I came here with a group of foodies that like to try different culture foods every so often. Café Lalibela is a family-owned Ethiopian restaurant that has a long history here in the Valley going back to the 90s. I have dined here on a few occasions over the years. I love traveling to Africa and have visited a number of times. I haven't made it over to Ethiopia yet. Café Lalibela serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine with recipes that have been passed down through generation. The family that owns this place are passionate about sharing their culture. One of the family members came out and greeted our table. She shared a little bit about the history of Café Lalibela and how they made their way to Tempe. The staff also described the food that we were about to eat as they brought it out. We ordered a couple of platters and enjoyed eating it communally. The menu consists of Ethiopian favorites like Doro Wat, Tibs, Kitfo and a variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes. I am a big lentil fan and love that lentils are a big part of Ethiopian cuisine. I had the Lalibela Deluxe platter in front of me most of the evening and enjoyed the flavors and spices of each of the items. Ethiopian food is so vibrant and colorful. If you have never tried, they do not use silverware to pick up their food. Food is eaten with Injera - a spongy pancake-like flatbread that you use to scoop up your food. Café Lalibela has beautiful African décor all around the restaurant. They have a small shop in the front that sells gifts, food items, tea and coffee. I ended up buying a bag of coffee beans to take home. read more

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Wanted to try out Ethiopian food so my friend chose this place. We got a platter where we could try a few meats and what not. Food was good, but meats were really over cooked. Flavor was alright, I guess not too sure what to have expected. One of the meats that were given to us, which happened to be my favorite, there was literally maybe three pieces to it, then the rest had a bit more. Ended up just letting my friend eat the whole thing since there wasn't as much protein as we thought there was going to be. The meal was suppose to feed two I believe. The appetizer we got was probably the best thing we ordered in my opinion. read more

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I think I have been to Cafe Lalibela before, but it would've been over 10 years ago. I really don't remember my experience then, but that would've been my first time having Ethiopian food. This recent visit was my third time having Ethiopian food, and I went in with an open mind. I remembered the last time I had Ethiopian food, I didn't really enjoy it. You have the option of choosing from their platters, or you can build your own. I created my own platter - I got the lamb dish (#5), the chicken dish (#3), and lentils (#9). These 3 dishes came on injera, which is a sour, fermented flatbread. It is basically a plate for the food, but you also use it to scoop up the meat/lentils to eat. My order also came with several more pieces of injera. The injera "plate" got soggy from the meat and lentils, so it was harder to use it to grab the fillings because it just kept falling apart. The chicken wasn't that great, so I wouldn't order that again, but the lamb dish and the lentils were sooo good. I had enough leftover for a second meal. I'm glad I gave Ethiopian food another chance! Next time, I would probably get the beef, lamb, and lentils. read more

Hearty ethiopian food in a casual atmosphere. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and it was busier than we've seen before; they had their monthly Sunday vegan buffet going ($25) that offered some items not on their usual menu and looked tasty. We ended up getting platters off the menu instead, mostly ordering vegetarian. (But if you're hungry or want more food, the buffet is a good option.) The green beans and the collards are a solid combination because of the difference in texture and spice. Cabbage, fish and beef were also good. Everything came either on a bed of injeera (soft) or rice, or a combination. On weekdays they have lunch specials which are the best deals and very good and inevitably you'll have leftovers to enjoy later. Service has been better and more attentive in the past but it was busier than usual too. The actual decor and location is a bit dated but you probably wouldn't come here for the atmosphere. They also sell their coffee and other small things to go. I don't have ethiopian that often so this was a treat. Shared parking lot with other businesses. read more

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For some reason, we enjoyed this visit even more than the last because we ordered properly! No meat. We are both "meated out". The Deluxe Vegetarian Platter was massive, enough for 3 people, served with fluffy teff bread (injera). They provide a small fresh (uncooked) vegetable salad on the round plate of cooked lentils, together with excellent greens which was a much needed reprieve. I had my collard greens (gomen) so I was happy! The diners were of diverse backgrounds and it was nice to see people from all backgrounds and ethnicities enjoying the taste of African spices and unique Ethiopian food preparation. Till next time, Lalibela! Highly recommended this business. We met the lady who does the cooking! Lalibela, long may you thrive! read more

