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Union Park St (Silver)
Back Bay (Orange)
Mon-Fri. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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I love eating with my fingers and thouroughly enjoy the "starch as a vehicle for spiced vegetable mush" formula, in all it's variants (pita with hummus, many Indian dishes, etc.). I had high hopes for Addis.
I don't have any basis for comparison as far as authenticity goes - Addis has been my only foray in Ethopian food, but I found it all pretty delicious. Staff was so friendly, asking about our taste preferences before recommending specific dishes when we wanted some guidence.
Sure, the spongy, sort of damp bread feels foreign to my palate. I admit, my first reaction a yearning for some fluffy, dry pita. But I withheld my cultural food preference biases and soldiered on. Within bites, I was sold and the food devoured. My boy commented that he felt like this is the way he was *meant* to eat.
The vegetarian for two combo was the perfect amount of food for us at only $23. All of their veggie dishes are vegan, definite bonus point in my book.
Try the Ethopian beers. YUM.
The atmosphere is soothing, warm, intimate, and comfortable. Dim lighting, low stools & tables (not the most comfortable but certainly not uncomfortable, at least for the hour our vital young bootys were stationed there), and an assortment of vibrant art all combines for a wonderfully sensual meal.
The ambiance and character at Addis is excellent, the seating is fun, and eating with your hands is always a good time. Unfortunately, the food is altogether too bland for my taste. I want to like this place. I desperately want to like it. But it's nothing special.
If it means anything, I liked the vegetarian dishes much more than the meat dishes. And I do enjoy the spongy, soft bread. Oh, also, I tried the honey wine that everyone raves about, and I found it tasty but far too sweet.
Really expensive for an Ethiopian place. For example, out of the tens of Ethiopian places I have tried in America, you don't expect to pay over 12 dollars per person on injera and the dishes that come on top. Here you can pay over 20 dollars a person without any trouble. They don't offer you more injera, which is not that great.
However, comparatively, service is friendly, ambiance is nice, seating is authentic. Alcoholic drinks are expensive, but they have Ethiopian honey wine (Tej). Desserts seems fancy and are all European...odd...but didn't try any
(No Discover, $$$)
Be ready for a wait on the weekend. Ethiopian restaurants are few and far between in Boston, and those in the know go to Addis. They cramp you in a tiny lobby, tell you it will be just ten minutes and then force you to endure the mouth-watering smells of deeeelicious food that everyone else is eating.
When you finally receive your table, be careful about ordering champagne. It goes well with the spicy food, but the waitress may hit you with the cork.
Then the moment comes--your food has arrived. Get some extra sponge bread and dig in--especially the lentils and peas. Mmmmm.
Oh my God, the most confusing experience of my life. I live in Miami, and so I've never met an Ethiopian, and didn't realize that they had restaurants. I was wandering down Tremont one night this past September, on my way to my fabulous hotel, when the GPS on my phone malfunctioned. Since Boston cab drivers always mistake me for being stupid and try to take me on rides without the meter running, I decided to stop into a little restaurant to ask for directions.
Addis Red Sea was the closest place. I skipped in, wearing my most European trenchcoat with a full-bodied scarf that complemented my green contact lenses, and asked for directions. These people didn't understand a word I was saying, and before long I was seated in the back of this cozy, single-room restaurant, being served Ethiopian red wine and vegetarian sambusa. I had no idea what I was eating, and wondered why my table was so low to the ground. My theory is that this place used to be a Kindercare and they just couldn't afford to buy new tables.
I wouldn't have stayed but whenever someone hands me red wine I can't say no. Being a wine snob, having never heard of Ethiopian wine, I was pleasantly surprised. "Gouder" was the name of it, and since I've been searching Miami for a bottle.
I assumed that these people weren't going to give me directions until I ate some more food, so I ordered a vegetarian combination platter. Of course I wasn't going to eat meat, hEllO, not with this body. I told the waitress to bring out whichever vegetarian dishes she recommended most. When she returned with a large piece of spongey bread and little piles of 'things' on them, I'll admit, I had no clue what to do.
To make matters worse, there were so many gays in there (please, the South End, hEllO) that I couldn't embarrass myself. So I scooped up the little piles of food with the sponge bread and wOw is all I can say. The kinche was sOOo delicious. The butecha nearly made me cry. One more glass of Gouder and I think I would have.
