Our food was out pretty promptly on a Sunday for Lunch at noon. We had the chickpeas, the collard green, and the chicken ginger (#12?). Everything was tasty, i especially like that the collard greens had a bit of spice to them. The chicken was served on the bone which was not what i expected. I would go back again to try their other items. Lunch was about $9 for the two of us that shared the 3 items. read more

Really good, authentic Ethiopian! More of a family restaurant but still good food. Dragged some friends along as they had never eaten Ethiopian before. I usually go to Blue Nile in Tempe, but they had some different twists on the same dishes. Of course, it's family style. If you're familiar with eating chalupa, and scooping it up with a tortilla you're gonna do great here. read more

Awesome place for dining. Great service, delicious food, nice colorful decor. They are open for lunch and dinner check their hours. Lovely flavors in their cuisine. You won't go away hungry. read more

Zemam's - Food at Zemam's very delicious - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Possibly my favorite restaurant in all of Tucson. The food is delicious and unique in the best way. The proprietors are wonderful, friendly people. I love bringing along a bottle of wine. The dining experience itself (picking up the food with injera bread) is a treat. If you find that you are not full, that probably means that you tend to eat too much. The portions are not stingy. If you are turned off by the decor (it's sort of like going to someone's house to eat), then go eat at an art gallery. If you are the type who gets tired of not being surprised or delighted when you go out to eat, this is the place you need to try. I have an expensive habit of eating at a lot of fine dining restaurants and I very rarely leave one with the same feeling of joy that Zemam's gives me consistently. read more

I love this place. The food is delicious, the prices are very affordable, the waitstaff is great and the whole experience is so exotic you'll forget you're still in Tucson. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they're all great; my advice is to order something different each time you go. One tip: if you just can't get the hang of eating with injera or you're avoiding grains, they'll happily bring you a fork if you ask for one. read more

I can't believe I've lived here this long, seen this place a million times and have never even stopped. If you are looking for high class, fine dining.....go elsewhere. This place was a house, turned restaurant and truthfully I wouldn't have it any other way. Enough about the place, lets talk about the food! It was fantastic! My wife and I showed up with a bit of an appetite, nothing too big. We ordered a #1 which lets you choose 3 items (minus a couple on the menu) for $8.50! What? $8.50 for a lunch for 2? It came out quickly, which would be off-putting to some but the way Ethiopian food works is that they cook it as a "stew" and serve it. So this stuff has been slow cooking for a while, and the flavors show it! We ordered a #7 (Yetakelt Wat) which is a mixture of vegetables and potatoes, a #12 (Yedoro Alicha) which is a slow cooked chicken with fantastic spices, and a #13 (Mincheta Bish) which is finely chopped beef with some amazing spices as well. Each had it's own palette of savory flavors and spice. A smooth heat that isn't overwhelming but works with everything. The meal comes with 3 pieces of injera, a sort of tortilla-like bread but with a sourdough base. You just tear off pieces and go to work. Everything is served family style and unless you need a fork, you won't get one. The final bill........under $10 and we were stuffed. I can't wait to go back and try everything else on the menu. PS - Truthfully, I don't think you will find a better value, better flavor and above all a better staff than what you will find here. This is a real Tucson gem! read more

I've got to say.... it was my first time eating Ethiopian food so I didn't know what to expect. My girlfriend took me here, and I was quite surprised. Each dish was flavorful and unique... and came on top of sourdough. It was pretty delicious! We got a beef and chicken dish. They gave us vegetable sides. The service was great. The staff was nice. I would come back here to try more! read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

This was my first time eating Ethiopian food, so I don't have anything to compare it to. That said, I enjoyed the flavors so much. They offered a gluten free bread (injera) for my mom, my vegan sister had many options to choose from, and my dad and I enjoyed the berbere beef and chicken. My favorite was the cabbage and carrots. Even though it was a cultural adjustment to eat with my hands, I will return! read more

I have enjoyed both trips to Zemam's. It is a unique dining experience, be prepared to enjoy lentils and stews. read more

