What can I say? This place is one of the best little cafe's in the city! I work around the corner on Walnut Street and get my morning coffee and breakfast from there. They serve American cuisine as well as authentic Ethiopian fare as well. As the weather gets warmer I'll be switching from coffee to their splendid home-made smoothies. From French Toast & pancakes to tuna wraps to Zil Zil tibs everthing is excellent. Almaz and Solomon and friendly, courteous, and great hosts and add the final element to a completely lovely dining experience! Tip: for breakfast try the Garden Omelet. read more

Okay, so this review is going to be a little biased for two reasons. 1) I live a block away from this place, so it's unfairly easy for me to enjoy it's amenities. 2) The owner seems like a cool, right and just guy who deserves to be successful in an industry largely populated by sturdy and cannibalistic corporate high profit institutions. Salomon, the owner, after giving me some history of the place, spent 15 minutes helping me figure out that I typed the password for the wireless internet wrong. Apparently getting a bachelors degree in technology did not ensure that I would be able to correctly differentiate between capital and lowercase letters. Shoulda gone for the masters. The atmosphere here is stunning. There is unique lighting, a second floor that overlooks the first floor, and art that adds to the environment, but not in that unauthentic selected-by-computer-to-increase-bottomline starbuck's way. The coffee is good, and Salomon, is a genuine and open guy. He explained to me how he quit his job to set this place up. I respect anyone who quits their job to follow what they want, because that's what I did. Or would have done had I not been fired first. Whatever. My way was faster. Ite, so that's it. The music of choice seems to be chill jazz, and the place is open till 10 on the weekdays, which is pretty late for a place that just opened 2 weeks ago. I really hope it does well... Come check it. Peace Update: After coming here for over a year, this is my favorite coffee shop ever. No matter where you go you'll eventually get bored of the drink or the food, or the environment, but here, the owners are so friendly and cool, you won't get bored of the company! Furthermore, friendly people attract other friendly people, so you'll find lots of people who don't mind chatting here. 5 stars Yet another update: Just discovered something new: Ask for a Muffin, sliced and toasted. This is the best thing ever. Muffins will never be the same. Try it Update again: How many years has it been? This place is still awesome. I just want to add that the Chicken Curry plate and the Beef Curry plate are my favorite dishes here. Delicious, spicy (but not too spicy), filling. That is all. read more

Fantastic ambience, friendly service, awesome food! We had the vegetarian combination served on enjara. We will be back soon!

I love, love, love Almaz Cafe. This is one of my favorite places in Center City, and one of only two (that I know of) where you can get Ethiopian without going to West Philly. It is close to Rittenhouse Square and easily walkable from University City, too. I have eaten here countless times for weekend lunches and weeknight and weekend dinners. I've eaten there on my own or with groups of friends. I have only had items from their Ethiopian menu and their coffee, which is excellent, and on nearly every occasion, we have been able to walk right in. Once, when we were a larger group of 5 people, we did call ahead to reserve a table upstairs and brought in some wine to have with our huge shared platter of food. Usually we have ordered Veggie Combos, and at other times, I have ordered Doro Wat, Zilzil Tibs, or the lamb tibs. I think it compares favorably with other Ethiopian restaurants where I've eaten around the country. Most of the complaints I see here and about Ethiopian restaurants in general have to do with misunderstandings about injera. Injera is not a side of garlic toast, it is not a biscuit, it is not pita pocket, and it is NOT hot naan straight out of the tandoor. It has denser nutrition, is more expensive to produce than a slice of bread, and is routinely served at room temp. When at Almaz, we have never gone away hungry, and the folks who run this place have always provided a reasonable amount of injera. In the past, I have witnessed friends and family members who have unwisely scarfed too much injera at an Ethiopian meal and experienced a feeling like Thanksgiving bloat (x 10). Injera is basically a miracle food, and as such, should not be trifled with. It expands and is intensely filling, and not like a dinner roll. I think this is why it shouldn't really be treated as Americans would treat bread. Injera is not really bread--it is your eating utensil, your plate AND a complete nutrition system in itself! Trust the folks at Almaz, they know how much injera you need and how to serve it. This place wouldn't normally work for groups larger than 5, because there are only a few tables. This keeps the place the low-key, quiet, and relaxing space it is, which is just another thing that makes it great. I've never encountered large, loud tables of complaining, entitled students here (shhhh, don't tell them!). So, I couldn't be happier than when I'm at Almaz. The food is great, the people who run the place are super friendly, and the atmosphere is cafe-like and low-key. This is one of Philly's greatest secrets, if you ask me! read more

