Everything went well! Their raw kifto is my fav! The restaurant is like a well maintained machine. Everyone knows what they are doing! One of cool things living in Oakland is that you can have authentic food from all over the world. Sorry forgot to take pic before eating. Finish too quick. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Forget to take a picture before finishing Everytime - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

This was my first Ethiopian meal ever, so my review might not hold as much weight, but I absolutely loved Enssaro! I come from a town with a Michelin-recognized Ethiopian spot (LeYou in San Jose) but never made it over. If it's elevated from what I had here, I'm dashing right there. We had a Meat & Veggie sampler for 2, and bottomless injera which was great! I really enjoyed all the different meat stews, but also liked the lentil and cabbage/potato/carrot mix-ins as well. I didn't get to try the famous honey wine, but I will have to soon! I know this location will be moving to Rockridge very soon, so it's even closer to where I work... guess you know what I'll be having every week! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat & Veggie Sampler for 2 - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

I was introduced to Ethiopian food for the very first time here on one of the early dates I had with my ex of over 10 years of mine. The food is absolutely delicious and using your hands is an absolute must! You definitely get to control your portions and just get in there and it's absolutely delicious. My favorite are the lentils within the Veggie Platter. Absolutely delicious try it today. This spot is my absolute favorite and I've been to several Ethiopian restaurants. Enjoy read more

The food was delicious and prices were reasonable for the large quantity. Deducting a star because it's so loud here I could barely hold a conversation. I'm glad they've moving locations in a week. Wait staff was friendly. We got the veggie sampler for two ($40) and the meat sampler for one ($23). The veggie sampler was very filling, and each dish was flavorful. My friends enjoyed the meat dishes. The dishes came with plenty of injera. The spicy red lentils were my favorite as well as the carrot/cabbage/potato mix. I can't stomach onions so I was happy none of the veggie dishes included chunks in them. They were probably in there but blended or cooked down to nothing. My friend is diabetic so he couldn't eat a lot of the injera. We asked and the wait staff brought him eating utensils. When we entered, we stood around for a while and then figured out we were supposed to go to the back right where there's a few chairs put together for a waiting area. I flagged down a staff member and they had me put my name on a wait list. We were there early on a Friday (around 6pm), so we only had a short wait. Although this place has a decent amount of tables, I can imagine long waits during peak times. I'm glad they're moving to a new location in about a week and I hope it's quieter. We sat in the semi enclosed outside area and even there was loud. Voices echo throughout and since the restaurant is near a stoplight outside, cars and motorcycles blaring music go by constantly. Many were so loud just about the entire restaurant turned their heads to look at what was so noisy. As soon as we finished eating I suggested we leave since I could barely hear our conversation. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat sampler for one - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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My fav Ethiopian dish? Doro Wat (bone-in). With a side of Kitfo and Misir Wot. Cuz, I can't just choose one dish. I love Ethiopian food - the bold, rich spices AND the heat gets me feeling all types of way....including heartburn. The East Bay is known for their top-tier Ethiopian and Eritrean food so I'm slowly starting to explore the options here. Plan A: Café Colucci's patio was closed. We headed straight to Enssaro where we were warmly welcomed by the family behind the place, including Coco enjoying her golden years on the couch. F O O D - Requested spicy for all dishes * Kifto: Ethiopian Tartare ($24) IMO Ethiopian tartare over French tartare all day, every day! The finely minced raw beef is mixed with clarified butter and spices, creating a rich, savory flavor that's balanced by the sour tang of injera cutting through the meatiness. Served with ayib (crumbly, mild cheese) and gomen (earthy sautéed greens). Despite not being spicy, it was bomb. * Meat Platter for One ($20) - Doro Wot: Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew - Mildly spiced, just wish the drumstick was more tender. - Beg Wot: Lamb Stew - Mild earthy flavor, good for those who are sensitive to spice. - Bere Beef Wot: Spicy Minced Beef Stew - Most flavorful of the three meats, savory with a mild heat. Think Ethiopian bolognese. * Misir Wot: Red lentils cooked slowly w/ Ethiopian spices ($20) Deeply savory with a warm, earthy spice (not spicy). The lentils are nicely broken down to a thick, creamy texture with a bite. Seemed kinda pricey for the portion tho. Platters are served with lightly dressed garden salad and a basket of spongey, tangy injera. S E R V I C E Welcoming, gracious, and attentive. Staff kept our water glasses filled and kindly packed our leftovers. A M B I A N C E Casual, low-key. It was a rare 85 degrees in April day so the covered front patio offered welcome relief. Overall, I wished the food had been more boldly spiced and brought more heat, nonetheless, we still enjoyed the meal, especially the kitfo...GET IT! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Clockwise: Kifto-Tartare ($24), Meat Platter for 1-Doro Wot, Bere Alicha, Bere Beef Wot ($20), Messer Wot ($20) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Solid Ethiopian spot in Oakland! We split the veggie and meat platter for four ($86) and it was the perfect amount for four people. My favorites were the sautéed mushroom ribs, lentils, braised lamb cubes, and sautéed chicken tibs. This also came with baskets of injera, which we devoured. We also had the veggie sambussa ($14) and it had nicely flavored lentils with a really solid spicy sauce. It was only a 10 minute wait on a Friday night to get seated and the food was great. Would definitely recommend! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie and Meat for Four ($86) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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My teenager is obsessed. We order the lentil sanbusas and the vegetarian sampler for three so that we get more options and then we have leftovers. The mushroom and the cabbage dishes are our favorite, but everything is delicious read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Photos don't show how massive these portions are! We were a party of 3 and ordered a veggie/meat combo for 2 and the kitfo, which we thought would be the perfect amount of food, but we ended up eating at most 2/3 of the meal. Everything was delicious with a range of heat levels. They refilled our injera throughout our meal. Very attentive and kind service. My favs included the chicken and the cabbage. Would 100% come back again! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