When the waitress returned I asked her for directions and she still wouldn't give in. I felt like a latin James Bond (with a 27 waist) in a force-feeding stand-off. And so I ordered dessert. A delicious little fruit tart that I devoured. All the gays in there must have been wondering how I ate so much yet stay so thin. But I didn't know what they were saying because half were speaking crazy-talk. Turkish, or something.
Now if only Addis Red Sea would open a branch in South Beach... what a wonderful little place, and what wonderful food. I left feeling... so international. And yes, she finally gave me directions, but only after a 20% tip.
This has been a Review by Fulgencio
Delicious Ethiopian with great ambiance. However, the portions were much smaller than what I'm used to getting at other Ethiopian restaurants and the prices were MUCH steeper. Don't expect to get out of there spending less than $30.
The array of desserts were disappointing, with nothing seeming to be authentic at all. However the injera was really tasty and the service was good.
First - we love Ethiopian and enjoy different takes on this cuisine. Unfortunately Addis disappointed and was overpriced for the quality. Generally when a restaurant indicates "hot and spicy" on the menu, I hope for just that. Addis was not only not hot and spicy but our dishes lacked much flavor. The fish dish was our least favorite - yasa wat - and my favorite was the chicken - doro wat. Service was good.
I would give this restaurant 3 and half star for the friendly service and beautiful decoration. Food is also very carefully made and delicious.
Pick Injera with your right hand only. Make sure you do not eat with your left hand! In Ethiopia, food is a respected gift from God and eating with your left hand is a sign of disrespect.
We had a very nice time at Addis on Friday night. They were able to handle a large group (8 of us) with minimal waiting (about 30 minutes wait at 9:30 pm).
Everything about the experience was wonderful. The wait staff were all very pleasant and helpful. We asked for them to help us decide what to order and share for the group and got a great assortment of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and lamb dishes. They took care for the one side of the table to get dishes that weren't too spicy.
Knowing it was a birthday in the group, they brought desserts and sang with traditional African drums.
A very nice experience and we will definitely be back.
I absolutely love this restaurant. The atmosphere, the staff, the wine and of course the food! I usually start with an order of Sambusa, whether it be a veggie or meat version...either is great. As far as the entrees are concerned I've yet to try something that I haven't truly enjoyed. They do lamb beautifully, which is hard to come by in my opinion. Their honey wine makes a great finish to an amazing meal. Just sweet enough that I can only fully enjoy it as a dessert wine. The waitstaff are always so chill and all in all Addis Red Sea is such a comforting place. Regardless of my mood that I show up with, I always feel so relaxed here that I just want to take my shoes off, decompress and eat seriously intriguing food. Let go and let Addis.
This was one of the first restaurants I tried after moving to Boston, and now that I've moved away, it's one of the first restaurants I visit when I'm back in town.
I love everything about this place. I mean, anything you can eat with your hands gets extra points in my book, but it's not just the whole "experience" (the mesob/upside-down sombrero table, the injera-instead-of-a-fork, etc.) that draws me back to Addis*---it's the food. The food is just unbelievably delicious. It's fragrant, spicy (ask for extra spice if you like heat), comforting and most likely unlike anything you've ever eaten before. This is the sort of place you go through withdrawal from if you don't get it enough---it's just that good and different. I'm so over $100+ per person dinners at chichi restaurants with the same pork belly on the menu ...bo-ring. Just give me a big pile of yasa wot and some spongy bread and away I go, happy as a clam.
The one downside is the wait for a table can be long as a walk-in, but that can be circumvented by making a reservation. (Duh.)
*Though I will note that it's kinda sad to walk into a new Ethiopian restaurant and see it has normal tables. Boo! So clearly the "experience" does play into Addis' awesomeness.
Yum. I like Ethiopian food and this place was pretty good. I like the authentic atmosphere and the servers were very friendly. My wife and I had a combo platter with different meats and veggies. It was qute good. Only critisism is that there was way more food than the two of us could eat. I hate wasting food and it felt especially bad in an Ethiopian restaurant having lived through the famine in the 80's.
