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Fassil Ethiopian Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
736 Broadway EVancouver, BC V5T 1X9
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 879-2001
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Fassil Ethiopian Restaurant
Review Highlights
27 reviews in English
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Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a great cultural culinary experience! This restaurant is wonderful and unassuming, and the food flavorful and fun to eat! I'm in love with injera and everything about it, its texture, so soft and supple, its taste, delicate and slightly sour. This meal was definitely a new experience for my taste buds. The staff were wonderful as well.Our server was very nice and the chef was so kind to grace us with his presence to ask how we were doing as well as satisfy our curiosity about Ethiopian cuisine. We had many questions, especially about the delicious injera. This very simple looking and surprisingly tasty flat bread is packed full of nutrition and health benefits.
As for our accompanying dishes, we ordered the Fassil vegetable combo which came with a variety of slightly to very spicy vegetable stews. Each one was very delicious and had a distinct flavour and texture. For our meat dishes, we ordered the Doro Tibs (Chicken) and the Derek Tibs (Lamb). Both were very savory and hearty and tasted like a lot of care and attention went into preparing them. It felt as if I was eating in a friends home.
The best part was definitely using the injera as the utensil for eating. There was something very right about it, which added a whole other experience to dining. Getting to actually touch and feel your food with your hands. Makes you wonder if kids had it right all along, playing with and touching food to satisfy one of our most basic senses. I can't imagine eating Ethiopian food in any other way.
Absolutely going to come here again!
St3Fin -
Review from Elton R.
5/24/2012
I'm a real novice when it comes to Ethiopian food; I certainly am not an authority to rule over what constitutes a good Ethiopian restaurant. As a matter of fact, this is the first time I've experienced Ethiopian cuisine at all! Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Fassil.
A friend of mine who has been coming here for a number of years suggested this restaurant as a good starting point. And a good starting point it was! The owner/chef of the restaurant gave me a lot of the low down (although mainly of how injera is made) and was extremely helpful and supportive of the fact that this was my first time trying this particular kind of cuisine.
The food reminded me a lot of Indian cuisine, although the culmination of spices were certainly a lot less intense than that of Indian dishes. Flavours were well balanced and the injera was the perfect utensil/carbohydrate to accompany the meal (duh). We just asked the owner to just prepare some food for us and he did not disappoint - some chicken, some beef, some lamb, a wide variety of vegetable dishes. I loved the spinach - it tasted like a mild version of the Indian saag. I do admit I have an unusual penchant for anything spinach so I may have liked it more than it may have warranted but I still wished I got more of that spinach dish. Lamb was my close second - it was a bit saucier than the rest of what was served, which made it a little harder for me eat (my wolf-print shirt ended with a nice big red botch that made it look like the wolf went for a kill in my stomach area).
The ambience wasn't anything to write home about - more like a hole-in-the-wall type of feel. It definitely has a very intimate cozy feel to it and who really cares when it's clean and has great tasting food!?
I look forward to coming back here for another great meal but would also like to explore other Ethiopian places to compare. The price was very reasonable, the food hearty and would love to practice utilizing the injera as an eating utensil some more so I don't stain more of my shirts in the future! -
Review from Cory B.
Vancouver, BC
5/24/2012
I'm fairly new to Ethopian cuisine, but ended up here for a little gathering of friends. The interior was cheap and cheesy, but to be expected around the Fraser/Broadway intersection. I'm glad they invest their money in the food!
The restaurant was empty when we arrived and Fassil (the owner?) was kind and courteous. My friend said to let Fassil cook us whatever he wants, and it ended up being a large plate of injera (fermented buckwheat bread... looks likes a thin soft crumpet). There was chicken, beef, lamb, and veggies (lentils, house salad, sautéed onions, etc.). There's extra injera that you break apart and use to pick up the food and mop up any leftover sauce.
