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African Harambee Restaurant - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants African Restaurants Ethiopian Restaurants Vegetarian African, Ethiopian, Vegetarian [Edit]
7537 N Clark St(between Birchwood Ave & Howard St)
Chicago, IL 60626
Neighborhood: Rogers Park
(773) 764-2200
- Nearest Transit:
-
Howard (Purple Line, Red Line, Yellow Line)
Jarvis (Red Line)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for African Harambee Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"...piri piri nyama beef, peanut stew, turmeric ela, collard..." In 4 reviews -
"...I have tried the Dried Fruit Curry with lamb cooked with..." In 3 reviews -
"...look for a fork: extra injera bread is provided for you to..." In 5 reviews
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Kelly L.
Skokie, IL
1/15/2010
I love, love, LOVE this place. I would recommend bringing a group of family and/or friends here and ordering a combo plate (I love the vegetarian one) with injera. Everybody gets to eat directly from the same huge plate and it's a very communal experience... in a good way.
The food there is flavorful as well as filling; I'm a big fan of their lentil stews. The injera is great for sopping up the sauces and stews.
My one complaint is that the service is a bit slow. However, the owner is very hospitable, and the food is most definitely worth the wait. -
Review from Beth O.
Chicago, IL
7/26/2007
This is a new Pan-African restaurant created by one of the founders of Ethiopian Diamond and another chef. In addition to delicious familiar Ethiopian fare like yemisir wot, it carries starches and breads (Ugali, chapati and couscous as well as injera) and dishes from across Africa-- as the menu says, from Casablanca to Cape Town. The key is to ask the extremely friendly owner what to order, and then enjoy. We started with lentil- and flavor- full African summer vegetable rolls that taste more Asian/Indian than sambussas, then sample Che Bu Gen, a tasty shrimp and tilapia dish, rich PIriPiri Nyama chicken, and exotic dried fruit curry with chicken. We learned about it by driving by and then reading glowing reviews of the cuisine on various foodie listservs. We were one of three tables in the restaurant but predict that once this genie is out of the bottle, it will be crowded.
Side notes: Currently African Harambee is waiting on its liquor license, so you may want to call aheadabout BYOB. Another bonus is that there is free parking in a lot next to the restaurant, too-- easing the trip from the city center or from Evanston). -
Review from Jade T.
1/10/2009
No longer must I travel to Uptown Chicago for Ethiopian food. African Harambee is two blocks or so from Howard Street Station (still within the shopping plaza area). They might not serve lunch during the weekday, but their dinner starts early at 3:30pm.
The food is so delicious and filling. You can't go wrong with a combination platter. The different dishes were well-spiced and full of interesting flavors. None were too spicy nor too bland. Even the Quota (chopped spinach simmered with garlic and onions - a seemingly boring dish) would make Popeye proud. Like other restaurants serving this cuisine, there are many vegetarian dishes. I think African Harambee has more than average though.
There are numerous of Ethiopian restaurants in Chicago, but Harambee (which offers both Ethiopian and African food) is a strong competitor to the likes of Ethiopian Diamond and so forth. You won't be disappointed here. Just to be prepared to have leftovers. -
Review from Dantee A.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2009
This is my second experience with Ethiopian/African food and it was delicious!
My friend and I found this place on Metromix and consulted on Yelp - after reading the reviews - we got so excited that we were salivating.
It's very convenient to get there - just take the red line to Howard and walk to Clark - 7 minutes tops. Harambee is nicely decorated and turns into a club on the weekends (or so we thought since there was a dj setting up his equipment).
Forget the food (not really), but the service was fantastic! The owner, Sisay is the most humble and the down-to-earth guy you will ever meet. He explained everything on the menu and gave us a history and some lessons on the food and drinks. He started us off with the African Summer rolls which were awesome-ly delicious - and the dipping sauce that came with it - that sauce - OMG.
I also ordered a satisfying cup of Lentil soup and the Lamb Peanut Stew which comes with a choice or rice, cous cous, ugali or injera. I'm still a little indifferent on the injera so I opted for the ugali which had the consistency of polenta or grits. The combination of the Peanut stew, lamb, onions, garlic, and ugali was out of this world - very comforting and very filling.
My friend had a dish called "Alicha", which is a lamb, garlic, onion, ginger, and turmeric stew. Equally delicious.
