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    Abyssinia Restaurant

    4.5 (485 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian, Eritrean
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

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    ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Abyssinia Restaurant

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    Fresh made Traditional Combo
    Kimberly H.

    Came here Friday night and was welcomed and seated right away. Witnessed Ethiopian girls drinking tea together and it was a very nice cultural experience! We love Ethiopian food! This restaurant is authentic, traditional, fresh made and homemade, and very tasty! We love the basket of injera bread that comes with the vegetarian combo and meat platter. Comes with an egg and chicken leg, super delicious! Will definitely come back!

    Veggie Combo with beef
    Holly B.

    Very good Ethiopian food with personable service. I tried the chicken sambusa and it was super good. We also got the veggie combo with beef, and it was very authentic and some of the best food I've tasted. Would definitely recommend!

    Christian T.

    5/5 - Amazing First-Time Experience! I'm visiting from Sacramento and wanted to try something different. This was my very first time trying Ethiopian food, and I'm honestly so glad I chose this place. The flavors were absolutely incredible -- rich, bold, and perfectly seasoned. Every bite had something new to offer, and the injera paired with the dishes was so delicious and unique. It was definitely different from anything I've tried before, in the best way possible! What really stood out was the owner. They were so warm, welcoming, and genuinely excited to share their culture and food with me. They took time to explain the dishes and made me feel completely comfortable even though I was new to Ethiopian cuisine. You can tell they truly care about their customers and take pride in their food. If you've never tried Ethiopian food, this is definitely the spot to start. Great flavors, great experience, and amazing people behind it! Highly recommend

    Adriana P.

    It was our first time trying Ethiopian food! It was actually nice that the server asked us and explained how they do it in their culture. Which I thought was nice and very thoughtful. They asked if it was okay to have the food in the same plate as that's how it is traditionally done. The inside gave me mom and pop shop vibes which I loved!! Support locals!! I will assume their decor was all traditional and it was actually genuinely nice knowing about a new culture! But has a few tables and even a little bar area. There wasn't too much ppl inside as the day we went. Awaze Tibs chicken 9/10 it was nice and tender. I wouldn't really know how to fully explain the flavor. But trust I did like it. But it wasn't too much spice. I will say maybe I want it to have a hint of spiciness but that is a personal preference :)) I forgot what the beef dish that was chosen since the original wasn't available but I will say I preferred the beef over the chicken!!! Next time I'm here I do wanna give the traditional combo a try!!! Will come again and try more stuff!!

    Awaze Beef Tibs  Derek Beef Tibs Veggie Combo
    Ai-Nhi L.

    Long overdue! Ethiopian food is my favorite, and Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant does it the best. Anytime anyone asks me where I want to eat, this is my only answer because I legitimately crave their platter every day. I just spent my 30th birthday having lunch here this past February! Tucked away in a small plaza, this truly is OC's hidden gem from Africa. It has that authentic mom-and-pop feel, where it's almost always the owner or his son personally greeting and serving you, which makes it feel even more special. You can tell there's so much pride and care in everything they do, and it's a big part of why I keep coming back. My go-to order is 2 beefs and a veggie: awaze tibs, derek tibs, and a veggie combo or special, all served over injera bread. Probably comes out to about $70, but that's enough for 2-3 people. Very filling! Tip: Be prepared to wait. This is not fast food, and we're thankful that it's not! Everything is made fresh to order, and that takes time. It's the perfect place to take a date or a friend if you're looking for a great catch-up session. (:

    Awaze Beef Tibs and Vegetarian Special

    Me and my friend came here yesterday, and I had an amazing experience. This was our first time ever having Ethiopian food and to say we were impressed is an understatement. The Injera vegetarian plate and tibs were so delicious and flavorful, and it was made very fresh! The presentation was also beautiful! I tend you eat out a lot but this cuisine was unlike anything I had before! You could feel how much care, attention, and thoughtfulness went into making the meal. Make sure you come HUNGRY and a couple people because the portions are very generous and filling! And prices were more than fair. I took a To go box home and it was still delicious the morning after. I'm definitely coming again to share this food with more of my friends and family! Also when you come please be sure to be kind and patient to the owner, it was just him working, and he was very nice :))! Ethiopian food is so underrated and needs to be more mainstream, and this restaurant deserves more business and recognition!!

    Denise H.

    Although I won't say this will be my most favorite cuisine, I am by certainly very happy to have tried it. Such a colorful palette of exotic yet homestyle vegetables, mixed with their refreshing spiced meats and earthy chicken and eggs, you can completely taste the culture on the plate. I will definitely try more meat next time and am interested in their coffee/tea ceremony as well. Service was great as well. Thank you!

    Atmosphere
    Afsaneh L.

    Fantastic food and service!! Thank you!! Loved every bite! Friendly and family restaurant.

    Zynette C.

