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Addis Ababa
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
8233 Fenton StSilver Spring, MD 20993
(301) 589-1400
- Nearest Transit:
-
Silver Spring Metro Station (Red)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
60 reviews for Addis Ababa
Review Highlights
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"Friends have ordered the Doro Wat (chicken with spicy..." In 5 reviews -
"The honey wine is tasty." In 5 reviews -
"We always order the vegetarian platter as we do at all..." In 5 reviews
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60 reviews in English
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Review from Abhi K.
Bethesda, MD
Updated - 2/12/2012
I just had to say that four years after my initial review, I am still in love with this place. I have eaten at a lot of Ethiopian restaurants in a lot of cities, but this is still hands down my favorite. Everything is very well spiced, good portions, good bread. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive. I am a little upset that people still fawn over Meskerem, but oh well, it just means that there's more Addis Ababa for me!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2008
This is the best Ethiopian food I have ever had. I went there the first time with people from work… Read more »
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Review from Alexandra O.
Washington, DC
12/30/2011
Recently went here for dinner.
We had the shrimp dishes (only two on the menu) with the vegetable sides, honey wine, and baklava for dessert. They actually use baby shrimp in both these dishes. The sides were small, about a spoonful each. And they microwaved the baklava so it tasted like plastic. -
Review from Kristin M.
Washington, DC
After coming here a handful of times, I'm still...on the fence. I've had some tasty, flavorful dishes, and I've had meals that disappointed. The service isn't stellar in the traditional sense - drinks can be slow to appear, waitresses need to be called over for pretty much anything (to order, for forgotten food, for the bill), and there's little help in guidance through the menu (fyi, the vegetable combo option is limited to the dishes named ABOVE the combo listing, and if you try to pick from below, you will be laughed at).
Nonetheless, despite inconsistent food and service that isn't the best in town, I must say that Addis Ababa has provided reliably pleasant date nights overall. The waitresses are never surly or dismissive, they just expect to be waved over if you need something - don't call them and they'll assume you're good. I think they also assume the people eating here know their way around an Ethiopian menu, and perhaps their menu in particular (there's a lot of regulars here, so it's a reasonable assumption). Eating with your hands is always fun, and the food's never been bad at its worst - just average.
I'll be back, and I'll be looking to identify a few dishes that are reliably delicious . -
Review from SZ S.
Washington, DC
5/19/2012
This used to be, hands down, our favorite Ethiopian Restaurant in DC. The food was great and the portions fair for the price. Now, it seems that under new management that they have caught on to the usual DC Ethiopian practice of providing small portions for a high price. Really, at what other restaurant do you spend more than $10 for one small piece of chicken and one egg in a small portion of sauce? And, the food was still pretty good overall, but the service not as good. Two of our dishes were not up to par, yet no offer was made to improve our experience, just a shrug in response..We used to eat at Addis Ababa at least monthly, if not more often. We are now on the look-out for a new favorite place to eat our favorite kind of eat-out food.
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Review from Ben S.
4/30/2012
I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and it has always been a pleasant experience. It is set off a little bit behind Georgia and it has always been occupied without being packed. I always saw this as more of a change of pace to Langano, with a slightly nicer atmosphere, but I was glad to have it as an option.
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Review from Jake P.
11/16/2011
I'm shocked by the people who give this place any less than 3 stars. Are you eating the overly bland Americanized fare down in Columbia Heights and then coming to Addis Ababa and having your taste buds blown off? I just don't get it.
My first time there, they had live dancing which I can only imagine was of some tradition or another. The dancers were lively, had great chemistry with each other, and really added to the experience of being in an Ethiopian restaurant.
Back when I lived in DC I ate here at least 10 times with say 5-10 different people -- and not once did myself or anyone else have a complaint. The injera quality here bears mentioning because frankly, some places are getting lazy and starting to use wheat as a cheap substitute for teff -- not only does this negatively affect the taste of the injera, but for gluten-free people like myself, it's just *not cool*.
