I love Abyssinia’s food. I had never tried an Ethiopian menu until my daughter introduced me to it. Now we have been lunching here monthly on the weekend, when it is very quiet. We always get the same thing, which for me is raw beef, wonderfully spiced. I have become known as Kitfo (raw beef) Mama. My daughter orders an array of vegetarian choices, and then we share. There is something very pure about the food, and the family is very sweet. I highly recommend it to those with an adventuresome palate.
A cozy warm place to grab a weeknight dinner! Sometimes the wait can be longer so if you aren't a fan of that take out is a good option for you. The people are very nice and kind. They are very welcoming as well. The menu has a good variety including dinner menu options for more than two people. I love ordering a list of items and sharing amongst each other and this menu caters to people with that in mind.
T S
They’re closed. Do not order from them. I placed an online order and showed up to pick up my food and the sign says they are closed indefinitely. They took my money and order knowing full well they are closed. Really horrible experience.
Hong Fayette Zhang
Kik wet is one of the best foods I've ever tasted.
The food is always good at Abyssinia. Never had an issue with the food whatsoever, and we would go once every month or two since it was a little bit of a drive to get there but the food was excellent and the staff was nice. Unfortunately, the last time we went, we used a gift certificate that we had lost previously but had recently found under a few clothes in a closet. The gift certificate was about 2 years old. We were unexpectedly excited we found it because we enjoy the food so much, and figured this certificate would allow us to try a few things we have never tried before. When I arrived, I happily paid with my credit card in addition to the gift certificate. What happened next totally caught me off guard. The employee proceeded to berate me over trying to use a gift card that was 2 years old, saying I should not be doing that and it was not right to use something this old. I told her we lost it and had just recently found it under a pile of clothes in a closet. She did not want anything to do with it and continued to comment about me using an "old" gift certificate event after cashing me out. I just stood there waiting for the food thinking I was in the Twilight Zone or something, as she continued to make comments about it with her back to me. I went home and told my fiance about it and she became very upset when I told her what happened. I work with two Ethiopian coworkers and told them about it, and asked if I accidentally violated something cultural and they said absolutely not, I did not do anything wrong. It's unfortunate because it's been a year, and we have not gone back and have no intentions of going back. They lost customers for life over an "old" $25 gift certificate. And the craziest part was the name of the restaurant employee who signed the gift certificate 2 years ago was the one who cashed me out and berated me for using it. Shame.
Rupert Cazares
I had the Doro Tibs, with two veggie sides and beef sambusas. It was all delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to those looking for a fantastic Ethiopian
Sorry to disagree with other reviewers but I found the cost ($150+ for four people) to be exorbitant, and the food among the worse meals I have experienced in a very long time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ali F.
Picked up for a night with friends. It was so good! I got different vegetarian options but the flavors were amazing. Some spicy. Would recommend to try.
The best Ethiopian restaurant in the country. Nothing more needs to be said. Kitfo and injera worth dying for. Definitely worth the huge wait. The service is incomparable, the smiles unforgettable.
Amazing food, tasty with just the right amount of spice. Excellent portions and the vegetable dishes were very fresh ! The coffee is fresh roasted and ground, very rich and delicious and the service was extremely friendly!
Joe Abebe
My favorite restaurant in the city! Very clean environment with the best flavor in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, TIBS Alicha, TIBS We
Anna Vattana
Been coming here for over 15 years, a loyal customer since the University Avenue days. The food is always wonderful, the service is always kind, and the portions are always large. Highly recommend if you want a delicious, amazing, memorable meal! I don't have a lot of Ethiopian food to compare this to, but out of all of the Rochester area Ethiopian restaurants, Abyssinia is the best! Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Kik Alicha, Kik We
Martin C.
I used to live in DC, which has a very robust Ethiopian cuisine scene, supported by a significant Ethiopian population. So, I'm spoiled. I thought the food was just okay. Not bad--and I wouldn't be surprised if it were the best restaurant of its kind around--but definitely not the best Ethiopian food I've ever had. The server was very nice and arranged a veggie combo for 4. She clearly explained what the dishes were and pointed out the spicy ones. The interior was fine. Nothing special. So, overall, I'd say this place is okay.
