First time trying ethiopian food and our taste buds sang. Loved all the flavors and presentation. Sadly we could not eat it all and had to take it home; not a bad thing right?! (They gave heathly portions). If you love eating with your fingers, way to go. But I choose a fork. The atmosphere nothing to talk about but the food sure is. If you haven't tried, you must. ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Midmark
I've never had Ethiopian food, but I now want more and more. I don't know the specific food I ordered, some beef, lentils, and goat, but they were all so flavorful, spicy, and hearty. Perfect to warm me up and fill me up on a cold night.The peanut butter coffee was the highlight though, it was like a peanut butter version of hot chocolate! So good.I would love to come back if I'm ever in Ithaca again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
B H
Delicious ethiopian food in a comfortable space with a loud slamming door...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitfo, Meat Combo, Special Combo, Awaze TIBS, Ethiopian, Wat, Special Combo for 2, Veggie Combo, TIBS
A Chaudhuri
I usually like their food, but I've found the servers to be rude. I went today to specifically order the avocado salad, yater kik fitfit, and Hawi rolls. There was a lady and a gentleman serving this evening. The lady wrote down "avocado salad" in their little order book and informed me that yater kik fitfit was not available. I was looking at the menu for other options when the gentleman arrived at the counter (I was sitting on one of the bar chairs) and said that avocado salad was not available and that they don't have desserts on the menu anymore. The lady came back and asked him, "why do you say avocado salad is not available?", to which he did not reply. I'm not sure what was going on, but both of them were extremely curt. I understand that most people go there for the platters, but to be running out of most appetizers on a Friday evening along with rude behavior was quite disappointing and unwelcoming, and certainly not worth it even though the food might be OK.
Michael Perehinec
Just the best. I've never had a bad meal here. Wish they had a bigger place. Get there early because there is a chance they will run out of their top dishes. Love a place that focuses on only a few dishes.
The food is amazing. Well seasoned and a bit spicy. Lots of variety and vegan/gluten-free options. The service was excellent when we went and the waitress explained several dishes and Ethiopian customs. Best restaurant in Ithaca; we’re excited to return!Dietary restrictions: Plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans, and all dishes are clearly marked. I appreciated that dairy-free dishes were easy to identify, as I eat meat but no dairy. There are gluten-free options too; the naan-like bread they provide for free is gluten free and made of only 3 ingredients.
Similar story to what I’ve seen others post on here. Good food, terrible service. Some people say the food is worth it but ruined the whole experience for us
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Beth B
Amazing food, great
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ethiopian, Veggie Combo
Sarah Carvellas
I love the food. The service is okay, not great. But worth it for the food. Awesome for people eating a vegan diet, but good meat options as well. Peanut tea-- sounds weird but it's so good! And it's BYOB so don't forget to bring your wine!Vegetarian options: Vegan options! And not just one!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Avocado Salad, TIBS
Devon Emo
Outstanding food. It's hard to find Ethiopian food around here and Hawi makes it worth the drive every time.
My favorite restaurant in Ithaca. Bring 3-4 people and get the meat or veggie combo. So reasonably priced and absolutely
Food: 5
Erin Elliott
I used to really like this place. I have been multiple times, have recommended it to people, and was planning on bringing my entire family here when they visited for graduation.I ate at Hawi last week, and chomped down on a rock that had gotten into the food. I let the waiter know, thinking that I would get a normal/compassionate/human reaction - at least an apology, as damage like this can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix. Instead, the waiter deadpanned and started to talk to me accusatorially. He said that it was no big deal, and then said in this unexpectedly accusing voice: "What do you want." I was so flustered in the moment that I quickly said "nothing," and he walked away. He didn't ever come back to our table and a different waitress had to give us the check. My partner, afterwards, was very apologetic that he let someone treat me like that - much more apologetic than the restaurant itself.I told my family that Hawi shattered my tooth, and they said to reach out - if this restaurant screwed me over, at least they'd probably try to rectify it with a free meal or something. Nope - totally ghosted.I would honestly have not followed up if they showed any sort of remorse or compassion. I talked about this to friends in food service, who said that if they cost someone hundreds or thousands of dollars based on their mistake, they'd at least offer an apology and a free dessert or something. But it's not about the free stuff - it's about not being treated like the scum of the earth for being fed rocks.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Rebecca Patten
My son and I went here while on a visit and had a lovely dinner. My son loved eating with his fingers, and the food was delicious and there’s a lot of it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Special Combo, Wat
Tom Burns
Great little authentic Ethiopian place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keith K.
Great flavors, very tender meat, some spicy dishes, some not spicy. Vegetable dishes are different from what I have ever had but very good. Our server was awesome, helped us newbies out very patiently!
