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    Habesha Cafe

    4.7 (150 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian, Cafes, Delis
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Habesha Cafe Takeout or Delivery

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    HABESHA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Habesha Cafe

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    Jamil R.

    Came here to try some Ethiopian food for the first time. We let the owner know it was our first time and he was super helpful in making sure we tried the right dishes and got the right amount of food. Everything was really good. I highly recommend the samosas. The ambiance was nice too, seems very authentic so it was pretty unique. Wasn't very hard at all to get seating but I did notice foot traffic start to pick up while we were there. Parking was also pretty easy, just make sure you can parallel park.

    The Full Merkato Vegetarian Combo (Good for 2 People)

    Absolutely delicious! Such wonderful food and a friendly atmosphere. Ordered the Full Vegan platter and it did not disappoint. We will be back!

    Carolina C.

    This is my first time trying Ethiopian food, so I have no other place to compare it to. We ordered a combo meat dish, the green chicken dish and beef sambusas. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the food was, with plenty of flavor. I was not a fan of the sambusas, or the chicken much but the rest was good. I did not try the injera, but was told that it was good. Id love more meat on the dish! It seemed like you have place the order for drinks at the counter, but our food order was taken at the table. Payment was also taken care of at the counter. Not sure why or if we just did it wrong... It also serves as a mini-store, offering spices, drinks, and pottery among other small items. Overall I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to visit this place but I wouldn't say no, if close by and it was suggested.

    Interior
    Darrion H.

    Ordered my food togo, but liked the vibe and decided to eat inside before leaving. I wish I got to see the food nicely laid out on a platter but it still tasted amazing out of the togo box. It ended up working out for the best. They are such nice people here and everything is clean and pleasant inside. Sometimes restaraunts can have obnoxiously loud or energetic music, but here it was such a calming vibe. My service was amazing and so was my food. Ill be back. Probably for one of their sandwiches.

    The Full Habesha Vegan Combo
    Jesse G.

    We were having a beer at the Machine House Brewery, which has a partnership with Habesha Cafe, so I stopped in to order the full vegan platter and I am glad I did! A low price for enough food to feed two very hungry people. It's counter service or sit down - I walked up to the counter and told them I was sitting next door and they were super friendly and suggested I bring the food over on a platter rather than a bunch of takeout boxes. Worth saying though I would be happy to eat in house too - it's casual and clean. It took them about five minutes to assemble the meal - a platter and a box of injera. I enjoyed browsing the spices for sale for very reasonable prices while I was waiting. The food was delicious! Hearty, spicy and a great variety. I would definitely recommend.

    Ethiopian Coffee
    Wendy K.

    I hadn't had Ethiopian food in probably over 15 years don't know why I waited do long. We came here yesterday for lunch after a makers market near by in all honesty we were going to go to another Ethiopian place near by but they didn't open till later. I am so glad we came to Habesha. There were four of us one of my friends has Ethiopian food more another of my friends was like me and hadn't had it in a long time and for our other friends it was her first time. We ordered the meat and veggie platter and added the sauté fish. We knew we wanted to try the Sambusas but only wanted one order the owner Judy I believe suggested one of each type the beef and lentil love that she suggested that cause I wouldn't have know. It was an option. That's just a tip of the wonderful service you'll receive. She was wonderful in explaining the dishes and their culture. We loved all the little tips she gave us, making sure to sure to tell us to eat the injera under the meat and vegetables that has soaked up all the sauce and flavor. Also when we almost left the leftover injera she told us what they do is take it home and stir fry it. The friend who's was the first time two of us took the leftover injera home to stir fry. Yes we had that much leftover. One of my friends ordered the Ethiopian Coffee it was beautifully presented and the owner explained everything to us. I had a sip of it freshly poured and hot. Was wonderful slightly floral we were trying to figure out if it was possibly brewed with cardamom. My friend said as it cooled the flavor changed. It was a market originally called Amy's Merkato. Some of the cafe remains as a market. One of my friends bought a rub and spice from the market. The owner explained to him how the spice was often used that he bought. There are about six to seven tables up front and there was a very steady stream of people coming and going for lunch. You could tell it is very much a favorite of the neighborhood. We absolutely loved everything but our favorites were the fish and greens. The proteins have a bit of a kick for those who can handle no spice (heat wise not flavor) but not overly so it doesn't take away from the flavor of the dishes. We liked the smokiness of the bebere sauce. The proteins are also cooked to tenderness. Definitely eat them Initially with the injera that arrives In the basket. The injera underneath the meat and vegetables is better eaten with a fork just cause it's so soft from soaking up all the goodness. Says a lot that they make injera for many other Seattle restaurants and markets. Definitely will be back and recommend to family and friends