Since it was the weekend and we wanted to start pre-gaming, my friend and I decided to try some Ethiopian spirits and wine. My friend ordered a glass of Tej Wine which is a Ethiopian Honey Wine and a drink called "Dik Dik". The wine was refreshing - very sweet and delicate. "Dik Dik" wasn't a drink at all actually - its 2 shots - 1 of whiskey and the other Amarula (tasted like Bailey's). The story about this drink was cute "Named for the nobility of this African wild animal which stays faithful to its partner for life". The drink was cute, yet hardcore.
I ordered the "VeeVAfrica". The "VeeVAfrica" is drink made with Veev Liquor flavored with acai berry with a garnish of a Sweet Piquante Pepper - or so I thought. Sisay told me to eat it because 1) It's a native pepper from Ethiopia and 2) its sweet and spicy. Sisay was right. The combination or the drink with a bite of the pepper gave it a spicy contrast to the sweet acai berry flavor.
I will go back to Harambee in a heartbeat. Actually, I would go back just to see Sisay. -
Review from Carolyn G.
Rogers Park, Chicago, IL
11/6/2009
I don't know why, but I never visited when this place was African Harambee. Now that it's Ethopian Diamond 2, it seems to be doing better... there were people inside tonight (usually it looks quite empty). We decided to try something new, rather than our usual Hop Haus as the old-standby and I'm so glad that we did.
The E1 combination platter for 2 was the perfect amount of food. Anything labeled "spicy" was, in fact, spicy - bonus! We'll be back! -
Review from Kumar M.
Chicago, IL
3/7/2008
Very good Ethiopian / N. African cuisine. I have been sorely missing Addis Abebba which used to be on Clark and is now closed so this was an exciting experience -- very good! However, the space is a little too open and they could have just a bit more variety on the menu. If I hadn't just found Demera (amazing new Ethiopian place) I'd say this one is the best since Addis Abebba.
Unfortunately, Harambee is in a horrible location, so please stop by! It's literally in a strip mall in the middle of nowhere but you won't be sorry. Food is excellent and they have this interesting nautical theme left over from the last tennants. Your best bet if you live in Evanston or Roger's Park, or the vicinity.
I actually find this place *much* better than Ethiopian Diamond, I guess I'm picky about my Ethiopian :) -
Review from Tuvshin U.
6/27/2008 3 photos
Excellent food and nice atmosphere! I had organized a small company lunch there for 30 people. Everyone liked the food - wonderful way to try African cuisine.
Owner is very cooperative, pleasure to deal with.
As good as it gets! -
Review from Moni K.
11/19/2008
This is my second visit to an African restaurant the first one being the Ethiopian diamond.
For a newbie to African food I am very impressed. Even though when you first walk into the restaurant you are overpowered by strong incense you quickly become comfortable and get used to the aroma.
For appetizers I have tried both the meat rolls and vegetable rolls. From those the vegetable lentil roll is really tasty.
Next, I have tried the Dried Fruit Curry with lamb cooked with dried fruit in a curry sauce with injera Bread. It was all very very good. The lamb was very nicely cooked and it had no fat and was fresh! The fruit sauce with the lamb completed the meal. I also had a glass of African honey wine, very sweet but also highly recommended.
The service was great. The owner was on premises and he himself took our orders, thought us to pronounce words and made recommendations.
The bill comes out to be about $20 per person with one drink.
Highly recommendedListed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Andrew J.
IL
7/26/2009
We finally checked this place out last night after being disappointed that our favorite Ethiopian restaurant was closed for a private event. Well, that disappointment must have been Providence's gimmick for getting us over to African Harambee.
We actually steered clear of the Ethiopian cuisine in favor of the other multiple options from all over the African continent, mostly Kenyan and Senegalese. I'd never tried ugali before, which was a part of the *spicy* lamb stew I ordered (delicious!). Another of our party got the dried fruit curry with couscous, which was also quite good. The other entree we ordered was a tilapia and shrimp dish served with rice (also nice and SPICY).
Service was extremely friendly and helpful. It was really a shame that at 8:00 on a Saturday we were only one of two tables there. I'm hoping more people discover and enjoy this authentic and truly delightful restaurant; we'd like to return well into the future! -
Review from Shakeia T.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2008
Just got back from this restaurant. I went for a party, so the food was served buffet style, but everything was still fabulous. The service was great, and there's plenty of room for a large group. I will definitely be going back.