That said. Doro Wat? Whoever said it was not spicy probably did something to make them think you wouldn't want it spicy. The Yebeg Tibs, obviously more mild, but still full of flavor. And I'm not a big fan of vegetarian food, but have friends who are -- and there are a great number of dishes in their combo platter that blow "standards" in DC like Dukem out of the water. I love you Dukem, but this place has you beat... assuming people are willing to get out to Silver Spring.
You know from the negative ratings I'm seeing here, I have to say something in general:
If you treat a restaurant like crap, they are likely to do the same to you. I've made reservations for over 5 people here... no one ever told me I was lying. A little smile, an effort to understand a foreign culture? Man, it goes a long way in my experience.
The folks at Addis Ababa will have me coming back for more every time I head back to DC... and I'll be smiling :-) -
Review from Ashley D.
Washington, DC
10/18/2011
I wish I could leave zero stars. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I made reservations for 15 people on a Saturday night for my boyfriend's birthday. I confirmed twice via phone. When my group arrived, we were told they had no such reservation and I was "lying". I have never ever been treated so poorly at a restaurant.
Needless to say, my group and I promptly left rather than wait for a table- why would anyone give business to such a place?
Change of plans... To Gaylord Bombay Indian Restaurant were we were treated like royalty. The food at Gaylord was amazing!
If anyone is looking for GREAT ethiopian food check out:
Queen of Sheba in DC- delicious- best in all of DC/VA/MD
1503 9th Street NW
BOTTOM LINE- DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY HERE. -
Review from Joe G.
11/14/2011
I'm really torn.
The first time I came here for dinner, the food was so good, this place became my favorite Ethiopian restaurant. The shrimp tibs, beef tibs, and veggie combo were delicious.
I came here for lunch last week and the food tasted like it was reheated in a microwave. It's wasn't bad, but I prefer my food made fresh. What's the dealio Addis Ababa? -
Review from Janelle M.
Fulton, MD
7/31/2011
This is a late-night favorite of ours. Standards that we order:
Sambusa - similar to spanikopita, but filled with lentils and other veggies if you order the vegetarian ones, or beef, jalapeno, onions etc. if you order the beef ones.
Gored Gored - raw (yes, raw) filet mignon in a clarified butter and chili sauce
Tibs - zilzil and lega tibs are chunks of beef cooked with onions and spices. Zilzil tibs are more spicy as they have jalapeno. Yebeg tibs are similar to the above, but made with lamb.
Kitfo - raw (not even warmed) ground sirloin with chilis and other spices
Doro Wat - Curried chicken cooked with seasoned butter, onions, green peppers, garlic and ginger served with boiled eggs
Saturday brunch is AYCE, and always has a great selection at a fantastic price.
We have never had a bad experience here. The food is dependable, the service is dependable. Don't waste your money on the coffee or coffee ceremony. Not all ethiopian coffee is created equal. For good ethiopian coffee, go to Sidamo.
There is an upstairs patio that is heated during the winter, and the patio is good for large groups. The main dining area downstairs is not good for groups larger than 4-5. There simply aren't any large tables, or any real ability to join tables together.
A word of caution: Though you may be tempted to park in the dry cleaner's lot next door, don't do it. Even after hours. There seems to be some bad blood there, and they will happily tow your car at all hours. Just don't do it. There is a public parking lot across the street. Use it. -
Review from Medina K.
9/7/2011
So My Girlfriend and I decided to try this place, one because we had a coupon (ha)... Good Move to be honest. I enjoyed the dish we had... Gomen of course is my favorite! Which came out a bit on the bland side but I ate it!!! The doro-wat was tasty still a bit bland and the tomato and onion salad was good also... I would go back if it was the last resort... It would NOT be my first choice...
Also, we had the house wine (Red and White) and both were dry and not tasty. I have been eating Ethopian food for sometime now to know what is what and this spot is just "ok"....
And I'm out ghost..... -
Review from Terinee B.
