Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant

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9 months ago

Went here tonight and had an amazing dinner. We ordered the veggie and meat combo plate and we ate the plate clean! We were taken care of by the lady working the restaurant and she was so sweet; she gave us extra injera too! We love trying the Ethiopian food around the area and we're glad we got to try this place out tonight! Definitely will come back here soon! read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat / Veggie Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Susan E.

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5 days ago

Met a friend and her young son there today for lunch. Sinta, the owner, was so sweet and accommodating. In addition to what my friend and I ordered, she made a special dish of rice and chicken for my friend's son free of charge. Everything we ate was so flavorful. Sinta even let us try a new beef and lentil dish she's planning on adding to the sample platter, again, free of charge. read more

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Manasa A.

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5 days ago

Amazing good and service! I had the veggie combo and it was simply delicious! Will be coming back again

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Luan D.

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1 month ago

Best Ethiopian food in town. Food was delicious, flavourful and healthy. The generous owner gave me a bowl of lentil to try, it was amazingly good, I would definitely come back. Definitely recommend this place. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Combi - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Grace M.

86

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529

1 year ago

This was a really yummy spot, we got the veggie and meat sampler. The owner was working by himself this night, and was understandably overwhelmed but it was worth the wait for others. We lucked out and got there first among the clientele. We enjoyed the food,and hope others will too! The njera was perfect, the chicken was well spiced and fall off the bone , and the salad on top crunchy to name a few highlights read more

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Nina W.

311

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1080

1 year ago

I came here with a few friends for lunch on a Saturday and had made reservations for a group of 5 online. When I arrived, the door was locked and the owner had to come let us in as they seemed to be only accepting any customers who made reservations. There wasn't any dedicated parking but it was pretty easy to find street parking right in front of the restaurant. The owners were super nice and friendly, but unfortunately it seems like they committed to a big catering order that day so the service was really slow in terms of taking orders and for the the food & drinks to come. We ended up getting the doro wot, a veggie combo, and a grilled salmon dish that ended being one of the surprise hits of the meal. Overall all the food was good but it just took a very long time (the whole dining experience prob took 3 hours) given the catering so I would rate the food 5 stars and would like to go on a more regular day to experience how it would be like if they weren't tied up with a catering order. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Cecile B.

36

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1 year ago

Stopped here on a Saturday evening on the drive back from Pinnacles, and overall quite enjoyed the experience. Service was very friendly (the owner even brought us a complementary scoop of rice mid-meal), food came out fairly fast, and everything was tasty We shared the Veggie Combo ($23) and two sambusas ($3 each), and it was just the right amount of food with nothing left over. Honestly liked every part of the combo, though if I had to choose favorites it might be the two split pea dips and beets (and I don't usually like beets!). The veggie combo was recommended to us as the least spicy thing on the menu, and indeed most of it was mild enough for my weak tolerance. On the other hand, while tasty, the sambusas were very spicy with the accompanying sauce I'm usually not a huge sourdough fan, so I appreciated that their injera was a little milder than others I've had. Definitely want to come back to try their doro tibbs read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Sambusa - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Tatiana S.

151

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1 year ago

Gojo Ethiopian restaurant was reopened under new management recently and is DELICIOUS. The new owners took over from family members who had previously run the restaurant and are fantastic chefs. I wish I could remember everything we ordered but we went with what they recommended and it did not disappoint. The picture attached was enough to feed 5 people and leave them stuffed. We came today at 1ish and the restaurant was fairly empty but smelled fantastic. We managed to find street parking right in front so thankfully after stuffing our faces and drinking their honey wine we didn't have to waddle too far. Can't wait to come back and eat here again and would easily recommend this spot to anyone looking for good Ethiopian food. read more

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Patti W.

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2 months ago

Delicious! The woman serving us was super nice. Food was tasty. We were worried my child wouldn't like it, but she loves the sambusas and the mitten shiro and the injara. She gave me an extra little hot spice water for her to have while I had the spice tea. read more

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Josephine B.