P.S. There is a full bar now. -
Review from Vijay M.
Evanston, IL
Updated - 12/9/2009
When I visited in Nov 2009, it has changed from African Harambee to Ethiopian Diamond (This restaurant is Diamond 2). Please note if you are looking for the owners or employees of African Harambee.
The food is still the same, nice wait staff.Listed in: Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/5/2008
This is a sister restaurant of Ethiopian Diamond. Owner Sisaye is very cordial(Again, ofcourse).… Read more »
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Review from Jeff C.
Columbia, MD
2/15/2010
I loved this place when it was African Harambee. Now that it's Ethiopian Diamond II, a few things have changed. Gone are some old favorites, such as the piripiri nyama and the peanut stew, in exchange for new choices including kay watt and gored gored. They seem to be paring back on the sides, too. A typical meal from African Harambee would include red and yellow dal, collard greens and a small salad, while a typical meal from Ethiopian Diamond only includes two or three of those.
In light of all that, the food from Ethiopian Diamond II is still very good. You can look forward to sharing one large tray with everyone's entrees as well as a few sides served atop a layer of injera bread. Don't look for a fork: extra injera bread is provided for you to scoop up delicious morsels with your fingers. Make sure you order different entrees and share, else you'll just end up one larger portion and miss out on something else equally good. It carries out well, too, though you miss out on the easy sharing of the large tray, and you only get two sides. The lack of sides was the most disappointing part of my carry-out experience: the dal is my favorite side, and I received collard greens and a salad.
No need to worry about street parking: there's a large lot behind the restaurant. I've also never had to wait for a table, although when I went in the other day, they'd apparently just finished serving a party of 20 and another party of 24! Expect to leave stuffed. And happy. -
Review from Elizabeth M.
Manhattan, NY
3/22/2009
Wow! I went to this place last night for my birthday and it was amazing! I went with my family and boyfriend who are all very picky about ethnic food so i was a little nervous when i took them there, but they absolutely loved it! The food was just unbelievable! We got the vegetarian platter and it was just delicious. We didn't know that the platter was so big and filling and we all ordered separate entrees and couldn't finish them, and we were completely stuffed by the time we left, so take note that the platters for two are great for four! We also tried ugali for the first time which was so good, i couldn't stop eating it. And eating with your hands was so fun!
For the service, it was great! The owner is soo friendly and smiley and is really helpful with the menu and picking out food for you. I am going to Tanzania this summer so I was exciting to get a little taste of it before i leave. I talked to the waiter and the manager about my trip and they helped me pick out food that would i would probably eat there and they were so excited about it and told me i should come back and show them pictures. They were very relaxed and polite. Just wonderful. -
Review from Patrick B.
Chicago, IL
6/27/2008
My wife and I have been regulars at Harambee since it opened and have always enjoyed the food. We are vegetarians and have eaten in Ethiopian restaurants around Chicago and in other locales including Detroit and Windsor, Canada, but this is our favorite.
We usually get the yemisir wat (spicy lentils) and vegetable tagine on injera bread, and the big fragrant platter always includes another vegetable (usually cabbage), yellow lentils and fresh salad. Last night for my wife's birthday we also ordered the okra dish, which was excellent. And to help us celebrate, the friendly owner comped us our drinks and surprised us with an excellent dessert, a deep-fried, puffy, crunchy wheat pocket filled with nuts and raisins, served with vanilla ice cream.
It was a fine meal, as usual. Our beer choice? Bedele, of course, from Ethiopia, or Tusker or another African beer if they've run out of Bedele. -
Review from Ted C.
5/9/2008
I'm probably in the minority here when it comes to this place. The service was excellent, my friend even got a free bottle of wine for bringing us all here. Friday they had a jazz band playing and they were really lively. I have to say that the food was a little lackluster. I've been to Addis Abebba and I would go there hands down before coming here again or Vee vee's in Edgewater. There are a lot of other places that are around that would get my attention before Harambee.
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Review from Nancy T.
