Zembaba 3 Somali, Ethiopian Food Restaurant. in Fort McMurray

105 Morrison St #9914, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4A4, Canada

★★★★★
(149 reviews)
Categories: Restaurant
Address
105 Morrison St #9914, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4A4, Canada
Plus Code
PJH8+MF Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Time Zone
America/Edmonton

Business Hours

Sunday
8 AM–10 PM
Monday
8 AM–10 PM
Tuesday
8 AM–10 PM
Wednesday
8 AM–10 PM
Thursday
8 AM–10 PM
Friday
8 AM–10 PM
Saturday
8 AM–10 PM

Services

Service options
Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee Halal food Healthy options Small plates
Dining options
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Dessert
Amenities
Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.8
★★★★★
149 reviews

Most Mentioned

soup (9) spices (8) somali food (6) bbq chicken (5) lamb (4) african food (3) bottle of water (3) portion size (3) suqaar (2) hallway (2)
5 stars
130
4 stars
9
3 stars
5
2 stars
2
1 stars
3
★★★★★
December 18, 2024

Their meal is so so nice....Great customer service and great atmosphere.i love it,will definitely visit again

★★★★★
October 20, 2024

When I was born, my parents had just finished building a house in a new community down in Calgary. They became close friends with some neighbours than became more like my aunt and uncle than my aunts and uncles ever had. They could not have children so they adopted. Their second child was born in Ethiopia. Since learning where their daughter would be coming from, they started learning about Ethiopia and the community in Calgary. They introduced my parents as well since they would be in this little girl’s life. The four of them fell in love with the food. Unfortunately, I have a severe dairy allergy and the restaurant they would go to would cater to the western culture with lots of cheese and dairy. So my parents never felt comfortable taking me because of the high likelihood of cross contamination. The restaurant closed down and the new place they found was about the same for dairy and cross contamination. Since then, my aunt, uncle and cousins moved to BC and I moved to Fort Mac for an internship. I was living with my grandparents for a while, but ended up deciding I needed my own place. This is my first place. So my parents came up to help me out a little. My mom flew up on a Thursday and my dad drove up a friday evening. While I was at work on Friday, my mom went looking for stuff to do and looked for food since my fridge was empty. She happened to see this place on google and went to check it out. She loved it and was curious about their menu in terms of dairy and their procedures in terms of cross contamination. She was very excited that it would be a safe place for me to watch and finally experience something she loved and that connected me more to my cousin. My mom, my dad and I went for lunch and I can’t believe how much I have been missing out on for the past 13 years since my family was introduced to it. It was amazing and the atmosphere works so well with my anxiety and adhd. Everything is so relaxed yet so lively. It is small enough for there not to be a million people with a lot of noise, but big enough to have so much friendly interactions and a beautiful setting. I am so blessed to have been introduced. I just now have to work up the nerve to go alone. I will be back for sure. So good!

★★★★★
October 2, 2024

My meal was delicious with just the right seasonings and was ready quickly. The staff were helpful in helping me to decide what to order and were very friendly. I did have some trouble finding the place; it is inside the Morrison Centre, behind the Medicine Shoppe, past the stairs and then along the hallway to the left. I'm very glad I found it!

★★★★★
September 23, 2024

Travelled to Fort Mac with a team from work. Forget Earls and Mr. Mikes. Grab a beer from Drum Brewery then walk around the corner to Zenbaba. AWESOME food. Wonderful service. Seriously. Stop eating bad chain restaurant food. We will be back next time we are in town!

★★★★★
June 28, 2024

Great little hole in the wall restaurant! Was staying nearby for work and wanted something that wasn’t just typical road fare and this place was amazing. Owner was very nice and personal, food was reasonably priced. Next time in Fort McMurray I’ll definitely be back, and checking out their other location in Edmonton!

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Literal hole in the wall place; hidden in the back of the strip mall, down a hallway. Don't worry about finding it though, you can smell it the second you walk in! Came in around 6PM, asked for takeout. Owner told me it would be a few minutes but offered soup and some pastries while I waited. Expected 10-15m wait like the reviews indicated, but order was out in 5m, max. Ended up deciding to eat in, owner came out (a few times) to check on me and ask how the food was, if I wanted any drinks, etc. What a gem, Fort Mac. Will definitely be back next time I'm through.

