5/5 When family…read morecomes to town, I take my hosting responsibilities very seriously. My sister and brother-in-law were visiting DC, and since my sister had never tried Ethiopian food before, my partner and I decided that CherCher would be the perfect introduction. Thankfully, we chose wisely. We had a reservation, although funny enough, no one actually asked us about it when we arrived. Fortunately, it didn't matter because the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were seated immediately. Sometimes the universe just aligns in your favor. We kicked things off with a bottle of honey wine because if you're introducing someone to Ethiopian cuisine, you might as well commit to the full experience. For food, we ordered the Deluxe Veggie Platter, which included three types of lentils, chickpeas, collard greens, beets, cabbage, and the tomato and onion salad--which, in my opinion, deserves its own fan club. I also ordered an extra green salad because I know who I am and what I like. For the meat dishes, we went with the Gored Gored, the Assa Dullet (tilapia), and the Lamb Awaze Tibs. Every single dish was delicious. The flavors were rich, well-balanced, and exactly what you hope for when you're craving Ethiopian food. The Gored Gored was especially flavorful, and the Lamb Awaze Tibs had just the right amount of spice and tenderness. One thing I always appreciate about CherCher is how quickly the food comes out. There's nothing worse than introducing someone to a cuisine for the first time and then having to spend 90 minutes explaining what injera is while waiting for the food to arrive. The kitchen moved quickly without sacrificing quality. The service was also exceptional. Both women taking care of our table were warm, attentive, and genuinely kind throughout the meal. Great service can elevate a meal, and they absolutely did. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but it's cozy rather than cramped. They also have a covered outdoor patio, which I'm sure is lovely during the approximately four weeks a year when DC weather isn't actively trying to harm us. As for pricing, I found it to be very fair and comparable to other Ethiopian restaurants in the area. Considering the quality of the food, service, and portion sizes, I left feeling very satisfied. Would I return? Absolutely. In fact, CherCher remains firmly on my list of places I take out-of-town guests when I need DC to show off a little. As I always say: I'm not difficult to please. I just have standards.

I had a favorite Ethiopian place. Instead, my daughter brought me to Chercher. Great choice!…read more Meant to be shared and even better to be with those we love. Our reservation. Thank goodness we had one! Getting ahead of myself and staying there.... Lamb Tibs were a clear victory over an already winning day. Wash your hands (crossing your fingers is optional) & roll up your sleeves, Chercher is divine messy greatness!

This spot was one of the highlights of my trip to DC!…read more My friend and I shared the Chercher Vegan Special with the Chercher Beef Special Tibs. The vegan platter was phenomenal- super flavorful with so much variety which I loved. As for the beef, it was tender and seasoned well. Honestly, it was hard to choose which one was our favorite because everything tasted so good! And when we were running low on Injera (Ethiopian flatbread), our server gave us more. On top of the delicious food, the service was friendly and the inside was small and cozy (there's also outdoor seating too!) Overall, fantastic spot for Ethiopian food and I will definitely come back if I visit DC again.

Despite being located in a quaint setting that looked like a remodeled house with beautiful decor…read moreinside and out it lacked in key features necessary for a favorable rating. Namely custom service and the unfortunate late discovery of hair in my food. Arrived for a late lunch and the restaurant was sparsely populated. I noticed outdoor seating and wanted to enjoy the sun. No one was seated out there and I found a spot. A server came out @5 minutes later and advise me that I couldn't sit there. She mentioned seating was for larger parties despite being midweek and After most lunch rushes. I was moved to another table. The view was fine and I ordered my lunch. The platter I ordered had beef tibs, vegetables and njeri. As a connoisseur of Ethiopian food, I was accustomed to having lentils included in the meal. I soon found out that that was not the case, and also that utensils was not given unless requested. The couple that had finally joined me on the patio requested utensils. I opted to follow traditional style and used the njeri as my utensils. The food had good flavor and was enjoying despite the lack of lentils until I came across a piece of hair. I immediately lost my appetite and brought to the attention of the person at checkout, as it appeared, you had to bring your bill to the Bar area to check out. The person was unapologetic and swore that no one's hair was exposed. I feel that was the way of them saying that it was my hair, which was farther from the truth. I was not seeking a discount and gladly paid my bill while pointing out the obvious about the extra bonus in my meal. Sadly, I was recommended by the workers at the Marriott where I was staying. Its proximity to the hotel and adjacent Washington Convention Center made it a great choice for lunch, and was happy for the referral. They spoke highly of this restaurant, and that made the experience worse as I was anticipating the goodness. Hopefully receive better treatment when they dine there.

