Asmara Restaurant
(510) 547-5100
5020 Telegraph Ave
Oakland,
CA
94609
37.8366
-122.2623
Neighborhood: Temescal
Reviews & Ratings for Asmara Restaurant
6 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-6 of 6 reviews
Great ethiopian for the Bay Area by Natalia B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
September 02, 2008
I would give this place 5 stars but I'm from Wash DC where the Ethiopian food is MUCH better than anything you'll find in the Bay Area. So I have to be honest. But of all those I've tried in the East Bay, this is the best. The food is fresh (for stews that are necessarily made well in advance), and the service friendly and reasonably good. There are more than one vegetarian main dishes. My favorite is the Shiro.
Fairly priced.
Asmara by R W. at InsiderPages
Contributor
July 31, 2008
Excellent food and drinks. I had the vegetarian sampler - red lentil stew, yellow split peas, mustard greens, and a salad. I tend to eat in a way to save what I like best for last. I had a hard time choosing. I enjoyed all of it. Even the salad was well above average.
For drinks my table had steamed milk w/ honey and an Asmara's Comfort, which is made with banana, coconut milk, orange juice, mixed fruits, and honey. I had the latter drink and enjoyed it very much.
pushy waitresses, mediocre food
by hmeyers
January 06, 2008
I've been here three times and each time the waitresses kept pushing our groups to order more food even though we didn't want or need any more. And each time we didn't the waitresses would get a pretty snotty attitude. I like taking people there because it's at least a different type of food, but next time I will definitely look for another Ethiopian restaurant.
I thought the food was ok and the price is reasonable, my main problem is that they are very pushy about ordering more food and trying to upsell drinks. I'll go to a used car lot if I want to talk to high pressure salespeople.
- Pros: something different
- Cons: pushy waitstaff, meat dishes seem to salty
Great and reasonably cheap by Marcus H. at InsiderPages
Contributor
June 29, 2005
This restaurant is located in a heavily Ethiopian/Eritrean neighborhood rife with coffeeshops and Ethiopian restaurants. This one is pretty much the best of the bunch. The food is delicious, the prices are decent, and the Tig is about halfway between sweet and dry. Service is prompt, too, and there are plenty of selections for everyone in your party, including vegetarians and people who don't eat red meat. If you do eat red meat and are brave, however, try the kitfo. It's good. If you're not strong enough of heart to eat ground raw beef, I'd recommend the Doro Tibs (lamb with berebere). Spicing is on the mild side, but it's certainly not bland.
Good Food, Comfortable Atmosphere
by 4deb4
January 03, 2003
Asmara restarurant at the corner of 51st and Telegraph is worth visiting. I am hesitant to write this review, because I don't want my find to become a hot-spot. I like the quiet, never overcrowded atmosphere of the main room. The main room (in the front door) is in strict contrast to the bright, white, loud bar area to the right of the main room.
- Pros: good food, nice setting, not too crowded
- Cons: water refills infreq.
Intimate and cozy, great food
by mwatts
July 09, 2002
This is a great date place. Unlike Blue Nile, it is not crowded and noisy on weekend nights. Rather it is intimate and cozy. The food is delicious. It is also sensuous to eat w/ your hands, plus the honey wine is a great compliment to any meal here. Sometimes the service can be a little slow, so it may not be the place to go if you are in a hurry.
- Pros: great ambience, great honey wine, great food
- Cons: mediocre location, slower service