    I'm so glad I found this place, the food was phenomenal. We got the combination platter and it was just so delicious. Injera, doro wat and all the veggies were just so amazing. Service was great, the gentlemen kept coming around to check on us. The restaurant is adorable and perfect. I'm definitely coming back!

    Traditional Combo
    Heather H.

    Kind of a hidden gem in my opinion. Went for dinner and the restaurant was absolutely empty. But the employees were super kind and attentive. We got the combo and I absolutely loved it. The Injera wasn't super sour. The variety was great. They ran out of the doro wot and instead replaced it with a different chicken dish, which was very yummy. Ambience is clean and quiet. Great for conversation. Definitely looking forward to coming back. There aren't a bunch of Ethiopian places around, so I'm very excited to have found the spot.

    Traditional Combo
    Joshua T.

    First time having this type of food, and it did not disappoint. This restaurant is tucked away in the corner, and packed with flavor.

    Traditional Combo
    Katherine N.

    Was my first time trying out this place and i absolutely love it! Everything tasted so delicious and fresh. We ordered and had to wait 35 minutes which we don't mind just because we know it's fresh! It took us nearly 3 days to finish everything! My favorite is definitely the beets and veggies! Definitely will be back! :)

    Traditional combo. LOVE IT!!
    Tony G.

    Always Love this place. Pleasant atmosphere, awesome food. Excellent and very pleasant service. Get the traditional combo!

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    7 months ago

    It was good and authentic. Good service. You eat with your hands. It's a different experience which I like.

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    Abyssinia Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Abyssinia Restaurant

    Is the injera gluten-free (i.e. 100% teff flour)? Some places add barley or wheat flour when making injera...big problem if you can't have gluten. 😕

    their injera is not normally gluten free, but they can make it on request - they just need advance notice. at least a day, but more notice if there are a significant number of people in your party who can't have gluten.

    Is the meat halal?

    Yes the meat is halal.

    Are they currently still open for takeout during this pandemic?? What are the hours? Thank you

    Yes, not sure about the hours. I called at 5:15pm on a Tuesday for takeout. Website is not working but there are photos of the menu on yelp (Dec 29, 2020)

    Can your vegetarian options be made vegan ? Thanks !

    I'm pretty sure it's vegan. Last time I went, I asked and they said it had absolutely no animal products-- eggs, milk etc.

    Does this place serve FuFu or Egusi?

    I don't think so.

    Can you make gluten free injera?

    Absolutely (teff is GF), but when dining out, injera is occasionally adulterated with wheat (and/or other) gluten-containing flours, so be sure to ask the staff!

    View All 12 Questions

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    GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine

    GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine

    4.8
    (744 reviews)
    20.2 mi
    $$

    Been wanting to try Ethiopian food for the longest time and finally got the chance to! We ordered…read morethe beef and veggie combo platter. It says it feeds 2 people but honestly this could've easily fed 4 people. We had a good amount of leftovers. The beef and veggies on the platter were delicious! They were all well seasoned, flavorful and tender. The only thing my flavor palette couldn't get used to was the sourness of the injera. It's supposed to have a slightly sour flavor from the ingredients that it's made with. It's healthy though! Has a lot of probiotics and fiber. Service was excellent. He was kind and attentive. Our server was the only one working and all of the tables were full. The restaurant is a bit on the smaller end, with about 10-12 tables. It can get packed quickly since this place is popular. There is parking out front in a shared lot with other businesses. Would recommend if you've been curious about trying!

    First time having Ethiopian. Can be easily missed in a random strip mall environment. Plenty of…read moreparking so no need to worry. It was a bit stuffy inside and they had the door open with a fan on. Went with the Beef and Veggie combo. Really delicious food. I asked for chilis, hot sauce or something spicy. They had some spices and warned me to put a little on the plate and dab. And yes, it was really spicy. But added a different flavor profile. The mother and son are really nice and explained everything. Would definitely try it out again.

    Photos
    Inside dining
    Inside dining
    Beef tartar
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    Lynda's African Delicacies

    Lynda's African Delicacies

    4.2
    (222 reviews)
    11.3 mi
    $$

    This small shop is worth visiting to have some delicious Nigerian food. If you're looking for an…read moreinteresting place to take a friend, this is a great choice. Portions are generous and there is plenty of outdoor seating and parking in the area. There are a couple of indoor tables, but I'd recommend going when it's nice out so you can sit at the picnic tables in the middle of the traffic circle out front and watch the planes on final approach to SNA. It does get a bit loud since the airport is so close by. You order at the register and the food can take a little bit to come out depending on what dishes are ready to go. I decided on goat as a traditional option and went with the non-spicy jollof rice. The cashier also offered their habanero sauce with a warning about how hot it is. I'm not sure what the greens were, but they were mild and not bitter like collard greens. The plantains were a nice sweet treat to round out the meal.