★★★★★
May 3, 2024

I had food multiple times from here because it was close to my hotel accommodations. The 2nd reason was it was a halal Restaurant. Third reason was the food was good. I had tried goat suqaar, beef and chicken suqaar, Lamb Shank, Beef steak, Chicken Bar B Que, Liver Suqaar in Breakfast, etc. if you opt to dine in then they will serve you soup and mango juice as complementary dish. They are super friendly. I couldn't reach to Breakfast and asked them to keep the breakfast dish in freezer and I will pickup in morning ( this dish was not in lunch or dinner menu), instead of freezer, they offered to cook me a fresh dish in the dinner time on the agreed following day. The Malawah bread was slightly sweet and tasty. Other than the main dish, you can opt for side dishes like amongst the rice, or pasta or breads ( Malawah, Angera, etc)

★★★★★
January 21, 2020

Great flavors are completely different from the usual fare. I'm glad we chose this restaurant for Valentine's day. Spices are unique and the BBQ chicken is difficult to replicate at home. Don't forget to try their home made hot sauce! PS. a bottle of water and banana is included in the price!

★★★★★
December 16, 2024

Hey Everyone!! Were open!! Thank You! Food : 5/5

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

The chicken wrap made with chapati is so good that it s better than Chipotle

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

I m writing a review literally as I eat this delicious food so that no one misses out . So good, very kind people, large portion (two meals for me), really flavourful.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Great place for vegans, too. I ordered njera and the vegetarian plater, it was delicious

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Best restaurant in Fort Mc

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

Very good customer service. Thier food was very delicious and seasoned. I will definitely be revisiting in the near future.

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

They have the best ethiopian and somali food and their portion size is amazing

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Best somali cuisine in the town

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Zambaba it s amazing place to eat food it s so delicious lost of food soo good thanks for our community restaurant. Parking: Any parking stall

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Food here is absolutely delicious. Service is great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Very relaxed and friendly place to spend an hour or two eating excellent food, Friendly staff with good knowledge of the food they are serving. SPICY but you can ask for milder if the heat is not to youre taste. As a walk or dine in customer you are given a free appetizer of a warm spicy vegetable broth. The Broth alone was worth the visit. We both had chicken and rice meal, one with chicken breast the other with chicken legs. Bothe where fantastic. As a chef myself Im giving Zembaba . Service excellent Food excellent Cost excellent for the portion size. Location is a little difficult to find as it is at the rear of the building. To sum up, if you like east indian food you will love this place. this is my favorite restaurant in Fort McMurray.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

First time trying Somalian food amazing! This may be my new favorite restaurant in fort McMurray!

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Huge portions, delicious flavours, lovely hosts...it was already one of Mums favourite, now mine too...and my 11 year old loves it. The only thing is that the restaurant is small, so avoid busy times. I dont know if they take advance bookings, so call them first, or have take out or delivery.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Food was amazing. Ordered the fufu and chicken barbecue. Soup was included in the price. Reasonable cost. Will return again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Great variety, taste, service, and value for your money. Very friendly staff and minimal wait times.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

This is first time I personally make comments on my own family restaurant guys keep the real work I know you do the best its funny how come you did not loving it when it comes family one love all of you been real true African and Canadian i know we care our costumers and they are great people shout out our beloved customers one love every single one of them

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious. First time trying this type of food. Really friendly staff and really great food Would go again.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great portion sizes and well priced. However, 2/4 visits, the food was COLD right from the kitchen. Mostly rice and Onion /raisin garnish.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Vegetarian options: Let eat more and often

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

This food is really good flavor full and the employees are very nice.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Absolutely delicious, fresh, and flavourful food, great value for how much food you get, and very friendly people.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Nice food on reasonable price. A bit hard to locate the place though since its inside the very far end of the building.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Great food and very welcoming staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very good food, friendly people. We really enjoyed our evening out.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

