I've gone here a few times over the years and it is a consistent favorite. I love a good hole in the wall spot. I always get the Keren Special or the Veggie platter (which is the same as the Keren Special without the meat). The Keren special is great with the chicken or beef. This time we got beef and it may be my new favorite. It had more flavor than the chicken, but either way you can't go wrong. Unfortunately I've never branched out to the breakfast dishes but they look great. The flavors and spices are so good. The portions are great. You can split either dish between two people, maybe 3 if you're all light eaters. The food always come out fast, which is always nice. And the prices are fantastic. Very affordable. read more

Keren Restaurant - Vegetables W/ Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Small cute cafe near Dupont Circle. We came in at 6:15pm on a Thursday, and the place was filled up by 6:30pm. I have never had Eritrean food before or not that I know of, but I would assume the food would be similar to Ethiopian food. Prices on the menu were very reasonable, much cheaper than the Ethiopian places I go to in Houston. They also offered all day breakfast and sandwich options in addition to the large injera based platters. Noting the prices, I opted for the veggie combo thinking it was going to be a smaller dishes. Nope. It was huge and every item on the dish was some of the best I have had. The injera was not as dark as the Ethiopian places I have been to. I assumed that it had less teff but it was also less sour which I preferred. I am definitely returning here if I get the chance again; only more cognizant of the portions. read more

Keren Restaurant - Veggie combo plus Eritrean beer in the background. - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The restaurant is small with a huge heart! The staff was very helpful as we looked at the menu. I was surprised by the variety of pasta dishes. Everyone loves their food. The portions were generous. read more

They've been voted best Eritrean (Eritrean use to be part of the Ethiopian empire) consistently for years, and we've been coming here for over a decade. A small space but their food is amazing! Also it's super affordable. Their Keren Special is enough to feed two people. We get take out from here like every other week. They do a great job packing their to-go orders and the people that work there are all so nice. read more

My friend recommended Keren Restaurant. He used to live nearby for many years. He and his family ate at Keren regularly. I met my friend and his son at Keren Restaurant. We ordered two specials amongst the three of us. We had plenty to eat and it was filling. Eritrean chicken is flavorful and seasoned incredibly well. The greens and other veggies on the plate combined with the chicken create a balanced meal. It's not too spicy and and the bread soaks up the flavors. We had a memorable meal with great service. read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When I moved to DC from Dallas, I missed a local bakery that severed Fatta Silsi and Fuul. I typed those dishes into Yelp and this gem popped up. Since then, I have been back several times for their breakfast! Everything is delicious here so you can't go wrong but our faves are the Fatta, Fuul with eggs and the beef tibs. I could honestly come here every day and be content. Cannot stress enough how much I love this place! read more

This is my 1st time having Eritrean food. It's delicious! The food is not something I would crave often but I'm happy that I tried it. I found it flavorful and very filling. The injera is addicting and the lentils were my favorite. The food is affordable with generous portions. The restaurant is small with limited seating and busy. I would definitely return to try more menu options. I heard their breakfasts are amazing. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi (Beef) W/ Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

As a big fan of Ethiopian/Eritrian food, i was really looking forward to trying the place. However, compared to other places i've been, the veggie combo was a little less flavorful. It was really three star food, however the service was fast and attentive. It's the kind of affordable, hole-in the wall place I appreciate it. I don't think i'll be adding it to the rotation, but was a solid meal for what it was. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi (chicken) W/ Vegetables combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

While visiting DC our cousin brought us to Keren and I can not say enough good things about the food , service here. We ordered two keren specials one of chicken one of beef and for our party of 5 it was more than enough . Super delicious food they even had a way to acomódate our daughters gluten free request . Loved it loved it !!! Come try it if you are visiting Washington DC read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It was my first time having Eritean food - I have tried Ethiopian food before. My friend and I ordered the veggie combo with the Fish Dulet. The veggie combo was more value worth with a diverse array of veg portions - we appreciated the extra Enjera that came with it. The fish dulet intrigued us as we often did not see fish with enjera - so we wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately it was a little disappointing - the flavor of the fish did not pop as much as the veggie combo platter. Overall, a great experience! The staff was super sweet and helpful in helping us choose what to get at our first eritean meal. I highly recommend the veggie combo even if you like your meats - it is more value for your buck. read more

