I have been a quiet regular from the optimist hall location. And I'm so happy I took the time to go to their original location off of the plaza. Walking in smells like comfort and home. And I am a Chinese girl so the smells are very different, but I still sense the comfort. My order stays the same of the Derek tibs a wwith lamb. I love the taste of all the herbs and spices with a charred exterior and a flavorful juicey interior. I haven't had a side I didn't like. I've had their pea stews, collards, green beans, and it has all been exceptional. My favorite part is at the end is sopping up all of the juices of the sides and the meats with the injera. If you're interested in trying something that is homey and comforting, Enat... Mother is a great restaurant to try. read more

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I've always done carry out from the Plaza location but dined in when family were in town. Don't know I'd be comfortable at night in the parking lot but the restaurant is an oasis of calm and gracious hospitality with food that is out of this world. I get the vegan platter thing and every bit of it is amazing. Teff injera available and just as delicious as the wheat. read more

This food is NEXT LEVEL, the flavor is incredible, the amount and variety of food that you get for the price you pay is fantastic, I literally dream about this dish. Always excellent service as well here, I can't recommend eating at Enat enough!! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The flavors insane, the ambiance is so fitting for the cuisine this was the perfect authentic experience for my first time trying Ethiopian. Definitely won't forget this place, I will be back! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Charlotte! Ambiance: Tucked away in a strip mall, Enat can be hard to miss but it's worth the hunt. This small, well decorated restaurant is fantastic. There is limited seating, but they are very accommodating. It can get busy on the weekends, so prepare for a wait. The service: Great. With the space being small, the servers are very attentive. They are kind and will take time to explain the menu if you're not familiar with the food. They also give excellent recommendations. The goods: Too yummy! I have never had a bad meal here. My go to is the veggie platter and the chicken or mushroom tibs in awaze sauce. They are spicy in the best way. They also have great options if you are not a fan of injera, you can sub your carb to your liking. Please take time to try this hidden gem! read more

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I had my hesitancy about a to-go order of injera, but I was pleasantly surprised by my meal here. Grabbed the beef awaze with lentils and cabbage, and all of it was delicious. The meat was really well seasoned and plentiful so worth the price. There was a good amount of injera to enjoy the meal and this itself was exactly what I would have wanted. The menu has a ton of options so would definitely consider coming back for some of their other offerings. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Absolutely delicious ! Only ever eating Ethiopian food one other time I was very nervous and skeptical to try someplace new . Enat did not disappoint. Most importantly ..everything came out hot, fresh and flavorful . The portion size for the platter definitely gives you bang for your buck ! No complaints here, I will definitely return to try other menu items . read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Enat Ethiopian is a great find. I had the passport platter with the derek-style (crispy) lamb tibs. I really enjoyed the lamb tibs; maybe one of the best versions of tibs I have had. A lot of the vegetarian options on the passport platter were great. Some standouts were the after and the shiro. The injera at Enat tasted slightly less fermented when I had it. While still good, it just didn't provide the normal punch read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Passport Plate Derek Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

A flavorful journey back to our roots--beautifully spiced and deeply nostalgic My husband and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary with lunch at Optimist Hall and were immediately drawn to Enat Ethiopian Restaurant--our hearts knew exactly where to go the moment we saw it. We first fell in love with Ethiopian food decades ago, shortly after getting married and moving to Washington, D.C. This meal brought that chapter of our story back to life in the most beautiful way. We ordered the $45 meat platter with three vegetable sides: the lentils, green beans, and cabbage with carrots. Every bite was deeply flavorful, perfectly spiced, and rich with the kind of care that makes a meal memorable. The injera was fresh and tender, the meats were bold and layered with spice, and the vegetable sides provided the perfect balance of warmth and brightness. The platter was not just delicious--it was beautifully presented, generous in portion, and served on a dish that felt like a celebration in itself (see photo!). We shared, laughed, reminisced, and felt completely at home. Enat didn't just serve us a meal--they gave us a memory. If you're looking for a place that feeds both your body and your heart, don't miss this spot. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Signage - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I completely forgot having gotten takeout here during the COVID era. Returning to eat in person yields the observation that hipsters are apparently the same in any culture; apparently nothing in the Tewahedo creed forbids the phrase "I was like, oh my god". Beyond their young staff, I did not observe a whole lot new. Which is to say, their veggie combo remains quite diverse as these things go, offering a colorful variety. I particularly enjoyed the split peas, but while there were some ups and downs the totality of the veggie combo is usually well worth it, and that was a ton of food for the money. Apparently they have a new food hall location, so hopefully a different sort of person will be introduced to the cuisine. read more

