It's no secret that I love Ethiopian food--so when I say **Dukem Restaurant** holds a special place in my DC journey, I mean it. This was actually one of the very first Ethiopian restaurants I tried after relocating to DC, so yes... this review is *long* overdue. From the very beginning, what stood out to me was how they manage to balance fine dining energy with genuine warmth. You get the elevated presentation, the polished atmosphere--but still the friendliness and hospitality that make Ethiopian dining feel like home. I'm a loyal veggie combo person (it's who I am at this point), so I was especially excited to see that their combo options offer a wider variety of dishes than most places. It's truly a "little bit of everything" situation, which is perfect when you're indecisive--or when you're dining with a large group and want everyone to taste it all. More variety, more flavor, more happiness. The food? Rich, flavorful, beautifully prepared. The kind of meal where you slow down and savor every bite. I'm already planning to return with my partner because I recently saw on social media that they offer Ethiopian wine and even wine flight tastings. Ethiopian cuisine paired with Ethiopian wine? Say less. I love when restaurants create experiences, not just meals. And of course, we can't ignore the moment they had in August 2024 when they went viral after receiving stellar reviews from viral food critic **Keith Lee**. What stood out most wasn't just that he praised them--it was that he spoke highly of Dukem while being candid about not having the same level of service and food quality at other local spots he visited. That says something. Excellence stands out. Dukem delivers flavor, hospitality, and atmosphere in a way that feels intentional. Whether it's your first time trying Ethiopian food or your hundredth (like me), it feels special every time. If you love Ethiopian cuisine--or just love great food and great service--this place absolutely deserves a visit. And if you're like me, it won't be your last. read more

Finally made it to Dukem DC after first spotting it on TikTok, and happy hour did not disappoint! We tried the Beef Tibs, Lamb Tibs, Special Dukem Veggie Combo #2, and Lentil Sambusa--all packed with flavor and perfect with the injera. Huge shout-out to Fefe, our amazing waitress--so friendly and attentive. Great food, great vibes, and an even better deal at happy hour. Already planning a return for the full dinner menu! read more

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DC is known for its Ethiopian food, and I finally got to try some. Dukem is conveniently located on U St, a quick walk from the metro. They have a decent sized interior and it wasn't too busy when we visited on a Wednesday. They also had a patio but it was closed for rain the day we visited. This restaurant was great for getting to try different things. We got the Special Dukem veggie combo #2 and awaze tibs. If you hadn't had Ethiopian before (like I hadn't), everything is served on/ with this spongy flat pancake like bread. Everything we tried had a ton of flavor. I really enjoyed all the things we got to try, there wasn't anything I didn't like. If you are also a newbie to Ethiopian, I highly recommend getting a combo to try multiple things. From this restaurant experience, I think I learned I like Ethiopian food. I definitely can't wait to try more. read more

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Dukem is a D.C. institution and just two blocks from Little Ethiopia (the 1900 block of 9th Street NW). Ethiopian owned and run, Dukem is a spacious restaurant that is also a community hub. If it's your first time, the staff are more than happy to guide you through the menu. I always enjoy getting the Awaze Tibs. It comes with injera and a bowl of tomatoes. If you go with a group, I recommend one of their platters. They say each platter (combo) serves 1-2, but injera is filling. I say a combo serves three! The food is flavorful and tasty! You can't go wrong at Dukem. read more

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I only been here once and it was also my first time having Ethiopian food and it was pretty good! We got a variety of things as shown in the pictures and they tasted great. The service was good and she gave us good recommendations. There is seating indoor or outdoor and it is decorated well. There was a dish that served meat raw that I had to get use to the texture but it tasted way better than it look! read more

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The veggie platter was delicious and came with spices that I haven't seen at other Ethiopian restaurants! It came with generous sides of injera. Good service and a large patio to accommodate big groups read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We returned to our first love, Dukem! My college roomie was Ethiopian and introduced me to this cuisine decades ago. Dukem was one of the places she recommended. Been coming for years, but hadn't for awhile until this weekend. We came by about an hour before closing so it wasn't too busy. I got my go to, awaze beef tibs with the tomato salad. It was a good meal but I could have had it a bit spicier. The service was good. They always have the nicest people here. I'm glad this DC staple is still around and I hope they're here to stay! read more

Went to DC and knew I had to get some Ethiopian Food. First thing about this location. I Liked was the seating. It was so cozy...felt like I was eating at home. The food it self was pretty goood. Was expecting it to knock my socks off because of the huge community here in DC...but overall it still satisfied me read more