Washington, DC
12/18/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Considering that I previously had an experience with an Ethiopian restaurant (which I felt scarred me for life)..., I wasn't too thrilled about trying Ethiopian again. After much discussion w/my husband, he convinced me to give it another shot!!! OMGosh!!! WOW!!! I would have totally missed out on some of the absolute most flavorful food that I have ever experienced!!! The Doro Wat was BEYOND #thebombdotcom!!! It was really great!!! Even though I really wasn't feelin' the whole "eating w/your hands thing"... by the time I was done, I was gettin' down w/my hands like a real Ethiopian b/c the food was FINGER LICKIN' GOOD, and I didn't want to let one drop of this food go to waste!
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Review from Diana C.
5/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet--I've been here a few times over the years and it's reliably good. While there are something like three or four other Ethiopian restaurants in the area, I think this one slightly wins out for ambiance over the others--though the food is about on par with the others. I especially like it in the summer when they have the rooftop deck open.
Everything I've had I've been happy with--from the veggie selections, to the lamb dishes, to the kitfo. I've also tried the dinner for two, which was a crazy amount of food, but sadly didn't contain my favorite options. I am not a huge Doro Wat fan, personally, but that's my own preference.
At any rate, decent place, nice atmosphere, and on par with the other Ethiopian offerings in downtown Silver Spring. -
Review from Suzanne A.
Silver Spring, MD
11/30/2011
A friend and I ate at Addis Ababa this week on a Groupon. It was only my third time eating Ethiopian but felt perfectly at home here. We ordered a delicious Special #1 for 2 - a sampler of beef, lamb, chicken and greens - and some average coffee. More than enough food for two. Super quick service. Cozy atmosphere. I had planned on gradually trying some of the other Ethiopian restaurants in Silver Spring over time, but now I'm looking forward to going back to Addis Ababa sooner than later.
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Review from F L.
Washington D.C., DC
8/16/2011
I visited Addis Ababa with a party of three for lunch on a rainy Saturday, without reservations. The restaurant was pretty much empty and we had our pick of tables. Initially we were seated at a low table on the side of the restaurant, but I asked to be moved closer to the windows. The place is quaint and traditionally decorated. After a while the place started filling up with Ethiopians, so we felt like we were in good hands.
Our party had a a beef dish, a chicken dish, and I had the Beyaynetu (vegetarian combination) with tikil gomen (cabbage cooked with onions and peppers), yatakilt wat (carrots, potatoes, string beans, and peppers cooked with tumeric and seasoned with spices), mesir wat (split lentils cooked with berbere and garlic), kik alitcha (yellow split peas cooked with with onions, green peppers, and garlic), and gomen (collard greens cooked with onions and peppers). I loved it all except for the cabbage, but then again, I am not a cabbage lover.
One thing I do have to whine a little about is the lack of explanation-skills from our waitress. I asked what "timatim fitfit" and it took me walking her through four tries of explaining what it is, and still didn't get a good explanation. She kept saying "it's food from my country" - yeah I know that, you're Ethiopian. She said she was going to show me what it was, but never did. Also the vegetarian combination is not a choice of "any vegetarian entrees" like the menu says, it's just the ones listed above "beyaynetu" on the menu. Which kind of sucks as the more interesting entrees are below it. I know what not to order next time.
Aside from that, we were all pleased with our meal and stuffed to the gills. -
Review from Kirsten H.
Silver Spring, MD
12/16/2011
Our first trip to this restaurant was average - slow service and really dirty furniture, but we sat outside (in the summer) and had reasonably good Ethiopian food.
But after the second trip, we will never, ever be back. We ordered take-out and was told that our Groupon wasn't good for take-out, so I decided to 'dine in' and take home the leftovers for my husband.
Unfortunately for everyone, the waitress informed me that she had just given my food to some man in a suit who came running in, demanded food, and ran out. Not sure who he was, but he ran off with MY food. She didn't apologize until almost an hour later - when I was leaving.
