Food was delicious and the service was amazing. So sorry our son spilled water on the table but the server cleaned it up promptly. The decor is nice inside and it has got an upscale vibe to it. read more

Celebrated my besties Bday at Mesob and I shall associate my good time to the BYOB that you can enjoy with your meal. As far as the food , I wasn't impressed. I've dined at Mesob in the past and i was blown away by the flavors of the food. This time it was undesirable. For my besties sake , I kept my thoughts to myself, it was her bday, why ruin it and I can go home and make an pb&j :-(!! The yellow splits peas were undercooked, the potatoes were covered in some type of brown sauce . The chicken was smothered in a sauce as well and to top it off , everything was lukewarm :-((( there AC was not working i was told :-(((, such a hot day . I believe Mesob has seen better days . I will not be returning anytime soon :-(((( read more

It was mediocre. I did not think it was flavorful enough. The bread was very plain and the bubbles on one side of the bread was giving me chills because it looked freaky. People who have tryphobia would NOT be able to eat the bread. read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Veggie platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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There is something here for everyone no matter your dietary restriction, which I love. The flavors are wonderful and portion sizes are huge. You will definitely leave here stuffed without feeling weighed down as the food is not greasy. I would recommend getting the samplers so you can get a little bit of everything on the menu! It's also BYOB. read more

I was going to a concert down the street at the Wellmont and I needed to grab dinner beefier it started so before leaving Hackensack yesterday, I headed to Yelp for some help. I saw Mesob and determined it's what I wanted to try out and I di not regret that decision. I've had Ethiopian food before but it s not as good as this. I'm assuming that they make their injera with teff flour and not another kind because it actually tasted good and I wanted to eat it (unlike my other experiences with injera). The food was outstanding and I will update my review with the name of what I got off the veg menu as soon as I go over the menu again. I was really disappointed that I went alone and couldn't finish all my food, I'm also upset I was going to a concert and couldn't take my left overs with me. I know Ethiopian food is meant to be eaten family style, but I was by myself last night and I couldn't resist. The service was also amazing. They had a ton of reservations coming in when I was leaving and my hostess even told me I basically had my table for 45 min because of that. No problem on my end (being by yourself, you don't have conversations to deal with finishing). Everyone that came to my table was super nice and truly attentive to a random singleton taking up a 3 person table right before the dinner rush, so I appreciate their accommodations and kindness, immensely! Montclair is only a quick 20 min drive for me so I'll definitely be back. read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Ginger, cardamom tea (first tea in the menu) - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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I called for info around 3 because we all felt the menu on the website is a little confusing. The woman who answered was lovely. She took a lot of time answering all my questions. A few hours later I placed $170 order online which was 6 entrees and 4 starters but when I went to pick it up they had no record of the order at first then they eventually found the order. They were very apologetic and prepared the order. They gave us 6 tiny triangular sweet dessert slices because i asked for it in light of the inconvenience.. Delicious! My son in law says it is halva. Food is pricey but very tasty. Portobello mushrooms were delicious. I would just call to confirm they have received the order during covid because it is a challenging time for restaurants. read more

Uummm it was just okay. First time we went a few years ago it was spot on. Attentive service. Wouldn't travel again from NY for this fare. read more

First time trying Ethiopian food in US. It was outstanding. Service and food both are excellent.we tried vegetarian dishes. Will be back. read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - First time trying Ethiopian food in US. It was outstanding. Service and food both are excellent.we tried vegetarian dishes. Will be back. - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Mesob is a must visit while in Montclair. The food is authentic, delicious, and plentiful! A few things to be mindful of: many items on the menu are meant to be eaten with your hands, it is a BYOB, and you should specify your personal level of spice tolerance. I happen to love spicy foods, so I never have a problem with any of the foods on the menu. This is a great spot for dinner, whether for a casual encounter or more formal ocassion. read more

So delicious! Great atmosphere and art work on the walks. Food made fresh everyday. Menu contains vegan options. My third time here. Came to celebrate my birthday with friends and all enjoyed the food & ambiance! read more

