Queen of Sheba

Queen of Sheba offers an unforgettable Ethiopian dining experience. The decor is absolutely charming--there's a small hut to the side that adds a unique, authentic touch to the atmosphere. The space feels cozy yet elegant, and it perfectly complements the incredible food.We ordered the Queen Sampler 6, and it was so filling and absolutely delicious. The sampler includes six types of the chef's pick, and while I couldn't name them all, each dish was bursting with flavor. The cabbage dish was my favorite--perfectly spiced and tender. Two of the dishes were lentils, one mildly spiced and earthy, and the other had a bolder, slightly smoky kick. The rest included a mix of vegetables and stews, each seasoned beautifully with Ethiopian spices. Every bite was incredible and so satisfying.To start, we also got the appetizer sampler, which was the perfect way to try everything. The sambussa was crispy and stuffed with a flavorful, spiced filling that was perfectly balanced. The buticha was a creamy, tangy chickpea dish that was refreshing and paired wonderfully with the injera. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared and authentic.The boy who took our order was a little rude, but honestly, that's how you know the food is good! The owner, who handled payment, was incredibly sweet and welcoming, making us feel right at home. Her warmth and kindness balanced everything out and added so much to the overall experience.If you're looking for a meal that's both delicious and memorable, Queen of Sheba is a must-visit. From the stunning decor to the phenomenal food and attentive service, everything about this restaurant is a hit. We can't wait to return!

Our party of 8 visited this restaurant yesterday (Sun) at 6pm. I have mixed emotions about this place. The environment looked unkempt. There were lots of beautiful items haphazardly stuck on cheap shelves that could have been arranged in a more inviting way. It was like no one cared to design the interior. The service was strange. It took about 15 minutes to get some of our drinks and that was after an appetizer had already arrived. I say "some" because water did not arrive until we asked for it. The water and soda were in bottle/cans and were an extra charge. The beer was served in bottles with the caps still on and we had to ask for an opener. In fact, excluding the food anytime we needed something we had to ask for it - this includes silverware and napkins! I say it was weird service because our waiter tended to keep a side eye on us in case we asked for something so we didn't have to wave him down. The food was the best part of the experience. We had never tried Ethiopian food before so it was an unusual flavor to us. It would have been great if our waiter described the dishes. We were simply asked if we wanted spice. Some of our recommendations include the honey wine, Ethiopian tomato salad, chicken gomen, and appetizer sampler. We did not care for the injera (a spongy flatbread) but were willing to try it. All in all if you want to try Ethiopian food I suggest that you visit the other restaurant in S Tampa.

Queen of Sheba has been my go-to for years, even back when they were on Henderson Ave. Now? I'm basically family--and I love it. The service is warm and welcoming, and when I call, they already know my order: Lamb Tibs with extra veggies. Every single time, it's flavorful, authentic, and made with love.But for starters, I'd recommend kicking things off with the Doro Wat, a rich, spicy chicken stew that's packed with flavor. The injera is really good, though definitely an acquired taste for some. But if you're here, indulge yourself in the culture--go wash those hands and dig in with the injera as your utensils. It's part of the experience, and trust me, it's worth it.This place is the real deal for Ethiopian food in Tampa. The vibe is cozy, the food is as authentic as it gets, and the team treats you like you're part of their own family. If you haven't been, go--just don't forget to order the Lamb Tib

I absolutely ADORE Seblah and her direct attention to ALL of her guest when you are dinning in her restaurant. Do NOT expect rushed fast food service. Instead sit, relax, enjoy your surroundings and the company you are with THEN enjoy slowly marinated food for the soul. What a treat it is to have the genuine authentic gem of traditional Ethiopian food! A staple of the Tampa community Queen of Sheba is a treasure. Today I took my "Sun" with me and we purchased authentic Ethiopian garb brought back from Seblah's recent trip to her homeland. What a blessing. Thank you as always!

So happy to see this restaurant flourish in temple terrace. My friends and i dined there recently and it's as good as i remember. The portion sizes of the platter was slightly smaller but we still left stuffed. Great service as always. Looking forward to our next visit

Husband and I love Ethiopian food and this place turned out to be pretty good. The doro wot is one of the best we have had so far. The veggie sambussa was good but overpriced at $5 each.Singe Karya (fresh jalapeno stuffed with Ethiopian spices) was okay, we have had better ones before.The Queen's Eight Platter was good, the veggies and lentils were delicious and so were the meat dishes.Service was good, there was only one person managing all the tables and he overall did a good job.

My boss took me here for a late lunch. I love the laid back, family-run vibe; our server, when not helping us, was having tea at a table in the corner with some other people. She was so nice and friendly. I had beef wot and I absolutely gobbled it up. The spices were on point, though maybe just a little more sour than I prefer. Pleasantly piquant. Prices fair. A good experience, I would eat here again.

Every time I've been here I have been amazed on how good the food is. They never disappoint when it comes to taste and they also never disappoint when it comes to service, the owner is so kind and is welcoming of anyone coming to try this delicious food.

I was really looking forward to this all week as I have just moved from Atlanta and there were quite some delicious meals to be had at various Ethiopian restaurants. I was with my foodie group and some had arrived already and were seated. Found out that they weren't even aware of us coming though I had called over a month ago to secure and even called a few days prior.Regardless the place was tucked in a corner of a nondescript area in Temple Terrace. I liked the authenticness inside and it was cozy. Normally I get lamb tibs and ater /Ye Kik Alecha. The group was all in line with getting a Queen's platter with beef, chicken and lamb tibs as well as various veggie combinations. The presentation with the plates was delightful. There was quite a bit of flavor in all the meats and vegetables however the meats were a tad on the dry side.Our server was balancing a full house at this establishment and she did a great job. She was knowledgeable and helpful in explaining. I was bummed there weren't any traditional Ethiopian desserts outside of Baklava.

Stopped at Queen of Sheba with a group after a cruise. The staff and the owner were very welcoming and accommodated our group with smile. Went above and beyond to open ahead of usual time and some extras to make our experience spectacular. Decor is tasteful, great outdoor space. Delicious and authentic food and coffee.Can't wait to be back.