Keren Restaurant - Enjera! - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Keren has been my favorite restaurant in Dc for at least 5 years! The staff is so friendly and the food is always the best. Every time I walk in to Keren, it feels like I've come back home! My favorites are the keren special, fish dulet, egg silsi, and breakfast combo. I always get an extra side of cabbage too, because it's my favorite cabbage in the whole world! Definitely stop by here, you won't regret it! I'm sure you'll become a regular here in no time! read more

Keren Restaurant - Fish dulet with extra side of cabbage - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

look, this is no fine dining restaurant and so you should not expect a fancy interior or "impeccable service." this is a homely establishment for ethiopian/eritrean food with - excellent value for money ($25 is more than enough for two) - a fun style of eating for something casual - GOOD FOOD. period. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi W/ Vegetables - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I really enjoyed my experience at Keren! Our waitress was so sweet and while the interior was nothing to write home about (although they're currently undergoing renovations so that could change), the quality of the food was amazing. A friend and I split the keren special for $20 or $25 and it was more than enough food for the 2 of us! I can't wait until it opens up again to try it out a 2nd time. read more

Fish dulet ($14.99) and Ethiopian beer (~$6.50) was fking crack. Seriously. Holy s*** will I be dreaming about this place FOREVER. One entree was enough to stuff the two of us. Fish was deliciously spicy, the injera was fluffy and soft (and not to mention alot), the veggies and salad that came on the injera was incredible. I uploaded three pictures of the exact same dish. Shows how BOMB this place is. One of my top five restaurants in America? Oh hell yes. I'll be back hungry for more!! read more

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So good. Three of us came in at 5:50pm on a Tuesday and it was pretty empty, but by the time we left at 6:45pm, it was filled. Our service was super fast and pleasant. I shared the Keren Special (with Beef Tibsi) with my fiance, and we even had leftovers to take home. So definitely shareable portions!! This was only my second time having ethiopian food, and every dish was so delicious!! Will definitely return :) read more

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Keren's has got to be my top 3 eateries in the D.C. area. Be aware, you're always welcome there but the internal size is about as spacious as a two car garage. Reservations are not accepted as it's first come, first served. They often try to seat guests at the bar to accommodate the many customers. Don't come in here acting all high and mighty as you will be sitting in very close proximity to other diners. If at all possible, don't sit at the table right by the door. You catch the breeze and everyone is standing really close by you as they wait to be seated. The bathroom could really use a refresh. The decor is dated and in some areas peeling but the ladies who work here are sweet as pie. Admittedly, I drove from Norfolk to D.C. to eat lunch here one day. I often gravitate toward the spicy fish and veggie platter. The pasta with the fish is divine. The combo plates are limited but if you put one together with items you like, you won't leave disappointed but with a full belly. Wash your hands before you start as it is food traditionally enjoyed by using your hands. Of course, wash your hands afterwards to avoid the lingering smell of spice on your mitts. The honey wine is an excellent choice while you wait for your meal. There is a large window perfect for people watching as you pass the time. The after meal drink is the cardamon tea. It may be a little stronger than what you Lipton drinkers are used to but it aids in digestion and is comforting. There are no desserts here but The Cake Room is right across the street and is the perfect end to a fine meal. Be patient, come hungry and try something you've never had before. I can't wait until I can get back to get my lamb tibs and veggies! read more

