PHLGuide
The Best Ethiopian Restaurants In Philly
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
When you’re in need of something flavorful and shareable that arrives at your table faster than the ride from Fernrock to AT&T on the BSL, Ethiopian food is always a win. Philadelphia has several places that sell kitfo and awaze tibs on a mattress of spongy injera, so we’ve made a list of the best. Whether you want to hand-feed your date some spiced red lentils, sit near mesob baskets while vacuuming up a plate of stewed chicken solo, or are looking for an affordable group dinner, we’ve got you covered.
The Spots
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
We’re pretty much going steady with Doro Bet on Baltimore Avenue. The Sami Dan music they play has infiltrated our dreams, the bright wall covered in African art is now our lock screen, and we’re thinking of proposing to the chefs after eating a plate of doro wot. This Ethiopian spot serves pillowy mac and cheese, smothered wings, and teff flour fried chicken. It’s a great option for a quick lunch or casual weeknight meal when we’re craving peppery stewed chicken that falls off the bone.
Kaffa Crossing in University City is small, but it doesn’t stop people from gathering to watch the African Cup or having a beer with their spicy shiro wot during a quick lunch. Our favorite here is the vegetarian combination, packed with stewed yellow split peas, spiced split lentils, tender and finely chopped collard greens, string beans, and carrots. And since they offer breakfast, you can start your day here with crushed fava beans and jalapeno-spiced eggs and end it with a drink and buttery chicken that you’ll want to eat like popcorn.
photo credit: Ayannah Kamryn
Almaz Cafe in Rittenhouse Square is one of those casual places where you can sit on the sidewalk on a nice day, have Ethiopian coffee, and people watch as your day passes by. Or, sit inside and listen to Alemayehu Eshete by a map of the country and split a combination platter with a few friends. Almost everything on the menu is under $20 and is available for takeout, too. So on a nice day or when you’ve had enough of people complaining about Center City construction, you can take your beautifully creamy split pea soup, soft injera, and tender cubes of barber sauce-covered beef with you for a solo lunch in the park.
Sure, you can head to West Philly’s Buna Cafe for a tomato-heavy doro wot or flaky sambusa for lunch and dinner (and you should). But where Buna really shines is at Saturday and Sunday brunch—which includes a larger menu than the regular one. The BYOB goes all out with Ethiopian coffee made in a jabena, traditional stovetop popcorn, and you can choose from dishes like the peppery and smoky injera-spiced scrambled eggs, vegetable combo, and crispy whole fish over rice. They have some seats outside, so it's a great spot to bring a bottle, the people you like, and some shades.
Abyssinia on 45th Street in University City serves consistently good Ethiopian platters. Their stewed lentils, oniony sautéed greens, spicy beef tibs, and warm injera on their own are great, but when you want a big spread, go for the Abyssinia Special 1 combination platter. It costs around $20, it's large enough for two people, and we think about the peppery berbere kick late into the night (luckily they’re open until 2am).
Gojjo on Baltimore Avenue in West Philly has cheesesteaks, Ethiopian food, and a 2am closing time. This means you’ll find tipsy people around the bar trying to order their third round of drinks and tibs late into the night. The music can get a little too cranked up, but that’s what we expect from a place that stays open through prime infomercial hours. You may even be tempted to join the makeshift dance floor after a bite of the berbere-spiced cheesesteak or lamb stew big enough for three.
photo credit: Salam Cafe
Germantown has exactly one Ethiopian restaurant. But after one trip to Salam Cafe, you’ll know it’s the only option you need. The shop and market has warm and friendly service, lots of tables, and is relaxing enough that by the end of the meal, you’ll know everyone’s name inside. Choose from a few Ethiopian stews (our favorite is the spicy stew chicken), baked salmon, tender vegetables, and a dangerously addictive loose leaf tea on your first (or 25th) visit.
This Fairmount Ethiopian restaurant is a good option when you’d like to eat more than your stomach can handle without spending more than $20. The u-shaped bar, sparse decor, and strangers inhaling beers make you think that you’re in a dive, but the peppery steak, curried cabbage, and stewed lentils are unforgettable. The menu is sectioned into beef, vegetarian, lamb, chicken, and combinations (and are all big enough for three or more). But we’ll save you some time—order the tender doro wot and a beer or three for dessert.
photo credit: Kerry McIntyre
Dahlak in West Philly is a casual Ethiopian restaurant that feels like someone’s living room—one that just happens to have a bar in the corner. Order some affordable, delicious food like beef tibs and berbere stew that's brought out on huge platters atop injera bread. Along with a full bar that gets pretty crowded on most nights, the restaurant also has a ton of events where everyone who shows up already seems to be friends. There are concerts, poetry readings, and a weekly karaoke night that ends when the last person finally lets go of the microphone—which is usually pretty late.
