Cafe Ethiopia

I’m glad I didn’t look at the rating before I went here. This is way better than the last Ehtopian restraunt I went to.
Service was a bit odd thought. Not bad per say but… I don’t know. Friendly but sometimes offputting? Inconsistent? Suspicious of me? It’s hard to pinpoint it. Once again, it wasn’t as bad as the last restraunt I went to. I was a little taken a back though when the woman serving me did not greet me and only said, «No dogs in the restraunt.» I use a service dog (and a cane sometimes which I was using then) and told her so which she seemed kind of resentful about. I think she may be afraid of dogs as she tried to refill my glasses of water by standing as far away from my table as possble and reaching her arms in an arc as if to remain as high above my dog as possible. Thanfully she calmed down when she realized I was quiet and polite and all my dog intended to do was nap on top of my backpack while I ate.
The food was really good. Not the best I’ve ever had but so far the best I’ve had lately in San Francisco or Berkeley. The tastes were well rounded and nothing on my veggie combo was anything short of good. The Injara was not oversalted like in some places and so it was good with the food. The warm food was served warm at this place (which has been an issue at other restraunts I’ve been to, particularly family ones with only one or two servers).
The portions here are smaller than some Ehtopian restraunts in SF but the prices are, too… but really, does one really need to sit down and eat three meals in one sitting because you got a veggie combo on one’s own. I finished it but I was pushing myself because it was good. It’s certainly enouh to fill one up for a meal, possibly a bit too much.
I got offered a fork too which she seemed almost relieved I didn’t take. She pretty much forgave the fact I had the service dog she had to let in at that point. I guess she has a lot of people coming in there that are even less familiar with Ethopian food than I who are demanding forks. I did have to ask her for napkins though. She forgot to check if I needed more water but after the first polite ask she was on the ball refilling it as needed.
They’re honest here, too. A customer left his wallet and she got it back to him with all the contents there. He thanked her and told her he couldn’t wait until the next time he ate there.
The décor here leaves something to be desired (continuity or a theme of some sort perhaps) but the place is clean. There’s was some music on— it was in Gaelic when I was there which was sort of a cultural contrast but it wasn’t disruptive. The place was mostly empty despite the lunch rush.
It’s probably more liike 4 or 4.5 stars but was generous and rounded up because the ratings of this place don’t accurately tell you how good the food is.
Service could use some work. Food is solid. Décor could use some unified intent/​theme and decluttering. Clean. Nice little family business.

SO GOOD! I have been coming here for years every time I’m in SF. The food is delicious and very authentic. Very calm and quiet atmosphere separated from the hustle and bustle of the street. Love the food and the people!

An interesting experience, but not one I want to repeat.
I was not impressed with the restaurant, the food, or the service. There is a high-​pitched alarm on the entrance door that beeps loudly three times whenever anyone enters or leaves. For me, this alone would make the place a never-​visit-​again experience.
Service was slow and unenthusiastic. In fairness, we were in a hurry and it may have seemed worse than it really was.
Food was served on a huge sourdough crêpe, which was something new for us. People who know what they’re doing grab the food with a piece of the pancake. We used forks and a serving spoon but even when you aren’t struggling to eat it, the food wasn’t anything to get excited about.

Ate at Café Ethiopia for the first time and LOVED it. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food. Eating family style is a lot of fun and the bill was very fair. High praise for their vegan options. I will absolutely be coming back!

We did a walk in and received the best care in this homely, family run restaurant. The food and service were great. We even got a little museum tour of the cultural, historical paintings and artifacts. We have found our Ethiopian joint in the mission!

Quaint Ethiopian restaurant on Valencia. Good food and fast service! The other Ethiopian restaurant I frequent takes almost half an hour to bring out the food. This place is quick and hits the spot.

I can’t believe we found this gem just by walking by and taking a chance! I didn’t even consult Unilocal beforehand and I’m so glad. This is definitely some of the best Ethiopian I’ve ever had.
I’m a big fan of doro wat– spicy chicken legs with yogurt and eggs. Try the meat and veggie sampler platter so you can taste a few dishes and find one you love! My favorite is the gomen– collard greens! Tear off some injera (spongy bread) and lay it on your food then scoop up a portion. I think you’ll love it!
The staff aren’t the most verbose but they’re efficient and helpful. If you’d prefer not to do it the traditional way and eat with your hands, just ask them for a fork! No big deal! (But it’s super fun to try it that way!)

Mehh…
service is nonexistent. Not necessarily bad just not there. At all. Food portions are smaller than any other Ethiopian joint I’ve been to. The food itself is super sub par. I had the veggie sampler, the #4 beef cubes with butter, tomato and spices, and the #10 chicken and mushroom. Both meat dishes were overcooked and dry. The flavor tasted great, gotta give them that. But I won’t be back. I recommend checking out Oasis Café!

