Finfine' Restaurant

(510) 883-0167

2556 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704 37.8639 -122.2588

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Neighborhood: Elmwood

FINFINE.COM

Hours:

Monday From 05:00 PM To 10:00 PM Wednesday To Friday From 05:00 PM To 10:00 PM Saturday From 03:00 PM To 10:00 PM Sunday From 12:00 PM To 10:00 PM

Last updated 6.23.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Family Style Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Ethiopian

What People Are Saying About Finfine' Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Situated in "The Village" courtyard just blocks from UC Berkeley is Finefine, an Ethiopian restaurant celebrated for both its authenticity and creative menu. The owners incorporate their family's favorite dishes along with more traditional fare, making for a varied offering. Classic Ethiopian and lively modern art adorns the walls, and whether diners come to court or for study-break dining, the honey wine, communal eating and moderate prices pleases many aims.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
The Hakim stout beer is a standard, and the restaurant is busiest after 8pm.
Save Money:
One vegetable combo platter and meat dish will easily satisfy three people.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/20/11

Best Ethiopian restaurant!

by Keith WC at Citysearch

Brought a special someone here for their Birthday and was pleasantly surprised at what an amazing evening it was at Finfine. The atmosphere was comforable and relaxed hidden in a little plaza. Charlie and his sister were so attentive and provided us with amazing, personal service. Then there was the food which was outstanding. We shared the Dulet and the Ye-Awazà Beg Tibs with the Injera Bread pared with the sweet honey wine. Reults was a dining experience we will never forget. We will be back.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/23/09

It is a must you've got to try it!!!!!

by foodiest at Citysearch

Hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant in Berkeley. Since the first time I went I've been hooked! The atmosphere of this family owned restaurant is very clean, traditional and beautiful. They have friendly and courteous staff. The meat, fish and vegetable platters are out of this world, every bite is delightful; especially with the special Ethiopian honey wine. And on top of everything, it's very inexpensive! I cannot recommend it highly enough!

  • Pros: Best Ethiopain food in town.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/05/06

Ethiopean food at it's absolute finest.

by hezmodo at Citysearch

Of the many Ethiopean restaurants I've tried over the years, this one rates tops in all areas; service is low-key and friendly (the host is very warm and helpful) the atmosphere is quiet and clean, and the food... oh Lordy, the food. It is sublime. There are no words to describe the depth of flavours and exquisite spicing. This is, by far, the best Ethiopean food I have ever eaten. As is traditional, two of us ate family style, ordering two meat and one veggie entree, happily anticipating left-overs. The lamb dish, recommended by the host, was almost a miracle it was so good. The spices were rich and intensely satisfying without being very spicy. In my book, the lamb stole the show. But, the beef (also recommended) was excellent as well, and much spicier. The garbanzo dish was also outstanding. Another guest with us had a fish dish (not the salmon) that was quite good, but not as remarkable as the other meats we tried. Our 10 year old friend ordered a mild chicken dish, and loved it. The honey wine is a wonderful sweet and dusky mead. Asmara used to be my favorite, but I'm afraid Fin Fine has stolen my heart. The tab was around $85.00 for 4 people, and enough left over on the family-plate for another hearty meal for our sick housemate. This place is one of the the best restaurant finds I've had in the last couple of years!

  • Pros: Located in a secluded restaurant mall, not on the street, so it's nice and quiet.
  • Cons: Telegraph Ave. can be a tough place for parking.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/09/06

Ethiopian Dining At It's Best

by bzbalk at Citysearch

I found this restaurant to be affordable and charming. The food was exquisite and the servers were attentive without being intrusive. We dined 'family style' and tried the vegetarian assortment as well as a beef and a lamb dish. My dinner-mate, who claimed to dislike lamb, raved about the lamb dish we ordered. I thought it was very good as well, but I was more partial to the beef dish that had a little more 'bite' to it. The Ethiopian tea was fragrant and quite good. The vegetarian offerings were equally satisfying, and we were planning our next visit before we finished our meal. The cost, including a generous tip, was under $50.00 and we had more than enough leftovers for another meal, which we took home with us. In my humble opinion, Fin Fine is one of the Bay Areas best kept secrets!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/19/06

my favorite Ethiopian

by zjulia at Citysearch

I really don't understand how Finfine could only have 7.1 points in your ratings. This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant and I've been to almost all in Berkeley/Oakland. The dishes are very flavorful, but not too spicy. They have a mouthwatering salmon dish, and great honey wine. The service is also wonderfully polite, nice and attentive. It's a relatively small, quiet place with a unique ambiance. Highly recommended.

  • Pros: wonderful service