Came here for a weekend dinner. The restaurant doesn't look that exciting from the outside but there was a long line - something must draw the crowd. We got seated pretty quickly. The dinner menu is small but has the regular platter dishes you'd expect. We ordered one vege platter and one vege platter + chicken tibs. Excellent! We wiped down both plates. Dinner was very affordable. Our service was friendly and quick. Impressive given there's only one person working the floor in the restaurant. I'd come back! read more

Amazing! The first time trying Eritrean food and we had the veggie and beef combo and it was perfect for two people! The injera was so soft and spongy and the meat was perfectly cooked. All of the sides me veggies paired well and were so flavorful. We waited for about 20 minutes outside on a Saturday for a table for 2. The owner was kind and came to tell everyone outside that it is actually open until 10pm and that the turnaround should be fast. She was so kind and recommended us the perfect portion! One of my favorite places to eat in DC! read more

Keren Restaurant - Keren special with beef - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We visited some friends in DC and they suggested this place for dinner. It was amazing! It's small and there's not a lot of seating, so I'm happy we got lucky and got a table right away. Food is amazing! We ordered the plate pictured and it was plenty of food for 4 people. We also paired it with some of their delicious honey wine. If I come back to DC, I will definitely try this place again! read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Late review, but my first time eating Ethiopian food and I can't wait to eat it again!! We got the special tibsi (huge platter of meat and veggies on enjera) and special shiro (chickpea sauce in clay pot). Enjera dipped in chickpea sauce was soooo delicious I was literally stuffing myself uncontrollably lmao. And the beef in the special tibsi was so tender/juicy and had incredible flavor. We ended up asking for more enjera which I think was no extra charge? My bf and I had a decent amount of leftovers even though we shared these two and were pretty hungry, so the portions are really big. The leftovers were enough to make me full for another meal the next day. I parked on the street about a block away since there was 2 hours free parking on Saturday. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special tibsi! - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When I realized my new-to-DMV boyfriend hadn't tried Ethiopian food, we had to make a trip to Keren. Food 5/5: The flavors were so rich and the portions were filling. It's hard to get each meat and size packed with such distinct flavor when they could be mixing into one another, but every side was unique. The Special Tibsi plus an additional meat is fitting for two hungry people. Service 4.5/5: Our server was very pleasant and patient with us walking through the menu. Cleanliness 4/5: Keren is following appropriate Covid safety measures and keeping distances between tables. Ambiance 4/5: Though the place is small, it doesn't feel cramped and has a lot of cultural references throughout that gives you a full dining experience, as opposed to a quick bite. The aroma of good Ethiopian coffee permeates, for a great brunch vibe. read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for dinner with friends while visiting AdMo. It was my first time trying Eritrean food. The portions were awesome; however, I felt that the cooking was a little underwhelming. I ordered the Special Tibsi with Beef. I'm not sure if the dish is intended to lean sour but I felt like there was too much acidity in the dish between the injera and the vegetables-- there was not a complete balance of flavors. The pancake was a little sour which I didn't like with the spinach, tomatoes, and onions. In addition, I felt that the beef was cooked longer than I would have liked. We also had the Fish Cotoletta Sandwich. The sandwich was an average fried fish sandwich, but the portion was great. Overall, the dishes I tried were average. The portions were awesome, and I appreciate that Keren is a local business bringing unique Eritrean cooking to DC. I would love to come back for brunch and the all-day breakfast. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi (Beef) W/ Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Kerens was my first introduction to Ethiopian food and I'm glad it was the first. While being a small restaurant with maybe 10 tables at the most, I don't think I've ever seen it not filled to the brim with people. Everything I order there is amazing snd definitely recommend that you go and give them a try. read more

I've never had Ethiopian food so I had to try it. I totally get why this place has all the stars. Their food was delicious!! The hubs and I each had the Keren Special with the beef. Each portion of food had different flavors and each bite was so good. I will never forget this experience. I wish Sacramento had Ethiopian food. DC is so lucky to have the largest Ethiopian population outside of Ethiopia making their authentic meals. I would come back again! read more