I like this place. People that gave it less than 5 stars are dead stupid.
It’s Ethiopian food so it’s not shit you eat with your hands. What do you think they do in ethiopia when they have larger chunks of food? Pull it apart from their hands. Soda in cans? They didn’t offer utensils? Christ, first world problems.
The food here is great. Their injera is well made and I find the food great for their home-​family style meals. If you dont want your meats to touch with veg options, open your mouth and tell them. Traditionally, they don’t deal with people who are so high maintenance.
I give this place 5 stars because they deliver good comfort food and walking in an empty restaurant makes me feel VIP. Bam!

Found this treasure amongst all the authentic Mexican places in the Mission area. Definitely thought it was great. I don’t get to eat Ethiopian food often because ironically enough, it’s very hard to find.
The setting is a big plate that you share (if you go with someone else, which I highly recommend). You eat with your hands, which is awesome! The bread that they give you is nothing like naan, so don’t expect it to be sweet. It definitely goes well with the meal though. I had the chicken plate while I shared that with my brother who had the fish plate.
Super yummy and would recommend to everyone! Very affordable as well.

I feel bad only giving three stars because you can tell this is a family establishment, but I really think they can step it up.
1– Food was good, not great. Portions are on the smaller side. Potato veggie dish was probably our favorite.
2– large restaurant with lots of places to sit.
3– all drink come in cans, i know some people prefer that to fountain drinks.
Only 3 stars because the service was so slow when the restaurant was almost empty. It was cool to eat with our hands, but we werent even offered utensils or a knife to cut some of the bigger chunks of food up. The bathroom was also really dirty and the restaurant was very dark inside. I probably will not return.

My friends and I were looking up places in SF to eat and we came across this restaurant on Unilocal!I’ve never had Ethiopian food so I can’t quite say it’s the best Ethiopian food I’ve had. My friend said that this place made her re-​like Ethiopian food, so that’s definitely a plus! I just thought that the value wasn’t that great.
Food: For four people, we ordered three dishes — Tsebhi Derho (chicken drumsticks), Lamb Tsebhi Begee (lamb), and Yatakelt Kilikil (potatoes, carrot and cabbage). There were literally two chicken drumsticks to our surprise. The flavors were delicious but there just wasn’t enough meat considering they’re about $ 15 a dish. The enjera was a little soft and sour flatbread that got some getting used to. Compared to all the dishes, I think eating the enjera got me the most full. All three dishes came in bowls and then were placed by the waiter onto the enjera family style. There was additional enjera so we wrapped the main courses in them by hand, no utensils!
Service: I will say, we got in probably 20 minutes before they closed, so it was nice that they still allowed us to come in to eat! It just sucked since we forgot they were closing, that when we tried to order more food, they told us that the kitchen had closed.
Overall: It was a great experience and a wonderful first introduction to Ethiopian food. Value-​wise, I didn’t like how little food there was for a $ 15 dish.

Smelled great when we walked by, so we had to try. Solid Ethiopian food. Not *the best*, so saving the 5 stars for places that really stand out. But still very enjoyable.
Several vegan options — no butter oil (ghee) used in any of the veggie dishes. Enjera is part wheat and part teff. Decent (if dated) ambiance with some cool Ethiopian memorabilia.

A wonderful experience. I was served both by the older gentleman and another time by the older woman and both were very nice and polite and efficient.
I had the vegetarian combo with an extra side item one time and the second time I had the shrimp with collards and side item as well. It was both filling and just the right amount of spice (I ordered it mild).
The flavors of Ethiopia are something very special and close to my heart and I love so much to eat the injera bread with my hands but its nice to have that serving spoon there just in case to scrape up the last morsels of food.
I’m trying to become vegetarian so Ethiopian food definitely helps me along my path.
If you like spicy food and want to try a taste of Northeast Africa, come to Café Ethiopia. The food is very hearty and home made and goes excellent with a glass of honey wine.
Bravo.
One tip to the staff & owner: Add more vegetarian items or a bigger veggie combo with more choices :)

Came here on a Thursday, had the meat and veggie combo, good flavor, good heat, good beer :)

