If you are considering Ethiopian food, just wash your hands and come here. It's like dining in a friend's home, welcoming, warm and genuine. The owner Abby D. is also the chef and her love and pride in her cuisine shines through her cooking. Having eaten Ethiopian food only in the US, this is the best version that I've had across Chicago, NY and DC. They offer indoor and covered outdoor seating, giving it a homely comforting vibe. Since it was just the two of us, we ordered the vegan sampler and the lamb tibsy (spicy). The lamb was delicious and well spiced. All the dishes were served on a platter of injera - sour, spongy bread that just soaks up all the flavor to perfection. I enjoyed the red lentils (misir wat), yellow lentils (alicha) cabbage and carrot stir fry, collard greens and a house salad that had a dressing which perfectly complimented the rest of the dishes. They also offer additional injera should you need any - we didn't. You eat with your hands from the common platter, but they do provide additional plates and silverware should you need it. The portions are generous and we ended up taking some of the food home. They have a bunch of dishes I'd like to try, so I'm definitely going to be back! read more

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New menu has a few tweaks but the same great stuff We ordered Simo veggie mix with double yellow lentils instead of red Lamb crispy Tibsy Still love this place. It has the best Ethiopian food, 100% teff injera, kind staff and a nice patio. Easy parking read more

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I would give 6 stars if I could; this food is incredible! I'm from NYC, I love Ethiopian food; I have eaten it for years in different places and this food is the most flavorful Ethiopian food I have ever had! I truly wanted to lick the plate. Abby, who is the owner and is so lovely and sweet. This is my new Ethiopian spot in the Bay! read more

Excellent food! So delicious and so flavorful! Cute atmosphere. We loved the veggie combo - every sjngle thing was so rich and vibrant in flavor, the chai was delicious, and the sambusas were excellent. The server was super friendly and very attentive! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Sambusa - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great service, super clean, friendly staff & the food is a 10/10!!! best Eritrean food I've had read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Had some of the best food and experience. Ordered the Abby Vegetarian Special. She brought us this cinnamon tea after. Soo good, tasty! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - 12. Abby's Veggie Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Comfy atmosphere and food. Shewat is a family restaurant with a nice outdoor dining area. The service and decorations are informal, featuring flags from across the world and even some photos from a family trip to Yosemite. Service was not the fastest, but that is OK. The food was worth the wait. Both the vegetarian and meat entrees were very delicious and had a homemade quality to them. The injera was nice and soft. The honey wine was just OK, I've had better ones elsewhere. Worth a visit for a relaxed dinner with a small group. read more

Very good food and service once again! Will come back again. A bit cold but was okay once they turned on the heat lamps. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - 10. Chicken Tibsy & Spinach - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Amazing food and service. A wonderful meal made with care and love. Amazingly flavorful and delicate at the same time.

Companion and I got Ethiopian food which was quite memorable. He wanted to take us out for it again but somewhere new. We chose Shewhat based on the rave reviews. We arrived around the opening on a weekday evening. For the majority of our meals, we were the only customers. The outdoor patio is airy, colorful, and cozy. There's also indoor seating. Being the only customers, we were well cared for by the lovely owner and cook. After an hour, the dinner crowd started rolling in and their small team had to juggle that so it did take a bit to get our check. We understand and appreciate her kindness and hospitality. Companion and I love to share so we got the Shewhat Special which comes with vegan and meat items. On a giant plate is a variety of greens, lentils, and meats with injera. You eat with your hands which always adds to the fun. My favorites were the lentils and collard greens. Some items are more spicy but everything is well-seasoned and flavorful. This was the perfect amount for the two of us! If you're looking for Ethiopian or Eritrean food, Shewhat is worth a try! We were happy to have come and tried a new spot. The restaurant is off Shattuck Ave. and can be easy to pass up but they have parking in front plus on the street! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Shewhat Special - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

This is some of the best Eritrean food I've had (and im used to aunties and grandmas making home cooked habesha food). The owner was so kind and service was so quick. We got the sambusa for appetizer, the Merhaba plate and meat combo and both were so yummy and well-seasoned and more than enough food for the two of us. All our food was placed on one large plate which we shared and didn't bother us but might be an issue for other people. We chose to eat outside on the patio and it was decorated so well and had really nice ambiance and it also stayed really warm despite the cold weather so that was nice. Only downside is that i wish they offered a few more things like doro wat but this is just because it is one of my favorite dishes and is not a real downside. All in all a great place, I will definitely be going back read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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I was in Oakland last weekend and I'm so happy I had a chance to go to Shewat. It was nice out, so we sat in this cute outdoor patio. The space was clean and the service was really good, we got great recommendations for the menu for a vegetarian meal. We started out with the lentil sambusa, it was spicy, so delicious with a sweet chili side sauce. It came out hot and crispy! We shared the Abby Veggie Combo which comes with Simo's Special, Vegan Sampler & Shiro. This comes with injeria rolls. This serves two so we added the Mushroom Tibsy: Mushrooms sautéed with onions tomato, garlic and Berbere. The food was absolutely incredible!! The mushroom dish and okra were so flavorful. All of the lentils were outstanding. Everything was seasoned so well, delicious, not heavy. It was such a memorable meal to share. This is the best Ethiopian/Eritrean spot I've had! I highly highly recommend visiting Shewat, they really knocked it out of the park. read more

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Great food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. I'll definitely be back!

