I absolutely love the Ethiopian culture this place has always brought to our community! I traveled a whole hour there- a few months back , so ready for the nourishing food authentic experience, just to find that they had "temporarily" closed! When I saw they had decided to hang in there with us, I have( ever since) then been calling over and over to try and make reservations, but to no avail! I truly hope and pray they haven't closed for good and will try to make the journey again soon so I can find out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Mascha
Had a great time here for an anniversary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken TIBS
Don Gandaflfini
It isn't open. 5 stars when open
Fiona Gowan
This restaurant has such a homely feel. It was our first time trying Ethiopian food and based on this experience we’re all looking at eating at more Ethiopian restaurants. Our server explained the menu and made great suggestions for us and the kids. The food was served hot and it was delicious. It’s not fancy and I’m not sure if that’s just how restaurants in Cleveland are since this was our first time there but I loved how it felt like we were outside of the country and perhaps in Ethiopia. Would definitely go back again.Vegetarian options: They have great options for vegetarians, I didn’t have to eat a cold salad. Also gluten and dairy freeKid-friendliness: Menu is great for the whole family, they can adjust the spiciness of the dishes.Wheelchair accessibility: It’s not wheelchair accessible and neither are the restrooms
I am from out of town, so I can only visit once a year, but this is absolutely a necessary visit when I'm in town. From the moment you open the door, you're welcomed by tantalizing smells. The staff is very friendly and courteous. The cooks are absolutely amazing! I would recommend everything on the menu, but be sure to complete your meal with the coffee ceremony for a treat for all senses.
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS
I’m disappointed in the amount the food now cost plus the fact I ordered a vegetable combination thinking it has five sides as their website states but no beets and potatoes. For $22.50 compared to the original $16.50, no thank you. You need to update your website and menus. As a business small or large what’s printed is what needs to be honored and respected.
Chelsea Richards
So delicious, everything that we ordered was great. Server was awesome, great vibes all around. I didn't know lentils could taste that good. 10/10 will be back again.
Unbound Faith
Great Great Great Service!This was our first visit and it was one to remember. We had the Foule- soft pillowy ambusha partnered with a delicious freshly made bean dish.Dorowat- flavored to traditional perfection.Sega Tibs, beef and lamb was very well prepared.Gomen was savory goodness. Overall experience was nothing but amazing!
Adil Sharag-Eldin
Empress Taytu is one of the best ethnic restaurants in Northeast Ohio. The food is of exquisite quality and value. The ambiance is exotic and unique. However, the best thing about the place is the genuine hospitality of the owners and the servers. We enjoy the Tips and Kitfo (raw). Lovers of excellent vegetarian meals are at home in Ethiopian restaurants. It is highly recommended to adventurers and aficionados, and foodies of all ages.
Kristina Coleman
Loved it! We ordered one of the combination dinners - it was enough to easily feed 3 people. Service was wonderful - quick and professional! If we are in Cleveland again, we would definitely come back!
Best Ethiopian restaurant in town, period. It's also incredibly authentic given than the cuisine is a shared experience even though I dined alone.
Max Rivera
The experience is unlike anything you can get anywhere else! The style of eating is communal. Everyone shares of the same big plate and what's really special, is the coffee ceremony. They bring out the beans as they're roasting them and let you smell them before they take them back to brew. It's worth the visit.Edit: Went back last night with two friends, still fantastic. Our friends have never been and they could not stop raving about the experience and flavors.I am glad to see this place make it through the pandemic ?
Lenny Zimmermann
Empress Tatyu is one of my top favorite restaurants in Cleveland! Entrance is in the back, and as soon as you enter, you pass a bustling kitchen, into a main room that has been so carefully crafted. The decor and furniture make you forget that you're in Cleveland, and the customer service is warm and welcoming. The dorowat is my favorite (not as spicy as I've seen other people mention), it falls right off the bone! If you're not sure what to order, get a veggie or meat and veggie combo-- you're able to taste a little bit of everything!
Dani O'Sickey
I was drawn here because of how charming it looked from the outside, biking past. When I finally got a chance to come by and eat, I was amazed that it was even more charming inside!On the particular day we came, we were told that they were short staffed with a woman and her husband (maybe the owners) running the service all themselves. Aside from a maybe 5 minute wait to sit, we never would have known they were short-staffed; our service was quick, unrushed, warm, and friendly! Can't speak highly enough about that woman running the show.And the food! I'm very happy to say that, while I may not have as many options for Ethiopian food in Cleveland as the 5 years I spent in Washington DC, it doesn't really matter because this is the best Ethiopian food I've had. Every dish in our party of 3 was truly distinct in flavor, and simply really, really good. I think if the owners were a different kind of people, they could charge double and get away with it. I can hardly imagine better food, and in such a delightful environment.Vegetarian options: They take pride in vegetarian options as a part of their Orthodox Christian culture. They're not only plentiful, but very good as well.Parking: Off-street parking in a lot next door. The lot seems like a size where it would fill up right as a wait to be seated starts to happen.
Nakisha Hines
Fantastic, as usual!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant and it's vibe and the food, of course! I have been coming to Empress Taytu for over 15 years and the food is always delicious and atmosphere is always welcoming. However, I know how prices have risen across the board, EVERYWHERE but I just feel like the prices here continue to rise while the portions are getting smaller. Don't get me wrong, their price is their price and I'm not ever going to dispute that but for the cost vs desired food combination, is very expensive. None the less, still go! You won't regret the experience or the meal.
