Ethiopia Restaurant

06/23/2008 Posted by HSingervine

I heard this restaurant had very good food, and okay service. I went there for the first time last night with my girlfriend.. and we had a delightful time. I found it nice that it wasn't super busy because the food was made faster. The lentil and meat samboussa appetizer was EXTREMELY delicious. It was crunchy on the outside, with a nice soft texture of meat on the inside, and exotic seasoning. I highly recommend, if you like spicy food, to order the meat "tibs" with a side of "awaze". The bread was yummy, and although I'm more of a meat guy, my girlfriend could not have enough of the veg. combo. Overall great experience, and fully plan on going back again within the next week.

Pros: The food was an A++

Cons: Not many customers.. but for me that's a pro

12/08/2006 Posted by starrgrass

I went to this restaurant also based on decent reviews and although the food was decent, was highly disappointed by the service. The seating was prompt despite having a group of 14 since there were few patrons in the restaurant (it was raining outside). However, although we were seated at 7 pm, we did not order until 730 pm, and different people in our group received our food over the span of 30 minutes starting at 820 pm. Some people in our group had almost finished eating before others had even received their food. Also, despite prompting, it took the waitress 10 minutes to bring us our check after being asked. Oh, and the food was "okay"-- certainly wasn't the best Ethiopian food I've had; but, it was fair.

Pros: Parking, Prompt seating, good for groups

Cons: Service!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

12/08/2006 Posted by ishkibibble

I went to Ethiopia Restaurant based on the generally good reviews, but was very disappointed. First, the place was not heated (on a rainy day in December) and was uncomfortably cold. Second, the food itself was mixed. There were about six vegetarian dishes available for the lunch buffet. They were competently prepared and pretty tasty, though I've had better Ethiopian food. The injera (the staple bread of Ethiopian food), though, was bland, cold, and crumbly, and you had to reach into a plastic bag to serve yourself. I don't know what the restauranteurs are thinking, serving stale injera in a bag. Finally, the service was inattentive. With few customers in the place, another fellow had to go the counter to put in his order because the waitress was busy chatting with a friend, and I had to do the same to get my check after the waitress offered to bring my the check and then forgot about me for ten minutes. With the wide variety of east African food available in Oakland and Berkeley, I wouldn't bother returning to Ethiopia Restaurant.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/25/2006 Posted by steta

We tried this ethiopian based on the recommendations here and were quite disappointed. The service was painfully slow even though we were almost the only ones there. It reminded me of being in Africa, but unfortunately this was the only thing that reminded me of Africa. The food was ok, but just ok, which is sad because almost any ethiopian is pretty good. It was slightly bland, and the injera were lumpy and not sour enough. As other reviewers pointed out, the portions were quite small. For the same price at other ethiopian restaurants we have enough left over for another full lunch for both of us, but not here. The vegetable items were better than the meat, but still not as good as other nearby ethiopian restaurants. The tej was good however.

Pros: honey wine

Cons: service, price, portions

11/05/2005 Posted by lamjam

Hi. I've found this to be my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the East Bay. The food is excellent - the spices are truly Ethiopian, authentic. There are many menu choices available, the service is excellent and the prices very reasonable. The atmosphere is kind of quirky - I think it's a converted house/living room, so there's a fireplace in the front room that looks a bit out of place, but this doesn't detract from the great eating in any way.

Pros: Price, Parking, Service

07/16/2004 Posted by bwambach

My wife and I have been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. In fact, my wife had her 21st birthday party at The Ethiopia Restaurant many moons ago. I have eaten at many the other Ethiopian restaurants in Berkeley (Blue Nile), and can honesty say that The Ethiopia Restaurant is by far the best. The food is cheap, plentiful and unbelievably tasty.

Pros: Food, Price

04/13/2004 Posted by dangfitz

There are half a dozen Ethiopian restaurants within 2 miles, but this is my favorite, and Ethiopian is my favorite cuisine. The prices are great, the food is authentic, delicious, and prepared healthily. The Service? Well... don't go if you gotta be somewhere. I've eaten Ethiopian in Atlanta, NYC, New Haven, Portland, LA, and D.C., and this is still the best food.

Pros: Friendly, Ambience, Food

04/03/2003 Posted by hunybear

The food was good, but they no longer offer a salad with their meal, and the portions are relatively small for the huge price you pay.

Pros: cozy with fireplace, food, not crowed

Cons: small portions, high prices

03/22/2003 Posted by leikvold

The veggi lunch buffet is to die for - $5.99- amazing food. The quality tends to change from day to day- but it is always good. The wait staff are all very friendly. I eat here every week on the backyard patio.

Pros: yummy, cheep, friendly

Cons: not enough people, come here

09/11/2002 Posted by berkeleybuff

I've been to this restaurant many times over the last few years for both business and pleasure, and have always enjoyed it. The staff are warm & friendly, and the food is very good, with a great selection (excellent vegi and meat options). Prices are quite reasonable too. My only issue might be that the food takes a little while to arrive when they are busy.

Pros: tasty food, friendly service, accomdating for group

Cons: occassionally slow