Best Ethiopian food that we have ever had. Our server was very helpful and both he and tha host gave great service, too

I had a great lunch at Cafe Colucci! This place came highly recommended, and it didn't disappoint. I ordered the turmeric beef with a side of shiro and it was delicious! The beef was super tender, the shiro was flavorful, and the injera tasted fresh. The portion size was quite generous, especially for lunch. Next time I visit, I'm definitely ordering one of the giant platters to share. The platters were enormous and looked incredible! So many good Ethiopian restaurants in the East Bay, but Cafe Colucci stands out. Can't wait to return! read more

Upscale Ethiopian spot with delicious spices across the board. The vegan sampler covers the highlights and mainstays of the menu. The foundation of the meal is the injera, which has the welcome sourness of wild yeast. Wrapping it around the cabbage of the AtaKilt and the collards of the Gomen lightens the vegetable bitterness and makes eating them into nearly a dumpling. The mild turmeric of the Kik Alicha is well met by the other split pea item, Messer Wot, which has a much bolder flavor. The pro move is to combine the appetizers with the entrees. Azifa is made with lentils but has the smooth texture of stewed eggplant and spreads easily. The Buticha brings garlic to whatever it meets. This time we also got the mushroom tibs. It came spicy but the mushrooms themselves didn't contribute much flavor -- the sautéed onions in the dish were doing most of the work. We will stick with the sampler next time. But regardless of what you order, by the end of the meal the flavors will all get mixed around and soaked into the injera beneath. The best part! read more

My cousins and I came here on a whim, two of us had not tried Ethiopian cooking before and I had been craving it for some time now. We came across Cafe Colucci and it was pretty busy for a Sunday morning! We ordered their vegan and meat samplers as well as the beef sambussas. Meat sampler: 8/10 delicious! So many flavors and each item packed with some spices. Vegan sampler: 9/10 a hit! We all loved each item, especially the spicy ones. *Injera was absolutely a fam fave, we all loved the texture and flavors: tart, slightly savory and perfectly chewy/fluffy!! Sambussas: 100/10 we would order 100 of these! The sauce is came with was chefs kiss, amazingly sweet and savory with an ever so slight kick. The ambiance was family friendly, music wasn't too loud and everyone was very warm and inviting. I highly recommend coming here! read more

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Very unique experience! First time trying Ethiopian food & it was interesting. The flavors are quite strong & meat was tender. They don't give utensils unless you ask which is fun. The bread roll thing they gave was pretty acidic & dominated over the flavors of the meat dishes. Don't know if I love that. The sambusas were delish. Airy spacious restaurant but not a huge place so I imagine it gets busy. read more

Cafe Colucci - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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So many vibes. I've been here but it's been a long time. In fact it was in their old location. Met up with some friends. They are vegetarian and we eat meat. So 3 of us ordered 2 meat dishes and they 3, ordered vegetarian dishes. We also ordered samoses (2 orders) and 2 lattes, and 2 baklava. Oh, they also ordered the stuffed jalapeño dish, which surprise was hot. All the food was delicious, even the two teenagers with us liked the food. It's got a good vibe inside and despite there being a pretty constant line we were seated within 15 mins. I would absolutely go back. Also - order the coffee, was hit with wonderful flavors served in this awesome ceramic mug. read more

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Food was delightful and comforting. Service was embarrassing and considerate. The Ambiance has that Ethiopian soothing feel that embrace's the soul. I came to taste the African BAYAB Gin, it was great! read more

Mr first time having Ethiopian cuisine, and now I'm wondering what took me so long. Walked a few short blocks from home in a Friday night, to find the place packed upon arrival. A good sign, and we sat after a short wait, and I could immediately see some of the reasons this place is popular. Service was quick and courteous, and provided some great recommendations for a first timer. Food and drinks came quick too. The vegan platter is a must for first timers, everything super flavorful. We started with polpetti, which were slightly spicy meatballs packed with flavor. The cuisine is mostly gluten free too, which is a plus for my wife and I, and they even have GF anjeera bread. Will be back again to try more before long! read more

