Buna Cafe Philly
Buna Cafe Philly
raw meat on a plate
Donut Monkey bread
a staircase with a potted plant
Donut Monkey bread
the outside of the restaurant
Qoort, butcher fresh filet cuts served raw with spices and salad. Tartare challenge
the interior of a restaurant
outside at night
the interior of a restaurant
Wednesday jam session 7pm to close
Hot coco and a vegan one
Our spice blend for our Shai
Upstairs
Rosemary, Red Grapefruit, Lemonade with Tito's
Bagels and croissants
sushi and sashimi
Lentils, beef, greens
Cinnamon crumb cake Latte
Menu
Vedge Combination Platter, Gold is the Cure, Home Blend Shai
ramen and noodles, interior
Donut assortment
interior
Menu
Morris B.
Jan 3, 2024
What's going on Yelp family and happy New Year to all had to make sure to start off the new year with a review of one of my new favorite places Buna Cafe right in the heart of West Philly. I was meeting a friend nearby who was new to the West Philly eating scene and I love starting people at places like Buna Cafe because of its wide range of Ethiopian Delights as well as the throwback style of its decor to the early 2000s Vibe of cafes in West Philadelphia. it took us a while to order because we were just enjoying all of the art the plant life and all of the little details that I never get tired of when I come here. I wound up ordering some dessert which was quite delicious if I could just remember what the name of it was what I'm really trying to say is of all my times here I've never had anything bad.Besides the food, I just love the environment here and it's such a good place to relax and reset to a good book while enjoying some good food.
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Lindsey O.
Feb 3, 2024
I'd give it 10 stars if I could! Knocked it out of the park in every aspect. First, the cafe is super cute with Ethiopian music playing & lovely decor. It's spacious with two floors of seating and easy take out as well. The service is excellent. Sid is so friendly and wonderful. I was the only person in the restaurant for a brief period in between other guests leaving and coming, and we chatted about Ethiopia's history & travel, as I'm dying to go there. Above all, the food was fantastic. I got the Village Scramble, spiced eggs with veggies in injera. Wow wow wow! Their injera is delicious and the heat level was great (not ridiculously spicy, but a good kick). I also got their Shai Tea, similar to a chai but spiced slightly differently. It was delicious and now I know I can just come for a takeout chai latte here too. Can't wait to come back!
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Mike S.
Nov 20, 2023
Buna Cafe Philly, nestled in the heart of the city, is a true gem for those seeking an authentic Ethiopian dining experience. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by an ambiance filled with traditional Ethiopian artwork and decor, setting the stage for a culinary journey.The meal commences with a standout Ethiopian black espresso, a rich blend enhanced with the unique flavors of rue and cardamom syrup. This bold and flavorful start is sure to awaken your taste buds. Following the espresso are the samosas, a pair of perfectly fried pastries, one stuffed with seasoned chicken and the other with beef. The samosas strike a balance between crispy exteriors and succulently spiced fillings, making them an irresistible appetizer.The centerpiece of the meal, the Beg Tibs, is a masterful representation of Ethiopian cooking. This dish features a stir-fry of tender lamb, which is both aromatic and richly flavored with a blend of Ethiopian spices, including onions, garlic, rosemary, and kibay. It's noteworthy how the lamb retains a savory depth without any gamey aftertaste. The Tibs is served atop injera, a traditional teff-based spongy flatbread. The injera is not just a base for the stir-fry but an integral part of the meal, with its light and airy texture making it perfect for soaking up the rich flavors of the Tibs.Accompanying the main course are scrambled eggs, prepared to a level of simplicity yet perfection, embodying the essence of this breakfast staple.As for beverages, the Ethiopian coffee served is a subtle affair, with just a hint of traditional spices. It provides a gentle contrast to the robust espresso that started the meal, rounding off the dining experience beautifully.Portion sizes at Buna Cafe are generous, which is pleasantly surprising and deeply appreciated. This generosity extends not just to the quantity of the food but also to the richness of flavors and the authenticity of the experience.In conclusion, Buna Cafe Philly is more than just a restaurant; it's a cultural experience that brings the heart of Ethiopia to Philadelphia. With its rich flavors, traditional methods, and welcoming atmosphere, it's a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the depths of Ethiopian cuisine.
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Kendrick G.
