Dishes to Know Before You Order
A handful of names show up again and again on Seattle menus. Learn them before you sit down and ordering gets much easier, especially when you are sharing with a group.
- Combination platters: Several dishes arranged together on injera, often vegetarian, and made for passing around the table family style.
- Doro wot: A spiced chicken stew that some kitchens serve alongside homemade cheese.
- Tibs: Sautéed cubes of meat, often lamb, cooked down with onions and spices.
- Kitfo: A popular beef dish that regulars often go looking for.
Where to Eat Ethiopian Food in Seattle
Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant
Find Meskel on a quiet residential street in the Central District, where it has been part of the neighborhood for more than three decades. Order the vegetarian combination platter, the doro wot or the lamb tibs from this family-owned kitchen, or go big with a platter built for sharing. Diners often mention the warm welcome from the owner, and plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options make it an easy pick when your group eats in different ways.
Jebena Cafe
Head north to Pinehurst, part of the Lake City area, for Jebena Cafe, a highly regarded Ethiopian restaurant. Ask for the Jebena Combination, the dish most often recommended here. If you live in the north end, it gives you a strong option close to home.
Café Selam
Stop by Café Selam in the Central District, especially at midday, when this well-liked spot comes into its own. It has earned a reputation as a great place for an Ethiopian lunch. Pair it with a meal at Meskel and you will get a real sense of how deep the neighborhood's roots run.
Adulis Restaurant
Adulis brings Ethiopian cooking to Greenwood in north Seattle. Come for the defin miser and the lamb tibs, the dishes it is known for. The calm setting makes it a good choice when you want a quiet lunch.
Massawa Eritrean and Ethiopian Restaurant
In Columbia City in southeast Seattle, Massawa serves both Eritrean and Ethiopian food. It ranks among the area's more highly rated spots for this cuisine. Plan a meal here when you are out exploring the Rainier Valley.
Delish Ethiopian Cuisine
Just south of Columbia City, Delish is a well-regarded Ethiopian kitchen in Hillman City. Its location makes it easy to fold into an afternoon in the neighboring blocks. Diners in southeast Seattle often count it among their go-to spots.
Star Coffee
Drive south of the city limits to Tukwila for Star Coffee, an Ethiopian spot that earns strong marks among local Ethiopian restaurants. It is well worth the trip if you are heading toward the airport or the south end.
Before you go, check each restaurant's own website for current hours, menus and details.
Tips for Planning Your Meal
Ethiopian meals are made for sharing, so bring friends and order a platter or two for the table. Portions can be generous, and going home with leftovers is common.
Vegetarians and vegans tend to eat very well here, since many combination platters lean on vegetable dishes. If you need gluten-free food, ask the restaurant directly about its options and how dishes are prepared.
These restaurants are spread across several parts of town, so plan around where you already are. Use our guide to Seattle neighborhoods to map out your day. Once you have eaten, browse things to do in Seattle for more ideas, or find a nearby green space in our Seattle parks guide.