Zemam's Ethiopian is a small, family run business. The tables and chairs are very eclectic. The service is relaxed and friendly. I went with 3 other guys on an off night (and early for dinner). We had a GREAT time sampling the different dishes. Some were rather spicy, so if you aren't into heavy spice, you might ask the waitress to suggest something mild. I found the prices very reasonable. The Ethiopian coffee and tea were very much enjoyed by everyone in my party--they have spices in them that make them very unique. They have a VERY SMALL parking lot. Since I haven't been here at a busy time, I can't say how easy it is to find parking. We parked almost right in front of the door. Make sure you are comfortable eating with your hands and sharing with your table-mates. They serve everything "family style" on a large platter lined with the Injera (like a thin sourdough-tasting pancake) in mounds on the lined platter. They also give you extra Injera which you tear and use to pick up a small amount of food from the mounds. It's a very fun and unique way to eat. I love this place. I'll certainly visit every chance I get! read more

I've come to Zemam's twice all ready and it is pretty damn good; food's got great flavor and just the right spices. Ethiopian is just damn good and pretty fun to eat in general (if you haven't had Ethiopian food, this is a good place to start). I recommend coming in a group because you have an excuse to order several of their combination plates, honestly I haven't (and wouldn't) plan on getting any less because all of their dishes are good. The last time I came there was four of us and we got two combos (6 different dishes) and after tax and tip we only payed about $8 each and everyone was full (I could of eaten more but I can be a bit of glutton so I'm not a normal example). There are like two items that you can't have in the combination plates so maybe one day I'll break my rule and get one of those. The place is kind of a house improvised as a restaurant so the layout is a little cramped and different. They seemed a little understaffed but the people who work there are pretty nice (when they are around at least). read more

This is my favorite restaurant ever. EVER! It's my favorite type of food! It has a really relaxed feeling, which I enjoy. I don't go to Zemams for a fine dinning/service experience, I go there because the food is Amazing! Try it! I have had many great nights with friends at Zemams laughing, eating (obviously) talking and just relaxing. I would suggest numbers 5, 7, and 14.. I don't remember the names but honestly, the best food ever! read more

Very good food, everything we had was full of flavor. They have a slightly different injera than what I've had but it's still very good. Parking is a bit limited, but it is a small restaurant to begin with. I look forward to eating there many more times. read more

Zemam's ... I so want to love you. Clearly, I am one of a few Yelpers willing to knock off a few stars. Why? Well, my first dinner was a small going-away party for neighbors. Our table of 5 adults, one five-year-old and a newborn was in a quiet room (midweek). But, surprisingly, the food fell flat with me. At the time, I thought maybe I was too focused on the others and the intention of the "party". So, last weekend my husband and I took my very cool 78-year-old Mom here for dinner. This time, the food tasted great. But the NOISE. Dear God! She has hearing issues, but we all had to SHOUT to be heard at ALL! Granted: It was Saturday evening. (But early!) Can you say "Raucous"? And not in a good, cool bistro, dining-adventure way. I wondered whether it was International Girl's Night Out. We were caught between a woman's group unveiling matching tee shirts by taking off their outer shirts at the same time, then exchanging gift framed photos. In the adjacent room, a group of women plunked two or three wine bottles down on their dinner table (BYOW). We fled before their buzz kicked in. I would try this place again -- MIDweek. Otherwise, a friend has suggested another Ethiopian spot. So, we'll see ... read more

Absolutely fabulous, a Tucson treasure. Very friendly and family environment. Prepare to feast with your hands on great cuisine. Be sure to remember that you can bring your own wine. read more

Always fresh and delicious. If you're going for the first time, try the meat and veggie trios together.

Overall rating: 7/10 Price: $8-$10 Quality: food is served on traditional injera bread. The injera itself is a little bit salty and tangy. They have both vegetarian and meat options. We tried the Sampler (any 3 items from the menu excluding the lamb) lentil, collard green and potatoes with mixed vegetables. The dish is big enough for two people. The food is OK. Some people might have problems with the spices they use in the dishes (like myself, my stomach was feeling funny for a while). Personally I think they over-seasoned the dishes. We also ordered the Ethiopian tea which tastes somewhat similar to Indian Black tea. Having had Ethiopian food in other places, I think it's safe to say that Zemam's is not the most amazing Ethiopian food I've tried. Service: we were the only customers during lunch time, so we got served immediately. Ambient Environment: it's fairly clean. They play Ethiopian music in the background. There are a lot of Ethiopian posters and decorations on the wall. One poster says "13 months of sunshine." Parking/Direction: front parking Pros: clean, affordable, wait staff is friendly Cons: food quality can be improved. read more