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Café Lalibela is a must try spot!!! Highly recommend. Very tasty and healthy food. Big portions and priced well. The injera was delicious. Service was great. Very beautiful restaurant inside with plenty of seating. Our meals were super flavorful and we were very impressed overall. If you've never tried Ethiopian food before, this is the perfect place! read more

Café Lalibela - 16. Meat Combination - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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A great spot for Ethiopian cuisine. My friend and I shared the Lalibela deluxe platter and though it said it was for 2, it could definitely feed three easily. I had leftovers for another two days! The collard greens and the beef were some of my favorites. Scooping up the food with the injera was a delicious way to make sure you tasted a little bit of everything. The server was patient with us since we had a hard time deciding what to get. The cold chai was a refreshing accompaniment to our meal too. It's a clean, bright and well decorated restaurant. I'd go back again to try other dishes. read more

Café Lalibela - 26. Lalibela Deluxe - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Been wanting to try Ethiopian food for a while now. My friend and I decided to finally give it a go! We decided to go with the lalibela deluxe (for 2), and it was surely overkill! When they say it's for 2, they mean 2 very large guys lol. We had extras for sure! I quite enjoyed eating the food their way, it reminded me of the Middle East, in a good way! The woman taking our order was very patient! We also got the cold chais, which I couldn't stop drinking! I'd come back to this place again for sure! read more

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Stopped in after my sons play at the Tempe Center for the Arts. I ordered the two person Vegan Deluxe entree and this dish did not disappoint. For parties of 2. A combination of azifah, fasolia, gomen, misr wat, shiro wat, tikil gomen, yekik alicha. Served with injera and garnished with salad. Served with injera and garnished with salad. Flavor Service Cleanliness Value And yes team! I will be going back soon.....yessss mister! read more

Quaint, affordably priced and... Delicious!!!! I will definitely be back!!! Simply delicious!

If you haven't experienced the vibrant flavors of Ethiopian cuisine, then Café Lalibela is the perfect place to embark on that culinary adventure. From the moment we walked in, the warm, welcoming atmosphere enveloped us. The service was stellar, with attentive staff who were excited to guide us through the menu. Their passion for Ethiopian food was evident, making us feel right at home. We started our meal with the Kitfo Sliders, a delightful appetizer that set the tone for the entire dining experience. These mini sandwiches featured perfectly seasoned minced beef, skillfully prepared so that it was juicy and rich in flavor. Each slider was paired with Ayib, a smooth and creamy Ethiopian cottage cheese that balanced the spices beautifully. Served on small, soft brioche bread, these sliders were an explosion of rich tastes in every bite, leaving us craving more. For the main course, I opted for the Manager's Choice, which is an excellent way to sample some of Café Lalibela's best offerings. The plate arrived brimming with a colorful combination of dishes. The Kye Wat, a spicy beef stew, was the highlight for me. It was tender and deeply flavored, with a gentle heat that didn't overpower the palate but left a pleasing warmth. Next to it was Saga Wat, a stunning spiced spinach dish that brought a freshness and earthiness to the plate. The Tikil Gomen, which is lightly spiced cabbage, was sautéed to perfection, tender yet still retaining a slight crunch. Each component was thoughtfully crafted and together, they created a wonderful medley of textures and tastes. My wife chose the Vegetable Combination, a colorful assortment reflecting the diversity of Ethiopian cuisine. The Fasolia, green beans sautéed with onions and spices, burst with flavor while maintaining their crispness. The Gomen, seasoned collard greens, provided a slightly bitter contrast that worked perfectly with the other dishes. The Misr Wat, richly spiced lentils, was hearty and oh-so-satisfying. Complemented with the beloved Tikil Gomen, my wife's dish was not only nourishing but a celebration of flavors. Both our meals were served with Injera, the spongy sourdough-like flatbread that is a staple in Ethiopian dining. Its delightful texture allowed us to scoop up the dishes with ease, and it was the perfect vessel for all the rich flavors on our plates. Garnished with a fresh salad, our meals felt wholesome and colorful. Inclusion and accessibility were evident in every aspect of Café Lalibela, and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. The friendly service, paired with the stunning array of dishes, turned our visit into a memorable evening. If you're looking to delight your taste buds and enjoy the communal experience synonymous with Ethiopian dining, Café Lalibela should be your next culinary destination! read more

