We saw a few Ethiopian restaurants in DC and took a shot on Shewa. It's quite a ways from downtown…read moreand when we arrived, it definitely seemed like a rougher part of town. We arrived at 10:10 and the doors were locked. Called the restaurant and an employee said that they'd be open in a few minutes. A few minutes later, a man and an older woman said hi to us and went into a side door. Turns out that was the owner and his mom (the chef). They light incense in the restaurant and the odor is quite strong. I remember on Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsey yelling at someone for having scented candles because it messes with how the food tastes. Luckily, the food had enough flavor to overcome the incense. We ordered two meat combos and asked for them to give us some variety since I had never tried Ethiopian food before. The dishes came out with 16 items, with only one repeat. I can't really tell you what I ate since there were so many items, but I did really like the chicken and lamb. Very flavorful and just a fun experience from eating with our hands and the variety of options. One combo can easily feed two people. For our two adults and two kids, we had enough for leftovers. Honey wine was not my favorite thing, but the rest of the dining experience was very memorable. We were the only customers, so the owner came out and chatted with us for a while. Very friendly.

My friends who live nearby rave about this place. Maintaining a top rating on Yelp and Google, I…read morehad to go. A friend and I showed up around 1:30pm on a Friday for lunch. The owner greeted us and quickly took our orders. The Deluxe Meat Combo generously fed two men. Every dish on the injera was tasty, but our favorites were the Shewa Doro Tibs, Shewa Alicha Wot, Shewa Doro Wot, and Shewa Bozena Shiro. The portions are generous that we had to ask for more injera. The space is no-frills, but comes with a few small tables. Street parking is nearby.

This spot was one of the highlights of my trip to DC!…read more My friend and I shared the Chercher Vegan Special with the Chercher Beef Special Tibs. The vegan platter was phenomenal- super flavorful with so much variety which I loved. As for the beef, it was tender and seasoned well. Honestly, it was hard to choose which one was our favorite because everything tasted so good! And when we were running low on Injera (Ethiopian flatbread), our server gave us more. On top of the delicious food, the service was friendly and the inside was small and cozy (there's also outdoor seating too!) Overall, fantastic spot for Ethiopian food and I will definitely come back if I visit DC again.

Despite being located in a quaint setting that looked like a remodeled house with beautiful decor…read moreinside and out it lacked in key features necessary for a favorable rating. Namely custom service and the unfortunate late discovery of hair in my food. Arrived for a late lunch and the restaurant was sparsely populated. I noticed outdoor seating and wanted to enjoy the sun. No one was seated out there and I found a spot. A server came out @5 minutes later and advise me that I couldn't sit there. She mentioned seating was for larger parties despite being midweek and After most lunch rushes. I was moved to another table. The view was fine and I ordered my lunch. The platter I ordered had beef tibs, vegetables and njeri. As a connoisseur of Ethiopian food, I was accustomed to having lentils included in the meal. I soon found out that that was not the case, and also that utensils was not given unless requested. The couple that had finally joined me on the patio requested utensils. I opted to follow traditional style and used the njeri as my utensils. The food had good flavor and was enjoying despite the lack of lentils until I came across a piece of hair. I immediately lost my appetite and brought to the attention of the person at checkout, as it appeared, you had to bring your bill to the Bar area to check out. The person was unapologetic and swore that no one's hair was exposed. I feel that was the way of them saying that it was my hair, which was farther from the truth. I was not seeking a discount and gladly paid my bill while pointing out the obvious about the extra bonus in my meal. Sadly, I was recommended by the workers at the Marriott where I was staying. Its proximity to the hotel and adjacent Washington Convention Center made it a great choice for lunch, and was happy for the referral. They spoke highly of this restaurant, and that made the experience worse as I was anticipating the goodness. Hopefully receive better treatment when they dine there.

I think it's a decent choice for Ethiopian food in the area, but not my favorite. The restaurant is…read moremore like a night lounge, but that is because they do have hookah and are open late. The food comes out slow and the servers are nice. We got the 6 item veggie plate and mushroom tibs. I thought the lentils and salad were great. The string beans, shiro, and collard greens were cooked well but a bit bland. I also was not the impressed with the mushroom tibs, they were not seasoned but cooked well with the rosemary. The spiced tea was okay. The injera tasted authentic.