The Good: Food is AMAZING, unique, delicious, vegetarian and meat. The location is super casual in a converted house which I love. The Bad: Food takes a little while to prepare and isn't super cheap (but definitely worth it) read more

What are these wonderful spices going on in my mouth? And what is this spongy tortilla thing? IMHO, hands down this place has the tastiest food in the entire Southern Arizona region. It certainly has the best food located within a residential house. Okay, really it's the only place I've been to that has been "converted" from some family's home. And by converted I mean replacing the sofa and bed with tables and chairs. But I think that kind of adds to the ambiance of the joint. I have been to Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles several times, and I have to say that Zemam's ranks up there or higher compared to those restaurants. Sure, the service can take its sweet time, but quality food that doesn't come wrapped in paper or from a bucket will generally take a while. The vegetarian selections are choice. My favorites are the chickpeas and the collard greens. The cornucopia of ingredients used in these dishes create an orgasmic explosion on the taste bud. The meat selections aren't quite up to par, but they are nonetheless spicy and savory. Eating with the injera bread by hand completes the whole experience, as does the fact that all of the food is brought out together on the same pizza pan. Really, a regular, run-of-the-mill, non-Ethiopian pizza pan. This leads to a truly communal eating experience. This is especially true when the friends you're eating with aren't quite hygienic or are ill with the swine flu. This is one my personal favorite Tucson eateries. read more

I drove past this place for years, until curiosity got the better of me. I went in one day and was delightfully surprised. Great service, friendly staff, and truly wonderful food. Everyone I know that has eaten here simply raves about this place. You should check this place out for yourself. read more

There's nothing better thank having a delicious spot *literally* right next door to you! I FINALLY moved back to Tucson, and I'm proud to say I'm a neighbor of Zemam's. Although I still can't get over the sponge bread (the texture is what I imagine old people skin to feel like), but I found Zemam's go at it a little more palatable than some other places I've been to in Tucson. I decided on going for some vegetarian varieties on my last stop, and I was pleasantly surprised with all of the menu options. Although it was a slow night, the wait staff was very nice, and it's clear that this is a family restaurant. Thanks to the location, I'll definitely be back! read more

I've finally been to Zemam's! I've been wanting to go for over 2 years, pretty much ever since I moved to Tucson. I can blame Cafe Lalibela in Tempe for this addiction. Moving on -the food was pretty darn good. We ordered #2, 3, 6, 7 12 and 13 as a two part sampler (check out the menu on their website for reference). #2 and 6 were underwhelming. #6, the meat was a bit dry (more like overcooked for the cut). #2 had a weak flavor but complemented the other dishes very well. #7 and 13 were the stand outs of bunch! #13 had a robust flavor and the texture was interesting. I've had better injera, it was spongy but not as much as other places I've been. Also, the ice tea (Ethiopian style) was pretty awesome. I added a little milk and sugar, and WOO hoo it was some good stuff. Based on just food they would have gotten four stars but, the service is what kicked them down to three. It was very slow...we were having good conversation but there were spots when we stopped to wonder when our order was going to be taken or when would they drop off the check. I got it out of my system and I am undecided about going back. FYI: You can bring your own bottle of wine. Their corking fee is a very reasonable $1.50! read more

I've been here three times and all have been great. I have to say the food is absolutely worth it, but all three times the wait to order and then the wait to receive the food was on the VERY long side, and there's nothing to munch while waiting and that's dangerous if you've brought your own wine! Each time I've gone with a group of 5-7 which makes it much more reasonably priced in addition to the fact that you get to order a bigger variety. We usually order one dish for each person and then add an extra sampler or two depending on how many of us there are, I don't think I've spent more than $12 here per person this way! My tips would be: -Ask if they can bring it out on two platters, or for extra injera bread. - And go with people who aren't afraid of eating with their hands OR who you don't mind sharing with! read more

I love Zemam's for the great taste of the food, the fun experience of eating with your injera and for being a place you can bring your own wine. Corking Fee $1.50. Pretty Good deal. I love the spiciness of the the vegetable dishes and the way they cook the meat it so succulent, it has to be to have a perfect consistency for picking up. To better enjoy your food wash your hands before eating, I didn't notice most people ever doing this before eating with your hands, but its pretty important. Always enjoy your time here, its a great place. read more