This is my go-to spot for first dates; the lighting is flattering, the atmosphere is friendly and intimate, and the food is (no bettter word than) FUN. You eat with your hands! As someone who commonly drops utensils on the ground and is baffled by complex table settings, relying upon the best ten utensils we were born with - and luckily didn't lose in that freak stapler accident - is the way to go.
There is a communal platter covered in the mouthwatering spongy bread called injera, and the dishes you order come out in small bowls that are then poured onto the injera. With additional pieces of the bread you can rip them off and scoop the food into your mouth. The tactile quality of the food only amplifies the moans of pleasure coming from your tastebuds.
I think I've tried most everything on the menu, and have never been disappointed. The Ethiopian beer and wine are both delicious, and the waitstaff have always been friendly and attentive. Note though, that this is not a place for a quick bite to eat. Come ready to relish a delightful meal while perched on somewhat unique seating.
If you want an EXPERIENCE, come to Addis.
The food is modestly priced, and the service is a bit slow, but the whole concept of eating from a bowl with your hands is just plain bad-ass. That and the fact that one of their dishes involves raw red beef...it just screams machismo and delicious cuisine! Not a place I would frequent, but definitely a place you need to go to before you leave the city!
Addis popped my Ethiopian food cherry. It was delicious. Me and my date shared the Addis Red Sea Special Combo for two ($24.95). I would definitely recommend that dish to anyone who has not tried Ethiopian before. Not all dishes on it were on the same level of greatness, so I think next time (and there will be a next time) I am ready to pick my own single dish. The Zenge was phenomenal. There was one chicken one that did not have much flavor.
We were both very full after that meal and a bottle of their cava (they were out of Ethiopian White Wines, I really liked the cava, though).
While their desserts look delicious, they do not look very authentic to Ethiopia and (I apologize if I am wrong) do not look home made. We passed on those.
TIP: The occasion did not arise, but I would have asked for more injera (the bread they give you to eat with) before I used the ones the food was served on. They get soggy.
Also, for anyone with back problems or anything like that, the chairs there are not too great. Some barely had chair backs at all.
Love this place - don't be discouraged because you have to walk down to the basement for dining. Food and service are great! Vegetarian platter is amazing (my personal favorite are collard greens and cabbage). Also their sambusas (yes, I thought they were called samosas too here but they're not) are amazing..
Make sure you go with clean hands because no utensils allowed!
I can't believe it has taken me so long to write you all and profess my unabashed love for this place! Used to come here once a month in the early 00's as I went to law school just a hop skip and a jump away. The cool, comfortable basement locale is equally wonderful with a group of friends or just one on one with your special guy / lady.
Thanks to a good friend who recently went vegan and had heard this was a good location for vegans, I, in all my suburban glory, would have forgotten to write about Addis Red Sea's delights! Oh but Addis Red Sea, I will never forsake thee! I am already plotting my next visit, in fact.
If you have never had Ethiopian food, you may want to find a dining partner who has and start your exploration of the stewed meats and veggies that way. The injera here (the spongy bread on which you eat and with which you eat) is fresh fresh fresh and never brittle - you can also ask for a whole wheat version.
The food is so much fun to share - when I dine out with meat-eating buddies the "Winnie Mandela" is usually on the mesob (ethiopian name for the lovely woven tables you dine on). It features the meal Mrs. Mandela ordered here during her visit here (which I think was back in the 90's?).
Do start with sambusas (like Indian samosas)! Cheap and filling!
For your main course - pretty much everything is a combo plate - one or two meat based dishes with some vegetarian dishes.
For veg: the Gomen Wot (Chopped collard greens cooked in herbed oil with onions, green pepper and garlic) is a personal favorite. The split pea dish is also quite tasty.
I love all of the chicken dishes - the chicken has litterally fallen off the bone once it is on your plate of injera - the texture is reminiscent of Moroccan clay pot cooking but with more pureed veggies and less overwhelming spice - one can really taste the subtle slow cooked, butter enhanced flavors for themselves rather than being overwhelmed by spice which could invade your enjoyment of the other dishes.
My personal faves - anything "alcha" - chicken, lentils, beef - all so wonderfully delicate - they play well with the other flavors that will wind up in your tummy.
