Ethiopian House in Toronto

4 Irwin Ave, Toronto, ON M4Y 1K9, Canada

★★★★☆
(1171 reviews)
Categories: Ethiopian restaurant

About

Colourful spot for Ethiopian dishes & share platters eaten by hand, plus a coffee roasting ceremony.

Website
ethiopianhouse.com
Address
4 Irwin Ave, Toronto, ON M4Y 1K9, Canada
Plus Code
MJ87+MP Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Sunday
12–10 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12–10 PM
Wednesday
12–10 PM
Thursday
12–11 PM
Friday
12–11 PM
Saturday
12–11 PM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Coffee Healthy options Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Paid street parking

Photos

Reviews

4.4
★★★★☆
1171 reviews

Most Mentioned

hands (39) coffee ceremony (30) feel (21) filling (20) patio (11) tip (9) roasting (9) popcorn (6) scam (5) inflation (5)
5 stars
808
4 stars
219
3 stars
59
2 stars
31
1 stars
54
★★★★
December 11, 2024

Second time trying Ethiopian restaurant and this is a lovely place to try the cuisine. Very attentive and friendly staff - although I didn't know what I was eating at times (tried the meat and veg plate)...it was very delicious. Would definitely go back there again!

★★★★★
November 5, 2024

Very nice place to try this type of food. Great service, it was our first time and everything was explained to us. Lovely decoration, and the food is so tasty.

★★★★★
October 16, 2024

I tried an Ethiopian restaurant for the first time, and it really surprised me! I ordered their famous vegetarian bayaaynatu after reading some reviews, and it was super tasty. It was also my first time eating with my hands, which was a cool and different experience. We finished off with their coffee, which comes with popcorn on the side. The coffee was a bit pricey, but the whole thing was worth it because the host brought out smoke, and the whole experience felt really unique.

★★★★
August 20, 2024

Decent Ethiopian food that has been around fur baby years. The owner is from Ethiopia 🇪🇹 and is really nice. Only tried the lunch special which was pretty good

★★★★★
August 17, 2024

Interesting restaurant. Seems to be a house converted into a restaurant. Veggie platter was filling and injera was great quality. A great recommendation for those seeking a cozy experience.

★★★★★
July 15, 2024

Delicious and authentic Ethiopian food. Good service too. Lots of decorations in the restaurant. Centrally located. Will definitely be back here for my Ethiopian fix. Very tasty shiro.

★★★★
May 7, 2024

Great place for authentic Ethiopian food. The ambience is a delight and the food a sheer treat. The mild taste keeps you wanting to continue eating. The injera bread, a kind of fermented softly rolled crepe is so smooth and spongy that it literally melts in your mouth. The only down side is that they do not offer any cutlery, which could be an incumbent to a few who do not quite enjoy using their fingers. However, the immersive experience is worth a try , and I did appreciate their determination to maintain authenticity. Great place with wonderful decor. Must try!!!!!

★★★★
February 11, 2024

Good food. Everything had good flavour and freshness. The ambience is also really nice in terms of cultural decoration. Doro Wat (Chicken Gravy) was delicious. Be ready to eat with your hands and sharing one big plate. One drawback is I everything is overpriced. The dish above is a mix of 2 combos and a Doro Wat (chicken gravy) and the bill came up to $75. And the owner tried to force us to order another dish.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 15, 2024

Still Torontos best Ethiopian restaurant with beautiful flavours in all the watt and grilled dishes. Filling portions, friendly staff, and a warm atmosphere. Its been a go-to of mine for decades.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 14, 2024

Excellent place, friendly service, delicious food! My friend brought me this place and I appreciate that! We had vegetarian food and it will be my new addiction. If you re looking for a new good habit, come try this place. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 14, 2024

Excellent spot, food is very tasty - just geta mix of food, I didnt know what most of it was but it was all really good

★★★★★
December 14, 2024

Awesome experience! If you want to try something new, give this place a chance. Mohammed is really kind and the food is amazing!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 7, 2024

Authentic Ethiopian food is intended to be eaten with injera which is laborious to make. If you are gluten free this is obviously a poor choice. I also recommend avoiding sushi restaurants if you are allergic to fish. Food : 5/5

★★★★★
December 7, 2024

Vegetarian options: very vegetarian friendly and extremely delicious Food

★★★★★
November 30, 2024

Amazing food, great atmosphere and friendly staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 30, 2024

Great food, owner really took the time. Great place for vegetarian food!

