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Altaye Ethiopian Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
8135 Rainier Ave S(between Elmgrove St & Rose St)
Seattle, WA 98118
Neighborhood: Rainier Valley
(206) 353-5157
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 10 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
74 reviews for Altaye Ethiopian Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"oh they have some tasty injera here." In 21 reviews -
"Chicken tibs were AMAZING." In 4 reviews -
"Delicious food" is an understatement." In 4 reviews
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74 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer C.
Seattle, WA
1/29/2012
Rainier Beach is not exactly brimming with destination restaurants, and when I coaxed my friends southward so that we could all try Altaye for the first time I had my fingers crossed that the experience would be worth their gasoline money. Upon entering, my heart sunk as the entire dining room was occupied by a party of approximately 20 people. Our party of four was relegated to a high two top with mismatched stools. I was not optimistic.
I need not have worried. Altaye was easily one of the better dining experiences I've had in some time. Despite the massive group in the adjacent room, ice water was provided immediately and our food arrived after only a modest wait. Our gracious hostess was an absolute gem, as was her male counterpart, and their warm smiles and easy conversation truly made us feel welcome in their restaurant.
As for the food, I think I have found my new favorite Ethiopian spot. The deep flavors of the doro tibs as well as another of the richly spiced tomato-based stews were incredible. Not to be overlooked was the fleet of vegetarian delights, each one as good as the next. A surprising addition was a tasty beet concoction, not something I've had at other Ethiopian restaurants.The hostess informed us that she makes the injera fresh daily, and the high quality was easy to taste. Our table of four split one vegetarian combo order and one order of doro tibs and we all had our fill for a grand total of $26.20.
Overall, I'm just so pleased to have Altaye in my 'hood. I'm certainly looking forward to returning many times in the future. -
Review from Nora T.
Federal Way, WA
5/20/2012
This place has top notch food and excellent service all for a decent price. The only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is that the vegetable portions they give are a bit small compared to what I've gotten at other Ethiopian restaurants. We've tried the sambusas (an Ethiopian style samosa -- the spicy potato and pea filling is awesome; the lentil filling not so much - too bland for our tastes), the Altaye special, the vegetable sampler, and the kitfo. Everything other than the lentil filled sambusas were amazing. If you're a fan of kitfo (Ethiopian style steak tartare), you will not be disappointed by Altaye's! Their chai tea is also out of this world delicious.
The first time we went they didn't have a particular cabbage dish (a yellow, buttery sauteed cabbage side) that my sister and I have loved at other Ethiopian restaurants, but when we came our second time and requested it, they made it special for us and it turned out perfectly. They also do amazing beets and greens here.
The only thing I would change about this place would be more veggies and less lentils on our plate since there was only enough greens, beets and cabbage for a couple small bites per each person at our table. If we see a more generous veggie portion the next time we go I will definitely change my review to five stars.
Regardless of that complaint, this is now our go-to Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle based on taste and service alone. -
Review from Judy M.
5/6/2012
I risked my life to come here. A few days away from my due date and amidst a small snow storm, my friend and I trekked it up here.
The restaurant is intimate, and the owner friendly.
As she brewed up my Chai tea, my friend and I pondered deeply about what should be our first Ethopian lunch. After much deliberating, (since my baby might be born in an Ethopian restaurant we took this task very seriously), we finally decided on the combination plate. When in doubt go with everything!
The owner's son brought my Chai tea, and we asked him what he would suggest. Without hesitation he suggested the beef stew.
I sipped on my Chai tea which was surprisingly mellow, but aromatic, with just the right spice.
After a few commercials and news stories, our food arrived. I prefer naan over injera. Injera has somewhat of a sour taste. That aside, it's a perfect vehicle for all the foods. The potatoes and cabbage had a slow cooked taste and was bursting with flavor. The Lentils were nicely seasoned, and the lamb was tender and was not gamey at all.
The beef stew came later, and was definitely a stellar dish. The beef was well seasoned and swam in a nice pool of stew that was sopped up nicely by the injera. I will definitely be eating more Ethopian food. -
Review from Christian M.
Denver, CO
5/23/2012
Small, cozy and delightful. I and a coworker had dinner at Altaye. We ordered two combos, but the owner had an excellent suggestion that we change out one of the combos with a chicken dish. It was excellent. The food, as is the custom it seems at Ethiopian Restaurants, comes at its own pace. The service was excellent and the price super cheap for the quantity and quality of food we got.
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Review from Brandon H.
Mt Horeb, WI
5/5/2012
Fantastic Ethiopian food! The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and the big sampler platter was delicious.
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Review from Matt R.
Kirkland, WA
4/14/2012
Seriously good food, seriously friendly service, seriously inexpensive prices, and their injera is made like it's supposed to be with teff, so it is gluten free! Vimto sodas, Hakim Stout beer, spice levels (and TV programs!) to your request - don't let the sketchy neighborhood and lack of curb appeal put you off from giving this place a try. Dinner for 4 was $60 with tax and tip, and we had to push ourselves to finish the quantity of food that was brought out. Definitely recommended!