AMAZING FOOD & SERVICE! The owner is so kind & thoughtful! I work at Syncrude & always make the drive down when I get tired of camp food! The food is always hot & fresh! The rice & beef Suqaar with sabayet is my usual order. They also open early at 8am so I go for breakfast which is amazing! 5 stars! BEST SOMALI FOOD IN THE MAC!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Their basbas is too good wallahi

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great little hidden gem! Wonderful owners. Small focused menu, shouldnt be overlooked, will be back next time Im in town

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious food and great service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Vegetarian options: If you dont mind waiting 10 to 15 minutes, just call head to order!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Amazing

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The food is good but the price is a bit high. As all main dishes are minimum $ 22. Would be more suited if some main dishes were $15 and $20.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious! Great food Generous portions. Highly recommended

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Incredible food served by wonderful people, absolutely a must visit

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The food is really good. Service isn t important when food is good. They have a following and for really good reason. Very welcoming atmosphere for all!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This restaurant is like a capsule of Africa has been transported straight to Canada. I even had a gentleman offer to share his meal with me as I was leaving, he had just received his meal and since I was chatting with the owner he had not been there to see I had already eaten. I had to politely decline sadly, and they also have free tea and soup. If I could give this restaurant 6 or 7 stars out of 5 I would. Sorry for no pictures of the food, it smelled, looked and tasted so good I was already halfway through my main course before I realized I hadnt even taken a picture, plus people hold conversations across the restaurant itself, just like back home. (I was born in Saskatoon but I always kick myself for not learning an African language from my parents because I love to connect with my African brothers and sisters) Parking: Lots and lots of parking available. Kid-friendliness: When I visited there was a kid with their dad and they looked like they were both enjoying the food when I noticed them.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Exceptional Authentic High Quality Somali or East Africa Food

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Great people, great food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Good Food and Great Service

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great food with lovely staff. I just keep coming back. The chicken legs with rice a must try! Ohh yeah, it comes with a bottle water and banana. Good portions! Fair prices!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Amazing food from this restaurant and will definitely visit again when I come through the town. The lady running it was super nice, gave us a choice of available food, and brought it nice and warm to enjoy.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

the food is exceptional, very tasty and well

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Nice tasty food. Very welcoming owner & staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Huge portions. My meal was easily enough for two, but the best parts are inside, the soup had a surprising and pleasant heat, and the tea was a spice blend that was naturally sweet.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Very good restaurant in town and the food is very tasty and the price is reasonable for a good place to go for lunch and dinner also breakfast

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Amazing food. Amazing people. Thank you Abdullah.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great food great people great deals.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The food was excellent. Some of the best chicken I have eaten, moist and great spices. Nice family run business with good service. Will definitely eat here again next time I am in town.

★★
December 22, 2022

Usually I love dining here. Last night I physically went into the restaurant, wanted to order the vegetarian Ethiopian platter (I usually order) the lady working wasn t sure why the heck we wanted a menu to order take out. Until I man came and told us it was okay and that we could order anything awkwardly standing there, I asked her for the menu she didn t even want to give us!!! At that point I just wanted to leave but love Ethiopian cuisine. So we ordered it from skip the dishes!!!! Lol I ordered the vegetarian platter which usually comes with collard greens WHICH IS MY FAVOURITE WOT. And after ordering everything I did was around $60. Unimpressed, don t know if I ll continue ordering if they re not going to serve collard greens among each wot WITH THE VEGETARIAN PLATTER. I was so disappointed.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Delicious and Quality food, very respectful team members, the food was almost enough for 2 with lot of meat in it, I will honestly recommend it.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Good food lovely stuff very generous give you soup for free as you want, cake for free , fruits for free , bottle of water for free , tea with cinnamon for free as you want and very good prices and quality as home made.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Ive had the lamb, and the king fish. Absolutely delicious! Cant wait to eat here again!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Great somali food

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Simply amazing.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Love the BBQ chicken

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Best service from a restaurant I have experience in Canada ! Extremely friendly owners, 5 star service. Top that off with delicious, fresh, handmade food done right with passion from the heart. Prices are very reasonable owner even refused to take a tip. Absolutely fantastic service will be back for sure !!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Zembaba restaurant is the best You deserve more than five stars.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food tastes great, super affordable for for mac which is crazy, and the guy serving us was amazing. (Told them couldnt out spice us haha, but they had a good try!)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Cant vouch for authenticity but the food is very good and portions are large. Cant seem to ever catch the right timing on the Mandaasis though.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Food is delicious I liked it. Will recommend to my friends and family

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

excellent food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Really delicious homemade food and friendly staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

The food was great, people are friendly and the place is clean. I recommend this place!