Cafe Colucci - Vegan Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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My first time trying Ethiopian food and I LOVED IT!! The dishes are FULL of flavor! This family run cafe has been serving up East African cuisine in Oakland since 1991! Each dish was loaded with spices and I'm going to say it again, soooo much flavor. To be honest, we had no idea what to order or where to even start, so we got the sampler that our server recommended and it was soooo good. It was also a fun experience because we got to eat with our hands lol. If you're like us and completely clueless, go with the meat sampler because for $23, you get a HUGE portion and then can figure out which items are your favorites for next time. What we ordered: Meat Sampler ($23) * Doro Wot - spicy, slow simmered chicken stew * Doro Alicha - chicken stew in turmeric-based sauce * Sega Alicha - spicy beef stew * Minchet Wot - minced beef stew * Gomen - stewed collard greens We also got their Sambussas (half lentil and half beef), which were similar to samosas. Both their mocktails and cocktails were really well made too. I loved how they incorporated spices into the drink too, which was pretty unique.  So if you're looking for a fun date night or just to try something new, definitely bookmark this place! read more

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Drove up to Oakland since there's a lot of unique food places up here. This is my first time trying Ethiopian food and it did not disappoint. First off service was phenomenal, Gabriel, our server helped recommend some appetizers and the sampler since it was our first time. My favorite was the sambussa's. Crunchy and full of stuffing inside plus the chili dip. My favorite drink was the spritz. Sweet and refreshing. Overall I'd come back if I was in the area. Appetizers: - Sambussas - Polepetti - Buticha Plate: - Sampler (both meat and veggie) Drinks: - Bessobela Lemonade - Sellasste Spritz read more

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There is something magical about walking into a place and immediately feeling wrapped in warmth before the food even hits the table. The high ceilings made the space feel airy, but the deep, rich colors on the walls made it feel like I had stepped into someone's home with incredible taste and a love for Ethiopian spices (hey line the wall like an art installation with sacks and jars everywhere). You can buy them separately, too. We came in as a group of seven or eight, and the staff handled our large party with ease. My standout dish was the kitfo. It was my first time having it and it was my favorite part of the meal! This is a place I will make a point to visit every single time I am in town. A lovely and fully immersive cultural experience from top to bottom. read more

Cafe Colucci - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Wow! Love the selection and quality of yummy Ethiopian - we ordered take out but they have a really cute sit down setting

The food was good and it was nice to have move vegan options. They bring out the tibs on a skillet like fajitas. The service was good and the restaurant has a good vibe. They bring out one dish that is sizzling with spices that perfuses the air and makes people cough which was a little off putting. read more

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I got a chance to discover Ethiopian food for the first time at Cafe Colucci with some friends back in December. This location is in North Oakland - very conveniently located with lots of street parking options around (take note of the street signs and meters). There is residential parking on the side streets without meters. We showed up on a really rainy day and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of folks who still showed up to dine. This place is great for groups and gatherings- lots of open space and the aesthetic is very traditional with lots of Ethiopian art displayed on the walls everywhere including the bathroom Our server Jennifer was so personable and approachable- knowing it was my first time she was eager to guide me through the menu and educate me on injera. Our group was very eclectic as far as our dietary preferences...we had carnivores, vegans, pescatarians and vegetarians. What was impressive is the menu offered something for everyone! Everybody eats. I ended up ordering the shrimp tibs which simply was a plate full of sauteed shrimp and peppers (cooked to order) alongside some greens and injera. I ordered the non traditional injera which was gluten free and had less of a sour taste to me than the traditional. There was a great deal of shrimp on the plate- I scooped it up with the pepppers and injera for a delicious flavorful bite. The shrimp were nicely seasoned with their house spice which is also conveniently placed on your table should you want to add extra- the spice is also available to purchase. When I ordered the greens- in my mind I was thinking soul food greens..... silly me. LOL The greens were good and flavorful as well- more on the vinegary side for me. I would eat them again. We all ordered the Selassi spritz with fresh mint- it was made to order by our server. Light and refreshing. Overall, this is a great neighborhood place that serves classic Ethiopian fare and provides warm and friendly service and good food. Definitely a 10/10 experience and I will say that Jennifer (our server) is what took it to a ten! She is a gem! read more

