Ah man... where do I even begin? We arrived around 8:05 PM, and our order was taken right away. We ordered 4 beef sambusas and 1 vegetable sambusa as appetizers. After 10 minutes, nothing. Another 10 minutes passed, still nothing. The restaurant wasn't even busy, just one family there before us. We finally got our appetizers at 8:28 PM, and at that point we still hadn't received our entrees. Another 10 minutes went by with no food. We tried to be patient, but we were really hungry and had driven all the way from Katy for this. My mom was fasting, and we were expecting a nice dinner, but the experience was honestly disappointing. Our entrees didn't arrive until 8:48 PM. We ordered the lamb injera, and it was honestly terrible. It had no seasoning, no salt, and just looked like it had some yellow coloring. The injera itself was cold, almost icy in some spots. On top of that, there were barely any meat pieces, maybe 4-5 small pieces, which is ridiculous for a dish that costs around $27-28. We also ordered a chicken dish, which was actually the only decent part of the meal. But it's definitely not worth coming here just for that. The prices here are high, and we were fine paying for good food. The problem was the long wait time and the poor quality. Overall, a very disappointing experience. read more

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A delicious Ethiopian restaurant that is in the Upper Kirby neighborhood area. They have a dedicated parking lot and a ramp up to the front door. There are plenty of sitting and tables here. On Sunday, they have a special menu with a good mix of mix on the platter for a good price $114.99. We did request no Kitfo as we did not want to eat rare meat. I did have to flag down our server to refill our water. The restaurant feels like your in an old house but the building was recently built. They will give you all of injera you may need for your food. read more

I really enjoyed Blue Nile! This was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine Came with a couple friends and we shared the honey tea (aka tej - not listed on the menu but you can ask your server for it), yebeg tibs (lamb), doro wot (chicken), and sides of collard greens and cabbage, as well as the meat and vegetarian sambusa. Our food also came with injera. Everything was really tasty; the chicken was tender and the lamb had a nice kick to it (we got the medium spice level). The honey tea was what really won me over. It was sweet and had a roasted flavor that reminded me of brown rice/genmaicha tea. I ended up buying a bottle of it to take home. Our server was also very nice and helpful! There is an attached parking lot to the side. We came around 7:30pm on a Monday and it was quite empty. The interior is very spacious and cozy feeling. read more

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This was my first experience with Ethiopian cuisine and I really enjoyed it. I ended up going on a Sunday so we ended up getting the Sunday Special. I also got the honey wine as well. We really enjoyed everything we ate and left super happy with this new experience. The inside of the restaurant is gorgeous and feels super intimate and the service we received was perfect. Just a note, injera bread is slightly sour, more sour than a sourdough, so keep that in mind when you try it. Enjoy! read more

Blue Nile - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great food and diverse spread, but server was new and didn't quite explain the menu to us properly. We kind of figured it out ourselves and saved a ton of money compared to if we had gone with her suggestion. The food also took a very long time to come, around 30-35 minutes even though we were the only ones in the restaurant. Ambiance is nice and feels upscale. read more

Alright, this one is for you Jando (our yelp elite community manager extrodinare) - here we go on the Houston tour de Ethiopian food. I'm doing this all via delivery because reasons - mostly I'm impatient and want food in my belly asap and getting away to taste test thing my family isn't as interested in is hard. Anyways, since I'm planning on eating multiple and already started in Colorado gonna keep it consistent and rate food based on chicken tibs, inerja, and gomen. Full disclosure, it was good enough I ordered from Blue Nile twice because yum and was worried about not liking something new Tibs are good, first time they were a little drier than the second time, but delicious. I ordered with the spicy on the side - it's not that spicy. Gomen I did end up adding a little salt to, but otherwise appropriately cooked. Inerja, om nom nom nom nom. I did order extra and didn't regret it. I know sit down things get laid on the inerja on the plate but it doesn't translate super well to takeout. Both times I ordered it came with a veggie with the tins. First time was maybe lentils and second time was cabbage. The lentils were better. Portions are huge, the price tag kinda reflects that but considering I can get 3-4 lunches out of it, it's worth it. All in all, great food, no glaring issues, would (and did) order again. read more

