The Chickpea dip is served warm with toasted pita. The flavor is mild and pairs perfectly with the wine. Next we ordered the Fish Goulash which is warm, crispy and delicious! For extra flavor we ordered a side of spicy lentils. They made my #5 fresh to order so it took the longest but worth the wait! Then we ordered a meat combo to go for good measure. Lol Great staff and comfortable atmosphere to share real good food with people you like since you may be sharing food and eating with your fingers. Always delicious and everyone I've brought comes back! Must try! Be adventurous!
Tone B.
Let me start off by saying we tried this for the first time with friends who love this place...five stars for them all the way. They love Ethiopian food. My wife is a vegetarian, so she was excited to see a good number of options for her. That all being said, I think I am just not into the sour taste of the Injera (sour bread) which dominated all the flavor. Same with my wife, I felt like it took away from what was in front of me. Also, the portion was a bit small, I was still hungry after I finished. So, if you love Ethiopian food, likely you will love what you have. The small salad and my lamb were very good, just not enough of it. The service seemed a bit slow but not neglectful. My wife's Veggie Entree was good but not the mind-blowing flavor she thought. Again, likely it's because we tried something we never eat, and it wasn't a good fit for us. I could have used a lot more of the actual flavor without any of the Injera.
Mark Schaffner
Very enjoyable family experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Platter
Andrea Conway
It’s been years since I have had Ethiopian food. I was very excited to try this restaurant last night and it did not disappoint. While I had my meal to go - my time spent with the staff was lovely and once I got home and sampled all the food I was in heaven. The Kitfo, lentils and potato with cabbage was just as I remembered. Everything is fresh and super tasty. They even offer gluten free injerea which means next time I’m taking my bestie with me!! Thank you for the wonderful food! I will be back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Platter, Kitfo
K C
Amazing food. Service is a bit slow but the food is totally worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sivani L.
The service was friendly and excellent, the food was flavorful, and there are extra spices and flavoring available for those with a spicier palate. I ate the combo plate so I could try a variety of their dishes. Their coffee is strong, so be warned you will get a major caffeine hit!
Jen B.
i have been going to Abyssinia for around 20 years. Last night I was disappointed by both the service, the new spices used, and the pricing structure. Our family ordered 5 large plates for 7 people. we were served barely enough injera for everyone to get one small piece which is enough to take 3-4 bites of food. I was then charged $4 per 4 extra small pieces which were not delivered promptly. The entire table had to wait 10-15 minutes to finish eating.
M G.
Good flavors but we won't be ordering again. The takeout portions are actually insultingly small. The first time, we thought they made a mistake. The second time we ordered, it was slightly better but still disappointing The third time we ordered was the last time we will order. It's like actually a joke what they charge for what you get. Maybe it is better if you eat there in person (we never have) but for takeout I sadly can't recommend eating here, which is disappointing because as I said the flavors are good.
Marni Davis
We are regulars here. Delicious Ethiopian food, excellent service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
GibsonHolic
This is what you get here when you order the $36 vegetarian combo for two. A half-full entree and a few shreds of lettuce. Will never come back.
I'm really missing quality East African cuisine, the entire north bay only has this one location, so after not returning for 10 years, my wife and I decided to try again to see if it had improved. The service was ok, we were greeted and seated. Knowing what we always go for, it was not hard to decide and they took our order soon after. The appetizer, lentil sambusa, was not cooked and rather cold in the middle, forcing us to eat around the filling. $10 for some pastry puff. I did not want to complain, as I work in the food industry, and I know that "things happen" if it was a meat item, I would have returned it. My wife's plate, the meat combo, was enjoyable and heated! My veggie combo was also heated, but the injeer bread was cold, as in refrigerated cold, and not a pleasant accompaniment to the veggie plate. The portions were also incredibly small and the sauces absorbed into the bread so fast, not much in the way of veggies were left. Overall, I thought the flavor of the veggie dish could have used more "heat" but my last time 10 years prior, it was way over salted and we saw our dishes being heated in a microwave so I definitely came in thinking it would be the same. It was tasty and delicious for me to say I'll go back, and request things a little hotter and spicier than the standard. Let's hope that works, cuz I really do love this type of food.