November 21, 2024

Can you imagine burlap-colored flatbread with a variety of refried beans? Can you imagine smelling the hot smell of African countries as soon as you enter a restaurant? Can you imagine that the waiter only tells you how much you want to eat, but doesnt recommend it? He looks arrogant and doesnt tell you how much you ordered? Can you imagine the feeling of spending money on a steak, filling your stomach, but not feeling satisfied at all? Dont waste your money on this restaurant, look elsewhere

★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Brought a large group of friends to eat here and we were seated on their second floor. 30 minutes went by and no server came to check on us so I had to go downstairs and flag someone down. Ive usually had great experiences with Ethiopian food, but in this case, it was pretty subpar. Took almost 45 minutes for our food to be served and the injera was COLD. We asked them if they could bring us warm injera, and they just brought us more frigid slabs of bread. This spot is a hard pass for me.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Very friendly staff, delicious and authentic experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

First time trying Ethiopian food and it was really good! We went as a large group and ordered a lot and it was very filling. I never had Ethiopian food before so I don t have anything to compare it to but it was tasty to me!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Simply amazing

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Delicious, filling and very veggie friendly, we has the platter with all the veggie things and it was a ten out of ten

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Congenial owner Mohammed brings you delicious mounds of vegetables on thin, spongy injera bread. (We always order the vegetarian bayaaynatu.) You tear pieces to pick up food with your hands; the rest of the injera will sop up all the juices, yum! The dish is flavourful and filling, and a bargain to boot. We live in the neighborhood and go regularly. Highly recommended. Vegetarian options: All 5 appetizers and 9 of the main dishes are vegetarian and delicious!

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Amazing place for insanely delicious food! Everything is fresh and tasty and the coffee ceremony was lovely just like the coffee itself!

October 21, 2024

WORST DINING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!! TINY SERVING SIZE ... AND WOW, THIS WAITRESS NEEDS TO BE FIRED!!! Our young snappy waitress on the Saturday night that we went was simply the worst server we have ever experienced! 1) She was abrupt and rude when we made the reservation over the phone. 2) She asked us to move the tables and chairs for ourselves. 3) She insisted we order quickly as she was busy. 4) We just wanted 1 spoon for the table as we were running out of bread to pick up the meat/veggies and she replied If I give you one, I would need to give every table one. Yes, that actually happened! 5) We ordered the coffee ceremony but she refused to do it. Of course, she still charged it on the bill initially. The whole evening, she treated all the customers around us as if she is overwhelmed and doesnt want to be bothered. We were not the only table that was upset. As for the food, it was tasty enough though the serving size is on the small side. Eg, the Doro Wat literally had one chicken drumstick and one hard boiled egg. The rest of that dish was just gravy. We usually go to Lucy Ethiopian Kitchen on the Danforth and the serving size is about 1.5 time larger there. A piece of beef here is the size of your finger nail whereas at Lucy, its the size of your pinky. The service at Lucy is also tremendous and friendly. The restaurant is very tiny so the tables are very close together and it can get noisy. I will NEVER go to Ethiopian House again. Its JUST BAD!

Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Blah! Just horrible! Dont bother. - the waitress is extremely rude, frustrated and abrupt. It was tempting not to tip. - except for the injera bread, the serving size is tiny. - the tables are crammed together so it gets noisy and uncomfortable - the coffee ceremony at other Ethiopian restaurants are well, like a ceremony. Not here, the waitress thinks you are bothering her if you want this. - plenty of fantastic, warm, welcoming Ethiopian restaurants downtown or east of downtown. I suggest those instead.

