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    LeYou Ethiopian

    4.4 (482 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    LeYou Ethiopian Reservations

    LeYou Ethiopian Photos

    Business Info

    LEYOU ETHIOPIAN ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - LeYou Ethiopian

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    Gomen/Collard Greens (V) Butcha/Cold Chickpea Salad (V) Shiro (V)/Chickpea - Keywot Kitfo/Tartare Four Vegetarian Sampler
    Martin H.

    LeYou is located right off the N First St exit towards San Jose and is located in a very unassuming plaza. What I love about LeYou is, not only is it Michelin guided, it lives up to its recommendation. The food here was fresh and delicious, service was kind and attentive, and last the space was charming. I can totally see this place being a cute place for a first date or a special occasion. Now let's talk about the food, at most places they serve their tartare thats beef but at LeYou they take a unique take on that with fish instead. I believe you can pick between tuna or salmon and we opted for the tuna and it was hefty and delicious. You can even adjust the spice level on this and we opted for medium which actually felt like medium. Most places are heavy on the spices even if you ask for less. As for the rest of the meal you must try the gomen which is the collared greens. It's seasoned well and works good in combination of your other dishes. Of course you must order the shiro which is mashed chickpeas and various beans. This one is a little spicy and a slow burn which is pleasant because it won't cause instant tummy aches. Overall highly recommend LeYou if you're ever in town or wanting to try Ethiopian for the first time!

    Pranathi B.

    We celebrated a birthday party here, since we were a large group we got to share several appetizers. They were able to accommodate our large group and allowed us to cut a cake at the end of our meal as well. For appetizers we got sambusas, eggplant dip and kitfo bites. The dip and kitfo came with toasted bite sized injera. They were crisp enough to be like chips. Both the eggplant dip and kitfo were severely lacking salt, and were just difficult to eat. For mains we got injera with an assortment of curries and sides. The chicken and shrimp were the best while the rest were okayish. The injera wasn't too sour compared to other places. Overall I was disappointed by the food especially given this has been a Michelin guide recommended place.

    Jessica C.

    Dropped in a reservation and Lyia took care of us. We ordered a leyou special sampler and I specifically asked for okra and asa fish and Lyia was like "oh there definitely be fish in it" We got our food and was delighted that we got a sample of a lot of dishes, 3 small scoops of lentils, 2 types of protein, a couple cubes of tofu, collard greens, salad, beets, and others

    menu
    Helen V.

    Walking inside, the interior was wonderfully decorated with Ethiopian culture. The server came to our table and described the food to us since we didn't have much knowledge of the cuisine. They also have a button that buzzes your waiter to come over. However, due to our lack of knowledge, they recommended ordering the special since it has a variety of toppings. But they never told us the price and amount of food that it comes with. Since we had a vegetarian friend, we wanted to make sure there was food for her to eat. So we ordered two specials. If I was the waiter, I would've recommended not ordering two specials because the portion ended up being WAYY too much food for just four girls to eat. We barely made a dent in the food. Some of the toppings were good and others were fine. I wouldn't go back unless I did thorough research beforehand to understand exactly what to order.

    HAPAS IPA (left) -Robust and hoppy as traditional ipa's taste  BLUE NILE PREMIUM GOLD LAGER (right) (definitely one of my favs now)
    Elijah T.

    First time having Ethiopian food. I definitely want to try more from LeYou. I ordered my food to go , so I am sure there is much more to experience enjoying my food there sitting down. I look forward to that next time ! To start things off all staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. LeYou is a hidden gem , beautifully designed interior. Great place to go with a group or with a special person. I ordered a IPA beer while I waited for my order. I was offered an Ethiopian beer which I have never tried before and it was so good ! Light ,crisp, and refreshing! I ordered the Sega Key Wot , it had great flavor and good spice. Paired with the Gomen- collard greens. My order came with sponge bread (not sure of the proper name of it). Quality of the food was great and everything was very fresh. I will definitely eat there next time and also go with their recommendation of trying the Doro Key Wot next time! Cant wait for the experience.

    Beef and chicken tib with okra and collard greens
    Jessica A.

    LeYou's dishes were delectable! We ordered kategna, kitfo bites, and got the chicken+beef tib with sides of okra and collard greens. All pack a punch and can be a little bit on the spicy side for those with low spice tolerance (like me). There were plenty of food and we enjoyed some affogato for dessert. Debbie was an attentive server and gave us great recommendations. There is a minimum dining cost for dinner at $25 per person or $10 fee per person for split entree. Having a minimum is a bit of a deterrent.