Best Ethiopian restaurant in Rochester and compares to the best in any US city I have been to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Vegetarian Platter, Beyaynetu
Nice place
I love Abyssinia’s food. I had never tried an Ethiopian menu until my daughter introduced me to it. Now we have been lunching here monthly on the weekend, when it is very quiet. We always get the same thing, which for me is raw beef, wonderfully spiced. I have become known as Kitfo (raw beef) Mama. My daughter orders an array of vegetarian choices, and then we share. There is something very pure about the food, and the family is very sweet. I highly recommend it to those with an adventuresome palate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Kitfo, Vegetarian Platter
A cozy warm place to grab a weeknight dinner! Sometimes the wait can be longer so if you aren't a fan of that take out is a good option for you. The people are very nice and kind. They are very welcoming as well. The menu has a good variety including dinner menu options for more than two people. I love ordering a list of items and sharing amongst each other and this menu caters to people with that in mind.
They’re closed. Do not order from them. I placed an online order and showed up to pick up my food and the sign says they are closed indefinitely. They took my money and order knowing full well they are closed. Really horrible experience.
Kik wet is one of the best foods I've ever tasted.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Vegetarian Platter
The food is always good at Abyssinia. Never had an issue with the food whatsoever, and we would go once every month or two since it was a little bit of a drive to get there but the food was excellent and the staff was nice. Unfortunately, the last time we went, we used a gift certificate that we had lost previously but had recently found under a few clothes in a closet. The gift certificate was about 2 years old. We were unexpectedly excited we found it because we enjoy the food so much, and figured this certificate would allow us to try a few things we have never tried before. When I arrived, I happily paid with my credit card in addition to the gift certificate. What happened next totally caught me off guard. The employee proceeded to berate me over trying to use a gift card that was 2 years old, saying I should not be doing that and it was not right to use something this old. I told her we lost it and had just recently found it under a pile of clothes in a closet. She did not want anything to do with it and continued to comment about me using an "old" gift certificate event after cashing me out. I just stood there waiting for the food thinking I was in the Twilight Zone or something, as she continued to make comments about it with her back to me. I went home and told my fiance about it and she became very upset when I told her what happened. I work with two Ethiopian coworkers and told them about it, and asked if I accidentally violated something cultural and they said absolutely not, I did not do anything wrong. It's unfortunate because it's been a year, and we have not gone back and have no intentions of going back. They lost customers for life over an "old" $25 gift certificate. And the craziest part was the name of the restaurant employee who signed the gift certificate 2 years ago was the one who cashed me out and berated me for using it. Shame.
I had the Doro Tibs, with two veggie sides and beef sambusas. It was all delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to those looking for a fantastic Ethiopian
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Sambusas, Beef Sambusa
Sorry to disagree with other reviewers but I found the cost ($150+ for four people) to be exorbitant, and the food among the worse meals I have experienced in a very long time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Picked up for a night with friends. It was so good! I got different vegetarian options but the flavors were amazing. Some spicy. Would recommend to try.
Restaurantji Recommends
The best Ethiopian restaurant in the country. Nothing more needs to be said. Kitfo and injera worth dying for. Definitely worth the huge wait. The service is incomparable, the smiles unforgettable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Dulete Kitfo, Kitfo
Amazing food, tasty with just the right amount of spice. Excellent portions and the vegetable dishes were very fresh ! The coffee is fresh roasted and ground, very rich and delicious and the service was extremely friendly!
My favorite restaurant in the city! Very clean environment with the best flavor in the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, TIBS Alicha, TIBS We
Been coming here for over 15 years, a loyal customer since the University Avenue days. The food is always wonderful, the service is always kind, and the portions are always large. Highly recommend if you want a delicious, amazing, memorable meal! I don't have a lot of Ethiopian food to compare this to, but out of all of the Rochester area Ethiopian restaurants, Abyssinia is the best! Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Injera Ethiopian Bread, Kik Alicha, Kik We
I used to live in DC, which has a very robust Ethiopian cuisine scene, supported by a significant Ethiopian population. So, I'm spoiled. I thought the food was just okay. Not bad--and I wouldn't be surprised if it were the best restaurant of its kind around--but definitely not the best Ethiopian food I've ever had. The server was very nice and arranged a veggie combo for 4. She clearly explained what the dishes were and pointed out the spicy ones. The interior was fine. Nothing special. So, overall, I'd say this place is okay.