    Menú
    Cole K.

    Stop in and enjoy a wonderful meal. The platter entree is amazing! Beef tibs are flavorful and tender, cooked to perfection. The owners are amazing and are really engaged in customer service and inquiring how they can make your experience more enjoyable. They even suggest spice levels and cater dishes accordingly. Great place for vegetarians, as all the dishes are plentiful and hearty.

    Jonathan H.

    My wife and I were in Columbia City and looking for cafe to chill and we decided to try Habesha Cafe. Since it was an Ethiopian cafe I thought it would be great to try their traditional Ethiopian coffee. The owner served us the pot of strong coffee for two with frankincense. The coffee was delicious and rich and the frankincense along with the chilled music in the cafe made it a perfect place to read our books and enjoy the day slowly. The cafe has a nice shop with food and items, like Ethiopian coffee pots, to purchase. The owner was incredibly friendly. The only thing to consider about the traditional Ethiopian coffee is that it wasn't cheap: the pot for two with frankincense was $15 --- with tax and tip the total was nearly $20. It was unique and special though --- and the first time that I've tried coffee in this way.

    A traditional Ethiopian coffee setting
    Elizabeth H.

    Based on the table next from us the food looks glorious. Ethiopian food is one of a kind. However my husband and I came here for its Ethiopian coffee and we were hooked. Beautiful traditional setting especially the little cups, coffee pot and the frankincense was a shout out! The cafe is cozy and friendly with a calming music in the background.

    Plant-based meat tibs with Habesha's Special-Meat and Veggie Combo
    Nikole H.

    Habesha has been our favorite Ethiopian restaurant since it was Amy's Merkato. Tonight was the first time we had been back since they added plant-based meat to the menu. We all loved it (two meat eaters and one vegetarian). The owner is so friendly and works hard to make sure everyone is enjoying their meals.

    Lisa S.

    First try at Ethiopian food. It was fantastic even though we didn't really know what to order. Mocha and Chai latte also great!

    The full veggie combo (serves 2-3). 
 Absolute MUST HAVE.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Really great habesha food. I really enjoyed the spicy tibs sandwich and the sambusa. I will definitely be back.

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    2 years ago

    The green chicken is very tasty. The server/owner is so gracious. Very casual family vibe.

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    3 years ago

    All the veggie classics I tried were done well. Very warm and friendly owners. Pleasant dining area with big sunny windows.

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    Filli A.

    Thank you for your review. And beautiful table setting!

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Got the vegetarian combo with rice. The food was fresh and balanced. Love Ethiopian food!

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    Page 2 of 4

    Ask the Community - Habesha Cafe

    Does the market sell fresh chicken?

    No.