came in on memorial day bc I was in the area, and a family friend recommended this place :) Quickly seated for a party of one, average sized lunch crowd Servers were great, helpful, and kind Food & drink: - Sampled the classic honey wine! Def sweet & kinda strong for me but still loved hehe - Another server said her fave was the honey pineapple cider wine and it fsho didn't disappoint; came in a cinnamon-lined glass and tasted more apple than pineapple haha but not complaining at all, just noticing - small plate of chicken w/ red lentils -- came w/ injera and salad --- HELLA SHMACK (usually at Ethiopian restaurants, I get the samplers to split w/ friends) since I came in solo, I got the small plate today. I thought I'd need more injera, but the serving was actually a perfect size bc I even needed a to-go box **can't wait to visit again!! though they did note their moving locations soon read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - honey pineapple cider wine :) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Authentic, Family-Owned Gem near Lake Merritt! If you are looking for some of the best Ethiopian food in the Bay Area, look no further. We came here for Sunday lunch and were able to find a table easily. Parking was also relatively stress-free with metered street spots right out front and more near the park and lake. The Atmosphere: I love that this is a true family-owned business and the place has some cool ethnic decor. The mother is the head chef, the son manages the bar, and the daughter is the hostess. We chatted with the son and daughter, and they couldn't have been friendlier or more accommodating. It gives the place such a warm, welcoming vibe. The Food: We ordered the Meat and Veggie Sampler for 4, and it was an absolute feast. Every single dish had a distinct, unique flavor profile. Our platter included: * Doro Wot: The national dish (bone-in chicken)--so flavorful we actually ordered an extra side of it! * Ye Beg Tibs (Lamb) & Ye Bere Tibs (Beef): Perfectly cooked and seasoned. * Ye Doro Tibs: Delicious diced chicken. * The Veggies: Red and yellow lentils (Ye Messer Wot), savory kale/greens, and a fresh sauté of cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms. The house-made injera was top-tier--tangy and fresh. We also ordered a side of basmati white rice, which paired surprisingly well with the Doro Wot gravy. The Drinks: Do not sleep on the cocktails! The Honey Wine Pineapple Cider was the hands-down winner of the table. We also tried the traditional honey wine, a solid Old Fashioned, and a Campari drink. Everything was well-balanced and hit the spot. Final Thoughts: From the authentic flavors to the wonderful family running the show, this is easily a top-tier Ethiopian spot. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, Enssaro is a must-visit. read more

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Probably the best food I've ever eaten in my life! A great experience. And the crowd that comes in is actually a lot of fun. You will always bump into people that are cool and interesting. And you'll also see some Ethiopian people which have such a beautiful appearance. It's always nice to see them. Delicious. 5/5 stars easy. Authentic, traditional, and oh- the art is stunning. African, gorgeous. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - MEAT & VEGGIE sampler for TWO with LITER of HONEY WINE - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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I had dinner with my best friend tonight on May 15, 2026. We were seated promptly and offered water right away. I ordered the veggie sampler, featuring spiced lentils, yellow split peas, kale greens with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, all paired with a basket of tangy injera bread. The injera was fluffy with a pancake-like texture, perfect for scooping. The service was attentive and kind with our waitstaff continuously refilling our glasses of water without us even having to ask. The atmosphere was relaxed, making it easy to linger and chat. Overall, a positive experience with flavorful dishes, great bread, and prompt service. A lovely spot for a satisfying Ethiopian meal with a friend. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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It was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I got the Veggie and Meat for 2 which was $43 Bone-in chicken stew, Bruised Lant cubes. Mild beef cubes in turmeric golden sauce. Spiced Minced Beef stew, spiced Red tentits, Mild yellow split Peas, Steam cooked kale greens and Sautéed mixed veggies of cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes. I will say many of the meats and veggies were lemony and the injera was also very lemony so it made it difficult to eat due to how sour everything tasted to me but of course some people can handle sour I can't, I will say everything was super fresh and the wine honey is very strong. The tea is also very strong but it taste really good with honey. The restaurant is really beautiful inside and I love the low lighting ambiance. read more