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Review from Melody P.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Thanks Larena H for setting up a UYE. This is a great event. I got to hang out with my Yelp fellows! I love Ethiopian food. The spice is so much different than what I used to. It's so different and unique.
This is probably the 4th Ethiopian place I've been in Seattle area. Altaye is kinda in a run down ghetto area. It can be a little bit scary when you see bars outside of the windows. But, the food is good. You can find street parking easily.
The restaurant itself was small. But, 15 of us managed to squeezed into this little space. I was there late. However, my Yelp fellows left me a full plate of food. The portion of their serving is HUGH! The combo I had was meats and veggies with the Ethiopian bread.
Altaye has good and friendly services. I love the fact that they are very accommodating large group like us. If you haven't tried eating with your fingers, this is your Eating-with-finger 101 class.Listed in: Ethiopian
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Review from Tracy M.
Seattle, WA
5/4/2012
Delicious and pleasant dining experience. Thanks for the recommendation, Yelpers. The veggie sampler was delightful, and two thumbs up for the spinach and cheese that came with the Gored Gored (which was also delicious with a lovely buttery aftertaste). The raw-ness of this beef dish did kind of worry my dining companions, but I convinced them to try it, and they quite liked it. The lamb was also lovely. The ginger tea is just ginger and hot water (near as I could tell) but they bring a jar of sugar so you can add the sweetness level of your preference. The injera was lovely, nice spring-y texture and pleasant flavor. Not as much "sour" as I've experienced before, but that okay. It allowed the veg and meat flavors to shine. Fun watching a soccer match during dinner, too. The staff were lovely. Our waiter was nice, and the woman from the back was a delight. Super friendly. Maybe not the fastest place to eat (so don't try for dinner before a movie or show) but we had no plans, so it was lovely to linger and chat. The other diners also seemed to be having great fun. One table was talking about their love of Ethiopian wines. Another table wanted an iced tea style drink, which is not normally on the menu, but the staff were great about accomodating him.
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Review from Liz M.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I attended the UYE here several weeks ago, as my first foray into the realm of Ethiopian food. There are a surprising number of Ethiopian joints in my neighborhood, but I was reluctant to try it without the guidance of someone a bit more experienced in the cuisine. I'm still not entirely sure what was in some of the dishes I ate, but I do know that just about everything was DEEELICIOUSSSSS! Probably the only thing I didn't like were the beets and that's just my personal bias against beets (don't ask). The dishes were 'gently' spiced due to the large group we had, but still had plenty of flavor for me. I thought the no-utensils style was going to cause me problems, but I can proudly say I did not spill my food once. The secret is to take only a small piece of the injera (bread), as it makes controlling the sauces much easier.
The platters are astoundingly huge - one plate can more than easily feed four people, and the prices are shockingly low. Because we arranged a special group price, it was very cheap, but the regular menu prices are almost as good.
Don't be put off by the somewhat sketchy reputation of the neighborhood, or the bare-bones look of the restaurant itself. If you want fine dining and ambiance, you'll have to look elsewhere. But for delicious, cheap food served by the nicest people you will ever meet in your life, head to Altaye. -
Review from Charlie S.
Somerville, MA
10/13/2011
You lucky, lucky people of Seattle. I've been here the past few days, a visitor from Boston, and I've had some very good food. Cafe Campagne near the Market was lovely, Shiro's had some wonderfully fresh sushi, I've tried cheese from Beechers and coffee galore. And yet, what compelled me to get on the computer and yelp is not any of these, but Altaye.
I lived in the Bay Area and frequented many Ethiopian and Eritrean places in Oakland. I've had Ethiopian food in DC, where I believe the largest Ethiopian population of the US resides. Altaye ranks with the best of these,. for taste and value. I just ordered their special to go, and the amount of food you get for $13 is enough for two hungry folks. Such wonderfully spiced and prepared vegetables, such flavorful meat. The injera may not be as sour as tradition dictates, but it's quite good, and again, served with a generous hand.
If I had this restaurant back in Boston, I'd feel blessed. Instead, I leave envious of you folks here - take advantage of what you have! -
Review from Larena H.
Mmm, Ethiopian food. I had never tried Ethiopian cuisine until we ventured over to a place over in Portland. I was very impressed then, and I'm even more impressed with Altaye!
There are 2 things to look for with Ethiopian food:
1) Feeling warm fuzzies from the owners.
2) Tasty, tasty noms. It might be a very foreign flavor to you, but it should be tasty.
Altaye has both IN SPADES!
First of all, the two owners, Essa and Titi, are incredibly friendly. I've only been in there twice, my dude has been in there three times. Not only do they recognize us, but they knew what we wanted to order with our most recent visit. They remembered that his favorite dish was the chicken tibs. That kind of service is hard to beat! Every time we've gone in here, there have been kids at some of the tables, and Titi is so sweet to them. You can tell she's just a genuinely sweet lady who loves kids. She really caters to them.
