With apologies to the other Ethiopian restaurants in the area, I picked Red Sea for dinner because their Yelp page had the best food pics, and rightly so. Red Sea provided exactly the type of experience I wanted, including decor, atmosphere, friendliness, and of course the food. In the background, behind a door on the side of the restaurant, there was a second area where you could hear people playing snooker. At one point in the evening, the woman who seated and served us also roasted coffee beans at a little station in the corner, then she walked around so that the smell penetrated the entire restaurant like incense. What a cool thing, and something I've never experienced at any other Ethiopian restaurant previously. It's such a simple thing, you'd think it would be more common. The food was, of course, delicious. You could order individual foods or combo platters, and the combo platters were very well explained. This was one of the few Ethiopian restaurants I've visited which included beets on the menu both in the vegetable platter and as a side. Each person gets one gigantic piece of injera, so little worry of running out (there is a charge for extra). Tej is available by the bottle and glass, and several brands of beer are available. I would classify Red Sea as a hidden gem and definitely a place to dine. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Tej is available by the bottle or by the glass. - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I have long been wanting to try East African cuisine, and decided it was high time I pick a restaurant in the area and go for it. There were a few worthy entrants, but after reading reviews and looking at photos, I decided Red Sea would be the place I go to experience these new flavors. Located along Monroe Rd in a stand-alone building painted green and blue, the restaurant definitely appears a bit dated but to me that adds to the charm. I don't think any everything to be shiny and new, I'll go for tried and true when it comes to local restaurants. I went in on a weekday between lunch and dinner, so it was pretty quiet, but I noticed in addition to a fine looking bar, they have a small stage which suggests they sometimes host musical acts. I'd love to come back during one of their busy periods so I can get a better sense of the vibe, but on this particular day I was there solely for the food. The only thing I knew going into this experience is that Ethiopian food is typically served on a large piece of bread which I've come to learn is called injerna. The bread is a sourdough and has a spongy texture. Now I wanted to try different things so I got a combo platter that came with chicken, lamb, veggies, and a hard boiled egg as well. When they serve it, it comes with another piece of injerna and the idea is that you use the second one to tear away pieces and pick up your food with it. I confess that I tried my best to eat it the authentic way, but eventually I found myself getting frustrated and asked for a fork. Like chopsticks I'm sure it takes practice. The platter is a was massive, an absolute feast that could easily feed two people. I loved it, but eventually had to get a to go box. It was ambitious to take that on by myself. Overall my first experience has me hooked and I want to try more. I can't speak to the authenticity, but people in the city seem to rate this place very highly so I think that speaks for itself. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Last night I was early in the area to meet up with a few friends later in the evening. The time was about 5:00 PM. Driving along Monroe Road I noticed the sign of this restaurant, RED SEA ETHIOPIAN and ERITREAN CUISINE. I absolutely never turn down a chance to try the food of another culture. There weren't many diners when I entered the restaurant. I was greeted in a welcoming manner and guided to choose a place to seat. The menu had plenty of options but as is the usual case I focused on the Vegetarian meal options. When asked for my order I chose the Lentil Sambusas as an appetizer and the Vegetarian platter also. The sambusas were brought first, freshly prepared, warm and absolutely delicious. When almost done with my appetizer the Vegetarian platter was brought out. On top of the Injera flatbread was a good blend of vegetable dishes. All were flavorful and enjoyed. With this review I am happy to recommend this restaurant to anyone in search of a delightful meal of Ethiopian dishes. read more

This review is overdue. I'd been driving past, wanting to try this place for a while. I used Uber Eats for dinner on Wednesday, 12-21-22. I ordered the fish tibsi (whiting fish), beef sambusa, and cheesecake. They also gave me plenty of injera. The tibsi came with two vegetables. The sambusa were full of meat. I had plenty of food leftover for the next day. It was a good dinner after a long work day. The next time I have the taste for Ethiopian food, I'd definitely order again or visit. read more

