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Addis Ababa Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
1184 Queen St WToronto, ON M6J 1J5
Neighbourhoods: West Queen West, Beaconsfield Village
(416) 538-0059
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 1 am
Sun 5 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for Addis Ababa Restaurant
16 reviews in English
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Review from Jason K.
1/9/2011
- my fav ethopian place in the city!
- just came back from having the Beye Ainetu and Yeson Beye Ainetu (meat and veggie combos, respectively), and the kifto.
- about 13 bucks per dish, and was all piled onto one beautiful dish of injera. and i love eating with my hands!
- our server was a really cool dude who hooked us up with extra injera, extra sides, and even recommended us to hit up the tim burton exhibit at the TIFF building. haha.
- he also mentioned that every 2nd friday, they plan to have a dj or live music and turn the place into a little night spot.
- this friday (jan 14th), they are having a jazz night (ie. coltrane) where a dj drops beats on top to make it all awesomely dance-able - and no, he didnt ask me to plug the event. haha.
- my only real complaint is that the heat isnt that great, and would totally recommend sitting next to the radiator on the side wall :) -
Review from Suzie G.
East York, ON
7/20/2009 ROTD 10/7/2009
My recent trip to Addis Ababa was only my second time ever eating Ethiopian food, and the first time was over three years ago. This experience had my good first memories rushing back though, as the food was incredibly delicious.
Our group had fairly diverse tastes, so the four of us all ordered our own separate plates, rather than sharing. I had a sauteed chicken breast dish with tomatoes, onions, and herbs, and the flavours were fantastic. The injera (flatbread that your food is served on and you use like an edible fork!) was as yummy as I remembered. Also, the portions were very large so I had a great lunch for the next day!
The service was a bit of a mixed bag though. Our main waitress was a bit of a ditz who oddly grouped our bills...that is, when she finally got around to bringing them over after we tried to get her attention several times. One waiter who brought us some extra injera and wrapped up our food for us was very courteous and friendly, however.
I'll definitely be making a return visit to this restaurant, and I'll be bringing some more friends along next time! -
Review from Rick Y.
Toronto, ON
Amazing food, prepared fresh when ordered (unlike other places where they have large vats prepared and just slop it on injera, fast-food-style). The coffee service at the end of the meal is amazing.
This is a dining event, expect 2hrs+ between the time you arrive and depart. Great for socializing and chatting while you wait and enjoy great food.Listed in: Rick's Picks
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Review from Teena D.
8/29/2010 6 photos
We have been wanting to check this place out for a while and did this evening.
Gord ordered Doro Wat (an Ethiopian favourite, tender chicken marinated in Berber red pepper sauce). I ordered Beye Ainetu (a combo of Key Wat [strips of Canadian Grade Beef braised Ethiopian style, served in a red hot sauce], Alitcha Wat [lean beef in a very mild and tasty curry sauce] and Doro Wat [an Ethiopian favourite, tender chicken marinated in Berber red pepper sauce]).
Both meals arrived on one platter with injera (Ethiopian bread).
The Key Wat and Doro Wat were really spicy. The Alitcha Wat was surprising bland and I couldn't taste any curry. The meal was surprisingly filling.
Gord had coffee afterward. It is a ritual. First they roast the coffee beans and bring 'em out for everyone to smell. The coffee service includes burning frankincense.
It was a fun and interesting experience! -
Review from Adrian P.
East York, ON
1/11/2010
This place can be hit or miss. It's a family run restaurant and I once had a meal made by the son which wasn't properly heated.
That said, the food is normally very good, better than some Ethiopian I've had, and the coffee service can be a lot of fun if you're ready to fend off the incense fumes.
Also try the sister restaurant Nunu a few doors east! -
Review from andrew a.
7/17/2011
Service was good as was the coffee, but compared to Nazareth the food was really subpar, portions smaller and prices higher. But they are the only Ethiopian resto open on Tuesday's . Which prompts me to wonder why everyone else is closed on Tuesday's. My recommendation is to go to Nazareth.