For anyone who is new to Ethiopian cuisine, I am going to explain how to eat this wonderful food. (Note: wash your hands before coming here or in their restroom. You'll be using your hands to eat)
Oh, the food! First of all, bring a friend. Try the sambusas; they're great! Order the sampler plate. You only need one sampler plate for 2 people. You will get a serving of lamb tibs (usually), sides, and injera. The serving portions are very generous, and you might even leave with leftovers. Both of you will leave feeling as happy as a stuffed tick at a nudist camp. If you want extra food or more than one protein option, order the chicken tibs. They will make it as spicy as you want, and they will let you know if you might be ordering more food than you can handle. There is no upselling here. We make it a point to only come here when we're really hungry, and we always leave with leftovers - especially if we order the chicken tibs in addition to the sampler platter.
Where you're going, you don't need forks. Instead, you get injera! The injera is made fresh every day, and it comes with your order. It's delicious. If you've ever had injera that tasted like soapy water: they weren't doing it right (obviously). Try this stuff instead. Tear off a piece about the size of 2-3 of your fingers, scoop the tasty food with it and sort of make a bite-size taco with it. Eat the whole thing. Repeat. Once you get through most of the food, start eating some the injera that has been the bed of the food on your plate. It will be extra tasty since it has been soaking in the flavors of the food that has been resting on top.
You will notice some white crumbled cheese on the sampler platter. That is called the eyeb. Now, for those of us who have sensitive stomachs or if you've had stomach issues after visiting other Ethiopian food, you want to save this stuff for last. Basically, it's like a dry cottage cheese. If you have stomach issues like I do, you absolutely MUST eat this stuff at the very end of your meal. It helps appease your unsuspecting stomach from all of the foreign spices and flavors you just threw at it. TRUST me on this one. I don't care if you don't like cottage cheese. If you're lactose intolerant, well I can't help you. Just make sure the eyeb is the last thing you put in your mouth at the end of the meal. You might want to ask for some extra just to be on the safe side.
Don't let the surrounding location deter you. We've parked on the street hidden our valuables (be smart, people), and never had any issues. Sure, it's not in the most desirable part of town (by Seattle standards), but it's still not bad. The food is at a great price, service is superb, and the food is simply the best.
Just writing this review makes me want to go back. We definitely will! We have. Repeatedly.
Since the Alligator Soul is now closed, I officially move to replace the crawfish etoufee with the Altaye Special at Altaye on the Seattle Foodie 100 list. The motion has already been seconded by Darth. Go visit this place, and come back and say "Aye!" in your review. You *will* say "Aye!"Listed in: Seattle Foodie 100, Seattle Places I take out of…
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Review from Michael F.
Brooklyn, NY
9/27/2011
Ginger tea is hot, single note of ginger. I added sugar. It was delicious. I haven't had Vimto since a corner store in Pittsburgh. They've three ethiopian beers as well.
Titi is amazing. This was our first meal in Seattle, and I called ahead to ask if they'd be open on Friday night right before we left. She called me back 20 minutes later to let me know where to park just in case we couldn't find it when we got there. We sat down, were asked what our hunger level and spice tolerance was, and were hinted toward the sampler (almost all of the veggies) + a different goat dish + that amazing red spicy chicken.
I can't emphasize enough how friendly and welcoming the staff here are, how delicious the food was, and how much I felt like I was in an absurdly welcoming family home instead of a restaurant. The chicken is a must, the sampler was very nice as a base. Go right away. -
Review from Sarah N.
Seattle, WA
9/28/2011
I'm not in the practice of writing bad reviews for places - I only write Yelp reviews for places that really blow me away. Altaye is one of them. Even though I live right down the street, I've never been here before last night. It's a small place that could easily go unnoticed if you're not seeking it out.
I'm allergic to wheat, so I'm always trying to find good wheat-free options. Titi, the owner makes the injera bread from scratch here every day, and it's made the traditional way - with teff only - no wheat! So, wheat allergy people take note - this is the place to go! (I don't know if teff is considered gluten-free...)
We tried the Altaye special which was a sampler plate of meats and vegetable dishes and the Foul. Altaye differs from others because their food isn't necessarily as heavily spiced as other places, but it is obviously fresh.
Altaye is one of those little hole in the wall places where the food is made with love and you feel like you're eating in your living room. I loved it! -
Review from Niki F.
7/13/2011
I came across Altaye by way of Yelp reviews, as did (seemingly) every other Yelper here. While on extended vacation in Seattle, I sought out the words "Ethiopian" and "good for kids", and this just-shy-of-5-star-rated establishment came up front and center. Then I read the reviews that told me not to go for the neighborhood, or the decor, but for the food and the service. Since I'm not a snob about PNW neighborhoods, and have time and time again been disappointed inside spendy, trendy settings, I was all about trying out some incredible food and renowned sincerity of service.