    View All 2 Questions

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    4.4
    (399 reviews)
    4.0 mi
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    Hats off to the chef. The food here has the flavors I like. Appropriate portions for the price. Not…read moregonna lie, the injera was extra pickled/sour flavored, and I loved it. Its not everyday I run across places with such sour injera, but it just mixes so well with all the juices it soaks up. I would show you my food, but we devoured it too fast. Be ware of parking, its just bad with only 1 or 2 spots out front. Which means your gonna have to walk about 1 to 2 blocks. When you get there you might walk right past it and end uo snooping around the club next door like it did. When you do find it, you feel like Harry Potter did when he found that hidden alley. The fenced off entrance take you through their outdoor dining space before you make your way into the storefront. The exterior decor is set up in a way that shields the customers from the madness on the street. I almost felt like I left seattle for a bit while I was in their domain. I also wish I took photos but, its too small and there were too many customers. I didnt want to invade anyone's intimate dinning privacy. Unfortunately for me I ordered my food ahead of time. I absolutely would like to come back soon while the weather is nice, especially to enjoy some amazing food in their hip outdoor dining area. Feel free to use this info when choosing your next location to dine out.

    Ordered inside the restaurant for take out. As we usually do in an Ethiopian place, we ordered the…read moremeat combo and veggie combo. No complaints about the veggie combo, but the meat combo only has two types of meat and is otherwise all veggie/lentil. You'll get better value and variety at other spots for the same price. I liked the sour injera, but it somehow wasn't edible on it's own, and I usually really like it as is. I'd go back if someone else suggested it, but I won't be choosing it as my #1 Ethiopian pick.

    Photos
    Cafe Selam
    Meat combo - delicious!
    Meat combo - delicious!
    Comfy shaded outdoor seating with a cameo by the Blue Angels!

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    Ras Dashen Ethiopian Cuisine

    Ras Dashen Ethiopian Cuisine

    4.4
    (182 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Look at your bill before you pay!!! They charged us $35 instead of $30 (as is written on their…read moremenu) for the Family Combo. And, another $5 for gluten free bread (we never asked for gluten free, and the menu says that bread is included). When we asked about the $10 extra charge that we didn't plan on, they said that they ran out of regular bread and had to give us gluten free. And the $35 instead of $30 was because they have a new menu coming out with the higher price, but "its not yet printed." This is misrepresentation and illegal. They were dishonest. They never told us about the price change in the beginning, when we were ordering. When we wanted them make it right and remove the $10 extra charge, they wouldn't. They just said its now on the "new" menu, which is "not yet printed." A bunch of BS in my opinion. It felt like they knew exactly what they are doing in scamming Americans who come into their restaurant. Be careful! Or just go some places else. There are a lot of other great options in the area.

    We love going here for their vegetable combo. It feeds my 2 kids and me for a great price!…read more They have recently updated their food so the injera is always gluten free, and the vegis are all vegan. Their food has been amazing everytime we've gone, and service has been friendly.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    2. Fish Asa Goulshe 1. Lamb Tibs Family Combo
    2. Fish Asa Goulshe 1. Lamb Tibs Family Combo
    Empty table ready and bar toward the front

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    Empty table ready and bar toward the front
    Adey Abeba Ethiopian Restaurant

    Adey Abeba Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.4
    (235 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    I ordered the Adey Meat Combo from Adey Abeba Ethiopian Restaurant via UberEats while visiting…read moreSeattle, and wow--I'm so glad I did! The combo came with a beautiful spread of veggies--cabbage, greens, split peas, lentils, and beets--along with the beef wat I selected as my meat. Everything was packed with flavor, perfectly spiced, and the portion size was just right. The presentation was thoughtful even through delivery, which is not always the case with takeout. One of the best parts? They offer gluten-free injera! That made the whole experience even better. The price itself was very fair for the amount of food you get, but like most delivery apps, the UberEats fees made the total much higher than expected. Still, the quality and flavor made it worth it. I'd love to visit Adey in person to get the full experience and ambiance when I'm here again! Since I was in town for work and too tired to go out, I specifically looked for a Black-owned restaurant that delivered, and I'm so happy I found Adey. Delicious food, great portions, and care put into every detail--I'll definitely order again next time I'm in Seattle!

