Amazing food & service. Very clean restaurant & everything was fresh. Definitely will be back!

My partner and I have been going here consistently for 5 years!! What keeps us coming back is the incredible service and the amazing flavors. It is authentically cozy, and meat dishes are always tender! Really a gem in the community! The owner is a one of a kind! read more

Return visit to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle. BBQ beef and veggie combo were delicious as usual and plenty of food for two people. Business seems down post-Covid. Daughter says: "This is a great place to chill with bae. You'll be delulu if you don't visit." read more

Meskel is the best Ethiopian restaurant in a city with great Ethiopian food. Get the kitfo raw, bring your family and prepare to eat way too much. read more

I always enjoy Ethiopian food and was excited to come here based on recommendations and reviews. However, I was disappointed due to service, food options, and overall experience. I felt like our party of six wasn't welcome from the moment we entered even though I had called ahead that we would be coming and if that was okay. Seated near the front of the restaurant on a cold night meant we got a chilly wind draft each time someone entered or left (the place wasn't packed and there were other seating options). When asking questions, it felt like we were a bother. We asked for like ice (yes, just ice) and the BBQ special and both were unavailable which was weird. The food we did get was fine with good spice flavor though - they give you plenty of injera for your meal. It tasted similar to other times I've had Ethiopian food. My main annoyance is that I usually get a meat or veggie/meat combo platter at Ethiopian places for the variety similar to an Indian Tali, but this place only has a veggie combo and no meat combo. I think without this it's hard for first timers to come given they don't get a chance to try multiple dishes. read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian Combination in the middle and then Lega Tibs on the bottoms right - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I had a delicious meal tonight. Amazing vegetarian combo and good green chicken. The staff is kind and offered great service. It was my first time eating here, and I wasn't sure when I could pick food up and they were really accommodating around the timing. I will go back again. Thank you! read more

The food here is okay ... the injera didn't taste fresh but everything else was great. !!! Our waitress seemed to be the only person working ... she was very polite!!! My mother ordered the beef and collards dish ... we didn't see much beef on her plate. read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian plate. - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I consider it a foregone conclusion in dining out that any experience where an irate restaurateur threatens to call the cops on you just for showing up to pick up an order is not a good one. I was going to pick up Ethiopian dinner and dine at a friend's house in the city. Posted hours on Meskel's website are 4-11 p.m. on Tuesdays. The friend, a regular here in pre-plague times, called to place an order while I was driving down to the city. That was the plan: she'd call and order at 5, I'd pick up at 5:30. Except that my friend couldn't get through. No answer at the restaurant. No answering machine. I was driving and didn't look at my phone. I didn't know this until I checked my phone later, after...the incident. The website said to knock on the back porch door, entrance on 26th Ave, to pick up orders. I went up the steps and knocked. Just a normal knock, like five rapid taps. The sign on the door required masks and gloves; a couple of stickers indicated this is one of Seattle's Best Places. There was no other sign. Eventually, an older woman yelled through the door indistinctly, "Read the sign!" I thought she meant the mask/glove sign; that's the only sign there was. "I'm here to pick up an order and yes I have mask and gloves!" I yelled. She yelled louder, "No orders! Read the sign!" "My friend ordered by phone," I responded. "We have no orders! We're closed! Closed sign! Why you keep knocking over and over?" (Huh? I knocked once.) "There is no closed sign here!" I yelled, and gave up. I headed down the stairs to leave. As I left, she slid open a window on the 26th Ave side of the building and yelled "YOU ARE STUPID WOMAN! Sign says CLOSED! YOU NEVER COME HERE AGAIN! I WILL CALL THE POLICE!" She's sure right about me never coming there again. There are plenty of other Ethiopian places in town that are not run by people whose anti-psychotic medications have run out. read more

Friendly and welcoming, great atmosphere, delicious food! Would recommend for a big group, but also great for solo dining. Outdoor seating is excellent for summer. read more

My brother and I had an excellent meal here this evening. Tasty food, a generous portion of kitfo and cheese and... well, it remains a favorite after many years. The quiet atmosphere is most appreciated! Our server was thoughtful and good natured. read more