Breakin' it down:
- The owner, Titi, is not only beautiful, not only hospitable, not only talented in a kitchen, but also kind. When my nine year old decided the spicy chicken she ordered was way above her personal level of "hot", Titi (unsolicited) made her another "special for you" dish and checked on my kiddo frequently to make sure she was happy. She also openly adored my two year old, who, on more than one occasion, wanted to run wild throughout her restaurant.
- We came with several friends and ordered red wine. When I asked for a Merlot or a Cab our server looked confused and just said, "I'll show you what we have." We feared the worst, but what he had was - agreed by all - the best! Dry and delectable.
- Without us asking, and without specifying who was with whom, they split the check perfectly. Every adult at the table was literally amazed by this! Each of us having been caught in the "Oh crap! Who owes what? I guess I'll pay for it all" dining-out-conundrums of before. But the check(s) came and there was no confusion. The staff simply paid particular attention. For which we all paid some handsome tips!
- The ambiance is just dandy. Sure, there are bars on the windows - but as my husband said, "That's just to keep everyone from stealing all their delicious food!"
- "Delicious food" is an understatement.
All in all, everyone was happy. Yay for Yelp reviews. Yay for Altaye. And yay on further trips home to Seattle, where I will forever find a way to make it out to Rainier Avenue for this sort of experience.
(Thanks again, Titi!)Listed in: I Left My Heart in Seattle
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Review from Njeri S.
Pasadena, CA
7/13/2011
Great food at an absolute steal price...what's not to love?
And their chai is not to be missed! -
Review from Kayla S.
Renton, WA
9/18/2011
This place has the best ethiopian food I have ever tasted! Dont be fooled by the outside appearance. We first came here because we were in the mood for intense heat. We are pretty hard to please because we cook indian food a good four times a week. This place did not dissapoint though. We got five stars and the boyfriends head was sweating like crazy. The ethiopian spices are on a different level than other foods. So after the first time we went we get four stars because you can enjoy the flavors of the food more as well.
I would recommend getting the doro or yebeg tibs...or both...with lentils on the side. So good! Even their side salad they make amazingly.
As far as the customer service goes, other restaurants should take notes. They genuinely care and appreciate about everyone coming in. What I appreciated the most when we first went is she doesnt judge a book by the cover..if you ask for four or five stars in spice..you get it. She doesnt put in what you think you can handle. Im white and my bf is fijian and I can handle more spice and was very pleased. I cant stand most other ethiopian places that dont give me what I want. We have been to many and this one is by far the best. -
Review from Jesse C.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food and friendly owners.
My girlfriend and I got the Special Combo and Lamb Tibs and I'm totally stuffed and have some left overs for my midnight snack. -
Review from Linda C.
3/23/2011
Totally awesome!
You never know *exactly* what you'll get into when you go to a new ethnic place based on yelp reviews.
Most of the time Yelp is great, but sometimes you'll eat somewhere that has wildly good reviews and wonder how you missed the boat?!
Anyways, the reviews are spot on here --- the veggie combo was excellent.
Don't be fooled by the price -- it's enough food for multiple people or multiple meals. The to go version came with three HUGE pieces of injera, and I think six different types of curry/dahl mixes. The flavors were so fresh and fantastic. And different! Spiced and salted just right, and not oily at all.
Looking forward to my next trip! -
Review from Michelle F.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 2/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Well, I'm bummed. I brought four people (one all the way from Ohio) all the way from "mainland Seattle" to Altaye because they had the best Ethiopian food I've ever had.
And tonight, I don't know what happened. It was bland. Some of the vegetables tasted like they came out of a can. I was seriously disappointed. I drove too far for that sh*t.
Sad pandas, sad pandas.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/23/2010
Oh wow, wow, wow.
I have been on the hunt for the best Ethiopian food in Seattle, and I think I have… Read more »
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Review from Shelby H.
Seattle, WA
1/4/2011
First, I would like everyone to acknowledge my incredible laziness when it comes to writing reviews. I made a New Year's resolution to write more, and lord knows "eat less" will be broken, so why not feel fulfilled and accomplish one goal?
Altaye easily lured me away from failure today, for at first bite I said to myself, "I HAVE to write a review of this incredible place!"
I arrived around lunchtime, and much to my surprise, I was the only customer there. In fact, I was the only person there. I felt like I was in someone's house, waiting for them to get home and make lunch. There was an enormous TV, a few tables and a heater, so I waited a bit for whom I imagine to be the owner and I am glad I did -- it even tasted like I was getting a home cooked meal.
Being somewhat new to Ethiopian food, I asked the lovely lady what I should have, and she thought I would like... yikes... what is it called?! I believe the yebeg tibs, or how I remember it in my dumb American brain, lamb tibs. Whatever it was, it rocked.
The prep took a little longer than expected, but I imagine that's only because I was growing irate from the topic of the day on "The Talk:" can you be friends with someone of the opposite sex? According to these dumb dumbs, the answer is no. What they failed to say is no, but only if they are hot (and no one mentioned straight, but I kept the bar low for their intellect).