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I'd been wanting to take her out for some Ethiopian cuisine for a while. Yelp took us here. Lucked up with curbside parking. Chill atmosphere, welcoming staff. Cocktails 5outta5 mixed nicely, smooth & refreshing. I was so happy I was able to take a bottle of their Honey wine home. One of the chefs mixed some honey wine w/a splash of champagne, it was reminiscent of a mimosa. Sanbussa w/lentils 5outta5 absolutely delicious. Flaky, crispy pastry filled with perfectly seasoned lentils. Nachos 4outta5 chips fried nicely, salsa had a nice flavor, hummus left a lot to be desired. Veggie/Meat Sampler 3.8outta5 It was good. The chicken & beef were tender and flavorful. The lamb was a bit of a tough chew. The veggies were ok but didn't leave a lasting impression. I'm sure we'll visit again at the new location. #GoTaste&See read more

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Stopped at Ensarro for dinner after a double feature at Grand Lake Theater. We were coming off of a week of heavy Thanksgiving eating, so I was looking for something lighter and craving Ethiopian food. We shared a veggie and meat combo for two. There's a lot of Ethiopian food in Oakland (yay!), and I wouldn't say Ensarro really sticks out food-wise, especially for the price? Vibes are good though, so it's still a decent place to grab dinner. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - MEAT & VEGGIE FOR 2 - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Had some work in downtown area. Yelp pointed to this Ethiopian place. Stopped by at 11:40 and I was the first customer. The owner was very welcoming. Ordered a small plate since I didn't want leftovers takeout. Ordered lamb chicken combo small plate. Perfect portion for one person with 3 Injeera rolls and curries on top of Injeera. Chicken and lamb were both excellent and Injeera very soft. Overall very good. People visiting Children's Fairy Land, can make a stop on their way back. However owner said they are moving to a new place soon. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Small plate (LAMB STEW AND CHICKEN BONE IN STEW) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

On a recent visit to Oakland, a close friend from school suggested we meet here as it was a favorite when he lived in the area. It was a little challenging finding parking during the festival going on nearby, but was easy to get to. The restaurant has a cozy interior with a few tables semi-outside. As I was waiting for my friend, the staff welcomed me inside to sit. (I came back later before a drive and was also sweetly welcomed to use the restroom, which meant a lot.) The servers were so friendly. My friend ordered a few items to share, the server made a suggestion which we took. We loved everything; the vegetables were fresh and seasonings wonderful without it being overly salty. I also had an iced tea, that was super refreshing and unique to there. Prices were also reasonable, it was hard for the two of us to finish everything. Highly recommended. read more

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Gluten free alert! We love this fresh, flavorful and delicious food! Gluten free injera is hard to find. And this is the best around! What to get? We have a hard time picking just one dish, so we get the samplers. I love every vegetarian item on the sampler. And my husband loves all meats - chicken, lamb, and beef. I've tried quite a few dishes, and have never been disappointed. My husband and I have been coming to Enssaro for over 15 years and have grown to adore this restaurant. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the food is fantastic every time! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian and MEAT & VEGGIE sampler for TWO - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

I feel like Enssaro Ethiopian has been in this location for awhile. No wait on a Saturday for lunch 4 people. The front is an outdoor patio enclosed. The service by the younger gentleman is pretty slow paced. The service by the young lady was good. She went around to all the tables. I'm usually not a fan of Injera because of the sour taste but it wasn't too sour here so I liked it. The sampler was great for sharing and had something for everyone. Street parking only. read more

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Enssaro went off today. Visiting from out of state and I couldn't have asked for better service. We had an additional pair of friends join us and order after we finished because the experience was wonderful. The ambiance was fun for my 6 month old, yet upscale. The food was incredibly flavorful and fresh. Vegan friendly and delicious. read more

