Ethiopian Restaurants near Baileys Crossroads, VA

“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!“

“perfect customer survice and you can get everything in one place 👍.“

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

“Excellent vegetarian platter to share! The injera was quite good, and additional was brought to the table. Cocktails also very good. Only 3 stars for service d/t wait for server to take our order, but may have been understaffed. Very attractive restaurant“

“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!“

“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 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!“

“my favor restaurant in the area best Ethiopian food and great custmer Service!!!“

“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+“

“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!“

“Delicious Ethiopian food and wonderful service. We stopped for lunch because of the location and great reviews and it lived up to the hype. Will definitely be back!

Vegetarian options: We got the 5 veggie dishes to share and everything was delicious.“

“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“

“Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine and Exceptional Hospitality at Elsa Ethiopian Kitchen

I recently visited Elsa Ethiopian Kitchen on Connecticut Ave NW, and it was an outstanding experience! The food is truly authentic and delicious, made with fresh ingredients that you can taste in every bite. I had the pleasure of meeting both Elsa and Ben, who were incredibly nice and accommodating, making me feel right at home.

Elsa even offered me some Ethiopian coffee, which was my first time trying it. I usually prefer my coffee with a lot of cream, but I drank this one black—it was perfectly balanced and delicious! Being the first person to dine in that day, I had the chance to sample all the vegetarian options and tried all the meat dishes as well. Every single one was fantastic, but the lamb was my absolute favorite—tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.

Ben shared some wonderful stories about their journey, mentioning that customers often come from the local area and nearby hotels. He also told me about their previous location and their recognition in a Washington Post article, which reflects the high ratings that brought me here in the first place. It was also fun chatting with Ben about his and Elsa’s background working at Bell South, which brought back memories of my own time at Verizon (formerly C&P).

Elsa Ethiopian Kitchen is more than just a restaurant—it's a warm, welcoming place with exceptional food and great people. If you're looking for an authentic Ethiopian dining experience with a personal touch, I highly recommend giving this gem a try. You won’t be disappointed!“

“Their food is so delicious ♥️“

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

“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 best food ever I go eat there everyday!!“

“I recently visited Haymi BBQ & International Grocery after coming from Canada, and it was the first Ethiopian store I came across in the area. I was blown away by the variety of authentic Ethiopian products like spices, coffee, and fresh injera—everything I had been missing. The customer service was outstanding; the staff made me feel so welcome and were incredibly helpful in guiding me through their selection. The BBQ was delicious, and you could really taste the care in the preparation. Overall, this place exceeded my expectations and gave me a little taste of home and beyond. A+“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“The food is always delicious, with best services, I highly recommend it if you’re in the DMV area.“

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

“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.“

“Fantastic experience from the time I walked in and greeted with a warm smile by not one but all the servers. Which follows Ethiopian tradition. The food has been consistently great since I have been alive. It always tastes delicious and authentic. I personally would like to thank Meaza herself for coming to check in and asking about me, the experience and the food. I responded with “Betam Betam Arif megeb” which translates to exceptional food in English! Will 1000% be coming often to enjoy the best Ethiopian food in the USA!“

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

“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.“

“I’m so glad I tried this place! The food is the best Ethiopian food I’ve had. I had the vegetarian platter and it was so tasty with the right level of spice. The service was superb. The waitress was so sweet to my son while we waited for our food. The atmosphere is nice, clean, and comfortable. I will definitely come again!

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian combo platter“

“best ever!!“

“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!“

“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!!“

“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.“

“great food and service nice spot“

“The food was your average Ethiopian food. They were able to quickly and easily seat a large group. The owner was super nice and was very hospitable. The food came out quickly and was as expected for Ethiopian food. The group liked the chicken and beef dishes best.The bathroom was kinda old and the establishment was a little run down.“

“Friendly staff and food is very good 👌“

“Delicious Ethiopian cuisine with excellent service!!“

“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.“

“Delicious Sushi and other great sandwiches like the Kitfo sandwich! Awesome teas and coffees as well as desserts!“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Thank you for the delicious food, the wonderful hospitality and for your kindness.The servers were very polite, checked us out every 10 or so minutes and were professional in every manner!I'd definitely recommend the place to have a nice dinner and drinks.“