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I am a connoisseur of Ethiopian food ever since I was a waitress at an Ethiopian restaurant 15 years ago. I've tried Ethiopian in almost every city I've been to, so I feel like I knew what I'm talking about. This was definitely an EXCELLENT restaurant! I ordered delivery which can be really hit or miss with Ethiopian. I appreciated that they used a container that separated the wet food from each other and the injera! It made eating it at home so much easier. I had the beef Derek Tibs (my go-to) with a side of kik and gomen. The kik was INCREDIBLE!!! The Tibs were also very strong. The gomen was a little softer than I prefer but had a great taste profile. I also had an order of lentil sambusas to share with my family (a group that's not super into Ethiopian food) and we all agreed they were the star of the show!!!! I'd definitely go back here! read more

1st time trying Ethiopian food and was not disappointed! I tried tibs, sambusa, ater, fosolia, and injera. All were perfect. The cashier was polite and helpful for my 1st time and the restaurant was quite upscale read more

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The lamb was quite chewy but had nice flavours. Ordered Injera however it is definitely not my cup of tea. It is a soft bread, reminding me of Hawaiian bread rolls almost, but very thin and squishy. I am German so obviously I prefer harder and crispier breads. I had the spicy lamb which was decently spicy, however I have trouble chewing tough meat, which this lamb was very tough. read more

Absolutely fabulous food. We got the meat tray and it was enough for six people. The taste and preparation were absolutely incredible!. The staff were very kind and helpful. This is one of the favorite places I've eaten in a while. Vegetable voices were exceptional!!! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I was doubtful- but it was soooo good. Huge portions of the sides, and a little less injera than expected but I will be back! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Chicken ribs with 3 sides - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My niece and I visited Optimist Hall for the first time today. We decided to try two places and share. This place was our first choice and it was amazing. We got the lamb platter with split chick pee and collards. The lamb was seasoned perfectly and very tender. It was so flavorful!!! I have to go back again soon. My niece would say 10 put of 10. I have no clue if they have other locations but I liked that Optimist Hall had so many options on one spot. So we could opt in or out of dessert and outside to have ice cream. read more

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Went to Enat inside the market on a visit to Charlotte. Will definitely return to Enat. Greens were delicious.

Excellent Ethiopian food! Whenever I go to Optimist Hall, I arrive with the intention of trying something different from the variety of food stalls, but I end up coming back to Enat because I know how good it is. A plate with one protein and two sides is a good portion to share between two people. I've had both lamb and beef tibs, and the meat is flavorful with a touch of spice from the jalapeños. The yellow lentils are a nice texture, and the red lentils are a bit spicy. String beans are a great veg option as well. All of these are perfect paired with the spongey injera. I'll always recommend Enat to those taking a trip to Optimist Hall. See you next time! read more

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Love!! The food was flavorful and I always love me some Ethiopian food!! Amazing injeera! I ate so much of it and I can keep eating it. I got the vegan platter which was a lovely spread. The only reason for not a 5 star is I prefer non seed oils in my food. They cook with canola oil which I try to avoid, and for me the green beans were a bit too oily for my liking. But overall it was positive and I ate pretty much my whole portion !! read more

Great Ethiopian restaurant. Food was amazing, great service, Bring a good appetite and lots of people to try something new.

I've been to Ethiopia back in 2001. So I know Addis Ababa very well. And I even know what authentic Ethiopian food looks like. And how it is supposed to tastes. The injera at this place was almost paper thin. And for me this just wasn't it. Kitfo, Gored Gored and Zil Zil tibs are my favorite meals. But I didn't even see those on the menu. For the price that they charged me was almost a rip off for the little amount of food that I received.(Door Dash Order) I wasn't happy at all. It was almost like a childs portion. I won't be ordering from them again. I do know that when dealing with Ethiopian people. As an American you do have to be careful with them. Because they will have no problems cheating you. read more

