Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant

Shiro was shockingly salty. Other food was good (sambusa, crispy tibs, lentils, chai). They did not serve enough injera and they charge for extra. The waitress was kind but brought us comically small individual plates and comically large spoons after asking (yes we wanted to eat with our hands but serve onto our own plates first). I saw two rats, or perhaps the same rat twice.

Atmosphere cozy and cute, but it’s not enough to make up for the shiro. Will not go back.

UPDATE: the restaurant reached out immediately about this review and apologized for the oversalting and they say the rats only appear on the patio but not inside. Adding one star for excellent post-hoc customer service :) now might try the place again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Beautiful little place with absolutely delicious food! We got the sambusas, the vegan sampler, the crispy tibsy with beef and the lamb alicha (the lamb was the best!) The taj honey wine was excellent as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is amazing! Food was very delicious 😋 I meant to take a picture of the dish which is family style but was so hungry I forgot but very delicious. One thing you should know is that there's no utensils they have these rolls of a very thin breading or what it reminds of is a pancake but tortilla thin that you use to eat with.
That was something new to me but we handled it and it worked out great 👍. The servings are pretty big and for 3 of us we couldn't finish it. This place place is a hit, give it a go!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Omg I love this place 😭😭😭 Seriously some of the best food I have ever had in my life. I have been now 4 times and I've only lived here for 2 months, so that should tell you how much I love it. I think about this food all the time. I would eat here 3 times a week if I could afford it. The lady who owns the place runs it with her daughter and they are soooo sweet and warm. The food is so authentic and perfectly spiced and flavored. Cooked to perfection. The atmosphere is so warm and friendly. The vibes are great. The food is a little expensive but the price is well justified. I took my brother and his wife here the last time I went and they loved it. I will be going back again and again and long as I live here. I seriously wish this lady was my mom so I could learn to cook like her. Best African food in Berkley. If I could give 10 stars I would. Highly recommend. Very clean too and a great experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Shewhat Cafe & Restaurant in Oakland, California serves authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in a cozy welcoming environment. We enjoyed the cuisine for the first time when we visited for dinner. We relished their Okra Kelwa, Chicken & Spinach, Red Lentils, Yellow Split Peas and Lettuce served with gluten free Injiras. The dishes flavoured with their traditional spices were delicious, not spicy and awesome. The ambience and decor are unique and our helpful host Alex made our evening truly memorable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Abby's Veggie Combo, Okra, Extra Gluten Free Enjera, Shewhat Vegan Sampler, Chicken \u0026 Spinach, Vegan Sampler

Yummy food and great atmosphere!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was very tasty! Had the mushroom and lentil entree from vegan menu and both were very tasty. Great atmosphere and lovely hosts!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Temtmo Yemisir Watt, Mushroom Tibsy

Love, love, love! Literally heaven in my mouth and stomach made by the sweetest people. This is how I like to dine—soul infused in every bite. If you want to feel, taste and experience true Ethiopian cuisine and ambiance this place is a must! The family is so friendly and warm and you can taste their passion in the food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is our favorite neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant!

All of their food is placed with savory flavor that everyone (including our kiddos and vegetarian family members) love, and I particularly like the chicken spinach dish.

We've gotten takeout the past few times but their dining patio is super cute and want to eat there next time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This was NICE! We were quite disappointed by the Kitchen on Fire on the day before and this was a much needed upgrade! Food is authentic, rich, full of flavor and good quality. 10/10 recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Eat here, now! You won’t regret it! The food, the service, everything is top notch. For three people, we got veg combo and the mushroom main, and it was the right amount of food. The honey wine was delicious as well. The ladies that work here are so kind and friendly. I have a feeling I’ll be a regular here 😆

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved the food. Great service and the vibe was laid back. Also, get comfy with eating with your hands cause that's how its authentically done for ethiopian food :)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent food, ambience and service.

Great food and prices!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was absolutely AMAZING!
Everything was delicious!
And the service was top-notch! Kind, warm, it really felt like getting a home cooked meal.
I will definitely be coming back! ❤️

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5