfect bread to mop it all with :-) The dishes are well flavored and are on par with some of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've been to...Etete in DC (Little Ethiopia), Dukem in Baltimore, and Meskerem in NYC. Prices are reasonable...one combo with an added dish will easily feed two. Service is always attentive. Not for ethnocentric kids. read more