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It's been over two years since I came here, but everything is still so good. I ordered their Derek tibs which my favorite, as a vegetable sampler and the Ashlei's Ethiopian Iced Tea. For the food, the Derek Tibs - very tasty litle pieces of lamb, no gamey taste/smell, good mix of spices and came with two lamb chops. The Vegetable Sampler came with red lentils, yellow lentils, cooked greens and sautéed cabbage/potatoes/carrots.Came with injera. Lentils were the favorite. The Ashlei's Ethiopian Iced Tea is old-brewed tea flavored with cinnamon sticks, ginger roots, and cloves, sweetened with honey. Very cinnamony and gingery, it very refreshing. Everything overall was delicious and Hope to stop by here again sooner! read more

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Needed an Ethiopian fix during lunch time. Enssaro was close to the job so I went by and tried their meat sampler. Great tasting food that did the trick! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Sampler - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

The food was flavorful and beautifully presented. I especially loved the injera, which was soft and slightly tangy--perfect for scooping up the different dishes. The variety of stews and vegetables offered something for everyone, and each dish had its own rich, well-balanced spices. The vegetarian options were especially impressive. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetables Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Ambiance - 5/5 Beautiful cultural interior design. I was immediately captivated by the exterior, and the aroma as you walk past draws you in before you even step inside. Service - 5/5 Great service. This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and the staff asked about my spice tolerance before recommending a dish. Their suggestion turned out to be absolutely spot-on. Food - 4/5 Dish Ordered: Beef Tibs Oh my. The dish looked incredible and tasted even better. The beef was cooked just right--juicy, tender, and packed with flavor and aroma. The cabbage and lettuce weren't just for looks; they played an important role in balancing the dish. Every bite made me want to take another. The flavors were well-rounded and deeply satisfying. Additional Comments There's something special about eating with your hands--it makes the experience feel more authentic. I was offered utensils but chose not to use them. Everyone around you was eating with their fingers, so don't be afraid to do the same. It truly enhances the experience. Would I come back? Yes. All the time? No. Once in a while Yes. read more

Filling and satisfying dinner for a group of four. We all enjoyed a bottle of honey wine and felt warmly buzzed by the end of the meal. One person in our group is vegetarian so she got the veggie platter for one and the rest of us split the meat and veggie combo for three. Great portions and we were even unable to finish it all. The meat dishes were some of my favorites as well as the gomen! I am not the biggest fan of injera but the injera here was soft and pillowy, and I ate many pieces with my meal. Our waitress was friendly and conversational. They had the basketball game on so it was fun to watch every once in a while. Great dinner! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - MEAT & VEGGIE SAMPLER FOR THREE PERSON AND BOTTEL/LITER OF HONEY WINE - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

I dropped by while on a walk around the lake and couldn't be happier with the discovery. I requested the chicken and kale combo with a pineapple honey wine drink, which arrived with a rim of honey and cinnamon dust. The tender chicken was cooked on the bone in a slightly spicy red sauce, complimented by a dollop of homemade cheese (ayib). Wrap it up and let the flavors explode. Speaking of wrapping it up, portions are large. Enssaro will place leftovers in a metal to-go container with a plastic too. Service was fast, professional, and friendly at 2 pm on a Monday. read more

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Ensarro was quite lively on a weekend evening, with almost a packed house when we walked in. We shared a 2 person veggie and meat platter which was plenty for 2 people. I was a bit annoyed extra injera costed money, because it's literally the utensil for the food. Overall, it was tasty and I enjoyed this option on Grand. Service was friendlier and warmer than most other ethiopian places I've visited in Oakland. I still like Messob better for the flavor, but this was a fine option. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat and veggies platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Amazing customer service! Our servers were the sweetest ever. They warmly welcomed us and made sure to check in every step of our dining experience. The inside is also decorated nicely and adds to the welcoming atmosphere. Similarly, the food was also delicious. The first time my family and I tried Ethiopian food we thought the Injera was very filling and sour. Enssaro's Injera was the complete opposite, making it much more palatable. All the dishes we ordered tasted fresh. I liked the veggie dishes more than the meat ones. My favorite was the split pea dish. I thought the meat had a gamey taste/texture to it. I'm not sure if Ethiopian food is supposed to have subtle spices but I wish each dish was stronger in flavor. At one point I couldn't really tell the difference between each veggie dish. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Slaps every time, great service. I think the best tasting of the ethiopian places I've tried. I always get the ethiopian combo

We had the veggie and meat platter and every part of it was delicious. Nice textures and variety of flavors and spices. The staff was very friendly in making sure we had a good experience with their cuisine. read more