A most gracious and generous brother and sister team, Lemlem and Teka have returned to 1780 Florida Ave. crossing U Street, NW, with a bright and warm, intimate establishment where regulars and newbies can dine and enjoy spicy and soulful Eritrean dishes. Before a fire shuttered Karen Restaurant's doors two years ago, dinner wait lines spilled out onto the street, especially on weekends. Regulars, like I, waited with bated breath for it to reopen. Now renovated, I jumped with glee to see Lemlem and Teka return the first week of 2026. (THANK GOD!) And, once again, the lines cometh. My two favorite selections are Karen's Special and the vegetarian dish. Karen's Special of spicy chicken (you can order mild), presented with vegetables - cabbage, boiled potatoes, carrots, spinach and red and yellow lentils - are plated on a platter-size flat bread injera and more injera on the side. It hits the spot each time I eat there. Actually, Lemlem's food does more than hit the spot - it's medicinal. Anytime I've had a cold, I've actually gotten better. For real. Karen's warm, spicy dishes are especially welcoming on Fall's and Winter's breezy, cold days. Along with the pleasant and professional service from Selam and the accommodating wait staff, the ambience/atmosphere is another reason I love going to Karen's. The music is not loud. You actually can hear yourself think, or if I'm alone, read a book. They play a mix of contemporary, low-decimal music, but personally, I like hearing the unique cultural music. For me, it heightens the cultural experience and pairs well with the food, like a good red wine with Italian dishes, and I can pretend I'm actually in a cafe' in Lemlem's and Teka's mother country. With the high rate of restaurant turnovers in DC, I'm sooooo happy Karen is back and still here!!! read more

I came with my cousins two days ago. I used to come from time to time in the past but this was my first time coming in at least 5-10 years. The food was delicious the only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars is because of the customer service. Our server was on her cell phone when I walked in and continued to speak on her cell phone while we were there. It was difficult to grab her attention whenever we needed something and that was frustrated. One of the cousins I was with is a frequent customer of Keren and he said the server he usually has wasn't there. Maybe that was why our customer service was so bad. We had a big dish of injera with two kinds of Tibs (spicy and non-spicy), spinach, Alitcha, Lentils, Shiro and salad. If it wasn't for the lack of professionalism our server had we would've had a better experience. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi W/ Vegetables, Special Tibsi (Beef) W/ Injera, Lentils, Salad and Alitcha. - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Please know that this is food meant to be shared and the item servings are big! I felt like a jerk because I didn't have the means to keep the food refrigerated at my hotel, nor did I see any homeless people I could give my leftovers to. Service and quality of food perfectly reflect its current score :) read more

Yummy food in a laid back atmosphere. I had the Fish Dulet and my dining partner had a vegetarian plate. They catered for his request for no spice very well. The Fish Dulet was nice. A good amount of spice, but not overwhelming. I was tasty rather than hot. read more

Keren Restaurant - Fish Dulet! - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wow! My friend who is a local said this was her favorite Eritrean place. We let her order the plate and she also ordered the fish to supplement our dish. I thought it was fun using the injera to eat the meal! Everything was delicious, and it makes me want to seek out Eritrean and Ethiopian food on my own when I get home! I love the lentils and cabbage. read more

Keren Restaurant - Our feast! - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Keren's is the best of the best. The food is so consistent and absolutely delicious- not to mention great value. At Keren's you're always greeted with a smile and I promise after one visit you'll be coming back again and again. read more

I've had a decent amount of ethiopian, but not eritrean. I wonder if that makes a big difference. We got the veggie combo, side of beef, and fish. The beef was not tender, pretty dry. As for everything, the flavors were pretty good and the textures were too. It just wasn't amazing. It was good though. read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Classic Eritrean experience! I've been coming here since 2017 and the food is amazing. Just came back after many years and it still tastes just as good. I ordered the injera fitfit (brunch item), shiro (chickpeas) and the Ful (beans). Fitfit, lentils & ful were excellent. As was the tea! read more

