A fantastic feast. My family has never had Eritrean food. Such a wonderful treat and new experience.Dietary restrictions: Only 3 dishes on the menu have gluten. Fantastic for gluten and casein free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sambusa, Baklava
Upender Rao
My first time trying this cuisine. Enjoyed the food. The serving was more than enough. Service was great.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Syomantak Chaudhuri
Had to wait for 15 mins to just get water. Terrible service, never coming back. None of the white people around us had to wait to get their drinks, felt discriminated.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dayvid Jones
Delicious food and great service
Hashem Alsaket
Best Eritrean food I've ever had.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Berdi Merdanov
Best food, even better staff.
Tiara Womack
LOVE this place. Absolute best Eritrean food we've tried anywhere - including LA and Seattle where they say has some of the biggest populations outside of Eritrea.THE PEOPLEIt's owned and run by the family. The mother is the chef and daughter is pretty much always there waiting customers. It looks like the restaurant itself is an extension of their home (or at least A home).THE FOODThe best part is that they have an extensive vegetarian menu beyond just the standard "veggie platter" you can get at any Ethiopian or Eritrean place. MUST TRY THE MUSHROOM TIBS. Every carnivore we've taken here has loved it. Also get the veggie sambusas (similar in concept to an Indian samosa or a fried dumpling). Always super fresh. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Like any good fried things should be.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Shewhat Veggie Combo, Sambusa
Erika Alisa Lee
One of my favorite restaurants in Oakland. The food is delicious, and I always leave feeling nourished and comforted. Would recommend the veggie combo and the mushroom tibbs! I also appreciate that their injera is 100% teff, so no extra cost for our gluten free folks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie Combo
Sydney J.
I've passed this shop many times, so finally gave it a try by ordering ahead online for a veggie combo. The food was all quite good - I'm not generally a fan of lettuce, cabbage, and carrots but they are well flavored and seasoned so that all the vegetables were yummy. Some of the curry/lentil-based dishes are a little bit spicy, but it wasn't too much to handle when combining it with the injera.
Sage T.
My new favorite Ethiopian spot for vegetarian entrees. You can't go wrong with any of their vegetarian dishes. Their meat combo is a little lack luster. I still prefer Barcote's for the meat combo.Service is really awesome and I love the somewhat quirky decor.
When you first walk into Shewhat, you're greeted by a captivating smoky aroma that immediately sets the tone for a unique dining experience. The source of this delightful scent is the burning incense, which adds to the ambiance and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's a sensory detail that further enhances the overall experience at Shewhat, making it a truly memorable and immersive journey into Ethiopian cuisine and culture.I recently had the pleasure of dining at Shewhat, an Ethiopian restaurant in Oakland, CA, and it was an incredible experience that I'd give five stars without hesitation. It was not only my first time trying Ethiopian food but also a special occasion as my boyfriend and I were celebrating our second-year anniversary. We had made reservations for 8:30 pm, but we arrived a bit early, and to our delight, they welcomed us graciously since the restaurant was still empty.The parking situation was decent; there was side parking available and a small parking lot in front, but it filled up quickly. So, I would recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot, especially on busy nights.Beforehand, we had taken a look at the menu and were eager to try the crispy lamb tibsy. However, the young waitress recommended that we also try the regular lamb tibsy to get the full experience, and we couldn't have been happier with her suggestion. In addition, we ordered the shiro combo. Everything we tried was an absolute delight! The flavors were rich and diverse, and it was our first time tasting injera, the spongy sour flatbread that you use to scoop up the various dishes. It added a unique and enjoyable dimension to the meal.What truly made the experience exceptional was the kind waitress who not only guided us through the menu but also shared insights about Ethiopian culture. Learning more about the culture made the meal even more special, and I felt honored to be introduced to it in such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.Lastly, the prices were quite reasonable for the quality and quantity of food we received. Shewhat offered not just a meal but an enriching cultural experience. If you're looking to explore Ethiopian cuisine or celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Shewhat. It's a hidden gem in Oakland, and I can't wait to return for another memorable dining experience.
Sparsh Agarwal
Some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had. Staff was super friendly and the restaurant also has a positive vibe. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deirdri Gladwin
This was our first experience with Ethiopian food. It was delicious. We had several dishes with lamb, shrimp prepared two different ways. I highly recommend this restaurant.Vegetarian options: We had 2 vegetarians in our group. They thoroughly enjoyed their meal eating everything on their platter.
When I lived in the East Bay we loved how many great Ethiopian places we had to choose from. Now that we've left the area, it's become a rare treat.I had to check this place out because of the 5-star ratings, and it was just as good as everyone says. I ordered 3 dishes (beef tibsy, lamb alecha, and the Shewhat veggie combo. My plan was to eat a little of each and bring the rest home as leftovers for dinner with my wife the next day. However, it was so good that I ate nearly all of it and had to order another beef tibsy so I wouldn't go home empty handed!The only bummer is that it's only 7 blocks from my old house in Oakland. I wish it had been there when I could go all the time, but I will definitely be back.
Victoria T.
We met my mom for dinner and were greeted by a very friendly server. My mother and I ordered vegetarian plates and my partner ordered the chicken plate. We all enjoyed our meal's immensely Service was lovely and the bill was very reasonable.