First time trying ethiopian food and our taste buds sang. Loved all the flavors and presentation. Sadly we could not eat it all and had to take it home; not a bad thing right?! (They gave heathly portions). If you love eating with your fingers, way to go. But I choose a fork. The atmosphere nothing to talk about but the food sure is. If you haven't tried, you must. ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've never had Ethiopian food, but I now want more and more. I don't know the specific food I ordered, some beef, lentils, and goat, but they were all so flavorful, spicy, and hearty. Perfect to warm me up and fill me up on a cold night.The peanut butter coffee was the highlight though, it was like a peanut butter version of hot chocolate! So good.I would love to come back if I'm ever in Ithaca again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious ethiopian food in a comfortable space with a loud slamming door...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitfo, Meat Combo, Special Combo, Awaze TIBS, Ethiopian, Wat, Special Combo for 2, Veggie Combo, TIBS
I usually like their food, but I've found the servers to be rude. I went today to specifically order the avocado salad, yater kik fitfit, and Hawi rolls. There was a lady and a gentleman serving this evening. The lady wrote down "avocado salad" in their little order book and informed me that yater kik fitfit was not available. I was looking at the menu for other options when the gentleman arrived at the counter (I was sitting on one of the bar chairs) and said that avocado salad was not available and that they don't have desserts on the menu anymore. The lady came back and asked him, "why do you say avocado salad is not available?", to which he did not reply. I'm not sure what was going on, but both of them were extremely curt. I understand that most people go there for the platters, but to be running out of most appetizers on a Friday evening along with rude behavior was quite disappointing and unwelcoming, and certainly not worth it even though the food might be OK.
Just the best. I've never had a bad meal here. Wish they had a bigger place. Get there early because there is a chance they will run out of their top dishes. Love a place that focuses on only a few dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Sambusa, Avocado Salad, Vegetarian Combo, Meat Combo, Sambusa, Awaze TIBS, Wat, Injera with Mushroom TIBS, Veggie Combo, TIBS
The food is amazing. Well seasoned and a bit spicy. Lots of variety and vegan/gluten-free options. The service was excellent when we went and the waitress explained several dishes and Ethiopian customs. Best restaurant in Ithaca; we’re excited to return!Dietary restrictions: Plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans, and all dishes are clearly marked. I appreciated that dairy-free dishes were easy to identify, as I eat meat but no dairy. There are gluten-free options too; the naan-like bread they provide for free is gluten free and made of only 3 ingredients.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Avocado Salad, Vegetarian Combo
Similar story to what I’ve seen others post on here. Good food, terrible service. Some people say the food is worth it but ruined the whole experience for us
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Amazing food, great
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ethiopian, Veggie Combo
I love the food. The service is okay, not great. But worth it for the food. Awesome for people eating a vegan diet, but good meat options as well. Peanut tea-- sounds weird but it's so good! And it's BYOB so don't forget to bring your wine!Vegetarian options: Vegan options! And not just one!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Avocado Salad, TIBS
Outstanding food. It's hard to find Ethiopian food around here and Hawi makes it worth the drive every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meat Combo, Ethiopian, Wat, TIBS
Restaurantji Recommends
My favorite restaurant in Ithaca. Bring 3-4 people and get the meat or veggie combo. So reasonably priced and absolutely
Food: 5
I used to really like this place. I have been multiple times, have recommended it to people, and was planning on bringing my entire family here when they visited for graduation.I ate at Hawi last week, and chomped down on a rock that had gotten into the food. I let the waiter know, thinking that I would get a normal/compassionate/human reaction - at least an apology, as damage like this can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix. Instead, the waiter deadpanned and started to talk to me accusatorially. He said that it was no big deal, and then said in this unexpectedly accusing voice: "What do you want." I was so flustered in the moment that I quickly said "nothing," and he walked away. He didn't ever come back to our table and a different waitress had to give us the check. My partner, afterwards, was very apologetic that he let someone treat me like that - much more apologetic than the restaurant itself.I told my family that Hawi shattered my tooth, and they said to reach out - if this restaurant screwed me over, at least they'd probably try to rectify it with a free meal or something. Nope - totally ghosted.I would honestly have not followed up if they showed any sort of remorse or compassion. I talked about this to friends in food service, who said that if they cost someone hundreds or thousands of dollars based on their mistake, they'd at least offer an apology and a free dessert or something. But it's not about the free stuff - it's about not being treated like the scum of the earth for being fed rocks.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
My son and I went here while on a visit and had a lovely dinner. My son loved eating with his fingers, and the food was delicious and there’s a lot of it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Special Combo, Wat
Great little authentic Ethiopian place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great flavors, very tender meat, some spicy dishes, some not spicy. Vegetable dishes are different from what I have ever had but very good. Our server was awesome, helped us newbies out very patiently!