So I sat for 20 minutes - admiring the many disgusting things growing on decrepit furniture. The decor in this place is really cute - but upon close inspection, it is ALL truly disgusting. DON'T go here in broad daylight if you can help it. If I were in Ethiopia, I might expect such a place - but I would also expect large rats to be running back and forth across the floor, which is probably what happens here at night.
When the NEW food finally arrived, the injera was OK - but the potatoes were nearly raw (undercooked) and the beef was bone dry (overcooked) and chewy enough that I wouldn't even feed it to my dog when I got it home. Two meals, two screw-ups. And waiting for it to be cooked twice sure didn't help.
It was absolutely awful. There is a wonderful place in Gaithersburg, Addis Cafe, that has never, ever let me down - and I will visit them from now on to satisfy my Ethiopian food cravings. I don't care how cheap it is, or how many Groupons they offer - I won't step foot in here again. -
Review from Nova P.
Look mom, no silverware! This is my first experience to try Ethiopian cuisine and was fortunate to have an Ethiopian friend with me to introduce, recommend, and explain the food, decor, and music. She thought Addis Ababa besides one other location in Los Angeles, is one of the most authentic Ethiopian restaurants she has tried in the US. She explained that the furniture and art work were true to what she had seen growing up in Ethiopia. She also mentioned the music playing was native from her homeland and was the type of music that her grandparents listened to. The dishes sold there could be sold individually or for multiple numbers of people. We shared a very generous portion for two, which probably could have fed four people. To give me a good sample she order a dish that sat on a huge circular platter, with a Enjera, which is a spongy flat bread. On top of the Enjera were separate piles of curried lamb, beef cooked in onions and red peppers, two hard boiled eggs mixed in with the sauce, chicken also cooked in onions and red pepper, and a flavorful collard greens. They gave us another side of Enjera rolled in a bread basket and used that to scoop up the all the goodness! The flavors were popping! I really enjoyed all of the food and the experience. I was bummed they ran out of their honey wine. This has definitely opened my palette to another new cuisine, and I look forward to trying more when I'm back in Los Angeles.
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Review from Paul M.
Washington, DC
6/5/2011
My GF and I ate here this past weekend because we've always driven by and been curious to try it out. Everything started smoothly even got a parking spot right in front and the place wasn't busy - just one other table.
So we place our order - Sambusa app, the Special Tibs and the Siksilosh.
Strike One. The first thing the waitress did was bring me a Coke, when I had asked for a diet Coke. Not a big deal, I can let that slide, but I should have seen that as an indication of things to come.
Then the entrees arrived.
See what I did there
So I ask where is my appetizer and she says "Oh we're out of that".
Okaaaaaay. Thanks for letting me know AFTER the food came out. Strike two.
So we eat our meal - everything was fine - a little heavy on the "tamarind-tasting" spice on the Siksilosh but ok.
After we ask for the bill - it took her no less than 20 minutes before we actually got our bill and guess what is on it? The appetizer that she told us earlier that she didn't have. Strike three.
The only reason I didn't give this place a one star was because the food was maybe a low three, so I gave them a mercy two.
They seem nice enough - but some restaurants seem to take "family style" too literally and treat you as bad and informally as they would their own family, which just doesn't fly to a paying customer.
Oh and the waitress is one of those "I can remember the order" types and refuses to write the order down. be forewarned. -
Review from Megan M.
10/24/2010
This was my go-to place for Ethiopian food when I lived in Washington. The staff was quite friendly, and the decor was very cozy and welcoming.
I always ordered a few of the vegetarian dishes as a platter. The food was excellent. I'd always order extra bread to take home, because it was so delicious. The lentil samosas were also really great.
There's not much to say about the restaurant, because it's pretty standard as Ethiopian places go. Be assured that you'll get a good meal at a good price, with smiley service and fun music. -
Review from Shim P.