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Review from Erin B.
6/15/2010 2 Check-ins Here
The smell of incense was almost overpowering enough to make us leave as we arrived, but I'm glad we stuck it out. Dinner was great.
My mom and I shared a veggie platter and the least spicy chicken dish (for mom's sake, not mine). The food was excellent, with the exception of the spinach dish, which was just sort of like a pile of soggy spinach. Highlights were the beets and the lentil mess - both flavourful and crisp or soft in appropriate turn.
We finished the meal with coffee service, and relaxed while sipping the thick, sweet tar. Our server was adorable and only loses points for not quality checking in a timely manner and leaving us stranded without the bill for far too long.
I'm looking forward to taking my fella so I can a) show off my find and b) eat the spicy stuff. -
Review from Giuliana B.
SCARBOROUGH, ON
8/15/2010
I hadn't had Ethiopian food since I was in elementary school, and my friend's mom gave me some Injira with chicken stew to try. I remember liking the bread, but really disliking the stew. Well, my taste in food has changed since I was 11, so yesterday after having spent the entire day walking and shopping on Queen st., I decided to give Ethiopian food another try.
We walked by Addis Ababa, and the patio looked busy, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their meals, so after a quick check on Yelp, we walked in. We were inmediately greeted by a very friendly waitress and escorted to the patio. We were perusing our menus when the waitress walked up to us and asked us if we needed any help deciding what to get. We ended up getting the veggie platter, and a chicken stew that we were told was very spicy.
Our food arrived on a huge platter, and we were given wet towels to clean our hands, as these were going to be the only utensils used to eat our meal. We dug in, and were very pleasantly surprised. The food is really, really good. The veggie platter consisted of some cabbage and potatoes, split - pea stew, lentil stew, beats,spinach and tomato and lettucce salad. Everything was delicious, and well prepared. The Injira was soft, and was the perfect to sop up the veggies and chicken stew. And talking about the chicken stew, well it was nothing like I remembered. The meat was moist, and falling off the bone, the sauce was spicy, but not overpowering or unbearably so. We ate it all up, and were really full ( the platter is big), but I really wanted somehing sweet, so I got the only dessert they had: fried bananas with vanilla ice cream. YUM! The bananas were caramelized, the ice cream soft, and melty from the heat, and it had some sort of caramel sauce and toasted sesame seeds on top. Delicious!
I really enjoyed my experience at Addis Ababa, and will return. The waitstaff was some of the friendliest and happiest I have ever encountered, our water was topped off regularly, and we were checked on by the owner as well as the other waitresses throughout our meal, who asked us how things were and if we liked everything. LIke other reviews have stated, the service is a bit slow, and they do take a really long time bringing out the bill, but we weren't in a hurry and used this time to chat and enjoy the patio. Not the place to come for a quick meal, but great place to have a leisurely dinner with friends. -
Review from Kat T.
12/5/2009
After increasingly strong cravings for Ethiopian food, I finally made it out to West Queen West to try the original of the west-side east-african country's food. I had no idea that my 3 table mates were so vegetable averse. I'm going to have to get Kat F to take me to the all veggie sister restaurant down the street. It was a sad state of affairs that the other 3 people shared a platter of meat dishes and I had my own multi-veggie tray. Maybe I should be grateful I didn't have to share my veggies, lentils and injera with anyone else.
The 'hot sauce' served on the side, is a powder of Cayenne pepper, I think. I dipped aplenty and finished my whole plate of yummy salad and injera. We then had some of that home-roasted and ground coffee. Very good, with enough sugar. I like it sweet!
The downside is they are 'on Ethiopian time', meaning they are in no hurry to clear your plates or get your bill. It took 3 hours to eat!
If you are in a hurry, sit near the back bar where the servers hang out. The servers are quite nice and offer advise on what to order and try help out. I hope they do take out for the next time that craving creeps up. -
Review from Su B.