A Houston treasure. For many of us, back in the day, our first exposure experience introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. And the coffee ceremony. Some more (AI) information for you. Though, my default is a vegetarian platter with its multiple choices. "Here's a more detailed look at Ethiopian cuisine: 1. Injera: Injera is a large, sourdough flatbread made from teff flour, a naturally gluten-free grain. Its spongy texture and slightly tangy taste make it a perfect accompaniment to the rich stews and sauces. It's used to scoop up food, acting as both the plate and an edible utensil. 2. Wot (Stew): "Wot" refers to a variety of stews, often featuring meat (beef, chicken, or lamb) or legumes and vegetables. These stews are flavored with berbere, a complex spice blend, and other aromatic ingredients. Doro wot, a spicy chicken stew, is a popular and celebrated dish, sometimes called the national dish. Misir wot (lentil stew) and Shiro wot (chickpea stew) are common vegetarian options. 3. Tibs: Tibs refers to sauteed meat, often beef or lamb, cooked with onions, peppers, and other seasonings. It can be served as a main dish or as part of a larger platter. 4. Kitfo: Kitfo is a dish made from minced raw beef, similar to steak tartare, seasoned with mitmita (a chili powder blend) and niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter). It is often served with injera and a side of ayib (Ethiopian cheese). 5. Beyainatu: Beyainatu, meaning "a bit of everything," is a popular vegetarian platter featuring a variety of dishes like lentils, vegetables, and curries. It's a great way to sample a range of Ethiopian flavors. " read more

Our favorite Ethiopian spot in Houston! It's delicious, fresh, consistent and service is great. The vegetarian combo is amazing

If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! Blue Nile was recommended to me by an acquaintance while on vacation in Georgia at a Ethiopian restaurant there. They raved about Blue Nile and couldn't believe I had not been since living in Houston. I definitely regret not coming sooner. This week alone I've been to them twice. Once during lunch and again for dinner to go. Service both times were A+. The ambiance is so cozy and relaxing. The food was delicious! I've had #19 Blue Nile Special Tibs with a side of lentils 5/5 #12 Vegetarian Combination 5/5 # 17 Yebeg Tibs 5/5 Everything was delicious! Even the side salad that comes with each meal. Ingredients are fresh and seasoned well. Their injera is my favorite! I can't wait to go back and try more! read more

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Super late post, but I went here for the first time a year ago because of so many recommendations from friends.. SO GOOD. First time ever having Ethiopian food so I wasn't sure what to expect, but when they brought out this huge platter to share I was throughly satisfied. I enjoyed both the beef and lamb along with the potatoes. Flavor is perfect and so good. Staff was and service was great. I loved the vibe of it inside as well. Felt very intimate and took me away from Houston for a moment. Will definitely be back and highly recommend! read more

Blue Nile - Beef and Lamb - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ordered a veggie platter. Gomen was burnt. Misor Wot was dry and consistency of a thick paste. The shiro was ok and the potatoes and green beans were ok. The cabbage was also ok. Seems like they were serving food that was scraped from the bottom of the pot leaving a burnt taste. Some seasonings were lacking but the spice was present. I wouldn't return for the veggie platter. Some of the patrons sitting near us said the chicken was good. If you eat meat then maybe thats the go to dish for this restaurant. Vegans and vegetarians may be disappointed. Very nice location. They had good music and artwork. Parking is available. The servers were very nice. The food just wasnt hitting like it should have been for a basic veggie platter. Very mid. read more

I hadn't been to this place since 2019 when they were at their original location near Gessner. This was my first time at this new spot. I always go for the Doro Wot or Lamb Tibs when eating Ethiopian food. I ordered the Doro Wot Meal last night and it was very unique, very delicious, buttery, bitter, spicy and rich in dark color. It was a mix of oily and thick like cream at the same time. The chicken drumstick was very good, flavorful and tender in every bite. However, I do wish they would put 2-3 pieces of those though. I am not a fan of hard-boiled eggs, but covered in that gravy, it was doable for sure. They used to put a salad at the original place, but now put two kinds of lentils. The brown type was savory like chili, but not as spicy as chili. The yellow was very much like a mix of sour peas or very earthy beans in profile taste. I preferred the brown one more. The injera was very spongy, sour, moist and oddly addictive. It pairs great with the heavier sauces too. I love that Tej (Honey Wine), but didn't get it this time. The service was very welcoming, friendly and efficient. read more

Blue Nile - Fantastic Doro Wot !!! - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Blue Nile has modest exterior and a fairly spacious well decorated interior. I can't speak to the authenticity of the food but I know what I like. The food is very good but perhaps not the best I've had in the Metro area. The two of us shared vegetarian and meat combos and had a very generous amount of food. The beef cubes had a perfect amount of spicy goodness as did the lentils. However, the green beans and cabbage were a little lacking in flavor. The restaurant was fairly empty so our server gave us lots of attention and great service. If back in the area and looking for Ethiopian food, I wouldn't hesitate to return. read more

