Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant

Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant isn't just a place to eat. It's a time machine, transporting you from the bustling streets of Washington D.C. to the heart of Ethiopia. Like all great meals, it's a love letter to a culture, a journey on a plate. Having lived in Africa for two transformative years, it's the food that stands out most in my memories. Each bite at Lucy's is a trip back in time and space.In a land of drive-throughs and fast fixes, Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant dares to be different. Here, you don't just eat--you indulge. The injera, the heart and soul of Ethiopian cuisine, is as it should be: tangy, airy, and just the right sponge for the robust flavors of doro wat and kitfo. For the uninitiated, it's a revelation. For the seasoned traveler and eater like myself, it's a soulful reminder of days spent in the markets of Addis Ababa, the scents of spices wafting through the air.This is the place that stands out among all the Ethiopian restaurants I've visited in the United States. Lucy's doesn't just serve food; it serves stories. Each dish is a testament to the vibrant tapestry of Ethiopian culture.Whenever I'm in D.C., you'll find me here, savoring each bite, transported back to a place I hold dear. Lucy's Ethiopian Restaurant isn't just about dining--it's about experiencing a culture, one unforgettable dish at a time.

Since the last time I reviewed (in 2013), the ownership appears to have changed. The social atmosphere is not what it once was. It is more formal now.. Some patrons prefer that. The food is still great! Please enjoy this experience.

Food in Lucy is 100% fabulous! I had my very first Ethiopian food experience of my life this early spring in Lucy. I must say Ethiopian food is a taste sensation! They are incredibly tasty! Ethiopian food is on my second love food list, even if I am not a fan of the sour sponge bread. If the owner read my comment here: can you please clean your restaurant windows? And renew the shop sign a bit?

Everything was top tier delicious! The customer service and atmosphere were amazing. I highly recommend trying this spot!

From inattentive staff to terrible food this place is a hard pass. - The lentil sambusa arrived frozen in the center. - The main dishes took a long time to come out from the kitchen. - The spinach in the veggie combo had a very fishy taste. - our check at the end of the night was incorrect and took over 20 min to fix.There are plenty other Ethiopian cuisine options nearby that are so much better. Better to pass on this!

Went here with my cousin on 11/19/33 around 9:30pm. Most of the customer base was Ethiopian. Ive never had Ethiopian. The decor was the appealing nor welcoming. Your welcome to seat wherever you like. When I walked in I was smacked by the incense being burnt. Our server came over and went over the menu options but it was kind of hard to hear her over eh music. I ordered rum and coke. My cousin ordered bottle water. We ordered the vegan combination for the table. Rum and coke strong ad fudge. Now that vegan combination was so good. The beets were flavorful. Who would have ever thought beets would be that's good. The curry was good too but the lentil mixtures were by far my favorites. Definitely a intimate spot and I would highly recommend this spot. They could work on the customer service. Wasn't terrible but could use some improvement.Prior to departure they started to play live music. Date night friendly. I will definitely visit again. My total bill was 47.51. Affordable eating.

Food was okay, they ran out of doro wat which we really wanted to try. We asked them to explain the dishes as it was our first time, and it felt very rushed and did not really explain it well. Service was slow.

I have also been here with my mother back in 2015 after I moved in and found the food less impressive compared to other places. I ended up coming back here with my father and wife for lunch before he left town after our wedding in late March as we walked into here rather than Langano next door which is one of our favorites. The food seemed better than several years ago however I now eat meat in non kosher restaurants and stuck to vegetarian or fish options before. I remember sharing the Yebeg Girgiro and something else with my wife and perhaps something else with my father as well. I also had a cranberry juice to drink. It is still not quite worthy of a five star review like several other places in the Downtown Silver Spring but still a good place overall. Personally I'll likely go to the other places as there is a big selection of Ethiopian restaurants in DTSS including a few I have yet to try.

Food is so delicious wonderful service and vibes and it smells so good inside the restaurant

I've only been to this establishment 3 times. My first 2 experiences were wonderful. The 1st experience the waitress recommended a dish which I enjoyed and the 2nd I had their deep fried tilapia which was pretty bad. My 3rd experience however was disappointing especially since I usually stop in after a long day at work. Stopped in & ordered the b. shiro and sambusa. The order came out & it was jst shiro which is basically their chickpeas warmed up in a hot pot and Enjera. I waved the waitress down and explained my order was incorrect and was missing the beef and spice to the chickpeas ( I'm dealing w/ a cold so I really needed the kick from the spices). She mentioned she can add beef but it'll jst be 4 sm. pieces lol and when it returned it literally was lol 4 sm. flavorless pieces that were barely visible. Appeared to me they jst found some beef in the back, threw it in a pan, dropped it in the flavorless chickpeas and brought it out. I've never written a review b/f but needed to b/c it's important for them to be aware and course correct. Yes, my 24.36 & 10% may not seem like a big deal to them but for someone who is jst getting back into the workforce again it is. Plus based on this experience I'll jst take my business elsewhere going forward and try the many other Ethiopian restaurants that's in silver springs and the surrounding area.