I fell in love with the chicken, done in what Fassil said was a karaage, or that's what it sounded like. The lamb and beef were a close second. In fact, everything tasted great with lots of flavor and a bit of spice, but nothing Vancouverites can't handle.
Split between four people, the big dinner platter came to about $15 each (before tip) with beer bottles being $5 each.
If you never tried Ethiopian food, Fassil's is a great place to start! You won't be disappointed.
The reason I didn't give Fassil five stars is because of my inexperienced palate to the ethnic foods, and may move it up or down as I try more restos around the city. -
Review from Alice A.
3/26/2012
*Update. A total of 6 stomach upsets later, we're sure it's from last night's meal at Fassil.
The atmosphere was great - cozy and authentic, and the service was prompt and (almost overly) enthusiastic, but the food was really just average. I've been to two other Ethiopian restaurants, and to be honest, I think they both creamed Fassil on taste and flavor.
We got the Fassil combination with chicken and lamb. Both meats were brought out on a separate dish and poured onto the main serving dish, which isn't a problem except the meats had a whole lot of oil and gravy, and that made the injera pretty mushy.
The other places served meats that were dark, rich and thick. What we got here was more like something they stir-fried 10 minutes ago. Neither the chicken nor lamb were succulent and flavorful. The vegetable sides were fairly tasty, but not memorable. And there was a salad on the injera too, which I thought was novel?
I don't know how difficult it is to make injera, but they were from a pre-made packet, sitting on the counter across from our table.
I'm not sure I'll return, I doubt it. -
Review from alison t.
Mission, BC
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have no frame of reference for rating ethiopian food but for food in general all I can say is wow. Trying Ethiopian food was on my bucket list and it was an awesome experience. Food was filling, spicy but not too spicy. We let him pick for us and he didn't steer us wrong. We will be back :)
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Review from Crystal L.
Burnaby, BC
3/17/2012
There isn't anything fancy about this cozy, unpretentious place, but I can easily see it being the neighbourhood favourite that it is. It's pretty easy to walk past this the unremarkable storefront, but don't! You'll be missing out on some great food and a new experience (assuming you haven't had Ethiopian food before).
Perhaps the server was new, because she brought one of our friends the wrong drink, didn't know much about the iconic Injera, and also brought us the wrong bill.
Part way through the meal, the chef/owner came out to ask us how our meal was, and answered questions about the special way he makes his injera. He was very warm and friendly, and our food-filled stomachs also soon became warm and happy with the delicious food.
It's a really neat, communal way of sharing food with friends or family as you all grab the sauces from the big plate with some tasty injera.
Vegetarians will find much to love here, as the veggie options were scrumptious! -
Review from Stu C.
3/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
If you have ever been curious about trying Ethiopian food, or have tried Ethiopian food and want to have it again, the solution is to go to Fassil. With this said, you should run, not walk, as you will not be disappointed.
Located on Broadway, just off Fraser Street, the outside front of the restaurant looks a little older and showing some age (almost a little dingy). I implore you, please do not let this deter you from going into Fassil. The restaurant inside is clean and cosy, with incredible tasting food that will make you glad you came in.
When you first enter the restaurant, you will notice there is not much seating (only about 7 tables that can hold about 4 people and one table that can hold 8). For anyone that has had Ethiopian food, they will know this makes sense, as a typical meal is really a social event. Let me explain.
At the heart of Ethiopian food is ingera (basically an unrisen sourdough bread with a spongy texture). When having Ethiopian food, you are given no utensils, but instead use the ingera as a little pouch to collect food off a giant plate and then pop it into your mouth. As a result, you'll want to make sure everyone can have easy access to the central plate so as not to make a mess over everything and everyone. To add to this, you probably want to go with people you know fairly well and make everyone wash their hands before you start the meal, as you will be sharing from a giant communal plate.
The ingera at Fassil is fresh and flavourful, acting as a great compliment to the food you will have and not providing an overbearing taste that masks the food you'll put inside. At Fassil, you are given plenty of ingera and if you happen to be running low, you will be provided more, for free! At one point during our meal, the chef noticed from across the restaurant that we were getting low on ingera and sent a fresh order over to our table so we could continue eating. I find this fantastic!