295

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431

1 year ago

Food was good but the portion is quiet small. I had to order extra sides because the meat comboplate didn't match what I saw on Yelp. I even showed her the picture of what I wanted. She said it wouldn't look like that but it would've been nice for her to make another suggestion. Restroom could use some mantinence and cleaning. Ambiance was nice with traditional decors. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Sauces - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - $1 per basket Additional Injera Regular - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Honey Wine - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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David C.

102

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1 year ago

Food was delicious! We got the veggie combo and meat combo. It was maybe 25% more food than the two of us could finish. My favorite Ethiopian restaurant I've been to! Service was great, atmosphere was relaxed, and the spices Ethiopian tea was delicious! It was my first time visit but I'm already looking forward to coming back! read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie combo and meat combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Dominic N.

749

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2 years ago

Do yourself a favor and get both the vegetarian and meat combo! I loved: Mitten shito Yemisser wot Doro wot I liked: After kik Atakilt wot Gomen wot Kei wot Raw Kitfo special (beef) Ethiopian Coffee This was ok: Alitcha wot (dry) Ethiopian Spiced Tea Eating these #goodeats with my bare hands was an awesome cultural experience There are lots of unique flavors and textures and having a large group made things easy to share. Highly recommend dining in as they'll serve you raw kitfo properly. Ethnic rules apply for service and ambiance. It's dark as hell in the restaurant so speak up if you need something or else they'll ignore you. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Spiced Tea - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Menu - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Coffee - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian Combo (West Clockwise) Meat Combo (SouthWest CounterClockwise) - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Kitfo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Spiced Tea Ethiopian CoffeeCoffee - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Alex V.

14

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3 years ago

Meat Combo : Doro Wot - chicken leg with the egg (right side) Kei Wot - beef cubes in red sauce (left) Alitcha Wot - marinated beef (center) It was pretty good! They give you extra Injeera to enjoy everything and it's very reasonably priced as well. I came here for lunch and the parking was pretty easy and the food came out pretty quickly. After I got served though, I didn't see the server until I paid, so the service could have been better read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Aylee A W.

0

4

1

1 year ago

This restaurant is absolutely a must-go. We walked in around 7:00pm for a table of 5 and they were super helpful recommending portions. We ordered two portions of doro wat, gomen, meat combo, veggie combo, ethiopian coffee, and cabbage. Everything was so delicious. The service was immaculate. The food was delicious, fresh, well-seasoned. They helped separate the veggies with the meat because one of our friends was vegetarian. They took care of us. The atmosphere was so fun, and the cooking videos being played in the dining area was so fun to watch while waiting. We ordered the lamb, and IT WAS INCREDIBLE. They brought it out sizzling. The spicy sauces were so good. This is a MUST GO. You have to go here at least once. Its worth every penny. You'll also be supporting a nice family business. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Doro Wot, Lamb Tibbs, Gomen, cabbage, meat combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Casey B.

2

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1 year ago

Absolutely perfect food and service. Best owner ever. Wish I still lived closer but visit every chance I can.

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Michael P.

129

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2 years ago

The food was authentic. Decor and plating was delightful. Atmosphere is simply inviting -- a pleasant surprise to step in from the busy street. I was transported to another space and time. Owner was the server -- attentive but not too much. I loved it and would recommend to anyone. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Old city - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Authentic - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Looks like home - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - What a treat for the senses! - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Art and ambiance - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Lovely D.

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7

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1 year ago

First time coming here. Delicious food and lovely service. Would recommend and will be definitely coming back! read more

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John C.

0

17

2

7 months ago

Went there last Saturday at 8 pm. They were closed during open hours. Tried to give them another chance today (Wednesday). Here at 11:50 am when they should be opened but they're closed. What a JOKE! They probably went out of business. And seeing their beat up architecture, I'm not surprised. Don't waste your time coming here! I wish I could give no stars! read more

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Kim L.