Silver Spring, MD
5/13/2011
I wanted to like this place so much. The staff was friendly enough (perhaps not bringing enough water); the ambiance was cool and tables felt authentic. My wife, who was in the Peace Corps in Africa, saw very unique touches to the place. We had a pleasant experience dining -- an adventurous experience for me (a very picky eater). We ordered one of the combo platters -- I can't remember which one, but it had chicken drumsticks (and some boiled eggs, which we forewent!). My food reference point was that it compared to a slightly differently spiced version of Mexican food -- except instead of tortillas, you have a crazy spongy bread.
BUT -- and here's the huge but -- BOTH my wife and I ended up with horrible intestinal distress for a day and a half. It felt like pure evil coming out of the other ends of us. If it were just me, I'd chalk it up to my weak stomach and unadventurous palate. But, my wife has an iron stomach and will eat pretty much anything.
The hour of pleasant-enough (but nothing to write home about) dining was not enough to make up for hours on the toilet.
AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE -- which you may well get if you eat here. -
Review from William D.
Chevy Chase, MD
10/22/2010
The restaurant was full, as advertised. The food was diverse, tasy and spicy.
Not sure what to make of the following, but here it is: We stopped by Rite Aid nearby on the way home and the cashier asked me, "Did you just cook something or eat something?" When I told her we had just eaten at an Ethiopean restaurant, she said, "You smell so good."
The after taste was deliscious. We had the plate with two lamb choices and were very happy with the cuisine. Charming was the fact that one of the tables was filled with Etheopians drinking and carrying on. This created a genuine feeling for the restaurant.
I had read that the service was spotty and was eager to prove the contrary. However, our waitress disappeared for 15 minutes at the end of our meal and we had to ask for the check from someone else. Had she been available, we would have requested another honey wine.
The seats were uncomfortable, but part of the experience. The big window fronting the street, was charming, cosmopolitan.
We enjoyed the overall ambiance, loved the spicy food, and the genuine feel of the place. The cost was 48$ for the two of us, so that's a plus.
We will be back, but maybe 1-2 times a year when we want to get away for 1.5 hours to enjoy a change of pace. -
Review from Victoria S.
Reston, VA
9/11/2007
Who would of thunk it? I actually love Ethiopian food...
Addis Ababa is an adventure. If you enjoy trying new things you should definitely check it out. If you have an issue with eating with your hands or that it's not the cleanest place I would advise not to venture here. The atmosphere is like you are in Ethiopia...well, maybe not exactly but it's not the most updated looking establishment. The downstairs is filled with interesting looking furniture you don't see everyday. The upstairs in an open bar area with tables.
I ordered the Vegetarian platter and it came with the spongy bread and separated mounds of lentils, spinach, tomatoes and more types of beans. I was happy with my meal and as It was extremely satisfying. I enjoyed the different textures and the hint of spicy. I also ordered the Ethiopian beer which was very drinkable and delicious. The service was OK but not the greatest but I would definitely go back.
A few words of caution: Don't eat this meal before a night of heavy drinking. Trust me it's not a good mix. :oPListed in: Eat or Be Eaten
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Review from Zachary H.
Silver Spring, MD
11/22/2009
I'm a Dukem Fan. but Addis Ababa is very very good. I also think that they have an unfairly low star ranking on Yelp, due to a couple of reviews from people who clearly do not like Ethiopian food in general. Addis is very good, but if you don't like tibs or fit-fit, you won't enjoy yourself here. Let's be fair, people!
On our last visit we enjoyed a round of Harrar beer, which was surprisingly good, and split the Vegetarian platter and Group Special (for 3) #1. The Group Special, which is labeled as spicy, has a good level of heat and a nice mixture of classic Ethiopian entrees, including a nice marinated chicken and hard-boiled eggs. We also enjoyed the mixed spinach.
Addis Ababa has a great atmosphere and would be a great date spot. I've had consistently excellent service and I enjoy the Ethiopian music videos continuously playing in the background :)
This restaurant is a solid four stars. Hope you enjoy it!Listed in: Best Restaurants in Silver…
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Review from Dulani W.