Whenever I'm craving Ethiopian food this is where I always want to go. Unfortunately, I don't live close anymore. Restaurant is always lively and full of people because their food is that good. My go to is their combo meat and veggie platter. The combo is 3 will be good to feed 5 people. The portion is quite large. Parking can be tough but we usually try to find street parking nearby. When I was here last I saw their sign that they are moving location soon. read more

I love exploring and discovering Ethiopian restaurants. That's exactly how I stumbled upon Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant in Oakland, perfectly situated within walking distance from both Lake Merritt and a BART station, making it incredibly convenient. At any Ethiopian place, I love getting kitfo, the raw beef. The traditional injera bread is always a highlight. The service was friendly nad attentive. Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant truly delivers an authentic and delicious Ethiopian dining experience right here in Oakland. It's a fantastic spot to refuel after a walk around the lake or a quick trip on BART, and a delightful addition to my list of favorite Ethiopian eateries! read more

I ordered ahead for pickup for a shiro combo for two, with house injera. The worker who handed over our order seemed to be in a bad omod, which resulted in a rather awkward conversation after they first asked how we're doing, then when my partner responded "glad it's Friday," the worker responded with something like "Could you be considerate of other people who aren't happy it's Friday?" I'm hoping this was just a one-off. Also, from the labels on the dishes, it seems one of ours was labeled as veggie sampler and the other was labeled as shiro, so I'm not sure if they actually mixed up our order with someone else's. The food included cabbage, lettuce/salad, kale, yellow lentils, red lentils, chickpeas. The food was really good, and I especially like the shiro and yellow lentils, so it's definitely one of the top Ethiopian restaurants that I've tried. So I'll still give it a 4, although the interaction when picking up our order didn't set things off to a good start. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Shiro combo for two with house injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

First time trying Ethiopian food and wow, it did not disappoint! If you're stuck in a routine, this is your sign to step out of your comfort zone and dive into new flavors. Honestly, this was a 10/10 experience from the moment I walked in and placed my order over the phone . The staff here are so caring and welcoming--they truly made my first Ethiopian food experience special. Even though I never grew up with an Ethiopian friend, I'm so happy I finally took the leap to try something new and support a local business here in the Bay Area. If you're looking to spice up your food game, I highly recommend giving this a shot! read more

We've been here about 3 times now and the everything we've had here has been delicious! Get their hummus! Or their version of nachos which has potato chips with salsa and hummus! Pros: great quantities, crispy samosas, addicting hummus and well seasoned mushrooms and meats Cons: ambiance is okay Taste: 5/5 Value: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 read more

This was my first time trying this spot, although I must have passed it a million times when walking the lake. We popped in a little after 8:30, and it was not crowded at all. The overall aesthetic was clean and I love the huge mural you see walking in. The server with patient and explained the dishes then took our order. We tried the veggie sampler for two, which was a very generous portion. We quickly realized we should have gone with a regular sampler because the amount of leftovers was insane. I loved the multiple lentils options, and the flavors of each item complimented the other well. The mushrooms were a great substitute for meat, they made the sampler feel very hardy, well balanced and satisfying. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've gone here once before, and it was my first time have Ethiopian food and I have loved and enjoyed it ever since. We went here on a Saturday evening as a double date, and the staff was welcoming. There's lots of seating and we got seated right away. We chose the veggie and meal plate for four, which was $80 and not a bad deal at all. Every single item was on point and delicious. The deal also came with their signature honey wine, which I find complimentary to this dish. I look forward to coming here again with friends! read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat and veggies for four people - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Absolutely INCREDIBLE! Hands down best cuisine and amazing service! Owners are so kind and made us feel like family.

Summary: Generous platters of tasty Ethiopian Details: I haven't had Ethiopian in some 15+ years now, with my first and only time being at a Yelp event back in my days as a Seattleite. Not that there was anything wrong with it, aside from injera not going too hand-in-hand with something that had to deal with the occasional acid reflux. I never considered eating Ethiopian again after that, until my visit to Enssaro today, largely at the suggestion of some other friends. And how thankful I am for it, because while injera still doesn't rank among my top choices for a carb pairing, I had certainly forgotten how tasty all the actual food itself was! We kept things easy and just got a meat and veggie sampler for the group. When the first platter came out, my initial thought was, "huh, this really is just a sampler." Then the second platter came out, and I realized we had more than enough food for the group, with a mix of something like five meats and five veggies. Unexpectedly, the veggies ended up being my favorite items of the meal. I can't speak for the other, small portions, but expect the larger sampler to take a while to come out, even when the place isn't too busy. Accessibility: Spacious restaurant with indoor and outdoor (covered patio) seating, with plenty of accessible options. read more

Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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I recommend this restaurant for authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant especially vegetarian combo. Excellent service and neat environment also. read more