The Best Ethiopian Restaurants in Toronto
Toronto may not be known for its Ethiopian restaurants, but few meals delight like the sharable injera, tibs and kifto served on Bloor, Queen and Danforth. Everything served here is undeniably authentic. Just don't forget to wash your hands 'cause you're not getting forks or chopsticks.
Don't expect much menu variation, although M&B Yummy is a notable exception. Most restaurants win points for location, service or atmosphere. All are vegetarian friendly but be warned - veg and meat dishes will be served on one injera unless requested otherwise.
Most importantly, don't forget to order the coffee at the start as it takes at least half an hour to prepare. Few coffee traditions are as much fun as the Ethiopian's and there's nothing quite like Ethiopian coffee, complete with popcorn and a real strong cup 'o joe.
Ethiopian House
At Yonge and Irwin lies Toronto's best known Ethiopian destination. Largely due to its central location, this is the first spot many try injera and tibs for the first time and is the food against which all others will be judged. The menu is long but it's the combo platters which keep me coming back for more. For every two people get one mixed veggie platter and one of something else. More...
Addis Ababa
Diners near Queen and Dufferin have been happily filling up for years at this spacious corner joint, and for good reason. Their veggie dishes are superb but don't miss their kifto to really taste the soul of Ethiopia. They also have the largest selection of Ethiopian beer I've found in the city. More...
Queen of Sheba
Bloorcourt's Ethiopian offerings rock the list, and maybe that's no surprise. Queen of Sheba somehow flies under the radar - it's ambiance and service leave something to be desired - but still wins hearts night after night. Must be thanks to the Mixed Queen of Sheba platter, combining veg and non-veg favourites into one large, delicious, inexpensive meal. Actually, it's more like two meals, but I don't see anyone complaining. More...
Nazareth
It's hard to decide what's best here - the pleasant staff, the intimate atmosphere, or the more-than-reliably delicious food. Pick one of the eight menu items (it doesn't matter which, really) but the vegetarian platter is most popular, even among carnivores. Portions are big and the cost is about half of what you'd expect it to be. More...
Lalibela
Just east of Ossington on Bloor, Lalibela offers a refreshing counter to Nazareth. While still cozy, the larger space lends itself to groups and the service is more hands off. A perfect spot for 4 or more (their funky basement is available for larger groups), everything here is expertly prepared and goes down well with a Bedele, their Ethiopian beer of choice. More...
M&B Yummy
Already veg-friendly Ethiopian food is kicked up a notch at Parkdale's M&B Yummy where faux beef and chicken dishes allow vegetarians to see just what this tibs thing is all about. The menu includes vegan dishes, chickpea, lentil and other non-mock-meat options. Beef seekers beware - M&B proudly claims to be Canada's only pure veg Ethiopian restaurant. More...
Rendez-Vous
The usual suspects - tibs, veg platter, even doro wat - are the mainstays of this East Danforth gem, and the freshly reno'd interior is a welcome change. Be sure to stick around for the coffee ceremony, as Rendez-Vous is one place that really does it right.
African Village
Taking a page from Steamwhistle's "do one thing and do it really, really well" playbook, African Village offers a limited six item menu for lunch and dinner, but does those six things with a master's touch. Stop by in the morning for a traditional Ethiopian breakfast. More...
Sheba Restaurant
Relative newcomers to the Ethiopian restaurant scene, owners Assi and Sebla Zenawi have their mum to thank for their success. Back in the homeland, she packs spices in Ziploc bags and ships them to TO where they end up in the "Mama Shiro", Sheba's signature dish. More...
Comments (30)
Did no one vote for Dukem? I put in my two cents for M&B Yummy because I figured there would be lots of support for Dukem.
How is Nazereth not number 1? The food their is phenomenal, and it's cheaper and more plentiful then what you get at most of the other places I've been to.
I'm lucky enough to live in Bloorcourt, aka Ethiopian food heaven. But my favourite hasn't been mentioned: African Palace, a cute, cheap spot on the north side of Bloor, near Shaw. The food is fantastic, so much that my New York friends insist we return every time they visit.
