But fr…. Amsale Restaurant in Philly is a 10/10, no notes. From the second you walk in, you feel like you’re about to be FED fed, not just eat. The vibes are warm, welcoming, and straight-up Habesha excellence. The staff treats you like family, not customers, and that alone already sets the tone.
Now the FOOD? Life-changing. Every dish tastes like it was cooked with intention, love, and zero shortcuts. The injera is perfect, the flavors are deep and rich, and everything is seasoned exactly how Ethiopian food should be. Nothing is bland, nothing is overpowering. Just balance. Just greatness. The portions are generous too!!! you’re not leaving hungry, and you’re definitely leaving happy.
What really sets Amsale apart is how authentic it feels. This is the kind of place you bring people when you want them to understand Ethiopian food and culture for real. Not watered down. Not “adjusted.” Just real, comforting, home-style cooking that hits every time.
If you’re in Philly and you don’t go to Amsale, I’m judging you a little. This is the spot for family dinners, celebrations, or just treating yourself because you deserve good food. Amsale is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. I will be back. Over and over again.
Best Ethiopian restaurant for vegetarians. Food is amazing and the number of sides will leave you full. The shiro, yellow lentils, and cabbage are my favorites. Their tea is perfect. Injera is authentic and you may even have enough to bring some home. Owners are super friendly and service is full of love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Schulz
Highly disappointed. I ordered delivery and received a box of varying items, all unlabeled. My first bite is the first photo. I pick up this substance and discover something almost out of a DnD campaign, a gelatinous cube of splintered bones, fat, and flesh. I don’t know if it was because I ordered late or what, but the number of bones and fat just disgusted me. This was truly a terrible dining experience, and I’m really bummed out. I would not typically write a review like this that was so harsh, but I genuinely feel repulsed by what I paid to put in my mouth, and I feel an obligation to let y’all know that you might receive the same.
Food: 1
Cat Rules
Original and delicious Ethiopian food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JC Lore
I only got takeout tonight, but the food was wonderfully authentic and delicious. My order was ready when I got there and I was able to get home quickl and enjoy my dinner. I look forward to coming back and eating at the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mahari Ande
Go try it I'm sure you'll like this place is little small but it's really good food over there
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Summer Cao
Really enjoyed their awaze beef tibs, lamb stew, and the beef dish that’s mixed with greens. Vege combo is ok not too impressive. (Got lamb tibs last time which was not very good.) glad that we gave it another try and the other meat dishes are so good. Injera is super good too! Price is very reasonable. Would come again or get take outs!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Mali Skotheim
Incredible Ethiopian food made by a kind family--such a cozy spot too! We had the meat and veggie combo and got to try a dozen or so different dishes. We loved all of them. The meats were especially delicious, wonderfully spiced, and all very unique flavors. I can't wait to return to try more dishes. This was the best Ethiopian food I've had in Philly, DC, or NYC, and it is remarkably affordable too. Glad to see they are getting some well deserved recognition on the Philadelphia Inquirer's 76 list.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yair Lev
We are a couple with two young kids, and we have been coming to Amsale Café on Walnut Street for years. Without a doubt, this is our favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, and it is also our children’s favorite! The food is as close to home-cooked traditional Ethiopian as you can imagine. It is delicious, affordable, and served by a family that is kind, friendly, gentle, and sweet.
Over the years, our kids and the owners have developed a special relationship. Our kids always hug them when we arrive, draw them pictures, and it is beautiful to see. When we tell our kids we are going to Amsale Café, they are thrilled, and so are we.
Our kids, who can be quite picky eaters, absolutely love the different options here, especially the amazing, delicious beef Alcha, which they ask for every time. We always order the meat and veggie combo, which is an incredible amount of flavorful, beautifully seasoned food with a huge variety to enjoy.
There is no doubt this is not only our favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, but our favorite restaurant ever!!! It has truly become like a second home. We all feel unbelievably comfortable there, and we will continue coming for years.
Thank you to the owners and their family for being so wonderful and for making every meal feel special!
Flavors are on point, service was slow, like every other Ethiopian place I've been to as these are Mom and Pop restaurants. Only complaint is that the meat was either overcooked or tough for some reason, unfortunate.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Joshua Mathews
Look no further for great Ethiopian food, this is the place and we've tried most of them in this town.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitfo
Ksanati Nakshatra
Incredible Food! Beautiful Restaurant with Lovely Art and The Kindest Man Waited on Us! Highly Recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Estifanos Sisay
I am student living in Bethlehem and drove an hour to come to this place. The food reminds me of home. The kitfo was spot on.
If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, this is your chance to try it. Don’t miss out!!😁
Great spot!! We started with the Tematim salad (order this, so unique and fresh and zingy) and veggie sambusas. Yebeg awaze tibs was amazing, such a flavorful dish and perfectly spiced. My girlfriend had never had Ethiopian food before and absolutely loved the veggie combo. The injeera was fresh and delicious. Service was good and staff were friendly.
AMSAAAALE. That’s it. That’s the review.
