Such incredible food, oh my goodness! A true hidden gem in San Diego. Very kind staff, very much family owned and operated kind of vibe. It's not a place you go for ambiance, it's one of those super authentic hope in the wall kind of spots. Will definitely be back!!
Sunshine L.
Not happy about the fact that they served me the meat dish without any sides! I asked for some, and they brought out a soggy bowl of overcooked lentils. Then they charged me for it. Why did you charge me for something you give everyone else for free? Tibs was good but doro wat was NOT FRESH. They also gave me less injera than other people got, and when I asked for more they charged me. Shady.
Hardik Bhatt
Good vagetarian food..
Parv Gatecha
Great little shop,has everything you need, hidden gem of a place.they had the best food in the neighbourhood Just felt their lack of online presence. I want a nice website so that I can book a table and view the place while sitting on my couch P.S. I can help you with this.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Tiffany
We went here on a whim and enjoyed the experience. The front part is a market and the back area has a couple tables for the restaurant. The server was nice, and patient with us while we figured out the menu. We had the vegetarian combo and some tasty hot tea. The food is fresh and delicious. The drink selection is from the market section which includes beer, waters, and soda.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Combination
danshakuimo
I ordered the kitfo special. Also includes some stewed veggies that came a bit later and is not pictured. Excellent service and food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera
Evangeline Dech
My new fav ethiopian restaurant in town! Very authentic food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Geoffrey Bailey
I ate lunch at this place for the first time today. It was fantastic. The retail space is part coffee shop, part Ethiopian food store and part restaurant. There's nothing fancy about the service or the ambience of the restaurant; they are very casual and perfectly acceptable. The food is amazing. Colorful, fresh, healthy, perfectly spiced and absolutely delicious. The chef obviously cooks with consciousness and prioritizes food quality above all else. It shows. I will return here as soon as possible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Rose
Lucky me when I had to wait for a smog test at TP Automotive and see that Abay Ethiopian restaurant I magically appeared within walking distance directly across the street. I ordered the vegetarian platter and enjoyed every bite! So tasty!Vegetarian options: Amazingly delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Combination
Hisham Beydoun
I have seen all Ethiopian restaurants in SD. I never felt compelled to leave any a review except here. You will not find tastier food or a kinder owner anywhere. Pricing are insanely affordable.It’s a no brainer - go here
I have never had Ethiopian food before so I can't say whether it's close to authentic or not...that being said, it was good. We got a little bit of everything, which was all brought out on one large dish for everyone to use (don't expect your own plate). Staff was super friendly and answered all our questions. It was very clean and well lit.Two points of interest:1. The pancake looking bread is pretty good and has more of a sourdough taste to it.2. The honey wine does not taste like honey or wine. In fact, I got a yerbamate tea crossed with vodka crossed with coffee grounds feel from it. Pretty sure its an acquired taste.All in all I'd eat here again and I'd recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Hani Harieg
Excellent taste, highly recommend the vegetarian as well as meat combos. Fresh and authentic, they also carry an Ethiopian bread called Dabo, perfect for snacking or with coffee and tea. Ask for “a little Ethiopian butter on top” of your meats. It will make your day. This is real pure butter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ye - Shiro Wot, Minchet Abish Wot, Ye - Miser Wot Red Split Lentils, Injera, Meat Combination, Vegetarian Combination, Ye - Beg Siga Wot, Abay Special T'IBS Chikina, Ye-Shiro Wot, Vegetarian Sampler Platter, Sambusa, Ye-Beg Siga Wot, Ye-Miser Wot Red Split Lentils, Ye-Doro Wot, Spaghetti Ethiopian Style
Martha Keller
I came here based on the reviews. Well they couldn't have been more misleading. I have no problem with a place being a hole in the wall, and this certainly is. And I was expecting that. But our server took our order without even giving us any water or anything. We then waited for our food, sure that water would be coming. Food came and once again, no water and NO napkins either. We had to specifically ask for water and for napkins. I guess I'm naive, but those seem like something I shouldn't have to ask for. Even that could have been overlooked if the food was good, but it just wasn't. We've had Ethiopian food in many places ,so we know what to expect. The food was not only bland, but several of the dishes on our veggie platter were lukewarm to cold. The whole thing was an utter disappointment. Save yourself the trouble and just go elsewhere. I hate to hurt a small business, but if they can't offer the basics, they aren't earning anyone's business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Jada Xu
Really great food and super friendly staff! Generous portions. Our first time and we loved it here!
