It's really hard to describe how much my family loves this place, because I feel like the love is mutual. I don't know if I've ever felt a connection with a restaurant like I feel with Asmara! This was one of the first places my family ate when we moved to Oakland and what a first impression this place made on every member of my family! Most notably my, then, 13 month old daughter. Kid friendly is an understatement! These folks SPOIL my little daughter, each server has established their own relationship with her which is one of many things that makes Asmara special. Have I talked about the food yet? It's incredible!!! So wholesome and warm, this food just leaves you feeling COMPLETE. The Doro tibsy and veggie combo is highly recommend. Just do yourself a favor and invite yourself into this families "living room" have a Manhattan because they are SNEAKY good and they clearly take a ton of pride making them. I beam with neighborhood connection and pride every time I eat here, I hope you do the same! read more

My Ethiopian Friends favorite place to get food, I think that is a sign of its quality Try the combination plates great sampler, or classic raw Kitfo! parking can be tricky it is pretty busy area but most of the time there are a few spaces in the shopping center parking opposite. Writing the review is making me hungry so I am going to leave it there, my Ethiopian friend rates this place! easy choice! read more

We ordered way too much food, but that's because I love Ethiopian food and wanted to eat everything! Their veggie bayinet (veggie combo) was standard with your different a'tir (chickpea), diniche (potato), messir (lentil), salata (salad), gomen (collard greens). What I loved was their fir fir (injera mixed with injera) and shiro wat (thick chickpea paste)! It's really hard to get the last two so I was reallllly pleased that they had this. For the meat eaters, there were lamb t'ibs, kitfo (raw beef) and doro wat (chicken) - which was heavily appreciated by my carnivorous friends :). I would definitely come back. Their beer selection is decent, though this place is conveniently situated on Temescal so easy to bar hop before or after dinner. read more

spacious seating and good service. oh yeah, and the food is really good too lol. it gets a bit loud inside once it gets busier, if that's something that you're worried about. there are also plenty of vegetarian/vegan options. generous servings of injeera, i would recommend getting the gluten free version (it's better!) read more

So. The food is actually decent, though a little spicier then I like. But I went with my bigger friends and they were offended by the waitress. She was not only slow with service, she did not refill our water and did not check on us (even though there were only 2 other filled tables in the restaurant). The worse offenses were that she implied that we didn't order enough several times (as in we were too fat to eat so little). We had to argue with her that 2 combos and an appetizer was enough for us as a group of 4. She had weird attitude with us all evening and was also a rude when we tried to split the bill on 3 cards (we wrote it out neatly which card owed what amount). On top of that we had to hunt her down for our check and for more water -- I think she was friends with another table and spent most of her time talking to them. Actually, another waitress, who was much nicer and actually smiled at us, refilled our drinks. So maybe it was just our bad luck that night. Regardless, we won't go back, especially when we have eaten at so many Ethiopian restaurants in the area, who are so much nicer to us and which have better ambiance. read more

5 of us ended up here after our planned Ethiopian place was closed [Who closes on a Tuesday?]. They were kind enough to sit 5 of us so quickly at dinnertime. The food was OK. We all ended up sharing multiple veggie combos with one beef dish & a chicken dish [I thought the chicken dish was called "Kanye West" since out of the corner of my eye the last two of this three worded dish looked like the aggrandizing rapper's name]. The chicken was good, the veggie mushes were OK but not really memorable. The service was also on the slow side. I felt like a thirsty, hungry inmate constantly asking for more bread & water. Also what is up with the section dividers. I appreciate the perceived distance between patrons,[especially if they are crying babies] but I felt like I was going to tip them over & crush my neighbors. read more

We walked in because the line for another restaurant was too long, and we're so glad we did. Fresh, flavorful Ethiopian food awaited us, served quickly and with a smile. Zilzil tibs and doro tibs were standout dishes. We recommend eating in a group family style. We loved our meal here and can't wait to come back with more friends! read more