    Locally owned spot with a charming and homey feel! We ordered the meat combo and veggie combo which…read morecame served on a tangy injera with extra injera on the side. There's three of us and we couldn't finish so we had a decent amount to take as leftovers. The meats were all stewed until tender and all of the other veggie dishes complimented everything so well. There was just one waitress at the time so the vibes are pretty laid back. I didn't feel like they're not trying to rush you at all! I'll definitely be back here!

    Photos
    Adey Abeba Ethiopian Restaurant
    Combined veggie and meat combo into one for us
    Combined veggie and meat combo into one for us
    Inside

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    Inside
    Zagol Ethiopian Restaurant

    Zagol Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.4
    (126 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    I came on a Sunday and this place was busy. Street parking only and it can be a little difficult…read more The restaurant is pretty big with a whole bar side in the back. The service was a little slow, but again, it was busy and there were only two people taking orders and serving. With this in mind, our food came out relatively fast. The bathroom area was also a little neglected during this busy rush with none of the sinks having paper towels, so I had to use napkins at the table to dry my hands while waiting for our food. I got an Ethiopian beer, the Zagol combo, and the lamb yebeg tibs. Everything was flavorful and paired well with the injera. The portions were pretty generous. Our meal came with 3 side injera on top of the injera plating all the veggies and meat. Between two people, we had leftovers, but a lot of it is a the injera used for plating. I wish the zagol combo had one more meat option in it, but the addition of the lamb dish was perfect. Definitely try the lamb yebeg tips because it was my favorite out of all, and we got it spicy. There's also a meat combo option on the menu as well if more meat is wanted. The beer is light and paired well with the bold flavors of these dishes. Overall I would come back again. A lot of tables had tea and I would like to try that next time.

    Good food, good service, the parking situation could be a little better, especially for when it…read moregets busy. I do think the first time I came my portion was a bit small, and the 2nd to 3rd time the injera was cold but other than that flavor is there, I love when they have music playing, and love when all the uncles come out. Makes the atmosphere a lot better. I'll definitely be back for that kitfo!!!

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    Zagol Ethiopian Restaurant
    Meat combo
    Meat combo
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    Walia Ethiopian Lager
    Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant

    Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.1
    (217 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant is an institution having been in the Seattle area for 30+ years. Now…read moreonwards to its second generation in the family, Meskel is now in an area that is dotted by many other Ethiopian restaurants. They remind an OG steward in a building that incidentally looks like a family house with an interior decorated with Ethiopian art. With much competition nearby, Meskel was sadly quiet on the day we went. The proprietor was nonetheless enthusiastic with new customers to her restaurant. Per her recommendation, we ordered their popular items listed at the top of their food menu. Side note: They do not offer a meat combo, unlike many other Ethiopian restaurants. The Food: Their injera (spongy bread) is impeccable with a potent sourdough taste. Despite having had many injera in the past, theirs stood out in this regard and is incredibly flavorful as is. Unfortunately, if one doesn't like sourdough bread, this could be problematic. Each entrée includes a full-size piece of injera. BBQ Special, $28.50 - 4.5 Stars Aromatic berbere-infused steak is slow cooked and paired with peppers and onions. This dish is served in a ceramic warmer with a small piece of charcoal underneath. Hubby said he liked this better than the typical meat combo. Vegetable Combination, $25 - 4 Stars The photo's veggie combo included veggies that are served with the BBQ Special, possibly just the salad, not sure. This combo with eight variants is modest compared to other restaurants both in terms of variants and portions of each. I commonly see ten variants in the veggie combo with bigger portions for each. Looking at older posted photos, the original portions are indeed bigger. I'll chalk it off to inflation. While the flavors of each are good, overall, this combo did not compare as well as others I have had.

    Such great service!! The owner does it all, she cooks and serves and even has great conversation…read morewith all her guests. This place is amazing. The food was so delicious and unique to me. Local owned place, go support. This was my first time having Ethiopian food and I loved it. It's served "family style" and portions are large. She gets all her spices shipped to her from family in Ethiopia.

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    Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant
    Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant
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    Food Menu

    Habesha Cafe - ethiopian - Updated July 2026

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