My anger disappeared as soon as my big, beautiful plate of injera and bowl of steaming lamb tibs was placed in front of me. My stomach growled a tiny huzzah and lunch was on.
Ho. Ly. Shit.
Everything was just the right amount of spice, temperature, mouth feel... it all came together in a beautiful symphony in my mouth. It was so damn good, I, like a dog, ate until I nearly vomited. Disgusting but true.
I cannot WAIT to come back and try the meat sampler with some friends because that is a huge plate and I really don't want to re-enact that Monty Python and the Meaning of Life scene. -
Review from Greg H.
Newport News, VA
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to say, after having eaten at many Ethiopian restaurants, this is by far the best. I haven't been to Ethiopia yet, so I don't know how authentic any of the Seattle Ethiopian restaurants are, but compared to all the rest in the area, Altaye has absolutely the best flavors and service - hands down.
If you're not sure what to order, the sweet lady who runs the place will help guide you. Still not sure? Then try a meat or vegetable platter. This way you'll have lots of variety to help you decide what you'll want next time. Yes, I said NEXT TIME. You WILL be back. I find the strong, spicy flavors of Ethiopian cuisine addicting, almost over any other food I've ever had. I'm not kidding, either. It used to be that I only craved pizza or sushi, but now I want Ethiopian at least once, maybe twice a month. It's quickly climbing to the top of my favorite foods list thanks to this place.
The injera here is made fresh daily, and is perfect.
The spices in their dishes are just right, and you can even order your dishes hotter if you prefer. Even if you order just one dish, there's usually plenty for two people to share, making this place a great value. Or, leftovers are always an option if you're by yourself (but the injera can get a bit soggy in the fridge).
The decor isn't much to look at, but the food is spectacular. Parking can get a bit tough at times with the nearby construction, but you should be able to find something on the street. Definitely give this place a chance if you're looking for something different with lots of flavor. I've been there probably five or six times so far, and I know I'll be going back real soon. I'm their biggest fan. -
Review from Tom M.
Seattle, WA
11/13/2010
Yelper's who dig Ethiopian Food - UNITE!
You have to admire the pluck of a restaurateur starting a homegrown business in the face of our decrepit economy. But pluck isn't enough unless the food rocks, and at Altaye both food and service are wonderful.
We were attracted to Altaye by the superlative reviews on Yelp. First of all, it's not an easy place to find. Off the beaten path is an underestimation (though the amount of unique, great food in this part of South Seattle is amazing). And as another Yelper pointed out, Altaye seems to be located on the stretch of Rainier Ave where drivers get their speed up for the big launch.
The decor is spartan, though the flat screen TV they had playing Ethiopian dance music transported me away several times from Rainier Beach to the shores of Lake Tana.
Hospitality, as delivered from the wonderful owner, was really top-notch and typical of the graciousness I associate with this esteemed culture. She recommended a chicken dish that is made from a berbere-based spice mix collected and sent by her relatives in Ethiopia, and man did it perform! I've eaten (and even cooked!) quite a bit of Ethiopian cuisine, but this dish may very well be my all-time favorite. We had the special: good injera, lots of great veggies (though my usual favorite, the lentils, were just average) and washed down with tasty Ethiopian lager beer.
Even my children ate the chicken dish that was specially prepared for them. Total bill for 6 of us was under 50 bones.
This restaurant needs and deserves your business. Make it happen. -
Review from Jinah Y.
Seattle, WA
12/7/2011
This was my first time going here and I was not disappointed. If you like ethnic foods..i.e. not burgers and fries you will like this place. The owner is very hospitable and warm - she makes you feel very welcome. The only reason I'm giving it 4-stars is for the ambience. Not that I expected anything fancy (considering it is on Rainier Ave) but it was extremely cold and there was no lighting whatsoever so were pretty much eating in the dark (and not in a good way). If they just added a few light bulbs and maybe some music in the background.. it would do wonders.
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Review from Marla E.
11/14/2011
i really wanted to try this place after reading the reviews here and since it's the closest ethiopian food to home, i made it happen. the owner is very friendly, and she seems to really enjoy feeding people. that gets 3 stars. the interior is really bad - worse than some other places i've been. that subtracts one star.
the food is pretty good, worth an additional star. i got the standard veggie combo and hubby ordered 2 sambusas. i've definitely had better but there were some dishes i hadn't had before anywhere else. there is an injera dish (some stuff with pieces of injera mixed right in), a beet dish, goat cheese, and both green & brown lentils in addition to the standard red. there was a general tomato-y note to many of the dishes, and the red lentils were pureed and had a mouse-like texture, which was odd. the cabbage in my fave carrots & cabbage was replaced with potatoes, which made me sad. the one thing i like was there were all hot dishes instead of the tomato & lettuce salad that most places add.
the one sour note was that there was a stray piece of meat in the collard greens and one in the red lentils. the owner was very apologetic and sincerely cared that it had happened. i also really didn't like that there was a movie playing on a big tv a few feet behind us.
i'm going to keep going until i find my perfect combo of atmosphere & food. -
Review from Kelly B.
