I've only eaten Ethiopian food once or twice. The last time I had it... within the last 12 months... the Injera was very very sour. Tonight I had the best injera ... it was light and spongy and not sour! Yummy. We ordered the 10 vegetable dish for two. We actually had 4 at our table and so ordered two. But we definitely could have ordered less... we were stuffed and still left food on the table. The presentation was nice... all on 1 large tray and the vegetables all sat on a very large Injera. I highly recommend this place for their food. We also had Ethiopian tea, which was quite warm and cozy and went well with the meal. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - 2 orders of vegetable plate with 10 different vegetable dishes - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Elfegne was shockingly bad. I was surprised bc it's been in business for years and has a Michelin star and was written up in Bon Appetit. The food was bland! It's like they forgot to add spices and just served lentils and collards boiled in water and nothing else. I took my friend there for her birthday and I felt embarrassed bc the food was so bad. I had ordered a dessert to surprise her at the end of the meal and then cancelled it once I tasted the food. Additionally, we were one of only 3 tables filled at the restaurant and the waitress was slow. Every time we wanted something we had to walk up and ask her: she was eating her dinner, she was chatting with the bartender - everything but paying attention to us. I recommend Tsehay or Habesha Market instead. read more

The food was flavorful and tasty, though the meat was small in size. We waited over 1.5 hours before our food came out, and it appeared that other tables experienced a similar experience. The service was okay, as staff did fill up our water, but it wasn't much beyond that. Ambiance is clean and fine. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is my favorite place for Ethiopian food in the area, minding that I haven't tried all of them! It's in the Adam Morgan area and always has seats readily available. We came at opening time and the place started to quickly fill up as we had our lunch. Note the service for the food specifically is a little slow but it is worth it. My friends and I got the meat and veggie platter and some friends got other items too. We all throughly loved our meal and can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area! The ambiance is great. It's relatively quiet and they have light music on. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Elfegne is still serving up some of the best Ethiopian food in the city. Bring a few friends and sit in the beautiful interior or the spacious outdoor patio. Get a combination platter and try a little bit of everything! You won't be disappointed. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Vegetarian Combination with 4 Veggies - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Elfegne is so, so good! There are many Ethiopian restaurants in Adams Morgan, of which I've tried a couple, and I would definitely come back to Elfegne. It is homey and cozy, with great booth seating for larger parties and a buzzing but not cramped dining room. Definitely try their honey wine, and get a huge vegetarian combo platter to share. They have a great selection of vegetarian dishes, which all have a distinct flavor, and excellent injera. One major thing I appreciate about this place is how generous they are with the injera. I feel like I frequently run out of injera at other Ethiopian restaurants, and being left with more food with no injera to eat it with is no fun. That did not happen here! Service is quick and efficient, prices are great for the value. Highly recommend. read more

This place was so steamy hot! But once we got the food it felt nice to relax and fill our bellies. Portions are massive! read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Dinner special - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Hmmmm maybe I ordered the wrong thing? I had the Alicha Doro Wot with sides of Ater and Tikel Gomen. It was all very bland - like no flavor. The chicken dish was dry, bland and NOT FRESH. It tasted like it was reheated. The injera was good. It was an expensive and bland experience. I will not return. Can't believe that the ratings are so high. read more

I loved pretty much everything I have had, ranging from the Azifa to mesir to ater to kitfo. There were a lot of elements that I was obsessed with, to the point that I even asked for a lot more when I was running out of one small item on the Mehaberawi. My favorites on the Mehaberawi were mesir, ater, kitfo, key wot, and alicha wot. They were all very tasty and the injera was infused with their flavor in very pleasant ways. My least favorite was shiro, which was surprising because I am a big chickpea lover. Regardless, there was definitely something for everybody. They are also very reasonably priced, as the Mehaberawi was $35 which was very affordable for the quantity that was given. The lentils sambusa was $4 for each, and as much as it contained my favorite combination, I didn't think one was worth that much, especially if one is eating with others, it would easily mean $4 times however many people are there. With that said, I would highly recommend this spot for Ethiopian food in D.C. along with all of the wonderful Ethiopian food restaurants in the city. It is also located in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, which is another big plus. read more

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I recently went here with two friends for a weeknight dinner and had a fine experience. We were able to immediately get a table without a reservation, our service was solid, and Elfegne had reasonable prices. We shared the Mehaberawi (meat and vegetarian combo) with an extra injera order, and it was plenty of food for three people. The meats were solid and the vegetarian were OK. read more