I am not the hugest lamb fan - but I heat the lamb is amazing (it is affordable for certain, as is everything here - we're talking an average $6 for a glass of wine and $15 or so for a combination dish)
You are getting a good amount of starch to fill you up with the bread you eat with / on - so I was a bit disappointed with my choice to try the Kinche (Cracked wheat blended with herbed oil or butter and spices) as one of my veggie options on my last visit. It was the only thing that was hard and messy to eat and really was just like having a pile of pastene (small pearl pasta) or couscous to eat with bread. I would have rather more Gomen Wot or Tikle Gomen (Cabbage cooked with vegetable oil, garlic, ginger and green peppers) instead. This was my only disappointment of this visit.
I would say unless you are itching for a couscous-like option, skip the Kinche and get more veg or meat!
My friend and I were oohing and aaahing over our meal the whole time, joking we sounded like Sally in the famous When Harry Met Sally scene - I was thinking I felt more like Bob in What About Bob...
Hands down the BEST Ethiopian in the Boston area and I would say it exceeds the quality I have had at many establishments that feature this cuisine in Washington D.C. (if you love Ethiopian food and are planning a visit to the capitol, you MUST go to the Adams Morgan area and virtually any Ethiopian restaurant will not disappoint you).
Really cute place. Love the cushion chairs and ambiance. Great date spot for something adventurous and different.
Injera was light, fluffy, and tasty. I could pick at that alone. Tried the Yebeg Wot (lamb), Gomen Wot (chopped collard greens), and split peas. Everything was tasty and surprisingly much lighter than I expected.
Service was great and the Ethiopian beer was not bad at all! (for someone who typically doesnt enjoy beer). It was a great experience. Not sure if Ethiopian food is my all time favorite, but I'd definitely come again for something different and tasty.
I had heard good things about Addis, so I expected something really great...maybe I should've set my standards lower.
The ambiance in Addis is really nice--well, the upstairs portion. Downstairs is a bit strange, reminds me of someone's basement decorated with Ethiopian furniture. We were seated downstairs, where it was completely empty and definitely felt like you were eating in a basement...
Some of the food was good--at least the chicken. The fish was a bit gross--we ordered it and nobody would touch it because it was really dry and didn't look too tasty. The service wasn't great--our waitress looked like she wanted to leave the entire time she was at our table. You know when someone is about one step away from rolling their eyes? Yes, that was our waitress...the entire night.
Probably won't be returning...only one of 5 dishes we ordered here was good, so I don't think that qualifies for a Round 2.
I finally went to Addis Red Sea last night, after years of saying, "lets try that Ethiopian place!" and then going somewhere else. I'm really glad I did, so now I can move onto some other restaurant that will take years to actually get to.
Anyways, it was a good exerience-- and I DO recommend it, but at the same time I can't say I'm dying to go back.
The environment was really comfortable and fun, especially since my husband is African himself and felt closer to home there. The seats are mostly stools, which might be uncomfortable for some people-- so if that's you, try and snag a seat against the wall!
We went with a bunch of people so tried lots of different things. The dabo (bread) with green pepper sauce was warm and soft with a hint of cinnamon (cumin?). Anyways, it was good. Also had the spiced cottage cheese, which was enjoyable. For entrees, our group had a lot of variety--fish, chicken, and lamb spread. The table was spread with spongy bread and then the waitress poured our entrees onto the bread so the juices would get all soaked up, and we dug in. The food was great and we gorged on it pretty ferociously. Also, I enjoy eating with my hands.
I'm not sure I can explain what went wrong with my meal. I was happily eating, and then I suddenly hit a wall and couldn't eat another bite.
I understand how people are reminded of southern Indian food with dosas and curries. BUT: Addis Red Sea uses a very different variety of spices giving it a different flavor entirely, so we're talking about apples and oranges here.
Overall: you should try this! But for some reason, I probably won't be back for a while...
I was there for my first try of Ethiopian food. Being pretty close to what Indian cuisine uses in terms of vegetables and spices, I went there and loved it.