For the dishes you place inside the ingera, you have two main classes to choose from: vegetarian and meat based. The vegetarian dishes are primarily based on different lentils, peas, carrots and potatoes in different sauces and cost approximately ~$7-10 each. Many dishes looked so good, we decided to get their veggie dish combo ($11) which gave a sample of almost all the veggie dishes. All the dishes were excellent, full of flavor and not oily at all.
Since I am also known to love meat, we also ordered 3 meat dishes: Yeberie tibs (beef), Asa tibs (fish) and Yebeg Alicha Fitfit (chicken), all between $10-14 each. All could be made as spicy or mild as you would like. Since we were a group that had some people that loved spice and others that were a little sensitive to it, we went with a medium heat for all the dishes. Everyone at the table was happy with the amount of spice the medium heat provided. In our group, we had one person that was extremely lactose intolerant. This was not a problem at Fassil. Our server went to the kitchen to make sure nothing had milk products in it. There was no milk in any of our dishes, but a few of the dishes we ordered had butter, which the head chef said they could alter. With effectively ordering approximately 10 dishes (due to our sample veggie sample plate), with several of them requiring alteration, all our dishes came out hot and ready to eat in about 30 min. Even with all the changes, the food was still incredibly tasty and not lacking the flavours of Ethiopian food I have come to enjoy. I personally really enjoyed the Alicha and Yerbie tibs, while the table favourite was the Asa Tibs which were served as a crispy fish in a light seasoning.
As what could be an important item to some, since we asked for some meat dishes, we were asked by the server if anyone was vegetarian. If anyone was, the chefs would use different pans and server the meat dishes on a plates to make sure the two didn't cross. I thought this was a really nice option for vegetarian diners that could come in with meat eating friends.
During the meal, the chef/owner came out and wanted to see if we were enjoying the food and our first time at Fassil (as he was one of the people that prepared our meal). I can confidently say, we were very happy with the food and their ability to adapt to our dietary needs. Our trip to Fassil was the first time our two friends that came with us, had had Ethiopian food, and were very happy with the experience and will go back. I agree full-heartedly, and will most certainly be going back and ordering some pickup in the future.
Once again, if you want to see what Ethiopian food is all about, or would like to experience really good Ethiopian food again, this family run business is the place to go in the lower mainland. You won't be disappointed.Listed in: Places you have to try
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Review from Jonathan G.
Richmond, BC
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love the friendly owners and staff, and very cozy. It is a small place, but if full I recommend that you sit at the bar and have a drink while you wait for a table. It is worth the wait.
Food is A++. Service is A++. The only way this place could be any better would be if I was on vacation in Ethiopia while enjoying the varied and tasty food.
We come out from Richmond to eat here, it is a long drive. Worth it. One of the few restaurants that I'd drive this far to with no reason other than the food!
Enjoy!! -
Review from Michael P.
Burnaby, BC
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
First time trying Ethiopian food and Fassil has set the bar pretty high!
My friend and I settled for the vegetarian special since it was a Tuesday night and we were served a variety of dishes with their uniquely rolled flat bread. Myself being an amateur was clueless as to how to tackle the dish since there were no eating utensils. The chef was extremely friendly and instructed me how to eat this specialty.
Flavours of the food were a swirl of spices that I've never experienced before - it's something you'll have to experience for yourself.
Would I return? Heck yes! -
Review from Shae B.
3/6/2012
All the gluten free bread I could eat.. I couldn't ask for anything better! We shared the meat combo one for 2 and I ate tons because it was sooo good. I prob could have eaten more but I didn't want to look like a pig. HAha. The service was super friendly. He showed us how to eat the food... "Look Ma, no hands!" And also came out of the kitchen later to tell us we weren't doing it quite right. Such a fun eating experience. The place was clean and comfortable. I will be back fo sure!