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Delicious!! I've gotten lamb, beef and veggie platter from them and loved all of them. They gave me a side order of berebere and it was delish! The veggies were cooked but not mushy and tasted homemade. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Yellow lentils, lentils with berebere, cabbage, collards and beets - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Authentic Ethiopian food! So delicious! We drove an hour and a half from SC to try this restaurant, and we're so happy we did!!! The food was incredible, the staff was kind, helpful and accommodating, and the coffee after dinner was great! We're definitely going back. read more

I've been to Red Sea a few times now, and every visit has been great. You can really taste the care that goes into every dish. My most recent visit was with my sister, and she loved it too. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the staff are always and attentive. If you enjoy authentic Ethiopian food or just want to try something new, I definitely recommend giving Red Sea a try. It's quickly become one of my favorite spots in Charlotte! read more

It was an interesting experience. When we went there the restaurant had one other table. Service was slow but after all that food arrived. It was delicious. Communication is difficult but if you have time, the food is worth going for. I will go again! read more

I don't make reviews often but this is hands down the best Ethiopian food I have had in North Carolina. Made with care and delicious!

My daughters and I were looking for a place to eat after a show at the ovens auditorium and found this place late at night and it was sooooo good. We felt like we were in food heaven. And the servers were sooo kind. Highly recommend! read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - 15. Red Sea Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

First time trying Ethiopian food ever and it was super yum and fun;) It's finger food..like literally ...no utensils, you use your hand to hand all your food. I loved it and my friend did too! Will def come back ! I came to support the local business after reading an article about the owner a few weeks ago from MoRA...sometimes it's not all about the food, sometimes it's the story behind the food read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - It was one of the combos...the waiter recommended this and so we ran with it ;) it was yum! - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This was some of the most delicious Ethiopian food I've ever had. I went on a pretty quiet Monday and once ordered, the food came out quickly. I did the vegetarian platter and every single item on the injera was so flavorful. I only wish that they had the honey wine in stock! The vibe of the place is very much in line with other Ethiopian places I've been to as far as decor, music, and seating. It's warm, cozy, and a nice place to share food and conversation with friends. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Inside the restaurant. - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Food is outstanding! Great Employees as well! A great ethiopian eastern african experience

This is your hole in the wall restaurant for Ethiopian food. We went just today, food was delicious. We tried lentil sambusa for appetizer. For main food it was chicken and veg combo. Excellent food... great taste. Loved it. It was quite dark inside the restaurant and a bit loud, also service was slow hence I'm taking away 1 star. read more

Stopped by 7/5/20. Red Sea never disappoints! My combo platter which I customized with lamb and beef came out to over $30 for two hungry people and enough leftovers for two more meals for myself Social distancing tables Food and service were both exceptional. Can't wait to go back. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Combo with #2, #4, #13 - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Best Ethiopian food in Charlotte. I've had authentic Ethiopian food in many different states & this is one of my fave out of all of them in the country. You can tell the food is great from the lentil Sambusa. Their lentil sambusa is sooo flavorfuI that I always wish I ordered more & cry a tear when they run out. I get the vegetarian dish spicy and a side of the avocado salad. Everything is fingerlicking good. The collards is smoky and just spectacular. The collards is so good you should get a side of that too. Everything is well season & flavorful. Their honey wine is strong! I tried a different Ethiopian restaurant in Charlotte once and I'll never do that again. It just wasn't up to par with Red Sea Restaurant. I'm never trying anywhere else in Charlotte again. My heart & palette can't take it. read more

This was likely one of the best Ethiopian AND Eritrean meals ever. The injera was fresh and soft. The food was delish and very well sized in portions. Parking was easy. Facility is dated but kept within style. For sure will return and recommend others here as well. Very impressed! read more