I would give this restaurant more than 5 stars if I could. I have been going here since I was in my mother's stomach, seriously! I find any excuse I can to go to this wonderful place, driving more than an hour each time - I've NEVER tasted food SO delicious. They accommodate a wide-range of foodies, from beef to chicken to lamb; and now even vegetarian and vegan options! I've eaten at many Ethiopian restaurants in hopes of finding a restaurant that's closer in proximity to where I live, but nothing comes remotely close to the authenticity, flavor, and spice that this place brings to the table. A warm and welcoming staff, I couldn't ask for a better dining experience. My favorite restaurant and food by far!!! read more

Mediocre food, HORRIBLE service, unfriendly, unsmiling, uncaring, rude, racist wait-staff, impotent/inept/dishonest owner. ZERO STARS for service, one star for the food and weak honey wine. It was a pretty UGLY and crushing experience for me, my wife, and to some degree my 8-year old daughter. Our time, dress-up, and money were completely wasted. I wish I could give this restaurant 0 stars, but let's pretend that the 1 star is for the food and the nice paintings on the wall. We had the meat combination platter... mediocre, but not terrible. My family and friends will never, EVER go back to Asmara Restaurant. And neither should you. (This is the 3rd time I've re-posted my review after editing for "harsh" language or "personal attacks". I'm not sure how much more tame I can make it without sounding phoney. Perhaps the Yelp moderators are in bed with this restaurant, because they clearly don't want anyone to see the ugly truth about the restaurant's staff.) Also note that many of the people posting 5-star reviews are FRIENDS AND FAMILY who are doing this to counter the honest 1-star reviews. I guess it's working, but it's pretty disingenuous. Be warned. read more

Came here with a group and liked the place. The injira bread is very filling and I think I ordered a Spicy yebeg but found it to be not spicy at all but it still tasted good. Asmara's Comfort drink was good too. read more

I'm certainly no expert at Ethiopian or Eritrean food. But I DO love it. And I don't like super sour injera. Satisfied here on both counts: tasty lamb cubes, cottage cheese, potatoes & carrots and mustard greens. Inexpensive, low-key, friendly. Plus, I think it's cool this place is still here notwithstanding the outbreak of "foodie" destinations in Temescal. Yeah, I hate that word, too. What does Temescal mean, anyway? read more

Asmara is the best it gets this side of the International Date Line ~ for Eritrean. There is a much smaller (but equal quality) Ethiopian bistro up the street. It's closed on Mondays, and crowded on Fridays & Saturdays. Nonetheless, I've lived in East Africa, and (since no one who was with me there is going to read this : ) I have to say that Asmara has delivered what it's reputation has promised throughout the years! There are a few other East African/Eritrean/Ethiopian places in the area, yet none as well managed, as high quality, and definitely none as accommodating as Asmara has always been. Yes, back 5-6 years ago, prior to their popularity really growing, it may have been a little awkward if you knew nothing of the cuisine & culture and just walked in off the street. At this point however, I haven't experienced a staff member unable to speak or understand English - even my foreign husband's accent ^.^ and the prices have remained pretty much the same throughout the years. Make sure to get family style - unless of course one part of your group is vegetarian and the other half isn't, and don't be afraid to try the honey wine. It's really more of a dessert! !!!! read more

Their food is tasty. Vegetarian combo good. However, time after time we'd place a vegetarian combo to-go order by phone and then arrive within 15 minutes and it would seem that our order was just being put in. So we'd wait some more. Lame. And unfortunately, there is a great deal of filth in this restaurant like on the seats and walls and stuff. I actually had to stop eating there because it grossed me out, so I only did take out after a while. Of course, I get that if the seats and walls are dirty it is possible that other things are dirty too, but what I can't see don't bother me! Food = 4 stars Ambiance/Decor/Insides = 2 Overall = 3 read more

Followed the reviews' suggestion for beef tibsy and it did not disappoint. Among my favorite Eritrean in the area. Service is also great