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This has been a restaurant that I have been wanting to visit for soooo long! I finally found the time to go with my bestfriend on a Thursday! Parking is on the street, but we didn't have trouble finding any. There was a short wait for a table; not bad at all. The place itself was very bustling with a lot of customers. The vibe was great! For the food, we ordered a vegan platter to share and half lentil sumbussa and half beef. All the food was yummy! I really liked the pepper seasonings that they leave on the table for you. The chili pepper was 10/10! The seasoning for the lentils on both dishes stood out to us the most. Overall, this place is good and I would recommend for people to try it out! read more

Cafe Colucci - Vegan Sampler - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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A true east bay gem! You must try café Colucci! The best Ethiopian restaurant around! The injara is plentyfull and the portions are huge. I felt as if I was actually at home. That's how they make you feel. From the moment you arrive until when you're leaving. Our waiter was top notch, and very attentive. Great for family and small parties alike. Or if you're feeling some dining alone it's also a perfect choice. You can also sit at the bar and enjoy your meal as well! Trust me you will be in heaven when tasting the dishes! And you'll leave satisfied full and happy! read more

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Cafe Colucci is so consistently solid the few times I've been with friends and family. It's such a great place to introduce those who've never have Ethiopian food before. They're also super generous with their injera and portions are big. So be prepared to leave full! The restaurant space is also beautiful and open. I always enjoy our dining experience. The servers have always been kind and patient in answering questions. read more

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I'm a newfound fan of Ethiopian food! Getting together with one of my friends, we decided to get Ethiopian food since she'd never had it before. It was a pleasant time and we enjoyed Cafe Colucci. We arrived for dinner on a weekend. I brought my pup so we sat outside, you have to walk through the restaurant to get outside. Inside was spacious, big, and can get quite loud since it's a bustling spot. Outside was roomy, casual, and chill. The mural outside is gorgeous as well. The service was nice, we'd occasionally get checked in on, and food came out at a decent time. The workers were sweet and they complimented my pup. My friend and I shared the Denitch Tibs and Vegan Combination. The chips were crispy, parts of it on the softer less fried end, and a nice savory seasoning. The sampler was perfect for us to share. A balance of savory, slightly sweet, a bit sour vegetarian dishes. The injera was light and rolled thinner than other spots I've been to. Everything was good and we took some to go. Cafe Colucci is a popular spot for authentic Ethiopian food! The vibes are quite nice and the food is great. I wouldn't mind coming back. With it being off San Pablo Ave. parking is street only. read more

Cafe Colucci - Denitch Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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We tried Cafe Colucci after work based on a coworker's suggestion and it was so yummy! We were seated really quickly and our server Emily was so nice and friendly. She had great recommendations and we wanted to try everything. I ended up going with the Assa Gored Gored and my friend got the Vegan Sampler/Combo plate. We shared the lentil Sambussa and a Selassie Spritz too. Overall, it was such a great vibe and a delicious dinner! read more

Cafe Colucci - Assa Gored Gored, Selassie Spritz, Vegan Sambussa, and Vegan Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Cafe Colucci was incredible and every single dish delivered. We ordered the half-and-half sambusa, polpetti, meat combo + vegan combo, begue tips, doro wat, and a whole bone-in fish with lots of injera. Everything was so flavorful. The Selassie spritz and bessobela lemonade were so refreshing, and we ended with tiramisu. We also tried their coffee and the shai kimem latte was unreal. I loved it so much I ordered a second one to go. The staff was beyond kind, shoutout to Gabriel, and I loved that they sell all of their seasonings. The inside is dimly lit and a vibe! Truly obsessed. read more

