The best vegetarian Ethiopian food I've ever had! Highly recommend adding the tibs, eggplant or mushroom, to your vegan combination plate. The berebere mocha with oatmilk is delicious with just the right amount of spice and served in a substantial handleless mug that warms your hands. The tiramisu was a pleasant surprise and one of the best I've had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Khiem Nguyen
Pretty good actually. The service was fine, good for Bay Area standards. The bathroom and the interior were clean and well presented. There's an open kitchen here. The injera was food and their kik alicha was supreme. If you like mashed potatoes, it's that exact same texture as that but with split peas. The vegan sampler was excellent. The meat sampler was rough. Nothing was really good imo. The mushroom tibs were great. The chickpeas are rubbish, don't get the mitten shiro.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Nicole Gurtler
We come here all the time and love to split the vegan platter and an order of tibs. Have even brought both sets of our out-of-town parents out to try, an absolute local favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Sampler, Begue TIBS
Lee Sonko
We've been coming back here for years and flavors and atmosphere have delighted us many times
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mimi A
Love the food, but take out portions are ridiculously small. I’ve eaten here many times, in this location and the previous one. The food is great! Although I eat meat, I really love the vegan sampler platter. I’ve gotten takeout from there twice now, and I’ve noticed that they give significantly less food in the takeout version of the same dish. It’s really disappointing. When I eat in the restaurant, we typically share the vegan sampler platter and maybe get an app, though the app is not necessary. Ordering the same dish as takeout I am able to finish the entire dish myself. It is a big and noticeable difference. I guess it’s not a good idea to get takeout from there. I think they are just trying to fit in too small containers and they need to buy larger ones. Or they should charge less for the to go version. I will remove this review if they fix the problem.
Rhishi Pethe
Great ambience and service. As soon as you enter you are transported to a different world, with the colors and the aromas.
Service is super friendly. Try their platters, sambusas and honey wine.
Buy some spices on your way out.
Binoli Shah
Absolutely incredible experience! This was my first time at an Ethiopian restaurant, and I’m so glad I chose this place. I ordered vegetarian food — the spiced tea, sambussa, and the veggie platter — and hands down, it was some of the best food I’ve ever had. Every bite was flavorful and unique.
What made the experience even better was the amazing service. The staff took the time to explain what each dish was, which made it feel welcoming and thoughtful. You can tell they really care about sharing their culture and food.
Highly recommend — I’ll definitely be coming back!
Rosezetta Upshaw
My favorite Habesha restaurant!! The food is so good! The lamb tibs, atakilt (cabbage) and shiro (puréed chickpeas) are my favorites. I would say skip the doro wot (it’s 2 chicken drumsticks, needed salt). The tibs portions are more generous than most Ethiopian restaurants.
The sambusas (samosa) were super fresh. The beef was great. The lentil ones were super spicy and too hot for me.
The service is impressive. Our waitress gifted us baklava. It was so fresh I could taste the rose water.
They have real injera that is gluten free but make sure you ask for it. And hands down Ethiopian food is the most delicious vegan/vegetarian food ever.
Every time we go the place is packed but we typically walk in without a reservation. The inside is lovely and there is outdoor seating in the back.
Bryan Moran
Raw meat at its finest
Juan P
First time trying Ethiopian food, was not disappointed! Got the sampler to split between two, and it was definitely enough food. I didn’t realize that when they ask if you want Injera, which is like the bread/rice option you see at other restaurants, they provide it as a separate charge and that the plate came with some (it’s actually the base of it), so I wouldn’t have ordered extra. The sampler was varied with several options, and the flavors very tasty - perhaps the only downside was the actual amount of chicken for some of the samples was a little small. For the price too it wasn’t outrageously expensive either, though it is on the pricier side.
Huge fan of Cafe Colucci. I eat here regularly. Vegan sampler is phenomenal. The richness of flavors and the variety are top notch. Everything goes together so well and you can also eat each item on it's own. Love the injera (they have a regular house blend and teff injera as well). Deserves 5 stars. Service is great and friendly and the layout / vibe is also very nice. Can't speak highly enough of this spot. A true gem.
Frank Cohen
Delicious vegetarian and vegan meal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
arena lopez
The atmosphere and service was 5 stars, the food was good, I didn't love it, it was my first time eating this food and it is not something that my palate likes. I ordered a vegan sampler and a meat sampler. They add star anise to the coffee. The truth is that it is something very spicy for my taste. It gave me gas. But for those who like this type of food, the place is very clean.
Vegetarian options: There are vegan options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Gabrielle Leavy-Obeng
First time joining some family who are loyal Cafe Colucci fans. I’ve eaten at many Ethiopian spots and I’d say this is my new favorite. From the ambience, service, drinks and most importantly the food, everything was wonderful. There is love and thought put into each aspect of the restaurant. The food was very fresh and flavorful, we had both the meat and vegan sampler as well as drinks and appetizers which were delicious. We met the owner who was kind and welcoming as well as our waiter Ricardo was extremely attentive and kind. I will definitely be back when visiting Oakland.