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Best Ethiopian food that I ever had. 100% recommended

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Love this place! Its a little hidden gem in Toronto!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Always be one of my fave comfort food

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

You want the best Ethiopian food, this is the place, bar none. Theres no place better.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Great food, nice staff, cozy

★★
September 21, 2024

Ethiopian food for non Ethiopians. In another world. Far from being authentic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Best Ethiopian place in town!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

The best Ethiopian restaurant in Toronto! We have been going to this place for years and the food is consistently amazing. The coffee is a must have after a meal here. Cherry is the top is the patio is dog friendly! Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options available.

★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

The food was fine, the coffee ceremony well, those coffee beans were roasted to BLACK color. And then they had a burnt taste (naturally, eh?). But after a complaint, the owner said that coffee was excellent attention, sir. everything needs attention, even if it s your place for decades

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Nice location, great service and good food . Totally worth the visit.

★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Food is average, prices are sky high, service is non-existent, no attention to customers, for 50 bucks you will get a lot of buckwheat wraps and 150g of meat, been there twice and tried to love it, but this is just an overpriced, mediocre dining experience with nothing to come back for.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

we got the meat and veggie sampler platters! everything was absolutely delicious, and the portions were generous. looking forward to going back!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Unique restaurant with great food and atmosphere. Came here for a dinner with friends, the staff accommodated our group of 6 at a table upstairs despite usually needing a reservation for groups over 5. I had the vege beef (left side in the photo) and I thought the flavour was excellent and the dishes were fun to mix and eat with the injera. I tried my friends kitfo but I preferred the seasoning for the vege beef. There were also several vegetarian options. Ethiopian coffee had a unique spiced flavour and was very high quality coffee. Definitely worth a visit to try Ethiopian food.

★★
August 21, 2024

We liked the food but the lady was really unfriendly. We don t recommend it

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Very good restaurant! Weve been very well welcomed and advised. I would definitely recommend!

★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Food was great. This place needs AC or a ceiling fan.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

The veggie platter is so good!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

The service and food were amazing. I talked to the owner and hes been open for 29 years. When you plan to go, plan to share a dish or two and eat with your hands. They provide wet napkins to prepare hands before and after. We got the tib - with beef, jalapenos, and onions - and the 7 veggie platter For sure look at the menu before hand to get an idea and I would for sure go again.

★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Great food and homely ambiance. Flavours are good and staff are kind.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

First time ethiopian injera, I loved everything. Clean, delicious meal and good customer service.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

You will not find a better place to eat if you are into this type of food my girlfriend is a vegan and leaves happy every time

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Nice introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. Liked the injera. Recommend the lunch combos.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

I had been in the past and didn t love the food but I was blown away this time. Worth every penny and I will be back.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Vegetarian options: The vegetarian platter is amazing! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Still great! Vegetarian options: Ethiopian food has many veg options, its a big focus in the cuisine. Vegetarian plate with Injeera is a fav. Cant confirm if dairy or butter are being used. Parking: Usually paid street parking is available despite the location.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Ive been coming here for over a decade. Terrific food, terrific service... Only thing I would change is to bring back the green hot sauce/salsa!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Authentic Ethiopian restaurant Very good selection Great host Reasonably priced Recommend Has been in business for 30 years 1995

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

had the bayaaynatu and veggie equivalent. Do you see our plates??? WE CLEARED THEM. Amazing food, such a warm and kind host and the most cozy location. Delicious dinner I am so stuffed

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

We go to Toronto every other year - roughly. Ethiopian House is already on the list. The food is great, he is friendly(it seems that we always get the owner) and it is always a wonderful night out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Wonderful food, it was different, and very very good. They have very good vegetarian options. Personal is very nice, kind and helpful. I will definitely go again. Vegetarian options: Good vegetarian options, very tasty.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

A very special dining experience. All food comes on top of the bread/pita (as the base), and no utensils provided. We have waited for almost an hour. The food is tasty. Especially those all kinds of sauces and cooked greens. They do have coffee ceremony but unfortunately we weren t able to try it. A nice spot to try Ethiopian food!

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Delicious food, amazing host and beautiful ambience. My family and I had such a wonderful culinary experience. Highly recommend this place Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Absolutely love this place owners are kind people and the food is great!