I ate here a few weekends ago with my boyfriend. I've eaten Ethiopian food a handful of times, but…read morewanted him to try since he's never eaten it before. Since they had high reviews, and weren't too far from me, I figured this would be a good place to try. We had perused the menu online before coming inside so knew what we wanted to eat. I ordered the veggie sampler with red lentils, tomato salad, yellow split peas, and collard greens and a side of goat stew while my boyfriend ordered the mushroom tibs (unfortunately there are no pics due to us being too hungry to snap a photo :-( ...The veggie sampler came with a side of injera. The injera came out way before the actual platter. Since I was very hungry, I actually nibbled on that, and wished everything came out at once. The veggies were pretty tasty, but for some reason, I wasn't excited about my overall meal. The goat stew was pretty good too. What I really enjoyed was my boyfriend's dish of mushroom tibs. It was nicely sautéed and well seasoned. I'd probably order that if I ever went back. The interior was very colorful and earthy. The owner, I think, was also very hospitable.

An absolute must try!!! Spent a night with friends and enjoyed the sampler platter. Everything was…read moredelicious! Goat, beef, and lamb stews were amazing. The vegetarian options were well seasoned and we enjoyed it all. I normally do not like mushrooms but became a fan. To top it off we got the coffee, and as a coffee lover I must admit, this may be the best coffee in DC! Will be back soon!

Stopped by for dinner while in the area. On a Saturday night, we were able to grab a table for two…read moreas a walk-in. We shared the Eatopia Special Tibs and Asa Gulashi. Both were good and had a lot of flavor, just wished they had more spice. We asked for a side of the spicy sauce and seasoning and this definitely turnt up both dishes! I also enjoyed the Le Anchi special cocktail, which was perfect for the cooler weather that day. Service was great. Street parking available

I love Ethiopian food, and I'm looking for a new go-to for Ethiopian food, so I decided to check…read moreout Eatopia. It's on U Street, steps from the Metro station. I think this was a Sala Thai in a past life. If you're vegan like I am, Ethiopian is usually a solid option. And getting a combo ensures you try different dishes. One thing that puzzles me is that the vegetarian combo gives you a salad with lettuce instead of the usual timatim of tomatoes and onions. My favorite dishes are almost always the shuro wat and kik alitcha, but I appreciate the lentil dish, and the green bean dish was also good. On our second visit, we saw they had a mushroom tibs dish, so I had to try it since I am a huge mushroom fan. They were really good, tender and juicy and not too spicy. In spite of their A/C not working on either visit, it was still comfortable inside, and the ambiance is relaxing. It seems they have a live singer on weekends, which adds a touch of elegance. It's a nice place for a date night.

Keren is an amazing, no frills Eritrean spot located in Adams Morgan! Lots of great options for…read morevegetarians, we got the: - Breakfast combo (Mashed fava beans, Egg frittata, and Kitch tesmi): Loved this! The ful or fava beans cooked with berbere and topped with onions, jalapeños, and tomatoes was unique, but also reminded me of familiar Indian pav bhaji in a sense (especially coupled with the amazing crusty bread). The kitch tesmi (torn unleavened bread called kitcha mixed with spiced clarified butter and berbere) was so interesting. The eggs were basics done really well. - Keren special (Lentils, Cabbage, Spinach, Potato with Carrots & House Salad, and Special Tibsi): The injera was soft, bouncy, and had the perfect amount of fermented essence. All of the veggies were absolutely delicious and so flavorful. My family said the meat was great too, very tender. Service was fine, but fair warning that the food did take quite a bit of time (however, it was definitely worth the wait). There aren't a ton of tables so you might have to wait if you go during rush times. 9.5/10 would recommend!

My first experience with Ethiopian cuisine at Keren was such a memorable one. The staff was…read moreincredibly friendly and welcoming, and the surrounding neighborhood felt vibrant and full of life. We walked into a cozy, intimate space and were lucky to grab a small table for two by the window. Since it was our first time, we asked for guidance in choosing something authentic. Our server pointed us to the left side of the entrée menu, and we followed her lead. We ordered the special tibsi with chicken and the special shiro served with enjera--a traditional chickpea dish presented in a clay pot. Both dishes came with spongy enjera, which you tear and use to scoop up the food by hand. It made for a fun and immersive dining experience. The food was rich and flavorful, and we truly enjoyed everything we tried. Midway through, we did ask for forks as the enjera started to feel a bit heavy for us, but it didn't take away from the experience. Overall, I'm a fan and excited to explore Ethiopian cuisine more--maybe even closer to home next time. Highly recommend Keren if you're looking for something delicious, authentic, and welcoming.

