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    Bole Restaurant

    4.5 (194 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Bole Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    BOLE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Bole Restaurant

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    Meat and veggie combo

    This place is one of my favorites! It's a cozy hole-in-the-wall spot with incredible food! I wish more people knew about it cause I want it to stick around. I always go with some people and split a meat combo and veggie combo. This is enough to feed 3 people or 2 if you are very hungry. I'd also recommend the honey wine.

    The veggie combo is the way to play it.
    Andrew A.

    Add this to the many Portland Ethiopian restaurants and carts I've tried over the years. Maybe it's difficult to mess up this cuisine because once again the meal was very satisfying. I craved beef tartar, but you only get the one dish for $20. So I opted for the veggie combo which was a good value and excellent variety for $17. Unless you're very partial to a specific dish, the combo is the way to go. Sadly, they were out of honey wine, a staple at any Ethiopian restaurant, so that was a bummer. The service was very pleasant and the atmosphere very homey and inviting. A definite recommend.

    Habesha beer
    Sean R.

    Been here a few times now and always been happy. I've tried their classic Ethiopian spread with Injera (the spongy bread that you use as a utensil) which has a mix of mushy meat and vegetable piles which admittedly doesn't sound appetizing but it is. I couldn't tell you what any of the actual ingredients/meats were on my plate but it was all tasty and colorful. I've also tried their Awaze Tibs which is a grilled meat dish (beef I think) reminded me of a fajita plate sort of. Though I haven't eaten enough Ethiopian food to be able to decide between which out of the few nearby Ethiopian spots is the best but I've enjoyed them all. I think even your white grandmother could enjoy this if she's a bit of an adventurous eater. The flavors here are all very mild while still tasty nothing spicy or too new flavor wise. and not just here most Ethiopian spots I've been. The thing that makes this one my favorite is the very cozy vibe in here. Only a few tables and not very good for a group larger than 5 (at least without calling ahead so they can rearrange tables). The lady here is also very nice.

    I had the veggie combo platter, with injera.
    Marc K.

    Of all the Ethiopian restaurants in visited in Portland, this by far got my eyes rolling to the back of my head the food was absolutely delicious. What was interesting was the injera was unique, it was a tab bit sweet, with a hint of sour blends and perfectly sticky enough to help grasp at the food when eating with the hands. This place is definitely my favorite and my future frequent visits from me. If you haven't tried traditional Ethiopian cuisine, GO HERE NO JOKE

    Ethiopian restaurant

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Such a good vegetarian (vegan) plate and the woman who helped us was wonderful. Absolutely will go again and will recommend to others.

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    7 years ago

    I love this place. Great flavors. It was closed but is now open under a name I don't remember. The cook is the same as before.

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    4 years ago

    Small dining room but food is full of flavor. Friendly and quiet. InjeraMeat ComboVegetable Combo

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    8 years ago

    Great food for everyone. My family is vegan and we ate well. Unique experience in a homey environment

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    8 years ago

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Bole Restaurant

    Is this business still open for business? I went there today Wednesday afternoon the door was locked and it looked empty

    It is open now. Apparently they changed owners. It was delicious!

    Is this restaurant closed or did I relocate? I tried to go there a couple times last week and over the weekend and it looks to be gone.

    Looks closed to me! I just tried! 7/26/18

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Bete-Lukas | Ethiopian Restaurant

    Bete-Lukas | Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.4
    (572 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    Food~It was really good and, I had been craving Ethiopian Food. We ordered x2 Veggie Combos and…read moreYe-Beg Wot (lamb) (the portions are on the smaller side). It was piping hot and, well seasoned. I find eating with my hands quite satisfying when it's necessary. Service~Our waiter was very nice, attentive and, a straight shooter (we like that). Asking questions, talking, laughing, and joking was pretty pleasant. I wanted to substitute the green beans but, he advised me that it really helped balance the meal. My man loves greens beans but, he was willing to change it if I didn't like it once it came to the table. Ambiance~Open only Wed~Sun 5-8:00 it's located on a busy/residential street. It has very limited parking in front and, in general. You are going to have hit a few blocks (1-4 hr) because, it's a lot of 30 min parking signs on this particular street. It upstairs on the second floor of the red building. It's a very spacious, clean, and restrooms to the right of you! I would highly recommend this spot for date, family, or a chill night out (lighting is just right)!!!

    I had a reservation with four friends so we could try a bunch of stuff after hearing all the great…read morereviews. We were excited to have a more experiential meal. Having never been before, and with limited experience with the cuisine, we were relying on the server to guide us. Here's where things went south. The server, who initially came across as friendly and sassy, went way too far. Every time he came to the table he became more insulting and condescending. Based on the treatment, it felt like it was because he was serving a table of women. I can both dish it out and take it, but this was so pervasive that it impacted the whole meal. The food was very good, and everyone enjoyed it, but because they serve the entrees directly on top of the injera, it just becomes soggy and impossible to pick up. Ask for it on the side instead, if possible

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Mix Sambusa
    Mix Sambusa
    Understated, warm ambiance

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    Understated, warm ambiance
    Sisters Ethiopian Restaurant

    Sisters Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.7
    (131 reviews)
    6.7 mi

    1) We walk in and we were the only customers there. 2 male employees were having a conversation at…read morethe host stand. It took over 5 minutes for the host to walk over and drop off a menu. He started to walk away but stopped when I asked to order. It's not like they have a large menu and we were ready to eat. During the meal I waited for the host to look over but my dining companion called out to him to get my water glass refilled. I was a little put off by the slow service. We're your only customers and you're not happy to see us? You're not going to give us your undivided attention? You're going to slowly serve us like we're an after thought? 2) Why is it called Sisters when I see no females working there? 3) The food did come out quickly as it seems everything is already made. 4) The food tasted good. It was our first Ethiopian experience but unfortunately did not leave a positive, lasting memory. We will not be back. 5) After our meal we waited and waited. It seemed we were required to pay at the host stand rather than at our table. This was difficult for my friend who uses a cane, but we had no choice. 6) I've been to a Moroccan restaurant before where it is also customary to eat with your hands. That place started the meal by offering a bowl of water to wash your hands. This place did not and I was surprised.

    Amazing shiro wat delivery. Yum yum yum!! I love this food. Every time it is superb!!!read more

    Photos
    Cute little decor on the table!!
    Cute little decor on the table!!
    Veggie combo and doro wat. Delicious!
    Veggie combo and doro wat. Delicious!
    Doro Wat, (like chicken curry)  delicious

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    Doro Wat, (like chicken curry) delicious

    Bole Restaurant - ethiopian - Updated July 2026

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