Ethiopian Restaurants near Arlington, VA

“Thanks to Tracye McQuirter of By Any Greens Necessary for recommending this Ethiopian Cafe to me. The sign on the store says Bethel Cafe. I ordered the Vegetarian Platter. THEE VERY BEST! Friendly staff and accommodating. I will be venturing out to Arlington, VA on occasion just to come here.“

“The food was amazing. The raw meat (Tere Sega) was incredible, just looking at it on our table. The red meat blended well with the marble and It was served with a wooden board with a variety of deep sauces to match your taste. Cutting the pieces and dipping it into the spicy sauces and dropping it in your mouth is the ultimate experience.

The other food that we ordered was KITFO. In fairness, the best KITFO we ever tasted. The seasoned butter and spices were just right to bring the taste on every bite. Next, we ordered Tibs, a crunchy roasted meat with caramelized onions, jalapeño and spiced well that was served on traditional heated clay.

Finally, to bring all the taste into effect , we ordered TEJ, a wine like drink made of honey.
I am salivating while I am writing this review. If you never been to Ethiopian restaurant and happen to be in Arlington area, Meda is the place to visit. The service is great and the staff is very friendly. We enjoyed it so much and we want others to experience the same. Thank you Meda and keep it up.“

“My first experience at Enjera, and my first experience with Ethiopian food. Highly recommend!“

“The food is wonderful. We always eat here when we come up from Richmond, VA. The staff is great as well.“

“Absolutely delicious, flavorful dishes, friendly helpful service, and a calm place to be. Stopped in for dinner and chose the 4-meat 4-veggie platter. Highly recommended!

Vegetarian options: Appetizers were lentil samosas (sp?) - incredible flavor; I should have gotten an order to go.“

“very tasty Ethiopian dishes and very good atmosphere also excellent services!!!!“

“Wow wow. I grew up eating foal (fava beans) but I never had like Abuare’s. The customer service was amazing, Dani took good care of us like we are the only ones at the restaurant that is pretty good. The restaurant is very Cousy and chill place to eat. They do have pretty decent mini bar. Got lucky to have meet the Owner Max, funny guy humble as well. Let’s go back the food aspect. Scrambled eggs with onions, jalapeños and tomato’s, called egg silsi. My brother had a smoothie with Avocado, mango and banana. This is my brunch spot from now on. Will definitely worth of trying it.“

“Excellent food and atmosphere. The bartenders were also super chill and make really creative drinks. Recommend the honey wine!“

“Amazing food but most off all the Hospitality by owner Woiz Zene makes you feel like youre HOME Food is consistently great, just fyi takes time to come out as they stay busy but always delicios. Customer aevice A+ Food A+“

“Absolutely fantastic food, super delicious. Also vegan options, including the jaw-dropping veg special platter (it's vegan). Warm, homey service. Our meal got a little behind several other tables, lovely chef came out with apologies and treated us to a round of arrack ..delish.

Absolutely will return next time in the area!“

“I still remember the day my husband and I visited **Elefign Ethiopian Restaurant** with our best friends, who had raved about this place. It turned into one of those special moments that I’ll cherish forever.

From the moment we arrived in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, the welcoming atmosphere set the tone for a fantastic evening. The food was simply delicious—each authentic dish was bursting with flavor, and we loved sharing different plates, savoring every bite together.

What made the experience even more memorable was the outstanding service. The staff was not only professional but genuinely enthusiastic about the menu, helping us navigate our choices with great recommendations. It was clear why Elefign has received accolades like the **Washington 100 Best Restaurants Award** and recognition from Michelin.

If you’re looking for a place that combines amazing food with exceptional service, Elefign is a must-visit. That day with friends will always hold a special place in my heart.

Parking: Adams Morgan18th street Washington DC

Wheelchair accessibility: Very accessible“

“I went to the restaurant Monday night, even for a Monday night the place was packed. My wife and I ordered the special 1 and the special 3. The food was very delicious but the service was even extra ordinary! After our server realized my wife has a hearing problem, she tired to help us order by the few sign language she knows. She told my wife “Going out for dinner experience includes ordering food for yourself so I wanted you to part of it” which made my wife so emotional. By the end of our night we taught her some new sign languages which might help her for other customers. She was so friendly and patient even though the house was so packed. I’m so happy my wife had the experience she did. I didn’t know it met so much to my wife until I saw how happy her face was. I will definitely recommend it for people who have hard of hearing or family member. It will definitely make them happy they are part of the EXPERIENCE rather than sit there while other people order the food for them.“

“We celebrated my son's graduation at Feru bar and restaurant, and it was an unforgettable experience! The atmosphere was perfect for the occasion—vibrant and lively, yet comfortable. The staff went above and beyond, making sure we had everything we needed for our celebration.