Kansas City, MO
4/21/2008
I've been here many times and it's become one of my favorite restaurants. Delicious food, pleasant and relaxing environment, excellent service by the friendly and gracious staff. The food was so delicious, I asked for an extra helping of one item and wasn't even charged for it. The lamb tibs, piri piri nyama beef, peanut stew, turmeric ela, collard greens, dal, and injera bread were all superb. You will not be disappointed with this place. Don't let the drab strip mall location deter you. The owner and staff are so incredibly nice, I'm rooting for their success. The food is addictive and so so so so good! If you love good food you won't be disappointed. I strongly urge you to order your main dishes with the injera bread. It's so fun to eat with it (you tear off a piece and use it to scoop up the stews and sauces--YUM).
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Review from Dave H.
Oakland, CA
12/8/2007
They now have their liquor license and serve some really cool African beers, including Windhoek from Namibia. There's a great variety of stuff on the menu (pan-African) and it has all been good so far. Service is really friendly. East African folks from Edgewater seem to have picked up on it as well, which I'd take as a good sign. Given the choice between this place and Amphora next door, it's a no-brainer -- this is by far the better choice.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Jonathan Y.
Wilmette, IL
1/27/2008
We had a terrific time at this restaurant. We tried the shrimp piri piri (sp?), a spinach dish with lamb, a couple of vegetarian options. All of it was delicious and plentiful. The four of us ordered four entrees to share, and we could have easily done three instread and had enough to eat. The host of the restaurant is warm and welcoming. Strongly recommended!
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Review from Jenna C.
Chicago, IL
8/15/2008
Came here with a class. The service was excellent and the food was great. From the street, it's rather unassuming, but definitely worth the stop.
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Review from Noel T.
Oak Park, IL
1/31/2010
Very tasty Ethiopian food. The portions are large and you leave feeling quite full. I had the vegetarian sampler, which you can choose from 3 of the vegetarian dishes. Had some excellent ethiopian tea as well. Highly recommended!
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Review from Tamara W.
Chicago, IL
6/18/2008
My husband and I wanted to try something different so after researching we decided to try African Harambee. Sisay sat us and we began our journey into Africa. We started with African Summer rolls served with a wonderfully seasoned sweet and spicy sauce. After a short wait out came our main entrees; Peanut Stew served on couscous for me, Jollof Rice with lamb for my husband and Peixe a Lumbo served on Injera Bread (Tilapia and shrimp), which was the STANDOUT dish for the table. A special note must be made of how great and fresh the salad that came with each entree is. All about this place is AWESOME! The service is so wonderful, Sisay was so helpful and added greatly to our whole time, he even gave us samples of the best South African wine to pair with our meal. Adding to all this was the wonderfully presented and tasty dessert. I have the orange sherbet (divine) and my husband had the house special dessert Hamambee Pastry, a fried piece of heaven that includes pieces of chocolate, four different nuts, cranberries, dates and raisins, served with ice cream (can't even begin to tell you how good this taste). We dined for three hours, enjoying our trip to other place. We recommend this place to everyone.
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Review from Chad C.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2008
I second the last reviewer: more people need to know about this place! I am a big fan of Ethiopian Diamond. This is in the same vein except with much more variety. I was actually surprised at how different each of the dishes we ordered were. There were three of us and we each ordered a dish with a different starch: ugali, injera and couscous. All were excellent. As the other reviewers said the owner is really helpful and will recommend dishes/pairings.
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Review from Ajay N.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2008
Great restaurant. Nice people, great food, good prices. We had the meat rolls (beef), lentil soup, and piri-piri lamb on injera, all of which was excellent. A great new place!
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Review from K S.
Chicago, IL
10/15/2009
So sad to see that this restaurant closed. It was a partnership with owners from Ethiopian Diamond. However, the food was just as good and not as expensive. The decor was lacking and service was slow, but the food and portions were awesome. They had a menu with various types of African cuisine. I really enjoyed this place as I'm an avid fan of Ethiopian food. This restaurant is now closed and looks like a second location for Ethiopian DIamond will replace it. It's silly as the diamond isn't very far away from this location. It's sad it closed. It was desolate when we dined there. We were usually the only patrons, sadly.
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Review from Optimus P.
Chicago, IL
11/1/2007
Amazing food and very reasonably priced. The restaurant looks completely unassuming from the outside, the decor is fairly standard for a family-style establishment, but the food selection is fantastic.