I don't understand: Ethiopian House is listed as number one, but when I click on "more", it leads me to a blogto review that states "While I wouldn't have gone back for the food here (little expensive, even on the so-so veggie side)..." and is all about their coffee. !?
joshua ???
- addis ababa is dimly lit and you basically have to order twice to get enough to eat
- ethiopian house is a tourist trap but is okay
- lalibela is okay; their fish is pretty good...
- M&B is the only restaurant to CHARGE you for xtra injera !!!!
(all other restaurants don't, but i guess that is because M&B is a vegetarian restaurant, whoopee...)
- all other restaurants listed are fine BUT...
you also fail to mention that alot of these restaurants replace the spicy butter with oil to save on prep costs. again, the customer must ask for butter if they desire it.
there are other restaurants in this city that serve ethiopian food that you have not mentioned !!!!!!! (including some that are somalian as well)
thanx but no thanx...
nice try, but try again ...
Thanks to point that out about the butter! I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it.
Care to mention some of the other restaurants that serve Ethiopian food? That would help a lot and contribute to the topic, rather than just shooting down the efforts of the blogTO staff.
Based on the voting there are plenty of people out there that love Ethiopian House. For whatever reason they're just not adding their two cents to the comments.
I've only ever been to M&B for Ethiopian, and that was only a couple of times... but this post told me what I'd already suspected, that for a vegan no other place would be the same.
Toronto not known for its Ethiopian restaurant? Maybe it should be -- with Washington DC, Toronto is one of the world's most significant centres for the Ethiopian diaspora.
It's funny, I originally wrote the intro with the idea that Ethiopian was common, but I realized that as good as Toronto's Ethiopian food is - and I haven't had better elsewhere, yet - more often than not I'm with somebody who has never had it. Nor does it come up in conversation much. I think it's a reflection of its relative unpopularity. Besides, not everybody from this part of the world likes eating with their hands :)
And to be totally fair, most people I know love Ethiopian once they've had it.
I was wrong about Ethiopian House closing down. It was the restaurant next door that closed. When I made the comment above I wasn't sure.
I'm a Vegan as well and my pick would be M&B yummy. I eat there a lot because it is near my place. Its good and they also have lots of vegan sweets.
I am also shocked that African Palace isn't on this website or list.
They are such a cute little place. It was the first place I tried Ethiopian food and I would certainly go back.
I don't see Dukem Restaurant at 950 Danforth in your listings area..it's an excellent place for low budget and tasty Ethiopian food...should be #1 on the top of your page! Go visit or take a look. You're definitely missing one of the best in the city.
Yep, don't overlook the Danforth at Greenwood. I went to a very fabulous Ethiopian restaurant called Ambasel at 1334 Danforth Avenue last Saturday. The food was stunningly delicious and the hospitality and warmth was second to none. While the entrance is very modest and in need of a splash of paint, don't let that stop you from an incredible experience. The coffee ritual was also a very wonderful experience. This is a big space too which could be rented for occasions in a basement. I will be returning many times
Ethiopian House, the service is too sloooooow and there is only one server/waiter/cashier and he is cranky and very rude. Some one even found him cheat b/s he charged him more. Some one else commented on the the attitude of this server (the braided hair server) when the customer pointed out about some issues with the food (veggie stew was not fresh). I know there are other Ethiopian restaurnts, number of them on the Bloor and Ossington area and also on Danforth once your passed Pape some where around Greenwood.
Ethiopian House, the service is too sloooooow and there is only one server/waiter/cashier and he is crunky and rude. Some one even found him cheat b/s he charged him more. Some one else commented on the the attitude of this server (the braided hair server) when the customer pointed out about some issues with the food (veggie stew was not fresh). I know there are other Ethiopian restaurnts, number of them on the Bloor and Ossington area and also on Danforth once your passed Pape some where around Greenwood.
Nazret #1? that must be Joking, Nathret is the only one who charges Extra for a drink which you don't drink, you take only one beer, the bill will apear as two or sometimes she ask for three and when you argue she reduce one, will tell you as she will lose for one, but still you have to pay for the beer you dont drink! Funy.....
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