Meskel is special! It's my favorite Ethiopian restaurant, the food is wonderful, and it's a family ambience where I always feel a warm welcome. I love the green chicken and the veggie combo! My family has celebrated events at Meskel over the years, and the hosts even remember our dietary needs. There's a nice patio outside, too. read more

Had a beer across the street at MBC then came over for dinner at Meskel. The food was homey, tasty, fresh, delicious. We were treated like we were showing up for family dinner. A hidden gem. read more

Served by the owner who was rude and asked if it was our first time having Ethiopian when we were asking questions about the menu. The injera was cold and tasted like it was store bought. Prices were very expensive compared to other comparable restaurants. Street parking was easy. Finding the entrance was a little tricky. read more

Lovely restaurant inside of a house (so finding the entrance was a bit confusing but probably a user error :)). The service was great and friendly. The food was equally as good and incredibly flavorful! I really enjoyed the red lentil component of the dish. Also loved the communal aspect of sharing the plate with your eating buddies. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for something different read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Decent food but the owner was very rude to me and i was the only customer in the restaurant. It was an awkward experience and it felt extremely unprofessional read more

I've been eating here for years this place is always amazing. I had the veggie meat combo it was so good. The lady who owns it is super friendly very nice environment. Excellent food and great location. If you thinking of Ethiopian try this place, talk to the lady. read more

Very authentic! Came here right when it opened at 4pm and had a pick of the restaurant. Overall service was good, food tasty, and felt that I was getting an authentic experience. read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegetarian Combination - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I was pleasantly surprised with the ambience of this restaurant and it is at par with most Ethiopian restaurants in Seattle in terms of taste. We ordered the veggie platter and doro tibbs. Most of the food tasted pretty good but the greens were too salty and the chicken was way too oily. The food also took very long to arrive! I've only been here once so not sure if this was a one-off. I might give it another try because I had a good time. read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I've been eating here since I was a child so it's been a good 10+ years. The food has always been 5 stars. Everything is ALWAYS fresh & the portions are perfect! This is hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant in Washington. read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - a plate of food - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This restaurant makes me feel like I'm back in my East African home eating mom's injera and tibbs. I've tried a handful of Ethiopian restaurants in Seattle, and this is my favorite so far. Definitely pay this place a visit if you love Ethiopian food. For the foodies out there, do yourself a favor and order some Kitfo :) read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie platter + shiro + assortment of meat dishes - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

How I heard of this place: A dozen friends were gathering for a feast at Meskel and I was among those invited! Type of cuisine: "Flavors burn a little brighter at Meskel, and the menu extends beyond the standard wots (stews rich in berbere, an Ethiopian chile-based spice blend), tibbs (cubed-meat sautes), and veggie combos--there always seems to be something special simmering in the kitchen. And here the injera isn't just a floppy, edible utensil, but a lively flavor unto itself, lending a cool, pleasantly sour counterpoint to all the slow-cooked stews." (The Stranger) Ambiance: A homey setting from the moment you walk up to the corner establishment, reminiscent of visiting a friend for an extraordinary meal. Outdoor patio seating for sunny and warmer days, brightly colored red interior with seating for small and large parties. The family friendly environment is palatable from the moment one sets foot in the doors, and is welcomed by Belaynesh Chera or other members of her family. What I ordered: Shared plates all around, our table had one order of the Vegetable Combination ($15.99): red lentils cooked with spices, cabbage, carrot, potato, shero, greens and tomato fitfit, as well as the Yebeg Tibbs ($14.95): cubes of fresh lamb sautéed with onion and served with fresh salad. Not to mention, plenty of injara! What I loved: The salad! Everything on our large plate was smashing, from the spicy to the mild, from the vegetables to the beans, but there was something about the lemony salad that truly stole the show. Why I loved it: Simple, homey atmosphere enjoyed with friends and excellent food! Cost: Average ($13 - $16 per shareable lunch entrée) read more

