Ethiopian Restaurants in Virginia Beach, VA

“We dined yesterday evening at Mesob Cafe; I was the only member of my family who could not finish my dinner this time—but I tried!

I am very happy that Mesob Cafe is here, although it is something of a project for us to get to. But it is is always a great dining pleasure, and we feel very festive when we are able to go!

Ethiopian coffee is one of the finest coffees in the world, but if you are a coffee lover you already know that. Mesob Cafe will not disappoint you, its coffee served literally steaming hot in a traditional iron pot and a delicate handle-less cup that enables you to sense when it is actually cool enough to drink! The pot contains about three cups of the fine coffee!

Close reading of the menu is advised, as the names of dishes may not be readily familiar to Americans, but the descriptions of each dish are quite precise, and to my taste all I have had so far have been delicious.

The novelty of the traditional dining, consuming your “bread” plate as you consume the dish itself, quickly becomes fun; skill at this I suppose comes later. You certainly focus on the wonderful combinations of flavors that characterize Ethiopian cuisine!

We dine with the knowledge that the Mesob Cafe has become very popular, despite being difficult to find because of its modest sign. The menu often mentions a choice of lamb as the protein in a dish, but as of our fourth visit we have only found very good steak or chicken available—along with a variety of wholly vegetarian dishes. The two excellent cakes, alas, have often been consumed before our arrival—definitely, should you have a piece of either, it will be fresh!

Parking: Directions provided by Google Maps are spot-on and will take you straight to the front door. The restaurant sign is small and a bit difficult to see in the evening. There is, fortunately, an illuminated “OPEN” sign near the entrance.“