Oct 15, 2023
This place is a disgrace to Ethiopian food. Super small portions of food for the high price. Although theDoro Wot was delicous, it was smallest chicken I have ever seen and they gave only two pieces and one boiled egg. The meat combo plate (Siga Wot and Siga Alicha w/ two veggie sides) was very underwhelming. The meat portions were tiny and barely flavorful. The veggies were just ok. We did have an order of chicken and beef samosas. Those were good. Sad that the appetizers at a restaurant tastes much better than the entrees.The customer service needs lots of work as well. Although this place is BYOB, our server wouldn't bring us cups until we ordered food. I guess she did us a favor by providing us with cups of water first. Our server brought our food out and we never saw her again. No other staff member checked on us either to see if we needed anything (and a few of them passed us as they were in and out of the restaurant). I was irritated and we were ready to leave. I went inside to pay the bill since no one came back to our table outside. Like we literally could have gotten up and went to our car and left. That's how ignored we felt. We did notice how the staff were being very attentive to other patrons inside the restaurant (Ethiopian as well and possibly family and/or friends).An Ethiopian guy (seemingly the owner or manager) was behind the counter and I told him I wanted to pay the bill. He had the nerve to ask how was everything. I said it was ok. I paid in cash and didn't leave a tip.That'll be the last time I go to this place as I do not recommend it whatsoever. I'm sure there are better Ethiopian spots in the Philly area.
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Gloria E.
Aug 21, 2022
Just ok! there is better ethiopian food in the city. I got delivery today and added a side of gomen. The combo I got had two types of beef which were alright. Ok tenderness but the flavor was minimal. The lentils and veggies on side were all cooked well but again, not much big flavor. The injera isn't too sour, it's light and fluffy. The lamb dish I got to try was tough, greasy, gamey loin chops. Super overcooked, and the yellow soup it was in was sort of flavorless and thin. Overall, fresh and light veggies but the meat dishes were plain and similarly flavored.
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Thom M.
Jan 16, 2024
This was my first visit to Buna Cafe Philly (in West Philadelphia) but it won't be my last. I've been a huge fan of Ethiopian cuisine since I was a student at Penn in the 1980s, and I've had superb all the way down to simply horrible experiences at dozens of Ethiopian restaurants all over the USA and in several European countries, as well. The food at Buna is fresh, beautifully prepared, and very tasty. Like a few other reviewers have stated, there does seem to be a slight lack of "pop" in the flavor of some dishes here, but in my opinion this is made up for by the freshness and care of preparation of the food. The server I had was extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. And I loved the physical space of the restaurant itself, with its clean, fun, colorful decor, including nice touches of Ethiopian artwork and decoration. I can't wait to go back!
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Samira A.
Dec 23, 2021
Buna Cafe is a nice Ethiopian spot. The atmosphere is calming with beautiful artwork on the walls and lots of plants near the windows. They weren't busy the few times I visited. I think I was the only customer dining, which added to the calming ambiance. Service is quick. I received my food about 10 minutes after I ordered. For my first visit I tried the lentil sambusa as an appetizer. I received two pastries garnished with mint and sauce on the side. It was good. The breading was crunchy and the lentil filing was tasty too. For my main dish I chose the meat combo plate with siga wot, siga alicha, a house salad and two sides, lentils and greens served with injera. The siga wot and siga alicha beef stews both were tasty but it was missing something. The Ethiopian food I've had is usually rich in flavor but the meat was lacking. The side lentils and greens were lightly seasoned, but the natural flavors of the vegetable and legume came through. The injera was delicious spongy and sour. I enjoyed it. My next visit I got the lamb tibs juicy option. It comes with a side salad flavored with a vinaigrette served on injera. The plating was different from other spots I've tried. For one, the lamb tibs are served on the side in a bowl instead of on the injera, which would give the bread time to soak up the flavors from the lamb. Secondly, a small dollop of spice is placed on the injera rather than cooked with the lamb. As you can see from the photo it wasn't a lot sauce for the amount of lamb. I only had enough sauce for two bites. Overall, this is a great place to visit. If I decide to visit again will request additional sauce.
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Kassy O.
Apr 15, 2023
I would give this place 10 stars if I could. We got 2 vegan combo plates and.... all I'm going to say is that we were heaven. We WILL be going back! Parking was also super easy.
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Angie B.
Apr 30, 2022
It's beautiful. It's homey. It's welcoming. It has delicious Ethiopian platters, delicious coffee, neighborhood vibes and friendly service. What's not to love? Come here. Bring wine (or don't) but order good food and coffee. Sit back and relax and feel how good it is to sit outside or in a comfy place with purple velvet couches and service with smiles all around. I definitely recommend this place. The food is delicious and this spot is too. Come here.
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Emily K.
May 16, 2024
Outstanding food with lots of vegan options! We got the veggie combo platter; everything on it was great. We also got the turmeric latte and the chai, both of which were outstanding; the turmeric latte was spicy and gingery, while the chai was more mellow and sweet. It's a very cute ambiance; medium sized and very homey and comfortable.
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