But fr…. Amsale Restaurant in Philly is a 10/10, no notes. From the second you walk in, you feel like you’re about to be FED fed, not just eat. The vibes are warm, welcoming, and straight-up Habesha excellence. The staff treats you like family, not customers, and that alone already sets the tone.
Now the FOOD? Life-changing. Every dish tastes like it was cooked with intention, love, and zero shortcuts. The injera is perfect, the flavors are deep and rich, and everything is seasoned exactly how Ethiopian food should be. Nothing is bland, nothing is overpowering. Just balance. Just greatness. The portions are generous too!!! you’re not leaving hungry, and you’re definitely leaving happy.
What really sets Amsale apart is how authentic it feels. This is the kind of place you bring people when you want them to understand Ethiopian food and culture for real. Not watered down. Not “adjusted.” Just real, comforting, home-style cooking that hits every time.
If you’re in Philly and you don’t go to Amsale, I’m judging you a little. This is the spot for family dinners, celebrations, or just treating yourself because you deserve good food. Amsale is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. I will be back. Over and over again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie and Meat Combo, Meat Combo, Yebeg Awaze TIBS
10/10 one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the area. Hospitality is as if you are family, if I could give 15 stars I would!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veggie and Meat Combo, Kitfo, TIBS, Vegetarian Combo, Qey Wot
Best Ethiopian restaurant for vegetarians. Food is amazing and the number of sides will leave you full. The shiro, yellow lentils, and cabbage are my favorites. Their tea is perfect. Injera is authentic and you may even have enough to bring some home. Owners are super friendly and service is full of love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Highly disappointed. I ordered delivery and received a box of varying items, all unlabeled. My first bite is the first photo. I pick up this substance and discover something almost out of a DnD campaign, a gelatinous cube of splintered bones, fat, and flesh. I don’t know if it was because I ordered late or what, but the number of bones and fat just disgusted me. This was truly a terrible dining experience, and I’m really bummed out. I would not typically write a review like this that was so harsh, but I genuinely feel repulsed by what I paid to put in my mouth, and I feel an obligation to let y’all know that you might receive the same.
Food: 1
Original and delicious Ethiopian food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I only got takeout tonight, but the food was wonderfully authentic and delicious. My order was ready when I got there and I was able to get home quickl and enjoy my dinner. I look forward to coming back and eating at the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Go try it I'm sure you'll like this place is little small but it's really good food over there
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really enjoyed their awaze beef tibs, lamb stew, and the beef dish that’s mixed with greens. Vege combo is ok not too impressive. (Got lamb tibs last time which was not very good.) glad that we gave it another try and the other meat dishes are so good. Injera is super good too! Price is very reasonable. Would come again or get take outs!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Incredible Ethiopian food made by a kind family--such a cozy spot too! We had the meat and veggie combo and got to try a dozen or so different dishes. We loved all of them. The meats were especially delicious, wonderfully spiced, and all very unique flavors. I can't wait to return to try more dishes. This was the best Ethiopian food I've had in Philly, DC, or NYC, and it is remarkably affordable too. Glad to see they are getting some well deserved recognition on the Philadelphia Inquirer's 76 list.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are a couple with two young kids, and we have been coming to Amsale Café on Walnut Street for years. Without a doubt, this is our favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, and it is also our children’s favorite! The food is as close to home-cooked traditional Ethiopian as you can imagine. It is delicious, affordable, and served by a family that is kind, friendly, gentle, and sweet.
Over the years, our kids and the owners have developed a special relationship. Our kids always hug them when we arrive, draw them pictures, and it is beautiful to see. When we tell our kids we are going to Amsale Café, they are thrilled, and so are we.
Our kids, who can be quite picky eaters, absolutely love the different options here, especially the amazing, delicious beef Alcha, which they ask for every time. We always order the meat and veggie combo, which is an incredible amount of flavorful, beautifully seasoned food with a huge variety to enjoy.
There is no doubt this is not only our favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, but our favorite restaurant ever!!! It has truly become like a second home. We all feel unbelievably comfortable there, and we will continue coming for years.
Thank you to the owners and their family for being so wonderful and for making every meal feel special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Flavors are on point, service was slow, like every other Ethiopian place I've been to as these are Mom and Pop restaurants. Only complaint is that the meat was either overcooked or tough for some reason, unfortunate.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Look no further for great Ethiopian food, this is the place and we've tried most of them in this town.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitfo
Incredible Food! Beautiful Restaurant with Lovely Art and The Kindest Man Waited on Us! Highly Recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am student living in Bethlehem and drove an hour to come to this place. The food reminds me of home. The kitfo was spot on.
If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, this is your chance to try it. Don’t miss out!!😁
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ethiopian Injera, Kitfo, TIBS, Vegetarian Combo
Great spot!! We started with the Tematim salad (order this, so unique and fresh and zingy) and veggie sambusas. Yebeg awaze tibs was amazing, such a flavorful dish and perfectly spiced. My girlfriend had never had Ethiopian food before and absolutely loved the veggie combo. The injeera was fresh and delicious. Service was good and staff were friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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