Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant is an institution having been in the Seattle area for 30+ years. Now onwards to its second generation in the family, Meskel is now in an area that is dotted by many other Ethiopian restaurants. They remind an OG steward in a building that incidentally looks like a family house with an interior decorated with Ethiopian art. With much competition nearby, Meskel was sadly quiet on the day we went. The proprietor was nonetheless enthusiastic with new customers to her restaurant. Per her recommendation, we ordered their popular items listed at the top of their food menu. Side note: They do not offer a meat combo, unlike many other Ethiopian restaurants.
The Food: Their injera (spongy bread) is impeccable with a potent sourdough taste. Despite having had many injera in the past, theirs stood out in this regard and is incredibly flavorful as is. Unfortunately, if one doesn’t like sourdough bread, this could be problematic. Each entrée includes a full-size piece of injera.
BBQ Special, $28.50 – 4.5 Stars Aromatic berbere-infused steak is slow cooked and paired with peppers and onions. This dish is served in a ceramic warmer with a small piece of charcoal underneath. Hubby said he liked this better than the typical meat combo.
Vegetable Combination, $25 – 4 Stars The photo’s veggie combo included veggies that are served with the BBQ Special, possibly just the salad, not sure. This combo with eight variants is modest compared to other restaurants both in terms of variants and portions of each. I commonly see ten variants in the veggie combo with bigger portions for each. Looking at older posted photos, the original portions are indeed bigger. I’ll chalk it off to inflation. While the flavors of each are good, overall, this combo did not compare as well as others I have had.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Emma Delrose
If you’re too busy to service take out, it’s your responsibility as a business owner to turn off your order portal so a customer doesn’t drive across town for an order that you cancel 2 minutes before the expected fulfillment time.
Service: 1
Mary Pottinger
This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the city. I've been coming for years. Delicious food, nice atmosphere and wonderful service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erin Rush
This place is absolutely incredible. It's a small joint but packed with big love and big flavor. The owner is a jack of all trades -- the chef, cleaner, waitress, hostess and more. You would truly never know it's a one woman show the way she gracefully and calmly carries herself around the joint. When we were there, no table went without water, wine, or food. She handles everything with such poise and peace. On top of that, the food is absolutely delicious. Packed with deep flavor and rich in culture. Would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone going through Seattle. Please take a trip to see her, even if it's out of the way. You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lensa M
Located in a cute residential neighborhood with delicious food, warm ambiance, and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meskel Combination
Zane Bradley
The food is so good, and the staff is very kind :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nila
Very disrespectful and rude. We had to end up leaving the restaurant and going elsewhere to eat.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cecelia Westman
Overall, I love this place. The food is delicious and the owner is lovely. I appreciate how simple and straightforward the menu is. The veggie platter is beautiful and each featured dish has unique flavors. It's hard to pick a favorite because they are all so good. I'm looking forward to the warmer months when I can get the coffee ceremony. ❤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pamela Ronson
Everything was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emeke Oscar Nkadi Jr
This is the best lamb and veggie platter I've ever had in Seattle. The owner is super kind and gracious as well. I highly recommend for locals!
Incredible dining experience. Humble setting, yet the focus is on the food where it should be! The portions are plentiful. Our one shared meal has provided three more servings (5 full adult servings from one order!). The food will take your taste buds on a flavor adventure!! This is the perfect restaurant for a date night, friends' catch-up, celebration, and out of town visitor special night out. Treat yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
P C
The Best Ethiopian Restaurant! Very Friendly, Service Was Amazing & Food Was Excellent!! Come Try for yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nora Kabbani
Seriously such amazing good I highly recommend - please come and find out for yourselves! 10/10!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
M.B. Hughes
Great kitfo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taygen
I had always wanted to try Ethiopian cuisine and this place leaves me wanting more. The owner was very excited to inform us on what to get and how it’s usually eaten. We both ate the veggie combo family style and shared a bottle of honey wine. Plenty of food with varying depths of flavor. The place also felt very laid back and homey. It was money and time well spent.
Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant is an institution having been in the Seattle area for 30+ years. Now onwards to its second generation in the family, Meskel is now in an area that is dotted by many other Ethiopian restaurants. They remind an OG steward in a building that incidentally looks like a family house with an interior decorated with Ethiopian art. With much competition nearby, Meskel was sadly quiet on the day we went. The proprietor was nonetheless enthusiastic with new customers to her restaurant. Per her recommendation, we ordered their popular items listed at the top of their food menu. Side note: They do not offer a meat combo, unlike many other Ethiopian restaurants.
The Food:
Their injera (spongy bread) is impeccable with a potent sourdough taste. Despite having had many injera in the past, theirs stood out in this regard and is incredibly flavorful as is. Unfortunately, if one doesn’t like sourdough bread, this could be problematic. Each entrée includes a full-size piece of injera.
BBQ Special, $28.50 – 4.5 Stars
Aromatic berbere-infused steak is slow cooked and paired with peppers and onions. This dish is served in a ceramic warmer with a small piece of charcoal underneath. Hubby said he liked this better than the typical meat combo.
Vegetable Combination, $25 – 4 Stars
The photo’s veggie combo included veggies that are served with the BBQ Special, possibly just the salad, not sure. This combo with eight variants is modest compared to other restaurants both in terms of variants and portions of each. I commonly see ten variants in the veggie combo with bigger portions for each. Looking at older posted photos, the original portions are indeed bigger. I’ll chalk it off to inflation. While the flavors of each are good, overall, this combo did not compare as well as others I have had.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
If you’re too busy to service take out, it’s your responsibility as a business owner to turn off your order portal so a customer doesn’t drive across town for an order that you cancel 2 minutes before the expected fulfillment time.
Service: 1
This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the city. I've been coming for years. Delicious food, nice atmosphere and wonderful service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is absolutely incredible. It's a small joint but packed with big love and big flavor. The owner is a jack of all trades -- the chef, cleaner, waitress, hostess and more. You would truly never know it's a one woman show the way she gracefully and calmly carries herself around the joint. When we were there, no table went without water, wine, or food. She handles everything with such poise and peace. On top of that, the food is absolutely delicious. Packed with deep flavor and rich in culture. Would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone going through Seattle. Please take a trip to see her, even if it's out of the way. You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Located in a cute residential neighborhood with delicious food, warm ambiance, and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meskel Combination
The food is so good, and the staff is very kind :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very disrespectful and rude. We had to end up leaving the restaurant and going elsewhere to eat.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Overall, I love this place. The food is delicious and the owner is lovely. I appreciate how simple and straightforward the menu is. The veggie platter is beautiful and each featured dish has unique flavors. It's hard to pick a favorite because they are all so good. I'm looking forward to the warmer months when I can get the coffee ceremony. ❤
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best lamb and veggie platter I've ever had in Seattle. The owner is super kind and gracious as well. I highly recommend for locals!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yegeg Tibbs Lamb Tibbs
Restaurantji Recommends
Incredible dining experience. Humble setting, yet the focus is on the food where it should be! The portions are plentiful. Our one shared meal has provided three more servings (5 full adult servings from one order!). The food will take your taste buds on a flavor adventure!! This is the perfect restaurant for a date night, friends' catch-up, celebration, and out of town visitor special night out. Treat yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Best Ethiopian Restaurant!
Very Friendly, Service Was Amazing & Food Was Excellent!! Come Try for yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seriously such amazing good I highly recommend - please come and find out for yourselves! 10/10!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great kitfo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had always wanted to try Ethiopian cuisine and this place leaves me wanting more. The owner was very excited to inform us on what to get and how it’s usually eaten. We both ate the veggie combo family style and shared a bottle of honey wine. Plenty of food with varying depths of flavor. The place also felt very laid back and homey. It was money and time well spent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Combination
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