Very good food in elegant casual atmosphere, but the proportions are too small for the cost. I offered this feedback politely and constructively, complimenting the food, but the wait person was quite defensive (not that it isn't her right to speak her mind), telling me the injera is to eat also. Duh. I noticed at least one other recent comment gives the same feedback. Take the hint. Two stars for making me like i was being unreasonable when they've clearly heard it before. read more

Ordered Sega tibs & veggie combo - almost $60 of food - and got this delivery that was barely enough for 1 person. The quality of the meat and watery lentils was bad. There are plenty of Ethiopian places around. Don't bother ordering from here. read more

Tsion Cafe - Sega Tibs & Ethiopian Veggie Combo for 1 - Ethiopian Near Me - New York, New York

This restaurant is horrible. The food is watery and not flavorful. The owners are stuck up and rude, especially the female one. They charge way too much for a limited portion of food. read more

I was really hopeful about this place. It was our first stop to eat when we moved to the neighborhood. Food was good. We requested gift cards and recommended the restaurant to all of our friends when they visit. But I will never go again. The rudeness and poor business practices I experienced today when I tried to use a 10 month old gift certificate is inexcusable. It seems they recently changed their 'system' and now have no access to any gift cards purchased before January. And because of that I was chastised, perhaps yelled at for not using it promptly enough and told multiple times they wouldn't accept it - even after I presented it to them for inspection before being seated. read more

My friend and I were looking for a Cafe to plan a trip, so we came here. First things first, there is no WiFi and if there is, it is not advertised. Good thing I had a hotspot with me. This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, so I did not know what to expect. We tried the collard green sambusa and the doro wot (stew chicken). The sambusa was very soggy. I was expecting it to be churchy. The flavor was okay but nothing to call home about. WARNING: the doro wot is spicy! I was not expecting the spice but the chicken was juicy and tender. The injera bread has a very unique after taste that is hard to explain. I did not enjoy the bread very much and wish I had rice with my chicken instead of the injera. As a previous review noted the food here is a bit expensive. My friend and I shared the two items above and paid $20 each for two sambusas and one chicken leg each, and that is not including top. In my opinion, it's not worth it. As my friend and I were using the laptop to plan our trip we were asked around 7 to put the laptop away because they are not allowed after a certain time. That did not settle well with me but I am guessing this is because a live performer was coming at 8pm. Overall I will not return here read more

Heard about this restaurant from a TV show end it sounded really good so I went. The food was absolutely delicious! I had the Dora watc

This review is only for a takeout order. Got the veggie combo for two with teff injera (gluten free) substitution. The stews were watered down compared to Ethiopian food I've had elsewhere and the portion was smaller than I expected. The price is probably 2x what I would expect for the portion and quality. There are a couple other options nearby with similar prices but much better quality and quantity of food. The place itself looked nice with a little garden in the back and outdoor street dining. It might be better to go for drinks and ambiance rather than for food. read more

Food is good and nice place over all but beware of what you order! We wanted both veggies and meat but only saw a veggie platter (single = $20 or combo $40) on the menu. We asked for a veggie platter plus meat and the server said ok and it would be the combo. When we got the bill we were charged $72 for the platter. When we asked the woman in charge, she shrugged and said 'we don't have a mixed ( veggie and meat) platter. Enjoy the good ambiance and food but be very careful when ordering as the food is very expensive! read more

Awesome space, friendly staff and customers and really good food! Tonight there is music and an artist painting on the floor. We're at a happenin'! read more