Not sure how I feel about this place. Met a few girlfriends here for dinner last night. We wanted to experience something different. I ordered Corona as my drink and was told it would be the mini bottles and that regular Corona is no longer being sold. I found that quite hard to believe since I had just enjoyed a bottle at home before heading to the restaurant. While placing our orders I had a question regarding the Sambusa appy, but she could not quite describe it. I asked if it was similar to empanada and she said no. When it arrived, yes it was a pastry wrapped ground meat treat. I chalked this up to her just not being familiar or well-trained, but after further conversation I believe she and her husband were the owners. And this conversation stemmed from ~30-mins with no food, no drink refills, no check-in and we learned that only she and her husband were serving the main dining room, a closed off back room and outdoor patrons. Very soon after food starts arriving. Had we just been forgotten. Glad we nudged her. The meals were served on Injera which is a type of spongy flatbread. It covered these really huge round plates, but the food, although very tasty and spiciness to my desire, was very sparce. Not even full scoops of side dishes. I learned early on in my meal Injera is the staple that gives you a feeling of fullness. Had I know this early on, I would have saved the calories for the actual meat and veggies I ordered and paid for. Not sure if I would return or recommend this place, but at least you got the tip to drink your Corona before you come, allow wait time and steer clear of the flatbread read more

I have been coming to this restaurant for years. I moved away but try to make it back here when I come to visit. It's always great and I haven't found an Ethiopian restaurant I like better read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Vegetarian platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Great authentic restaurant. The outside is slightly dated but matches businesses in the area. The staff is great. The food is always fresh and delicious, and they are quick. It gets great reviews for a reason. Recommend this restaurant highly for someone wanting to try Ethiopian / Eritrean food! read more

The food was flavorful but it came out a little cold, probably because it was sitting while my fiancé's food was prepared. Our waitress was very warm and welcoming but the vibe inside the restaurant was a little cold. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Vegetarian plate Behind is the beef stew - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This place doesn't look like much from the outside and the atmosphere on the inside is very dark. But if you can get past that, the food is excellent, but relatively small quantities. I would recommend starting off with the avocado appetizer. It reminds me of chopped up, chunky guacamole. I also highly recommend their shrimp with enjera. Very flavorful. We also enjoyed the beef sambusa (similar to Indian samosa). Their dessert selection is not authentic and only cheesecake so we skipped that. read more

Best Ethiopian food in Charlotte. The veggie sampler is delicious. Make sure to order it spicy.

Absolutely delicious!! Friendly staff, comfortable decor, and a menu that doesn't disappoint. This was the first time that I had Eritrean food, but will NOT be the last. We had a gluten-free diner, a vegetarian, a diabetic, and someone with a milk allergy, and we ALL came away with full stomachs and good memories. I would love to come back some time when they have their live music kicking. We will certainly be coming back to Red Sea to experience more of their hospitality and wonderful food! read more

Authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Interesting experience. Would definitely return. Coke Products sold here. Friendly staff, clean restrooms, and a comfortable environment. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This was great Ethiopian food. I ordered the vegetarian lunch plate and the options were great. The cabbage was nice and seasoned, and they gave three types of lentils. It's very quiet during lunch time I was the only customer dining in but people did come in and order take out while I was there. The service is okay when I was finished I had to wait for someone to come out from the kitchen so they could cash me out. read more

Delicious every time! The avocado salad is incredible and almost a meal all by itself. We always choose the veggie platter. The injera is authentic and the stews are all perfectly spiced. Can't believe more people don't know about this place. The location is convenient although not fancy at all. Don't let that slow you down though, because the food is some of the best in Charlotte. read more

The wait was long but the food was fresh and delicious! I had chicken, lentils, cabbage specially made for me because I have a tomato allergy! read more

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Have been here multiple times and never disappointed. It's simple and unpretentious inside. Service is usually pretty quick, but sometimes you do have to grab someone's attention. I like that they leave you alone. Others may find it off putting. The food comes out hot and the flavors always delicious. I've always done the combos and shared with 1-2 people. They're quite large and even with 3 can be tough to finish, if you start out with some great apps like the samosas. It's pretty quiet on weeknights and only slightly busier on weekends, so you never need to worry about if a table will be available or a reservation. If you've never had Ethiopian food before, this is a great place to enjoy the experience. read more

