We started off with Veggie Sambusa, which was very fresh and crisp. We got the meat combo and it came with 3 veggie sides, which was plenty of food for both of us. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Ethiopian Injera
Ben Chan [He & Him]
Love the food here. We took our two-year old daughter here, and she had Ethiopian food for the first time. There were three of us. We split the vegetarian platter and meat platter and there were leftovers. Quiet, intimate setting- like eating in a friend's dining room.Kid-friendliness: High chair available.
Very clean inside nice Ethiopian aesthetic. Food delivery was very fast. Food was a bit cold tho and server (man) didn't look enthusiastic but was very helpful.
Misty James
The food was wonderful as was the service. Try the lamb or the beef as they are both delicious! The Dabo is fresh and plentiful.
Had a taste for Ethiopian food on my recent stay I Philly and decided to try Amsale based on the reviews and ratings. Owner was really nice. I stopped in and ordered takeout. Food was good, tasted fresh and the restaurant was super clean. A bit more flavor would have given it a better rating. But still very good.
Melly
We’ve tried all the Ethiopian food in this area and this is the one that keeps us coming back. The food is sooooo good. Service is a little slow but every time we’ve been there it’s only 1 guy working and he’s working hard. We don’t mind the wait at all, we usually bring some cards or something to keep us occupied ? the restaurant is very clean. its BYOB so bring your drink of choice! I really love this place. I hope you try it.Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options. I eat meat but went with 2 vegetarians and we shared everything. Eating vegetarian here still is sooooo satisfying.Wheelchair accessibility: This place is not wheelchair accessible. There’s a small set of about 4 stairs you have to walk down to get into the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: TIBS, Vegetarian Combo, Veggie and Meat Combo
Jackie G
Door dash order. They provided a large portion size. The veggie combo reminded me of my Ethiopian friend mother’s home cooked meals. The Injera is so so so perfect. Someone left a review saying this restaurant food lack in flavor, that is NOT true. The veggie combo was lightly seasoned, I high recommend it for hypertensive patients. However the meat combo was the total opposite, it had lots a flavor, a little on the too salty side for me personally. So my solution was to eat the veggies and meat together to balance things out. Overall I am satisfied with receiving authentic Ethiopian food tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Teri A.
Service was nice and quick. Very small and intimate atmosphere. Food was just ok. I was really looking forward to trying this cuisine for the first time. Drove 30+ miles just to try it. Cabbage was probably my favorite dish and had the most flavor. Only issue was that everything served, was COLD even the injera. The meat was the only warm item. There wasn't much flavor which was surprising. The beef was a bit tough and the lamb was fatty. I tried everything and then tried it with salt which was on the table which didn't help much. Maybe because of the temperature of the food. I figured I would just take the rest to go and try it heated at home. Left a nice tip and maybe will try Ethiopian food again somewhere else in the future. Update: the food was better after warming at home. Wish I had the experience at the restaurant though.
Marc W
attentive staff and very tasty food :) 10/10 we would go again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cara F.
Amsale serves the best Ethiopian food I've had in Philly. Very small and casual. We had the Door Que Wat- which for me was the best. I couldn't stop eating it and I'm still thinking about it. The flavors were deep and well developed. We had the lamb tibs, which comes with a dipping sauce. We also ordered the Kitfo- raw, but with spices and ghee- which is served with a side of farmers cheese. You can also order it cooked. We also got a ton of veggies- cabbage, lentils, peas, carrots and beans. And tons of Injera which tasted like it was really made with teff. Dinner for 4, plus a 2 year old came to $87- so affordable these days. I wish I remembered to take pics. We will definitely be going back.
The food is sooooo delicious and the restaurant is clean and feels homey inside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitfo and TIBS, Ethiopian Injera, Kitfo
David Nickerson
Amsale Cafe really hit the spot and satisfied my family's craving for Ethiopian food. We ordered the 7-dish vegetarian combo (doubled it for three people including two teenage boys) and were more than satisfied. The spicing was a little subtle on a few of the dishes but everything was extremely tasty. We especially liked the spicy red lentil dishes.My son has celiac disease and needs to be gluten free. The owner informed us that their injera is not gluten free, but they would make GF injera for us (so be sure to ask!).The dining area is comfortable but not cozy and meticulously clean. I never would have guessed that they have been open for a year and a half. The dining experience was very least all around.All in all, we had a great time and plan to go back.Dietary restrictions: Their normal injera is not gluten free, but they made gluten free injera for us. If you need gluten free, be sure to ask.Parking: Walnut Street is one way and has free street parking on both sides. There were a few open spaces on the block.Wheelchair accessibility: The restaurant is in the basement of a building where the entry door is narrow and there are several steps down, so wheelchair accessibility looks to be a problem.
The best Ethiopian food in the greater Philadelphia area. The owners are lovely and clearly care about creating a phenomenal culinary experience. Very adorable dishes too. Highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Vegetarian Combo
J. K.
Really good Ethiopian food! A little hole in the wall in west Philly, clean and bright inside, and friendly service. Favorites: raw kitfo, and ground peas
omar n.