Sunday April 2nd around 3pm my fiance and I were refused service and demanded to leave the restaurant minutes after being seated. Our crime? We expressed that their switch from menus to QR codes was a disappointment having dinned there for years. The owner who was to be our server responded with: "I refuse to serve people like you, I don't want you here", immediately turned her back on us, and walked away. We then got up in shock at her appalling behavior without a word and walked out. People like us? We are both seniors, Caucasian, 71 and he is 61 living on St. Nicholas and 145th St. for 20 years, both volunteers at Jackie Robinson Park and serving on our community board CB9 to protect Harlem from over development for years. I am in project management and my finance is a senior programming engineer with a Seattle Co. consulting to the Fortune 100. After being seated in the outdoor area in the back, we were directed to scan the QR code from another table as no code was on our table. What! We have been to Teion Cafe many times over the years, held our family reunion there, and this was the first time ever no menus were provided. It was disappointing. The owner kept going on and on displaying a tone of intense pride about how convenient the QR codes were for her "nothing to print, easy to edit and less expensive" not recognizing her guest's discomfort at this point. Her perspective was "all about her" ignoring how unwelcome we were being made to feel. I agreed stating: "I do understand how convenient QR codes are for you, but its inconvenient for your guests and "not the restaurant experience the guests expect when they go out to pay for a meal to..... "wait on themselves", which I said calmly, no raised voice at all, no aggression at all just stating how the experience felt for guests. It was our intention to stay, order our meal though the owner was being unwelcoming towards us. I didn't take it personally She was having a bad day. Her response: "I am not serving people like you", turned her back on us and abandoned us at the table. We got up without a word, shocked at her behavior and walked out. Now THAT's personal. Would she seek to punish other guests should they express disapproval of her food, or ask for an order to be returned, or make a negative comment on the service. Does she mistreat other guests in this manner? Does she throw them out? I doubt it. It was who were as people that provoked her intolerance. It was personal and discriminatory behavior. We ate there many times since its opening and never were treated so shamefully. Who talks like that to a guest like that for providing feedback...ever? A side note: The restaurant consultants Technomic did a survey recently and found that about 88% OF RESPONDANTS SAID THEY PREFERRED PAPER MENUS TO DIGITAL QR CODES. read more

Imagine: you walk past the exterior and you say to yourself: nah, it looks small. Then you walk in anyway and are shocked by two things: OMG!! It smells wonderful and wow, this is actually bigger than you thought. Seriously. You ordered the cappuccino and taste it without sugar first. You like it. You choose the raw sugar out of the four varieties on the table, and add it to the drink. You love it. While waiting for your mushroom quiche to arrive, you enjoy creamy caffeinated goodness out of a cute mug. The idea of rushing through a quick breakfast seems ridiculous. All of this happened to me. True story. The quiche is deliciously moist and flavors are light. The crust was not crispy but it definitely stood up firm against all of the moisture of the quiche. If, like me, you dread a mushy crust breathe easy. The side salad comes dressed in a balsamic dressing, which was light and a flavorful contrast to the quiche. The artwork on the walls changes quite often, as the decor is carefully maintained. Someone truly took the time to decorate this place and create a comfortable environment. There are table, couches and bar stools to choose from. I wish this place was open late night because it would make for a nice place to dance. read more

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I love Ethiopian food ( in fact, I love any food you get to eat with your hands) - and Tsion is a great find for a variety of reasons. It's not solely Ethiopian, so if you have a dining companion that needs a fork there are other Israeli/Mediterranean dishes where fork usage won't be frowned upon. The food is really good - I mainly stick with the Veggie Combo, as it's my favorite way to sample several dishes at once. Though they have a brunch menu that looks pretty enticing, too! The space is great and cosy - it's located in the basement of a Sugar Hill/Harlem brownstone. Bright, airy and not at all cramped - and you might be lucky enough to score a table in their small garden. The service is extremely kind and helpful. It may be further out than you normally go, but it's well worth the extra train stops! read more

This ethiopian food is the best I have ever had! We got a Vegan plate for two! The shiro was delicious and had some lovely gingerbread overtones! The gomen was clean and fresh!!! The injera (although less sourdough flavor than most) was light and leaves you feeling good not overstuffed with bread! The lentils were super spicy and delicious! Cabbage was smooth...and the corn was a nice addition. Each vegetable was perfectly spiced and had a certain delicate a gourmet and non-oily vibe. The only downside was that the veg plate for two this nite at $32 was a bit small...I hope that next time it is a bit larger as we had to order sides of gomen and shiro. This makes me wonder if one should not just order sides for $7 each. We will be back as the taste of this food is simply the best for my palette! read more

I stepped into another world. Ambiance is so warm and easy and inviting. Tservice is engaging and pleasant and sincere. FOOD- where have I been hiding? I'm over the moon with the tastes, the offerings, the depth, the delicious smell of heart cooked meals. I will come again and again and I will eat my way through the menu over and over. Thank you! read more

Came for dinner with a friend. Great food, but the service wasn't so much. We were ignored as soon as it started to fill up a little bit. Anyway, we split the veggie combo platter and it was delicious, plus more than enough food for two people. Brownie was ok. There's a decent amount of Ethiopian in the area, so I'll probably go elsewhere just because the service wasn't great. 3.5 stars. read more