I cannot decide if I liked this place more, equally or less than Addis... I would have to say that I like them almost equally. Friendly and relatively efficient service. Thoroughly enjoyed the "natural" drink - "Asmara's Comfort" ($2.50)- Banana, coconut milk, orange juice, mixed fruits, and honey I had the vegetarian combination platter ($10.95) which had Temtmo/Yemissir Watt (red lentil stew in berbere sauce), Kik Alicha (yellow lentils), and Ye-Gomen Alicha (mustard greens) with the potatoes and carrots and a green salad. All delicious and extremely filling. My husband had the meat combination platter ($11.95) which had Ziggni (marinated beef in berbere sauce), Doro Watt (spicy chicken in berbere sauce), and Ye-Beg Alicha (lamb curry). My friends had the combos as well, except one friend got the Doro and Gomen ($10.95) (chicken with mustard greens) and it was pretty tasty, too! Everything comes with all you can eat injera (Their injera was less sour tasting than Addis...I liked Asmara's injera better). read more

Asmara is my favorite treat. We always leave this restaurant full and satisfied. Since I tend to eat vegetarian, I always order the vegetarian combo with the greens and chicken as an extra. Everything on the plate is usually devoured at the end of our meal. Even when we are past being full, we continue eating (and my son often fights with us over the greens and chicken). I can't say enough about the injera. Simply delicious. Oh, and don't forget to eat the bottom layer that has soaked up all of the juices and spices. Be sure to enjoy a glass (or carafe) of the honey wine. You will be pleasantly surprised and buzzed! If that isn't enough to wet your whistle, there is also delicious potatoes and a salad mix on the plate. Although the place can become crowded and waiting for a table may be unnerving, the service and meals are always well worth the wait. read more

Here's the deal, I really love Ethiopian food and I really don't love Asmara, though I've tried hard on several occasions. While this review covers the most recent visit, it could easily describe the other visits as well. What's not to love? Let's go with service, food, ambiance and parking in no particular order. Ambiance: I get that with ethnic food joint, you really aren't coming for the decór. Except that other ethnic places are really stepping up the game, so the plastic couch-covering tablecloth over laser printer pictures of, what, popcorn? isn't really doing it. Good thing the food comes out on faded melamine chinese restaurant plates. Wait, what? (non-family style eating) Service: I also understand that many of these places are family run, and that some family members may be recent immigrants speaking English as a new language. Fine. Except that those employees shouldn't have access to customers until they can speak English well enough to communicate accurately. Our server was boggled by our questions and had no idea how to communicate with us about the bill. Hilarity did not ensue. Food: 2 out of 3 orders were complete failures. The lamb was so overcooked that beef jerky had a better texture and lighter chew. One of the vegetarian dishes was simultaneously bland and oversalted, and gritty. This is a dish that should be a smooth and flavorful as gravy. Parking: It sucks. Not Asmara's fault, they've been there since before that area was trendy. But the fact is parking sucks. I don't get all these 4 & 5 star reviews. These are people who've either never had Ethiopian food, or who haven't had it when it's really good. Another reviewer said it best: There are so many other good Ethiopian places in the area, go somewhere else. read more

I've tried a few Eritrean restaurants around the Bay Area and by far this is the best. Hubby and I usually order the veggie combo and meat combo. It is a lot of food for 2 people ... but we happen to finish it. It is served on a large platter and there is a combo of spicy and non spicy portions. It is meant to be eaten with your hands and you are give the spongy stuff to wrap the food in. We always eat in the bar area. There is a TV and some sport event on. The people here seem to be regulars and are really friendly. read more

Still my favorite veggie combo. Everything is tasty and fresh. I miss being able to go in there to sit down, nice folks always.