I cant even count how many times I have been here. Very good food, and one of the best restaurants in Bloomfield. Try Buticha. Also the honey water. Just discovered the Hibiscus tea I think it's called. Try it cold with ice and add sugar, it's an acquired taste, but something different. Try the sides of Azeefa (if you like lentils...also high in protein), the spicy potatoes are very tasty, as well as the red split lentils. Take the time to read what the dishes are on the menu. In time you will know what you are ordering if you come here as often as I do. read more

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OK so I've never had Ethiopian food and honestly never had the desire to try it( even with the spectacular reviews )until my sister who is a vegan dragged me literally dragged me one day for Sunday brunch - in the back of my mind I was like how am I going to get out of this one? Well I didn't get out of it and I actually enjoyed the meal and the experience of eating with our hands - I wouldn't be able to tell u what was ordered but u could look at the pictures and try it .... it will actually blow your mind- everything was very tasty and flavorful - I actually can't wait to visit again and try the meat dishes ! read more

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A friend recommended this to me. I needed help ordering, because I had no idea what i was choosing, however the food is unique, delicious and filling. The staff, from the top down, are all very friendly. Give it a try. I'm glad i did. read more

We were craving ethiopian food and were excited about this place. However, it disappointed. The dishes are just TOO overpriced and flavor was lacking. They even skimped on the ingredients. The tomato fit fit had only small 'traces' of tomato and peppers and was really just injeera soaked in vinegar for something like 13 bucks. The sample dishes lacked flavor and just not good overall!! The mango juice that they probably get from a 99c box is sold for 5 dollars a glass...not worth going, will not be returning ever. read more

I went here with my family for dinner for anniversary dinner. They accept reservations through opentable. Food: We ordered the AYIB BEMEETMEETA for starters and it was really good. For main course we got the vegetable sampler with 6 dishes. I fell in love with the INGUDAI TIBS, spicy and tangy. Super delicious. This place is also BYOB. Just because we were celebrating anniversary they were sweet enough to give us complimentary dessert. Ambience: Good ambience, little on traditional side. Gives the place a nice romantic vibe. Service: Good service. No complains. They seat you very quickly and check on you every now and then. I would definitely go back here again. read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Vegetable sampler with ayib bemeetmeeta(farmer cheese) - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

My husband and I are here on a Saturday. We had never had Ethiopian food before and wished to venture out. We did not have a reservation, but they quickly sat us at small, intimate table. As we placed our order, I believe it was the owner because of how extremely helpful and friendly took our order. It seems she knew it was our first time having Ethiopian food; when we ordered she said " that's a lot of food". Can I suggest a smaller appetizer instead of the larger one. She was right! We could not even finish the smaller appetizer and our meals. The food was quite tasty. We ordered "mild" next time we will definitely try things a bit more spicy. The entire staff that we interacted with was friendly as well. As we left the " owner?" Thanked us for visiting. That made me feel like a friend! THANK YOU! read more

I came in for my birthday last night . The staff was very friendly and the food was very good. I can taste the authentic recipes. I appreciate that very much. I have traveled the world and dined around the world and I'm able to tell what is authentic. I must add that the ambience was nice. There was a beautiful painting on the wall that I wanted to photograph! Next time ! I will be back ! read more

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Dine in or take out, Mesob never disappoints. Best Ethiopian food I have had so far!!

The kitfo! Heavenly father, the kitfo! I'm still getting accustomed to the BYOB policies in NJ, but it really helps that this place is next door to a liquor store. Excellent placement. I've lived in DC (best Ethiopian food in the USA) and the East Bay (hella good Ethiopian). This restaurant would be a good fit in either place. Kudos!!! read more

I have been enjoying Mesob for over eight years ... and cannot encourage others to try it enough . The interior is accented with a fantastic collection of artwork by Ethiopian artistic employing a beautiful palate of colors and pigments. The low lit dining room is always charming with the indigenous music. The service is heartfelt. By far, Mesob's greatest talent lies in the food. It is an aromatic array of delights! My favorites are the Shrimp Tib dish ; succulent shrimps marinated and sautéed with onions , garlic , tomatoes , fresh parsley and herbs and their signature spice blend . And the Kitfo is their elevated version of steak tartare; prime beef tartare seasoned with clarifies butter and signature spice blend .... amazing! Also not to be missed are their gently crafted teas of ginger, cardamom, cloves and black East African teas and hand roasted raw organic coffee. It is a true delight and an obvious labor of love of the sisters that own it now for 15 years here in Montclair. Many accolades and awards adorn their restaurant album from Nyc critics and global customers. read more