Blue Nile - Veggie and meat combo. - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

So yummy! Mar was super friendly, and the restaurant has a very rich/warm vibe. Will definitely be back! read more

Blue Nile - Vegetarian Platter, with the Chicken Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I've visited Blue Nile three times in the last five years, and it always is a pleasure! Such good value too. The two of us were so full with the vegetarian combination which came with another basket of injera. The service was great and the interior is beautifully decorated with what I think are Ethiopian decors. I'm so glad that this place survived Covid! read more

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We came in an hour and a half earlier than our reservation and was greeted by Mare who was so sweet and very accommodating. She had a corner table that had to be cleaned off and she did it herself! She continually checked on us even when we were waited in by another. Actually all the servers checked on guests throughout the restaurant! It was a busy Valentine's Day night and the staff were all very good. Food was delicious! Will definitely be back! read more

Blue Nile - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

When I'm craving something different and Ethiopian in particular, Blue Nile is my go-to! The food is soooo delicious and the service is fast and friendly offering an authentic dining experience. I love it! The Blue Nile special kitfo (medium well) is my go to, and the hubs loves the doro wot. The meat and veggie sambusas are yummy (I'm partial to the meat). You simply cannot go wrong. The spices, the flavors, the injera, the portions-- all perfection. I'm a fan, and I've never been more thrilled to eat with my hands! read more

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We decided to venture out and give Ethiopian cuisine a try for dinner. Located in Upper Kirby area, Blue Nile has a small private lot and plenty of street parking around. The exterior and interior were full of ethnic elements. Our servers were very attentive and friendly. Not knowing much about the cuisine and overwhelmed by the menu, we decided to try the Family Size which offered samples of the traditional chicken, beef and lamb dishes and feeds about 4-6 people for $150. The dishes came with Injera which is a sour and spongy flatbread. The meats had a lot of flavors and spices which balanced well with the natural sweetness of the cabbage and collard green. The lean beef was a little dry and chewy, but the chicken and lambs were tender. My favorite was the Doro Wot which reminds me of curry. While revising the menu after the meal, we did notice the fillet fish and mixed veggies listed on the family size menu were not served. Overall we enjoyed the flavors and were glad that we tried something different. I would recommend trying out this place if you never had Ethiopian food before! read more

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Had the Ethiopian traditional family size platter with my wife and a friend. Pretty empty at the restaurant on a Tuesday night, maybe three other tables while we were there. Place smelled fantastic, as I think they were roasting some coffee. All of the offerings on our platter were delicious. I believe my wife and friend enjoyed their wine also. Leftovers enough for two for lunch. The platter serves 4 to 5 people and there were only three of us. A pistachio cake for dessert was also very tasty. According to the menu this is what was on the platter: Doro wot, Blue Nile Special Tibs, Yebeg Tibs, Yessiga Wot, Yebeg Fitfit, Zilzil Tibs, Bozena Shiro, Fillet fish, Gomen, Ayb, Salad, Atkilt Wot. Yum! Although the service was not bad, I did not find either of the servers to be particularly engaging or motivated to add to the dining experience. I thought the price was reasonable for the amount of food and the quality/taste of the food. read more

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I read other Yelp reviews to know what to order and the people did not disappoint! Two of us ordered the #40 combination platter to share several dishes and added the lamb tibs based on reviews. I love the variety, but the tender beef cubes (yessiga wot I believe) was the standout dish to me. The staff were very friendly and attentive. We made a reservation for a Friday evening but that seemed unnecessary based on several open tables. Still doesn't hurt to call ahead, and other times might be busier. This is great for a quiet date night or small gathering. read more

Blue Nile - #40 platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Extremely easy to find and a parking lot nearby (although, it is a relatively small parking lot) I checked this place out on a Sunday evening and it was super quick and easy to find a table. After reading all the reviews, I asked to try their Honey Wine or Tej. It is not on the menu, so in order to get it, you have to ask for it. The honey wine was really good- not too sweet or bitter. Once that was finished, I ordered Lamb Tibs. I had greens and lentils on the side. The tibs were so good alongside the jira, but the sides left something to be desired. I wished they were a touch more flavorful and there was a larger size (greens came in a bowl, but the lentils came in a ramekin and was the size for two people which felt a little odd) Overall great experience! read more

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they are using WAAAY too much garlic in everything except the lentils. the lentils were just completely unseasoned and super-dry. the lamb was all bones, dangerous razor sharp bones in EVERY mouthful. be careful not to cut yourself or accidentally swallow any. read more