I've never had Ethiopian food before until I came here after a friend recommended this place. When we walked in, it totally reminded me of someone's house but was made into a restaurant. There were no problems making reservations and the service was attentive. I was surprised that you're not supposed to use utensils when eating but you use your hands the whole time. Our group of 8 ordered family style which included a couple veggie combo platters and several stewed beef and lamb. Here's how you eat it: You rip off a small piece of injera (this spongy, slightly sour bread), use it to scoop up a small amount of food from the platter, and consume. It's like food and crafts! My favorite was the meat especially the stewed lamb. As a note, don't eat the injera too fast because it expands in your stomach. I was surprised that I was already getting full while we were halfway done. We ended up having a LOT of leftovers in the end. Ethiopian food isn't for everyone but I personally enjoyed the food here at Meskel. Don't be afraid to try something new! I'll definitely come back here again when I'm feeling adventurous. read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - veggie combo with lamb and beef on injera bread - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I'm torn here. I think Meskel is one of the very best Ehiopian restaurants in Seattle. It's in a fantastic location; an old converted house with a large porch for sunny days. Their vegetarian combo is a ton of food and with a side of Tibbs(beef or lamb) it's a huge meal for two or three people.They also have wine beer and cocktails! Here's where I'm torn though. I live across the street and on weekends if I go out in the early evening I usually can't find a parking space when I get back. This place is that popular. And the deck can get pretty noisy on a warm summer night. So if you do come here for delicious Injera, the sunny deck, and cocktails, please take a cab here and use your inside voice. read more

I'm not an expert but I love Ethiopian food and Meskel is always my go to when the craving kicks in. The fact that it's in a house gives the authentic feeling right off the bat. The food is always well prepared and flavorful. I recommend the doro wat, beef tibs and veggie platter. We even asked for an extra egg in the doro what... Great call! Service was good - when we went the whole restaurant was packed and there was only one server. She did her best considering! read more

Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant - Veggie plate topped with tibs and doro wat for three! We were full! - Ethiopian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The lady was very rude here and the food is very average don't go here the lady is very rude

I went to pick up my veggie combo. It was soooo good. The Shiro, lentils, greens, potatoes and cabbage all amazing. A vegetarian feast. Extra injera comes with your food, but sopping up the "plate" of injera soaked with the dishes is delicious. I hope the community continues to support Meskel. read more

This place is fantastic. Ordered food to go on a recent visit to Seattle and the flavors and dishes are all very fresh and authentic Ethiopian cuisine. The customer service when I picked up the food was also very kind and accommodating. read more

Came here while I was in Seattle last week and tried their kitfo, lamb tibs and shiro and everything I tried was super delicious. Def recommend this spot read more

My favorite for ethiopian! I've tried many ethiopian restaurants in seattle, including a few that are no longer around and Meskel has always been my favorite. Have been a semi-regular since before they were forced out of the old location. The veggie combo is my fav! read more

They now have a truck which is in Downtown Bellevue every Friday! My first time trying it, I had to do the sampler (so I know what to do next time). Sampler is $12. Each of the other individual orders is $10. Not sure how I feel about individual servings as I understand the fun of Ethiopian food to be eating in community (sharing bread). But the food is good...the curry is very flavourful, the stew as well and the tibs have just the right texture. Comes with a salad on the side. See you next Friday! read more

Meskel never disappoints! I love this restaurant and the service. The chef and owner is so sweet! I highly recommend this to anyone in Seattle or visiting Seattle. Food is so flavorful and delicious! read more

Undoubtedly the best Ethiopian food I've ever had and it's not even close. I have had a decent amount of the menu and everything I've had was delicious. I couldn't recommend it more! read more

Meskel prepares good Ethiopian dishes but the service has gone south. The owner is impatient and rude while taking orders. The restaurant needs a good waiter/waitress to deal with customer in pleasing way. Not coming back. read more

We were blown away by the quality and flavor of the food. The woman serving us was so kind and accommodating and made sure we got the best meal! would highly recommend and will definitely be back! read more