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I don't understand how I haven't been here before. Their food is amazing! We ordered the ayib bemeetmeeta and teemateem fitfit as our appetizers and had the doro tibs with gomen and buticha as our sides. All dishes were fresh and packed with so much flavor it was impossible to stop eating! Servers were friendly and as most others have shared it is BYOB. Would highly recommend Mesob and I definitely will be going again. read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

The food was somewhat decent. I was really excited to try out this new cuisine since I never have any prior experiences with Ethiopian food. However, my experience was brutally ruined by the rudeness of the staff here. First of, I was not assigned a waiter for my table and there are three staff member flowing around in the restaurant, they all come to my table and talk to me so it was hard to determine who is my actual waiter. I mentioned multiple times to them that my friend and I are somewhat full but would very much like to try the food so we will split one entree. There was a lot of food on our plate, we ordered meat sampler (for one!!!!!). When we were ready to check out, we realized we got charged for two people and I was surprised. After talking to waitress #1 about the charge, waitress #2 came to our table and basically told us that she "assumed" we ordered for two. Regardless, we had to pay anyway. She was rude and condescending and basically dismissive. Honestly, if I'm already paying over $70 for some mediocre food that I only finish 25% of, I really expect better service. These people would ruin your dining experiences. There are better restaurants in Montclair, do not waste your hard earn money here!!! ***also, I was excited to learn about the culture so yeah, I asked to learn how to pronounce the food correctly but I was rudely looking down upon. The waiters were very condescending and they made me feel horrible for having an accent. read more

I really like Ethiopian food and thought this place had great flavors. That being said, it is very expensive for what you get, no meat, and the service was unreliable. We had a language barrier with our waitress unfortunately and miscommunication about the Yelp deal. The no sharing rule also didn't make any sense. Anyways, I still enjoyed all the food, especially since the bread is gluten free and there are lots of veggies. It is very easy to digest! The spices and flavors were also tasty. Great place to go for someone looking for a healthier option or is gluten free. I also enjoyed the atmosphere of this place. Good setting for a date night or a special occasion if you don't mind spending a little extra. read more

This is by far one of the best restaurants in Montclair and the region. Every single time it hits the spot. The biggest thing you'll notice, is the depth of flavor. Delicious spices and everything cooked with care. The mushroom Indugai Tibs entree is made to order, but trust me is worth the extra time. We almost always order the Buticha appetizer. Aside from that, for entree meats we love Lega Tibs, Doro Tibs, and Doro Kay Wet. Veggie sides we also love are Gomen, Tikil Gomen and Kik Alicha. If they are serving it again, try the fresh Ethiopian coffee. Truly a special and tasty experience every time. read more

The overpriced menu is instantly a turn off. The prices are higher than comparable restaurants in Manhattan. The food seems good, but I wouldn't call myself an expert in Ethiopian food. I would order from here regularly if the prices were reasonable. read more

Everything is consistently great at Mesob, and great service. Lovely, well-mannered staff and an almost zen atmosphere. My favorites are the lamb stew with rosemary, and cabbage. But it's all good and always fresh. read more

The best Ethiopian in NJ was Makeda in New Brunswick. This fills a void and a craving where there's scarce Ethiopian options, but the food is a just missing something a little bit. The injera is good - lega tibs have a a decent flavor I just wish the cuts of meat and flavors were closer to Makeda - it's good, but not great. read more