Their bread was awesome (pretty plain but still goes well along with all the veggies). Very nice and friendly wait staff. Kind of darker ambiance but can take that any time if the food is great
I think I might have expected too much from this place. I had a lot of friends over in town and they wanted to try a different cuisine than the regular fare we always have. I thought of Ethiopian because I had this lovely meal in Cambridge at a place who's name escapes me, but I'd heard of Addis just as well and had never been there. So decided to give it a go.
As we walked in, the place looked cozy and beautiful. There are two levels to the restaurant and we were taken downstairs where there was a small tiki bar area almost and it was quieter and in my opinion, prettier than upstairs. So we could easily have conversation.
The menu looked good and we ordered a lot of different dishes. Two lamb dishes and one chicken dish along with 3-4 vegetarian dishes as well. We also had the sweet red wine which was pretty good. As far as the food is concerned, it was good, but certainly not exceptional. We were given ample amounts of bread, but somehow the meats just seemed slightly less flavorful than I expected it to be. It's a pity because the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect but the food just did not match up to it.
Regardless, the servers were courteous, nice, and helpful. They immediately seated us and it was a fairly busy Monday night which goes to show that the place is popular. And it is an affordable place to go to and have a filling meal. It's definitely worth a try, but I've had better Ethiopian food just across the river.
My boyfriend and I had been wanting to come here for months. When we first sat, we were totally caught off guard which was both nerve-racking and exciting. Luckily, I was able to watch the people eating next to me to figure out what to do. I still dream about this food- and although I ordered the vegetarian combo- it was a beautiful medley of flavors. Even the guava juice was delectable. I have a feeling any other Ethiopian food I will eat elsewhere won't nearly compare.
Be ready to eat with your hands!
It's a bit of a hike to get to if you're taking the T. Parking in South End on a weekend night is almost impossible. But once there, it's a neat place. I would recommend going with a bunch of friends as the fun is in trying as many different dishes as possible.
We almost always get the combination dishes with a couple of chicken, beef and lamb dishes along with 4-5 vegetarian options. You really can't go wrong. The chicken/lamb stew, cabbage dish, lentils, chickpeas, etc. It's a very social affair, sharing your food so don't go here if you aren't close with your group!
Addis Red Sea is a great choice for a date night. because it's classy, different, and encourages lively conversation as well as good dining.
I learned at Addis Red Sea just how delightful, how different, how tasty, and how fun a meal in the style of Ethiopia can be. My partner and I wanted a "date night," and she chose Ethiopian as the cuisine. We used Yelp to research our options and chose Addis because it was close to our home. The food was well prepared and plentiful. The ambiance was great. (Another reviewer said upstairs is much better than downstairs; I didn't venture downstairs, but I can vouch that upstairs is lively and delightful.)
I have learned the ins and outs of Ethiopian cuisine by eating my way through the multitude of amazing restaurants in Oakland. I look for injera with more teff than white flour and just the right balance of the spices that make this regions food some of my favorites. Other than the lovely decor and excellent service, my only meal here left me very disappointed.
I ordered the vegetarian sampler and was underwhelmed with the portion sizes and flavoring. As us usually the case, the lentil dish (yesmir wot) was my favorite and is a great counterpoint to the tasty Gomen (greens). The atakilt (potato/carrot) helped fill me up, but the mitten shuro was more sweet than I like. The salad seemed like an afterthought.
Addis reminds me of a very popular restaurant from when the Ethiopian/Eritrean scene first started in the Berkeley/Oakland area. The Blue Nile was a watered down version of the traditional foods made more palatable for an American palate. After trying it I was happy to move on to the places filled with Ethiopian ex-pats in one of the largest communities outside of Africa housed in San Francisco's east bay. I recommend any fans of this restaurant try food that better represents the best the cuisine has to offer.
best ethiopian i've ever had and i try it everywhere I go. The people that work there are friendly and helpful (if you're an ethiopian first-timer or just overwhelmed by the menu, they're psyched to show you the ropes). nice selection of wines, and best of all: the atmosphere. It's cozy and unique, you don't sit at a table, but at what i would describe as an elevated basket :)
sounds nuts, but it's actually really nice and relaxing.
I like Addis Red Sea enough. I've been to a lot of Ethiopian restaurants and this isn't the best, but it is good.