Me and my husband are obsessed with this place! We've never been disappointed. Highly recommend the various platters so you get a variety of tastes. read more

A confusing place is this a coffeehouse or an Ethiopian restaurant? It doesn't know, and having a dining room upstairs, and a coffee bar downstairs dilutes the atmosphere even further. I simply don't know what to order. A bagel or something ethnic? The two sides of the menu don't overlap, so I end up ordering nothing. Why Why Why does this place have to be so freaking difficult to decipher? read more

I definitly enjoyed my first ethiopian experience. I had the chicken stew as recommended and i loved it. The chicken was tender and i loved the sauces. My friend had the vegetarian dish and it was DELICIOUS too. Will definitly go back. I loved this place b/c the coffee is great TOO!!! good food, good coffee .. wat else can you ask for ! read more

Last night at the Almaz Cafe, I had my first taste of Ethiopian food. I was not disappointed in the least. From the exterior you may not realize that it is more than a cafe or icecream shop, but the food was delicious. They even had specialty Ethiopian tea (which was delightfully aromatic) and coffee. read more

I completely stumbled upon this ***GEM*** of an Ethiopian restaurant (partially disguised as a chic, urban coffee bar ;). I went in for just a sandwich and saw the menu, which was to my sheer delight. I haven't yet had the coffee, but if you are into Ethiopian food (and it's my #1 favorite in the world), I have to say the shiro is the best by far I've ever had. Usually it's flavorful pea flour, but Almaz's shiro is so, so fresh you can taste every single ingredient in it. I've been to about 10 Ethiopian places, and this is the best! The people are so, so nice and friendly. It's a gorgeously, urban-chic decorated coffee house. Looks great for wi-fi and to chill upstairs (or down). Love it, love it, love it, and cannot say merely enough! :) read more

Good place to hang out, have some coffee, use your laptop and do some work without being bothered. I'm not sure what coffee they brew, but it is strong and well made and so are their espresso based drinks. 3 stars only because the space is kind of cramped... whenever I walk up or down the stairs, I feel like I'm about to fall off of it. read more

This is the best Ethiopian food in Philly, hands down. The vegetarian sampler, as everyone else on yelp has attested, is amazing. The Ethiopian coffee is amazing as well. I didn't ever want to leave. The owner, Solomon, is so nice and down to earth. He's running a great business. The only thing that bothered me was that it was kind of cold outside, but the temperature inside was REALLY hot, so we were sweating while eating. It didn't matter because the food was THAT good. I'm obsessed. read more

This is a small loft/cafe/BYO that serves up some mean Ethiopian food. When you walk in, you're greeted by a Starbucks feel: a few already made sandwiches, drinks, yogurt, cookies/muffins etc. Don't be turned off by this! Just walk on up the steep staircase and you've got a relaxing little joint where you can just sit back and break open a bottle of wine. The wait staff is very kind and helpful. The owner (I think) came by and asked if we needed any help with the menu as well as giving us the low down on the day's special (There's one everyday, don't forget to ask for it!). My dining partner and I ended up ordering the vegetarian combo (consists of split red lentils, a carrot and potato stew, yellow split peas, legumes and something that resembled hummus) and the special, which was lamb sautéed with some onions, butter (lots of it) and some spices I couldn't identify, it was also served with a Dijon spicy sauce on the side. All dishes are served with sourdough "bread" that has a slight tangy flavor and airy texture. Ethiopian food is meant to be eaten with your hands. The bread is used to scoop up the contents on your plate. Everything had such great flavors and the vegetarian platter was so colorful! I was impressed by the food. We also showed up about an hour before closing and stayed half an hour AFTER closing and the staff/owners told us to take our time. My only complaint was the sourdough "bread". It wouldn't be so bad if the bread wasn't so... unusual. The bread feels like moist latex; one side is smooth while the other resembled tripe or a sponge. I really couldn't handle touching and looking at the bread. So I had to grab a fork and stare away from the bread. read more

