A wonderful restaurant that has gone downhill in service. Hours are marked as open until five, sign flashed open, but when we went in a man told in a very aggressive tone they were closed and if we weren't there picking up a previous order to get out. read more

Fantastic hole in the wall restaurant. The food was amazing and the prices were not bad , especially for the amount of food you get. Great service. read more

Great food, huge portion, great service. The sides weren't as seasoned as the meat was, but still it was a great meal. Parking is a little cramped, but very nice homey feel inside. I will be back next chance I get when working in Memphis. read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Beef Tibs. Great flavor, huge portion. - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I am pretty sure Abyssinia is my favorite restaurant in Memphis. I have been eating there for more than 20 years, and the quality has not gone down one little bit. I got delivery from them Friday using GrubHub for lunch, and my vegetarian combo plate came extremely fast and incredibly flavorful. From mustardy lentil salad to multiple variations of warm lentils, to warm and savory cabbage/potato/green bean/carrot combo, to cold jalapeno-beet salad and the most perfect injera (Ethiopian sourdough you use to pick up the food with your hands), every single bite was exciting, delicious, and just so, so, pleasing. I chowed down a bunch before taking a photo of the vegetarian combo goodness today, so my apologies for an incomplete picture. The platter easily amounts to more than one meal and is perfect shared alongside one of their other options (like their deliciously simmered doro wat chicken) with a friends.   Abyssinia's longstanding storefront on Poplar can easily be missed, but don't miss it! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - vegetarian combo after i filled up on eating all the multiple types of lentils, mustardy lentil salad, and most of the warm carrots/potatoes - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

WOW!!! This was one of the most DELICIOUS Ethiopian restaurants I have ever had!! Incredible food, all of it. The Injera was perfect, nice and soft with the lovely flavor. All vegetables were so delicious and the extra helping of the cold lentils was very much needed!!! The beef was also EXCELLENT! The owner was such a joy to speak with and you can tell she genuinely loves her craft. A must-try in the Memphis area. Will be back soon! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian platter with added beef! - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I must have came in at a slow day cause no one wasn't there until I showed up than a lot of people came in after 12 but overall small restaurant but looks nice love the decor service was definitely friendly not to mention that the food was just as delicious. I've had a similar experience to last year with the Indian food but this here kinda different but I would have wanted to try the goat curry and gave it 5 stars but the lamb had to do so today I m giving it a 4 out of 5 recommend you give it a try though. read more

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Ethiopian food is a rare find here, and at Abyssinia, it feels like enjoying a meal at home with family. The owners are incredibly kind and patient as they recommend dishes. Sadly, I did not get any pictures of the food because we devoured it so quickly! I recommend getting a family platter with a few different meat options so you can taste multiple dishes. Everything is delicious, from the cabbage to the meat to the spiced tea. The location is a bit hidden in a plaza off of Poplar, so don't miss this place! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Spiced Tea - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I was hoping we'd really like this place. They had one waitress and we kept having to hunt her down. She just disappeared. The food was very fresh and hot which was good. We asked for it mild like we do at all Ethiopian restaurants, but what we got was absolutely tasteless and bland. The meat was spicy but everything else had zero and I mean zero seasoning in it. I've never experienced that with Ethiopian cuisine before. There are 2 other Ethiopian restaurants in Memphis, so we'll be trying those next. Also, the bathroom was very dirty! Between the bad service, dirty, bland food and getting sick that night , I won't be back. One more thing, the waitress came out to check us out at the counter and she had food handler gloves on which clearly had food on them and she proceeded to take our cash with those same gloves on. I'm sure she went back to handling the food with them on. Clear violation of food handling rules. Of course later that evening I was downing Imodium pills and spending lots of time in the bathroom. So I really don't recommend this place. read more

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I have loved to eat Abyssinia anytime im in Memphis! It's something I crave often whether it's the buffet, take-out or a sit down meal, it always hits the spot. read more

We were road tripping through Memphis and did not want barbeque. My road trip partner doesn't eat meat and I saw Abyssinia on the list. The owner was very friendly, and even answered my questions about the beautiful decor. They are currently take out only. The vegetarian plate is completely vegan (no dairy!) and the portion size is huge. We took the meal out to a nearby park and enjoyed it with the backdrop of spring flowers. The injera is perfectly textured, still hot, and perfectly portioned with the rest of the food. I daresay this rivals the Ethiopian food in DC! I'll be back the next time I'm in Memphis, thank you, Abyssinia! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian plate, comes with injera. So good! - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Oh my, goodness gracious! This was our second experience with Ethiopian food in Memphis. While the food was tasty at the other place, Abyssinia checks ALL the boxes. The decor is warm and upbeat, but the first thing we noticed upon entering were the delicious smells wafting thru the restaurant. The very gracious owner waited on us, suggesting three of us share a vegetarian platter. My husband had chicken tibs. We also ordered ordered the spiced tea, a delicious concoction of spices with cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Every bite of the vegetarian platter was delicious, and ample for 3, with leftovers to take home. This was the most pleasurable meal we have had in Memphis. read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

All of it, I go EVERY time I visit Memphis. My #1 spot!! It's the best Ethiopian food outside of Adam's Morgan in DC!