I appreciate that Dukem has a happy hour special that offers items for under $10. I ordered the veggie sampler ($7) and the beef tibs ($8), which were each about appetizer sizes but filling nonetheless. If you're craving Ethiopian food but just want something light, the happy hour (which I think is from 5-7p) is the way to go. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A happy hour date at Dukem was right on time! After a busy day of work and running errands, my wife and I settled on Ethiopian food for dinner and that's when I remembered seeing Instagram advertisement and Google reviews for happy hour at Dukem so we decided to give it a go! The food was fresh, service was great and the establishment welcoming. Since the weather was nice, we decided to sit outside on the terrace area. We really enjoyed the special beef tibs, pieces so flavorful and tender, the sambusas, both the chicken and spinach. I ordered the Shiro and gomen, while my wife ordered the misir wot and alicha kik, awesome portion size for the price and shareable with the injera. While waiting on our order we had a chance to speak with one of the owners, Yodit, very sweet of her checking in on how the evening and service was going. We will definitely be back again and can't wait to check out more of the menu. I recommend Dukem be your next DC Ethiopian restaurant to check out and also check out their happy hour specials. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Gomen and Shiro - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The restaurant is large with a nice size bar and at least three big screen TVs. The staff was friendly. The Spinach Sambusa was a little spicy but good. The Chicken Sambusa was spicy and the pastry shell was crispy. The chicken Dori Wot was very juicy, and tasty. I enjoyed my meal. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Dori Wot (mild) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The goden beef short ribs(goden tibs) are a must!!! It is so good and flavorful. I wish I had more, the chicken sambusa was on the drier side, maybe a dipping sauce to go with it but still good. I would definitely come back to try more. Good first experience, the service was good and the ambiance-decour with the Ethiopian music was fun & inviting. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Goden ribs and chicken sambusa - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fantastic food. Average ambiance and service. Better than most Ethiopian restaurants I've gone to. Definitely would recommend it.

I was recommended Dukem and I had to go. I love Ethiopian food so was ready to try. I ordered the special vegetarian platter #2 and it was great. There were seven different sides within and each were delicious, with such a deliciously intense and spicy flavor, I loved it! My only qualm is that the price of injera ($3/piece) for extra feels incredibly high, especially in comparison to the price of the mean ($19). Overall good food experience and would recommend to someone looking for flavorfully rich Ethiopian favor. read more

Came here after the viral video on instagram/tik tok. The family vibe was nice to see. They were super quick and very nice the entire time. And the food had the authentic Ethiopian taste that you come looking for. I'd highly reccomend. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Had and great dinner with the large combo platter and added 2 extra entrees to feed my hungry teens. We ate every last bite and mopped up all the delicious sauce with extra injera. The patio was lovely with great vibes from U street. read more

First time trying Ethiopian food and was delighted! Me and a friend shared the Combo # 6 that had a variety of meats and veggies that were flavorful and filling. We also had the chicken and lentil sambusas which were nice. We wish they came with a sauce or a dip of some kind, but overall they were good. We also had the honey wine which was delicious! I will have to try and find a bottle somewhere now. The service was decent, it got pretty busy so it took a while for us to receive our check but nonetheless it was a pleasant experience. The location and inside was nice. Plenty seating both inside and outside. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I arrived to DC late one night and as I was scouring Uber Eats for a late night dinner, I noticed several Ethiopian restaurants. I'd never had Ethiopian food before (San Diego isn't exactly known for its Ethiopian fare) so I was very curious and made myself a promise that I'd try it before I left. As luck would have it, the next morning in my Uber to my conference, I struck up a conversation with my friendly driver who just so happened to be from Ethiopia! I told him I'd never had the food before and asked him for some rec's in town. He immediately said Dukem and told me it was one of the most authentic he'd had outside of Ethiopia! No brainer, the next night I convinced my adventurous boyfriend to try out Dukem. We started off easy with a couple of veggie sambusas and then ordered blind using only the dish descriptions to guide us. I settled on the Ze! Kitfo and my boyfriend went with a combo platter that featured Minchet Abesh, Melasena Sember, & Lamb Wot. First off, the Injera is unlike anything I've ever eaten before in my entire life. I absolutely loved the texture and was impressed by the ingenious elasticity and absorption that lent itself so well to the entrees. We had fun eating with our hands and tasting each little pile. I must say, I hit the bullseye with me Ze! Kitfo - it was spicy and the seasoning (!!!!!!) WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! I knocked a star off for the ambiance, the decor was a little chaotic. But overall, I couldn't have asked for a better 1st timer experience! read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Ze! Kitfo (8) and Dukem Combo 1 (12,14,15) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wow! Can't believe how long it has been since my original review so definitely time for an update! We had a fairly large group and our server was excellent. I had the #31 vegetable combination- 5 items - and everything was delicious. The seasoning was amazing and I managed to finish it all; I left full and happy! The injera was excellent as well. A few of us shared a bottle of dry red Ethiopian wine and enjoyed it. The location is a short taxi ride from the National Mall area or a long-ish walk if you're up for it. Definitely worth the trip! read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - 31. Special Dukem Veggie Combo (5 Items) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really enjoyed the food and will be back! Sat outside at night and got good service. Even got to meet the daughters of the owners so sweet! read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Awaze Tibs (Beef) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Ok, I know Dukem has amazing food, but the other night I saw something making me sick. I was walking by, and I saw videos on all the big screen TV's showing I assume Ethiopian me dancing with automatic MACHINE GUNS! Seriously, would you like your dinner with men with machine guns dancing around on all the TV's in the restaurant? This sucks, the food is great, but that was totally unacceptable! -Jason read more