ohmygoodness. i am so sincerely in love with this place that i don't know what to do. i've walked by this place many-a-time (mostly because capogiro is right there, and i cannot resist the gelato)...but never stopped in. well, turns out it's not just some coffeeshop, it's a tiny ethiopian restaurant! now, i'm not some expert of ethiopian cuisine...but from my limited experience, it's pretty damn awesome! from the fluffy, slightly sour pancakes to the wonderfully spiced vegetarian sampler and meat dishes...nom nom nom. it actually makes me want to eat veggies...more than meat! and all for less than $15 a person! i would go back. again and again and again! read more

So I've been going to Almaz for a long time now and I have to say that they have awesome selection of Ethiopian food as well as all American breakfasts. I love the fact that the place is small and cozy, Almaz and Salomon run a tight ship and it's always cleanan and inviting, albeit sometimes it gets a bit hot in the summer whether because the AC is not strong enough or it's just not running and the coffee selection could be better I'd still give this place my business every day if I could! read more

This lovely little cafe just off Rittenhouse Square is a wonderful place for either the quick take-out drink or a hearty meal. I have come here several times for the traditional Ethiopian dishes. The food is very good and comes with a heaping portion of injira and vegetables. The staff is friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is friendly, quiet, and highly amenable to studying or reading. They also provide free wifi. My only complaint is that, in the heat of summer, the cafe gets very warm. Otherwise, an overall great place! read more

Just had lunch here with a coworker. I thoroughly enjoyed the DORO TIBS - chicken breast sauteed with Ooions, tomato, jalapeno pepper, rosemary, exotic herbs simmered to "perfection" (as it says on the menu and it's true! it tastes like it's been marinated for days!) in organic Ethiopian butter and pinch of cardamom. The cardamom was just right. My lunchmate had the SHIRO (Mixed legumes prepared with ginger root, rue seed, bishops weed and garlic cooked with berbere sauce) and she really enjoyed the hint of spiciness. read more

Amazing food. Just had a veggie combo and it's really good for lunch. Highly recommend this place.

Wow... Had I not been with some natives I would never have discovered this place. Somewhat random, I think, to have great Ethiopian food in what looks like a Philly coffee shop. But it was really delicious. We had this chicken that tasted like it was covered in brown sugar and cinnamon. I am sure it was some exotic spice... but cinnamon/sugar is the only way I can describe it. The owners are very friendly and the food downright good. GO. read more

You walk in and you're not really sure what you're looking at, but you know you like it. A sort of mix of green walls, metal, dangling things from the ceiling and newsboy counters at the front and in the upper tier. It has a vibe matches more low-key "hipper" areas of Philly. Don't expect a lot of space to sprawl out though. read more

Almaz is hands down the best Ethiopian food in the city. Lots of delicious vegetarian meals and the owner is super sweet. Very cozy little spot in the heart of CC, always consistent, price to portion ration is great. Been a staple of mine since 2012. read more

Wow, glad to see that I am not the only one who really likes this place. The owner, Almaz, is very kind and even remembered the excellent omelet I had there last week when I came back today for brunch. Very good for dinner too! read more

I love the couple that owns and runs this place! Their sense of hospitality is fantastic. The food was pretty good. had the lamb special, which wasn't that great, but I sampled food from the other members in my group and a lot of the dishes were absolutely delicious. The place is rather small, but we managed to get a group of 8 in there (and took up almost the entire upstairs). I would definitely recommend this place to others. Fantastic place for a first date! And contrary to what this site says, they definitely DO take reservations. read more

The food, while over-priced for takeout, is very good. I love the food, but usually get indian food or something similar elsewhere because it's more affordable. Two vegetarian platters will cost you about $28. It's not really a place that you want to sit and eat dinner because it's small and not very atmospheric. I will definitely go here again when I get a craving for Ethiopian food, but it would be nicer if the food was better priced OR the atmosphere was better for a dine-in experience. read more

After leaving DC, i have to say that I miss good Ethiopian food a lot. Almaz definitely makes me miss DC less. You don't have as much variety on the menu as you would at an authentic DC restaurant, but this place does do a pretty good job. I highly recommend it if you are craving some injera and red lentils. read more