My friends and I have frequented Mesob several times over the past two years as they have a very friendly menu to accommodate our groups dietary restrictions (vegan, gluten-free, etc). We ate here on a Wednesday evening for the first time post-Covid and the food did not disappoint. I ordered the meat sampler and highly recommend if you're not quite sure what to order and want to sample a variety of options. For a drink I ordered the hibiscus iced tea which was refreshing but not necessarily something I would order again. The waitstaff is very knowledgeable although can be a bit slow if the restaurant is busy. Overall recommend and would return for high quality Ethiopian food. FYI the restaurant is BYOB and there is conveniently a liquor store next door. read more

The smells when you enter are amazing. Ingredients and the food are as authentic as you stepped into Ethiopia. Loving caring staff to greet you, the owner is amazing and helpful. read more

I have long loved to host friends for my birthday and share Ethiopian food, and Mesob helped me out immensely this year, making this annual tradition a reality. I ordered all of the vegetarian dishes to take home and share, with a side of a dozen injera. We had a lovely meal at home, just like we used to in restaurants before the pandemic. They are open for indoor dining, and the space looks lovely, we personally just weren't ready to bring a large group to an indoor dining experience earlier this year, and they accommodated a very large take out order. read more

The aroma was intoxicating from the sidewalk. I was greeted by owner, Berekti, who at first appeared pleasant and happy for my presence. As the meal progressed, her endless micromanaging ruined my experience. She hovered over everything from water to dessert. I cannot honestly tell you if the food was good or not. She constantly whispered orders to staff who were performing their responsibilities in a satisfactory manner without need of guidance. I overheard her degrading tone that was unnecessary and inspired me to write this review. I will never return to this place. I hope Berekti takes some anger management classes. Negative stars. read more

Extremely well-balanced injera. While this place serves delicious meat dishes, its vegetarian dishes are very satisfying in taste, texture, and options. I suggest ordering a variety. Mesob's entrees lend themselves well to great family-style dining. read more

Ethiopian food.. Never knew it existed until recently. So why not, let me try something different and unique. I never doubted the food, especially with the great reviews and impeccable aromas coming out of that kitchen. So when we checked in on Yelp, we received a free appetizer, which was huge fresh mushrooms with a perfect spicy and garlic taste. Too bad we got it with dinner since they forgot to put it in on time. Maybe because it was free they didn't care? Who knows. Food is served on a large spongy cold bread that looked like tripe, absolutely horrible!! Served on top are your choice of meats or vegetarian options. You then rip a piece of bread and dunk in your meal..hands only so prepare to get messy! I didn't mind that, but the fact that I couldn't remotely enjoy the bread, made it really hard to enjoy the meal overall. The vegetarian options we choose were ok, for $38 for 2 people, nothing was remotely memorable. Everything was just alright with balanced spices definitely not enough for 2 hungry folks to share. Service was lacking in every way. Servers had way too many tables to take care of and no one ever checked on us. The tables are small compared to the large plate the bread is served on, making it a tight uncomfortable space to eat. I couldn't wait to leave, and with so many restaurants in the area, hate to say it but I won't be back... read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Vegetarian options - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

This is the only Ethiopian I have had so take my review with a grain of salt if you are a connoisseur. The injerra was nice and sourdoughy. The flavors of the food I had were delicious- my main was the chickpea biscuits. Staff was friendly but be prepared to wait a while for your food and to be expected to enjoy a leisurely meal. It is very slow paced so you have to be in the mood for that sort of thing. For some reason they don't offer tap water? So if you want a glass of water you have to buy bottled which I don't get since the tea came out in a regular glass and I assume they have a tap in the kitchen. My only other warning is that the injerra your food is served on will get soggy. This is more of a texture issue for me than anything else- same if I get a burger with a soggy bottom bun. Can't do it. But they bring you extra so crisis averted. read more

some of the better Ethiopian food i've tried, although not the best! get ready to eat w/ your hands, you can ask for unlimited injera (mildly sour sponge-like bread). although you can opt for a fork if you're just not up to it for 5 people we got an appetizer, the vegetarian combo plate for "2" & the meat sampler for "3" & were WAY OVERSTUFFED! don't remember every dish we ordered but my favs were... ---ye'beg aletcha (lamb) ---dinich wat (spicy potatoes) SKIP the doro tibs (chicken) it was really dry! NOTE: check-in on yelp for a free appetizer!! (great way to try the Ingudai tibs which normally costs extra when ordered w/ a sampler plate) read more