20

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2 years ago

I was traveling and happened to find GoJo, and I'm so glad I did! There are no Ethiopian food options within an hour and a half of where I live, so discovering this incredible restaurant was such a treat. I ordered takeout this time--the vegetarian combo, the meat combo, and their special kitfo--and every dish was absolutely phenomenal. I can't wait to dine in person next time! The flavors in every bite were bold, vibrant, and perfectly balanced--you can truly taste the love and care that went into making each dish. My tastebuds were literally dancing with joy! On top of the amazing food, the owners are the absolute epitome of hospitality and kindness. Even with takeout, I could feel how much they care about their customers, and I know the in-person experience will be even better. GoJo is beautifully decorated and creates the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable meal. It's totally my new favorite restaurant, and I can't wait to return. If you're looking for a place that serves not just food but an incredible experience, you have to check it out. I highly recommend GoJo--you won't regret it! read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie Combo with extra Shiro! - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Koyel B.

8

127

6

1 year ago

I'm really surprised by all these good reviews. We went on a Friday night a couple weeks ago, and got a veggie combo and meat combo for three people. That was a good amount of food, but none of it was very good. The injera was shockingly bland; I've truly never had injera this lacking in flavor. The meats and veggies were...fine, I guess. There were two different things in the veggie combo that looked like misir wot to me, and one of them was nice (it was soft and creamy, almost). The waitstaff were nice, but not competent. We all asked for beer. The waiter came over and opened two of them with no problem. The third one started fizzing as he was popping it open. He paused, but instead of stopping or getting a rag or anything, he just kept going. Obviously, once opened, it started overflowing out of the bottle. He picked it off his tray AND PUT IT ON OUR TABLE, as our table began filling with beer! In some shock, I quickly put it back on his tray to minimize how much spilled on our table, then asked him for some napkins and a new beer. He just sort of looked at me, then tried to give me back the half-empty beer, so I put it back on his tray and repeated my request. We eventually got more napkins and a new beer, but I don't understand what he could possibly have been thinking as he just let beer flood our table. Also, the bathroom was unspeakably dirty. read more

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Kathleen W.

Elite 26 All-Star

454

1043

1646

2 years ago

The food quality here is great! The service is attentive. They do take a while to get you your food so keep that in mind. Our group of friends came by post pumpkin patch to try it out and the food was delicious and fresh. I loved all the fresh bread and my food was packed of flavors. read more

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Carleson J.

0

10

7

2 years ago

We chose this restaurant for our family's holiday dinner and we loved it so much we will be returning. The food is very high quality and authentic. The service is friendly and attentive. The ambiance is warm and inviting. This restaurant also offer's a traditional Ethiopian coffee service that we will be booking in the future. read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Assortment of meat dishes served family style. - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Thuy H.

43

52

49

11 months ago

Everything was delicious! We have been to several Ethiopian restaurants, and this was just as delicious! The service was great! The lady there was very sweet and even though there was a little wait, it was worth it! Definitely recommend and will be coming back! read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat combo and veggie combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Doro Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Lori R.

Elite 19

547

162

279

2 years ago

Wonderful service and food! Very reasonable prices for the combo platters. I got the veggie, the hubs got the meant combo. So yummy! read more

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Michelle C.

55

244

172

2 years ago

We really just found our new go to spot! It's pretty decent sized portions. We LOVE the veggies! So we got one veggie combo, and one meat/veggie combo! Inside is pretty clean and nice, definitely a good sit down for a super casual date! Parking is a bit tricky, since it's street parting in front. There is a bit of a spicy kick and there may be more subtle options, like the cabbage and carrots. The workers honestly make it even better here! We truly left happy costumers and we will definitely be back! read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie combo and veggie/meat combo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Joanna T.

0

2

0

6 months ago

Came at 12pm, ones there. Need to update actual hours. Looked inside, no lights on, no staff getting ready. Disappointed, really was in the mood for Ethiopian food. read more

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Michae M.