    I've really wanted to like this place more…read more I don't usually give bad reviews, especially to small local businesses but here we are. I came here because I've been wanting to try Nigerian food for the longest time. I ordered through doordash their beef egusi that came with fufu. It was about $28 for one portion. They put the beef on the side and it was dry AF. The flavor was okay but it was difficult to swallow since it was so dry. The egusi unfortunately had a strong fishy smell to it that was off putting. The fufu was probably the best thing there. I also gave some to two other girls to try and they felt the same. Unfortunately I was very disappointed in everything and didn't even finish my meal. That is rare for me. I also didn't like that when I came my order wasn't ready. I think they didn't even see my order. This place is small and casual. The two ladies working there were nice. The foods look pre-made. They also sell some grocery items in store. There is a few tables and chairs inside and outside. It's located in a business area by the round about.

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    Rice
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    Suya Kabob ($5). This was spicy and very flavorful. I recommend it! 9/16/2023
    Suya Kabob ($5). This was spicy and very flavorful. I recommend it! 9/16/2023
    Fish (Talapia)

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    Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen

    Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen

    4.8
    (381 reviews)
    25.6 mi

    A meal with intention, respect to tradition, warmth and refinement and nothing unnecessary or…read moreextraneous!!! I am in love with this restaurant and I can't wait to go back. S/O and I shared the vegan combo and dereq tibs, a pitcher of their infused water, an Ethiopian cream coffee, and a glass of palm tree (their arnold palmer). The food was fantastic. I loved every bite we had, especially the gomen (braised greens), cabbage and carrot, and the kik alicha. The dereq tibs, though? That was AMAZING. Tender beef, sweet stewed onion, the perfect amount of spice from the serranos. I loved that the dish is accompanied by senafich (a spicy, horseradish-y mustard) and mitmita (a DELICIOUS chili powder that I want to put on everything lol). The beverages were delicious, I love an arnold palmer and this one is probably the best i've ever had with their spiced tea. Their coffee was decadent and strong and perfectly balanced. And the banana split! I am not usually one for dessert but I knew I needed to try this and I'm SO glad I did. A symphony of textures and complex flavors. We may or may not have used our fingers to get the last bits from the dish. The place itself is like a little oasis from the hustle and bustle of the strip mall outside. Vibey music, beautiful furniture and decor, and all attention paid to the little details. Can't wait for them to reopen so we can come back!! Parking - strip mall was crowded, but street parking wasn't too bad to find.

    My first time having Ethiopian food, and it was fantastic!…read more We ordered the vegan combo, doro wat, and beef awaze tibs. The vegan combo came with a bunch of flavorful things like stewed red lentils, stewed yellow split peas, Ethiopian salad, et cetera. I'm not vegan, but I would have been more than satisfied with just the vegan combo as it was delicious and filling. The doro wat - spicy braised chicken with a hard-boiled egg - was tender and tasty. I thought the beef dish was even better. The beef pieces practically melted in my mouth. And everything went great with the injera, which had a spongy texture that I found absolutely pleasing. The service was also wonderful. Before our meal, our server performed a hand-washing ceremony with rose water. And after we finished eating, we were presented with wet towels to clean our hands. Throughout lunch, our server kept our glasses of water filled. This place is a small intimate spot with very few tables, so reservations are strongly recommended.

    Photos
    Elegant interior
    Elegant interior
    Banana split and berberae ice cream
    Banana split and berberae ice cream
    Ethiopian Tej (honey wine) to cheers @brunch

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    Sumptuous African Restaurant

    Sumptuous African Restaurant

    3.5
    (98 reviews)
    11.6 mi
    $$

    This was my first time eating Nigerian food--I loved! We ate in and had egusi with beef and fufu…read moreand coconut rice with plantains and fish. The egusi was amazing and the fufu ball was perfect consistency, light and moist, a wonderful cloud to accompany your egusi. The egusi was my favorite, but the rice, fish and plantains were good too. There are plenty of tables, seating and parking. I loved the small but private parking lot. There is pretty are on the walls and a TV playing if you want entertainment. The ambiance is peaceful and tasteful. Service was kind and friendly. There was a man who was very helpful and considerate of our lack of knowledge. He made recommendations and we asked for low spice--and the spice level was perfect in the egusi! The egusi had just enough spice for flavor but not too much to ruin out meal for us (spice wimps!). We are thankful. This weekend we were just passing Long Beach, but we will definitely return again, looking forward to more Nigerian food - worth the trip just for the food. This review was not requested.

    This was our first time trying Nigerian food, and first time at Omalicious/Sumputous…read more We ordered the beef egusi with fufu and combo with coconut rice plantains and fish. Both super delicious we cleaned our egusi plate clean!! Very generous portions and service was really great. They were very nice! We loved the food so much we ordered okra soup (made to order fresh) and another egusi to-go but we decided to try with the goat meat. Normally we aren't goat meat people but we're down to try it! Everything was super delicious. We would definitely come back, excited to try the beef Patties in the future they were sold out when we came. Highly Recommend to others!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Fufu Combo
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    Inside

    Abyssinia Restaurant - ethiopian - Updated July 2026

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