8/26/2009
Last weekend my husband and I made our way to Addis Ababa and had a fabulous time enjoying one of the best meals in Toronto. Both of us love Ethiopian and we used to live right across from a well-known one in New York and were very happy to find Ethiopian House right next door here in Toronto (but it was quite a disappointment. I have reviewed it on Yelp.)
So a strong craving brought us to Addis and we loved the ambience. Dimly lit with candles, both the patio and the restaurant have an informal romantic air and is a great place to unwind on a Friday evening. I ordered the Ethiopian beer and settled in to listen to a great live band (starts late). We ordered the collard greens, Shiro (lentils), Chicken and Lamb which comes on top of an injera (Ethiopian bread). The food was amazing and the best Shiro I have ever tasted. We will make this a once-a-month staple.
Cons - although the staff is very nice, they are difinitely a little stretched on busy evenings. -
Review from Keith B.
7/30/2009
I am by no means an expert in ethiopian food, but I believe this is one of the best if not the best in Toronto - much better than the other ones I've been to.
The restaurant is fairly small, so if you are a large party I would recommend making reservations. In addition, I would also recommend going with people you feel comfortable with! Many of the dishes are communal and I ate with my hands during the entire meal (this probably isn't the greatest place for a first date or a business dinner).
I would recommend getting the 'Kitfo' - it's a spicy raw beef dish. Obviously, if the thought of raw meat does not appeal to you don't order it... but if you've never had it and are willing to try something new, I would highly recommend this. I usually get this as well as a vegetable dish - I have had a few off the menu and all of them have been tasty in their own way.
I have also heard a few raves about their coffee - unfortunately I've never had the time to try it (apparently it takes a while from start to finish).
One small complaint... while the servers were very friendly and helpful I found the service a bit slow. However, this is probably not the type of place you'd want to go to if you're in a rush.
They also sell a cook book, which I would recommend as well. I have bought this for two different people as a gift (both very in to cooking) and they have told me they really enjoy it. Interestingly, one of the times I purchased the book, I got into a discussion with my cab driver (who was from ethiopia) about the restaurant - he told me he ate there often and it was about as authentic as you will find in toronto. All anecdotal, so take it for what it's worth.
All in all, if you are looking for something a bit different, give this place a try! -
Review from Katy M.
8/9/2011
I am not sure if it the only thing worse than the service is the food, or the other way around. But, this was the worst Ethopian food I have ever had. My first experience with this type of food was last year when I tried Nunu, right next store to this. Tonight they were closed so I tried this place out. Big mistake. Try a different place. All our food was cold. The peas/beans were still crunchy, the kitfo was to spicy, and cold. They used oil not butter. Then it took 30 minutes to get the check. Avoid!
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Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/28/2008
the first time i went to addis ababa it was a dinky dark place on queen and northcote. now its that same place, with the same great food, but nicer looking, with a bit more light, and packed with people.
the best way to experience this is with a few people, and for all of youll to share whats on the table. actually, the way they serve it is not only conducive to that amiability, but its as if they force it upon the knuckleheads that would choose otherwise.
how you say? well, imagine a pancake the diameter of a smart cars tire, the thickness and consistency of a face towel, and the tenacity of a comfortable mattress and you have, a la peanut butter sandwiches, INJERA!!
now, that might not sound toooo appetizing, but well, um, it is. UNLESS, you get it wet. And not by spilling your water on it, but by letting it soak in sauce. then its a porridge of sorts.
but i digress.
atop the INJERA, upside down bowls hover in the hands of expert servers floating away with remaining steam from the food that they once held, which now sits in a tasty little ziggurat of ethiopian goodness on your pancake on your plate.
well dig in brother and sister because, despite the boring old hat jokes that abound, those ethiopian folks sure know how and what to eat. makes you and your cutlery set from the Hudson's Bay Company look like an idiot.
all you need are your hands to rip off a piece of that pancake on the huge round serving plate, or from the ample samples of INJERA folded and placed about you, like an extra edible napkin.