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Excellent spot. 1) Only is NYC can you find Jewish Israeli Ethiopian food. 2) I highly recommend Malawach for lunch. It is fantastic. 3) Price is higher then the other Ethiopian restaurants from nearby Harlem. 4) Will be back for the Malawach. read more

Tsion Cafe - Malawach, best breakfast around. - Ethiopian Near Me - New York, New York

Overall this place has a cute vibe.... shelves of books to read...nice decor...cute little back patio. And this part of Harlem (esp on St. Nick) can surely use more establishments for folks to dine. But... I've been here three times now and... the menu offerings often seem rather 'vague'...not a really 'tight' menu. Also, the service is often 'spotty'. The bench seats seem too low for the tables, and unless you're a very tall person, you have to lift your arms UP to dine from the table height. Today I got the Ful dish, which lists Feta among the ingredients. There was literally ONE crumble of feta, smaller than a pencil eraserhead, in the entire dish. Clearly they must have run out, but yet said nothing when I ordered the dish. The dish was tasty (and not spicy...some of their other dishes can be very spicy)....but for $14 and no feta, they should have taken a dollar or two off. read more

This was, quite simply, the best brunch of my life. The ambience is intimate, the staff delightful, and the food sensational. Easily the best shakshuka in New York. The malawach with boiled egg was the star of the show. Tsion cafe is an absolute MUST. read more

I love the atmosphere and most of the staff. It's very warm and welcoming. I came for open mic night which is exquisite and worth coming to. However, I asked for a simple latte to go near the end of the event. There was still 40 min left but I wanted to sip and take the rest home. I've had this latte in the past and had it made to go and it was divine. However, this time it was delivered 10 minutes later and the cup was only half full. I asked why because if I'm paying $4 for a latte, I at least want the cup to be full. Again, this was not a problem in the past. The bartender must've been new, which is fine, but when I asked about why my cup wasn't full, she said that's the small size. She said she could add more milk. I don't know why the small size is put into a large to-go cup. The event was nearly over and there was no reason for me to have this latte anymore so I decided to close out the check. This is the part that really surprised me. The woman talks to a co-worker about my actions in front of me (Nevermind the customer always being right policy), tells him that she made the latte the correct size, and stormed off. She could've asked what size I wanted before making the latte, or at least not given me half a cup. When she gave my my card back after paying for the rest of the bill, she slammed it down so hard and scoffed away. All of this being said, the lattes here are great. Just make sure you clarify you want the cup full. UPDATE- 2 months later. I came back to show a friend how great the lattes are. Unfortunately that same worker who talked badly about me right in front of me was still behind the bar so we ran out immediately. read more

This place has a great atmosphere and very kind waitresses. It would be nice if they didn't overcharge for minimal food. $40 for two veggie combos would have been rough, already, but then they give us only enough for one person. Assuming it was a mistake, we went back, only for the manager to be extremely patronizing about how little she gave us. Instead, she made us two more takeout boxes, still with less than most Ethiopian places would offer, but more than what she had given originally. All in all, it was a bad experience AND some of the most lackluster food I've had from an Ethiopian place in a while. The chickpea was good. The injera and greens were watery. I'll be spending my money elsewhere. read more

Great service and and pleasant waitress. Price wise well with the trip. I had the salmon w red lentil..a tad spicy. The appies we're great. It's off the beaten track...yes..we came from NJ. NJ transit n subway. They have live jazz on Fridays n sat. Well worth the trip. And they have bar. read more

For those who like history between the 1940s-80s this was the location of "Jimmy's chicken shack". Jimmy's is important because this is where a young Malcolm X and Red Foxx use to work as a dish washer before they would go on to do great things in life. read more

Tsion Cafe - Ethiopian Near Me - New York, New York

So, Ethiopian food has been the one cuisine I did not like, until Tsion. Lots of space, live music on some nights, South African decor, and outdoor sitting make Tsion a great brunch spot. Do not be fooled by the small slightly hidden entrance. Brunch: Sangria. Lightly seasoned with South African spices, which adds complexity and unique flavors. Bloody Mary has a great texture that comes from the unique to the region spices. Chala French toast, topped with A wonderful blueberry preserve, slightly crunchy on the top, perfectly cooked. Definitely a must try, Ayo and Dannie took very good care of us! read more