This was my first taste of Ethiopian cuisine and it did not disappoint! I went with a group of friends so luckily I was able to try multiple dishes. I most enjoyed the perfectly seasoned chicken dish called Yedoro Alicha (#12 on the menu) and the lentil stew (#4). The Gomen Alicha (#14) has a disproportionate ratio of cabbage to potatoes and the collard greens dish (#11) was a tad too bitter for my taste. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very inviting and it feels like you're in someone's home. I highly recommend this for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Side note: you use the traditional bread (Injera) to scoop up your food, so this is literally a hands on experience! As a somewhat germaphobic person this didn't really bother me, just make sure your fellow meal companions wash their hands. read more

My first time trying Ethiopian cuisine was here at Zemams. I didn't know what to expect having never tried the cuisine before but we got the sampler with half meat and veggies to try out. My favorite was actually the lamb and the bread. It was so soft! But this made it hard for me to eat without the bread breaking and making a huge mess since the meats were rather stewy. Veggies was a bit bland for my taste but overall good experience. I think I especially liked the meats for the sampler because it reminded me alot of Asian stews like we used to make at home. I didn't expect such similarities in flavor to Ethiopian cuisine but it was a pleasant first time experience. I can eat that bread they serve with every meal! read more

If you're in the mood to try something out of the ordinary, this Ethiopian restaurant is definitely your place. They are not always open and at times run out of food simply for the fact that everything is extremely fresh and there are nights that they are bombarded by people, so my advice is to call ahead. Run by what seems like friends and family, the staff are extremely friendly and charming. If you've never had Ethiopian cuisine before, it's more of a group outing...the more the definitely merrier. If you're a germaphobe this probably isn't your place, since you eat from a communal plate with all of your friends. Make sure you wash your hands. The foods include different meats and veggies in spicy sauces. If you're prone to heartburn, bring your meds. Good homey atmosphere, reasonable prices. read more

My favorite restaurant in town. The food is unique and flavorful and delicious. Great for two people or a larger group. Get the combination platter to try different things. Bring your own wine! Cons: Service is sometimes slow, don't accept reservations, little parking. But it's SO worth it. read more

This was delicious and fun. We passed around the hand sanitizer before we ate since you do eat with your fingers. I ordered the sampler so I could try several things. They threw on a few extras so we could sample even more. It was all yummy. read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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3.5 - basically it is not higher because DC Ethiopian spoiled me... I know that is kind of lame. Apologies. Still - such a Tucson treat. Great veggie options (as is the Ethiopian way) - I'd rec the veggie sampler platter to share w/ 2-3 ppl. Get ready to eat w/ your hands - yum! read more

My favorite place to take out of town friends, and the place they all ask to be taken again. The food is great, and there's plenty of time for conversation due to slow service. It's pretty standard ethiopian fare. Simple, healthy, and unique. Most of the foods are thick spiced stews with few ingredients, eaten by hand with pieces of crepe-like bread. I've always found the portion sizes to be perfect. BYOB is the perfect arrangement. It's hard to find a decent drink in a restaurant in Tucson, and this assures it's availability. Service is slow, as others report. This is simply a part of the Zemam's experience. If you take guests for the first time, you should explain this to them. The service is always friendly, but expect a 45 minute wait on food, and plan accordingly. It's a great place to go for a long dinner with friends, but not a great choice if you are alone or famished. Prices are a little steep on the vegetarian dishes given the inexpensive ingredients used. The $14 vegetarian plate that I order each visit could be prepared at home for $2.50. I think a reduction in prices might generate enough extra business to allow for a net profit. Tucsonans are cheap and have a lot of quality, cheap options. All things considered, one of my favorite places in Tucson. It's not one of my weekly standards, but a pleasant treat enjoyed occasionally. I always feel good for the rest of the evening after eating here. read more

It's my first Ethiopian experience so ... There's that. We would definitely do it again. It's great experiencing ... something new - the spices are different and also style of eating - just with your hands. I think BYOB is great!! Keeps your bill cheap & you get to enjoy yourself. We did a sampler with chicken, beef, and veggies. We pretty much ate it all. :) The location is nice and cozy (it was a home at some point). read more