May 21, 2024

Very rude waitress- served cold food and didnt warm it even when requested. Horrible service, was forcing to place 3 orders minimum for 3 people. Ive had ethiopian food elsewhere and this place is horrible. Injera was too soggy and felt old- they dont make it here too. Save yourself and dont go here- Trust the 1 star ratings, the other ratings are fake- i fell for it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Took my partner here for a birthday lunch and had a great first experience! Food was delicious with excellent customer service. 10/10!

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Delicious food and great service! Lots of vegetarian options too. Would definitely recommend ending your meal with the traditional coffee ceremony. We will be back!

★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Decent veg Ethiopian food. Vegetarian options: They have lots of vegan dishes including a combo platter with all their vegan dishes, like in most Ethiopian restaurants. Food : 4/5 |

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

A little bit pricey but well worth it, i always leave by being rolled out. Fantastic food, and people.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

I had been hearing about the Ethiopian House for more than a year. Finally got the chance to try it out and absolutely loved it!! I got their vegetarian thali and it has these little little soul food balls that just satisfied my soul! They serve these little balls of gravy, lentils and veggie with neer dosa (Indian name, not Ethiopian, I don t remember the Ethiopian name for it - so sorry!), which are delicious. The whole ambience is just wow! So cultural, colourful, vibrant and transports you to Ethiopia! Easy on pocket, great space, supremely spic and span washrooms, service is amazing and one must try their coffee - there s a whole ritual to serving coffee that is a must-do!!!! Definitely going back!

April 21, 2024

All the 1 star review say the same thing. Rest all reviews are paid. Worst experience ever, the lady was so rude that we wondered if they really want us to dine there or not and the restaurant was completely empty. And they forced us to order minimum one plate for each adult on the table which is ridiculous. She was mad about we being the only customer and she couldnt close her place earlier than their posted hours. Bottom line: Dont go.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

A little expensive but food is really good. The owner was helpful in helping us decide what to order. The beef, chicken and veg dishes were all delicious.

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Had an absolutely fantastic experience here with my partner a few weeks ago. Came for lunch, enjoyed every food item on our plate, but we were especially blown away by the coffee service. Probably the best coffee I ve ever had in my entire life. No lie! Excellent service, great food, amazing coffee. Cannot reccomend this place enough.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Its tiny so maybe call ahead for a table. But the food was amazing. He even took the time to ask if we wanted to make videos as he took the lid off which was nice of him.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Wonderful food and experience. A delightful family sharing meal with bold and pleasing flavors. Comparing this to other Ethiopian foods Ive tried I felt this was much more to my tastes and truly felt like a authentic stunning experience.

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Really made my day, food to your soul.

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Had a good experience here, the service and food was good. Ethiopian House tries to be very authentic in terms of the food and culture.

★★
April 21, 2024

This is one of the more pretentious Ethiopian place. Food quality is kind of low, but the most important thing is the hygiene situation. All the water glasses are so dirty that you can see a oily layer in the inner surface. Two of my friends got diarrhea after having lunch there. We decided that we will never go back to this place again. I should have be warned when seeing kitsch decoration all over the place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Great restaurant: food is great and friendly service. A real neighborhood place.

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Phenomenal flavors and classic dishes, this is a true gem. The dining areas are discreet and comfortable, and the service very friendly and attentive. Wonderful injera!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

My husband and I have been coming here for over 15 years. Mohammad and his sister are the best

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

The only and best Ethiopian dining place I ve been to located in the heart of downtown Toronto so you can get here easily using public transport. The setting is intimate, warm and vibrant with colourful art hanging off brightly painted walls. The staff is super friendly and helpful. I ve tried the veggie platter every time I ve gone and it s a fun/delicious experience to share with friends. You get to try a couple of different sauces and stews on wonderful Injera bread. They have a good tea and immersive coffee ceremony that I ve only ever watched from the sidelines but hope to get myself one day.

