Ethio Cafe

Questionable.I ordered pick-up from here through GrubHub. They confirmed, I showed up, and they acted like they had no idea what I was talking about. They didn't offer to help, to make my order right there, or anything - they just wanted me to go away. Seems like they were hoping to make money off of orders they didn't actually plan to make!

Don't be fooled by the outside. The inside is clean and the food is outstanding. We had tibs and the veggie platter and it was served quickly for Ethiopian food. The shiro was very tasty and had that creamy texture. The tibs were bursting with flavor, with tender, well-marinated meat. Service was also very polite. This is a real gem.

The new location is between the former location and the Subway: it is spacious, airy and has lots of natural sunlight.I continue to enjoy the personal service, food and drinks (coffee, ginger tea, etc.).

Don't be put off by Ethio Cafe's unassuming exterior and its location (nestled between a Subway and a Title Loans). The cooks at this hole-in-the-wall know what they're doing. This little gem on the Pike really is a hole in the wall. The small seating area, which has no more than 6 tables (if I'm not mistaken), makes it ideal for a solo dinner or a date. There is usually instrumental Ethiopian music playing from speakers and CNN playing (on mute) on one of the TV screens. On my most recent visit, I ordered the beef tibs and asked the waitress to substitute the salad for collard greens and beets. I envisioned grilled tibs with slices of jalapeno, similar to how they're served at Dama. But out came the waitress with a plate of injera and veggies on one hand, and a bowl of "tibs stew" in the other. The tibs were poured over the center of the injera. It took me a few minutes to warm up to them, as the first couple of bites tasted a bit vinegar-y. But with a little persistence, I quickly found myself shoveling handfuls of tibs, collards, beets and injera in my mouth at high speed. Although it was a satisfying and yummy meal, I'd have to say that the Yestome Beyaynetu (veggie combo) wins the prize on taste and general awesomeness. Who knew cabbage, potatoes, beets, and lentils could taste SO good! Overall, Ethio Cafe is a great place for a quiet dinner. I suggest bringing a friend along so that one can order the beef tibs and the other, the veggie combo. One plate is too much food for one person...and you shouldn't limit yourself to just one.

This is a review of the cappuccino. Definitely strong (but not burnt tasting) and satisfyingly piping hot. They only have 2% milk so I took a point off for lack of customization. There's only one (huge) cup size available for takeout coffee but it's still relatively cheap so I can overlook that. They don't have a to-go menu so I am not sure what the food options are. Definitely an informal atmosphere with no frills customer service. The coffee, although not my favorite, is solid if you need something strong and extremely hot. Compared to other coffee shops, you get a lot more bang for your buck. Just don't expect flavored syrups and fancy toppings!

Love this place. I have had take out a couple of times before and the food had been consistently good and feels like home cooked meals. This was my first time dining in. The people are very friendly.

I love Ethiopian food so I have tried several different restaurants in Arlington, Alexandria, and DC to accommodate my commute between my current home and my childhood home. I didn't know Ethio Cafe existed until today so I stopped by to see if they can compete. The restaurant atmosphere was cozy and friendly. The staff was great! The food was mediocre. It did not make my top 5 list. The enjera was sour and old. I've had better Asa Gulash and veggie combos with better taste and variety. I wanted to like them so I could have a closer option to my Mom's home and work but I'm willing to drive for the best. Maybe it was a bad day. More like 2.5 stars.

Beautiful shop, beautiful people. Roasted beans on site in small batches. I wish I could have purchased a bag. This is not your boogie spot. This is a genuine authentic Ethiopian cafe that also does coffee in their traditional way. I'm as thankful for the lesson, story telling, and warmth I was for the delicious cup.

Ordered the Bozena shiro and awaze tibs, both were very good and comparable to other five star Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. Portion size is large and with injera to spare. Service was quick and very friendly and they even taught me about a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony that they can perform in house! I will come back for the coffee in the morning as they had various different beans and brewing styles.

So yummy! I've came here twice and it's been great. The owner and I believe his wife are very kind and hospitable.