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I had the Lunch Special Sampler. I got Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew), Fosolia (green beans & carrots), and Tikl Gomen (cabbage, potatoes & carrots). I had half rice and half injera (bread). This was so delicious, healthy, and filling. I couldn't have enjoyed anything more!!! It is perfection. read more

Café Lalibela - Lunch Perfection - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Good food, great customer service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Will definitely go again!

Our group was new to Ethiopian food, so our server suggested a chef's combination of meat and veggies. The stews were rich and flavorful. You eat it by tearing off pieces of Ethiopian bread. Comfortable booths, handmade bowls decorated the walls for authentic atmosphere. read more

Café Lalibela - 14. Chef's Favorite Combination - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

I really struggled to write this review. I've never had Ethiopian food, so I really have nothing to compare it to. I imagine this is some of the better Ethiopian food you'll find in Arizona. However, it wasn't my favorite. It was cool to try something new and the restaurant interior was very unique. The food kind of reminded me of Indian cuisine, the biggest difference being the injera instead of naan. Probably wouldn't come back, but if you're looking for something new, I would definitely recommend this place. read more

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First time at Lalibela, on recommendation form my kids. We arrived at 12:45 on a Sunday afternoon and there were four other tables full, of the available 21 seating areas. We ordered the Vegan deluxe, the beef deluxe and a meat platter. We added a side of rice and an iced tea. Everyone enjoyed their choices, with the exception of very cold injera. Sadly, my gut reacted very violently over the next 12 hours, which was unpleasant for myself and those around me. My gut just didn't feel right for a full 24 hours. It wasn't food poisoning (which I've had once, years ago), just gut wrenching food. Sorry, but no return visit in my future. read more

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First time trying ethiopian food (and i am a typically picky eater) and i LOVED IT! We split a big platter and it was a delightful mix of everything where everyone could find something they liked. I also got an iced chai tea and wow was it yummy. The decor is super cool and there is fun music playing as well which makes it an awesome eating experience. The service was quick and nice, making sure we had everything we needed including refills. I will totally be coming back here again! read more

Café Lalibela - 26. Lalibela Deluxe - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

First time coming here and I will be back! The beef was AMAZING and so flavorful. The coffee was fantastic as well, it was so rich and exactly what I needed. read more

Café Lalibela - Traditional Ethiopian Coffee - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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We came for my husband's bday dinner. I made reservations a day in advance for 6pm on a Saturday night. I'm glad I did because by 6:30 Lalibela was full. Plenty of parking in the lot out front and the inside is a good size with a nice Ethiopian decor. I was surprised to see carpet since I never see that in restaurants and it was clean! We were greeted when we we walked in and went straight to our table since my brother was there before us. Our waitress was nice and took our drink and food order right away. For our party of 6, we ordered the Lalibela Exclusive platter that feeds 4 plus an extra mild beef stew and spicy chicken stew since we weren't sure if the platter would be enough but it was more than enough. Everything was good except my son and I don't like the taste of goat so we didn't like that dish. But personal preference. Lols My fault for not asking if I could switch that out. Flavor wise pretty good though if I compare it to my fave Ethiopian restaurant in San Diego, that one is a lil more flavorful. read more

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The ambiance was serene, and the food was hearty and rich! I love the extent of vegan options--I felt very accomadated. read more

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We ordered the Lalibela Exclusive and the chocolate dessert and shared everything. It was definitely plenty of food for four people! I think it could have easily served 5, maybe even 6. But that just means there was leftovers to take home! The service was pretty good and the ambiance is nice. There's some cool decor and it doesn't feel too casual or too fancy. They also have a lot of vegan options so it's a good place if you're looking for that. It's a great place if you want to try something different! read more