The food is really good. It was cold that night and there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant. Service was good.

Dukem has been around for a long time in Washington DC. The doro wot here is excellent. The lamb tibs are very good as well. The samosas are good as well. Let them know beforehand if you like the spice level to be hot and you won't be disappointed. Overall a good experience. read more

This isn't my favorite Ethiopian in DC but it's good for meeting people in a convenient location near the U street metro. My two friends and I enjoyed our food spreads. We all got vegetarian samplers and one friend got fish as well. The server was kind enough to let me sample one of the Ethiopian wines before ordering a glass. They also have both the sweet tej and a dry one, which i had never seen. read more

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Amazing Goden tibs!! It's a prime rib. Perfectly cooked and delicious. Lots of seasoning and flavor. This dish in specific is my favorite Ive ever had at an Ethiopian restaurant. Everything else is definitely solid! I go to Dukem on the regular. I always get a veggie platter and then the tibs. This time (pictured) was with family and did two meats and largest veggie platter for 4 people and we were all full with no leftovers. For 2 people, we order the same amount but enjoy taking home the leftovers. The service is kind and it's a nice vibe on U Street. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Beef Goden Tibs, Special Dukem Veggie Combo 3 (7 Items), Awaze Tibs (Beef) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Has been some time since I've been to this Dukem (we usually go to the one in Baltimore.) It was quiet around 12:30. We found out they recently restarted their lunch service. Entrees come with a cold salad so if you want some of the cooked veggies and vegetarian Wots, the 5 or 7 item Vegetarian combos are good options. We ordered the Dukem Kitfo (7), Dukem Special Tibs (2-Lamb), and Vegetarian Combo (33) Kitfo was excellent with just the right amount of the spiced butter mixed in. There was a mix up with our Tibs order as we got Beef instead of Lamb. Another batch was made and we liked the Lamb (tender) more than the Beef. Vegetarian combo had a good mix of Lentil and veggie dishes and all were delicious. This was more than enough for 3 of us and we took a good amount home. Service was attentive and upbeat. Tsehay took great care of us! The last time I was here it was for dinner and they were busy and I remember a band was scheduled to play later. They have made some changes/renovations since and looks like they will cater more to the dinner/evening crowd. They have a market next door where you can pick up Injera, spices and Meat to name a few. I also like their outdoor seating area but too hot to enjoy that now. That said, if you want a quieter spot for lunch, Dukem fits the bill. read more

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As a DMV native, I had always seen Dukem, however I'd never been. I, much like other recent visitors, ventured here because of social media. My wife and I are always happy to support local and small businesses, PLUS we like Ethiopian food a lot! Coming in, the restaurant was definitely busier than I've seen it in the past! There's indoor and outdoor seating. We were sat quickly, deciding on the patio. You could tell that they weren't expecting the amount of patrons coming in, as service was a little slow at times. They always recovered though. The staff was nice and accommodating. The food was DELICIOUS! We tried the chicken sambusa, awaze tibs and the Dukem combo #6! The combos are definitely shareable, so good bang for your buck. We also had some Ethiopian beer and the next time we go, I'm definitely trying the honey wine. If you're in the area and in the mood to try a new cuisine, new restaurant or just support a great local business, I definitely recommend Dukem! read more

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Incredible service. Wonderful staff. Great ambiance. Delicious food. This place hits on all the cylinders. Would happily visit again. The Keith Lee effect is real read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - We for the Vegetarian Plate #3, the Beef Goden Tibs, and the Awaze Tibs (Lamb)! Soooooo good - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

After hearing about the popularity of Ethiopian food in DC, I decided to visit Dukem with a friend during our trip. They have a store front for takeout and an area for dine-in; we were confused, but were lead to their outdoor seating area. Our waitress was extremely nice -- she informed us about what to order, how to eat, etc. However, the service here was incredibly slow. We, along with tables around us, needed drink refills, but felt bad to get the attention of a server because they seemed preoccupied. Even when we gave our cards to pay, our waitress came up to apologize for how long it was taking (we didn't get our cards back until a while later). As for the food, I ordered their special beef tibs, while my friend got a chicken dish. Although fragrant and flavorful, there was a lot of oil on the dishes. The portion sizes are decent, especially if you eat it with the injera and vegetables. Next time, I would definitely ask for more vegetables on the side as well. Overall, this was a great introduction to Ethiopian cuisine, but I would love to try out other places too. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - 2. Dukem Special Tibs & 3. Chicken Sambusa - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good selection of Ryhiopian standards. Efficient and friendly service. Excellent food preparation, very drlelociios and fresh.