April 21, 2024

Beware the menu online does not indicate prices. This is why: Our surprising experience was that this restaurant is very expensive. Granted we had 9 adults in the party but the meal was just 3 platters, 4 bottles of wine, 1 coffee ceremony for $720. Decent food but not for the high end price tag. Coffee alone was 60$.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Ethiopian food is so often fantastic, and this is no different. Noteworthy that this is a bit more expensive than other Ethiopian places in Toronto without being better, and like other reviews mention, the seating area is a bit cramped (get a reservation or get there early) Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Super good food, cute location and nice staff! Get one of the platters and try a bit of everything!

★★
March 21, 2024

Food was alright but the service was really not good. We had to wait outside the restaurant in the cold before they finally seated the 3 of us on a 2 people s table. The waitress did not take the time to take our order properly and brought the bill before we even requested it. I am surprised with all the positive feedback.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Massively underrated cuisine! Ive heard wonderful things about Ethiopian House, but theyve truly surpassed all my expectations! I ordered a vegetarian platter, and each dish was prepared and served with genuine warmth. The ambiance exudes comfort and warmth, making it a truly inviting dining experience. The owners themselves are exceptionally hospitable! Ill certainly be coming back for more! Ameseginalehu. Vegetarian options: Theres a vegetarian platter that comes with 8 different samplings of dishes

★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

The food was sub par and the prices were too high. I have been to 6 Ethiopian restaurants over the last few years and this one falls last on my list. It is a bit disappointing given how big of a city Toronto is.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

It pains me to have to downgrade a review like this honestly the food was excellent (my first experience with this style of eating) and the service was relaxed, engaging, and prompt. I know that a small independent resto in an converted Old Toronto townhouse is going to be, shall we say, cramped. But there it is it affected my enjoyment because there s very little room to maneuver (and I m not a large person) and the ambient noise was LOUD. Note that the entrance to this place is not wheelchair accessible, and the restrooms are on the second floor. Yes, converted house, etc etc, but just be advised. Having said all that I WILL be going back to Ethiopian House because I loved the food that much! Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options available. Wheelchair accessibility: Not accessible.

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Great deal for the food, served by the owner himself. He ran a very lean and tight ship and passed the savings to customers. Definitely recommend the TIBS

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Great Ethiopian Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

One of my favorite Ethiopian food place in town. Owner is cool.. go there and have all veggie plate, wont be disappointed. Vegetarian options: Have all the veggies and lentils in a single plate. Its delicious

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Delicious food and wonderful service! Ive never had Ethiopian cuisine before and the flavours were so unique and tasty! Id recommend the coffee ceremony, even if you re not a coffee drinker. The coffee was light and fragrant and the perfect end to our meal!

★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

They offer a nice Coffee service. The food was very flavorful. They have a lot of vegetarian options that are very flavorful. Would suggest extra order injera.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Loved this restaurant. Had never had Ethiopian food before and this was a great introduction to the cuisine. I went with two Ethiopian friends who said the food was pretty well made and accurately represented Ethiopian cuisine. We showed up with a large group and they were super accommodating and nice. The interior of the restaurant is also decorated really well and makes for a good atmosphere. Definitely worth a try.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

It was my first time to try Ethiopian food. Food was very delicious and owner was very hospitable

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

It is one of the very last authentic tiny historical Toronto restaurants that you would enjoy a tasty and traditional good food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

We had a great time here, excellent food and lovely atmosphere. Will be coming back

Local Guide
February 21, 2024

The food was tasty, but the portion sizes are incredibly small for the price. Our server brought us our bill before we asked for it, signalling that it was time for us to leave when we had just finished our food. My friend was definitely overcharged via the machine, as the cost entered didn t match what was indicated on their menu, and our receipts with the subtotals were conveniently taken away before we could review. When we wanted to clarify the price, we were given short/hurried responses, and eventually the transaction expired on the machine. When we told the server it expired, she said it s okay and just entered exactly $26, which was not the original total, picture of the receipt attached. They seemed stressed that they had people waiting (isn t that a good thing??) and hurried us out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

The food is different from what Im used to eating, very exotic and spicy. But the dishes and presentation are very interesting. What we order, we eat with our hands. The decoration of the environment is beautiful.