Had a delicious lunch today, including kitfo and shiro with additional complimentary sides. Coffee was freshly roasted and strong-a perfect to start the day! And service was wonderful with waitress Mar. read more

In our quest to diversify our pallet, my better half surprised me with a trip to this Ethiopian restaurant. It did not disappoint. Tucked away on West Alabama and Buffalo Spdway, this is definitely a hidden gem. Ambiance is nice with authentic decor and music playing. Our waitress was super sweet, knowledgeable and attentive. I ordered the grilled lamb and my husband ordered fried beef ribs (they're ginormous). It's all served on this flat bread called Injera, with a side of fresh dressed salad. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and will undoubtedly return. Enter freely, they've been approved. read more

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I had my first ever Ethiopian food exposure here the other night - Blue Nile is consistently listed on those 'essential Houston restaurant' lists because it is a unique cuisine many cities are not fortunate enough to have. Gotta love Houston! I went with a group of 4 and we did a bit of research ahead of time, and thanks to fellow Yelpers, knew to order their house Honey Wine (I support this as well - it is a unique, almost like mead drink that you need to try!). Instead of picking a few dishes we opted for the family style platter (designed to serve 6ish people) so that we could try all of the hits and have a holistic first experience - another thing I recommend when coming here as it is a fun, social way to enjoy your meal. Lots of interesting flavors on the plate such that anyone in the party should be able to find something they enjoy. Service was friendly, although a bit sparse as the restaurant got busy. Parking - small private lot (10-12 cars worth) or ample street parking as it is located on a non-busy side street. read more

Blue Nile - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

This was my first Ethiopian food experience and it was pretty good! I walked in not knowing what to expect, so thanks to Yelp and its algorithms for recommending me what to get. It's a small cozy place with a good atmosphere. Parking can be tricky as they've got a small attached lot -- otherwise you're stuck with street parking which is plentiful in the surrounding area. We came on a Friday night and the restaurant was about 75% full. I got the Doro Wat, allegedly their most popular dish. It's a chicken leg served in a stew and served alongside injera, which reminds me of a dosa in Indian cuisine. The injera is topped with a side vegetable (luck of the draw -- my friend and I both got the same dish and my vegetable was collared greens while hers was a curried cabbage). I wish they at least gave you a choice as to which vegetable you get OR serve sample sizes of each so that you can try them all, rather than a randomly selected vegetable. The food was good! The chicken was super flavorful and the stew had a little kick to it. The bowl also contained a boiled egg which went well with the chicken and stew. The injera was surprisingly a tad sour -- I was expecting more of a bread-like taste, but the sourness and acidity balanced out the spice of the broth well. Portion size was hearty, but for $24.99 I wished there was maybe another side to add some variety. Service was a little slow, but I can understand since there were only 2 servers for the whole restaurant. It did take a little long for the food to come out, so be prepared for a wait after ordering. All in all, it was a good experience and I'd be interested to come back to try other dishes to expand my horizons in Ethiopian cuisine! My friend compared it to Indian food with a touch of sourness, which I agree with. Glad we got to try something new in this food city! read more

Blue Nile - Doro Wot with collared greens - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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For starters, the atmosphere at this restaurant is so lovely and communal in the evening hours. It definitely sets the tone for a family style meal. We eat a fair amount of Ethiopian food in our household so when my family suggested Ethiopian during our recent visit to Houston, we were more than excited. We ordered a variety of sampler dishes and I thoroughly enjoyed the spiced chicken appetizer, as well as the vegetarian combo platter. With Ethiopian food, I tend to gravitate towards the vegetarian dishes, and can't think of a better way to pack in some veggies than a sampler of seven plus varieties. Our toddler also loves the injera bread and lentil offerings. The staff was incredibly gracious and warm with our large group of 10 folks that included for children. Looking forward to future visits at this business! If I visit again, earlier in the day, you know I'm going to get some Ethiopian coffee as well!. read more

The place was great, warm but great. The ambiance was cool and staff was helpful. I don't think I like Ethiopian food that much. But the f

We got the vegetarian mixed plate and split between two people. It was enough food for two people for a lunch or light dinner. It was nice to try a wide variety of food and the injera is the star. Staff was also attentive read more