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Delicious Ethiopian cuisine! Small place in a good location. I would definitely go back. read more

Keren Restaurant - Keren Special - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When in DC, Keren is definitely one of the top Eritrean restaurants to go to! And you can't beat the price point and these generous portions! In fact, for two people you can just share one large combo platter and you will be more than full. Don't miss it! read more

Keren Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

When it's 9:30 on a cold Thursday night and folks are willing to wait outside, you know the food is worth checking out. I've had pretty good Ethiopian food, but this was my first time at an Eritrean place. It's a small restaurant with minimal frills and lots of customers. We ordered the Special Tibsi with beef and Beef Cotoleta. First off, the manager came over after 5 minutes to apologize for being out of Beef Cotoleta, and offering to personally cook up the chicken version. Soon after, the server comes out with a massive portion of extra Chicken Cotoleta and spaghetti. I had no clue that the breading on the chicken and the meaty spaghetti sauce would be that complex. It looked like a plain chicken cutlet and pasta! The Beef Tibsi came with a flavorful sauteed spinach, spicy lentils, and salad atop a spongy injera (with a side of injera!). And a bread roll for some reason. I definitely kept eating after I probably should have stopped. TL;DR: delicious, well-spiced food served by a warm and generous staff. read more

Keren Restaurant - Special Tibsi with beef and a (surprise) Chicken Cotoleta with spaghetti and meat sauce. - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Keren is a staple of D.C. and Adams Morgan! On the weekends around brunch time the place is packed. I recently went on an off-hour and shared the #2 special combo that included beef and veggies and it was enough for two people, so it's a great deal too! Plus, everything felt freshly made and the marinated beef was to die for. I love the potatoes and lentils as well. The staff is always very nice here too. Love having an Eritrean restaurant option and glad to see they're successful after all these years! read more

You know a restaurant is awesome when you go in on a rainy Tuesday and there's a line to be seated. I've had better vegetarian platters in Silver Spring but the meat is supposedly good here. What I really want to try next time is something from the all day breakfast menu. Looks delicious! read more

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I always love taking people here when they come visit DC! This place is really good Habesha food in DC (as opposed to Silver Spring, where there's lots to choose from)! Price is fantastic. 1 Keren Special can easily feed 3-4 people (although you have to get 1 dish per 2 people). I recommend getting the spicy shiro for a side dish. The fish tibsi is a great choice too for pescatarians/zabiha halal eaters. I really like the beef tibsi with the Keren special. Food is always hot and fresh, and service is wonderful. The restaurant doesn't have any outdoor seating, which is a bummer for these days and the inside usually has a good number of people. That being said, I don't mind when the food is delicious. read more

Keren Restaurant - Keren Special with Beef Tibsi - Ethiopian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had veggie combo with enjera. It comes with cabbage, potato and carrots, greens and red lentil curry. It was tasty but a bit bland for my pallet. I have eaten a tonne of Ethiopian/Eritrean food in Dmv area and this place is subpar when it comes to spice level. So, that can be a plus or minus depending on what your requirement is. If you are into spicy food, great. No adjustments needed. But if you are like me and like some heat and spice in your food, ask to make it spicy or ask or their spice mix/sauce on the side. Location is great. Restaurant is full of people which is good sign. Staff was courteous. Decent portions. If you live in that area and are craving for Ethiopian/Eritrean food, go for it. But if you are living anywhere a bit north, drive a bit further and go to Silver Spring. That's where the best Ethiopian places are. Sorry Keren cafe. Your food is good but the competition is high. You really need to up your spice game(especially for veggie dishes). read more

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Wow lots of reviews for Keren, I can see why after having a wonderful dinner here tonight. We had the veggie platter and the ful regular. The restaurant filled up quickly after we sat down. Was the crowd following our lead? Tried out the local beer and it was crisp and smooth as advertised. Portions were quite generous and we left stuffed to the gills. read more

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