Unlike the vast majority of international cuisines represented in the US, Ethiopian cuisine has predominantly remained under Ethiopian ownership. These incredible eateries are often family-owned and operated, gaining the loyal patronage of locals with never-ending vegan-friendly injera and comforting vegetable and lentil stews. Here are just 12 of the many vegan-friendly Ethiopian restaurants across the US. Show your support of independent and Black-owned businesses and fill your belly with nourishing food from your local spot.
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12 Ethiopian restaurants you need to try
1 Ras Plant Based
Brooklyn, NY
This organic farm-to-table restaurant in Crown Heights is not to be missed. Founded by Chef Romeo and Milka Regalli, the entire restaurant is a tribute to their Ethiopian heritage, kindness, and the plant-based lifestyle. Choose from plant-centric or vegan meaty options like key sir (with savory beetroot, carrot, and onion), Mama’s Tofu, and Ras Special Tibs, which are made with sauteed seitan instead of cubed beef or lamb.
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Bunna Cafe
2 Bunna Cafe
Brooklyn, NY
Residents of all five boroughs flock to this vegan Ethiopian spot in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. The menu is extensive and offers both à la carte and combination platters for one, two, three, and seven people. Those unfamiliar with the cuisine can rest easy, as each menu item is accompanied by a picture and a detailed description. Every dish is delightful, but the key sir ”selata” (sauteed beets, carrots, and potatoes)—the restaurant’s take on salata—is a must. Don’t sleep on the Enguday Tibs, either. A play on the mushroom-based dish by the name of inguday, this menu item features cremini mushrooms sautéed with spices.
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Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine
3 Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine
Minneapolis, MN
Co-founded by Solomon Hailie and Rekik Abineh, this vegan-friendly restaurant was named after the neighborhood the pair grew up in. Their menu provides plentiful options for the vegan crowd—from the classic combination platter to à la carte fasolia (green beans, carrots, and tomatoes), misir (split lentils), “tiquel” gomen (a play on tikil gomen made with cabbage, carrots, and onions), house salad, and more. As versatile as its menu, the restaurant is great for takeout or a cozy date night.
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Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen
4 Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen
San Francisco, CA
Despite having two San Francisco locations, this amazing eatery often falls under the radar of vegan locals and tourists alike. If we lived in the city, we’d easily order takeout from Tadu at least once a week. Popular vegan-friendly items include firfir (sliced injera mixed with berbere spices and vegetables), eggplant tibs, kik alicha wot (chickpeas cooked in spicy turmeric, garlic, and ginger), and azifa (sautéed lentils with lemon, ground mustard seeds, onions, and jalapeño).
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Massawa
5 Massawa
New York City, NY
Since the 1980s, Massawa has been serving flavor-packed Ethiopian cuisine to the people of New York City, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. It’s not an entirely vegan establishment, but it does offer a separate vegan entrée menu, featuring delights like birsin (spicy brown lentils), shiro (made with puréed split peas), and timtimo (stewed savory red lentils).
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Makina Cafe
6 Makina Cafe Ethiopian-Eritrean Eatery
Long Island City, NY and Brooklyn, NY
If you’re in the mood for takeout, head to Makina Cafe’s food truck in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn or its brick-and-mortar in Long Island (which is also takeaway only). The Ethiopian-Eritrean menu is delicious yet simple, you just pick your base (injera or yellow rice), pick your veggies (mushroom tibs and beets salad are two standout options), and then pick your sauce.
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7 Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
Los Angeles, CA
Right at home in the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Little Ethiopia, Rahel’s distinguishes itself as completely vegan. The menu does not lack for variety, though. Spare yourself the major indecision and sample it all with the Special Combination Dishes. You’ll get your fill (and then some) of the various stews, salads, and vegetable dishes that are available on the à la carte menu. If you can, choose to dine in instead of ordering takeout—the atmosphere is part of the experience.
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Enat Kitchen
8 Enat Kitchen
Portland, OR
Promising recipes “straight out of Mama’s kitchen,” Enat offers something for all diners. While meat is offered on the menu, vegan options make up about half of the choices—from the azifa fitfit appetizer (injera mixed with lentils, olive oil, chili pepper, and onions) to the dedicated vegan entrée menu.
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Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
9 Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
San Diego, CA
California’s southernmost county has its fair share of Ethiopian restaurants, but vegans rave about the options at Awash. The Vegetarian Combination includes all the vegetable hits in addition to injera (which is also available gluten-free). The lentils, yellow split peas, shiro (ground chickpea stew), collard greens, cabbage, and carrot dishes displayed on open-faced injera will make you crave Ethiopian like you never have before.
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Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
10 Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
Miami, FL
This isn’t a chain, it’s merely a coincidence. The name Awash refers to a significant river in Ethiopia, and it just so happens these two restaurant owners think alike, both in naming their business and leaning into plant-based offerings.
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Hannah K./Yelp
11 Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant
Austin, TX
Austin is home to a few vegan-friendly Ethiopian spots, but Aster’s has been a family-owned institution since 1991. The menu works a bit differently than other places—instead of offering à la carte options, customers choose one dish as the main and three others that serve as sides. No need to fuss over the decision, you can’t go wrong.
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Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
12 Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Chicago, IL
While Chicago-style pizza gets all the hype from out-of-towners, local vegans know some of the best plant-based eats are at Demera. Vegan-friendly offerings include the usual Ethiopian vegetable-based fare—misir wot, gomen, kik alicha, and injera—but customers with a sweet tooth also have the option of ordering the chocolate cheesecake to complete the meal.
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