The food served is always warm and fresh! I got the vegan platter and they let you modify the things you add to it. Everything is spiced so well and flavorful The service is super fast too. They give you extra injera if you ask nicely. Ambiance isn't as lively as the Optimist Hall location but they have serve more food options in this location. It's very casual and rarely more than 2 other tables occupied from the times I've been here. There's a parking lot right in front of the restaurant that's free (no time limit unlike the one at Optimist Hall) Would come here for good Ethiopian food when I'm in a mood for quick, easy, and casual vibe. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegan Platter (with modifications) - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The beef tibs platter was excellent and enough for two people to share. We got the red lentils and cabbage side to share. The red lentils was definitely the better side. The only disappointing thing was there was no seating left inside or even outside in the shade, and we had to eat this hot meal in 90° heat. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Classic tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Food was so flavorful and fresh. Our server was sweet and provided great recommendations. Cozy ambiance as well. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegan Platter with mushrooms - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Visiting Enat Ethiopian Restaurant inside Optimist Hall was an absolute delight! My friends and I were excited to try something new, and we were not disappointed. We opted for the chicken platter, and wow, what a treat it was! The platter allowed us to sample a variety of dishes, each bursting with unique flavors and spices that were a feast for the senses. From the tender chicken to the flavorful lentils and vegetables, every item on the platter was a hit. One of the highlights of our experience was the extensive menu. Enat Ethiopian Restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes, making it a perfect place for both newcomers and seasoned Ethiopian food enthusiasts alike. Whether you're in the mood for traditional injera with savory stews or exploring new flavors, there's something on the menu to satisfy every palate. The ambiance inside Optimist Hall added to the overall enjoyment of our meal. It's a vibrant and lively space that perfectly complements the rich and inviting atmosphere of Enat Ethiopian Restaurant. The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and helped guide us through our culinary journey. Overall, our experience at Enat Ethiopian Restaurant was fantastic. If you're looking to try authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a fun and lively setting, look no further than Enat Ethiopian Restaurant inside Optimist Hall. We can't wait to come back and explore more of their delicious offerings! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Charlotte. Super friendly staff and great quality of dishes. Never disappoints.

Enat was the first restaurant that I saw when I walked into Optimist Hall. I'd never tried Ethiopian food before, but the restaurant looked cute and inviting so I decided that today was the day! I ordered Lentil Sambusas and the Vegan Platter. This is definitely a restaurant that you can stop by if you're in a rush, my order was ready in under 10 minutes. The Lentil Sambusas were amazing - such a well-rounded and filling food. I honestly was not expecting to love them as much as I did, but by the time I finished my third piece, I wished that I had ordered six more. They were perfect on their own, but the sauce that accompanies them gives them that extra kick. I could eat these every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of them. Please give them a try if you haven't already! The vegan platter was pretty good. I probably wouldn't order it again but I think that's more of a personal preference. I typically don't like half of the items that the platter came with, but Enat cooked them so well that I cleaned my plate. I also added a star for the great customer service I received. I didn't get her name but the woman taking orders was very kind and had great energy. I would definitely return again (and order 10 sambusas). read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - lentil sambusas (amazing) and vegan platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Very friendly staff. Answered my questions and gave excellent recommendations. The sauce on the ribs was savory but the meat was a bit tough to chew thru. Otherwise, this is my second time ordering and I do enjoy their food. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Lamb ribs with collard greens and green beans/carrots - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Super delicious vegan option! Friendly employees and the convenience of being in a great location!

Stopped by Optimist hall while we were in Charlotte for the day! This restaurant caught my eye because I've had Ethiopian food on my mind for a while now but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet Ambiance - plenty of seating throughout the Optimist hall If you want to dine in there are 2 booths in front of the restaurant - lots of natural lighting Service - food was ready in 10 minutes! Food - Classic Tibs with fish - the fish was tender and the tomatoes and onions added lot of freshness and brightness to the dish. Shiro was spicy and creamy! I love cabbage and carrots as a side dish so the Tikel Gomen was delicious and hit the spot! Injera was uniquely spongy and soft and soaked up all of the sauces well. Since I'm from Jersey I won't be able to come down to this restaurant often but I'll definitely try out some Ethiopian places and Jersey! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The Aesthetic: Vibrant and family-friendly restaurant that feels cozy and celebrates community. I like how close quarters the tables are, it feels very homey. The music is lively and upbeat. The workers are always so kind and make us feel welcome. The Price: If you go family style, the food is very affordable. It would only get pricey if you ordered a lot of individual meals for the table. The Value: The platters are massive, and they're great for sharing! I've brought two big groups and everyone was very full after sharing the platters. The Parking: The lot has plenty of parking, I've never had trouble finding a spot. I like the parking in this location much better than Optimist Hall. My Order: If I'm going family-style, all 3 of the plates are great! My favorite meat is the lamb. The best sides are the gomen, miser, ater, fosolia, and beet potato salad. If I'm going individual, the Doro Wat is amazing. Opt for the extra Injera if you're sharing. Lastly, try the Ethiopian Honey Wine, it's one of my favorites! The Conclusion: This is an amazing, family-style restaurant with arguably some of the best food in Charlotte! I'd recommend this to anyone looking for great food in a friendly environment. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Platter over Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Our eyes were the first to feast! Once the food was ready, we picked it up. We were able to find seating close to the restaurant. read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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My fiancé and I absolutely love this place! He's Ethiopian and introduced me to the rich culture and amazing cuisine through Enat Ethiopian Restaurant. I've been hooked ever since! The owner and staff are incredibly kind and welcoming, making every visit feel like home for him. The kitfo rolls, tomato salad, and meat platter are all delicious and always perfectly prepared. We make special trips to Charlotte just to eat here, and every time is worth it. Can't wait for our next visit! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Every time we come to optimist hall my wife and I have to try to convince ourselves that we won't eat here because we haven't been able to try any of the other spots. Today we had the same conversation, yet we walked away from the location full of the lamb platter, once again. We even said "after the next two times we come back, then we will try a new place. The food always comes out fresh, and I have the feeling we won't be eating anywhere else in optimist hall for a long time... read more