The best vegetarian Ethiopian food I've ever had! Highly recommend adding the tibs, eggplant or mushroom, to your vegan combination plate. The berebere mocha with oatmilk is delicious with just the right amount of spice and served in a substantial handleless mug that warms your hands. The tiramisu was a pleasant surprise and one of the best I've had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pretty good actually. The service was fine, good for Bay Area standards. The bathroom and the interior were clean and well presented. There's an open kitchen here. The injera was food and their kik alicha was supreme. If you like mashed potatoes, it's that exact same texture as that but with split peas. The vegan sampler was excellent. The meat sampler was rough. Nothing was really good imo. The mushroom tibs were great. The chickpeas are rubbish, don't get the mitten shiro.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
We come here all the time and love to split the vegan platter and an order of tibs. Have even brought both sets of our out-of-town parents out to try, an absolute local favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Sampler, Begue TIBS
We've been coming back here for years and flavors and atmosphere have delighted us many times
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the food, but take out portions are ridiculously small. I’ve eaten here many times, in this location and the previous one. The food is great! Although I eat meat, I really love the vegan sampler platter. I’ve gotten takeout from there twice now, and I’ve noticed that they give significantly less food in the takeout version of the same dish. It’s really disappointing. When I eat in the restaurant, we typically share the vegan sampler platter and maybe get an app, though the app is not necessary. Ordering the same dish as takeout I am able to finish the entire dish myself. It is a big and noticeable difference. I guess it’s not a good idea to get takeout from there. I think they are just trying to fit in too small containers and they need to buy larger ones. Or they should charge less for the to go version. I will remove this review if they fix the problem.
Great ambience and service. As soon as you enter you are transported to a different world, with the colors and the aromas.
Service is super friendly. Try their platters, sambusas and honey wine.
Buy some spices on your way out.
Absolutely incredible experience!
This was my first time at an Ethiopian restaurant, and I’m so glad I chose this place. I ordered vegetarian food — the spiced tea, sambussa, and the veggie platter — and hands down, it was some of the best food I’ve ever had. Every bite was flavorful and unique.
What made the experience even better was the amazing service. The staff took the time to explain what each dish was, which made it feel welcoming and thoughtful. You can tell they really care about sharing their culture and food.
Highly recommend — I’ll definitely be coming back!
My favorite Habesha restaurant!! The food is so good! The lamb tibs, atakilt (cabbage) and shiro (puréed chickpeas) are my favorites. I would say skip the doro wot (it’s 2 chicken drumsticks, needed salt). The tibs portions are more generous than most Ethiopian restaurants.
The sambusas (samosa) were super fresh. The beef was great. The lentil ones were super spicy and too hot for me.
The service is impressive. Our waitress gifted us baklava. It was so fresh I could taste the rose water.
They have real injera that is gluten free but make sure you ask for it. And hands down Ethiopian food is the most delicious vegan/vegetarian food ever.
Every time we go the place is packed but we typically walk in without a reservation. The inside is lovely and there is outdoor seating in the back.
Raw meat at its finest
First time trying Ethiopian food, was not disappointed! Got the sampler to split between two, and it was definitely enough food. I didn’t realize that when they ask if you want Injera, which is like the bread/rice option you see at other restaurants, they provide it as a separate charge and that the plate came with some (it’s actually the base of it), so I wouldn’t have ordered extra. The sampler was varied with several options, and the flavors very tasty - perhaps the only downside was the actual amount of chicken for some of the samples was a little small. For the price too it wasn’t outrageously expensive either, though it is on the pricier side.
Restaurantji Recommends
Huge fan of Cafe Colucci. I eat here regularly. Vegan sampler is phenomenal. The richness of flavors and the variety are top notch. Everything goes together so well and you can also eat each item on it's own. Love the injera (they have a regular house blend and teff injera as well). Deserves 5 stars. Service is great and friendly and the layout / vibe is also very nice. Can't speak highly enough of this spot. A true gem.
Delicious vegetarian and vegan meal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere and service was 5 stars, the food was good, I didn't love it, it was my first time eating this food and it is not something that my palate likes. I ordered a vegan sampler and a meat sampler. They add star anise to the coffee. The truth is that it is something very spicy for my taste. It gave me gas. But for those who like this type of food, the place is very clean.
Vegetarian options: There are vegan options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
First time joining some family who are loyal Cafe Colucci fans. I’ve eaten at many Ethiopian spots and I’d say this is my new favorite. From the ambience, service, drinks and most importantly the food, everything was wonderful. There is love and thought put into each aspect of the restaurant. The food was very fresh and flavorful, we had both the meat and vegan sampler as well as drinks and appetizers which were delicious. We met the owner who was kind and welcoming as well as our waiter Ricardo was extremely attentive and kind.
I will definitely be back when visiting Oakland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Alicha, Meat Combo, Vegan Sampler, Kitfo
Authentico experience! We devoured the sampler plate. Get it and don’t be shy to get your hands dirty i.e use it to break the injera ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Sampler, Vegan Sampler
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