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Review from Louise G.
We are big fans of Ethiopian food, but had not been to this restaurant previously and now I'm glad we have. It is the perfect place to take people (or yourself) regardless of your food preferences. There is something for everyone: meat eaters, vegetarians, or even those on a gluten-free diet.
I've ranted and raved previously about how much I love the shared dinner concept, and eating with my hands. What was particularly nice here was how delicious some of the veggie dishes were. Their chick peas (kik Wot) was absolutely to die for.
As mentioned by other reviewers, the staff and owners are wonderfully accommodating and friendly. Highly recommended. -
Review from Emma L.
5/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awesome Ethiopian. Get the veggie platter and whatever meat dish calls to you, it's the perfect size for two people. If you're new to Ethiopian food, the proprietor is super friendly and will give advice about what to get and how to eat it.
For those who are gluten-free, injera is made with teff flour so it's all good for us to eat! And delicious.Listed in: Great eats, gluten-free
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Review from Hugs D.
Vancouver, BC
12/29/2011
This is my favourite Ethiopian restaurant. I love that it is family run and they recognize me whenever I come in. They are knowledgable about the food and if you tell them in advance (5 days I think), they will make gluten-free injura!
Last time we were there we had some of their honey wine - WOW! I definitely recommend trying this sweet treat.
I also appreciate that the food is super flavourful while not being overly spicy hot! I love taking visitors to this place for a different food experience. -
Review from Robyn H.
Vancouver, BC
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
REALLY GREAT PLACE. So, we've been meaning to grab some Ethiopian Food for a long time in Vancouver but we didn't have any direction as to which to choose. So we used YELP! Fassil was the highest rated and very close to our place so it was a shoo in. It was everything everyone said it was. DELICIOUS--super cozy (created by the people more than the ambiance). The Dad and the the Son were working--they were incredibly inviting and engaging (and I tend to be a tad shy). It seems like it is really important that you have a great experience from the dishes that you choose to the conversation that you have. After our meal was served, the father emerged from the kitchen to see how we were enjoying the meal (he had cooked it for us).
I think the reputation of their restaurant as well as the appreciation of their cuisine is very important to them. I even witnessed them engaged in a conversation with a couple (obviously regulars) picking up a take out order. Before they left it was Hugs all Around. Really cool to see things like that. We will definitely go back.
I did mention that the food was amazing, didn't I? -
Review from Nicolb T.
5/3/2011
Cozy, family-run Ethiopian restaurant that makes you feel like you've been invited into a friend's home. Despite our group of 6, the server - which was really the owner's son - was hospitable and incredibly charming.
Having visited a good handful of times, I always order vegetarian tasting platter, with a full order of lamb. The fact that they offer unlimited injera is just the cherry on top of an amazing meal. I wish they had the raw beef option like Red Sea Cafe down the block, but nevertheless, the offerings were just as satisfying as the next.
Delicious food aside, my favourite experience there is when the son lamented about the lack of dessert in the cuisine. Poor guy.Listed in: I Eat Where I Live.
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Review from Jenn W.
9/3/2009
Definitely a family run restaurant, the daughter wiped down our table, mother took our order, and father came out of the kitchen to talk about the food with us (their injera is made from buckwheat, teff, and barley).
The menu is much more meat heavy than any other Ethiopian restaurant I've been to. We had the vegetarian platter which featured yellow split peas, lentils, subpar spinach (tasted like it was made from frozen), an amazing stew made from roasted chickpea flour, and cabbage (with potatoes & carrots, we would have preferred just cabbage). We found the price a little high ($11 each) as we are used to paying less for a vegetarian platter for two.
Their beverage selection is a bit limited, they have a handful of imported bottled beers, one house white wine, and several bottles of liquor scattered behind the bar. His beer and my wine were both warm.
