Food was legit 20/10. The staff are a legit 100/10. The beef tibs were so tender. I should’ve ordered a plate to go 😂!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie Chan
Amazing meal, we love Ethiopian and Oakland always has more offerings then our city (SF) so when we discovered this on Instagram we added this to the list. It did not disappoint. The hostess (owner?) was the nicest person and gave us advice on what to order and made the most flavorful cardamom coffee...perfect way to lunch on the cold windy day. We did the meat and veggie sampler with plenty of left overs. Coming back to enjoy some of their weekend specials and dessert soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Clara Luna
Holy frickin moly. This is my new favorite Ethiopian place. The food was spectacular. I tried the chicken Tibs and the Asa Kifto (ahi tuna). If you can handle spice, I’d say go full spice. The spicy sauce is incredible and the flavors for the whole plate was amazingly unique. Lastly, the service was so good. Full credit goes to Favin ( I hope I spelled her name semi-right ) for her attentiveness for the dietary needs of my family-they are very anti spice. More specifically, she helped because I mentioned loving spicy food and brought out a small dish of just sauce. All in all, I couldn’t recommend Mela Bistro more to any person wanting to try delicious Ethiopian food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
michelle ngo
The owner is a pastry chef and amazing host! She was very attentive and food was truly amazing. It’s great to support and be nourished by a community member.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meredith Dost
Had an incredible dinner at Mela Bistro. Every course stood out and the entire experience felt thoughtful and unforgettable. The staff and owner are genuinely warm, and the space has a character and beauty you don’t find often. I left feeling like I needed to be rolled to the car and already can’t wait to come back. If you’re anywhere nearby, this place belongs at the top of your list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yared Tsegaye
A Truly Unique and Delicious Experience
This was my first time trying the injera shrimp taco at Mela Bistro, and it completely blew me away. The flavors were rich, bold, and perfectly balanced — easily the best taco I’ve had in a long time. The blend of spices and the injera base created something genuinely unique and unforgettable.
The atmosphere is warm and very cozy, with soft African music playing in the background that adds to the homey vibe without being overwhelming. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed dinner, whether you’re trying something new or craving comfort food with a cultural twist.
Highly recommend — I’ll definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nigist Aklilu
The shrimp taco was out of this world for appetizers. We also had the veggie platter and tuna kifo was so delicious. The pistachio cake for dessert was a cherry on the top. We Will definitely will come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Monique Lee
The lentil soup is so flavorful and yummy! The Sambusas are addictive!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Japi
Had a wonderful dinner experience. Cocktails, vegetarian option of course the yummiest vegan cake we had. We will be back soon.
Delicious Ethiopian food with a great veggie selection and wonderful desserts! Highly recommend the Tef Chocolate Cake for dessert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C. T.
We are staunch Ethiopian food eaters, and this is my new favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the bay area, and perhaps in the US. We shared a meat platter, which was absolutely incredible. Food is fresh, well spiced, and generous. We will most definitely be back! Thank you!
Will McCandless
Super amazing food with no Canola oil! Soo delicious and very friendly owner
Emily Zürcher
Wonderful experience! Delicious food and great service. We got the vegetarian platter for two, the veggie tibs (no bell peppers), and shiro wot (which was a few of our favourite) between 4 people because we were all pretty hungry. The server was super helpful with our questions and providing us with recommendations.
Food was legit 20/10. The staff are a legit 100/10. The beef tibs were so tender. I should’ve ordered a plate to go 😂!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing meal, we love Ethiopian and Oakland always has more offerings then our city (SF) so when we discovered this on Instagram we added this to the list. It did not disappoint. The hostess (owner?) was the nicest person and gave us advice on what to order and made the most flavorful cardamom coffee...perfect way to lunch on the cold windy day. We did the meat and veggie sampler with plenty of left overs. Coming back to enjoy some of their weekend specials and dessert soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Holy frickin moly. This is my new favorite Ethiopian place. The food was spectacular. I tried the chicken Tibs and the Asa Kifto (ahi tuna). If you can handle spice, I’d say go full spice. The spicy sauce is incredible and the flavors for the whole plate was amazingly unique. Lastly, the service was so good. Full credit goes to Favin ( I hope I spelled her name semi-right ) for her attentiveness for the dietary needs of my family-they are very anti spice. More specifically, she helped because I mentioned loving spicy food and brought out a small dish of just sauce. All in all, I couldn’t recommend Mela Bistro more to any person wanting to try delicious Ethiopian food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The owner is a pastry chef and amazing host! She was very attentive and food was truly amazing. It’s great to support and be nourished by a community member.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had an incredible dinner at Mela Bistro. Every course stood out and the entire experience felt thoughtful and unforgettable. The staff and owner are genuinely warm, and the space has a character and beauty you don’t find often. I left feeling like I needed to be rolled to the car and already can’t wait to come back. If you’re anywhere nearby, this place belongs at the top of your list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Truly Unique and Delicious Experience
This was my first time trying the injera shrimp taco at Mela Bistro, and it completely blew me away. The flavors were rich, bold, and perfectly balanced — easily the best taco I’ve had in a long time. The blend of spices and the injera base created something genuinely unique and unforgettable.
The atmosphere is warm and very cozy, with soft African music playing in the background that adds to the homey vibe without being overwhelming. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed dinner, whether you’re trying something new or craving comfort food with a cultural twist.
Highly recommend — I’ll definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The shrimp taco was out of this world for appetizers. We also had the veggie platter and tuna kifo was so delicious. The pistachio cake for dessert was a cherry on the top. We Will definitely will come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The lentil soup is so flavorful and yummy!
The Sambusas are addictive!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a wonderful dinner experience. Cocktails, vegetarian option of course the yummiest vegan cake we had. We will be back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
had lamb tibs very bland
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious Ethiopian food with a great veggie selection and wonderful desserts!
Highly recommend the Tef Chocolate Cake for dessert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are staunch Ethiopian food eaters, and this is my new favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the bay area, and perhaps in the US. We shared a meat platter, which was absolutely incredible. Food is fresh, well spiced, and generous. We will most definitely be back! Thank you!
Super amazing food with no Canola oil! Soo delicious and very friendly owner
Wonderful experience! Delicious food and great service. We got the vegetarian platter for two, the veggie tibs (no bell peppers), and shiro wot (which was a few of our favourite) between 4 people because we were all pretty hungry. The server was super helpful with our questions and providing us with recommendations.
I love this place! I definitely recommend!
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