Definitely a hidden gem, this place doesn’t look like much from the street or even inside. You’ll find a small market with staples like teff flour (used to make the injera bread) and curios for sale while soap operas and the local news play on the handful of televisions mounted on the walls. The food however is wonderful, as well as authentic! It is so far the only place I’ve been that serves kitfo rare when you ask for it, as opposed to medium that they just call rare. If you’re not looking to eat quite as adventurously though, the sambusas, cooked meats, and vegetable dishes all come highly recommended!
For what it is it is amazing. Wait was long but I was there during off hours on a Tuesday and didn't order alone. When it came out of the kitchen it had obviously been FRESHLY made. They take call- ahead orders too, which I'll be doing in the future. Very hole-in-the-wall. Minimalist. Super friendly staff. I have no other Ethiopian food to compare it to but think Indian, maybe.
Elsa and her team were very accommodating to a large group. Food was tasty. We enjoyed it!
What a treat! The two were so welcoming. There was plenty of food and we took the rest to go. The lamb was cooked AMAZINGLY. We'll be back!
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Stopped in and the staff were very friendly! We waited a bit for the food which took a while and was a bit more expensive than anticipated (in hindsight price was entirely fine given the area and the portions) I was hoping it would be good as I have never had Ethiopian food and my wife had been bugging me for quite some time to find a place and try it with her. We took our food to go and when I got to the car the food smelled so good I had to open it up and try it. It was THE BEST thing I have eaten in years! I was dumbfounded entirely with the sourdough crepe-like thing nestled inside, but it was the most delicious part. So good! Did I mention I loved it! Delicious! I would have been entirely satisfied just eating that without the remainder of the meal, which was also very good! And the portion sizes were awesome! I didn’t want to stop eating but I was beyond full and patiently waited to eat the rest for dinner. I want to go back to this place just to thank them for making such good food. Ugh! I’m hungry just writing this post.
This place was lovely! Definitely easy to miss. But the Ethiopian food was delicious! Some of the best I've had, and definitely affordable. I went with 2 friends and we ordered 3 platters for 11.99/each (2 meat, 1 vegetarian). In traditional Ethiopian fashion, it came out on a huge plate with tons of injera. They kept bringing more out. We were stuffed by the end of the meal. Definitely try this place! They are open from 9am-9pm.
super delicious Ethiopian food at a great price. The owners are super friendly and I always enjoy having conversation with them. Definitely worth checking out even if you have never tried Ethiopian before, it is so delicious and everybody I have taken here loved it .
I was a first time customer to Elsa Cafe and Market, and it was by far some of the best food I have ever had since I been living in Richmond, Virginia. I was just absolutely stunned how flavorful everything was. I ordered the Vegetarian Platter which had red lentils, cabbage, chick peas, sweet potatoes, collard greens. It was just awesome. The staff was very polite, and professional.
The food was delicious and plentiful. My wife and I split 2 servings of the vegetarian sampler, which gives you several different dishes; all of them were tasty.
The service was excellent. Look, I enjoy sullen, tattooed servers as much as anybody, but this was a delightful escape from that. Polite and attentive.
The overall experience was, I believe, the only thing that might be contentious. It's not a restaurant; it's a cafe and market. For example, there are shelves of items and foods I cannot pronounce on the other side of the room. To some people, rough edges like this might be major turnoffs. To me, it's a sign that this place is the real deal.
I came in late after a long bus ride home from ny in the snow, and they were kind enough to make me a meal, even though I think they may have technically been closed. It might have been the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had! I had the fuull, and it was delicious. Huge portion, very good price, and most importantly, amazing flavor. I’ll definitely be back.
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