This is my go-to, never disappointing, always a good time and appropriate price place for a…read moreFANTASTIC meal. In a town with outstanding Ethiopian food, this place still shines brightly. The food is always good and quick. They have really good happy hour drink deals and the patio is a really fun place to people watch. I love this place so dearly

It was a gorgeous summer night to eat outside and glad we picked Tsehay. No reservation needed on…read morean early Friday night, though the tables inside and out were pretty full by 7pm. Ordered the 3 meat/3 veggie sampler, which admittedly wasn't as generous portion-wise as I thought it would be for the price ($50), but we were satisfied in the end (and had room for Van Leeuwen ice cream a block away). The spicy lamb in red chili sauce was especially tasty, but I've had more flavorful kik alicha (yellow split peas) at other Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants. But gotta shout out the injera, which might be the best in the city - lighter in color, not too thick and heavy like most other places. I'm a fan.

Definitely my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the area! The meat and two veggie combo is just the…read moreright amount of food for two people and the price is fantastic. I prefer the spicy tibs, but the crispy tibs are also quite good. My favorite side is the lentils and salad. My wife loves the cabbage and carrots. I like adding the extra chicken leg as well. I only wish they had a full chicken meal and some spicier sauces. We come here at least once a month and always enjoy ourselves. It has become quite popular and there are a lot of white customers these days... I hope the food maintains its quality and flavor. The service is always friendly and I like the Ethiopian beer.

I've been coming here quite a lot lately because the ethio food is not only second to none…read more(especially if you're a meat eater), but the place has pretty decent ambiance as far as your hole-in-the-wall ethio spots go. I always get the veggie combo, and I probably always will. Their tomato lettuce salad is perfection, not an afterthought, and I wouldn't mind if they gave me a whole bowls worth to grab in every bite! I've sampled bits of the meat off my partner's platters, and it far exceeds any we've ever tasted around here from an ethiopian restaurant. Back to the ambiance. I recently brought two good friends here because the space is bright and decent. That said, reservations are a MUST if you are bringing a party of larger than 2, due to how tiny the space is, and for a group, you really need to get spots either by the window or maybe their dark nook in the back. (you'll know when you visit). So so good... I'm not sure I want to go anywhere else at this point for my ethio fix!

Once I walked in I could tell we were going to have a great dinner! I was craving Ethiopian and…read moredragging a friend along before an event nearby. The place feels like a mom and pop place with a bunch of different items laid out behind the glass. We were a little confused about ordering but someone at the register to the left gave us menus and we ordered. We got the deluxe veggie combo to share, which was a great price at around $15! After we paid we sat and the food came out quick. The portions were huge! We did ask for extra bread and they got it for us quickly without an extra charge. The food was just delicious. If you're looking for authentic Ethiopian food this is a great place!

AMBIANCE: Don't look for nothing fancy because you ain't…read moregonna get it. My bf and I had been CRAAAAVVVVIIING Ethiopian food for a minute. And it's his favorite food! So, he's been wanting to take me to the place him and his dad have always gone to, so know they've been coming here for years-- his dad is a dc local so... stamp of a approval 100%! It looks small when you walk in but there more seating the deeper in you go. SERVICE: Know what you want to order and get it done. You order at the cash register and then we wait for the food. FOOD: Flavorful, filling, the samosas were FRESH. Really, you could tell everything tasted very fresh. We also went in the morning if that means anything to you. Spicy but that's just me, I can't do spicy haha. Nonetheless, we coming back soon!

Your standard Ethiopian restaurant that offers classic fare at reasonable prices. When in DC, I…read morealways try to get Ethiopian, and it always seems to come from a place where I have to take stairs down (NYC included) oddly enough. I went with the Abuare lamb tips, which were a bit spicy with the jalapeno, but packed full of flavour. It came as a set meal, but only with daal, which I was sad about at first but it was more than enough food to fill me up. The injera was plentiful and the lamb was tender and perfectly seasoned. Service was uncharacteristically good, but that might just be because it was off hours, but regardless, I was appreciative.

This place so cozy and delicious!…read more We ordered the combo with two meats, and my friend ordered doro wat to add to it. I don't eat beef or chicken, so I only had the vegetarian options. The cabbage was the highlight! Flavorful and it wasn't spicy in my opinion. I also enjoyed the shiro! The injera was flowing and it food was more than enough for three people. And the service was welcoming and warm.

This was our best meal in DC, by far. The eclectic Ethiopian breakfast menu was wild (and maybe a…read morebit overwhelming), but amazing. The injera and egg dishes were unreal, but it was clear you could not go wrong here. The seating felt like someone's home, with various couches and coffee tables filling the restaurant. The coffee was one of the standout things they served; I'm not sure what they're doing with the coffee, but it was one of the better quality coffees I think I've ever had. Huge fan of this place, and would definitely return!!

We ordered the Ethiopian breakfast with an extra sambosa and added beef tibs. The sambosas were…read moreabsolutely amazing! Definitely our favorite part. The Ethiopian style breakfast is just scrambled eggs, and the beef was an extra cost. It was definitely very pricey ($40), with the beef being $9 add on for not that much beef. Friendly and quick service but probably would try a more meat forward dish next time! Ambiance is more for takeout but there's some seating inside!