Small, cozy Eritrean restaurant. Appears to be a congregation spot for the community. Reasonable prices for consistently good food: the photos are from two visits.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Wayne
Food was bland, particularly the
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Liz T.
Pretty bad. I ordered a veggie combo for take out and was charged $20.75 for it. That seemed very high so I commented and they told me "that's how much things are in CA, are you not from CA?" Well I am from the area and have Ethiopian veggie combos often. Normally i pay between $14-18. I was hoping this would be a spectacular $20 dish but it was mediocre and the potatoes were undercooked and crunchy. I was hoping to support a this small business but instead I feel ripped off.
Julia D.
Totally delicious, clean, home cooked-tasting food. The people working were super nice and I'd love to go back again when I'm in the area. Speaking of the area...it looks a little rough but don't let that deter you. They deserve our business!
Mewael Zere
My taste buds are dancing with joy. Thank you for the delectable breakfast; and superb service! Will definitely come gain ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Su Chon
Great food and very lovely owner/staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
phuong nguyen
Great food and very sweet people ? I really recommend the shiro, so creamy and delicious, and the injera is gluten free!Dietary restrictions: Gluten free injera
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera
Ferealem S.
Starting from the injera (which is the soft bread) is made out of Tiff which is nutritious grain, since I am Eritrean I know the injera is made out of Tiff 100%, which is gluten free. The stew, especially the Shiro (which is the orange paste) , is so delicious, it's make out of roasted chickpeas and spices. I like to eat more vegetables and grains. The vegetarian combo is my favorite. Knowing injera gives me probiotics, I prefer eating injera more than any other bread.
Eddy L.
We went on the Black Liberation Walking Tour and wanted to stay in the neighborhood for lunch. This popped up on Google maps and we're so glad it did! The food was amazing!! The staff were very attentive and the price was starling low for the five of us We ate well and eating there was like having lunch at a friend's house! I believe one of the cooks was Mary and she was so kind and as we left, she offered us freshly made bread, Himbasha I believe it's called, and introduced us to her sister-in-law, who was also cooking.Also, this is Eritrean food, which is similar to Ethiopian, they border each other, but an entirely different country!
Amber U.
Went in for early breakfast. Got the shiro. So much flavor and the Injera is fresh. Delicious 10000/10
Mixed feelings about the place. Service was friendly, so were the other patrons.The food was fine, but definitely not our favorite Ethiopian food in Oakland by any measure. Personally, we both found the food pretty mediocre and bland compared to others.But I was charged 60 dollars for food that should have cost 39+tax!They brought our veggie and meat dishes in one plate (family style) without clarifying with us. My partner being a vegetarian couldn't touch it. So they made her another plate which we appreciated. At billing time, the owner said that they'll charge an extra 10 bucks for the mixup. Even though it was their mistake for not clarifying with us, I was okay with it since everyone was friendly.But I still can't figure out how they reached the 60 dollar figure for 2 plates of food. Guess they decided to tip themselves. ?Notes- inform them in advance if you don't want family style. Check your final bill amount. They don't have meat combo, only veggie combo.Vegetarian options: Combo is a decent option for vegetarians
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Abdalrhman Shazally
Ethiopian food is always great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caleb MacLachlan
The BEST Ethiopian food in the bay, and I've tried many. Small neighborhood spot that feels just like being in Ethiopia. Will be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James T
Might be my new favorite restaurant! Super delicious food, with large portions. We loved the veggie combination plate and lamb tibsi. Those two dishes alone would have easily fed three peopleVegetarian options: Veggie Combi was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Tibsi, Lamb Tibsi
Winane L.
AMAZING!! First time here. I have been to a few others in Oakland but Omg Selam is so so better! Firstly their injera is not like others. The "honeycombs" is the first time I have experienced it. I ordered vegetarian combo and lamb tibs. Huge portions. The flavors of each are very distinct. Not overpowered by spicy heat. Three of us ate from 2 orders and this was what was left. Now I craving their food again!!
Small, cozy Eritrean restaurant. Appears to be a congregation spot for the community. Reasonable prices for consistently good food: the photos are from two visits.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was bland, particularly the
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Pretty bad. I ordered a veggie combo for take out and was charged $20.75 for it. That seemed very high so I commented and they told me "that's how much things are in CA, are you not from CA?" Well I am from the area and have Ethiopian veggie combos often. Normally i pay between $14-18. I was hoping this would be a spectacular $20 dish but it was mediocre and the potatoes were undercooked and crunchy. I was hoping to support a this small business but instead I feel ripped off.
Totally delicious, clean, home cooked-tasting food. The people working were super nice and I'd love to go back again when I'm in the area. Speaking of the area...it looks a little rough but don't let that deter you. They deserve our business!
My taste buds are dancing with joy. Thank you for the delectable breakfast; and superb service! Will definitely come gain ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and very lovely owner/staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and very sweet people ? I really recommend the shiro, so creamy and delicious, and the injera is gluten free!Dietary restrictions: Gluten free injera
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera
Starting from the injera (which is the soft bread) is made out of Tiff which is nutritious grain, since I am Eritrean I know the injera is made out of Tiff 100%, which is gluten free. The stew, especially the Shiro (which is the orange paste) , is so delicious, it's make out of roasted chickpeas and spices. I like to eat more vegetables and grains. The vegetarian combo is my favorite. Knowing injera gives me probiotics, I prefer eating injera more than any other bread.
We went on the Black Liberation Walking Tour and wanted to stay in the neighborhood for lunch. This popped up on Google maps and we're so glad it did! The food was amazing!! The staff were very attentive and the price was starling low for the five of us We ate well and eating there was like having lunch at a friend's house! I believe one of the cooks was Mary and she was so kind and as we left, she offered us freshly made bread, Himbasha I believe it's called, and introduced us to her sister-in-law, who was also cooking.Also, this is Eritrean food, which is similar to Ethiopian, they border each other, but an entirely different country!
Went in for early breakfast. Got the shiro. So much flavor and the Injera is fresh. Delicious 10000/10
Restaurantji Recommends
Mixed feelings about the place. Service was friendly, so were the other patrons.The food was fine, but definitely not our favorite Ethiopian food in Oakland by any measure. Personally, we both found the food pretty mediocre and bland compared to others.But I was charged 60 dollars for food that should have cost 39+tax!They brought our veggie and meat dishes in one plate (family style) without clarifying with us. My partner being a vegetarian couldn't touch it. So they made her another plate which we appreciated. At billing time, the owner said that they'll charge an extra 10 bucks for the mixup. Even though it was their mistake for not clarifying with us, I was okay with it since everyone was friendly.But I still can't figure out how they reached the 60 dollar figure for 2 plates of food. Guess they decided to tip themselves. ?Notes- inform them in advance if you don't want family style. Check your final bill amount. They don't have meat combo, only veggie combo.Vegetarian options: Combo is a decent option for vegetarians
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Ethiopian food is always great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The BEST Ethiopian food in the bay, and I've tried many. Small neighborhood spot that feels just like being in Ethiopia. Will be back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Might be my new favorite restaurant! Super delicious food, with large portions. We loved the veggie combination plate and lamb tibsi. Those two dishes alone would have easily fed three peopleVegetarian options: Veggie Combi was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Tibsi, Lamb Tibsi
AMAZING!! First time here. I have been to a few others in Oakland but Omg Selam is so so better! Firstly their injera is not like others. The "honeycombs" is the first time I have experienced it. I ordered vegetarian combo and lamb tibs. Huge portions. The flavors of each are very distinct. Not overpowered by spicy heat. Three of us ate from 2 orders and this was what was left. Now I craving their food again!!