Dahlak

This is an "international," restaurant in the old Arco's spot that's mostly Eritrean food, which is basically the same food as Ethiopian.The Arco's sign is still up, and when you enter, it looks exactly the same as the old Arco's and there's a very local white guy, Bob, the bartender, who greets you. (Bob, and the rest of the crew are fantastic, btw.) I was initially confused if I was in the right place. And, since it's exactly like Arco's, there's a back patio as well as ample indoor seating. The menu is also a bit disorienting since it covers everything from bagels to linguini to kitfo and tibs. We stuck to the Eritrean side of the menu, and were delighted with our food. For three people, we had the veggie platter, which had beets, so good they tasted like candy; the excellent lamb tibs, and the kitfo that Daniel, the Mexican manager/cook steered us away from ordering raw as we had done in Ethiopian restaurants. At around 7:30 on a Friday evening, we were the only ones eating, although there was a group of Eritrean young men on the patio and a few women at the bar. We talked with Solomon, the owner, about his country. We talked with Daniel about Mexico City. We talked with Bob about East Baltimore. Patsy Cline was playing on the jukebox in the bar. It was all a wonderful, very urban mishmash. Highly recommended for both the food and the atmosphere!

I've only had the Ethiopian/Eritrean food here, but it's been great. Super reasonably priced, excellent portion size, and delicious. The staff is very friendly and attentive.I've ordered the vegetarian platter a number of times (all sizes), and it's pretty standard Ethiopian fare, lentils, chickpeas, yellow peas etc., but they make it well and plentiful. My boyfriend has tried the lamb tibs (the awaze and the regular I think) and he loved the regular tibs. They have ample seating and a nice patio in the back, but I haven't seen that many people in there yet. I would definitely recommend Dahlak and I hope more people enjoy it so I can continue to have this food in my neighborhood!

They do NOT serve Ethiopian food anymore! They now have a haphazard Mexican menu that they just changed three days ago. It's more just a dive bar that happens to have food. Food I was not interested in eating.

We went to check out this new restaurant in our neighborhood, and I wanted to like it a lot, I did. However, the restaurant still has some problems to work out. First, the ambiance could use some updating. The interior of the old building is pretty but I would like to see more Eritrean decorations, and maybe some candles on the tables. It was dark and not that inviting. Second, they gave us complimentary chips and salsa while we waited, but the chips were stale, too salty, and greasy. Stick to Eritrean specialties. When our food came out it was lukewarm, including the meat. We sent it back and it they did cheerfully warm it up. The lamb tibs and vegetable platter served on injera was tasty, well seasoned, but just passable, not great. I hope Dahlak can step it up a bit in the coming months so it can be successful.

Really yummy! Great vegetarian and gluten free options. It is great to get the Ethiopian veggie platters with friends. Highly recommend!

Today came to try this place and it is no longer Ethiopian! Instead it is now a sketch Mexican Bar that had a couple people at the bar and no one eating. Just FYI.

They are no longer serving Eritrean-Ethiopian food - very disappointing! and food now is very mediocore. Staff were friendly but spoke limited English.