I finally tried this Ethiopian restaurant after living in the area for 5 years. First, I will say I have never had BAD Ethiopian food in the area, so my palette may not be the most adept at knowing whether the food is exceptional or not. Overall, the food was excellent I ordered the combination number 26 and goden tibs to share. I had never had goden tibs and they were excellent, although a little on the fatty side. However, service was off. After our food arrived, our waitress disappeared and all she gave us were napkins and an extra plate of injera. We saw other tables had individual plates but those did not come with our entree. She came back about 5 minutes later with them. Usually, it would not matter much but in my opinion, you have to eat the food when it arrives at the table or else the injera and the food on the platter gets mushy and rubbery. We also waited a very long time to get the bill (which is not itemized). Other reviews have mentioned cleanliness and I would agree. I would come again and sit outside or order take out because the food was tasty, just not sure I would sit inside again. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Combination 26, injera, and goden tibs in the middle. - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was told when traveling in DC I must try Ethiopian food, so I stopped in here and was very glad I did. We ordered a combination platter, beef spare ribs and Dukem kitfo. They were all fantastic and flavorful. The staff were all very kind and attentive, and explained everything. It's a cute kind of hole in the wall place, not fancy, and the music was pleasant and not overpowering. I enjoyed the experience and the food. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - A combo plate with Dukem Kitfo and spare ribs - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A good place to have Ethiopian food in DC area. They have all the tasty options. Beware that you have to eat with your fingers and some meat options are raw. But if you like Ethiopian food, you will enjoy visiting this place. The ambiance is mediocre. The service is fast and friendly. The fried fish came unsalted and that's the reason behind the missing star. Honey wine is a Must Try. read more

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I cannot say how much I DIDN'T LIKE THIS! It is fine if you don't know any better! It lacked flavor and that "yum" factor Ethiopian food usually gives!. Hmmmm...I can call it Ethiopian fast food at best! Ethiopic read more

Enjoyed authentic Ethiopian food in a nice corner restaurant. 5 veggie plate was delicious!

The atmosphere is great. The staff is very welcoming. We got the combination #3. It was very delicious. I'm glad that our friends recommended this as a good place for lunch. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Dukem Combination #3 kitfo, tibbs and key wot. - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Love eating here with big groups. All the food options are tasty and there's something for everyone.

Maria, eating Ethiopian food? Say whaaat? What I love most about visiting new places are the experiences that come with it. I was on a progressive food tour of the historical U-district with a few of my colleagues and Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant was one of our stops. This was last year, pre-covid. I knew very little about Ethiopian food other than it's commonly served in a communal platter and is designed for sharing food with each other and that we did. I tried it once previously in Hawaii and the food was just insanely spicy for palette. I had my reservations, but remained optimistic. First, we all washed our hands and so after out came the platters of food. Injera, similar to a thin crepe, lined the bottom (just a warning - the injera might trigger those with trypophobia). On the injera was a mix of spinach and some other veggie dishes. Then came the beef goden tibs - marinated prime short ribs sautéed with onions, tomato, garlic which completed the platter. Tej, a honey wine, complimented our dinner. It was sweet and had a nice, smooth taste, and easy on the stomach. As we dug in, I was surprised to enjoy the spinach and some of the other veggie dishes as I'm not big on vegetables at all. The beef goden tibs were also flavorful and was my favorite (not surprising for this carnivore). While eating, we learned more about the history of the U-district and how Washington D.C. became home to the largest ethnic Ethiopian community outside of Africa. Overall, great memorable experience and would recommend a visit here! read more

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Came here with my family and the food was absolutely amazing. I got the Goden Tibs and the prime rib was perfectly seasoned and crispy. Fifi took great care of us and made us feel at home. Loved it here! 10/10 would definitely recommend! read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food was tasty. Just as most Ethiopian restaurants do, this place also has a litany of vegan options. Service wasn't the greatest. Waitress was not easy to find when needed, which was disheartening especially since the restaurant was not at all busy when we visited. Have only eaten outdoors on the patio, so cannot attest to the vibe inside. read more

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie Combo (7 items) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia