Lemat

Had a great dinner with my wife, we ordered the veggie and meat combo both were really good!!We also ordered cocktails which were also really good. Worth going!!

Solid combo meals, with tasty and fresh eats, but a bit pricey for quantity of food. It's filling, but the most recent go around, portions weren't as robust. At $20, it's a bit steep for small scoops of veggies on the veggie combo. The injera is gluten free and well made, but that's what you're filling up on. The space is large and has ambiance. Service is solid and friendly. Overall, a solid Ethiopian experience with some parking in the front.

It hurts to write this because I honestly love Ethiopian food and was really excited to try a new place. The restaurant has ample seating, table service, a bar, an area with beautiful wood chairs and low table settings, clean and well lit. Lots of pretty baskets on the walls. Light music playing. A friend and I stopped in before a concert. I have tried Ethiopian food at many restaurants and often so I was really looking forward to it. I ordered the Beyaynuto, We requested a meat sampler, Espresso based cocktail and another cocktail, I forgot the name but it was based on one of the more popular seasonings. The espresso based cocktail was amazing, really worth ordering, mine was reminiscent of a savory and sweet margarita. The meal itself though was a little small in portion and sole of the dishes tasty very similar to each other. I know Ethiopian cuisine because I truly is a favorite. Yes a lot flavors tend to be similar but not identical, particularly the meat dishes. They have a beautiful bar, drinks came out quickly but service overall was slow and they rarely checked in. In fact we had to find a person quite a few times. Price point is similar the other Ethiopian cuisine even with the portions being smaller. With the service and flavor lacking I give it a 3. Hoping to revist one day and hopefully give if a better score.

If you're looking to branch into your first try at Ethiopian food, Lemat is the place -- excellent ingredients and helpful staff make this a great place to go for East African cuisine in Berkeley. Cocktail list is extensive and lots of options for vegetarian and meat-based preferences. Our group of four opted for the veggie and meat samplers and we weren't able to finish all the food -- plenty to go around for all. Nothing was too spicy or intensely flavored, though be prepared to eat with your hands (in the traditional Ethiopian style). The waitress was friendly and helped us choose the best samplers for a first time visit. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, though when we arrived it was quite smoky -- as though something in the back had badly burned. It took awhile to clear the smoke and smell from the dining area, but otherwise it was a great visit.

Was in town recently for an industry event and looking for a good meal to share with my team and friends after a busy week. My group walked in shortly after they opened, and we were greeted by the kind host. Once seated we were asked to move, twice? It seemed odd but we accommodated our hosts requests each time. The interior is wood toned with beautiful artworks on the walls and there are several seating areas that were reserved the night of our visit. Food 4.5 stars Service 2 starsMore to the point our server was so unorganized and so slow it became painful to endure, simple requests like hot water for my tea took 20 minutes to get after my tea bag arrived? My friends flax seed juice took half an hour to make it to the table, after three requests for it after ordering? We all ordered drinks almost immmediately and had to ask for them multiple times? When our food did arrive, 2 of our table were sent out then none others coming out at all, literally fifteen minutes between entrees on our table, my one friend was done with his meal before my other friend even got hers? It was obvious our server had no clue what she was doing when it came to serving the table? We were all relaxed and took it with stride until the bill came. That is when I got irritated at the whole situation, realizing she thought her efforts warranted a 20% gratutity without saying a word. Our inept server added a 20% gratutuity without saying anything when presenting the bill ( this was a $50 plus add on) which I did not see, and I'm a generous tipper so I tipped her $50 bucks without looking closely at the bill(a $100+ tip!) taking the bill to almost $400 dollars. Fortunately my tablemates said something and looked at the bill and realized she had already tipped herself? But I has already signed and released it back to her by then. Needless too say now I returned to speak to the owner directly, told him of the poor to terrible service and had my tip refunded, since she took it upon herself to add one? I am so done with assumed tipping culture in businesses. This was a new all time low cheap shot by a server and it really affected the end experience and as such this review reflects the terrible customer service and actual serving of anything in a timely and or professional manner. 2.5 Stars - rounded up to be fair to the kitchen staff but it does not warrant the terrible customer experience my table received. Might come back but then again might not...00937

This review is more about their service and less about their food quality.Being in downtown Berkeley, parking is a little rough. We got lucky that someone was leaving and ended up with princess parking. We had a reservation for a table of four and there was only 2 other tables inside on a Wednesday night. We started off with decaf coffee and a rum punch. It took about 20 minutes to get our drinks and they gave us chamomile tea instead. Very opposite from what we originally ordered. However, we took it as a sign to not have coffee and since tea was cheaper, didn't say much about it. The rum punch was very sweet with no hint of alcohol. If my friend hadn't seen the bartender pour rum in it, I would have been convinced there was none. We finally got a chance to order appetizers and our meal: Samosas (usually comes in 3s but they were nice enough to give us 4 since there were 4 of us), veggie platter, meat combo and beef tibs. The food took an hour to come out but once they finally did, I will say it was DELICIOUS, but I had to question whether it was or if I was just hungry at this point because the food was like warm at best. It only seemed like not much time had passed because I was with great company. So we had the patience to give them benefit of the doubt, maybe they're super short staffed? Maybe it's just one person working in the back like it seemed like there was only one person working in the front?I will say there are other places that give bigger portions and cost a little less, but the food really was amazing despite it being like warm and taking and hour to come out. If you have the time to spare, stop by and give it a try yourself.

Great food.Great service.Great portions with the meats, less so with the legumes, but I don't know why.Highly recommend.No gluten reactions.Please come here and enjoy

It has a nice big open setting. Service was good. The spicy beef tibs (ye siga wat) was excellent and the lentils were delicious. I liked the light dressing on the salad that was included. It was a generous portion with different complex flavors, and the injera was nice texture and flavor. The food was delicious and price reasonable.

Really nice staff, great ambiance, and amazing food. A bit pricey, but the portion size more than makes up for it. Definitely check it out if you get a chance.

As someone with a sensitive stomach, it's rare that I can pig out on takeout without a stomach-ache. Thank you, Lemat, for the delicious veggie platter that I devoured in one sitting (gluten-free and vegan!) that left me feeling nothing but good afterwards!