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If you've never tried Ethiopian food, this is the best place to try for a first timer. My sister-in-law introduced this place to me and my bf, and it was amazing. It's a little overwhelming at first, but our server was so nice in explaining things to us. We ordered the vegan sampler platter and the meat sampler platter as well as the beef/vegan sambusas. The sambusas came out first very quickly and these little things pack so much flavor and spice and great textures. Dare I say, the vegan ones were better. Honestly, when it comes to the sampler platters, just try everything and see what you like. It's overwhelming trying to remember what it what, but everything is genuinely so so good. I've also ordered their latte that has a kick to it, and it's so refreshing after eating so much stuff. Literally such a great restaurant especially if you have friends that have dietary restrictions. read more

Cafe Colucci has been on our list for months so glad we had the opportunity to visit on MLK Jr. Day Everything from the vibe, food, and service were better than we could've imagined. What a fun time and thanks to Damian for the hospitality Some favorites were the sambusas, fish, lentils, tibs, and tiramisu. We will absolutely be back read more

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This review is based on an order placed for delivery. We placed an order two weeks in advance for a holiday party. In addition to placing the order 2 weeks ahead of time, we called the day before to confirm the order. On the day of the party, 30 minutes before our guest were scheduled to arrive our food order was delivered with one part of the order, the veggie sambussas. There were several items missing from the order. Missing: meat sambussas, doro alicha, vegan kik alicha, vegan mushroom tibs and injera. We asked the delivery person where the rest of the order was and he said Cafe Colucci said that was all there was, even though the paper showed there were several additional items that we had already paid for. We called the restaurant and they apologized for their error and offered us a refund for the food that was not delivered, but we had to ask for a refund on the tip we had pre-paid and the $50 delivery fee. We paid for the sambussas. This error left us scrambling to find food for 50 people with 30 minutes to spare. I have recommended Cafe Colucci to several people, but I will definitely not do that again because today's fumble created a lot of stress. read more

Cafe Colucci - Our table was ready for our party spread, but this is all that came... - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

We worked with Cafe Colucci for our wedding catering (150 people). Everything about them is fantastic. First of all, we had eaten at the restaurant first, just to make sure it delicious (which it was). The shiro, misor wat, sambusas, and mushroom tibs are some of our favorites. We got those things and more for our wedding catering, and working with Colucci was about as seamless and pleasant as you could ever hope for. Daniel (owner) was flexible and kind as we chose (and updated) our menu for the big day. He was extremely helpful at the venue (e.g., helping box up our leftovers). And it was very well-priced, too. I'd recommend them as a restaurant or as catering 10/10 times. Thank you Colucci! read more

Pretty good actually. The service was fine, good for Bay Area standards. The bathroom and the interior were clean and well presented. There's an open kitchen here. The injera was food and their kik alicha was supreme. If you like mashed potatoes, it's that exact same texture as that but with split peas. The vegan sampler was excellent. The meat sampler was rough. Nothing was really good imo. The mushroom tibs were great. The chickpeas are rubbish, don't get the mitten shiro. read more

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***Still the best , food quality and taste, service and new digs = 5stars*** I never deviate. I'm here for the meat and veggie combo platter! Dats it! But you should know they moved 3 months ago and their new digs seem fresher, larger with a great outdoor seating a Their Ethiopian coffee is of course authentic (thank you motherland) flavorful and amazing. Give them a little more time and a coffee ceremony will be on the menu! Their honey wine is good too Their tea is flavorful too with Cinnamon cardamom & cloves (4.41 for takeout) read more

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I finally tried Cafe Colucci. A group of us met for lunch, and the food and experience was excellent. First of all, I think this is a 4.5 star review but, since my choice is either 4 or 5 stars, I'm rounding up. We ordered several appetizers. Two of these, the Half/Half Sumbussa and the Azifa, were quite good. I was not crazy about the Buticha. It had a great texture but also a pretty strong mustard flavor. I love just about any kind of mustard but, even for me, it was a little too "mustard-forward". We ate the appetizers with Dentich Tibs (basically, house made potato chips) which were quite good. Of the appetizers, my favorite was the Sumbussa. For the main event, we ordered the vegan platter, the meat platter, and we added a fish dish in as well. They put everything on one large platter but are happy to separate the meats from everything else if that's what you need. On the Vegan side, we had AtaKilt, Gomen, Kik Alicha, and Messer Wot. For the meats, I am not exactly sure what we selected but we had lamb, beef, and chicken. We also added Assa Gored Gored (fish). Because some people had never had Ethiopian food before, and were worried about the spice/heat, we ordered everything mild except for the fish, which was medium. Mild was very mild; basically no heat. Medium was barely any heat. Next time, I will order everything medium, and also order one dish hot to see how hot it actually gets. Of course, we ate everything with Injera. Their Injera is good, a little sour, and just right for picking up all of the different foods. While I certainly preferred one dish over another, I am comfortable saying that all of them were really good, and I would be happy to have any of them again (except the Buticha). There were 7 of us, and there was a lot of food left over. Everyone at the table wound up drinking the same thing: a Selassie Spritz. This was delicious. Refreshing, a little tart, a little sweet. I Haile recommend this (sorry, a little Ethiopian pun). After the meal, I had a cappuccino. It was a special type, with certain spices and (maybe?) slightly sweetened condensed milk). In any event, it tasted like a Spekulatius, a German Christmas cookie, and it was delicious. The service was excellent. Our waiter was knowledgeable, and made some very good suggestions. The cafe itself is pleasant inside, comfortable, they were reasonably busy when we were there but it was not too noisy. I am already looking forward to going back. read more

Cafe Colucci - Vegan Platter, Meat Platter, Fish - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Still dreaming about this meal a year later! If you only go to one spot in the area, make it Cafe Colucci. I visited over a year ago and I still think about the flavors on a weekly basis. My waiter was perfectly attentive; the staff is welcoming, knowledgeable and quick. The food is absolutely incredible, but it's the vibe that keeps you coming back--it's the perfect mix of fun, energetic, and relaxing. It's rare to find a place that nails both the soul-satisfying food and the perfect ambiance. 10/10! read more

Pro Tip: Go for the meat and vegan sampler on a big plate--it's the perfect way to taste a variety of stews in one go. Every bite had something unique to offer. We also tried the lamb tips, which were melt-in-your-mouth buttery and absolutely delicious. Shoutout to our server, who was incredibly patient as we bombarded him with questions about the different spices used in the cocktail menu. Speaking of cocktails... we may have ordered half the menu--and loved every single one. Here are the standouts we'd come back for: Lion's Mane - The shai kemin spice steals the show here. Complex, bold, and unforgettable--this was hands-down my favorite. Give Them the Beans - Think espresso martini meets boozy chocolate milkshake. Rich, smooth, and indulgent. Garden of Eden - Sweet, floral, and beautifully balanced. A refreshing contrast to the bolder drinks. read more

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This place is poppin on a Tuesday night. There's street parking around but it's not much, although the place is worth it. The ambiance is very nice with dim lighting and red and yellow lights to set the mood. It is packed with people and a small wait time for a table of 3 on a Tuesday night which gave us great hope for how good everything was going to be. We had some questions about the drink menu and our waiter was kind enough to offer us a small sample and basically sold us on a bottle. Their house made honey wine was delicious and compliments our meal. We got half vegan half beef sambussas, both delicious. We also got 1 meat and 1 vegan platter. They came out together along with the traditional Injera. It's extra cost for the traditional injera but I personally think it's worth it. Everything was delicious and packed with flavor. I am a meat eater and rarely do I eat my veggies, but surprisingly really enjoyed their vegan platter. There was chicken, lamb and beef on the meat side. The beef was my favorite with the lamb in a very close 2nd. I also normally don't enjoy lamb as much because of the hint of game-y flavor, but I could barely tell it was lamb. It was marinated so well that the game-y flavor was all gone. One of my favorite Ethiopian places with the best Selassie. Come check them out. read more

Cafe Colucci - Vegan platter (left) Meat platter (right) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Best ethiopian restaurant in the east bay. honey wine, tibs, good vibes. stuffed jalapenos yum

This is one of my favorite finds in East Bay so far -- I love the family style of eating, delicious food, and unique cocktails! We tried the Kitfo Special ($21), Sega Tibs ($21), and Doro Wot ($20). All were delicious and had such unique flavor. The amount of injera included was also perfect. I can't remember the exact cocktail that I got, but I had really enjoyed it. Definitely coming back here with more friends in the future! read more

Cafe Colucci - Kitfo Special ($21), Sega Tibs ($21), Doro Wot ($20) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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My second time getting Ethiopian food and we got recommendations for the dishes. We ordered meet balls which was my favorite dish , and the vegan dish with a variety of different kinds of vegetables and grains. Everything is flavorful, fresh. This restaurant goes beyond Ethiopian cuisine, great service, great cocktails. I'd be excited to go back and try more dishes and drinks. The best vibes! Oh yeah I can forget they have gluten free options for flatbread so that's a 100/10 for Me read more

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I used Uber Eats for delivery. I was a bit concerned on how Ethiopian food would transport, but everything was neatly packaged! I got the vegan combination and the mushroom tibs, both with injera. Both dishes were great. The vegan combo had a good mix of many dishes. My favorite from that was the AtaKilt. The Gomen (collard greens) was a bit slimy in texture for my liking, so was my least favorite. The Messer Wot packed some heat! The mushroom tibs were fantastic. Excellent flavor and the bell peppers added a nice textural difference from the mushroom. read more

Cafe Colucci - Mushroom TibsMushroom - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Tried Café Colucci off a friend's recommendation last night with my mom - great food, great atmosphere, great service. My mom can be a bit picky with where she sits in restaurants and the staff was gracious enough to accommodate us, which I really appreciated - I know it's not always easy. Food was delicious and well-portioned, cocktails were also delicious (and strong)! Got the meat sampler and the tibs. Only thing is that I would probably swap out something to get some more veggies on the plate when I come back, but even with our current order I think there was a good amount. Some of the best Ethiopian food I've had outside of DC, and very comparable to Ethiopian food in DC. Would 100% recommend, will definitely be back here in the future! read more

Cafe Colucci - Meat sampler, tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Loved this place. Very friendly and quick service with a smile. They happily answered our questions about heat level and other things. Food was delicious! read more

For my first time trying Cafe Colucci, I got the sega tibs for takeout. The meat was flavorful, and I really enjoyed the shiro wat. It also came with a really generous helping of injera both in the bowl and on the side! The food was solid and next time I want to dine in and try other dishes! read more

Cafe Colucci - Sega Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Love this spot! The food is consistently delicious, and it's a fantastic place to take people with different dietary needs - they are accommodating of vegan, gluten free, and legume free (no legume oils used in their cooking!). My favorites are the messer wot and the gomen, and I have yet to have anything at all there that I dislike. We even buy a couple of their Brundo Spice Company spice blends regularly to use at home (mitmita on popcorn is FANTASTIC). My spouse and I love Cafe Colucci so much that we booked their back patio for our wedding rehearsal dinner. It's a gorgeous patio and an absolute STEAL for a $750 patio rental fee, and the catering prices were very reasonable as well. The staff for the event were wonderful and the manager(?) Daniel was so helpful through the whole process, including helping out when we had a quick issue with the number of tables and chairs on the patio. Our guests loved the food and the location, we got a lot of compliments. read more

love the interior, music, vibey af!! our first experience with Ethiopian food, pleasantly surprised. very communal fun experience. the fried fish could've been crispier, but otherwise meat platter was extremely flavorful and plenty of spices to be tasted. the mango drink was also quite yummy. lemonade was a bit sour though. very nice service as well. read more

What can I say about cafe Colucci that hasn't already been said. The true Oakland, almost hipster vibe, the courteous service and the amazing food. I always order the vegan combo with the teff injera. My only grouse - I love the curries and eat them generously with each bite so usually end up feeling I wish they served a little larger portions of the lentil and collard/mustard greens. But I keep going back, and if you like Ethiopian food, so will you.. read more