Issaquah, WA
7/5/2011
My husband uses Yelp quite frequently to find top rated local cuisine. To sum it up, the previous reviewers did not steer us wrong and I have to agree with Darth V. This may be the "best kept culinary secret in all of Seattle."
Not only was the food full of flavor, but the experience and atmosphere were all a part of the charm. We brought my parents on our visit and my mom was a bit sketchy on trying out a new style of eating. As in eating without utensils. The cook was so very helpful in getting her to be at ease with this and showed her exactly what to do. By the end of the meal, my mom was having so much fun, she may never use a fork again! (okay, so that part's not entirely true). Overall, the cultural experience was so charming and welcoming, that we exchanged rounds of hugs and good wishes with the cook and server. They were so friendly and helped make our dining experience truly over the top.
We will be back again to experience the phenomenal flavors at Althaye, and so should you... -
Review from Savannah M.
Renton, WA
10/30/2011
Very tasty. I had the lamb injera. It was filling at a reasonably priced. Btw...the chai tea is AMAZING. The restaurant is quaint and the staff is warm you can feel it is a family run establishment.
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Review from Darth V.
Bellevue, WA
7/3/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I've long debated whether to write this review. Not because my experience was in any way odd, not because the food was subpar, not even because admitting I was there totally kills my alibi about being nowhere near that part of town during the time 74 people were mysteriously taken out by a lightsaber. Nope, none of that.
The reason is quite simple: It's because writing this review exposes what is quite possibly the absolute best kept culinary secret in all of Seattle: The food at Altaye.
The place looks more fit to be a smuggler's den than a restaurant; an unassuming little building in (by Seattle standards) one of the grittier parts of town. A sturdy opaque door more suited to prevent B&E's than glass, which you aren't even sure is the entrance at first. As you walk in with your phaser or iLightsaber drawn, ready for anything, you come to find yourself in a tiny little restaurant with no more than 5 tables in it. You won't find a hostess station or some stupid iPad reapportioned to perform reservation lookups in order to make themselves seem douchey-hip here, just 2 owners of a small business who treat anyone who walks through that door like family. No extensive menus are handed to you. Here, they believe in quality over quantity in terms of selection.
The food is as authentic as it gets (and yes, I have been to Ethiopia). The injera is made fresh every day. The chicken tibs here are near the top of list of best things I've ever had in Seattle. So much so that I'm making yet another executive decision, and replacing the crawfish etoufee from the now-defunct Alligator Soul with them on that Foodie 100 list. But don't do yourself a disservice and just make an order of those. Come here with a mate, order the sampler plate (which will include some of the tibs), get a separate order of the chicken tibs as well as a couple of Sambosa's, split everything, and leave fat, happy, and unable to defend yourself should I decide to pop out from behind a building and destroy you. There is literally nothing here that they don't make delicious. If you attempt to order more food than Essa and Titi think you can handle, they'll steer you right. You don't even have to perform a complex Jedi mind trick or else distract everyone with a pipe full of Spice in order to dull their senses to have it happen. This is the rare type of restaurant that's not out to get every nickel they can from you; their goal is just to make sure you leave satisfied.
Cost? An absolute steal. 11 dollars for the specialty plate, which is not only delicious, but more food than even I could eat by myself whilst utilizing The Force to expand my stomach. Between the Lady Vader and I, we made a valiant effort to take it down along with the order of tibs, but fell short. Our shame was great. Standalone entrees under 10 bucks. Sambosas only a buck and a half each. Whatever is left over? Makes a delicious late-night snack.
If you think you don't like Ethiopian food, try this place. Odds are, you're wrong. If you have limited experience with Ethiopian (perhaps only that place that held the UYE back in January), you haven't had the real thing until you've been here. If you're a fan of the cuisine, then it's a moral imperative to make the pilgrimage here. After all, I could come around a corner and Force Choke you at any time. Do you really want to die not knowing the wonders of this place? I think not. I honestly don't have one negative thing to say about this place - and that's saying something, since anyone who reads my reviews knows, I'm a pretty tough reviewer.
Just don't start bumrushing the place so that Lady Vader and I can never get a table. There'll be hell to pay.
An incredibly well-deserved 5 Deathstars.Listed in: The Seattle Foodie 100
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Review from Emily R.
Seattle, WA
12/19/2010
Delicious, delicious food, and fantastic service, and CHEAP! Altaye is the best for Ethiopian food in Seattle.
I've always just ordered the combo with an extra meat dish of the owner's choosing, and I've never been let down - everything is always fantastic, and she is so friendly and helpful if you're with anyone who's new to Ethiopian. Make sure to wash your order down with a glass of their chai, which is the best this (or any) side of the Mississippi.
The decor is a little sketch, but the food is so good I'm happy to overlook a little linoleum here and there. If you're looking for a great homestyle Ethiopian spot, or curious about trying a different and delicious type of food, get yourself over here! -
Review from Scott O.