I absolutely love the Ethiopian culture this place has always brought to our community! I traveled a whole hour there- a few months back , so ready for the nourishing food authentic experience, just to find that they had "temporarily" closed! When I saw they had decided to hang in there with us, I have( ever since) then been calling over and over to try and make reservations, but to no avail! I truly hope and pray they haven't closed for good and will try to make the journey again soon so I can find out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a great time here for an anniversary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken TIBS
It isn't open. 5 stars when open
This restaurant has such a homely feel. It was our first time trying Ethiopian food and based on this experience we’re all looking at eating at more Ethiopian restaurants. Our server explained the menu and made great suggestions for us and the kids. The food was served hot and it was delicious. It’s not fancy and I’m not sure if that’s just how restaurants in Cleveland are since this was our first time there but I loved how it felt like we were outside of the country and perhaps in Ethiopia. Would definitely go back again.Vegetarian options: They have great options for vegetarians, I didn’t have to eat a cold salad. Also gluten and dairy freeKid-friendliness: Menu is great for the whole family, they can adjust the spiciness of the dishes.Wheelchair accessibility: It’s not wheelchair accessible and neither are the restrooms
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sambusa, Vegetable Combination, Veggie Combo
I am from out of town, so I can only visit once a year, but this is absolutely a necessary visit when I'm in town. From the moment you open the door, you're welcomed by tantalizing smells. The staff is very friendly and courteous. The cooks are absolutely amazing! I would recommend everything on the menu, but be sure to complete your meal with the coffee ceremony for a treat for all senses.
I’m disappointed in the amount the food now cost plus the fact I ordered a vegetable combination thinking it has five sides as their website states but no beets and potatoes. For $22.50 compared to the original $16.50, no thank you. You need to update your website and menus. As a business small or large what’s printed is what needs to be honored and respected.
So delicious, everything that we ordered was great. Server was awesome, great vibes all around. I didn't know lentils could taste that good. 10/10 will be back again.
Great Great Great Service!This was our first visit and it was one to remember. We had the Foule- soft pillowy ambusha partnered with a delicious freshly made bean dish.Dorowat- flavored to traditional perfection.Sega Tibs, beef and lamb was very well prepared.Gomen was savory goodness. Overall experience was nothing but amazing!
Empress Taytu is one of the best ethnic restaurants in Northeast Ohio. The food is of exquisite quality and value. The ambiance is exotic and unique. However, the best thing about the place is the genuine hospitality of the owners and the servers. We enjoy the Tips and Kitfo (raw). Lovers of excellent vegetarian meals are at home in Ethiopian restaurants. It is highly recommended to adventurers and aficionados, and foodies of all ages.
Loved it! We ordered one of the combination dinners - it was enough to easily feed 3 people. Service was wonderful - quick and professional! If we are in Cleveland again, we would definitely come back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Best Ethiopian restaurant in town, period. It's also incredibly authentic given than the cuisine is a shared experience even though I dined alone.
The experience is unlike anything you can get anywhere else! The style of eating is communal. Everyone shares of the same big plate and what's really special, is the coffee ceremony. They bring out the beans as they're roasting them and let you smell them before they take them back to brew. It's worth the visit.Edit: Went back last night with two friends, still fantastic. Our friends have never been and they could not stop raving about the experience and flavors.I am glad to see this place make it through the pandemic ?
Empress Tatyu is one of my top favorite restaurants in Cleveland! Entrance is in the back, and as soon as you enter, you pass a bustling kitchen, into a main room that has been so carefully crafted. The decor and furniture make you forget that you're in Cleveland, and the customer service is warm and welcoming. The dorowat is my favorite (not as spicy as I've seen other people mention), it falls right off the bone! If you're not sure what to order, get a veggie or meat and veggie combo-- you're able to taste a little bit of everything!
I was drawn here because of how charming it looked from the outside, biking past. When I finally got a chance to come by and eat, I was amazed that it was even more charming inside!On the particular day we came, we were told that they were short staffed with a woman and her husband (maybe the owners) running the service all themselves. Aside from a maybe 5 minute wait to sit, we never would have known they were short-staffed; our service was quick, unrushed, warm, and friendly! Can't speak highly enough about that woman running the show.And the food! I'm very happy to say that, while I may not have as many options for Ethiopian food in Cleveland as the 5 years I spent in Washington DC, it doesn't really matter because this is the best Ethiopian food I've had. Every dish in our party of 3 was truly distinct in flavor, and simply really, really good. I think if the owners were a different kind of people, they could charge double and get away with it. I can hardly imagine better food, and in such a delightful environment.Vegetarian options: They take pride in vegetarian options as a part of their Orthodox Christian culture. They're not only plentiful, but very good as well.Parking: Off-street parking in a lot next door. The lot seems like a size where it would fill up right as a wait to be seated starts to happen.
Fantastic, as usual!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant and it's vibe and the food, of course! I have been coming to Empress Taytu for over 15 years and the food is always delicious and atmosphere is always welcoming. However, I know how prices have risen across the board, EVERYWHERE but I just feel like the prices here continue to rise while the portions are getting smaller. Don't get me wrong, their price is their price and I'm not ever going to dispute that but for the cost vs desired food combination, is very expensive. None the less, still go! You won't regret the experience or the meal.