The price is fantastic (we spent about $30 bucks for two people before tax) and I like the set up of the restaurant. I also like the fact that the people who are serving the food are Ethiopian themselves. They know the menu and can explain anything to you.
The one thing that I really don't like about Addis are the seats. If you have a bad back, please hold off until you feel better. I'm pregnant and I was thinking about going to Addis the other day until I realized I probably wouldn't be able to get off of the seat at the end of the meal. They really are that uncomfortable. Call me a spoiled American. I like that it's traditional, it's just not comfortable for eating.
Such good food, wonderful friendly service and an all around great experience. Different from the everyday, such a treat. The food is so yummy and I love the traditional way of eating. I would hesitate to go with people I didn't know well as you are eating with your hands and sharing from the same plate...though they bring everyone hot towels beforehand. Overall great experience, can't wait to go back!
Best Ethiopian restaurant I've been to in the US. Awesome location in the South End in a gorgeous brownstone. Exquisitely decorated in traditional Ethiopian style. Food is very Ethiopian - earthy, unique, delicious.
Well, I shall start by saying I will actually give 4 1/2 stars, Because I do think it's a little expensive for what it offers. Key word is "little". They are almost reasonable.
the Place looks great. every thing looks and smells clean, unlike most places who cook African/Asian food. Food comes a little late compared to the other restaurants, How ever, Taste makes up for it.
If you are Indian, or Understand what I am saying, The place serves Dosa's with different curries. Chicken tastes exactly like SouthIndian home cooked chicken curry. so, if you wanna go, I recommend it. All they are missing is a coconut chutney.
In case you are not, Food comes on a big platter on a spongy Bread(Dosa).When they say side dishes, they mean more curries. They spread it on the big platter on the spongy bread. Every one eats from the same plate. It's a little oily, if you really don't like it, I guess you gotta ask the staff to reduce oil content. We had mango and guava juice, Mango juice tastes really artificial, but guava juice is quite good. All in all, you can go here when you want a different experience & ethnic food which is not too spicy.
Though I am saying it's a $$$ restaurant, it's more like being quite high end on $$ restaurant.
The food is great, and relativity cheap. GREAT date spot if you know you can get a seat. I'll start with that because I do recommend that everyone eat here, but do not go on a weekend night with a party less then 6 because you can't get a reservation and you will wait on line -- and do not believe the door man when he says about 20 minutes every time you ask him, any time you ask him.
The eating experience is unique. You eat with your hands, but don't let that discourage you because they will provide you with extra flat bread to scoop up your meal if you really don't want to get dirty, and the flat bread is delicious. So is most of the food -- I like spicy dishes, and most of the spicy dishes here are superb. The lamb is my favorite.
Ethiopian in my experience can be most closely related to Indian food, but not Hindu Indian. Muslim Indian. There is a difference, and that is the best description I can offer. Delicious sauces, tender meat, and plenty of vegetarian options. Don't bother getting desert though - it's good, but nothing special and overly priced.
This sounds strange, but I wouldn't recommend going to this restaurant if you have a back injury. Seriously, I've been twice, once with a back injury, and the chairs aren't suited for it. There is a lot of bending, and very little leaning back, but don't let that discourage those in good health. Once you sit down the atmosphere is plenty relaxing -- dimly lit, but no pressure to keep your voice down.
Another one of my favorites... my friends and I come here about once every 2 or so months, we can't get enough. Such a fun atmosphere whether you're on a date or with a group of rowdy friends, and of all the friends and acquaintances I've introduced to Addis, not one of them hasn't absolutely loved it, veggies and carnivores alike (I recommend this place basically to anyone that'll listen).
The injera is the best part, the spongy bread soaks up sauces and holds food bits beautifully, and it's so fun to share around a communal plate. Warning: injera will expand in your stomach and 15 minutes later you suddenly feel like you want to explode (in a good way) because you just became full. Take that into consideration when ordering (I never do an app or dessert, just one entree and lots of injera).