★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

We got the vegetarian and meat lunch special. Portions were really small. Some samplers tasted slightly undersalted. Overall, I think the vegetarian was better than the meat lunch. Another thing that threw me off was injera being served cold. I have been to many Ethiopian restaurants and only had it served either warm or room temperature.

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

Highly recommend!

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

We re visiting from Miami Florida and I cannot express how amazing the experience was the service, atmosphere, drinks, and food were phenomenal! Cannot thank Mohammad enough for such an incredible experience!

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

A landmark in our city. Great authentic Ethiopian food with very reasonable prices for downtown. One of the oldest spots in the cuisine. Don t forget to order the coffee ceremony

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Great option for vegetarians or vegans!

★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Vegetarian options: Lots of options including collard greens, lentils and chickpea stews Food

★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Beautiful interior, great food. I had the tibs and they were delicious. My friend misir wot and he said it was also delicious. Great portion sizes. Lovely service

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

First time eating Ethiopian food and it was very tasy! Eating food with your hands is part is part of the experience. I was unused with it in the beginning, but after a while, I loved it! We ate the saturday special and the veg tasting option. I totally recommend it

December 21, 2023

STAY AWAY! Worst dining experience in Toronto so far. The waitress was awfully rude! She was very irritated with us and behaved aggressively like she really wished we were not there at all. She nearly pushed us every time she was squeezing by our table. The food was nice, but we couldn t really enjoy it in such toxic atmosphere. It was also way overpriced. The coffee ceremony: the waitress shoved a pan with fried coffee beans in our faces, said nothing, left, brought the coffee while we were still eating, poured two tiny cups and took the pot away - so much for the ceremony. We paid $143 + 10% tips (the very first time we actually contemplated not tipping at all) for two cups of coffee, 2 cups of tea (nothing fancy, usual tea bags), and a plate you can see on the attached picture. My husband was not even shown the actual bill, he was just given the machine and instructed to pay the amount. I m pretty sure we were overcharged.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Love this Ethiopian restaurant as they serve one of the best vegan platters in all of Toronto. Been there umpteen times and always enjoyed the food. The service is polite and friendly. Recommended dishes

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Tried Ethiopian food for the first time and Food was amazing. You have to order at least one dish per person as the portion sizes are small. Worth visiting..

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Mohammed is always an excellent host providing great and unique food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Excellent Ethiopian food! Love the vibe inside too.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Consistently great quality food. The portion sizes have gone down a touch but the flavour remains authentic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Came here on a date, a bit early before the dinner rush. The owner was immediately friendly and welcoming. The inside atmosphere was nicely decorated and quiet, being slightly off of the main road. We got the Bayaaynatu and, by the owners recommendation, the Vegetarian Bayaaynatu. It was a huge mix of different items all laid out on a large injera (like a soft, spongy pancake?). The amount of food turned out to be much more filling than it seemed at first glance. The mix of flavours and spices were all amazing. The owners recommendation was definitely the right choice, so if youre wondering what to try, thats the answer. The price was also incredibly modest and inexpensive compared to the quality and quantity. Ill definitely come back here next time Im in Toronto. Vegetarian options: The vegetarian options were surprisingly varied. We generally prefer meaty foods so we were a bit reluctant to try the vegetarian dishes, but the wonderful flavours certainly put those worries to rest.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The people are so sweet and the food is absolutely amazing! Super yum each time

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

One of our favourite restaurants in Toronto! The food is consistently delicious, especially the meat and veg lunch specials!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great food and ambiance. Staff was low when we visited.

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Wonderful experience! Never had Ethiopian food before and its a great food to have with friends since you eat with your hands from a shared plate. The owner was also the sweetest guy ever and let us take our time, even brought over the coffee beans halfway through roasting them, to show us how its done and for us to get a sense of the smell!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Excellent food and service. Will definitely be back