There are some big flavors coming out of this tiny converted gas station in Oakland. The menu at Shewhat is similarly small, but offers generous vegan delights, like the always abundant veggie combo platter. Injera piled high with stewed lentils and split peas, tender collard greens and curried potatoes, plus a bit of salad for leafy balance. Dazzling with layers of slow-cooked spices, it's a real diamond in the rough. Don't forget the fitfit, a breakfast dish made of hot and boldly seasoned torn injera, which satisfied any time of day. Definitely check this place out for a deeply satisfying meal with incredibly kind service. Added bonus: You get to eat with your hands. read more

First time coming here when a few friends. I love ambiance and the decor. Our server was nice and came by often to fill our water. The food..... was absolutely amazing, it was so good. I was in heaven. I will definitely come back and recommend. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Family style... Chicken Tibsy and Spinach, Mushroom Tibsy and Shewhat Vegan Sampler - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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It doesn't get ANY better. This spot has been one of my favorite Bay Area restaurants since it was shouted out on a Nicole Danner YouTube video. It SO lives up to the hype!! The injera is perfect, and can't recommend the Mushroom entree enough. Can't wait to eat leftovers tomorrow. Also, the sweet woman who runs this restaurant is so kind and attentive. She's full of joy, making this experience even better. I'll be back in a couple weeks! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here on a friend's suggestion, I didn't know what to expect but food was so good. Oh man. I love that it feels very homey and inviting. Parking wasn't too bad on a weeknight, just parked in the neighborhood. I would definitely come here again. Yum!! read more

Yes! Owner Abby Dair does it all! She what? Yes, she takes the orders, hooks up the grills and meals and serves customers with a lot of culture and culinary art! Very personable and proud of her culture, Abby excitedly told us about the dishes on the menu. Consistent with the culture, she served a beautiful meat and veggie spread family-style for my wife and I to dig in with the injera. Even the very large plates were authentic with visual stories seen and told on them. Yes, we finished majority of our food to see the underlying artwork. Sure, it was comfort food. More importantly, the comfort came from Abby's vibrant energy and her beautiful love language as expressed through her traditional dishes. I was a first-timer but I hope to be a regular! Please support great small businesses! read more

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Shewhat, with nearly 5 stars on Yelp, is clearly an East Bay favorite for Ethiopian cuisine. I've always wanted to try it and despite spending 3 years at Berkeley during undergrad, I somehow never found the time to visit. But, a year into my post-grad life, I've made it. And, it was worth the wait! I came with a friend on a Saturday evening and was surprised to find not wait. We ordered the Shewhat Special which included the vegan combo, a chicken and spinach dish, salad, and Ziggni (beef stew) all served atop a generous layer of injera with additional rolls on the side. The portion was more than sufficient for two, leaving us stuffed and satisfied at the end. The flavors, as expected from a 5 star establishment, were nothing short of remarkable. The stews and curries all offer a comforting richness -- something like that of home cooking and what I'd imagine a loving Ethiopian mom would prepare. The beef chunks and chicken morsels were simmered to tender perfection and the vegetables were hearty without feeling heavy. The injera? Probably the highlight. Incredibly porous, tangy, and ideal for soaking up every drop of stew. My only downside is the service as it took quite a long time to receive the check post-meal, but minor delay aside, everything else was great. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Shewhat Special - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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So delicious. We got the two sampler platters which was perfect for 3 very hungry people. There is indoor and covered outdoor seating with music but not too loud outside. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Have been coming here since it opened and it's my favorite Ethiopian food in the area. The food and staff are always amazing!