Local Guide
December 22, 2021

I have ordered food from this place, and the food was not freshly cooked (put in freezer from the previous day, and warmed up in microwave). Please ensure that your customers receive fresh food. As it is not free. Thank you

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Inconsistent

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Tasty food with descent service.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

The only thing that makes me angry is that they keep running out off the meat i like, but other then that an amazing restaurant.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

I went to zembaba because I am trying to study Somali, Amharic, and Tigrinya. (Languages of somalia and Ethiopia) I went to learn and experience the food languages and culture. I was loved the moment I walked in the door. And when they found out I am studying their language, the owner told me I am welcome to come any day and hangout and practice. GREAT HOSPITALITY MUCH LOVE MASHAHLLA

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Great food with authentic flavors. Like nothing Ive had before. The goat was as I knew it to be growing up. The spices are perfect! A+++

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

We love their chicken so much! Thanks for always serving them fresh and hot!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Amazing food and great service. Came by here yesterday and Dean was amazing. The bbq chicken is to die for. Sambosa, burr, and chibati are a must try!!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Tasty dishes, lovely staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The girl who talks to english speaking customers is very friendly and welcoming. That said its a bit awkward walking in as a non somalian because everyone else in the place, customers and staff alike speak somali. That said the food is delicious, order the chicken KK with ranch and prepare not to eat for the next 36 hours because you are going to be full.

★★★★
December 22, 2020

Friendly beautiful people.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Loved the food made fresh with love ..

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

hello

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Great East African food , street Food and Great Staffs, Management and Service, Back home feeling

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Really good, big portions, tried the beef and chicken cube dishes, first time trying Ethiopian/Somalian food, nice flavours and I would order again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

The best African food I had in Canada!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Great food, great price.

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

Great delicious meals

★★★★★
December 22, 2020

What can I say that hasn t been said about Zembaba 3.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2020

Really good food, excellent service reasonable prices. Hands down, this is the best place to eat in Fort McMurray.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Best east African cuisine restaurant and good customer service, good job guys the way you care your customers.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Delicious rice, amazing spices. They have the best samosas, i prefer these over many others i have tried.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Delicious Somali dishes. It is definetly recommended to check this restaurent out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

My friend and I came here for the first time tonight. Dean made some great suggestions for what to try, and we have no regrets for trusting him. We started with a cup of soup (on the house), my friend got the lamb shank and I tried the chicken legs. When we finished, Dean brought us a cup of tea and some snacks to try. Everything was delicious, the service was exceptional and we will be back for sure. Thanks for the great experience Dean!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Great service! Delicious food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Three of us just shared a fantastic meal here. Went not knowing what to expect not what to order. There were several beef and chicken platters and at least one goat, one lamb, and one fish option. Rice and several varieties of Ethiopian breads were available as sides. The server suggested he could bring us a platter with different things to try so we went with that. He then brought us soup and they also included a salad and bananas in addition to the platter which had PLENTY of food. I dont usually worry to much about the decor but I really enjoyed the pictures and paintings here. When we were done, our son paid, and it was only $30! We thought it was a mistake. But the server said the platter was two meals (the platters are each $15). Heck, on top of the soups, bananas and salad, we each had a bottled water too... maybe we should go back and check whether the water was supposed to be included. Oh yeah, it was all delicious. Meat, rice and bread, all very flavourful but not at all spicy.

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

YUM! SO YUMMY! the soup is simple but delicious. and the chicken steaks with pasta and rice was amazing! Its a simple restaurant but the food makes it awesome!

★★★★★
December 22, 2019

Nice

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2019

Very very friendly staff. Gave us lots of free food to try and take home with our order. Bbq chicken was amazing. Great hidden treasure !