October 06, 2021(GCDC) - 11 places to feast on beef tibs, veggie samplers, and all the injera. Ethiopian cuisine is widely known for being intentionally communal, with each meal centered around injera.
The spongy bread made from the ancient grain teff doubles as a vessel to scoop up traditional orders like tibs served in trophy-like bowls, Doro wot, or dollops of different stews, colorful veggies, and spices.
The Twin Cities is known for having a decently sized East African population that hails from Ethiopia, and there are several pockets of great Ethiopian eateries around town in Cedar-Riverside, Midway, and Standish that command a loyal and ardent following.
Here are 11 spots to savor the culinary delights of Ethiopia atop a bed of injera.
Adama Restaurant and Awash Bakery
3970 Central Ave NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
(763) 789-4485
A stone’s throw away from the iconic Heights Theater, Adama continues to deliver Columbia Heights some fantastic Ethiopian dishes alongside lots of homemade injera to scoop and savor all the selections.
Bole Ethiopian Cuisine
1341 Pascal St
St Paul, MN 55108
(651) 330-2492
Situated a short distance from the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and Como Park, Bole Ethiopian Cuisine has been helping Saint Paul maintain its reputation for top-tier Ethiopian food. Come in solo or with a crew.
The Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant
320 Cedar Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 333-1644
Doubling as a music venue, this Cedar-Riverside neighborhood fixture is known for tasty Ethiopian fare such as its beef tibs served atop injera.
Dilla Ethiopian restaurant
1813 Riverside Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 332-2898
The Cedar-Riverside neighborhood on the west bank of the University of Minnesota campus is where one can find longtime mainstay Dilla’s Ethiopian, popular amongst students and patrons alike for its late hours and delectable, traditional takes on Ethiopian fare.
Fasika Restaurant
510 Snelling Ave N
St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 646-4747
A short distance away from Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Fasika is a Midway staple serving traditional Ethiopian offerings such as its Vege-Sampler.
Demera Restaurant
823 University Ave W
St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 224-6224
University Avenue West is no stranger to excellent food destinations along its corridor, and Demera fits in nicely with its excellent array of sampler options such as its meat combination platter.
Katar River | Ethiopian Restaurant & Bakery
2751 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 245-0556
Katar River off Minnehaha is also known for serving sizable portions of traditional staples, which allow a person to mix or match veggies or meat along with a heaping helping of fresh-made injera.
Selam Restaurant
3860 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 367-4288
Originally known as Selam Coffee, Selam Restaurant is not only known for serving the finest coffee around but also providing excellent and refreshing takes on Ethiopian fares, such as their kitfo (minced raw beef).
Meseret Ethiopian Restaurant
3867 Minnehaha Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 354-4419
Over on the Southside, Meseret Ethiopian has a wide array of Ethiopian dishes for one or for many, including an extensive breakfast and appetizer menu that is vegetarian-friendly.
Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant
3915 Hiawatha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 839-5868
A block down from Meseret, Mesob Ethiopian may be a little hard to find, but destination dishes like its veggie sampler, along with their other offerings, make for excellent eats with friends.
Agelgil Ethiopian Restaurant (St. Paul, MN)
2585 7th St W
St Paul, MN 55116
(651) 340-3291
Located off West 7th in Saint Paul, Agelgil puts its stamp on traditional Ethiopian fare like savory Agelgil Tibs served in an elegant, yet casual, setting.