I am a month late for this review but I just had to write it! Closer to Indian cuisine (gravy-based preparations and the variations), this surely excited my palate! Mildly tangy, flavorful and fascinating Ethiopian food for the first time! read more

Zemam's - Ethiopian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Fun place to have a group of 4+ share a fantastic and very different meal experience. The flavors were delightfully savory. If you like Indian curries and naan, you'll enjoy Zemam's Ethiopian cuisine. Very different but some nice similarities you should enjoy. read more

I live in the Bay Area now and I often find myself craving the spicy, yumminess that is Zemam's. When I do, I set out for a local spot (there is a large Ethiopian community in the East Bay, so when I moved here I thought for sure I would find a spot even better than Zemam's). Sadly, I have yet to find a suitable replacement. For now, I just have to keep this on the list of places to eat when I go home to visit my parents. I know that I have become accustomed to being ripped-off by overpriced Bay Area restaurants. That said, while reading the other reviews I was surprised to see anyone complaining about pricing. Even when I lived in Tucson I thought that the pricing was pretty reasonable (of course, there is the possibility that the portions have shrunk since my last visit, I'll have to wait until Christmas to confirm). Also, one thing to add to the value is the BYOB alcohol policy. read more

We went to Zemam's Ethiopian Cuisine. Very pleasantly surprised. Not by the fact the food was tasty, but by how enjoyable I found the dining experience to be. Everything is served on a fluffy flat bread with other rolls of the bread on the side. It's entirely finger-food with no utensils, so that you break the bread, dip or pinch into the dishes, and eat. It felt like actual fellowship and communion food should be, as though you're really dining with people rather than eating beside them. I was there with one other person, but I'm imagining the unity that would be felt were I there with a circle of friends, eating in a very communal style. We both ordered the sampler, each choosing three different items. All were cooked very well, five were very impressive while one was simple but flavorful. What really impressed me was the bright, cheery flavor of the chickpeas with green chiles. I could literally eat of it all day. It's like hummus but much better. The food here hearkens of Indian flavors but with more perfect simplicity and diversity of seasons. And that bread that it's all served with is just fluffy moist heaven. read more

I've never eaten here before and never eaten Ethiopian food before, but my experience today will have me going back for more! First off, ignore the menu on their website. The prices there are higher than they are in the restaurant and the menu is changed just a bit. I went with a couple of friends who've been there before. The first thing you notice when you open the door is the combination of aromas that greet you. It's just a tantalizing teaser of what's to come. For my first experience with this cuisine, I chose the sampler to get a taste of some of the different foods. In fact, we all chose the sampler. The meat and vegetarian dishes we chose were nice and spicy, flavorful, and gone within a few minutes. The use of the injera bread rather than utensils was actually a little bit of a challenge at first, but made perfect sense and worked quite well with the food we had. The spices may be a bit too hot for some folks, especially those with uncontrolled acid reflux. Since mine's under control, I just went to town. You can see from other reviews about the BYOB policy, the process of eating, the serving methods, etc. Just wanted to post yet another positive review of this deserving restaurant. Looking forward to going back there. read more

The vegetarian plate is the way to go--lentils, spinach wat, collards. So yummy that you forget the bread grows in your tummy

4.5 stars actually, but I was more pleased than disappointed. It was during dinner here that I wished I could eat an unlimited amount... Two if us shared the combo dish, where we chose three items. I wish we could have eaten everything from the menu!! But the portions were perfect for the two of us. Delicious, flavorful, not too spicy, and the injara was perfect! The only thing is lack of interesting things to drink. Atmosphere is different, but fun. I enjoy something different every now and then. Take your friends here, bring a bottle of wine, order TONS of food (take some home- I couldn't do it cuz I was just visiting) and don't be afraid to use your hands. read more

This is a great restaurant and one of my standby favorites. I can't fathom why anyone could give it less that 4 stars (unless you prefer eating in fancy bland restaurants). 5 starts in my book! The food is served on a single place lined with injera (an Ethiopian bread) ad you can eat the bread (which is basically the plate) once you're done. If you've never had Ethiopian food before it will definitely be a new (and good) experience! read more