Is it really so adventurous to try delicious Ethiopian food? Heck no, and here’s why: everyone likes chicken, many people like lamb/​beef/​fish, vegetarian options up the wazoo exist here as well, plus there is wine special to the culture! What more could you ask for?
In a very hands-​on (no silverware used) method involving scooping various dishes up with injera rolls — a spongy sourdough flatbread — we were served the following:
–Meat and Vegetarian Combo: Tsebhi Derho (Doro Wat) (Chicken Drumsticks), Lamb Tsebhi Begee (Beg Wat) and Hamili (Gomen) (Collard Greens)
–Tibsie Assa (Sautéed Fish)
Fish sauteed with hot pepper sauce, tomatoes, onions and seasoning
–Bottle of Enat Tej Ethiopian Style Honey Wine
SPECIFIC COMBO ITEMS:
–Tsebhi Derho (doro Wat)
Chicken drumsticks gently simmered in berbere sauce
–Lamb
Tsebhi begee (yebeg wat), fresh and tender lamb with bones cooked with hot pepper and seasoning
–Collard Greens
Sautéed in butter, tomatoes, onions and berbere sauce
A carnivorous tyrannosaur I am, but surprisingly, my 2^nd favorite dish was the collard greens! I kept going back for it – riveted my tastebuds. My absolute favorite dish was the Tibsie Assa (fish), extremely flavorful and vivid.
Everything else did still taste good, just had to watch out for bones. Lamb was gamey but it was cooked as it would have been in that culture, so that was welcomely expected.
We could not get enough of the Honey Wine, made locally! Believe it was from Oakland. Definitely recommend it.
I appreciated the rich décor that surrounded us, from artwork painted directly on the pillars to flags and pictures hanging. Wonderful.
Have been here twice now, as well as to additional Ethiopian restaurants in the state. This was my first tasting location ever. Let this be yours, too.

Looong overdue to review. I went with a group of friends after they raved about it. It was actually after the night I started working on my half sleeve, so I was in kind of a weird post tattoo euphoria.
I had never had Ethiopian food but was beginning to embark on more exotic foods than I had been eating so I figured I’d give it a go. There were I think 8 of us and we ordered lamb, steak, and lentils, among other items which all sat atop a huge piece of spongy Injera that you tear off and eat like tiny tacos.
It’s a cool eat with your hands experience that I think everyone should experience. Plus everything is cheap as dirt and tastes amazing.

Omg the food is excellent here as well as the beer and wine. The host showed me how to eat the food as well.
He even introduced me to Ethiopian beer and wine, which was really good stuff. It makes me wonder why their beers and wines are not sold in a super market.
I can eat at this place everyday. They had comedy playing on the speakers that was actualy funny. Ala in all I totally enjoyed myself, and would recomend Café Ethiopia to everyone.

I was once an Ethiopian food virgin. After eating dinner at Café Ethiopia this past weekend, my taste buds are no longer as innocent as they once were. Verdict? Ethiopian food is FANTASTIC. I’m planning on going back again soon to re-​experience the party in my mouth.
If you’re an Ethiopian food noob like me, here’s how it works: They give you a plate with a giant, thin, sourdough crêpe-​thing called «injera». Then they spoon in each dish (typically of stew-​consistency) into the middle of the injera. To eat the food, you tear bits of injera off the sides and use them to wrap around pieces of meat in the middle. They also give you extra injera on the side if you don’t happen to have enough. No utensils — so make sure you wash your hands before eating!
I came here for a friend’s birthday with about 10 people, and we ordered a LOT of food: the Tsebhi Derho (chicken drumsticks), Tibsie Sega (beef cubes sauteed in butter), Zigni (lean beef chunks), Gored Gored (beef chunks simmered in butter), and more. I was happy with every single dish we ordered, but the chicken drumsticks were my absolute favorite. The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the hard-​boiled egg helped balance out the meal with some neutral taste. My only gripe about this food was the bones. Using my hands to separate the meat from the bones (for splitting between our whole party) was quite difficult.
As for the somewhat low average rating for this place, I’m sure lots of complaints were directed towards the long wait on the food. Also, the service was pretty inattentive (their water refilling frequency was terrible), but the staff was certainly among the friendliest I’ve had in a restaurant: think mom-​and-​pop style.
I’m an absolute fan of this place, and would definitely recommend any newbie to make a dinner visit. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
TIP: If you’re a fan of wine and/​or sweet drinks, make sure to try out the honey wine! It pairs well with the meal and is a nice breath of fresh air between the intense flavors of the dishes.

The food at Café Ethiopia is good. I ordered the veggie combo (carrots, potatoes, cabbage, yellow split peas, and spicy lentils) and ate the entire thing. The portion size is smaller from the other Ethiopian/​Eritrean places I’ve dined in, but the price is reflective. It was about $ 1-​$ 2 cheaper here.
The décor and atmosphere are minimal. They focus everything on the food, I suppose. The waitress was friendly and attentive.
The only issue I had was the cleanliness of the bathroom. I wash my hands before every meal, especially if I’m eating Ethiopian food. It wasn’t the cleanest, and it was very, very small. The trash can is literally right in front of your face. Maybe if I was taller it wouldn’t have felt so close.
It’ the only Ethiopian restaurant in the Mission. It’s worth a try if that’s what you’re craving.