1

20

5

1 year ago

Wow-Gojo Ethiopian Delivers-the best!!.. I had/needed Vegan (and gluten free) food and was recommended the Combo Injeera and picked, cooked, and pickled lil' dishes assortment. The server Moumoud (pardon, close?!!) was a pleasant experience himself in providing the choices and being a beacon of gentle, prompt, attentive, and kindly, jovial service. I felt like I was being served by family-in his mentioning of his cherished veggie dishes for me-that were... simply AMAZING..and were light, sweet, slightly spicy, and cooling as well. And...the injeeera here-may be the best injeera in NorCal-serious. Lightest, and most firm-absolutely teff-and delicious w/all the assortment! You can also tell of the humble pride of Ethiopia here-in the decor, both western and Ethiopian. I imagine they have both lots of Ethiopians and westerners in groups on a solid dining evening! I didn't try the meat dishes-they looked delectable-aside of my preference-in that they were very special dishes-go to this place w/a few friends or family who is daring or likes Ethiopian-it's an awesome group experience in a place like this-in sharing!! You'll love the variety of your friend's, neighbor's, or mom in law! If you are in San Jose or on your way to/from Santa Cruz-definitely stop by for a small bite or a solid meal! What an early dinner/afternoon delight! And if you see Moumoud-you'll know-because he has a glowing smile for his food! Ask him about a recommendation for you!! read more

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Cindy T.

36

176

504

4 years ago

This is my favorite Ethiopian spot in San Jose and I usually recommend it to all my friends who want to try Ethiopian food. The parking is a little difficult but usually we get lucky and are able to park right in front. It's a small hole in the wall place, but it's spacious inside. There are some days where I've noticed it's more busy than others. I always get the meat combination, and the portions are huge! 5/5! I get a side of the their ayib (traditional Ethiopian cheese) and it pairs really well on top of the meats. The meat combination includes three types of meat from left to right in the photo: Doro wot: a chicken stew in hot spices, herbs, seasoned butter cooked until tender (my favorite!!) Kei Wot: Prime beef cubes marinated in red pepper sauce, seasoned butter, garlic onion fresh ginger and cooked until tender. This one is my second favorite Alitcha Wot: Prime beef cubes marinated in a mild flavor full sauce, seasoned butter, garlic onions fresh ginger and cooked until tender (third favorite) I like their Ethiopian flat bread called Injera, and that's usually what you take pieces of and then pick up a piece of meat. It's super flavorful. If it's your first time I definitely recommend the meat combination or the vegetarian combo so you can try a variety of it! read more

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Precious A.

0

1

1 year ago

The food was very good. The workers were excellent and so was the service. The room was very nice and beautiful. I would recommend! read more

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Les A.

192

85

7

2 years ago

Incredibly friendly service and delicious food. A favorite whenever I am in San Jose.

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Paula W.

Elite 25

50

77

187

2 years ago

Found this gem in San Jose. As someone from the service industry I really appreciate great service and this place went above and beyond. This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and let just say it's like traveling to Ethiopia without getting on a flight. Everything was delicious and new and exciting. It really felt like a journey through Ethiopian history. I never thought food could transport a person but this did that for me. It was rich and flavorful and my taste buds were delighted. I cannot tell you the names of everything but the photos speak for itself. I throughly enjoyed eating with my hands, I think that added such another element of enjoyment. I know Ethiopia is famous for their coffee so I had to try it, unfortunately I did not know that it's not drank with cream and I requested cream.....no problem the owner said give me a few minutes and he left the restaurant and went across the street to the supermarket to get me cream. I was so impressed and embarrassed at the same time that a restaurant would do that. So, to wrap up, this was a perfect 10 dining experience. If you're in the San Jose area and would like to experience some amazing food, look no further than Gojo. Great food and service that is above and beyond. Enjoy! read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Gojo - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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Daisy S.

165

288

1113

4 years ago

Okay so I lived near the midtown/San Carlos St. area for 2 years and I came to learn this was the mecca of Ethiopian food in San Jose. I don't know why but no complaints from me!! Out of all the restaurants in the area, Gojo quickly became my favorite. I started doing take out orders almost every week.. The owner is super sweet and now that we moved away (tear), he still remembers us when we come by. This is a very traditional, family owned restaurant, nothing fancy, and just hands down amazing food. They don't have a parking lot. Just street parking, which can be tricky on a busy night. But the food is worth a short walk! My boyfriend and I always start with their sambusas because you can't not!! You can tell they are made fresh and not frozen. The outside is perfectly crispy and the inside is warm and not too mushy. You can ask for the spicy paste to go with it but beware it is really spicy! We love it. An order comes with 2. Our go to's are the veggie combo and an extra side of yemisser wot (it's my boyfriends favorite). I can't pick just one, I love them all!! So the veggie combo is perfect. I guess my top 2 would be the atakilt wot and the shiro wot. I love the potato and carrot. And the shiro has such a tasty garlic flavor with just a kick of spice. Ugh so good! Paired with their delicious injera, it's heavenly. We also love their salad! The tomato goes so well with all the flavors. If you've never had Ethiopian food, it can be intimidating. But trust me, once you try it once you'll be hooked. It's seriously the best comfort food :). read more