7/25/2010 ROTD 11/27/2010
Me: Are you open this evening?
Owner: Yes.
Me: Do you have kitfo on the menu?
Owner: Yes.
Me: Do you have air conditioning?
Owner: Yes.
Me: Do you take credit cards?
Owner: Yes.
Me: Sounds good!
Owner: What is your name?
Me: Uh... Scott?
Owner: What time are you planning on coming?
Me: Um... around 7pm?
Owner: See you then.
We arrive, and the owner greets us and shows us to a table reserved just for us, as close as can be to the air conditioner. It had been a hot day; yet we needn't have worried as the entire restaurant was cool and comfortable.
The menu is fairly standard for Ethiopian, yet a couple of things stuck out: shiro, a delectable concoction of pea flour, onions and spices; and a lot of tibs dishes. Tibs are grilled or sauteed morsels of lamb, beef, or chicken - Altaye offers all three. Eat at enough Ethiopian restaurants and you'll know that U.S. restaurants specializing in tibs are a rare find.
We ordered the kitfo (raw) - because I was in serious need of a kitfo fix; chicken tibs, beef tibs (both medium spicy), and the vegetable combo. All dishes were cooked to order, which took ~25 min. but was waaay worth it!
They make everything themselves, and the entire meal was cooked to perfection. All of the meat was tender and flavorful, as were all the veggie dishes. The injera (bread-as-utensil) and ayib (homemade cottage cheese) etc. were also standouts. My only regret was that I got full on kitfo (I was the only one at our table who likes it raw) and didn't have enough room for the beef tibs, which are some of the best I've ever had. This meal was a home run on all fronts - not a single dud on the plate.
The owner and a helper both provided wonderful service throughout the meal. In fact, we felt like we were honored guests in someone's home.
I've been enjoying Ethiopian food since my Washington DC days 20+ years ago. I have eaten at many fine establishments in DC, in Seattle, and many others in-between. As of tonight, I have a new favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle. If you like Ethiopian cuisine, you should get over to Altaye as of yesterday.
Highly, highly recommended.Listed in: Ethiopian Restaurants
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Review from Vinh T.
Renton, WA
2/25/2012
My wife and I visited Altaye for the first time. It was my first try of Ethiopian food. I really love it. The injera is fastantic! My initial expectation was not high because of the locale, but this restaurant is quite a gem. The owner and host is very friendly and gracious. I will definitely return.
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Review from Joshua B.
Bothell, WA
10/28/2010
Fantastic food, friendly owners. Totally worth a 30 min drive to eat here. I and two friends enjoyed the special sampler along with chicken with Greens and Yebeg Tibs (Lamb).
It may be a little off the beaten path but well with it! Can't wait to eat there again! -
Review from Travis E.
Maple Valley, WA
Just got back from lunch here. Driving up to this place was less then impressive. It's in a run down looking building with a small store at one end and the restaurant at the other. Getting out of your car after parking on the street is like living a frogger game. But the reward you get is the most delicious meal.
Everything on the menu sounded amazing and the smells from the kitchen seemed back up that assumption.
I ordered a beef stew (I wish I remembered the name) dish and asked for a little hotter then medium but don't blow me away. I could have taken a little more spice but luckily they serve it with a green chili paste/sauce/salsa thing on the side that let's you add a little more spice to each bite. I'm not sure I can describe just how amazing this dish was. It was spicy and rich and beefy. The bread as utensil took about two seconds to get used to but I got the hang of it. The slight sourness of the bread lent a nice depth to each bite too.
The two people working here were so nice and seemed pleased that we loved their food. But I doubt they were as pleased as we were to eat it. -
Review from Nathan Z.
Seattle, WA
9/24/2011
My girlfriend and I had dinner here, wanted to try someplace new, and I had only been to one other Ethiopian restaurant before (and it wasn't very traditional). The service was amazing, I believe they were the owners, but also served as the waiters (and possibly the cooks too?) were super friendly and helpful! The food was truly amazing, and both my girlfriend and I ate until we couldn't possibly eat any more (and even then caught ourselves nibbling on food that was in front of us until it was taken away). I wouldn't recommend for parties bigger than 4 people as it's a very small restaurant. I highly recommend, you will not be disappointed. Yum yum yum yum!!!!
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Review from E F.
Seattle, WA
12/5/2010
Don't mind the decor, the food and service are great. If you're in the area, and the mood for Ethiopian strikes you, then check out Altaye. There's another Ethiopian restaurant named Tagla that's further north on Rainier Ave, but I haven't tried it yet. We usually go to Meskel as we have friends in the Central District (and we have a few other go-to places), but we were out and about today and were up for someplace different.
We got our usual, raw kitfo (spicy minced beef) and yebeg tibs (spicy stewed lamb). The tibs here is a bit more flavorful and bright, whereas the dish at Meskel is more mellow and smooth. The kitfo is a bit saltier than I'm used to, so I had to ask for a bit more cheese to balance things out. It's also more coarsely ground, whereas the kitfo at Meskel has a finer and more consistent grind with a smoother texture as a result. It came closer to my home attempts at kitfo, which tends to vary in texture depending how much time it spends in the food processor.