Lanham, MD
6/5/2011
Ok, I'm easy (or quirky), but this is truly my current favorite place. I have been to a few of the other Ethiopian places in the DC area and I can't say this place's food is better or worse. That is... their food is good!
But, what I like best is eating their good food (we've ordered the "Silver Spring Special" every single time) on their rooftop deck. The deck is not always open so be sure to call in advance if that is important to you (it is to me).
I'm giving them 5 stars. That's 5 for food, 5 for ambiance and 3 for service. But, since the first two matter more to me, I'm going to grade on the curve and give them a bump for being my favorite. -
Review from Roy S.
10/15/2008
The Zil Zil tibs are the best, i do wish the chicken was boneless and offered in more dishes. The service can be slow but the food makes up for it. The upstairs balcony was better before the cover was put up but is still nice in the spring and summer...
Also the downstairs dining room is not designed for tall people. The tables and chairs are not the best if you are over 6 feet tall like myself. -
Review from laura w.
Carrboro, NC
4/19/2008 1 Check-in Here
Finally, a place where I can eat with my hands (in public)!
I have this theory that Ethiopian food can be really, really bad if not done well, and really, really good if done well. Luckily, Addis Ababa is the latter. The food comes out on big platters, on top of a large round piece of spongy bread called injera (the closest thing to it would be a crepe, but it is thicker and spongier). Then the food is arranged on top of this - the different vegetables and spices are ground up together to form a thick, chunky sauce, and the meat is placed in the sauce. You also have another common basket of rolled-up injera. You use this bread to eat with by scooping up the sauce.
I have been a big fan of the Doro Alitcha (chicken drumsticks in a butter/onion sauce, served with a lentil paste, collard greens, and egg), but I admit it's the only dish I've tried here. Friends have ordered the Doro Wat (chicken with spicy lentil sauce) and the vegetarian platter and also been very pleased. Most dishes are very affordable ($9-14).
Now the next day, Addis Ababa can also be enjoyed! yes, in the form of leftovers. You might not think that this food would be good the next day, but the sauce, meat, and yes, even the bread hold up very well and stayed moist and flavorful. Since the portions at the restaurant are large, I had plenty for a yummy lunch the next day.
The food at Addis Ababa is best enjoyed on the top patio deck. The service is good, although not speedy. The waitress was even nice enough to notice that my car was in the wrong lot and advised me that I should move it. (There is a dry cleaner's next door with a lot, but apparently they will tow you if you park there to go to the restaurant.) So park your car on the street, and get ready for a delicious Ethiopian experience! -
Review from Meagan H.
Chevy Chase, MD
8/20/2008
Try the honey wine! The people I was with said even the Ethiopian beer tasted like there was honey in it! Now it was difficult to tell after drinking the honey wine...
As a vegetarian, it was great to realize that they had a generous selection of vegetarian dishes. I will mention that if you are a purist vegetarian and don't want to have meat or meat products touching your food, however, you might wish to attend with other vegetarians. All of the food is served on the same large piece of almost-pancake-like bread. We were given rolls of the doughy bread and we went through them almost immediately.
I don't know if it's acceptable to eat the bread that the food is served on, but we set into that after we ate all of our rolled up bread. The waitress DID serve us additional "rolls", but, well, I hate to waste bread.
There was something with a kick to it in the spinach offering. I wasn't sure what it was, some kind of a pepper and it really gave the dish a great flavor. I will always be up for a return visit. -
Review from Katie B.
Brooklyn, NY
10/15/2009
Overall: I love Addis Ababa for what it is!
Think of it as the fast food version of Ethiopian food in the region. Several friends growing up were Eritrean or Ethiopian (the food is similar) and I spent much time in their kitchens;), so I have some understanding of authentic v. everything else in this food genre. (Keyword: some..I'm not E. African) The meats are pre-cooked, the tomato salad is really a salsa from a container, the gomen is from a can....but still, it tastes good! Can I
replicate it at home? (other than the sides?) No! Food highlights include their: special tibs with lamb, yatakikt wat, misir wot, lega tibs, and kitfo!!