Overall, a solid three stars. That roasted chickpea flour dish was amazing and definitely worth the visit, the father explained that they import it (the flour) direct. The atmosphere was perfect for the food & family style service, a bit hole-in-the-wall, but very fitting. -
Review from Soren M.
Vancouver, BC
6/14/2010 1 photo
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. We went there in a group of 5. The owner (a very friendly and cheerful guy) came to our table and explained the food and favorites to us.
Later in the night, a group of people at the bar were grooving to some African music. My friend joined them, and all of a sudden, everyone there were dancing. It was definitely fun.
oh and by the way, food was great too!Listed in: My Reviews
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Review from Amano J.
1/9/2011
My visit to Fassil was a cultural and culinary first for me! I've always been curious about Ethiopian food and am glad to say they made my experience an enjoyable first. Our server was great, very attentive and friendly! Silverware is for suckers here so prepare to get a literal hands-on eating lesson Ethiopian style. Great little place, you'll love it!
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Review from Emily H.
Vancouver, BC
12/7/2010
YUM I love Fassil!!! My boyfriend lives a few doors down and we order takeout from here all the time. So damn delicious! And super friendly service with reasonable prices. But most important, again: SOO TASTY. The other cool thing is that, in my opinion, it's really easy to eat healthy AND delicious here. Maybe the food's a bit heavy on the oil though, I don't know. But with, for example, the veggie platter, there doesn't seem to be any wheat or dairy or meat, which tend to inundate the North American diet in disproportionate amounts, but it's still one of the most delicious things I put in my mouth each week. Aaaaanyway, go here cause it's hella tasty.
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Review from Kristine B.
Vancouver, BC
10/12/2010
We love the delicate spicing and large portions of the veggie platter, the friendly service, the interesting decor, the way the tables are always clean, and the food always reliably delicous. We've seen this restaurant through two owners and though the flavours have changed slightly, the meat is usually tender and the veggies and dals just right.
When we brought our parents here they wanted to come back two nights in a row, and even ordered takeaway injera wraps to take on the plane. The owner did a coffee ceremonial service for us the third time after my dad got her talking about Ethiopian ways of serving coffee. It was wonderful, but those were the previous owners before the TV was installed. The food is still very good though. -
Review from Allison G.
Vancouver, BC
8/10/2010
Have been a couple of times now. Am in love with injara. We went as a group for a friend's divorce party, and the owner explained everything to us, at which point we told him to give us his best. I have NO IDEA what I ate, but it was SO GOOD. Have a constant craving for Ethiopian food now!!
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Review from Melanie F.
9/8/2010
I eat at Ethiopian restaurants all over the world and think this place has great food! Try their vegetarian platter, and well, everything else. If you are not familiar with Ethiopian food, they will walk you through it. Great family who puts their heart into great food!!
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Review from wanderlust c.
Vancouver, BC
8/31/2008
Best Ethiopian in Vancouver. Try the fish!
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Review from Dr J.
Vancouver, BC
12/9/2009
The food here was good, although a bit sparse. We were a party of 5 and had to order twice, because the first order was not enough. Compared to other Ethopian places I've been to, this was about average. However, I would go again.
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Review from Hilary N.
Vancouver, BC
4/26/2010
I really liked it here! It has a friendly, family atmosphere. It's been a while since I've had Ethiopian food, so I can't compare it well with other Ethiopian restaurants, but I definitely enjoyed what we had. The injera was super tasty, and I enjoyed the vegetarian platter and the lamb that he'd recommended. The restaurant owners are really nice, and I'd definitely go back.
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Review from annik l.
Vancouver, BC
2/16/2011
fassil and axym are my two fav ethiopian restos in vancouver. i get the veggie platter and it's large enough to share w a friend. yum yum let's go eat there @cat y!
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Review from quincy l.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2009
small family restaurant, very cozy. Price is extremely inexpensive. Food is very good. choice of alcohol is very limited. you eat with your hands. everyone shares food. very sociable way to dine. love the bread.