Red Sea was our foray into Ethiopian food, and we liked it very much! We've since been back a few times. This is a tiny place. At first glance, it does not seem like much, with TVs blaring and very few tables for seating. Once they turn down the TVs and turn on the music, the atmosphere becomes more inviting. Service is usually pretty good, but there are often tables that need to be cleaned. We usually start with the sambusas - mini fried pies, one filled with lentil and the other beef. Both are good, but the lentil one is a tad more flavorful. They also seem to be reheated and not freshly made. For our entrees, we usually share the meat/veggie combo. I'm not a vegetarian, but I tend to like veggie items better, and that is the case here. The lentils are my favorite. I'm not really fond of their adding salad to the veggie plate, however - it's hard to eat with injera and the dressing gets the bread soggy fast. The lamb is my fav of the meats. We order our food spicy, but the only item really packing any heat is the lentil/tomato dish. All of this is served on a huge (15" in diameter?) piece of injera, a spongy thin bread that has a slightly tangy flavor and is delicious. You also get injera on the side to use as your "utensils." The shared dish is usually more than the two of us can eat! We love ethnic food and Red Sea is pretty good. I prefer the brighter and more inviting atmosphere of Meskerem, however, so we tend to eat there more often. But Red Sea is still a close second, and we do return, if not as frequently since we've discovered Meskerem. read more

Wow!! Really good food and large portion. We got seated pretty soon but the service was a little slow. Took a while to get the appetizers and the main course arrive immediately. Love the sambusa and first time tried chicken taquitos and I enjoyed them. We ordered the combo and it was a huge portion. Very big enjera. Will definitely keep visiting. A must try here if you want to try Ethiopian food for the first time!! read more

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Definitely is on my favorite spots list. I loved the feel at home atmosphere and the food was delicious. I especially appreciated that the owner and cook, understand this was my Sun's first experience eating Ethiopian food, came out to check on him and was willing to make any accommodations if it was necessary. None was needed. read more

Food was definitely flavorful and lived up to what I was expecting, the atmosphere itself was a bit lacking. It was a group of five of us who ventured in here - we were the only ones in the restaurant the entire time and they had an obscure Don Cheadle movie playing in the background. Made for an interesting experience. Our server was great, [AND VERY PATIENT] since we (mostly me) were asking questions and asking for recommendations. I was feeling very adventurous that night so I ordered the Honey Wine (looked interesting on the drink menu). Later I pulled up some yelp reviews while waiting for the food to come out and the Honey Wine was one of the "must tries". SAMBUSA appetizers were delicious. A bit hard to share, but we got over our shyness and started ripping them up with hands. Definitely a different experience using hands instead of the normal fork and knife. The food came out on huge plates..... our table wasn't quite big enough for all the plates, but our server got creative and brought over a tv dinner table to place things on the side. I had the #4 which was beef (spicy) and a couple of sides that I just ate up. By the end of the meal, I was thoroughly stuffed to capacity. Everything was great and the warm burning in my mouth from the spice was a nice change from normal food. I plan on trying their chicken and vegetarian dishes next! read more

I've been coming to Red Sea for years, both at the old location and the present one. They are a Charlotte staple for Ethiopian food for a reason. There are very few places I will say this about but you literally can't go wrong with ANYTHING on the menu! Trust me, I've tried most of it. Their sambusas are a must. Their injera is perfection. Even their mitmita tastes better than other places (and I'm not sure how haha). My favorite item on the menu is the kitfo. I've ordered it so often the owner remembers my order, which brings me to the service. While I agree with other reviewers that a visit can err on the slow side, I've always found the service to be excellent. They don't linger and allow you to enjoy your meal in peace but also pay attention to details and are very attentive. I've never had anything wrong with an order in all the years I've been coming. The service and food quality is consistent. For drinks, try tej if you haven't. They have a full bar, a few craft beers, a few light beers, and coffee. They usually have traditional Ethiopian music playing on a tv in the background. The only reason for four stars instead of five is that sometimes they will say they do not have kitfo. I'm not really sure the reason for this since it is just beef. I've always assumed they may not want to take the time to prepare it that day. That being said it is rare that they say they don't have it but it has happened more then once. read more