I didn't try the meat but everyone who did very much enjoyed it. We got the veggie platter. I recommend adding the cabbage dish because I am used to getting that as part of the mixed plate at other Ethiopian restaurants. The best dish was # 22 !! The honey wine was incredible! I have tried it at other places and here is was the perfect amount of sweet. The owner ( I assume) approached us after the meal and engaged about our food/ experience. That alone was reason enough t o go back. He was full of gratitude and honestly wanted feedback. read more

After living in Temescal for several years, I finally took the time to try out the one Ethiopian restaurant that I hadn't checked out yet: Asmara. It was highly recommended to me by a lot of folks, which is a good sign, since there are so many Ethiopian places around- if it's standing out, then it's gotta be a special snowflake! I had a fantastic meal for 25 bucks-- the portions were generous, the meat was quality, the sauces weren't too greasy. Very happy and disgustingly full camper here! I have to say, I'm not usually a huge veg person when I eat out, but their pea-dish was fantastic, and I would order it again without any meat to accompany it! (That's saying a lot). The interior is a literal reference to the food's home-origin, and the dim lights and sparse tables were a fine intimate space. I noticed a tiny stage-are that might, at some point, host some kind of entertainment? The place was not very crowded for a Sunday night dinner, which I would attribute to the fact that the storefront does not stand out at all sandwiched in-between Bakesale Betty's, an Aikido dojo, and Pizzaiolo. If you're sizing up the Ethiopian places up, down, and around N. Telegraph Ave, I recommend starting here (or the one on 40th/Telegraph, which comes in a close second!). It'll have you smelling your fingers FOR DAYS. read more

A neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant. What I mean by this is casual décor and service, home-cooked flavors, and good price-to-quality. This is not the spot for a romantic dinner, business lunch, or special treat. This is for a sub $30 dinner for 2 (food+drinks). I have eaten at 3 Ethiopian restaurants in my life, so I don't have the best basis for comparison. However from what I have had, I would describe their food as simple, home-cooked flavors. Not a lot of spice or seasoning, but a good variety of flavors. My wife and I shared the vegetarian combo + the Okra dish. Ethiopian has the reputation of the dishes tasting too similar (I guess because they use the same core spices over and over and over) but we were delighted by the variety of flavors, textures, and colors. Service was nothing special and the ambiance was a little hole-in-the-wall, but the food was good. Like I said - neighborhood restaurant. Food - 4/5 Service - 3/5 Ambiance - 3/5 Value - 5/5 Overall - 4/5 read more

I have been a faithful supporter of Asmara since 2000. Great food (freshly prepared), reasonable prices, and the portions are so large that two could easily share one course. I took my family to Asmara for a surprise birthday dinner (group of 8) - I didn't know what I was thinking considering none of them ever had Ethiopian cuisine. Turns out my instincts were right on point, because everyone loved the food (they were still talking about it even after we left) and have since returned. Street parking can be tight at times, but there is a small shopping complex (Walgreens) directly across the street with free parking. MacArthur bart is only a few blocks away. #21 is my absolute favorite dish, and be sure to try the coffee to finish the meal off. read more

I enjoy eclectic dining and happened upon Asmaras 35 years ago! This is STILL hands down my FAVORITE restaurant ever. If I knew I was going to die tomorrow I'd want 3 orders of Gored Gored! I could probably only pig down 2 ...but just in case. The decor is very simple...yet charming. The customer service is exceptional... friendly and attentive. Also the house made honey wine is a must have. I've tried several Eritrean restaurants. I'd rather drive two hours from the north bay there then any place closer. I'd give them 10 stars if it were possible. read more

Staff were super friendly and nice! Very accommodating/conscientious of customer satisfaction. Their food is delicious and serving size is really good too. I really like that they had vegan/vegetarian options as I prefer to eat with those preferences. My sister and I went recently and since then, we've been telling all our friends to go there if they have the chance. I would definitely get food here again next time I'm in Oakland! read more

Delicious Ethiopian with good prices. The place was fairly busy. They don't offer Gluten Free Injera Bread, but the chicken dish was tasty. Minus a star for SUPER slow service getting me a fork (since I don't eat wheat or wheat gluten and could not eat the bread). Not cool when they take 5 orders after you ask for a fork....and right in front of you! read more