As I was walking through the H Street Festival browsing the many food vendors available, I knew I…read morewanted to try something unique that I can't get everywhere. I stumbled across Ethio Vegan, which I came to find out had just opened its doors this week. I haven't had Ethiopian food before, so I was excited to try something new. The staff were very welcoming, and the waitress who helped me went over their menu in great detail for me. Inside is very sleek and stylish, and I look forward to visiting at night to catch a game or relax in their lounge. As far as the food, the beef couldn't have been any more tender or well-seasoned. The thought of having leftovers for dinner later quickly evaporated, as I finished the beef, rice, and salad that came with it. The rice had a similar taste and texture to quinoa, even being long-grained. The only part that was a mission for me was the bread. I took one bite and realized it wasn't for me. This is absolutely a restaurant I'd come back to and recommend to anyone and everyone if they want authentic Ethiopian food and hospitality.

Ethiopic was a solid experience, but did not quite stand out in a city with so many strong…read moreEthiopian options. The vegetable sampler had a decent flavor profile, and I enjoyed the beef tibs the most out of what we ordered. The fried tilapia was fine, but nothing particularly memorable. If you are someone who has Ethiopian food occasionally, I would probably recommend exploring some of the other spots in DC where the portions feel more generous and the flavors hit a bit harder. Service can also be a bit inconsistent, which matched some of the earlier reviews I had seen. We had ordered drinks that were forgotten until we followed up. Overall, not a bad experience, just one that blends into a very competitive dining scene.

Ethiopic has a warm, intimate ambiance that makes it a nice spot for a relaxed dinner. The food was…read morereally good and definitely helped elevate the overall experience it was flavorful and well prepared. Service, however, was just okay. Our server was also the host when we arrived. There was a small awkward moment when we were seated she just kept pointing to the table she wanted us at which felt a bit abrupt. When it came time to take our order, she didn't seem fully attentive, which took away slightly from the experience. Overall, the food and ambiance really carried the night. With a bit more attentiveness in service, this could easily be a standout spot. I'd still recommend it and would return, especially for the food and intimate setting.

My first meal upon arriving to Hyattsville! I ordered the combination option with 2 meat and 2…read morevegetable dishes. I chose the spicy kifto, yebeg alicha, kik alicha, and gomen. It was a little bit of a wait, but it was so worth it. The portions were generous but just right for a very hungry lone diner. The injera was soft and had a nice chew, with good fermentation and a tangy flavor. The two meat dishes had intense flavor and were super tender. I was in love with the strong cardamom flavor from the kifto, it was the highlight of my meal. The gomen and kik alicha were a nice complement to the two meat dishes. More mellow yet still flavorful, they helped to balance out the meal. And all that for just a little over $20 in 2025? Amazing! Would come again.

I was in the area to meet a friend for coffee, and they suggested we grab lunch at this cozy coffee…read moreshop and restaurant. I loved the flavors. Most dishes were vegetarian, with some great meat options available too. The service was excellent, and the staff were warm and attentive. The vibe felt like an old school coffee shop filled with comforting aromas. The food was delicious, prices were reasonable, and there was plenty of parking. I'd definitely come back.

Stopped by for dinner while in the area. On a Saturday night, we were able to grab a table for two…read moreas a walk-in. We shared the Eatopia Special Tibs and Asa Gulashi. Both were good and had a lot of flavor, just wished they had more spice. We asked for a side of the spicy sauce and seasoning and this definitely turnt up both dishes! I also enjoyed the Le Anchi special cocktail, which was perfect for the cooler weather that day. Service was great. Street parking available

the food here is amazing, top of the best flavors I've had and the drinks are also good and unique…read more service was prompt and food came out very quick, and tasted warm and fresh. the restaurant has a calm ambiance and it was quiet. my waitress took her time to share with me the culture, amazing experience.