Café Lalibela - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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The food is flavorful, but takeout was not the best experience. I was missing the egg for Doro wat and the beef dish didn't come with the salad. read more

Café Lalibela - Doro Wat - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Wow wow wow, I always wish I live closer to this place, because all of the dishes look amazing! The last time I was here was 8 years ago! There are so many options and I finally decided on the Beef Tibs. It was so flavorful and tender. The onions were not overpowering. I loved that the server gave me an extra side of injera too! Look forward to the next visit already! read more

Café Lalibela - Beef Tibs - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Second time in. Love the food. First time the food was more flavorful and spicy (both spicy hot and spice spicy), so a bit of a bummer that there as much fluctuation. A tad pricy for what you get but I'd still recommend the place and I'd still return. Very clean bathrooms! Parking can be tight. There were three open spots in front of the business (shared lot) but only 3 couples inside the restaurant - including us. As such, service was as expected - friendly and accommodating. Food came out fast. read more

Café Lalibela - Lalibela Deluxe - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Delicious food! We got the 4 person vegan shared dish. Our favorites were the spicy lentils and the ground chickpeas but everything was great too. Food came out quickly and restaurant was clean with great music. read more

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and I was not disappointed! When you walk in, you're hit with a strong smell of spices. Be sure to come with clean hands, as you are eating with your hands for your meal (although they do provide you forks just in case). My party and I got the vegan deluxe (said to serve 4), as well as the stewed beef, stewed lamb, and lamb tibs. What pleasantly surprised me was that the vegan platter was actually pretty good; the flavour was still there, and despite only eating lentils and chickpeas, it was cooked well enough and with different textures that it didn't feel that way at all. The standouts for my meal though were definitely the meat dishes. All three were very yummy, and I'd definitely order any one of them again. The bread its served with is like a crepe, but sourdough. On its own, I didn't like it too much, but with the other flavours? Delicious. read more

Café Lalibela - Vegan Deluxe - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Don't be fooled by the unassuming storefront- the food here is amazing! I got the small vegetable sampler and each dish had great flavor with plenty of leftovers to enjoy again later. There was one woman working the tables and door- she was attentive and welcoming without being too much. read more

My family has been eating at Cafe Lalibela for many, many years. We learned to eat Ethiopian food from two Eritrean refugees we met in Holland in 1980. Ethiopian food is our comfort food. Lalibela has continued that tradition for us. read more

This is for takeout last night 12/29/23 I'm from Honolulu, Hawaii--we no longer have an Ethiopian restaurant. The last time I had Ethiopian food was in DC at Das Ethiopian at the end of 2020, so I was excited to see several restaurants near Scottsdale. Online I ordered the Lalibela Deluxe $42.95. It was a good way to try both meat and vegetarian dishes. Spicy dishes were not very spicy and flavors seemed muted overall. Meat dishes --no stand outs, they are tasty, but not "wow." -alicha sega wat--mild beef stew -doro wat - spicy chicken stew -key sega wat - spicy beef stew -yebeg alicha sega wat - mild lamb stew--skip if you don't like gamey Vegetable dishes - the flavor profiles for the vegetables were more varied -fosolia - green bean and carrots--recommend -gomen - collard greens - recommend -misr wat - spicy red lentils --sweet, I'd prefer a little more savory element -tikil gomen - lightly spiced cabbage w/ turmeric - recommend -yekik alicha - yellow split pea The Deluxe comes with 4 injera We used 2 extra injera to eat the entire plate. We have smaller appetites and it was enough food for 2.5 meals. I love the injera--the soft spongy/fluffy sour dough crepes. (I ordered extras --they're delicious as peanut butter and jelly) read more

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Excellent, delicious food, as good as can be had in Ethiopia! Lovely decor as well. The service was superb. The staff are wonderful. Highly recommend! read more