It was our first time in New York and our Airbnb was close by and as had never had Ethiopian food we decided to try it. What a cozy restaurant. We loved that it was in a "nook" like setting. We ordered several items to give them a try and decided that the Doro Tibs with Jollof Rice was our favorite. Very flavorful and full of richness. Our only complaint was that there wasn't more rice to soak in all the sauce. The Ethiopian bread was unique and quite delicious. Our waitress was delightful. All in all...a great dining experience. read more

Just okay. Portions small. Prices high. Seasoning meh. Service flat. [maybe they were tired?] Did really enjoy the homemade iced tea however. read more

Extremely disappointing food. Vegetable platter was extremely bland. The chicken dish was spicy, but the rice was unfortunately bland. Waitress clearly didnt care at all, but thats secondary, as good food can make up for bad service. Unfortunately, the food was not good. read more

We were in heavenly TSion for an hour or two. The food exquisite, the Queen of Sheba tej smooth. The duet rendered a delightful 'Happy Birthday'! Thanks to and congratulations TSion family for the history attached to Malcolm 'Red' X and Redd Foxx in that space formerly known as Jimmy's Chicken Shack. Pray the patronage will continue so more will share our experience. Thanks for this memory! read more

Food was good and authentic; service was pretty quick. I ordered the veggie combo platter and felt pretty full afterward. I would go again

What a wonderful dining experience! This Ethiopian-Israeli restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely meal with gracious service and attention to detail.....the menu was explained and suggestions (at our request) were provided.....by the time we ordered dessert, the staff was aware that one of us was vegan, the other not.....and so my vegan companion got to share my delicious dessert because his half did not have the honey sauce! The entire staff and owner were gracious and knowledgeable....an ideal combination when trying a new cuisine....I anticipate a return visit soon! read more

This is a terrific community-oriented café with superb food and cocktails! They support local artists and local organizations. They can't be beat! read more

Similar to many of the other reviews here, we found the price of our meal not at all proportional to the amount of food received. The combo for two is more like a single serving. We are used to eating far larger portions for far fewer $ such as at Bunna Cafe in Brooklyn. The food tasted great, but I suggest this company give more generous portions. read more

I've never had Ethiopian food, I wasn't sure what to expect. What can I say? I have a boring palate and I'm very picky about my food. This place really is a gem. My favorite part of the restaurant was their art work. The service was good, the food was good and the place was lovely. Not sure if I will back, but I'm glad I tried and it was a good experience. read more

Price: 4 Quality/Taste: 5 Customer service: 5 Ambience: 5 Total: 4.75 I came in looking for a quick bite because I only had 15 minutes, so the lady recommended a beef burger. Y'all that was THE best burger I have ever had in my life. It was so thick and juicy and actually tasted like real meat. I guess they weren't lying when they said it was a grass-fed cow. It came with a side of either sweet potato fries or salad. Of course, I chose the fries. At first, I thought it was a bit pricey for the portion size (I still do), but for the quality of the food it was well worth it. I loved the vibe of the restaurant. It was a dimlit cozy spot with a bar, tables, and couches. So you could choose whatever feel you were going for. Also, there was a lot of beautiful artwork giving a real "African" feel. I'll definitely be back and this time for a sit down meal. read more

I ordered from Tsion café multiple times during COVID-19. I recently moved from the area but i will have to make a visit soon because I'm craving their jollof rice and gluten free injera. Not to mention- the espresso martini! Delivery always comes super fast read more

If you're looking for A+ Service, easy to talk to staff, and GREAT food (this was my second time trying this cuisine, first tried it when I was 7 years old so..) Then this place is not for you. I felt that the staff here goes out of their way to provide you with EXCELLENT recommendations and even better experiences overall. Give this place a try!! You will find something you'll LOVE. read more

Disclaimer: I have never had Ethiopian food before my visit here. I did not have any expectation. Decor/atmosphere. 4.5 star. Inside the restaurant actually 5/5, with tasteful furniture and a small but comfortable patio. It's either recent renovation or place is super well maintained.... 0.5 star off actually for the surrounding neighborhood. It actually feels a little desolate and slightly unsafe even on a Sunday late afternoon. Service: 4.5 stars. The waitress greeted us warmly when we entered and was very helpful in making recommendation on menu as well as showing us the proper way of eating ethiopian! However after we finished the food we felt a bit rushed. On the other hand, they can probably handle a crowd pretty efficiently. Food: this is hard to be objective for me, because I had a very great first impression partially because of the novelty of the exotic taste/spices. Interestingly, wife thinks the food tastes very asian to her somehow Apparebtly something in our "Tibs" with side of cabbage is spicy and sour, and the resultant taste is reminiscent of kimchi! Well, either way I love the taste so much I think I'll be craving for it often in near future. Coffee: wow other reviewer are right the coffee here is awesome. It taste as deep and fragrant I feel could be comparable to stomptown coffee that we get from a couple of ultra poplar coffee places in town. Apparently place has live jazz band that performs on certain nights. I look forward to checking it out Great experience, definitely will come again. ^_^ read more