Blue Nile - Vegetarian Mix - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Absolutely wonderful! I've not had the pleasure to true Ethiopian food, but a friend of mine said I needed to experience it. So during this past Christmas holiday we met up there and boy am I glad I did. This establishment was clean and had a nice authentic ambiance. Lots of natural light, large live green plush plants and ample seating. The wait staff were dressed in traditional Ethopian attire. The lady Manger/Owner was very welcoming upon my arrival and got us seated right away. She was very willing and helpful as I navigated the menu. She explained most of it until I knew what I wanted to order. My top 2 must try items here: The Ethiopian Honey wine (omg!) The Samosas (meat or vegetarian We ordered a sampler plate with has plenty of food. It was very good and came with white basmati rice and a type of gluten free bread, which is great for me. Since that visit I've ordered here Togo. So good and very authentic read more

The food is really really good (especially if you appreciate spice). The ambience and decor are great too. The building looks unassuming from the exterior, but it is a completely different place inside. The service is good too. The only problem I have with this place is that it is really overpriced (especially the doro wat). The doro wat was one piece of chicken and one egg for around $24, which is really expensive (no matter how complex the dish is). Other than that, the food was really good. This was my first experience with Ethiopian food, and I'm really impressed. read more

Blue Nile - Doro Wot, Awaze Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Ordered via Uber and never received food. Tried to call their number and it's a non working number. Concerned there may be some dishonest practices going on between restaurant and Uber read more

I ordered take out from Blue Nile and it was just what I wanted, delicious and authentic! The ordering process on Uber Eats wasn't the best, they don't have many pictures, don't allow you to choose your sides or leave notes, it also doesn't say what comes with sides and what doesn't - I definitely over ordered. But the food itself was great. read more

I really wanted to like this place. I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for years. This was a mediocre experience for. The food was very bland. Barely any spices. I am giving them three stars because I have never tried Ethiopian food, so I am not sure if that's what it's supposed to taste like. I have tried other African dishes and the flavor was robust, but not here. Everything was a bit pricey for the taste of the food. The service was hit and miss. One waitress was sweet and personable, the other one was quiet and standoffish. The restaurant was also a little warm. I won't be back. read more

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Our team was preparing to leave for Ethiopia in a few weeks so had a team meeting here. The food is delicious and authentic and the atmosphere has the aroma of incense from the coffee ceremony. We ordered the Sunday special which includes Quanta firfir, Dulet, Yebeg Goden Tibs, Yebeg key wot, Kitfo, Ayb, Salad. I'll definitely be back! read more

Blue Nile - Sunday special - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Blue Nile has a private parking lot, which is very convenient. The interior of the restaurant looks like the inside of small Ethiopian cultural center. It's very unique. You feel like you're transported out of the hustle and bustle of H town. The wait staff made good recommendations. We got the popular chicken, beef and lamb dishes. The food can be served individually or family style. We opted for family style and it came out in this huge platter and the presentation was nice. Food was delicious and very flavorful. I just wished that temperature wise it would be hotter. The pistachio cake is light and delicious! Highly recommend getting it. read more

Blue Nile - Family style - chicken leg, lentils, cabbages, beef and lamb - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Lovely first time trying Ethiopian food. Space is comfortable and there's a small parking lot. Staff is nice and helpful. The menu is extensive and very accommodating to dietary restrictions. All the vegetarian dishes were lovely- the flavors were so vibrant and each dish was a little different. There was a spicy chickpea dish that we tried that is unlike anything else I've ever had. The fried fish was also very yummy and flaky. Rice and salad are also good additions. Fun hands on dining experience! Worth a try for sure. read more

Blue Nile - Fried Fish - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Blue Nile for the Bleu's! Awe man, such an exquisite experience! Absolutely loved my time here! The customer service was lovely, and the vibes were incredible indoors and outdoors! I had: *Vegetarian Combination The combination includes a Blue Nile Salad, Kik Alicha, Gomen, Atkilt Wot, Yemissir Wot, Greek So tasty, fresh, & delicious! Can't wait to go back! Thank you, Blue Nile, for the fantastic vegan options! read more

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Not sure if it was because we did not get any meat dishes (other than the samosa), but our meal was very mediocre. We ordered the vegetarian combination, and although really filling, the dishes were rather bland and were served room temp. The injera was good and really moist. The samosas were really good and came out hot and crispy. I would like to come back to try the meat dishes. read more

Blue Nile - Vegetarian Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I finally introduced my boyfriend to Ethiopian food and they did not disappoint. We started with the Honey Wine, so tasty. The Sambusas were 10/10 and I loved the dipping sauce. For our main meal we enjoyed the vegetable combo with beef tibs. It was divine. My waitress was so sweet and attentive. It's very homey in there so I always feel right at home. I'll definitely be back soon. read more