SERVICE - located across from a park in an otherwise residential neighborhood - limited parking available in lot or plenty of street parking nearby - most seating is outside in the covered patio - we called ahead of time to make sure we got a table as the operation is small and can only serve a limited number of customers - waiter is very friendly and serves food quickly - ambiance good for casual meal MENU - decent selection of Ethiopian dishes and combos - average price ($19 per entree) FOOD - abby veggie combo (7/10): all the vegan dishes except the mushroom served on top of injera bread with a healthy amount of lettuce. This combo is a great option to try a lot of dishes and share between 2-4 people. I liked how everything tastes authentic and each one had a slightly different taste. Some were spicier while others were more fresh. The lettuce pile in the middle was too salty to eat on its own. The injera was more sour than what I was used to which may have just been due to over fermenting in the heat. I would have liked more quantity of the side dishes as they only occupied a ring around the edge of the plate. WOULD I GO BACK? If I lived closer than maybe. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Abby veggie combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

The patio was a vibe - really chill and nice. Service was friendly but the food came out so slow. We got a bunch of different things but they all had a similar flavor profile and it was all kind of smoky and I didn't like the flavor. They give you the skimpiest amount of injera and then charge you for a small amount more. We ordered four entrees and got the equivalent of one piece of injera to share among all of us. Probably won't be back although I really wanted to love the food. read more

This was a delicious and delightful meal. My friend and I shared Abby's Veggie Combo and we left so full and satisfied. The injera is delicious and I loved trying all the different flavors. My favorite out of the platter was the red lentils. The okra and spinach were so flavorful. Highly recommend getting one of their combos to share! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Abby's Veggie Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Can never pass up an opportunity for Ethiopian food -- visited Shewhat and was not disappointed! As a perk, it boasts one of THE coziest covered patio areas I've come across. Got a combo platter with chickpeas, lentils, spinach, chicken, and beef and it was the perfect amount for two. Lettuce was a welcome addition, as it provided a nice crunch to each bite. Only complaint is that the injera rolls don't come in a separate bowl -- they got way too soggy after sitting in a pool of wot. Service is extremely quick and friendly. I'll be back! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Loved this place since living down the street years back, Literally anytime I'm in Oakland this is my first stop. Will plan my trip around the days they're open Usually i get takeout but the patio is super cute! The food is THE BEST, nourishment you can taste and feel. They are so sweet and the owner always has a smile! read more

Cozy small hole in the wall family owned business, which I love. I've never tried Ethiopian or Eritrean food before and I was so impressed! We tried the Sambusa (reminds me of Indian Samosas) which was made to perfection and packed with yummy lentils. Then my friend and I tried the Tibsy (she got mushroom and I got lamb). So delicious! It's not heavy or greasy. Well-seasoned. The injera was so light and fluffy/spongy. I recommend the ginger tea!! So delicious and comforting. The honey wine was refreshing albeit a bit sweet for me but still enjoyed it. There's small area to seat indoors but they have outdoor seating with heaters when it's cold; it gives a homey vibe. The owners are wonderful and so sweet; they explained everything clearly and service was quick(though at one point we were one of two tables there). I imagine it can get quite busy here though. Bathroom is clean and tidy too btw which is a plus! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Mushroom and crispy lamb tibsy - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

In a city with an incredible selection of Ethiopian and Eritrean food, Shewhat firmly plants its flag as Oakland's best.

Tried Shewhat last year. Sat outside on their cute patio. Loved the atmosphere with light wood fence that enclosed the space without being claustrophobic. Fairy lights and potted palms further enhanced the oasis vibes. The string of flags completed the welcoming feeling. Loved the special and the okra. Could keep eating the injera. So yummy. Our food didn't look like enough for 5 people but looks were deceiving. We were stuffed. We even had enough leftovers for a 6th person who joined us halfway thru the meal. Pretty easy to get to by public transportation. Took me 1 BART ride and a bus transfer. Bus stopped right across the street. Only a couple of issues. We made reservations for 5 but were given a 4 top. Made it easy to share the food but we were knocking knees and elbows all night. Also, the sambusa was a tad overdone. Picked out the middle (yummy filling) and left the burnt pastry tips. But these are minor issues that didn't deter us from a yummy and fun dinner. Can't wait to return and explore the rest of the menu. read more

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I love Shewat so much. I love their vegan platter, it always tastes better than I remember! Each dish is spiced perfectly and goes so well with the injera. The portion on the combo is generous. I like the homey vibe on the patio. Nicely heated and the people who work here are very nice. read more

Stopped by here for dinner with my girlfriend and brother this past week and I have to say I was throughly impressed. We got here on a Thursday around 6:30 PM - they have covered outdoor seating and a decent amount of tables to seat groups of 2-4 people. We were promptly seated and given menus. The staff were super friendly and were very helpful in pointing out items we might be interested in. We got some honey wine, and an Abby's Combo along with the Beef Stew + Chicken with Spinach. Everything tasted fantastic. The injera here has a much more fermented flavor than other places I've been too - reminiscent of fermented dosa batter which I'm a fan of. It paired super nicely with all the curry's we got. My personal favorites were the red lentil curry, the beef stew and the chicken. The red lentil curry was extremely savory, and the meats in the beef and chicken stews were perfectly cooked. My only gripe if anything is the spice level - we had asked for things to be spicy but it came out pretty mild. With that said, that didn't deter from the flavor of any of the items we got. Shewhat has been one of my best experiences having Eritrean food and I'd highly recommend it. With great service and quality food you can't go wrong giving this place a visit. 5/5 read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Abby veggies combo + Shewhat Meat Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