now i know i have had any number of their lamb and beef dishes which are all great, but the most interesting, and for which you better be sitting with a couple other carnivores, is the national phenomenon called KITFO. this is their take on steak tartare (which if you dont know is raw ground steak mixed with raw egg, onion and seasonings.). its very tasty, but to eat a whole portion yourself is a bit much...dont know why...maybe because of all the tartarity of it all.
lest you be scared off, vegetarians will have a field day, because there are a myriad of things from which to choose. theres no point in recommending one dish over the other, as they are all good; just know they use garlic, collard greens, green beans, ginger, cabbage, potatoes, split peas and others as well.
for a real treat to finish off your meal order an ethiopian coffee which is strong and rich and served in traditional ethiopian style. -
Review from Denise M.
Toronto, ON
11/8/2008
The food here is alright but nothing special and more expensive than other Ethiopian restaurants in the city. I know they do well because they've managed to reflect the hip vibe of their location (Queen West) within the restaurant.
I'm giving this place two stars because first off the service was terrible. I was sitting for at least 10 minutes before any off the staff even acknowledged that we were there even though the waitress looked at us several times but didn't say anything or bring menus. I went to get up to leave and finally she came back and hurriedly gave us menus. Other than taking our order and bringing the food I didn't see her again.
Also, they haven't updated their menus with the new prices(this was a few months ago) so each dish we ordered was $2 extra than what the menu said. I was reading another TO dining message board and a few other people had also been diissatisfied about this when reviewing the restaurant.
Toronto has so many other great Ethiopian restaurants like Dukem and Wazeema, I probably will not come back here again. -
Review from Mike L.
6/8/2010
First time having Ethiopian food, it was spicy and tasty! I would recommend this to anyone who want to try it out. However, I'm not sure if Ethiopian food in general is something I would try again.
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Review from Mixing B.
1/30/2010
Some background, I'm from Northern Virginia, visiting Toronto. I was not eating meat Mon - Wed, and Friday this week. I visited with a friend on Friday. She was eating meat, i was not.
We found the restaurant with a not much difficulty. Literally, almost everything I have looked up in Google maps this week has been wrong as far as exact location. We did manage to find it. Again as a recommendation, get the phone number before you visit any establishment in toronto, in case you can't quite find it.
We entered, and were quite cold. We both had backpacks and things with us. For some reason, all week long the restaurants have seated me in the most inconvenient places. So I walked around and placed my items down under the rail handles to my table. After I was settled in, I walked around the other patrons to get to my table. It's kind of hard to explain, but I really couldn't understand why were sitting where we were.
As far as the service, there were two waiters. The girl who seated us seemed a bit out of it. She put us at our seats, and then she went back to the bar. We were waiting to place our order. And when I was finally getting annoyed. The guy showed up. He was pleasant. We decided to order the Beye Ainetu (meat) and the Yeson Beye Ainetu (vegetarian). We were debating whether to have it on one plate or two, since I wasn't eating meat. After some debate, we decided to have it on two plates to prevent mixing the meals together.
After some time the food came out on one plate. We decided to eat it anyways. The vegetarian was pretty good. It gives you a sample of all the vegetarian options. Both the Shiro and Yekkit wat were good. The other vegetarian options were decent. The meat apparently was also good, but not as much variety as the vegetarian combination.
While the food was good, I felt the service was lacking. If you are looking to eat, and have a lot of conversation with no interruptions, this is definitely the place. We were in quite a heated debate, and nobody noticed :). As far as getting the bill, water, and attention, that's a whole other story.
Also, in order to pay with debit, you have to go to the bar, which is where the staff seemed to be most of the time, which is where I wish they placed us to possibly get better service. Overall, food good, service not so good.
I think this place is 4 on food and a 2.5 on service, depending on which person you got. The guy can't serve everyone I guess.
Also, when we got the leftovers to go, they did give us more injera, but once again, but it in one box. Luckily I can eat meat on saturday. So I tried the meat, and it was pretty good.
One last thing, it is very dimly lit in this restaurant. They had ethiopian decor and music playing for ambiance,