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Came back here after several years, no longer a vegetarian. Enjoyed it much more this time. Awesome flavors - the lamb and beef were great. Everything is served on top of bread which soaks in all the juice. Really good. FYI - some of the items are spicier than others but you can ask them to adjust. I love that the menu has several sampler options - a meat sampler, a vegetarian sampler and an overall menu sampler. FYI - they don't give you utensils here. You are supposed to eat with pieces of bread. Try it. I later asked for utensils because I didn't want to fill up on bread too much. So it's an option. Very friendly service. BYOB. read more

Mesob Is our favorite spot in New Jersey to have Ethiopian food .It is located on Bloomfield Ave in Monclair which is a prime trendy restaurant location. The restaurant is BYOB and is in good proximity to many wine & liquor stores. When you walk in you smell the beautiful aroma of yummy spices .Your greeted by lovely host, there's normally no wait when we go for dinner .Smooth music plays while your eating . The wait staff is friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu . They do not put your wine/liquor in an iced bucket, so bring something chilled. Water and injera were served, Injera is sourdough flat bread that you wrap your food in used as your utensil. We ordered The taste of mesob for 2. You pick 2- starters, 2- chicken 2- beef 1- lamb 1- shrimp and 3- side options in the taste. The food is delicious and filled with love. The portion size is generous, trust me you'll be thankful for that! When they say spicy they mean it! But it's not a burn your mouth heat, it's smooth and gradually gets hotter; it's the injera that cools it down. The beef and lamb are buttery tender,the chicken falls off the bone and any kid would eat the veggies! You get a complete experience throughout the whole meal feeling like your truly in Ethiopia . The wait staff are attentive and proactive. The food comes fast and like clockwork. Once your done with your appetizer, your entrée is there soon after . The atmosphere is mellow and the quality of food is consistent. Friendly vibes all the way through the restaurant. The food is like nothing we have eaten before We will continue to tell our friends and strangers about mesob. read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Taste of Mesob for 2 - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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4.5 stars - more about that at the end... Otherwise it's perfectly delicious, exotic and fun dining! My third time here. Love it! As soon as you walk in, the ambiance is warm and welcoming. The lighting is low and warm, decor is ethnic and there's an aroma of cloves and other spices in the air. The food is excellent. Endless injera bread, fresh and flavorful ingredients, all seasoned and spiced just right. My boyfriend and I shared the Mesob Sampler, our usual move. I won't bother to explain all the dishes we ordered with it, because I dont think you can go wrong no matter what you choose. Everything is good! Btw, There are no utensils (unless you ask), as the injera bread is meant to be your edible utensil. Use the injera to scoop up bites of food. All part of the authentic experience and so much fun, IMO! Went this time on a Wednesday night in February, so it wasn't crowded at all. Service was pleasant, professional and well paced. It does get crowded on weekends and service can get backed up. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait a long time for a table. My small gripe...I ordered a Diet Coke and then a second, but it was never mentioned on the menu or in person that sodas aren't not free refills. I assumed it was from a fountain, as a soda can wasn't put out on the table. I'm sure this is to avoid clutter the table, which I can understand and appreciate. The price of a soda isn't the issue...I just think charging for a second drink is something patrons should be made aware of in some way. Most of the time we are assuming it is a free refill from a fountain if we don't see the soda can. Highly recommend! read more

Mesobrestaurant.Com - Farmers cheese and Buticha chickpea apps with injera. - Ethiopian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Our favorite restaurant right now. Delicious food. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. ...but seriously. Delicious food. My wife, daughter and I visit weekly and actually eat the leftovers we bring home. It's that good. read more

I've been here too many times according to my boyfriend because I just genuinely enjoy the place. The food is great, the ambience is just right and overall it's just a nice experience. I've only ever had Ethiopian food in LA before this and Mesob is right up there. I would recommend the Timatim Fitfit and the Lega Lamb though any of the Tibs entrees are very good. Everyone should try this place once, if only just for a break from your usual dining routine. read more