First Ethiopian food. Everything is good and everyone should try. They have multiple food choices. We only tried a few read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Beef Tibsy and vegan special - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

We had to take the hike from Peninsula across the Bay Bridge to Berkeley and found this place through Yelp review - what sold me on this place was "woman-owned" and "homely" and boy did this place deliver. We had the veggie combo and the spinach and chicken tibsy. The service was impeccable as was the outside covered space with heaters and the food just put this place on another level - I love Ethiopian Food and have been eating it almost 25 years now both East Coast ( think Adam's Morgan, Washington DC) and West Coast and this place was hands down my favorite. Thank you for making my trek 30 miles worthwhile. read more

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It's hard to have bad experiences at Ethiopian restaurants. The food is usually shared, the fluffy starch reminiscent of sourdough - S tier bread, plenty of veggie options, beans (lentils) that don't offend anyone, meat is usually a comforting stew, and it smells like chromakopia. Also yes this place is very good, it's not the best injera I've ever had but once it's mixed with anything it's fantastic. I don't love the sweet honey wine - but nice to try read more

I came here for dinner with my partner this week, and left well fed and satisfied. We LOVED our meal (we ordered a combination platter to share, with some veggie items, chicken, and red meat. To drink we had the spiced tea, and tea akri, both of which were delicious, and just what we needed on a cold and rainy night.) ---- Some things to note: 1). this venue is quite casual and student friendly. We felt a little overdressed for the more bohemian atmosphere, but that's not a bad thing! It had a great vibe. 2). I suspect that this would be a great venue to take a big group out for dinner seated in the patio area. 3). The large size and square shape of our table made leaning in to eat from the round platter a little tricky. 4). I thought, as noted in previous reviews, that the bread got a little soggy compared with when I've had it served to me in other restaurants. That said, *we scarfed everything down so fast and with such glee that we hardly noticed!!!* One of my new favorite places to eat. read more

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My friends and I stopped by for a weekend dinner, and we instantly loved the ambiance of the outdoor seating area. Ordered Abby's Veggie Combo, which was a great serving size for 2 to 3 people. Everything tasted so fresh and flavorful, and we all enjoyed the experience. Would definitely recommend! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Abby's Veggie Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

We were visiting the Berkeley campus on a Friday evening, but had just enough time to grab dinner at Shewat first. Surprisingly, it was dead quiet around 6 PM, but we had some great food (and watched a lot of takeout orders going out.) I've never tried Eritrean food but this seemed very similar to Ethiopian food that I've had before. We tried the Shewat Special, with Chicken and Spinach, Beef, Lentils, Veggies, and a lot of injera. It was more than enough food for 2 people, we took at least 1-2 meals of food home, and they were super nice and gave us extra injera to take home. The food was fantastic - flavorful and healthy, with strong tastes and a little spice. Be warned (in case you've never tried Ethiopian/Eritrean food) that the injera bread is soft and fluffy but fermented to rise, so it has a little sour tang to it which my kids do not like that much. And you will likely be eating a lot of it, as it is used as the base (literally - it's under all the food) for all the meals, plus the tool you will use (you'll eat with your fingers) to mop up the delicious veggies, meat and lentils. The leftovers I ate at home with a knife and fork, and I don't know if maybe you asked they might bring you utensils at the restaurant. But otherwise eating there is a messy but delicious exercise, so get lots of napkins. Enjoy! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Shewat Sampler - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Love the vibe and ambience of the place. Feels very cute and intimate. The food was so flavorful and the injera was perfect! Loved everything!! read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Vegan sampler with beef tibsy - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

I've passed this shop many times, so finally gave it a try by ordering ahead online for a veggie combo. The food was all quite good - I'm not generally a fan of lettuce, cabbage, and carrots but they are well flavored and seasoned so that all the vegetables were yummy. Some of the curry/lentil-based dishes are a little bit spicy, but it wasn't too much to handle when combining it with the injera. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Veggie combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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This was my first time eating at an ethiopian restaurant and i really enjoyed it! The waitress was super nice and made sure we were enjoying our meal. The portions were good and the food itself was delicious. I couldn't pick a favorite of the meats and the sambusas were sooo good. The seating area is in a covered patio on the side of the main building, so it's a bit chilly in the evening. The decor makes it very homey and welcoming. read more

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant - Shewhat Meat Combo and Crispy Lamb Tibsy - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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