The injera here is a bit fluffier and for lack of a better word, more "rustic", though I'm not sure if it's because it's made on the premises. It adds a homey touch, which is nice, but it also fills you up faster. :)
I did feel bad because I didn't power through my meal as usual, and the owner commented on me not finishing. :( Honest, it really wasn't the food, I got full much sooner than normal.
All in all, thumbs up. I'd definitely return if we were in the area again. And yes, the owner is really friendly and sweet. :) -
Review from Ashley A.
Seattle, WA
11/10/2010
This is a very sweet and simple restaurant run by a woman and her son. They were very welcoming and were able to help us to decide which plates we should try and how we should eat them. Eating with our hands became 2nd nature as we began to dive into our meal without looking back! It was a great experience and wonderfully authentic food. They suggested some Ethiopian beer, which perfectly balanced our filling meal. You can control the spiciness of the meal with their five star rating system, too...so don't worry if you have a soft stomache. The owner recommended the 3, which was a perfect balance of spice and flavor.
The owners were very kind and definitely made the experience wonderfully unique. It was a fantastic meal at a deceint price and I'm excited to try them again. -
Review from Rhondalei G.
Auburn, WA
9/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Loved the special! Tasty selection of veggie accompaniments with the beef dish in the middle. Ordered foul, even though it's primarily served for breakfast. The service was great with just a few check-ins and our server was very sweet. I will definitely be coming back to enjoy a good meal with friends here.
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Review from Bill N.
12/6/2010
I am a big fan of Ethiopian as well as my boys (11 and 14) but my wife has been reluctant to go for a while so it has been a couple years. Although she does like Ethiopian, she always wants to go somewhere else. It was my birthday last Thursday so I got to choose where we were going. The great reviews on Yelp and its southernly location led to me choosing Altaye.
It was a rainy dark December night and the restaurant didn't look too inviting from the outside with the barred windows on an old rundown building. The inside wasn't much better- we were the only ones in the restaurant. The heat was apparently off but there was a space heater they put next to our table. There was a TV that had the news on. The couple that run the place ended up watching with us once they were done with the cooking. It was like we were in their living room and we commented on the news stories with them. Kind of cool but also kinda weird.
We wanted an assortment of food so we tried to order their meat meal for all of us. They said that it would be too much so they just had 2 of the meals and then a side order of a beef and chicken dish. Food was amazing. Just what I wanted. It could have been a little spicier but that happens to us a lot when we have our kids with us. People are afraid that kids can't handle it but my kids are use to it and crave the heat just like me.
That night, one of my boys and myself both had some stomach trouble. I can't be certain that it came from this so I am not going to take stars away but I should probably mention it. The only other people we saw during our meal was a guy that came in just to get injera. They said they also provide the injera to several other stores in the neighborhood. So, in summary, great food, great prices, weird atmosphere gets you 4 stars... -
Review from Adam W.
Sammamish, WA
11/10/2010
Quaint on the outside (and inside) but delicious and totally worth the trip. You'll probably feel like you're eating inside someones living room but that's just part of the charm. (There's a big-screen TV left on for good measure.)
If you're new to Ethiopian food (as I was) then eating with injera (a traditional spongy bread) as the only available utensil is a minor adjustment but totally delicious. Dishes are around ten bucks but ridiculously filling. Oh for God's sake, just go there. -
Review from Meghan F.
Seattle, WA
5/28/2010
In our quest to hit all of the Ethiopian Restaurants on Rainer Ave, we hit up Altaye for our second stop on the tour given all of the good reviews on Yelp and we definitely were not disappointed!
I'm giving them 5 stars due to the outstanding service. The food was really flavorful, and considering 2 of us ate for $17, I felt like I was robbing the place.
We started with Chicken Sambusa's which were HOT and really tasty, and then we shared the combination platter which was great. Very fun to try a little bit of everything on the menu. I believe it came with 7 or 8 different small portions from each section of the menu.
My favorite by far were the Lentils. Flavor explosion with a good amount of heat, my nose was running, but it tasted so good I couldn't stop eating it. We also tried a beef dish, rice, a pea like lentil, beans, 2 kinds of spinach and salad.
The owners are so super sweet, very welcoming, and I would definitely go back again just to hand out with them.
All in all stop #2 on the Ethiopian Restaurant tour was the best thus far! -
Review from Kam A.
King, WA
5/25/2010
Went here for Sunday lunch after watching Top Chef Masters reruns.
My husband craved Ethiopian food all of sudden after seeing Chef Marcus Samuelson add berberi on his hamburger patties.
We had doro wat and kai wat (I'm not sure how that is spelled). It was great! It had very bold flavors that partnered well with the injera (sort of unleavened bread). No utensils, we had to use our hands, which was a great experience. The owner is a sweetheart! Will definitely come back to try out more in their menu, and their famous espresso.