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Yemisser Wot - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant - Sambusa 2 pieces - Ethiopian Near Me - San Jose, California

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More info about Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant

1261 W San Carlos St
San Jose, CA 95126
Downtown
Directions
(408) 295-9546
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.gojoethiopianrestaurant.com/

Full menu

Hours

What time does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant open?

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant opens at 8:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant close?

Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant closes at 11:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant take credit cards?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have catering options?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant does have catering options.

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have a happy hour?

No, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant does not have a happy hour.

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant serve alcohol?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have TVs?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have bike parking?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant has bike parking.

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have outdoor seating?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant has outdoor seating options.

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have parking?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

Does Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant have free WiFi?

Yes, Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We cook real Ethiopian authentic food, we use exotic Ethiopian spices and the cook is the owner. We know what our customers like!

History

Established in 1994.

owned by husband and wife

Meet the Business Owner: Saba and Mamush M.

I like cook and serving people

More Info

Health Score

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Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant

4.0(2.1k reviews)

4.2 mi•West San Jose

I've been to Zeni a few times now, and it's definitely one of my favorite places for Ethiopian…read morefood. The food is delicious, with really good quality and flavor, and eating Ethiopian food is such a fun experience--especially sharing the dishes and eating together with your hands. The restaurant is also nicely decorated and has a warm, inviting atmosphere. I've tried Ethiopian restaurants in different parts of the Bay Area as well as in other parts of the country, and Zeni really stands out. The quality here is consistently excellent. I always look forward to coming back for Ethiopian food. Highly recommended!

The food and injera at Zeni Ethiopian are absolutely DELICIOUS! Highly recommend this place, the…read morefood is so tasty, the atmosphere is cute and cozy and the staff are some of the nicest people. I especially loved the ground beef and the lentils from our veggie and meat order. Everything was flavorful and the injera was heavenly. My friend and I were so caught up eating and chatting that we didn't realize they had actually been closed for almost half an hour! The staff were incredibly kind and courteous, they just continued cleaning around us without making us feel rushed or asking us to leave. That level of hospitality really stood out to me. I'll definitely be coming back.

Bar / counter in the center

Sambussa

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Inside seating

Kategna Ethiopian Restaurant

4.3(387 reviews)

0.6 mi•Rose Garden

Family-owned & operated

Locally owned & operated

Vegetarian platter and spiced tea were excellent, restaurant clean with attractive decor and booths…read moreas well as smaller tables.

tldr: flavorful and filling eats, friendly staff, homey ambiance. great for sharing with friends!…read more I've been to Kategna a handful of times, and it is consistently spectacular! San Jose has a lot of solid Ethiopian restaurants, but Kategna is the best in my opinion. It's tucked into a quiet strip mall with plenty of parking. Once you step inside, you're immediately welcomed by a colorful, cozy space. The staff is super friendly and gives great recommendations. This is definitely a sharing spot. If you're a party of 4, I'd recommend picking 3-4 mains to split. They offer injera refills, but don't underestimate how filling it is. You can't go wrong with any of the tibs dishes. They're solid and well-seasoned, with that rich, savory spice blend that makes every bite so satisfying. My personal favorite dish is the shiro wat, a flavorful chickpea dish that's comforting, creamy, and packed with flavor. I also recommend the doro wat (chicken stew). The stew is deeply spiced and rich. It has a nice level of heat, but not one that it wholly overwhelming. Reservations don't seem to be necessary, unless you're coming with a party of 6+. They tend to have plenty of tables open, even on weekend nights. The food is also very vegan-friendly!