Finally got to try this place out last Friday and IT MADE ME SO HAPPY. I was invited to eat here with my Eritrean brother who is homies with the owner and his wife. The boss-lady is the cutest ever. Had a carafe of honey wine of course (way better than the one I had in SF) and the boys got some African beer (very delicious). There were eight of us and the boss-lady suggested that we order eight dishes to share. So we did! Tried kitfo for the first time and I was immediately obsessed (and still am). Raw beef in spices and butter. So good for that baby t-rex living inside my stomach. Also had lamb, chicken and veggie dishes. All extremely flavorful and satisfying. Left really full with a pleasant buzz. Will be back for MOAR fosho! read more

Whenever I'm in the Bay Area with a guest, I have to take them to Asmara - delicious food, friendly, affordable. Whether we order dishes with or without meat, all are flavorful and satisfying. I can't wait to come back again! read more

Not the best service, but the BEST ETHIOPIAN food hands down. And isn't taste what really matters? Every other joint is just some HIPSTER hangout. This is the real deal. I've been coming to this restaurant for more than ten years, and I always enjoy the food. I've taken friends and family here often! And, you should too. read more

I love Ethiopian food and this restaurant is one of the best in the bay area. Great food and service.

The ABSOLUTE BEST Ethiopian food and drinks in Oakland. Everything has so much flavor and is so fresh. Customer service is perfect.

The staff was very nice. The food was pretty good, I'd say 3.5 stars altogether. Had a meat and veggie platter, a few of the item were great but a few were a little dry. read more

I love Ethiopian food, and Asmara's curries, injera are all very yummy. The restaurant is dingy, and the service is warm and friendly The food is what wins hands down, though. Very good food. Not too oily, and not too spicy, yet authentic enough. I went here a lot when I was pregnant, and it's still one of my favorites whenever I'm craving Ethiopian read more

In a city of more Ethiopian restaurants than shards of broken car glass, Asmara stands a cut above the rest. If you're asking yourself "which one do I go to?" Stop. This one. Go to this one. Yes, the rest are good. Very good. But this one is the best for quality, portions, flavor, prices, the whole sha-bang. I once stayed until after closing, and saw a stream of healthy Ethiopian grandmas meander out of the kitchen a half hour after closing. I think that sums everything up. read more

3.5 stars! This was my first Ethiopian food experience, even though I've lived in Berkeley for years. Me and my friends went on a Friday night so it was pretty packed. We were told the wait would be a few minutes but it was a bit longer than that. Finally, we were given one of the two tables on their raised platform in the back of the table with the traditional chairs and tables. It was unique, but the lack of space made it hard for us to balance our cups of water and wine glasses as well as the injera. First, we started with some of the honey wine. It was bubbly, almost like champagne, but the honey flavor was great and really delicious. We ordered the tebsy (not spicy beef), yebeg tibs (spicy lamb), and doro tibsy (chicken). The dishes came on a huge plate on top of a piece of injera, which is a pancake-like bread that is very light and fluffy. We were also given injera on the side to use to pick up the pieces of meat and potatoes and carrots that came with our dishes, along with a light salad in the middle sprinkled with feta cheese. The lamb was very tasty and not too gamey, but it was very spicy to me since I have a super low tolerance for spicy foods. The beef was perfect since it was seasoned very well but not spicy. The texture and consistency of the chicken was questionable, since it was very slimy and almost fish-like which made us wary of eating it. I wish we had tried some of the vegetarian dishes...maybe next time! The service wasn't spectacular. Our water was refilled when we asked but there were no smiles or anything like that. read more

Asmara Restaurant - tebsy (beef), yebeg tibs (spicy lamb), and doro tibsy (chicken) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

My favorite stand-by for good, solid Ethiopian food. We usually split the kitfo and vegetarian combo and a bottle of Tej (honey wine). The tej is the least consistent thing about the place, but I guess that's what happens when you're drinking a homemade brew. The kitfo is the best dish, in my opinion, but we sometimes stray for variety's sake. Yes, the service is slow, but that's because it's usually a full house. I've never had them forget a dish I ordered or not check to see how my meal is going. The owner treats every guest as if they are a regular. read more