Ambience: The upper level deck is great in the summer, early fall, and late summer! The lower level holds more authentic seating options. The service is attentive but not falling over...cultural in a sense. Meals should be an event, not a rush and go type deal.
As I am a creature of habit, I'll keep going back to Addis Ababa to support the business and when in need of quick, comfort food.
I've been a regular for 4 years and will continue to be on the weekends!
Service: attentive, if you understand the cultural norms. A meal is not meant to be in and out; but more of an experience.
Ambience: I love their upper level! The view of Silver Spring is nice! -
Review from Yuri R.
Philadelphia, PA
12/15/2010
Arguably the best Ethiopian in the DC environs - yes, sometimes you gotta go to the burbs. All of the real-deal, gummy, spicy goodness a growing boy or girl needs; service from exemplary mademoiselles who can't stop flashing their pearly whites; and an enormous, bi-level, authentically decorated interior, regularly filled with Ethiopian folks, a true vote of confidence.
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Review from Rachita S.
McKinney, TX
8/4/2011
Food is delicious!...service isn't terrific but isn't terrible either. I'm a fan and go here fairly frequently. My favorite is the spicy Shikshikosh and the chicken+egg dish. Love their upstairs patio seating!
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Review from Sara M.
9/23/2009
Addis Ababa was one of the first Ethiopian restaurants we tried in the DC area, and the food is decent. But it pales in comparison to some of the other places we've now tried - the bar has been raised! They offer a number of special combination platters that give you a sample of different dishes. The portions are medium-sized for what I've come to expect from Ethiopian restaurants - fairly generous but not overwhelming. Follow their recommendations on how many people a dish or platter will serve.
We found the food at Addis Ababa disappointingly bland, especially once we'd begun to make the circuit of other local restaurants. The spices and sauces here are simple and underwhelming. I want flavors that enhance and complement the meat and vegetables, and sauces that soak into the injera. The food is a little too basic and needs more flavor.
The downstairs dining room can be rather hazy with incense smoke, which can be unpleasant when you're trying to enjoy the exotic flavors of your meal. It's better upstairs. The main advantage of this restaurant over other Silver Spring Ethiopian establishments is atmosphere - it's prettier and more elegant than the others in adjacent blocks. But I'd prefer flavor to elegance. -
Review from Johane J.
Columbia, MD
6/12/2011
Had an early dinner at Addis Ababa today and the food and service were surprisingly good. We were seated right away and the young woman who served us was attentive and offered suggestions when asked. My husband ordered the Addis Ababa (beef tenderloin with onions/peppers with two sides) and I had a veggie dish (five vegetables). Everything was delicious and we will definitely go back.
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Review from Angela W.
Silver Spring, MD
2/22/2011
I have had better! But here's the good first:
1. Friendly service- I had a very helpful server. She was pleasant and non-hovery but, attentive. Also, the other servers check on my table (refilling water & random stuff).
2. Cool ambiance- Both my husband and I really enjoyed the set up-- charming and comfy. The seats are uncomfortable, at first. But, we got used to it and it was really a cool looking place. Plus, it was pretty crowded.
3. The food was pretty tasty. Not as spiced as we were hoping but, tasty none the less. You get a lot with the specials!
Okay here is the bad: (only 1 but it's a biggie)
1. Did anyone else get really bad food poisoning on Sunday evening??!! Oh my goodness, my husband and I spent President's Day at home all day. I was wondering if anyone else got sick? -
Review from Johanna M.
College Park, MD
9/18/2009
We had dinner on a Friday night for a party of six. We were seated immediately on the top floor, which is open to the air in summer. Service was fast to take our order and bring our food, but incredibly slow to bring our check and close out our credit card payments.