I ordered the vegetarian combo for delivery with extra injera and extra cabbage. It was a great meal, and now I can add it to my list of favorite restaurants in Memphis! PROs * Beautiful colors * Great variety * Tasty -- just as good as Ethiopian food I've had in other major cities like Seattle and DC. * Price -- reasonable, affordable CONs * I ordered the large mango juice and didn't know it would be from a carton (in other words, not house made) -- but that's on me, I should've asked. * That I didn't get to enjoy the food on a plate in the restaurant -- next time, I'll dine in! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian Combo with extra cabbage - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

We're latecomers to Ethiopian food. We'd never ever had it until 14 or 15 years ago, but it rose right to the top half dozen or so of my favorite international cuisines after sampling it a few times. Our favorite Ethiopian place on our side of town in Cincinnati closed up a few years back, and we've been missing it ever since. Abyssinia sounded like a good choice for our first evening in Memphis. We were looking for casual, uncrowded, and laid-back on a Saturday evening after a five-hour drive into town. We were the first ones in the door at around 6pm and were puzzled to find what looked like a closed restaurant--most of the tables had the chairs on top. But while we were there, the dining area quickly filled up. Abyssinia must be having a rocky transition from pandemic-era takeout to sit-down dining, because the front-of-the-house guy, who I assume was the owner, was out there by himself and was absolutely hair-on-fire frazzled by the time we left. He was dealing with both about eight tables of diners and takeout orders. He was nice as he could be, but overwhelmed and literally sweating from exertion. I felt bad for the guy, but at least his restaurant was bustling. We ordered the beg tibs (lamb) and a veggie combo, which turned out to be a massive amount of food for three people. It was neither the best nor the worst Ethiopian food I've ever had, but entirely serviceable in my book. The wife disagreed, alarmed by what I called the "al dente" cooking of the lentils (and what she called totally undercooked). I didn't have any problems with digesting this stuff, so I assume it was fine. The rest of the veggies were fine, too. The beg tibs were flavorful, although some of it was somewhat tough. A great bargain: Three of us couldn't finish our food, which was only $43 after tax and tip. Yelp has some lovely photos of the interior of Abyssinia. The reality is slightly more ramshackle, but charming enough. No alcohol, but a big selection of sodas and juices. read more

I have been here twice now and by God I cannot wait any longer to review this place. On the first visit I just showed up to dine in. I did not realize the preferred method is to call ahead and make a reservation. Fahcado (spelling? Sorry!) politely requested in the future to please make a reservation but happily sat our party of four. We ordered hot Ethiopian tea as a beverage. If you do not order this, it is your loss. The food is phenomenal. Much to my disappointment, this was my first visit to this restaurant. I have been to every other one in town, and they have all fallen by the wayside post Covid while this one has weathered the storm. After having visited I can see why. Fahcado (spelling? Sorry!) has been the most polite and accommodating person I have ever encountered and look forward to many happy return visits! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Gored Gored with side of extra spice - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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This is my go to Ethiopian spot in Memphis. I get the vegetarian platter. A nice size for the price. Family run business. Friendly service and always good. My guests, including teenage boys, loved their chicken and salmon tibs. If you want a healthy, seasoned, international meal in Memphis this midtown restaurant is well worth it, read more

Food was excellent! The injera (bread) looked odd in the pics but it's amazing. So soft & almost velvety, slight sourdough flavor, & not dry at all. It's perfect for its job: grabbing up pieces of the other food & soaking up delicious juices. The wat was spicy but so flavorsome! I think our favorite thing on the plate was the red lentils. Service was a bit spotty; we weren't really checked on very often. If we had needed something we definitely would've had to flag someone over. That wouldn't really have been hard though, since the restaurant is pretty small. We didn't need any help, though, & it didn't mar the experience. Will absolutely come back! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie platter combined with wat combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The food was delicious, the owners were lovely and warm, and the service was great. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to expand their cuisine or is wanting some good Ethiopian food! read more

Yummy food! Great portion sizes. All entrees come with 2 injera so there will be plenty to eat! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Tilapia fish (bottom), Yesbeg Tibes (top left) - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I have been frequenting Abyssinia for more than 10 years. Everything is plentiful and flavorful. While I haven't tried everything on the menu. I can say you can't go wrong with a meat dish or a vegetable plate. I alternate between both and truly can't pick a favorite! It's a secluded restaurant. It's a great place to have private conversation. The ambience is dark due to the wood throughout. Just be prepared to get your hands little messy! read more

We were part of a large group with fixed options but I think everyone was pleased with what was offered. Service was very personable and food was well cooked and tasty. A very pleasant experience. read more

We went in as a large group. The owner came out and was super nice to offer us the shared plate experience. I'd recommend service if managed by the owner. The food itself was okay, I personally didn't find it that flavorful but others in the group liked it. read more