My new Ethiopian gold standard in the East Bay. I was so impressed with the abundant service, half-carafe of honey wine, and huge family style plates of hand-food perfection. The chicken, beef, and lamb offerings were expertly prepared, and the vegetable combo was rocking. The prices are reasonable, and we'll be going back for sure. read more

I love love LOVE Ethiopian food, so its no surprise that I enjoyed my recent visit to Asmara. We decided to come here on my boyfriend's recommendation, and I was not disappointed! Came in on a Friday night and was able to be seated right away. We got the veggie and meat combo, and a side salad to share. Everything was very tasty! They also have homemade honey wine, which I like a lot better than the bottled stuff that other restaurants I've been to serve up. It has a milder flavor and isn't as sweet in my personal opinion. Service was attentive and food came out quickly! Looking forward to another visit to Asmara! read more

We entered the restaurant and was presented with a luke warm welcome, but that's ok.....I'm here for the food :) We were seated right away and had our waters in no time. When it came time to order our server made some awesome suggestions. Through more interaction I soon realized our server was really nice, but just wasn't really expressive. We ordered: Honey wine- light, sweet, refreshing, and really good! We ordered #6 which was the combination which had beef, lamb, and chicken. They were good, but the chicken came out a little dry. We also ordered the boneless chicken with sauteed onions, bell peppers, butter, and spices. It was savory, peppers were just right where it brought out the sweetness, but not overcooked. The chicken was moist and the spices were so good. We also ordered a lamb version of it and it was one of the favorites of the night. I'd definitely go back (especially when Scream is next door-sorbet shop!). read more

Since I've been in college, all the cities I've inhabited have been blissfully close to an Ethiopian or Eritrean restaurant. One such was an Eritrean restaurant named "Asmara" in Boston - man, I really liked that place! So when I found out that there was another Eritrean place with the same name and great ratings, I had to check it out. The atmosphere isn't particularly homey and the place could certainly be better laid-out, but it's bright and airy, and has a pleasantly typical African decor. So we sat down and ordered some honey wine. That was a good choice, right there. Beautifully opaque and viscous almost to the point of being syrupy, it had every last bit of the sweetness I was expecting. At some point in time we also ordered a good deal of food, subsequently served to us family style (the only way to go, really) with baskets full of warm injera (also the only way to go). The injera was clearly fresh and very soft, pliable, and tangy; in other words, all was right with the world. It served as the vessel for food that was surprisingly healthy! At other Ethiopian/Eritrean places, the meat is often served with a good deal of butter or oil and, while it makes it incredibly tasty, it also tends to fill me with a certain measure of regret. My favorite parts of this blissfully lighter fare were the Timatim Fitfit and the Doro Tibsy, with an honorable mention to the Veggie Combo. Fitfit, which is stew incorporating the injera bread, is one of my favorite dishes. The best part of eating food like this is the injera on the bottom, soaked with all the remains of the stew - fitfit acknowledges this and creates the scenario on purpose. The lightly-oiled bread served cool with hot peppers was tangy, spicy, and squishy in all the right ways. The Doro Tibsy, a type of chicken stir fry, was to die for. The chicken was moist and tender, and in addition to the onions and peppers mentioned in the menu, is served with enormous hunks of garlic. As I love garlic, I see this as an incredible boon. The only way the slightly healthier mindset fell short was with the Kitfo. Kitfo is a raw beef dish that I've gotten at every Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant I've ever been to. Before sliced bread, I'm pretty sure everyone said "This is the best thing since Kitfo." Since it's just raw ground beef served with spiced butter, the fat content of the dish is crucial in providing the creamy texture. So, it was a little less creamy. This is unfortunate, but I have to marvel that I can be so picky about such a dish - I'm pretty sure my mother is just happy I haven't gotten food poisoning and died. The service was good, and wonderfully forthcoming with refills of injera. I've always felt sort of embarrassed at places that take too long, awkwardly poking the edge of the dish like the opening to "2001: A Space Odyssey." The prices are pretty comparable, too! So, recap: Asmara is perhaps not the very best Eritrean place you'll ever find, but it's very high on my list. As far as Eritrean places that feel light and healthy, it's definitely number one. read more