A fantastic feast. My family has never had Eritrean food. Such a wonderful treat and new experience.Dietary restrictions: Only 3 dishes on the menu have gluten. Fantastic for gluten and casein free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sambusa, Baklava
My first time trying this cuisine. Enjoyed the food. The serving was more than enough. Service was great.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Had to wait for 15 mins to just get water. Terrible service, never coming back. None of the white people around us had to wait to get their drinks, felt discriminated.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Delicious food and great service
Best Eritrean food I've ever had.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best food, even better staff.
LOVE this place. Absolute best Eritrean food we've tried anywhere - including LA and Seattle where they say has some of the biggest populations outside of Eritrea.THE PEOPLEIt's owned and run by the family. The mother is the chef and daughter is pretty much always there waiting customers. It looks like the restaurant itself is an extension of their home (or at least A home).THE FOODThe best part is that they have an extensive vegetarian menu beyond just the standard "veggie platter" you can get at any Ethiopian or Eritrean place. MUST TRY THE MUSHROOM TIBS. Every carnivore we've taken here has loved it. Also get the veggie sambusas (similar in concept to an Indian samosa or a fried dumpling). Always super fresh. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Like any good fried things should be.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Shewhat Veggie Combo, Sambusa
One of my favorite restaurants in Oakland. The food is delicious, and I always leave feeling nourished and comforted. Would recommend the veggie combo and the mushroom tibbs! I also appreciate that their injera is 100% teff, so no extra cost for our gluten free folks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie Combo
I've passed this shop many times, so finally gave it a try by ordering ahead online for a veggie combo. The food was all quite good - I'm not generally a fan of lettuce, cabbage, and carrots but they are well flavored and seasoned so that all the vegetables were yummy. Some of the curry/lentil-based dishes are a little bit spicy, but it wasn't too much to handle when combining it with the injera.
My new favorite Ethiopian spot for vegetarian entrees. You can't go wrong with any of their vegetarian dishes. Their meat combo is a little lack luster. I still prefer Barcote's for the meat combo.Service is really awesome and I love the somewhat quirky decor.
Restaurantji Recommends
When you first walk into Shewhat, you're greeted by a captivating smoky aroma that immediately sets the tone for a unique dining experience. The source of this delightful scent is the burning incense, which adds to the ambiance and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's a sensory detail that further enhances the overall experience at Shewhat, making it a truly memorable and immersive journey into Ethiopian cuisine and culture.I recently had the pleasure of dining at Shewhat, an Ethiopian restaurant in Oakland, CA, and it was an incredible experience that I'd give five stars without hesitation. It was not only my first time trying Ethiopian food but also a special occasion as my boyfriend and I were celebrating our second-year anniversary. We had made reservations for 8:30 pm, but we arrived a bit early, and to our delight, they welcomed us graciously since the restaurant was still empty.The parking situation was decent; there was side parking available and a small parking lot in front, but it filled up quickly. So, I would recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot, especially on busy nights.Beforehand, we had taken a look at the menu and were eager to try the crispy lamb tibsy. However, the young waitress recommended that we also try the regular lamb tibsy to get the full experience, and we couldn't have been happier with her suggestion. In addition, we ordered the shiro combo. Everything we tried was an absolute delight! The flavors were rich and diverse, and it was our first time tasting injera, the spongy sour flatbread that you use to scoop up the various dishes. It added a unique and enjoyable dimension to the meal.What truly made the experience exceptional was the kind waitress who not only guided us through the menu but also shared insights about Ethiopian culture. Learning more about the culture made the meal even more special, and I felt honored to be introduced to it in such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.Lastly, the prices were quite reasonable for the quality and quantity of food we received. Shewhat offered not just a meal but an enriching cultural experience. If you're looking to explore Ethiopian cuisine or celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Shewhat. It's a hidden gem in Oakland, and I can't wait to return for another memorable dining experience.
Some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had. Staff was super friendly and the restaurant also has a positive vibe. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our first experience with Ethiopian food. It was delicious. We had several dishes with lamb, shrimp prepared two different ways. I highly recommend this restaurant.Vegetarian options: We had 2 vegetarians in our group. They thoroughly enjoyed their meal eating everything on their platter.
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes: Lamb Tibsy, Shewhat Veggie Combo, Shrimp TIBS
When I lived in the East Bay we loved how many great Ethiopian places we had to choose from. Now that we've left the area, it's become a rare treat.I had to check this place out because of the 5-star ratings, and it was just as good as everyone says. I ordered 3 dishes (beef tibsy, lamb alecha, and the Shewhat veggie combo. My plan was to eat a little of each and bring the rest home as leftovers for dinner with my wife the next day. However, it was so good that I ate nearly all of it and had to order another beef tibsy so I wouldn't go home empty handed!The only bummer is that it's only 7 blocks from my old house in Oakland. I wish it had been there when I could go all the time, but I will definitely be back.
We met my mom for dinner and were greeted by a very friendly server. My mother and I ordered vegetarian plates and my partner ordered the chicken plate. We all enjoyed our meal's immensely Service was lovely and the bill was very reasonable.