Christine M.
This is the place my son and I decide on when going out to eat. The food is the BEST. I usually get the vegetarian plate but sometimes I cannot resist the lamb. This dish is something you cannot get anywhere else and I highly recommend. Great atmosphere. The food, the owners, the staff all 5STAR! I look forward to my next visit. Oh, and be sure to order a bottle of the honey wine!
Shaina T.
Darn. This place used to be so consistently good, but is definitely not keeping with the standards that I used to expect. A two person veggie combo used to leave the two of us stuffed (and maybe with leftovers), and now it was hardly enough to feed one person. Essentially we got a ton of injera, and a tablespoon of each of the items. We got the order to-go, and actually brought it back. We were told that the takeout containers made it seem like less by one of the workers, while the woman from the kitchen came out looking annoyed that we dared to question it. We spent around $60 for food that could barely feed one person. Definitely miss the old owner, and hope the new owners will read the multiple reviews regarding the food and adjust. We have been coming here for years, and this may be the last time.
Pam P.
Our first visit in December was great because the nice woman owner was there. The food was well seasoned and flavorful. We drove 1 hour away to enjoy the cuisine. I wonder where it all went? Today's Saturday lunch visit was disappointing. She wasn't there and so were the flavors. The meat sambusa had burnt edges and the filling was skimpy. See photo. Last visit, it was filled. Server was welcoming and friendly but didn't give us plates, forks or napkins. We had to ask for it. The ful was delicious as always but the meat combo plate was expensively disappointing. Most of It didn't have flavor. Where's the spice? Where's the salt? I barely ate any and I took it home and my dog didn't even want it. We will not return.
Daniela H.
worst Ethiopian food I ever had and I have had many fabulous, inexpensive Ethiopian meals in other restaurants. The food was cold, the tiny meat and veggie sampler for 2 at $42 was barely enough for one person, the food lacked flavor and salt and certainly did not taste like authentic Ethiopian fare, the service was terrible with a snotty, arrogant waiter and a long wait although the restaurant had few customers, the ambience was not great but ok. I had eaten at this restaurant many years ago when the food was still good. Too bad, it is now barely edible. We will never go back.
The Chickpea dip is served warm with toasted pita. The flavor is mild and pairs perfectly with the wine. Next we ordered the Fish Goulash which is warm, crispy and delicious! For extra flavor we ordered a side of spicy lentils. They made my #5 fresh to order so it took the longest but worth the wait! Then we ordered a meat combo to go for good measure. Lol Great staff and comfortable atmosphere to share real good food with people you like since you may be sharing food and eating with your fingers. Always delicious and everyone I've brought comes back! Must try! Be adventurous!
Let me start off by saying we tried this for the first time with friends who love this place...five stars for them all the way. They love Ethiopian food. My wife is a vegetarian, so she was excited to see a good number of options for her. That all being said, I think I am just not into the sour taste of the Injera (sour bread) which dominated all the flavor. Same with my wife, I felt like it took away from what was in front of me. Also, the portion was a bit small, I was still hungry after I finished. So, if you love Ethiopian food, likely you will love what you have. The small salad and my lamb were very good, just not enough of it. The service seemed a bit slow but not neglectful. My wife's Veggie Entree was good but not the mind-blowing flavor she thought. Again, likely it's because we tried something we never eat, and it wasn't a good fit for us. I could have used a lot more of the actual flavor without any of the Injera.
Very enjoyable family experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Platter
It’s been years since I have had Ethiopian food. I was very excited to try this restaurant last night and it did not disappoint. While I had my meal to go - my time spent with the staff was lovely and once I got home and sampled all the food I was in heaven. The Kitfo, lentils and potato with cabbage was just as I remembered. Everything is fresh and super tasty. They even offer gluten free injerea which means next time I’m taking my bestie with me!! Thank you for the wonderful food! I will be back!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Platter, Kitfo
Amazing food. Service is a bit slow but the food is totally worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
The service was friendly and excellent, the food was flavorful, and there are extra spices and flavoring available for those with a spicier palate. I ate the combo plate so I could try a variety of their dishes. Their coffee is strong, so be warned you will get a major caffeine hit!
i have been going to Abyssinia for around 20 years. Last night I was disappointed by both the service, the new spices used, and the pricing structure. Our family ordered 5 large plates for 7 people. we were served barely enough injera for everyone to get one small piece which is enough to take 3-4 bites of food. I was then charged $4 per 4 extra small pieces which were not delivered promptly. The entire table had to wait 10-15 minutes to finish eating.