Food was very tasty, but the staff was not interested at all. They did not provide me with an itemized receipt, after asking two times. After calculating it was double tip. read more

I love the food and service here. My favorites are awaze tibs and mesir wot. However, I tried the split peas tonight (yellow in the pic) on the recommendation of my server, and they were the best I've had in DC. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Mesir, Fosolia, Shiro, Ater - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food and ambiance was cozy and warm. Feels family owned. Love their honey wine too. Only reason not a 5 star review because we had to look for our server to get the check. read more

I really love coming here. The portions are highly generous, the service has always been wonderful and the food is amazing at affordable prices. I am Eritrean and grew up eating Ethiopian food, even though I was born in the US. I have the most serious.....I mean seeèeeriousss cravings for Ethiopian food! This has been my main go-to place to meet that dire need. I really like that they have a wide variety of seated options, whether you want a booth, table or bar...even nice outside tables. They also have spacious and clean bathrooms, which is important. There's a lot of places to check out where they are located on 18th Street, even with a new Ethiopian restaurant in close proximity along with one that's only a little further down. I will continue to come here because I like the comfort of their consistency. read more

Ethiopian food is probably one of my top fave cuisines and Elfegne is a great option in DC! Portions are big and feed quite a few people. For 32 dollars we got the 4 veggie, 4 meat and it fed three of us- very great price for DC. I've had a few different things and they are always great. So many meat options and so many veggies. The shiro and the ater are my fave veggies to get and any of the ribs are always a hit for the table. read more

I loved Keren (I know it's Eritrean not Ethiopian) and were so sad when it caught fire last year. So we were looking for an Ethiopian place and found Elfenge and snagged a reservation (one huge pro is you can make reservations, versus having to wait in line at Keren). The pros? The food is quite good and a not bad value. For three people, we ordered the Mehaberawi (meant for two) and the Assa Dulet. The Mehaberawi is great to try multiple dishes, but it's not a great value as the Assa Dulet portion seemed significantly bigger. I would have suggested ordering three dishes, and you'd still get six sides but larger portions of the main dishes. We were full after, but two of us don't eat a huge amount of food (we ordered an extra injera as there wasn't enough). We may have still been hungry if there were two hungry diners in our party. The service is fine (they're nice and efficient) but I think they are understaffed so it takes some time to get seated, order, etc. Don't come here in rush. read more

We read that Washington DC has the best Ethiopian food in the US, and Elfegne was listed as the best of the best. I am not a connoisser of Ethiopian cuisine, but I definitely thought it was delicious! We got two entrees which included a meat item and 2 veggies. I loved what I ordered (except the collard greens, which I should not have even ordered because I don't like collard greens) so you should choose the same if you are confused by the menu options: - Alicha wot (Beef stew) with tikel gomen (cabbage, carrots, potato stew), and gomen (collard greens) - Lamb tibs with Ater (split peas), shiro (chickpea puree) Both our orders were poured onto a giant injera covered platter. Don't forget to eat this injera, it soaked up all the delicious flavors of the meats and veggies poured onto it. We likely did a faux pax of asking for utensils. But we were covered in bug spray and sunblock that seemed to coat our skin despite multiple hand washings, so we weren't taking any chances with touching the food directly. There were some flies inside, despite the somewhat heavy incense (I thought smoke was supposed to keep away insects?), so I had to stay vigilant and swat them away from the delicious food. I think this was mentioned in some prior reviews. That being said, I actually have no idea how restaurants keep flies from coming inside. I would want to use the same technique on my own home. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Alicha wot, lamb tibs, Ater (split peas), shiro (chickpea pureee), tikel gomen (cabbage, carrots, potato stew), and gomen (collard greens) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Aw man! I was really excited to try this Michelin-recognized Ethiopian, and the experience fell short for me. The interior was dirty--there were bugs hovering over and on our food. Service was nice but not very responsive. The food was tasty! I was underwhelmed by the doro wot, but I loved the sambusas. Maybe they were just having an off day! It certainly satisfied my Ethiopian craving, I was just hoping for more. Maybe next time! read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Lentils Sambusa - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Please avoid this place because they automatically charged 20 percent tip without any previous notices or any signs. Also the service quality is extremely awful and food came very slow, service person is extremely impolite and completely untrained. And even in THIS condition they charged 20 percent tip automatically lol. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We got a huge veggie platter to share for our group of 4, and added a couple meats to it as well. We were all stuffed by the end of it! The flavors were great. favorite parts were the red lentils and the beef tibs. Service was very friendly and answered any questions we had about the menu. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Elfenge DC - 4.4/5 Elfenge, formerly known as Zenebech, is a fantastic Ethiopian spot in Adams Morgan and our go-to for sharing Ethiopian cuisine with friends and family. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with friendly service that adds to the warm experience. The value here is excellent--you get generous portions with vibrant flavors. We typically go for the chicken and beef tibs along with a variety of lentils and vegetables. Each dish is spiced to perfection, making for a flavorful, communal dining experience that's as fun as it is delicious. If you go, definitely try the honey wine--it's a standout that complements the meal beautifully. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The BEST ETHIOPIAN FOOD IN DC! 10/10! There is something for everyone here. We drive all the way here from Maryland almost every week for our feel of delicious traditionally prepared Ethiopian food. I don't eat meat so I opt for the vegetarian platter, always AMAZING. My partner is a meat eater and he always gets the Goden Tibs. He says it's tender and always very WELL SEASONED. The samosas are crispy and delicious as well. The customer service is spectacular, they make us feel not like customers, but like family. Look no further and do not think twice! Elfegne is THE BEST!! read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What an amazing experience. We were seated and enjoyed a nice family style dinner sharing dishes with each other and trying new things that stretched our palate. read more