Absolutely delectable. One of the best places to eat in Memphis! Every bite is flavorful. The staff is extremely kind and welcoming. A quaint spot but the perfect place for a date night, a meeting, or just a catch-up with friends. Did I mention the food was delectable?! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Their vegetable plate is wonderful! Often times I'll drop by after a long day just for the vegetable plate for take out. It's a short-cut to augment my dinner at home with extra veggies. read more

This was my first time eating Ethiopian food and I literally could not get enough. The service was great. The food was hot and fresh. There is plenty of food to share. All three of us were stuffed and took the rest for leftovers. There was rice, cabbage, carrots, green beans, potatoes, lentils, and more. The lamb was top tier. The salmon was everything. I mixed it all together in my leftovers and ate it the next day. It was still just as tasty. I can't wait to go back. read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Lamb, Salmon, Vegetables - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Husband and I came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. Extremely impressed with the food. We've had our share of Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine, but this place tops all the others. It was perfectly spiced and without excessive oil. Injera was amazing. We got to meet the chef and owner, both extremely friendly and hospitable. Bonus, they have a prayer area for those who need it! Highly recommend and very family-friendly. read more

This is one of the best kept secrets of DELICIOUS and affordable food. They need a heads up if you want to be seated. I LOVE the veggie platter and my husband/Mom will usually add a lamb dish. read more

Excellent service and food was delicious and authentic. Will go back again! It was dark in the room though

Oh man where to start on Abyssinia. This was the first ever Ethiopian restaurant I have been to and it got me hooked. I normally get the Yesiga Wot which is a beef stew. The meat is on the tougher side, but not too hard, and the stew is rich and hearty. Their portion sizes are big and I usually can get two meals out of one. Their tea is also very delicious. Expect to have to wait for your food. I usually call in before I pick up and a few times i had to wait a lot longer than their estimated time for pick up. However, I don't mind because the food comes out hot and fresh. read more

Excellent food and service! I especially enjoyed the lamb. I'll definitely be back and bring more friends. read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - a plate of food - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Best ethiopian food ever! We have been everywhere and the service is great! Nice and quiet. We have been to Florida, Lousiana and other places on the west coast too. The food here is number 1. read more

Delicious food in a simple, family-friendly atmosphere. Would definitely return to try more dishes from this menu. Soft drinks could have been a little colder, and the restaurant moves at an unhurried pace, but the food is amazing. read more

The food was absolutely wonderful and our server's recommendations were on-point. Between the flavors and amount of food, it's a great place for a lunch or dinner date and you will not leave hungry. read more

A must every time I visit Memphis. I love all the tibs and the injera is DELICOUS! Perfect to share with friends. read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Fish, vegetables, beef tibs, chicken tibs, injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Have dined in and ordered takeout from here several times this year. Parking is limited but we have always been able to get a spot. It is tucked away on the bottom floor of a business center and is easy to miss! The restaurant is so warm and authentic inside. The owners are kind and hardworking. There is gluten-free injera available but just call ahead! We usually get the vegetarian platters and the portion can easily spread over a few meals. read more

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I do take out so I would check before planning on eating in. The vegetarian (vegan) platter is great. It is a large amount of food and all sides are excellent. I think mildly spicy. Cabbage and potatoes, lentils, yellow split peas, pickled beets. For me, it is good for two meals. Service is fast, the staff is always cheerful and helpful. read more

Excellent beef stew! Try injera !!! I would definitely return again to chow down on these exotic delicacies!

I had the lamb, greens, yellow peas, beets, and spiced tea. The food was hot and tasty. The staff was polite

By far among the best Ethiopian food I've had in quite a while! I ordered the beef tibs with misir wot (spicy red lentils), fosolia (green beans and carrots), and key sir (beets). Everything was so distinct in flavor, and when combined in one bite with the room temperature injera, I was seriously blown away. Although somewhat tough, the tibs were very juicy and flavorful. The key sir was not what I was expecting - it was at a colder temperature and had a bite to it; it was very tasty, though, and I appreciated the twist to a classic Ethiopian dish! One of the servers gave me a cup of Ethiopian tea; that was the best tea I've ever had in my life. I'm not sure what the exact flavor was, but I believe it was some sort of honey tea. I had to stop myself from drinking 3 whole cups! Luckily, I came during buffet hours. The food was so amazing that I took some to go as part of the buffet. The staff were so friendly and caring, and very attentive. I honestly felt like I was at home in this quaint little Ethiopian restaurant. Overall, I had an unforgettable experience - the food was delicious, the staff were amazing, and everything was so affordable! If you're in the Memphis area, make sure to stop by Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant! read more

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Grab a seat, order your meal, and get ready to be fattened up. I canNOT get over how delicious this food is! I've been going to Abyssinia for a decade now, and the food hasn't changed even thought the owners have. The one word I would use to describe the food is "exotic." Abyssinia is SUCH a hidden treasure. The food is flavorful, it's good for you and it's always visually appealing as it's often placed on beautiful plates. I always order the goulash. It's your meat of choice with cooked onions and tomatoes. You pay at the checkout area. You won't be disappointed. You'll also likely have a lot left to-go because it's pretty much three meals in one order. I always eat my leftovers for both lunch and dinner the next night. Bring a group of friends and dig in. read more

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