The food was delicious. The drink selection was impressive. The owner Feru helped us choose fantastic options for the group.

It was a memorable day and night filled with laughter, good food and music. I highly recommend Feru bar and restaurant for any special occasion!“

“it is amazing food and great service“

“I recently visited Letena while on a visit to D.C. from Israel. Amazing food! Great option for those who keep kosher...just ask the super helpful staff about specific preparations. Loved their injera! I often find injera too sour for my personal tastes, but this injera was wonderful!“

“Family and I had such a lovely breakfast at Gueny's. The service was kind and thorough. After ordering coffee for the table, our server shared with us the cultural importance and ritual for enjoying coffee in community. What a special discovery!“

“Wonderful food in a welcoming environment!“

“I had an amazing experience with Haymi Catering! The service was incredibly fast, and everything was perfectly organized. The food quality was exceptional—each dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Everyone at our event was raving about the food! Overall, it was an outstanding experience, and I highly recommend Haymi Catering for any event. Thank you for making everything so seamless and delicious.“

“This was my first time experiencing Ethiopian food, and I will never forget my first experience with Taff bread. As a southern gentleman, the guest service was a warm relief in the cold urban city scape of DC. I urge everyone reading this to eat Ethiopian and eat here.“

“Their food is so delicious ♥️“

“The food was good and approachable if a little spicy. We loved the short ribs.“

“The best, most authentic Ethiopian food in DC… pour up the homemade tej from the plastic soda bottle & taste the realness 🤤“

“Excellent food. If you choose a menu item based upon ingredients though, do ask the server to make sure the menu is accurate. One ingredient listed in the menu description is the reason why I chose one dish over another, but it arrived at the table without that ingredient. When I asked about it I was told they had not had that for a long time and that the menu was outdated. Despite that though, the food was excellent and the service was very good.“

“They made my special day unforgettable!! Thank you guys for the exceptional catering service! From the presentation to the taste, every detail exceeded our expectations. The variety of dishes offered were not only delicious but beautifully crafted. The staff was professional, attentive, and ensured that all our guests were well taken care of. Overall, a flawless experience that truly elevated our event. Highly recommend!“

“Delicious food and friendly staff! The atmosphere is chill and relaxing.“

“Let’s simply state how uncultured and confused we were coming here (to put it mildly). One of the women who served us swiftly and politely brought us extra injera to demonstrate the proper way to wrap it and eat with it judgement-free. The menu is simple and diverse, and while the cuisine was new to us we found that our taste buds adjusted and enjoyed all of it. The vegetables were fresh and the meat was incredibly tender. The lentil was flavorful and the injera was soft and powerful when added to all of the dishes.

While we were there we came across cameramen and a crew with a mission to document individuals own experience and tastes through their favorite restaurants in dc. It was not bombarding nor was it loud, and the atmosphere remained professional and comfortable. Out of all the restaurants I would come back to in this stretch, Ethiopic Restaurant is a special gem that is first on my list.“

“very relaxing and cozy as a date night.“

“Enjoyed a great dinner at Beteseb Restaurant when we came into town for the funeral of a dear Ethiopian friend. The food was excellent and the owner/chef and her brother (who was our server) were very kind, helpful, and welcoming. I highly highly recommend this place, especially for their kitfo!“

“The best Ethiopian food and fresh food made immediately when you order thanks ghion that make me love it“

“Great food! Walked in & Shewit & Yordanos were very welcoming. They allowed me to substitute the injera bread with rice on one order. They allowed me to choose which meats I have on my Axum Platter rather than forcing me to have the menu options. The food was excellent! Fresh, made to order, tasty. Not too spicy and they gave me extra spicy sauce in containers on the side. They also offered me a complimentary cup of traditionally brewed coffee while waiting for my food. Definitely coming back because it’s refreshing to get that kind of service coupled with food that does not disappointment. Good job, Axum Restaurant.

Vegetarian options: Ethiopians forego meat and dairy during their lent periods. Thus, all the veg options are actually vegan.“

“I stopped in with friends before a event Sunday evening. The staff was warm and welcoming. I had the lentil sambusas and a peanut-infused coffee at the staff’s recommendation. The food was fast and delicious- the sambusas were warm and spicy, and the peanut coffee was delicious! In a kind gesture, the chef sent over a sampling of sushi to our table. Fresh and refreshing, the sushi was a nice complement to my sambusas and hot beverage. I’m not on this side of town often, but now I have a reason to come back.“

“Oh, man! This was the BEST Ethiopian food we’ve ever eaten, and we’ve eaten in a lot of places.