My roommate always gets the Timatim Salad for an app which is basically fresh bruchetta (tasty though), and I once got a veggie samosa that was not bad (actually the waitress originally brought over a beef one which I couldn't eat, boo), but the way to go here is the entree-only route IMO. My fav entree is Doro Alcha, chicken in this rich delicious butter sauce, mmm... I've also had some of the other entrees (lamb tips, veggies, etc) and all are tasty, but the alcha sauce always calls me home. You think it's not going to be a lot of food, but like I said, DON'T underestimate that injera. They are often out of the 'good' honey wine (I *think* it's the Axum but it could be the Royal Mead?)- actually I don't think they've even had it for the past 2 years-, and the other 2 honey wines aren't quite up to snuff... but when they have the good stuff, oh man it's so good, it's sweet and has a sort of hazelnuty taste to it. We tried to buy it once at the wine shop across the street, but ended up buying the wrong version that tasted like sweet spoiled beer, yuck. Honey wine fail.
On the rare occurrance I can fit more in my stomach after my Doro Alcha, I love the Ethopian coffee that comes in the really neat carafe/vessle thingie, and any of the mint teas/coffees are good choices as well. Desserts are standard, not bad but not really good either (typical baklava, cake slices, etc), not made in house I believe and not really worth it IMO.
Prices are wicked reasonable, but service tends to be s-l-o-w and sometimes scattered, and the wait time can be quite long if you're headed on a weekend night. Dinners usually last 2-3 hours, so be prepared to linger. Also expect to be uncomfortably stuffed if you have no self-control for injera (like me!), so plan your dinner early enough so that you're not immediately headed out dancing or something. Trust me on this.
As someone who has little experience with Ethiopian food, I'd have to recommend Addis Red Sea specifically for that reason. For anyone in my position you should feel comfortable heading into their cozy, subterranean living room of a dining room, sitting down and asking the staff for recommendations. Their gracious dispositions, smiles and warmly attentive service makes you not only feel at home, but will allow you to enjoy your meal without worrying about being unsure of your order.
I feel no need to rave about the food, because as you can see from other, more experienced reviewers, it is some of the best Boston has to offer in this style of cuisine. Thought I cannot offer comparison, I can say (lacking vast Ethiopian-food experience) that it was spicy, hearty, filling, served quickly, enjoyed quietly and seemed to be made with care.
Perfect for a group of friends or an intimate dinner for two, Addis left me satisfied in hospitality and satiated in appetite.
One tip: the table on the far left, way at the back corner of the restaurant has a nasty cold draft in the winter time. It's very out of the way and offers a view of the entire restaurant, but it was hard to ignore the chill.
My wife, Luna, passed away in 1997. She loved Ethiopian food. At the time we had to travel overnight for a good Ethiopian restaurant. Sometimes we'd even get a motel 8 or Red Roof INN & go back the following night. Remembering those weekends of decadence sometimes helps me in my darkest moments. Luna would aways complain about there not being a good Ethiopian joint closer to Boston. When she got sick I had to make the trek to Providence myself, to bring her back a doggy bag. We'd get stoned in her hospital bathroom so she would have an appetite and we'd dig in.
All that said. It's great to have a good Ethiopian restaurant in B-Town.
It's about time! The honey wine is fantastic. Of course there's a wait! Somethings are truly worth the wait: add this to the list.
Love,
Sal
I had never had Ethiopian food before and was excited to try something new. Going for the entire Ethiopian experience I tried the Ethiopian Beer (I am by no means a beer expert - it tasted pretty much like every other beer in the world to me) My date and I ended up getting the sampler that was a little bit of everything which was a good choice, especially if you're an ethiopian newbie like me. The food was delicious and the restaurant had a nice mellow atmosphere.
It actually might have been a little too mellow. Everyone seemed to be talking in hushed voices, and it was exceptionally quiet. Being half Spanish and a generally excitable person, I felt like I was practically yelling every time I went to speak and was slightly paranoid everyone was listening to my conversation.
On a side note, If you're dating someone exceptionally tall, bring them here. My date sat in a tiny folding chair and looking at him entertained me for the entire meal. I still giggle occasionally envisioning him hunched in that chair.
It's the kind of place you have to be in the mood for, but I would definitely go back again.
Service was phenomenal,
loved the atmosphere
food was bland and unenjoyable for this picky eater!
good looking chocolate desserts, tarts, coffees and teas, but did not try them.
bread is (and is supposed to be) served cool and is spongey...gross!
not my thing.