Such incredible food, oh my goodness! A true hidden gem in San Diego. Very kind staff, very much family owned and operated kind of vibe. It's not a place you go for ambiance, it's one of those super authentic hope in the wall kind of spots. Will definitely be back!!
Not happy about the fact that they served me the meat dish without any sides! I asked for some, and they brought out a soggy bowl of overcooked lentils. Then they charged me for it. Why did you charge me for something you give everyone else for free? Tibs was good but doro wat was NOT FRESH. They also gave me less injera than other people got, and when I asked for more they charged me. Shady.
Good vagetarian food..
Great little shop,has everything you need, hidden gem of a place.they had the best food in the neighbourhood Just felt their lack of online presence. I want a nice website so that I can book a table and view the place while sitting on my couch P.S. I can help you with this.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
We went here on a whim and enjoyed the experience. The front part is a market and the back area has a couple tables for the restaurant. The server was nice, and patient with us while we figured out the menu. We had the vegetarian combo and some tasty hot tea. The food is fresh and delicious. The drink selection is from the market section which includes beer, waters, and soda.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Combination
I ordered the kitfo special. Also includes some stewed veggies that came a bit later and is not pictured. Excellent service and food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera
My new fav ethiopian restaurant in town! Very authentic food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ate lunch at this place for the first time today. It was fantastic. The retail space is part coffee shop, part Ethiopian food store and part restaurant. There's nothing fancy about the service or the ambience of the restaurant; they are very casual and perfectly acceptable. The food is amazing. Colorful, fresh, healthy, perfectly spiced and absolutely delicious. The chef obviously cooks with consciousness and prioritizes food quality above all else. It shows. I will return here as soon as possible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lucky me when I had to wait for a smog test at TP Automotive and see that Abay Ethiopian restaurant I magically appeared within walking distance directly across the street. I ordered the vegetarian platter and enjoyed every bite! So tasty!Vegetarian options: Amazingly delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Combination
I have seen all Ethiopian restaurants in SD. I never felt compelled to leave any a review except here. You will not find tastier food or a kinder owner anywhere. Pricing are insanely affordable.It’s a no brainer - go here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I have never had Ethiopian food before so I can't say whether it's close to authentic or not...that being said, it was good. We got a little bit of everything, which was all brought out on one large dish for everyone to use (don't expect your own plate). Staff was super friendly and answered all our questions. It was very clean and well lit.Two points of interest:1. The pancake looking bread is pretty good and has more of a sourdough taste to it.2. The honey wine does not taste like honey or wine. In fact, I got a yerbamate tea crossed with vodka crossed with coffee grounds feel from it. Pretty sure its an acquired taste.All in all I'd eat here again and I'd recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Excellent taste, highly recommend the vegetarian as well as meat combos. Fresh and authentic, they also carry an Ethiopian bread called Dabo, perfect for snacking or with coffee and tea. Ask for “a little Ethiopian butter on top” of your meats. It will make your day. This is real pure butter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ye - Shiro Wot, Minchet Abish Wot, Ye - Miser Wot Red Split Lentils, Injera, Meat Combination, Vegetarian Combination, Ye - Beg Siga Wot, Abay Special T'IBS Chikina, Ye-Shiro Wot, Vegetarian Sampler Platter, Sambusa, Ye-Beg Siga Wot, Ye-Miser Wot Red Split Lentils, Ye-Doro Wot, Spaghetti Ethiopian Style
I came here based on the reviews. Well they couldn't have been more misleading. I have no problem with a place being a hole in the wall, and this certainly is. And I was expecting that. But our server took our order without even giving us any water or anything. We then waited for our food, sure that water would be coming. Food came and once again, no water and NO napkins either. We had to specifically ask for water and for napkins. I guess I'm naive, but those seem like something I shouldn't have to ask for. Even that could have been overlooked if the food was good, but it just wasn't. We've had Ethiopian food in many places ,so we know what to expect. The food was not only bland, but several of the dishes on our veggie platter were lukewarm to cold. The whole thing was an utter disappointment. Save yourself the trouble and just go elsewhere. I hate to hurt a small business, but if they can't offer the basics, they aren't earning anyone's business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Really great food and super friendly staff! Generous portions. Our first time and we loved it here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very real.
Service: 5