Clean good service good food and probably the best Ethiopian traditional food in philly
We started off with Veggie Sambusa, which was very fresh and crisp. We got the meat combo and it came with 3 veggie sides, which was plenty of food for both of us. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Ethiopian Injera
Love the food here. We took our two-year old daughter here, and she had Ethiopian food for the first time. There were three of us. We split the vegetarian platter and meat platter and there were leftovers. Quiet, intimate setting- like eating in a friend's dining room.Kid-friendliness: High chair available.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Vegetarian Combo, Ethiopian Injera
Very clean inside nice Ethiopian aesthetic. Food delivery was very fast. Food was a bit cold tho and server (man) didn't look enthusiastic but was very helpful.
The food was wonderful as was the service. Try the lamb or the beef as they are both delicious! The Dabo is fresh and plentiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Extra Sides Gomen Cabbage Injera Etc, Lamb Qey Wot
Had a taste for Ethiopian food on my recent stay I Philly and decided to try Amsale based on the reviews and ratings. Owner was really nice. I stopped in and ordered takeout. Food was good, tasted fresh and the restaurant was super clean. A bit more flavor would have given it a better rating. But still very good.
We’ve tried all the Ethiopian food in this area and this is the one that keeps us coming back. The food is sooooo good. Service is a little slow but every time we’ve been there it’s only 1 guy working and he’s working hard. We don’t mind the wait at all, we usually bring some cards or something to keep us occupied ? the restaurant is very clean. its BYOB so bring your drink of choice! I really love this place. I hope you try it.Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options. I eat meat but went with 2 vegetarians and we shared everything. Eating vegetarian here still is sooooo satisfying.Wheelchair accessibility: This place is not wheelchair accessible. There’s a small set of about 4 stairs you have to walk down to get into the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: TIBS, Vegetarian Combo, Veggie and Meat Combo
Door dash order. They provided a large portion size. The veggie combo reminded me of my Ethiopian friend mother’s home cooked meals. The Injera is so so so perfect. Someone left a review saying this restaurant food lack in flavor, that is NOT true. The veggie combo was lightly seasoned, I high recommend it for hypertensive patients. However the meat combo was the total opposite, it had lots a flavor, a little on the too salty side for me personally. So my solution was to eat the veggies and meat together to balance things out. Overall I am satisfied with receiving authentic Ethiopian food tonight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was nice and quick. Very small and intimate atmosphere. Food was just ok. I was really looking forward to trying this cuisine for the first time. Drove 30+ miles just to try it. Cabbage was probably my favorite dish and had the most flavor. Only issue was that everything served, was COLD even the injera. The meat was the only warm item. There wasn't much flavor which was surprising. The beef was a bit tough and the lamb was fatty. I tried everything and then tried it with salt which was on the table which didn't help much. Maybe because of the temperature of the food. I figured I would just take the rest to go and try it heated at home. Left a nice tip and maybe will try Ethiopian food again somewhere else in the future. Update: the food was better after warming at home. Wish I had the experience at the restaurant though.
attentive staff and very tasty food :) 10/10 we would go again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amsale serves the best Ethiopian food I've had in Philly. Very small and casual. We had the Door Que Wat- which for me was the best. I couldn't stop eating it and I'm still thinking about it. The flavors were deep and well developed. We had the lamb tibs, which comes with a dipping sauce. We also ordered the Kitfo- raw, but with spices and ghee- which is served with a side of farmers cheese. You can also order it cooked. We also got a ton of veggies- cabbage, lentils, peas, carrots and beans. And tons of Injera which tasted like it was really made with teff. Dinner for 4, plus a 2 year old came to $87- so affordable these days. I wish I remembered to take pics. We will definitely be going back.
Restaurantji Recommends
The food is sooooo delicious and the restaurant is clean and feels homey inside.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitfo and TIBS, Ethiopian Injera, Kitfo
Amsale Cafe really hit the spot and satisfied my family's craving for Ethiopian food. We ordered the 7-dish vegetarian combo (doubled it for three people including two teenage boys) and were more than satisfied. The spicing was a little subtle on a few of the dishes but everything was extremely tasty. We especially liked the spicy red lentil dishes.My son has celiac disease and needs to be gluten free. The owner informed us that their injera is not gluten free, but they would make GF injera for us (so be sure to ask!).The dining area is comfortable but not cozy and meticulously clean. I never would have guessed that they have been open for a year and a half. The dining experience was very least all around.All in all, we had a great time and plan to go back.Dietary restrictions: Their normal injera is not gluten free, but they made gluten free injera for us. If you need gluten free, be sure to ask.Parking: Walnut Street is one way and has free street parking on both sides. There were a few open spaces on the block.Wheelchair accessibility: The restaurant is in the basement of a building where the entry door is narrow and there are several steps down, so wheelchair accessibility looks to be a problem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Combo, Ethiopian Injera
The best Ethiopian food in the greater Philadelphia area. The owners are lovely and clearly care about creating a phenomenal culinary experience. Very adorable dishes too. Highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Vegetarian Combo
Really good Ethiopian food! A little hole in the wall in west Philly, clean and bright inside, and friendly service. Favorites: raw kitfo, and ground peas
Clean good service good food and probably the best Ethiopian traditional food in philly