I can't remember the last time I LITERALLY STUFFED myself so much that my pants had to be unbuttoned but I sure did at Elfegne! Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS. I've had Ethiopian plenty of times before but I had always gone with vegans or vegetarians. I had never had any meat dishes before so we tried the lamb, chicken and beef along with other veggie options. I loved all the flavors and the level of spice was just right. Highly recommend and I would definitely come back. For those who may not be aware, please be prepared to eat using your fingers. read more

No frills, quick service, and absolutely A+ lamb, beef tibs along with veggie options as well. Also Ethiopian coffee is a additional winner. Cannot recommend this place more! read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - a plate of food - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was AMAZING and absolutely worth the trek to Adams Morgan. Tip: reserve a parking space using SpotHero in the garage across the street. Even if they say they are full, if you have a SpotHero reservation you can park there. Useful for Friday and Saturday nights when Adams Morgan is the place to be out and about. read more

My friends and I came here for a fantastic dinner during our visit to DC. We shared a bunch of different things - the Tegabino Shiro, the 6 Veggie Combo, and the Spiced Tea Pot. Service was really good and the food was even better! If I had to pick some favorite veggies from the combo, I would go with the red lentils, the cabbage, and the green beans. But you really can't go wrong. The Tegabino Shiro was a new dish for me. It was made of chickpeas and was very hearty. I'm glad we got the chance to try it! Come to Zenebech if you're in the mood for good Ethiopian! read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Veggie Platter, Tegabino shiro (right) - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Outstanding Ethiopian Cuisine! The Doro Wat was absolutely incredible rich, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. The injera was fresh and soft, pairing beautifully with every bite. Amazing service, authentic taste, and warm atmosphere easily the best Ethiopian restaurant in town! read more

Delicious dinner sitting outside on a perfect summer night. Good service, tasty tilapia with tomato salad and a generous combo plate of Ethiopian specialties. read more

I have visited this restaurant a few times. The management has changed since my first visit but the food is still good. My boyfriend and I normally get the 50/50 meat combo or the mehaberawi so we can try multiple meats and veggies in a sitting. Though I would not recommend getting the mehaberawi for two people if you're both starving. It's a good amount of food but potentially not enough to satiate two people. For drinks, I've gotten the cocktail with vodka and honey wine that's pretty good and the hot tea with cinnamon which I'd recommend for cold nights. I also think I keep coming back to this restaurant due to the warm ambiance. The dining area has great lighting and it just feels comfortable to me. read more