Everything we ordered was great. The special kitfo, the doro wot, the cabbage and carrot tikil gomen, the fish dulet, and the sambusa were all outstanding. The cardamom and clove tea was very good too.

We’ve eaten in Ethiopian restaurants with a Michelin Star — they were nowhere near this good. The prices were lower than nearby restaurants.

Do be careful of tiny bones from the chicken, like in the doro wot.“

“Delicious Ethiopian cuisine with excellent service!!“

“best ever!!“

“I had a fried whole fish here. It was amazing. Friendly and attentive staff. The owner came out and checked on us multiple times. They also have a very healthy vegan platter along with spaghetti options, well flavored and fulfilling. Ambience was also great. Sporty bar vibe with beautiful Ethiopian traditional coffee setup. I’ll definitely go back.“

“Today I ordered doro wot, alecha beef, veggie combo, special kitfo and special tibs. It was delicious! I drove from MD to pick up my order and it was on time and on point. Everyone in the restaurant was very welcoming and nice. I felt I was back home. I don’t know if it was the owner but he was so nice and offered me to help me carry my order to my car. They have a life time customer. First impression matters and I was not disappointed from the food to the customer service. Thank you!!“

“Very nice people, great customer service specially Ibrahim he is very good manager, he take care of his customers, his products are high standard specially their beef is the best, most of the time I buy beef for steak, and barbecue that is great.“

“This place was so delicious! The server was really great! We got the Lalibela Combinations Special with Ethiopian Style Spiced Hot Tea. 10/10 recommend and would definitely eat there again. 🤩😋😇🙌🏼 It felt like we ate in Ethiopia 🇪🇹 because of the atmosphere we were in. 😇“

“Recommended by a friend who we were staying in DC with. Ash, our host, was warm, welcoming, and very attentive. Food was magnificent. Definitely glad we spent some time there, and only regret is they don’t deliver to the UK!“

“Friendly staff and food is very good 👌“

“Had the Awaze Tibes. Very succulent and tasty. Came with a side of corn meal I think it was and lots of Injera bread. Everything cooked to perfection. The owner and cook was very pleasant and accomodating. Hope to be back soon.“

“great food and service nice spot“

“I now want to go to Ethiopia because I was introduced to this magnificent restaurant tonight by a friend i met from Ethiopia. I asked her where she goes to get food from her homeland. She referred me to this wonderful place.. So cool. Everything about this place is so spot on. I would recommend for everyone. Food was superb and so much fun to try new things. Go and check it out You will not disappointed.“

“its a very cozy business that gives you a very intimate and familiar feeling. the food is bomb and served fresh and hot. the service was very good. felt taken care of.

Kid-friendliness: not much alcohol sold here and the restaurant is brightly lit so it’s comfortable for children

Parking: street parking and a parking lot behind the building

Wheelchair accessibility: there are table seats that can be removed and replaced by wheel chairs and there are no stairs

Dietary restrictions: vegan, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian.“

“Today i sat down with the owner and held discussion about successes and challenges...She is such a fascinating woman and entrepreneur. She redesigned the hall, bar are, and ceiling to meet its coziness and attractions...I proved that during my stay in there. I think we should encourage business with stronger women entrepreneurship!! Besides, she is 100% devoted to self cooking, customer service and hospitality to customers. She faces a challenge of overcoming business recovery post covid phases. Its evident!“

“Great experience. Definitely recommend combo platters to test the waters. Excellent service.“

“Really great Ethiopian food. I got the Yawaze ribs and they were so delicious. Perfect level of spice and great injeera bread. My sister used to live in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and this food tasted just as good as the food I remember eating there!“

“Went to celebrate a birthday yesterday. Ordered veggie and chicken sambusas, veggie platter and others ordered a chicken dish. It was amazing! Staff were so friendly and kind. They brought out a happy birthday sign, flowers and played happy birthday on the speakers. Food was outstanding.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free, vegetarian

Kid-friendliness: Had other items on the menu for kids!“

“I was rooming round in DC and saw this restaurant so we decided to go dine in, the very welcoming server made eye contact and showed us our table gave menu, come back to take our order also suggested that I should try sautéed Lamb onions, tomatoes and potato wedges with Engera or freshly backed bread I took the suggestion order Lamb. While waiting for my food I turned to see dine areas the atmosphere was great, the Lamb was cooked Beautifully and the portion was large so I asked to go parcel, definitely I would suggest this restaurant and when I go back DC I would love to visit the restaurant again.“

“For $40 you get a delicious 7-course vegetarian dinner for 2 with croaker and honey wine. The staff makes you feel at home and the owner is a wonderful host. Try it.“