I hate to do this, but I need the chef/owners to be aware. Now, I'm not sure if it was just an off day, but come on. What in the flavorless heck is going on here? I ordered delivery, and the food was cold - from the inside, and the flavor was nonexistent - I mean, it tasted bland in the worst fashion. I'm shocked that they would serve this as a representation of flavorful cuisine. This was a horrible experience, and I hate that I have to write this. Absolutely abhorrent. Annnnnnd, to add insult to injury, they charged $3.50 for a small, glass half full cup of a fountain Sprite in a plastic cup. It wasn't even a can or bottle of soda. This HAS to be the most painful review I've ever had to write. Do better folks. read more

Delicious food! First time having Ethiopian food and won't be my last. Nice and fresh. Good fast service for a party of 7. Very kind and accommodating staff. Very cute interior read more

Café Lalibela - Vegetarian Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

I love this place. There are other Ethiopian restaurants closer to where I live. Nope we are doing the 20 minute drive for the best. Fast and good service. Oh yes the food is comatose good. Flavors will help you get your life. I usually come with my foodie husband but I needed a me, myself, & I night. The ambiance is nice African music and very clean. They've been here for over 20 years and you cannot tell. Fluffy Grandma recommends. read more

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Great place. Very fresh. Clean ingredients. Their spices are right there to look at. Authentic service and hospitality. The injera is a mix of teff, wheat, barley. Tempe is lucky to have such a place. As with many restaurants, you benefit from going over and over, learning the menu. read more

Celebrated Galentines with my bestie and omg how cool is this place! We went in for their Valentines 3 course meal special. The menu is vegan friendly which is primarily why she chose this spot. Although I am not vegan I enjoyed the food and it was all packed with flavor! This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I was very impressed! I Will definitely be back again to try the rest of their regular menu. read more

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My family has been coming here for about 10 years and it's always been one of our all time favorite spots. The restaurant is family owned and the staff is always really nice. Our favorite dish is the Alicha Sega Wat which is a lamb stew. Extra injera bread is a MUST. The Shorba (soup) is my favorite- it's so rich and the flavor is amazing. I highly recommend trying this place if you've never had Ethiopian cuisine because it's so unique. They sell their own bags of Ethiopian coffee, along with some teas, spices, dried beans, etc. so you can try some staples at home. My dad really loves the coffee and I bought some this time to try for myself. Injera is a special type of bread that's made with fermented dough and cooked almost like a crepe. It has a slightly sour taste like sourdough. It can be weird at first but most people find that they really like it. The food is eaten with the bread instead of a utensil, similar to African cuisine. Side note- the salad is also really good! read more

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Amazing and authentic Ethiopian food, great lunch specials for $12.95. Incredible value for the high quality and great flavors of this food. It is a small family run business and everyone who works there is very friendly and nice. This is a very unique find, very highly recommended! read more

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I wouldn't recommend coming here if you are an Ethiopian person. Very poor customer service. Please respect Ethiopians customers as well. They are paying the same dollar as white customers. Shame on you truly read more

Grabbed take out for Sunday lunch and it was pretty busy inside but our order came out quickly. It was our first time trying Ethiopian food and I thought it was OK. Husband is a bit pickier and didn't really like it, but I encourage you to try it and make the decision for yourself as there are so many positive reviews here. We ordered the meat combo and vegetarian combo. Reviews said to order extra injera but found that we didn't need to after getting extra! The injera reminded me of a giant crepe. It was nice and spongey and had a slight sour taste. Out of the meat combo I liked the doro wat (spicy chicken stew). For the vegetarian combo, the fosolia (green beans & carrots) and tikil gomen (carrots, potatoes & cabbage) were best. Unfortunately the misr wat, which got rave reviews here was our least favorite. I think we are just not used to the spices used as it was very strong in nutmeg, cardamom and cloves I think. I don't think we'll return but it was cool to try something new! read more

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Food is presented beautifully! We love the aromatic spices of each dish and that we can get the injera gluten-free. We like to order a platter or several sides each so we can experience many dishes. Service is wonderful and the atmosphere is always calm and peaceful. The art on the wall is fun . Always a pleasure to experience other cultures and their food.!! Thank you, Café Lalibela! read more