My boyfriend and I stopped by because our standbys were either closed or didn't have seating. We really should have gone home. I got a bad feeling when I first passed the restaurant looking for another one (and it turns out that that place is closed, and this is what opened in its spot), and I should have listened to my gut and not gone there. But we were hungry, we're vegan, and we decided to give it a try. When I first entered, I smelled something burning. It turned out to be incense, but I found it unpleasant. We asked for a booth, but they said they don't give parties of two booths. Okay, then. (Later in our visit, a party of two was seated in a booth near us.) I do appreciate that they label their vegetable dishes as vegan. Great. But the shuro wat tasted more like gravy. The dish that was kik alitcha had the wrong texture. The timatim was pretty much like any other place. The portions were also tiny, tiny, tiny. I think they used a tablespoon to measure out the fasolia, which I didn't get to try much of because there was almost none of it. And it seems a lot of people eating there don't get that Ethiopian is a communal food experience. (One party near us had two separate platters.) I've had Ethiopian before. I've enjoyed it. This was not one of those times. I'm definitely not coming back. read more

A warm and inviting atmosphere loved the menu had most of my favorite Ethiopian dishes. The food was flavorful and it satisfied my cravings. The service was friendly and attentive, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Fun spot to try with a big group! The food was delicious, hot, and flavorful. The owner came and talked to us for a few minutes about her experience running the business, sourcing ingredients, etc. which was such a treat. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Vegetarian platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I guess it was my first time for Ethiopian food. I went in thinking that I had it before, but when the Injera came out I knew that I hadn't, but I was aware of how to eat it. For those who don't know, what you order comes on a plate of Injera (Ethiopian flatbread) and you pick up the food with the injera, no silverware involved. For an appetizer my wife and I had the stuffed jalapeno's. What I didn't expect was that the jalapeno's were raw. This was an assumption based on my naivety and jalapeno poppers. However, despite them being raw, I really enjoyed them. The stuffing was good and the jalapeno's were prepared nicely so they wouldn't be too hot. For our main course, my wife got the 50/50 meat combination and I got the 4 vegetable course with a side of the tilapia. For my 4 veggies I got the Timatim Salata (tomatoes), Ater (split peas), Mesir (red lentils), and Tikel Gomen (Cabbage). I thought all of them were good but nothing extraordinary. The tilapia was lightly coated and fried and was nice and moist and flavorful. My wife's experience wasn't as good. She did enjoy the veggies she got (collard greens and chickpea puree), but she barely touched her meat because she thought most of it was tough. The service was fine and the place itself is nice and clean. read more

Delicious beef tibs ferfer in a spicy sauce with red lentils and collard greens. Clean restaurant with fast and friendly service. I also had a nice cup of Ethiopian coffee. I'd visit again! read more

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I think I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to Ethiopian food. I know Elfegne has received excellent reviews and a Bib Gourmand designation, but I just wasn't really into the food. I ordered the 50/50 so I could try a few options, but basically only had the choice of 2 styles of meat served either mild or spicy. I found the beef to be chewy and lacking in flavor. The sides were also ok; the cabbage and beet salad were my favorites. I also found the service to be slow, despite there only being 3 occupied tables when I was visiting. I could probably eat injera for days, and will likely try my go-to of lamb tibs if I return. But I feel like there are surely better options in town. read more

DMV is blessed with so many great Ethiopian restaurants and Elfegne is definitely one of them. The menu is extensive and I ordered my usual vegetarian combo for takeout. All the dishes were delicious but my favorites are Mesir (spicy lentil stew) and Ater (split peas). The cabbage and beet salad were great refreshing options. The portion was generous for the price ($18). Although I only stopped by for a quick pickup, the host was very welcoming and got my food ready quickly. The interior of the restaurant looked cozy and there were a few families dining in. Will definitely be back to try more dishes! read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - 6 veg combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was some of the best Ethiopian food I've had. Very sizable portions and each meat dish came with 2 vegetable sides. Very great value for your money. My total came out to ~$70 which was split between 5 people. read more

Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Took a group of 12 out of towners to Elfegne last night, and it knocked our socks off! Five stars doesn't seem enough to do justice to our experience, both food and service. Most in our group had never tried Ethiopian food, and all are now fans. The staff guided us in selecting a balanced and absolutely delicious introduction to the range of Ethiopian cuisine - all of it beautifully presented. They also took exceptional care of two of us who are gluten free. We can't stop talking about the experience. we'll be back! Michael M read more

Wow! The food was good, fresh, and filling without feeling overfed. I like that they have Ineja that is gluten free but they also have an American wheat based version. Service was fine, ambiance is super casual. Good time was had. read more