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great food and staff

★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I was very excited to try this place since I ve never had ethiopian food before and it was an experience. We loved the flavours but we all didn t feel good the next following days after eating here. Mind you we all washed our hands before eating our meals. Just to warn you on that. Giving this 2 stars because the food was still tasty. Also, some dishes aren t worth the price. Example, I got the Gored-Gored and came with a depressing amount of meat on top of a massive Injera, I paid over $20 for this. If you ever decide to eat here, I recommend getting the number 12 for meat or veggies as they come with different things on top which is what people typically want. Seating: Very intimate space. There were 5 of us and they didn t have a table to accommodate that number and had to add a chair awkwardly to the side of the table, blocking some space. FYI if you have more than 5 people then you have to make a reso according to the staff. Overall, okay experience but wouldn t come back here.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

My most regular and favourite spot in Toronto. Same server and chef are the only employees they are always so friendly and make an effort to connect with customers. Quality of food and homey atmosphere are always consistent. Great price for how much amazing food you get. Would give more than 5 stars if I could!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Weve been going here for years. The food is fantastic and the owners are some of the nicest salt-of-the-earth folks we have ever had the privilege of meeting. Weve locked in to and settled on their Tibs and Kitfo, such a treat. Great meat and vegetarian options here. Highly recommended to say the least!

December 21, 2023

Very bad experience, As we were two people gone for food there and we ordered one dish which was 19 dollars plus tax , so as we finished having our dish , and went to bill it they charged double the price and in explanation they said that you were two people eating from one so we charge double for the dish , so the food quantity remains the same but you will be charged for two dishes , we payed 50 dollars for a dish worth 23 dollars , so better be carefull before entering lol Vegetarian options: Very bad

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

7.5/10 Ethiopian food is highly underrated - if you like flavourful food, this spot is very satisfactory. Although the food tasted well (we got the vege and meat combo), the portion sizes were much too small, especially for the price youre paying. We were told each meal was sufficient for one person but that was clearly not the case. We had to stuff ourselves with the injera (albeit very good) in order to feel full. Atmosphere was cute and small and service was sufficient. If this place wasnt too stingy on its portion sizes, I would highly recommend it. In any case, its still worth trying out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Cozy, intimate. And hospitality is second to none... speaking as a guy who only got takeout! Come here. Make yourself at home. Enjoy the homestyle cooking of a fantastic house. Oh, and get the coffee ceremony if you eat-in. Its a big deal here.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Small restaurant, good food, service is good, however coffee ceremony is $35 which is truly over the top. Extra Ijera (bread like pancake) is $1 more however the server never mentioned the extra charge. The restaurant can use a make over, appears to be a little run down. Good experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great place ! My only complaint is they dont have MINCHET ABISH Rest 10/10 Food : 5/5

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The food is delicious and it is a well run restaurant! The atmosphere and art work on the wall are beautiful, highly recommended as a date night place!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

My first time ethiopian food and i love it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Finding an Ethiopian restaurant in Toronto was quite challenging, but I eventually discovered this hidden gem. The coffee was a delightful surprise, offering a full sensory experience that wasnt too overpowering. The food was also delicious, although I would advise those who dont enjoy heavily spiced dishes to approach with caution. Before placing your order, its advisable to inquire about the combos as our bill ended up being higher than anticipated. All in all, it was a worthwhile experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Tbh can t remember what we ordered, perhaps it was the Bayaaynatu, but we enjoyed every bite of the platter. Fantastic flavour, don t under estimate the Injera cause it can be quite filling after some time. The owner was very friendly! We wanted to try the coffee at the end but ended up being too full :( will definitely try it next time!

Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Food is delicious the server is very rude. The portions are so little this plate is actually 3 food we ordered worth 60+

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

This place is the best

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

We have been fans of Ethiopian food since the first time we tried it. We were in town for pride parade and stumbled upon this cozy nook. I think it s family owned and operated. There s only one person who manages the service, and it tends to get real busy. It s a smaller setting with traditional interiors. All tables were full and service was a bit slower than we expected. The food was homely, healthy and delicious. We had the all-veg combo and the weekend special chicken Doro-Wat. The spice level and preparation was great. Ordered some extra Injera. They also have some lunch options from 12- 3pm which are cheaper and all-inclusive.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Beautiful interior, lovely service

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The best Shiro in town

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Lovely place for dinner. Delicious food, very friendly and pleasant atmosphere.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great food . Will go there again