Sambussa

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Inside

Walia Ethiopian Cuisine

4.3(1.8k reviews)

1.2 mi

Saturday around 7pm and there were 3 other parties but overall not too busy which was great because…read morethe food came out so quickly. We ordered the Ethiopian Feast that comes with six vegan dishes of our choosing. We chose the: - Shiro (chickpeas) - Atkilt (cabbage, carrots, potatoes) - Sigo (berbere and tomato sauce) - Misir Wot (red lentil) - Key Sir (beets) - Difin Misir (brown lentils) Everything was delicious but the stand outs for me were the Sigo and Key sir. The Sigo was so spicy but so rich and the beets were sweet, earthy and savory. I also really enjoyed the injera, it wasn't as sour as other places.

Amazing experience at Walia, which is a cozy Ethiopian place! Kindness goes a long way in service…read moreand the staff were some of the kindest I've ever met. We went as a group of 6 and the staff were incredibly accommodating, including adjusting portion sizing for appetizers and giving us extra injera. The lentil sambussa was very tasty, crispy and surprisingly very savory. We got the Larry Page + Zuckerburg combo and it was more than enough to fill our stomachs. The lamb is FIRE. Everything was well spiced. We ended the night with their tiramisu, which was perfection. Kudos to the chef and this place is definitely a must try. There were a couple things on the menu that they were out of by the time we got there, but that just means we'll have to make another visit!

Counter

Chicken juicy tibs with Grilled chicken combo

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Outside

LeYou Ethiopian

4.4(487 reviews)

2.3 mi•Downtown

Modern vibes with traditional touches characterize this cozy restaurant. First time experiencing…read moreEthiopian cuisine, so our party of 2 put ourselves in the capable hands of our friendly server Liya! She did *not* steer us wrong in suggesting the Ethiopian Spiced Tea (unsweetened black tea leaves brewed with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, served hot or iced) and the following combination platters-- Two Meat Stew Items: Doro (chicken drumstick) Key Wot Stew (mildly spiced, slow-cooked in red sauce with caramelized onions, garlic, ginger, cardamom, and berbere--spiced chili powder) Asa (white fish) Alicha Stew (non-spicy, slow-cooked mild sauce base with caramelized onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, jalapeño peppers, basil, and cumin) Four Vegetarian Sampler: Atakilt (cabbage, carrots, and potatoes sautéed with onions, turmeric, tomatoes, garlic, & ginger) Miser (red lentils) Key Wot Shiro (roasted chickpea flower simmered with basil and jalapeños) Key Wot Kik (split peas) Alicha

Tried LeYou after seeing this on the Michelin guide and had a decent experience. This spot is…read morelocated in an unassuming plaza with plenty of parking. When we came for lunch it was relatively open so we were promptly seated which was nice. Service was very nice and fast here as well. The ambiance here is really pretty with lots of decour and paintings/photos. For food we tried: * Chicken Sambusa - these were crispy with a ground chicken filling and came piping hot. We enjoyed eating these a lot * tuna kitfo - this came with injera chips and kind of like a tuna poke ethiopian style. This was my favorite and so flavorful * Lamb doro tibs - these were flavorful succulent pieces of lamb * Chicken doro tibs - succulent pieces of chicken which we would scoop up with injera bread * Fish curry - i forgot the name but I liked this, the curry soaks up the injera bread which is nice and flavorful. I wish we ordered more curries! * We also tried the collard greens side and a few others but nothing was a particular standout for me Overall food was not bad but Found the main dish a little lacking in flavor from what I was expecting. Nice place to check out though!

Front of restaurant

Stuffed Jalapeño cross-section w/ vegan filling

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Complimentary Water ($0)

Mudai Ethiopian Restaurant

4.1(619 reviews)

0.7 mi•Downtown

I was keen to try Mudai because they open a little earlier than other Ethiopian restaurants, and…read moreserve North African breakfast items like ful and scrambled eggs. I mean, what sounds better than Ethiopian breakfast? It's a little out of the way, in an industrial corner of downtown San Jose, but it's a sweet spot, worth seeking out. The place is charming. I like the open layout and the excellent service. There's a hangout kinda vibe. Soft, jazzy music makes it a relaxing space. I paired tomatoey scrambled eggs with a velvety, rich shiro hotpot, and brown injera, for a divine breakfast. On another occasion, I tried the veggie combo. The food is hot, wholesome, homey, fresh, tasty. Misir wot and shiro were my favorite dishes. Portions are ample. Food was served fast, which I appreciate.