The food itself: we ordered the beef sambusas and the shared meal for four (I don't remember the exact dishes in the shared meal--it was the cheapest shared meal option on the menu). The beef sambusas were bland. Not bad, just not anything I'll remember a week from now. The shared meal was good, and enough for six moderate eaters. We also had the honey wine which was OK (really really sweet). -
Review from Aliya M.
Washington, DC
4/14/2011
Addis Ababa has delicious vegan Ethiopian food. Every available choice for the veggie platter (collards, split peas, lentils, cabbage, and some other kind of pea I think?) is awesome. They are also open much later than pretty much any restaurant in MD that I know of. The service is pretty bad, however. The decor is nice enough but the tables and chairs can be awkward and uncomfortable.
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Review from Flo B.
Rockville, MD
5/10/2011
My husband and I went there one day that I was craving Ethiopian food but did not want to go all the way to Adams Morgan. So far, it was the best Ethiopian food that I have had in Maryland (and DC since the Red Sea in Adams Morgan closed a few years ago). I ordered the ZilZil Tibs and asked for it to be very spicy and it came out very close to the spicier Ethiopian food that I am used to. My husband got the Doro Watt and that was very good for someone who likes less spicy food. The service was pleasant, attentive and timely. The price was really affordable especially if you don't drink alcohol. The restaurant is nice, clean and cozy. Parking is easy and cheap compared to Adams Morgan.
All in all I would highly recommend it to my friends and family. -
Review from Murat S.
Rockville, MD
3/12/2011
I know a lot about food but I don't know anything about Ethiopian food or restaurants. I tried this place using a groupon. We ordered group special number 2. My water did not get filled. I ate way more carbs (read pancake/crepe bread) because I had to use it as a utensil.
All the food on the single plate was between cold and warm and almost everything including the hard boiled eggs that had the dark sulphur ring outside the yolks as a result of over cooking was overcooked except the single potato piece that was as hard a a rock and literally crunched when you bit into it because it was not cooked enough. I am willing to give Ethiopian food another chance but not at this place. Majority of the customers were Ethiopians so it must be authentic and good Ethiopian food. May be I choose the wrong time of the day or the wrong dish to order...One good thing was the friendliness of the waiters. -
Review from Patricia B.
Takoma Park, MD
4/28/2011
The food here was OK--nothing special. Actually every one of our dishes had the same tomato-based sauce and flavor, and not because we chose similar dishes. The service turned me off in a way that I probably won't return.
The night we visited there weren't many folks in the restaurant, but they left the two of us sitting there with no menus for a long time, then didn't come to take our order for a long time (even though we tried to gesture for the waitresses, they were looking right through us). The food arrived in good time, but that was the last we saw of any server (there were about three waitresses working that night and we did see others getting attention) until they abruptly brought the check without even checking if we wanted coffee or dessert, or even if everything was OK with the meal.
I kept wondering what we did to deserve such cold service. We were dressed like everyone else (no sweats), smiled when we arrived, were polite and said thank you when we were seated. Maybe one of us looked like someone that had given them trouble in the past; maybe they have a problem with women dining unescorted by men? It was the first and last visit for us. -
Review from Chelsea W.
Silver Spring, MD
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my go to spot for Ethiopian food in the area. I don't know what they cook the meat in but it must be magic because it falls right off the bone and the flavor is perfect. Service can be a little slow so expect to be there for awhile, but the atmosphere is cozy and authentic. Amazing!
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Review from Earl A.
Takoma Park, MD
11/8/2011
This place was ok. Great atmosphere, it seemed very traditional. The service was nothing great but not really bad just...average. The food was good but...I have had better at another local Ethiopian restaurant. It may look very traditional but they are on the edge of "Americanization" which is not a good thing. People go to an Ethiopian restaurant to eat authentic food, don't dumb it down! Do get me wrong, it's good enough to go back to but there are better Ethiopian restaurants out there.
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Review from Jon C.
Washington, DC
12/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
Best zilzil tibs in town, great service, and amazing rooftop deck.