Seattle is lucky to have a number of Ethiopian restaurants. I haven't tried all of them -- maybe 5 or 6 -- but Meskel is my favorite of those which I have tried. I always order the vegetable combination plate at Ethiopian restaurants, and Meskel's plate is delicious. It has all the standards like Ethiopian collard greens, spicy red lentils, yellow split peas, cabbage stew, and salad, all expertly flavored with the unique spice profile of Ethiopian cookery. In addition, there are some items you do not always see on every veggie combo plate, such as shiro (a warmly spiced chickpea sauce), fit-fit (fir-fir?), and a mild homemade crumbled cheese that looks like feta, but has a much milder flavor, and is like no fresh cheese that I can find in the grocery store. Nothing is overly spicy on the veggie combo plate here, though the red lentils and the fit-fit have a pleasingly light level of berbere spiciness. As at most Ethiopian restaurants, the portions here are generous and two people could split a single entree for a meal. However, we always order two entrees because leftover Ethiopian food for breakfast the next day is a revelation. I don't even reheat it -- I just take it out of the fridge about an hour beforehand so it gets to room temperature. The injera has just a little more tartness than the day before. Due to Covid-19 they are open for *takeout only* as of July 2020 and you should call them to order. read more

Been a while since I had Ethiopian food. Hats off to fellow Yelpers for this tip. The #13 (Yebeg Tibbs) was a server's recommendation. Cubes of fresh lamb sauteed with onion, and a side salad. Our meals came with injera, the Ethiopian spongy flatbread with that sourdough taste. Very flavorful and tender lamb. Admittedly, the meat was quite oily and the salad got drenched with Italian dressing. I can only assume they wanted to ensure the panda received extra fluff for his buck. Other similar dishes to consider: #15 (Yebere Tibbs; using beef) and #16 (Doro Tibbs; using chicken). Gotta take advantage when the weather is great and sit outside. Good service. Overall, it's a solid place to try. read more

Although I can walk to at least six Ethiopian restaurants here in the CD, I am still searching for that mysterious mix of ambiance, tastiness, traditional style, and price. Meskel is passable on the last three, but the food is not that spicy and the service is uneven. Once, we had to nag a couple of times to get drinks and side orders, which made the ambiance at our table "testy vegans". Noone wants that, right? Do not withhold food from the vegans: they have no fat stores. They have a good vegetarian combo, and good injera. I'll be back. read more

This is a great Ethiopian restaurant right up the street from where I live! If you haven't had Ethiopian before, it is amazing! Probably my most favorite food ever- if you like Indian food, you'll like this (I think and hope). Meskel was actually recommended to me by some other Ethiopians I met nearby. They exclaimed that Meskel was by far superior to any of the many others that are lined up and down Jackson and Rainier. I've spoken to Ethiopian folks and they agree Meskel is the best...If you haven't had Ethiopian yet, live a little and get out of your comfort zone! It is amazing food! read more

Park in a residential neighborhood, walk up the stairs to the deck, approach the backdoor, peek your head in, and take a seat. While this sounds like a way to get an illicit substance, it's actually the way you casually walk into meskel to score some fantastic Ethiopian cuisine. The staff is always friendly, the purveyor seems to always be sitting at one of the tables keeping watch over the customers, and the food always comes immediately (especially if you aren't ordering meat). Their veggie combo is wonderful and certainly enough for two people. Add a couple sides and you can stuff two people to the point of needing naps and the bill will barely cross the $20 mark. While I've never been so bold, they have a rowdy bar in the basement that always seems to feature lots of people, lots of beer, lots of fun, but never much English speaking. I can't compare it to all the other joints in the neighborhood, but standing alone it's a great experience. read more

What can I say about this little Ethiopian gem? Honestly, not enough! I had been here before after it was recommended to me by an Ethiopian friend of mine. And I have to say that my second visit was just as good as my first. When I walked in both times, my nose was seduced by the smoky scent of berberre and the tangy sourness of injera. The waitstaff (two women) were friendly and very attentive. My party the last time consisted of 5 and they easily made room for us. With orders of the vegetarian platter, doro wat, kitfo, extra ayib, yebeg alicha and addis tea; there was plenty of food for all of us. It was absolutely delicious. Where there is food this good and polite service such as is found here...I will be back. read more