3.5 stars. Delicious Ethiopian platter. This was shared between our party of 4. It also came with…read moreadditional injera (we also dug into the sauce soaked injera under the food, yum!). I think it would have been plenty even if we had one more adult. The restaurant space is clean, plenty of seating, and street parking was not too hard to find. Service could be a little more attentive, but I would say still worth the visit.

Bar view

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Selam Restaurant and Cafe

4.2(157 reviews)

2.5 mi•West San Jose

This is a little hole in the roll restaurant in a strip mall. It is clearly frequented by members…read moreof the Ethiopian community as a hangout. We were seated at a table in the corner. Our server identified that at least one of us was vegetarian. My wife had the vegetarian combo and I had a meat combo. In my case of meat combo consists of lamb, a chicken leg, and the dryish beef. As others had noted, it can take a little while to place your order. We enjoyed our food and look forward to coming back.

Teff Luck A…read morefamily-owned and run restaurant that's been serving up fresh, housemade Ethiopian cuisine for nearly twenty years in SJ's Westside. It's also been featured in the SF Chronicle's list of "Best Ethiopian Restaurants," which is a miracle unto itself since the Chronicle barely acknowledges anything outside of The City™. The Good: * Large shared parking lot * Outdoor dog-friendly seating * If you're sharing, make sure they plate it up family-style so everything is all on one plate. * Service was, well, serviceable. Not fantastic but not awful. * Injera was delicious and copious * Vegan, Vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly dishes * Great prices and large portions; we were able to get three meals out of two dishes and that's for less than $50! That's practically unheard of in this day and age. * If this is your first time eating Ethiopian--and if so, what took you so long??--then I recommend getting the veggie and meat samplers to get a true taste of Ethiopian cuisine. The Meh: * Their spicy isn't really that spicy. * They were out of Sambusas on our visit. I think they hadn't made them yet for the day as we were there pretty soon after opening. The Ugly: * The location is a little grungy and not an ideal date night location, but good enough for a casual lunch or suppah. Conclusion: We're blessed here in SJ with some fantastic Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants and Selam is certainly one of the better ones. https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/best-ethiopian-restaurants-sf-bay-area/

Interior

Injera on the side

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Beef Tibs and Veggie Combo

Good Karma Fine Ales Food HiFi

4.1(1.2k reviews)

1.4 mi•Downtown

•$

Made a stop at this place after a long hiatus, and I would say the place looks a lot different than…read morethe deli-style place that I recall. I was not totally surprised by the change, and I have driven by multiple times, so I have seen the change from the outside. The interior looks like beautifully decorated bar that serves food. Service was pretty good and fast, and prices are still very reasonable. I had a quinoa plate with Jamaican Jerk and Red Curry. The quinoa was well-cooked without being too soggy or undercooked. For the Jamaican Jerk, the potato was not too soft, and the veggie cutlets were flavorful. For the Red Curry, the sweet potato, fried tofu, and bell pepper were well also.

This was my first time ever here at this bar and honestly, it was great!!…read more As my friend and I were leaving dinner, we walk home and I heard jazz music and I stopped to listen!! Somebody outside said we could come in and I realized it was a bar, but my friend and I were meeting up with some other people down the street first. The spot we went to meet them it was dead, so we actually walked back three blocks to good karma!! We were lucky that jazz band was still playing and apparently they play every Sunday from 7 PM through 9:30 PM!! They had a number of different beers on top as well as some bottled beers. I really want to come back and eat lunch here!! Sadly, they only had two red wines and no white wines. The red cab I had was tasty and worked fine for the evening, but mainly the live jazz band was my favorite part!! Great environment, good sound system, and amazing live jazz!! Not to mention the one bartender, a young lady who was running the whole joint by herself!! She kept everything clean and organized, and she was very patient with each customer that came up when they wanted to sample different beers! I will definitely be back!!

Started talking about The Clash so the owner put The Clash on. Perfect!