    Tibs - Asa/White fish, Sega/Beef - Alicha, Doro/Chicken - Keywot, Eggplant Dip (V), Okra (V), lentils, salad
    Ameryka L.

    The waitress was very nice and accommodating to us and allowed us to store the cake in the fridge ! She was very patient in helping our party order and recommended her favorite dishes. The place is nicely decorated and chill ambiance, but as the sun was setting, it was difficult to see the table. I really liked that there is a separate handwashing station right next to the restroom for ppl to wash before or after eating ! My group and I are not entirely new to Ethiopian cuisine, however for a 3-year Michelin restaurant, this place takes the cake for being the blandest we've had. There was basically no flavor in the fish, the beef was alright and the chicken was just there. Comparing to other reviews on here, the eggplant dip and okra appetizers were served on our meal platter, not separately as others have posted. Perhaps it's because we ordered two appetizers, but for the price we paid, it was not amounting to what we got. My friends favored the eggplant dip the most, i liked the beef and salad. Overall, not the best but not the worst. For a highly advertised Michelin, this was a really average restaurant. Many thanks to the kind waitress though (:

    Four Vegetarian Sampler
    Lasya R.

    Super great Ethiopian spot with tons of options. If you're vegetarian, more than half the menu is veg so there are soo many good choices! We ordered the veggie sampler with four items and added two meat dishes on the side, which was perfect for trying a bit of everything. Since there were so many options and we weren't sure where to start, the servers helped us choose and gave great recommendations. The amount of food ended up being just right for four people to share. The flavors reminded me a little of Indian food, if you like South Indian cuisine you'll love it! The injera is similar to dosa and works so well with all the dishes. For dessert we got the flan and was super creamy and sweet, though the portion was smaller than we expected. The ambiance inside is really pretty and well decorated, with a cozy, homey vibe. Definitely will be back!

    Stuffed Jalepeño
    Han-Nha T.

    Minimum $25/person. Well-rounded dishes. Everything was solid. Stuffed jalapeños were very spicy but so much more than the sum of it's parts, it was vegetarian but for a sec I thought there was ceviche or something in it. Kategna (toasted spiced injera) had paprika and came with yogurt with honey, lightly sweet and rich. Stews were solid and not too salty. They ran out of fish, but chicken and especially beef were a tad dry. The injera didn't have too much of a taste, but also not too tangy and had a good texture. Probably best nicer Ethiopian resturant around.

    Leslie N.

    This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I'm glad I did! It was definitely a fun eating experience. I believe this is a Michelin spot, so I was excited. The ambiance was cozy, and located in a spot w a small parking lot. The staff are super sweet and give my party recommendations on what to get. What I got: Stuffed Jalapeño appetizer Tuna Kitfo Bites (MUST GET THIS WAS SO GOOOOD) 2 meat stew combo items ( fish and chicken) vegetarian combo platter ( tofu, lentil, 2 other ones that the server rec but i don't remember) Sega beef stew I thought it was cool how everything we ordered was served all in one giant platter. I did enjoy the meal, my favs were the chicken, fish and lentil. It makes a good pairing w/ the injera too!!!! Overrall, would recommend this place for Ethopian food!!!!

    family style plate

    We had such amazing food! Kiya our server was also so sweet and made us feel very welcome excited to come back.

    Four Vegetarian Sampler and Two Meat Stew Items
    Jocelyn S.

    This restaurant is so beautiful inside and food was amazing! It definitely had more of an intimate vibe, great for date night. Decor is super chic too. I love the communal experience you get with Ethiopian food and this didn't disappoint! My friend and I shared a two meat combo and four veggie combo. I'm not super familiar with the specific dishes but the staff were very eager to help and recommend dishes. We got the spicy chicken (doro) and fish for the meat combo and the okra, spicy lentils, house salad, and tofu for the veggie combo. Everything was such a "flavor explosion" as my friend called it. We were super stuffed by the end. It was under $30 per person. Staff was very courteous and refilled our injera without us asking. Parking available in the lot. Will definitely be back! Note to myself: I think the combos all come with salad already!

    Stan W.

    We went Valentine's Day dinner. We had to make a reservation and the place was packed! The vibe was very romantic and the service was great. We had the platter win lamb tibs. We paid $100 all in. It came with some fantastic sambousas, a main course and desert.