We just enjoyed an amazing meal at Enatye this evening. We have lived here for 34 years and never…read morethought to try it. Boy...was that a big mistake!! We started our meal with the vegetable Sambusa. The wrapper was perfectly crispy, not greasy and, while flaky, didn't fall apart. The dipping sauce that accompanied was a perfect spicy complement to the lentil filling. A great way to get your tastebuds ready for the main event! For our entree, we went with the Special Combo for two with beef and chicken/doro wot. We allowed our helpful waiter to select the vegetables, and he did a great job. We enjoyed the yellow peas, spicy lentils, cabbage, spinach, scooping it all up with the sour injera bread. The service is excellent and the music makes the meal complete! We will be back soon to try more of the menu. This restaurant is a Herndon gem. I would give six stars if I could. Don't be stupid, like us, and wait too long to try it!! Go now!

Silver Spring has no shortage of great Ethiopian restaurants, but I had Enatye in Herndon…read morebookmarked for a while after hearing so many good things. When we finally found ourselves in the area, I was excited to see if it lived up to the hype. We ordered the veggie combo, and it was flavorful and satisfying.What really made this place stand out, though, was the customer service. We ordered takeout, and after getting home about 40 minutes later, we realized part of our order was wrong. I called expecting the usual response--either that I should've checked the bag before leaving or that I'd need to drive back for a replacement. Instead, I got a genuine apology and an offer for a full refund. Since we still had food to eat, I didn't feel right accepting it. They insisted on making it up to us the next time we were in the area. True to their word, on our next visit they treated us to the same veggie combo on the house. You don't see that level of follow-through very often, and it really left an impression. That's how you earn loyal customers. Big shoutout to Emmanuel for taking such great care of us. We're looking forward to coming back.

I came to Enjera for dinner and the food was delicious. Everything was seasoned to perfection and…read moreour server was really nice. We ordered the vegetarian sampler mixed with the meat sampler. My favorite parts of the meal were the chicken and lamb. It was a warm day so we sat on the back patio, which had good background music and curated a great vibe. I definitely suggest outside seating if it's a nice day when you try!

The food was phenomenal, and my only complaint is that they didn't have Key Sir Alicha. The drinks…read morewere a bit different than usual. A couple of them were sour or bitter, but it was an easy fix with simple syrup. Service was pretty slow and limited due to there only being one server. She was doing everything and serving every table. It was hard to get answers, and the menu had items that were unavailable. The restaurant has an excellent setup and beautiful. The side of the restaurant we sat in had large windows that really opened up the space and added ambient lighting.

Nazret is easy to miss -- tucked into the back of a strip mall packed with Ethiopian shops and…read morerestaurants in Baileys Crossroads -- but it's worth seeking out. This isn't a place you stumble onto; it's a place you have to know about, and once you do, you won't stop coming back. Chef Endalk came out to greet our table personally, walked us through the menu, and genuinely seemed invested in making sure we loved the meal. We ordered a generous portion of raw beef for kitfo, and after we sampled a piece, the kitchen happily cooked the rest to a beautiful medium rare -- no fuss, no attitude, just quiet hospitality. The vegetable platter held its own against the meats -- just as vibrant and flavorful, if not more so, with layers of spice in every lentil and green. The samosas were a fun twist too: a lighter, crispier shell closer to an Asian spring roll than the heavier Indian version, stuffed with well-seasoned lentils instead of the usual potato filling. And don't skip the housemade hot tea -- a strong bite of fresh ginger balanced with lemon and honey, the kind of thing you crave again the next cold day. Small room. Big heart. Bigger flavor. If you're chasing "authentic," stop scrolling -- this is it.

First time trying Ethiopian food and it did not disappoint. The authenticity of this place felt…read morefamiliar and comfortable. Our server helped us decide on the VIP platter + injera. Everything was delicious but those Shint Tibs were my fave. For people sensitive to smoke, it might be worth noting that a lot of incense is burned throughout the night (very strong) but goes away after a while.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Cottage House today! Kidush was a gracious and knowledgeable…read moreserver! The Tomato Fitfit appetizer wax fresh and gently spiced. My wife enjoyed the Beef Alicha Wot while went for the spicier Lamb Kay Wot. Go. You won't be disappointed!

- great service - food came quickly…read more- cute interior - doro wot platter with 5 veggies is delish - but there's only one leg and one boiled egg to share for 2 lol - most of fullness is from fiber which is healthy - my fav is the potato and lentils