Though I lived in the land of Ethiopian options (West Philly), Almaz is my favorite Ethiopian in the city. Take out is our favorite option as well. Almaz (the owner) is a lovely individual and has always provided a warm, inviting environment. We love you Almaz! Love, Eddie & Sam. read more

Authentic Ethiopian food in a quaint atmosphere. Great location. Excellent service. Got the vegetarian combo plate....yum

I should have reviewed Almaz months ago but I go so frequently I always assume I'll do it the next time. It's a cozy spot with great food and service. The vegetarian Ethiopian platter is especially tasty with more variety than is even listed on the menu description. The portions hit the spot--I finish about 3 bites over where I should have stopped. And the family platter has *two portions* of each dish--a lifesaver because I become very selfish and mildly angry if my dinner companion starts to hog the Tikal Gomen. read more

LOVE IT!!!! The people are super nice and the food is AMAZING. I am vegan and I LOVE this place!! 5 stars!

Had both the vegetarian combo and the chicken stew- delicious! The cabbage vegetarian dish was wonderful. The staff was helpful and very nice. Overall a very cute little cafe. Great coffee also. Will definitely be going back. read more

Almaz Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wow! Went here for lunch yesterday and never wanted to leave. Great food and friendly, helpful service. Plus, the prices are really reasonable! Why did it take me so long to come here? Why am I asking you? read more

Oh my. What to say? Incredibly friendly and great food. They even brought us extra (at no charge) of one of the sampler items because they saw we liked it so much. read more

Spicy, savory, and delicious. I ate a lot of Ethiopian back in DC and this is nearly as good. Prompt and reasonable. I like a little thinner enjera but theirs was still excellent. Would absolutely eat here again. read more

So this was my first time eating Ethiopian food. Needless to say I was super excited to try someting new. The restaurant is tiny and the heat was up to subtropical ( a little uncomfortable but better than the 30 degrees outside). The server was fantastic. Even at the nicest restaurants in the city I can't remember having such attentive service. Now after trying Ethiopian food I can't say I'm a big fan. It was a bit sour for my taste. I liked it, but I'm not sure if I'd want to go back. That being said the portions were huge and according to my husband very good for ethiopian food. We ordered the chicken and lamb dishes. The lamb was a disappointment. Poor quality meat with not alot of flavor. The vegetable sides with the lamb were delicious which made me wish I had ordered the vegetarian plate. The chicken was good but a little sour for my taste. Overall if you like Ethiopian food I would definitely try this place out. Its cheap, the portions are large, and the service is fantastic. If I had ordered something other than the lamb I would have given it a 4. read more

Super nice spot. Totally under the radar. Ethiopian food? Downtown. Did not know that was an option. Really bummed I did not realize it sooner. I am a novice in regards to Ethiopian cuisine but the food was great. The staff were really nice. Really chill atmosphere. The vegetarian offerings hit the spot. read more

I'm a bit of an Ethiopian food snob after living in DC for three years. This place isn't as good as my favorite DC joints but its pretty solid. It's a pretty inexpensive place to meet friends for dinner or a weekend meal. I like to get take out here (love the yellow lentil dish) which makes 2-3 packable lunches. read more

I ended up going to Almaz only because it was Restaurant Week and I didn't feel like spending a small fortune for dinner. Though i was annoyed I ended up there by default, in the end it turned out to be serendipitous because I otherwise would have overlooked this gem. The food was absolutely delicious- full of flavor and since everything's stewed in spices it's relatively healthy. The service was also prompt and wonderful. I definitely will definitely be back there again. read more

There isn't a thing wrong with this place. Excellent food, great service. Bring your friends and get your props.

We got the vegetarian plate and foule and it was plenty of food for two. This is not the best Ethiopian I've ever had by a long shot, but it was still tasty. The atmosphere was nice and service was good. I'd definitely go back to get an inexpensive meal; it's probably the best food at this price in this neighborhood. read more

The good is good albeit a bit pricey for the portions in a small cafe/coffee shop atmosphere. Would I go again? Maybe. Again, the food was good but for the price I might head west of Penn for Ethiopian. read more

The vegetarian combo is the best here! Plus the owners are so friendly. This is my favorite Ethopian food in all of Philly.