Tsion Cafe - Tibs (grilled fillet mignon) with curry cabbage. Awesomeness!! - Ethiopian Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped in at this Ethiopian restaurant, around the corner from my apartment for dinner the other night. There was seating available in both the main space, as well as the lovely backyard. Since it was still 95 degrees at 7pm, we opted to stay inside. The staff was lovely and attentive, willing to answer all of our questions. We had some familiarity with Ethiopian food as one of our favorite restaurants at home (Portland, Maine), serves a very similar menu. We all decided to go with different injera meals; one chicken stew, one vegetarian and one chicken leg. Our order came out pretty quickly and included an extra basket of rolled injera pieces, which I did appreciate. Everyone loved their meals. The vegetarian sampler I ordered, came with every available vegetable/lentil side dish on the menu, and while all were very good, I LOVE the red lentils! As we were digesting and considering tea and/or dessert. A very sweet and earnest young guy set up a mike and started an open mike session by reading a poem he had written. He was sincere, although after he was finished, nobody else took the mike. I hope that changes, this seems like a great space for a neighborhood open mike. Anyway, we finally settled on a few hot drinks. I got spiced Ethiopian tea and it was fantastic! We also ordered the Malawach for dessert. Super score, would definitely order again! We were not rushed in any way. Overall, I definitely recommend Tsion Cafe. The price point is a bit high in comparison to other Ethiopian restaurants i've been to, but if your looking for something in the neighborhood and don't want to travel, definitely check them out! read more

We heard good things about this restaurant, and that they were struggling during the pandemic, so we ordered take-out. We've eaten at other Ethiopian restaurants, but have never gotten take out before (thanks, covid). When we opened the containers, we found our chicken order in one, and loads of injira in the other. The contents of our vegetarian platter for 4 was nowhere to be found. They were sure they had prepared the platter and placed it in the bags. After some back and forth with the restaurant, and another trip there, we still couldn't solve the problem. FINALLY, it became clear -- the vegetables were INSIDE the injira. Ordinarily, at a restaurant, the injira would be on the side. Anyway, it was really embarrassing, for they had already made us an entire second platter (which they refused to allow me to pay for). I'm sure they thought we were nuts (maybe we are). Bottom line - delicious food, kind and generous (to a fault) restaurant staff and owners. I really look forward to dining in one day... And did I mention? GLUTEN-FREE INJIRA! For the win! read more

A nice location right by the express stop on the train. I went for a holiday party so the menu was curated for us, mostlikely finger foods, but they were all good. The small is cozy, has a history of being a location that Malcolm X worked in (not this same restaurant but the same location). One thing is does have is a small back patio area, but I didn't get to experience it because it was rainy and cold. Loved the Ethiopian lager beer also. I would go back to try more than the finger goods. read more

Tsion Cafe - The logo - Ethiopian Near Me - New York, New York

You will like this place if you've never had Ethiopian food. There are sooo many better places in the city and Harlem. Clearly the other reviewers are lacking exposure. My food was gummy and over cooked. I couldnt even chew some pieces of meat. The Jollofwas a joke. Mediocre in the taste department and definitely not authentic jollof rice. The portion was so small yet came with a $29 price tag i had to buy gomen on the side for an additional $13 (for a side)! It was a small dish kale btw not collard greens, but at least tasty enough (so 2 stars instead of 1). The waitress had the gall to ask if I wanted a small plate when they didn't even give me a full dinner plate of food. It was a breakfast plate slightly bigger than a saucer. Who was she kidding??? They sat me next to screaming toddlers as well which just put the icing on the cake. The entire time I'm eating over priced blah food the back of my seat is jumping up and down, because neither the parents or the restaurant wants to tell these kids to sit down. $47 for what should have been a peaceful and tasty solo meal down the drain. They really screwed up my afternoon lunch plans. read more