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Art

Lunch Box

4.0(82 reviews)

0.9 mi

•$

Loved the food, and the prices were from 10 years ago... $5.50 for a glass of red wine! wow. I had…read morea mild lamb dish and gomen wat - both were delicious! The spice was mild, as I had requested, but still very flavorful. generous portions, and lots of injera to accompany. The family was very friendly and the owner checked on us a few times. We are definitely going back to this lovely, family owned restaurant!

Very friendly service, tasty food, and generous portions. I've been to many of the other East…read moreAfrican restaurants in San Jose, and many have declined in quality, become much more expensive, or just closed. I'm happy to have found the Lunch Box!

Kitfo (medium rare)

Vegetarian combo

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Lunch box Ethiopian Restaurant

Ethio-LunchBox

3.7(7 reviews)

0.9 mi

Here is my two cents on the quality quantity and price of my order... it was delivered by GrubHub…read morein a timely matter. what I don't like about GrubHub is you cannot just add a tip you have to talk to customer service.. which is a stupid and ridiculous. hoop. You have to jump through to give the driver extra money... Unto the lunchbox food If you never had Ethiopian food, it's not meant or utensils .. they give you their soft bread and you dip it in sauce and you add the items of what you're going to eat. It is more of a communal situation .. I found the food to be quite good though not as big of a portion as I would like.. I did ask for it to be extra hot and spicy And while it was the most spiciest and hottest hot sauce, I have ever tasted almost in my life . It was good, but you had to drink a beer or milk to cool your mouth off. If you're looking for something spicy, this is the place beware .

I was craving Ethiopian food and was looking for a place that was open during COVID-19. Usually I…read morestick with Zeni, but I wasn't close to the area. Found this place and was excited to order their Meat Combo which was $18 and came with Doro Wot, Ye Begin Wot, and Kitfo (beef), and a veggie entrée of choice along with some Injera bread. I ordered the Kitfo to be raw and spicy with my choice of vegetarian entree to be lentils. The total came out to about $25 with tax and everything. When I took the food out of the package. I got a tiny portion of one of their stews in two small sections in the to-go box which honestly both tasted the same despite them listing two different wots/stews, and the Kitfo seemed to be in the main part of my box and it WAS FULLY COOKED and DRENCHED IN SALT AND OIL. Even though I ordered the kitfo to not be cooked, which is an option, they still managed to cook it by dumping a gallon of hot oil over it (see picture). 70% of the dish was old oil rather than food. I got no vegetarian entrée as promised and the Kitfo was WAY oversalted and not edible. The two stews were okay, but besides this I felt cheated. I would not recommend anyone order pickup or delivery from this place. You have many other options around you as Ethiopian restaurants have increased in the area. The one review that comes before mine was not factored into the review of this place and is obviously the owner or one of the employees writing the review. There is only one review from that person ever in their Yelp history, and it is obviously promoting this business. Don't be fooled. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Kitfo

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Gored Gored

Haleluya Ethiopian Gourmet

4.6(339 reviews)

15.7 mi

The food here is absolutely delicious! The veggie combo…read moreplatter is very filling and so soft as well. I brought my dad here since he has a hard time biting so I wanted to find something that is soft and nutritious at the same time. He absolutely loves it and said this is exactly what he needs. Service is great! They came to checkin on us and were super friendly. Ambiance is nice. There are a few seats inside if you choose to dine in. But not as many. Defini a to go spot.

Homey local spot with great food ^_^ My bf is a huge fan of Ethiopian food. Exciting to find a spot…read morewhile we were out running errands in Fremont! Located in a small strip mall. Quiet and tidy. We were welcomed warmly and seated immediately on a Wednesday evening. The staff almost seemed surprised that we wanted to dine in, perhaps we were different than the average regulars ^^; VEGGIE COMBO PLATTER: My bf and I split this-- it's huge! My favorite was the red lentil stew. Their injera is less tart than other places I've been to-- I actually liked it more this way. ETHIOPIAN STYLE EGG: Delicious!! I've rarely met an egg dish I didn't like. This was my first time trying one Ethiopian-style. Savory and flavorful. Went great with the injera and salad. As we dined, the staff were very attentive, continually checking on us and our water. Great hospitality.