Final Decision: Best Ethiopian Spot I've ever been to.
So I heard about this spot from my boss at work a few years back and wanted to give it a try. The decorations in the restaurant seemed to give the place a feel as if it was Egyptian as he described it, but when we arrived, we got a shocker as it was an Ethiopian restaurant. Having never been here before, we walked in to grab a table on a cold wintry night and got a big surprise, a nice long wait of 45 minutes.
We we finally got seated, man were we hungry. It was interesting as we were sat near the front entrance and sat around a basket weaved table. We ordered some appetizers and our food. The appetizers took a little bit of time to get out, but it was worth it. The entrees took just as much time as well.
Items ordered:
Sambusa with ground beef - appetizer...the flavors resemble a miniature curried puff pastry...all i gotta say is YUM...
Yesega Alcha - cubed beef with a great blend of ginger onions and tummeric...I think I can still taste all the flavors in my mouth even till this day
Yebeg Wot - simmered lamb in a red pepper sauce...man this was just as tasty...
Doro Wot - not bad, interesting flavors, but I still liked the beef a whole lot better.
Sides Butecha, Yekik Alacha, Yesmire wot. I really digged the Buetecha and the yekik alacha. The splite peas and chickpeas were bursting with all the flavors that each dish was cooked with, but I wasn't so excited about the lentils.
The service throughout the meal was great, the girls had various wines that was offered and they all seemed to enjoy them, bummer I can't remember the names. I really love this place for the decor and all the food that it offers. Bummer that the capacity is low that the place can't get people in and out a little faster, but I guess the prize is worth the wait.
The food was not nearly as bad as the Mass Ave/Porter/Cambridge location yet not nearly as good as Asmara. We both found it quite bland and were disapointed that the 'bread' (sorry, I forget the name) was not as good as that we have had other places (including Asmara). The leftovers did, however, taste better than the food we ate at the restaurant and the prices were a bit lower than Asmara's.
First off, I wish this review could be 2 1/2 stars.
I'm ALWAYS up for trying new types of foods and dining experiences. Exactly why I went to Addis. Heard from a few people that Ethiopian food was awesome so we ventured to the South End location.
When we first arrived the host or busboy or whatever he was (goofy,confused and out of place white dude) was really awkward in seating the two of us. There were a few tables occupied, but plenty of open seats but he seemed really confused as to where we should sit. A waitress came over and yelled at him for putting menus on some tables then she too looked confused when trying to seat us. Both me and my bf stood there awkwardly then took our seats.
Ambience is pretty cool. I appreciate the authenticity (I'm assuming it's authentic since I've never been to Ethiopia) However, the stools we were sitting on were so painfully uncomfortable. Our backs were killing and I almost fell over once. Luckily I am short, because If I were taller I would have had no leg room at all. I do like the intimate setting with the shared food on the table, but BEWARE if you are at all weirded out by eating food with your hands and sharing with your party then don't go here. I didn't actually mind this part at all and thought it was actually pretty cool.
As for the food. After much consideration I decided that I do not like the weird spongy bread thing that multi-purposes as your plate/utensils. My bf thought is was a bit undesirable as well.We shared the Doro Wot (chicken) and one of the beef entrees, which I cannot remember the name. The food for both of us was just okay. It wasn't bad, but it was far too bland for my taste.
Okay, I KNOW that I should not compare foods that are not from the same region, let alone the same continent.. but Ethiopia borders the Indian Ocean and there were elements of the meal that reminded me of Indian food. Of course they are very different and I should not compare them, but after leaving Addis I had wished to myself that I should have gotten Indian food instead. For me this meal was a bland version of Indian food.
For those adventurous foodies out there I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place, but it's definitely worth going at least once, just for the experience.
sidenote: It's pretty obvious that creme brulee and tiramisu are not typical Ethiopian desserts and we knew that but could not resist ordering dessert. Definitely frozen desserts that are made off premise. Skip dessert, but get the Ethiopian tea. It was tasty!
Boston, MA
Category: Ethiopian
Neighborhood: Porter Square
Category: Ethiopian
Neighborhood: Central Square
Category: Ethiopian
Somerville, MA
Category: Ethiopian
Neighborhood: South End
Category: Latin American
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