    Gomen/Collard Greens (V) Kay Sir/Beets, Carrots, Peas, Potatoes (V) Asa/White Fish - Keywot Sega/Beef - Alicha

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - LeYou Ethiopian

    Is the meat halal?

    We have halal lamb and chicken.

    My husband does not like spicy food. Is it possible to order a meal that is not spicy?

    Yes, of course.

    Is this restaurant no longer open for lunch?

    We will transition back to opening for lunch starting on December 2nd.

    Can we order extra injera? Online ordering does not have that option.

    I went this past weekend and you can order extra injera using the online ordering at the table. There was plenty of injera for both my friend and I and we did not need to order extra.

    What’s are the nearest cross streets? Is it in down town SJ? Is parking on street, public parking or private parking lot?

    Its on 1st street close to 880. (Near hedding) They have their own parking lot.

    View All 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    Kategna Ethiopian Restaurant

    Kategna Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.3
    (383 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    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!

    Restaurant It is…read moreinside a non descript strip mall. I traveled here from Fairfield. There are 8 booths and 10 sets of tables and 3 areas where it appears you would experience the authentic ethiopion coffee service. They were in the back preparing an order when we arrived so we waited short of 5 minutes for them to know we were there. When the waiter arrives she warmly greeted us and instructed us to sit anywhere. She quickly returned and provided us menus. Shortly thereafter our order was placed and we were provided water. We ordered our favorite no matter what ethiopian restaurant we go to and that is Gored gored Veggie platter Sambusas, the lentils inside were a bit hard and there wasn't much seasoning. I also ordered a cup of tea as I still had a cough from a cold Food The cabbage and greens were luke warm. The lentils were somewhat hot. The salad was fine and the gored gored was delicious. I wish their injera had more of a sour taste too it but overall food was good, service was good. I give them a 4 star review. Minus 1 point for the lukewarm food.

    Photos
    Kategna Ethiopian Restaurant
    Sambussa
    Sambussa
    Inside

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    Inside
    Walia Ethiopian Cuisine

    Walia Ethiopian Cuisine

    4.3
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.8 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!

    Photos
    Counter
    Counter
    Chicken juicy tibs with Grilled chicken combo
    Chicken juicy tibs with Grilled chicken combo
    Outside

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    Outside
    Selam Restaurant and Cafe

    Selam Restaurant and Cafe

    4.2
    (157 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    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/

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Injera on the side
    Injera on the side
    Beef Tibs and Veggie Combo

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    Beef Tibs and Veggie Combo
    Ethio-LunchBox

    Ethio-LunchBox

    3.7
    (7 reviews)
    2.6 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.

    Photos
    Ethio-LunchBox
    Kitfo
    Kitfo
    Gored Gored

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    Gored Gored
    Haleluya Ethiopian Gourmet

    Haleluya Ethiopian Gourmet

    4.6
    (335 reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$

    My family's first time eating Ethiopian food and we were not dissapointed! It was great. We had the…read morevegeterian combo for two, lamb stew and a side of rice. Great tasting spices and really enjoyed the injera. Worth trying out if ever in Fremont area. Also shout out to the server who was really patient with us and my daughter. Very friendly guy

    Very disappointed and confused about the raving reviews. I am not new to Ethiopian/Eritrean…read morecuisine, so as far as the food and flavors go, it was satisfactory at best. I ordered the meat combo. The injera doesn't have the sour flavor I was expecting, so I suspect it's blended and not made with all teff. The best part for me is to finish the left over stew-soaked injera at the end, but this experience was robbed from me when I discovered that they rinsed my plate and placed the injera on the plate while it was still wet, leaving it extra soggy and cold from the water. The service was good as the owner was attentive & made sure I was good. He gave me extra injera to remedy my complaint about my food being served on a cold, wet plate. I've never had a bad experience with Ethiopian food before, but this was what honestly killed it for me and literally left a bad taste in my mouth. Ambiance is good, the place was clean, it was quiet & peaceful when I came in on a Friday evening right before sunset. I probably would not visit again due to me having much better food & experience at other locations.

    Photos
    Very clean inside
    Very clean inside
    Veggie Combo Platter
    Veggie Combo Platter
    Beef tibs, Doro Wot

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    Beef tibs, Doro Wot

    LeYou Ethiopian - ethiopian - Updated August 2026

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