I moved to Charlotte from the DC area, and one of my biggest concerns was finding authentic ethnic food in the south. However, when it comes to Ethiopian food, Enat is my absolute go to! There is nothing on this menu that isn't worth trying. Whether you want the mild Derek style proteins or if you want the spicy Awaze, whether you're getting Dora Wat stew or tibs or just anything here, you are in for a treat! I tend to get the passport platter or the meat platter, which probably just makes me greedy. But what I don't eat I take home and with some Injera it always taste delicious even as a leftover. Sambusas as a starter are delightful! And should you go to the sitdown restaurant, you can get the fitfit which I love, but which is not available at the Optimus Hall location. I generally like to give pros and cons on a restaurant, but at Enat I simply can't think of a con. So I will simply say, no matter what you were doing, put your phone down right now get in the car and head to one of the Enat locations whether you go to the sit down restaurant, or to the Optimist hall stall you are in for an amazing treat! read more

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While visiting Charlotte, I was encouraged to go to Optimist Hall for dinner one evening. My friends and I went and were so excited to see all of the options!!! I LOVE Ethiopian food, and there isn't an option in the town where I live so I was thrilled! I ordered the vegan platter with injera and was sooooo satisfied. You place your order at the counter with a super nice lady, you pay and get a buzzer for your food. It took very little time for my food to come out. I'd gotten it to go in case I had anything leftover... spoiler, I did not. I also got injera with my meal which was perfect. Everything was absolutely delicious and super warm (perfect for a cold rainy night!). I was in food heaven! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I visit OH often to work, it's the best place to work. So many food and drink options. But when the news broke about Enat opening a stall in OH I could not wait to finally check them out. This was my 1st time so thank you so much to the young lady who helped me with the menu and what to order. I ordered the derek-style lamb tibs that comes cooked with fresh diced onions, tomatoes, garlic and jalapeno peppers. My two sides were the tikel gomen (which is cabbage and carrots cooked with onions, garlic) and gomen (which is chopped collard greens sautéed with onions and garlic)...... And WOW WOW WOW!!!!! This food was so amazing. The flavor literally slapped me in the mouth. I was in heaven. I loved the derek-style lamb tibs the most. There were crispy, seasoned and cooked to perfect. The sides went deliciously with the lamb tibs. I also really loved the injera that came with my meal (which is a soft, spongy, thin bread). SOOOOOO SOOOOO good. As if it needed to be any harder to decide where to eat in Optimist Hall! LOL, I now have a sure fire go to every time! If you haven't had Enat yet, you gotta check them out ASAP. I can't wait to go back. read more

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My first time trying Ethiopian food and won't be my last! It was really good a fulfilling! read more

Enat Ethiopian Restaurant - combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Visited The Plaza location. Small, quaint spot with great service. I ordered the Classic Tibs plate with lamb with sides of injera and gomen. while my friend ordered the vegan platter. Food came out in a resonance amount of time and was still hot. I loved the lamb! The spices mixed with the tomatoes, onions and jalapeños made this dish wonderful! I so enjoyed using the injera to scoop up mouthfuls of this delicious dish. I did not care for the greens though. They lacked flavor and reminded me of canned greens and not the fresh ones mentioned on the menu. My friend was ok with her vegan platter. She wasn't too impressed with it but actually liked my lamb. Would definitely go back and have the lamb Tibs again! read more

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Would come back again and again for a casual eating experience. We ordered the meat platter which serves 2-4 people. We ate the whole damn thing. It has lamb, beef and chicken. Chicken was the least favorite of the proteins. Red lentils were flavorful and amazing but I couldn't stop eating the green beans. The flavors are just so good. Their injera was so addictive and we also admired the people we shared a table with since it's communal sitting here and just admired we went off on the food the way we did. lol I'm going to be craving this place so I hope to get back up here to indulge again. read more