Best Ethiopian Food I have ever had. Honey- I got the Shrimp Scampi and when my food arrived it was packed with all the culture I needed since we can't travel. The shrimp was definitely cooked by the Red Sea god and the spicy sweet potato mash was to perfection. Y'all, I am a picky eater. I used the bread like I was making a stuffed shell it was so darn good. Where is the six star button! They made it fast too. Definitely ordering again next week. I would have taken a picture but I literally ate it all and forgot! Order today!!! Get the scrimp scampi! read more

I ha e been coming to this restaurant for about 20 years. They were located across from CPCC originally. The same husband and wife are the owners and chefs. They are kind, professional and excellent at what they do. I have moved away but I come back for work and visit them from time to time. They always remember me. On each of my visits I take a new person and so far everyone has loved the food and atmosphere. I have lived in several states and I seek out Ethiopian food; so far none of them have been as good as The Red Sea. read more

On 2 separate occasions I saw water bugs in this place. What was most disturbing was the reaction by the owners. There seemed to be a certain comfort with the presence of roaches. They over charge for food. A coke is $4.50 for a bottle that sells for $2.50 at ever other Ethiopian restaurant. Sambosas are also $4. more expensive and they look cooked in dirty grease. The service is slow and the place looks shabby. I even got sick after eating my food and vomited immediately and was still given a full bill. Only because they stay open late is why I ever went back. Never again. Save your money. It's a disgusting place read more

As far as Ethiopian good goes this wasn't the best. I've been eating Ethiopian my whole life from Chicago to DC to Houston to San Francisco. I just find every place I possibly can and go there whenever possible. Just moved to NC so this was my first Ethiopian restaurant in NC. The spices were a little off and the injera wasn't as sour. It seemed like they were low or skimping on teff and berbere. I'm not an expert but it wasn't as good. The atmosphere was really run down too. HOWEVER, this was better than almost any restaurant you can find here bc it is Ethiopian! And it's delicious and the veggie combo is vegan! With all my complaints I loved it and I'm so happy it's here. Will try some of the others soon. read more

Had dinner here. Location is easy to find, with ample parking. The restaurant is spacious and clean. Our server was pleasant and the food arrived to our table quickly. I enjoyed the vegetarian platter: beets, potatoes, collards, (mild) lentils, and salad served on a large portion of sour, spongy injera. My husband had the chicken tibs. We both agreed the food was delicious. We will definitely return again. read more

Red Sea Restaurant & Bar - Veggie platter (before) - Ethiopian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Meskerem is to Red Sea as Harris Teeter is to Food Lion. As in, less atmosphere, spottier service, but good deals and (in some cases) surprisingly good food. A complaint I often hear about Ethiopian is that it all tastes the same - whether that's actually true (I don't think so) or it's a result of our western minds being so used to each separate dish having, well, it's own, separate dish, that when it's all piled onto a delicious piece of Injera, the way we experience flavor shifts is a mystery to me. At Red Sea, there is no mistaking Wat for Alicha - the flavors in each dish (even just stewed lentils) are distinct. Some things are sweet - others salty. And there's none of this "spice level" stuff - you get the full range, when ordering a combo (at 10.99, veggie combo is a steal). Dings - nuked Sambusas. Service was both good (presence, smiles) and cranky (unhappiness about splitting a bill 3 ways, each portion on a card). Warm, as in tired A/C. But really good, thoughtfully prepared food. Lovely. read more