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

One of the best Ethiopian in Toronto. Love it. Vegetarian options: Amazing vegan plate for two. Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Amazing vegan platter, fast and friendly service We ll be back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Ive been to this place like 5 times and every time I love it more. The food is tasty, the service incredible and the place makes you feel like youre in Ethiopia. Best Ethiopian place in Toronto!!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Great Ethiopian food that really hits the spot. And great service too.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Delicious!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Still the BEST Ethiopian Food experience in the City... love the flavours. Always get the veggie options to pair - you wont be disappointed. Vegetarian options: Great filling meal for a vegetarian option... love it! Kid-friendliness: Great cultural experience for your kids - and they can eat with their hands lol

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Adorable and wonderful service for a great price! Coffee with popcorn was the absolute best end of the meal treat :) Vegetarian options: The vegetarian meal was so yummy and greatly priced!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Love coming to this place. The owner is super nice and friendly, and the food is always delicious.

December 21, 2023

The owner (Mohammad) has resorted to cheating loyal patrons. Over our last several visits we received our order with several of the items missing compared to the written menu. Upon pointing it out, we heard excuses such as the menu has changed but not updated yet and even I just forgot to add that dish and brought the said item later on! I understand that updating menus can take time, but the customers can at least be verbally informed about the change. Very disappointed with the recent attitude we have seen over our last few visits and have finally and unfortunately decided to not visit this restaurant again!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Great atmosphere and appealing menu.

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Delicious food, good service, and great atmosphere. The music was great too !

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Traditional ambience, very nice manager and extremely high quality, delicious food at an affordable price. For 4 people with a $20 tip $116 Vegetarian options: Large selection

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Tasty Food. Love it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great ethiopian food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great food and amazing service. The vegetarian platter is filling and tasty.

December 21, 2023

If there was less than one star I would have rated it. The worst Ethiopian restaurant I ve ever been. I am Ethiopian myself and I know my food. I could say this place is a scam. How could you possibly charge people that much money for the portion you are serving? Unbelievably greedy and poor customer service. I would just say, if you are hungry don t think about going. This is my honest opinion.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

So delicious, amazing place!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

First time trying ethiopian food, interesting food, meat is flavourful, served on a fluffy flatbread, eat with hands. The decor is beautiful, and the gentelman working there is really friendly.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Mohamed is incredible.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Delicious Ethiopian food at reasonable prices and lovely staff. This restaurant is a lean operation - service is friendly and reasonably quick, but if youre looking to be in and out on a deadline make sure to let them know in advance or just opt for takeout. Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. The vegetarian baayanatu lunch special is my go-to order. Dietary restrictions: The restaurant does not have halal meat options, but does offer vegetarian dishes.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

One of the best places for Ethiopian food in TO! Staff are friendly and knowledgeable to recommend you with their specialties. Beat to eat it with your hand and dont be afraid to order more injera!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I love this place!! Ive been coming here for about 16 years. The food is exquisite and the service is superb. Mohammad is awesome as always. I love their vegetarian platter.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The reviews I got before trying this place were better than the food I ate. Loved the ambience though. Food : 3/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

If youre looking for a cozy Ethiopian restaurant right downtown with good vibes, great food, and warm friendly staff then look no further. Definitely reserve a table ahead of time as the space is small. Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options available here. Parking: This is off of a fairly packed side street, there is parking around but itll be tough to find most days. Kid-friendliness: No child seats available, but my table brought a 9 month old baby and we were accommodated and treated well. (Also he loved the easy to eat food!) Wheelchair accessibility: This is a very small restaurant with steep steps. I dont think its optimal for folks with accessibility needs.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

A good place to discover ethiopian meal. A really pleasant place to be

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Table for 2; We each ordered a glass of the house wine (1-red & 1-white) and were pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was. We shared the vegetarian #9 and devoured it! This was our first time having Ethiopian food and we loved it! Delicious home style food that warmed us from toe to soul! Highly recommend for a great date night! Vegetarian options: Excellent vegetarian menu with variety options

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great experience. Loved sharing food with friends. It was delicious, light, fast, and I love the cozy vibes.