Good flavors but we won't be ordering again. The takeout portions are actually insultingly small. The first time, we thought they made a mistake. The second time we ordered, it was slightly better but still disappointing The third time we ordered was the last time we will order. It's like actually a joke what they charge for what you get. Maybe it is better if you eat there in person (we never have) but for takeout I sadly can't recommend eating here, which is disappointing because as I said the flavors are good.
We are regulars here. Delicious Ethiopian food, excellent service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is what you get here when you order the $36 vegetarian combo for two. A half-full entree and a few shreds of lettuce. Will never come back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I'm really missing quality East African cuisine, the entire north bay only has this one location, so after not returning for 10 years, my wife and I decided to try again to see if it had improved. The service was ok, we were greeted and seated. Knowing what we always go for, it was not hard to decide and they took our order soon after. The appetizer, lentil sambusa, was not cooked and rather cold in the middle, forcing us to eat around the filling. $10 for some pastry puff. I did not want to complain, as I work in the food industry, and I know that "things happen" if it was a meat item, I would have returned it. My wife's plate, the meat combo, was enjoyable and heated! My veggie combo was also heated, but the injeer bread was cold, as in refrigerated cold, and not a pleasant accompaniment to the veggie plate. The portions were also incredibly small and the sauces absorbed into the bread so fast, not much in the way of veggies were left. Overall, I thought the flavor of the veggie dish could have used more "heat" but my last time 10 years prior, it was way over salted and we saw our dishes being heated in a microwave so I definitely came in thinking it would be the same. It was tasty and delicious for me to say I'll go back, and request things a little hotter and spicier than the standard. Let's hope that works, cuz I really do love this type of food.
This is the place my son and I decide on when going out to eat. The food is the BEST. I usually get the vegetarian plate but sometimes I cannot resist the lamb. This dish is something you cannot get anywhere else and I highly recommend. Great atmosphere. The food, the owners, the staff all 5STAR! I look forward to my next visit. Oh, and be sure to order a bottle of the honey wine!
Darn. This place used to be so consistently good, but is definitely not keeping with the standards that I used to expect. A two person veggie combo used to leave the two of us stuffed (and maybe with leftovers), and now it was hardly enough to feed one person. Essentially we got a ton of injera, and a tablespoon of each of the items. We got the order to-go, and actually brought it back. We were told that the takeout containers made it seem like less by one of the workers, while the woman from the kitchen came out looking annoyed that we dared to question it. We spent around $60 for food that could barely feed one person. Definitely miss the old owner, and hope the new owners will read the multiple reviews regarding the food and adjust. We have been coming here for years, and this may be the last time.
Our first visit in December was great because the nice woman owner was there. The food was well seasoned and flavorful. We drove 1 hour away to enjoy the cuisine. I wonder where it all went? Today's Saturday lunch visit was disappointing. She wasn't there and so were the flavors. The meat sambusa had burnt edges and the filling was skimpy. See photo. Last visit, it was filled. Server was welcoming and friendly but didn't give us plates, forks or napkins. We had to ask for it. The ful was delicious as always but the meat combo plate was expensively disappointing. Most of It didn't have flavor. Where's the spice? Where's the salt? I barely ate any and I took it home and my dog didn't even want it. We will not return.
worst Ethiopian food I ever had and I have had many fabulous, inexpensive Ethiopian meals in other restaurants. The food was cold, the tiny meat and veggie sampler for 2 at $42 was barely enough for one person, the food lacked flavor and salt and certainly did not taste like authentic Ethiopian fare, the service was terrible with a snotty, arrogant waiter and a long wait although the restaurant had few customers, the ambience was not great but ok. I had eaten at this restaurant many years ago when the food was still good. Too bad, it is now barely edible. We will never go back.