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Harambe Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
2149 Commercial DriveVancouver, BC V5N 4B3
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
(604) 216-1060
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Harambe Restaurant
Review Highlights
"And if you feel like imbibing, try the Tej (honey wine."
(in 8 reviews)
"The Injera bread had a consistency and flavour that was a..."
(in 6 reviews)
"First, let me tell you I am addicted to lentils."
(in 6 reviews)
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32 reviews in English
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Review from gretchen c.
Vancouver, BC
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
i've never had ethiopian food before, so i can't comment on how authentic it was, but i can say it was pretty tasty. we got the big combo plate of everything to share, and it was a good choice (and too much actually, we ended up leaving with leftovers). you got to try a bit of everything - the meats, veggies, lentils, etc. it was served on a huge dish with a side of these crepe-like pieces, which you tore off and wrapped around the different meats and veggies.
paired with ethiopian wine (which was served in a beaker-like glass and was kind of strange-tasting at first, but got better with every sip you took), it was a great meal overall.
whether it was authentic or not, it sure felt like a complete cultural experience. the decor and how the restaurant was set up was really cute, and they even had an "authentic ethiopian seating area". it was great to try something new and so different to anything i have ever tried before. -
Review from Beverly W.
Vancouver, BC
I came here with a 7 others and we ordered 2 Chef's Choice Combination platters. Each platter serves 4 people. Some in the group were grossed out by the idea of eating with one's hands. They provide you some bread and you use it to scoop the food on the combination platter. We were definitely stuffed at the end of the meal mostly because we had consumed a lot of the bread. The bread was a bit too sour for my liking.
Service was not very good. We did not see the server that often and it took a while for us to get our bill. I would estimate about 10 minutes. Others in the group lowered the tip as a result of the spotty service.
One interesting thing is that the restaurant has African art displayed on the walls and those pieces are for sale. Comes at a minimum $1500 price tag.
We paid about $15 per person including tax and tip. -
Review from Alice A.
10/22/2011
Ugh, bad service. I mean bad. Borderline rude, slow and mostly non-existent.
Food was authentic Ethiopian but really average, I've had much better.
There were four of us, and none of us enjoyed the place. Not worth your time or money. -
Review from Nicole F.
I'd actually been to Harambe once before, but it was long before my yelpin' days...
I was bored and hungry this weekend and ended up in here. The service was alright, there was hardly anyone there because it was about 3:30 so they took their time. I ordered the veggie combo for 1 person. Ahhhh it was SO good! Just as I remembered it. I liked all but one of the different varieties of lentils and veggie stews. My favourites were definitely the mixed veggie one, the cabbage, and the spicy reddish-brown lentils. The bread is amazing!
It's a good value too, because I was so hungry when I walked in that I would have punched someone in the face and stolen their food, and I couldn't even finish this meal. I think it was about $11 or $12.
Try a bite of each, and eat your favourites first!
I'll be back soon! I'm busy trying to convince everyone I know to come with me. -
Review from Justin L.
8/12/2011
Since I came with a large group and ordered two assorted platters, the waitress switched up some of the items so that we could sample a wider variety. We also supplemented the platters with some meat dishes (both cooked and raw).
The food is certainly filling, since you eat every bite with a morsel of injera bread. We had a great time bantering over the bread and sipping the honey wine, which none of us cared for. At the same time, none of the food stood out in particular, and some of us mumbled that we've had better Ethiopian elsewhere. -
Review from Rheanna F.
Vancouver, BC
3/7/2011
My boyfriend and i were going for dinner and drinks with a friend of mine under the flimsy pretense of having a business meeting, and knowing she's a vegetarian, i said she could go ahead and pick the place. I am so glad she did because she chose Harambe! At first i was surprised she chose the place, because looking at their menu, it seemed like mostly meat dishes. Once i tried the food i understood that you don't need twenty options to choose from when the food you're eating is so damn tasty!
I'd never been for Ethiopian food and didn't know what to expect... The meal was actually preceded by us joking that there would be a food shortage at the restaurant until someone from the Red Cross showed up, but our meal would be ruined by a missionary preaching at us as we ate. Yea, we make classy jokes like that. Turns out Ethiopian food is right up my alley! Eating with your hands? Check! Spicy food? Check! Lots of veggies? Check!! We actually loved the meal so much that my boyfriend and me went back the very next day for dinner to try their meat platter!
I can't say which dish i liked the most since they were all so damn good! In all cases, i really noticed that the spices used in the dishes perfectly complimented the flavor of the veggies or meats they were cooked with. It weirds me out when you get a dish and all you taste is sauce, but everything we ate seemed to be a perfect balance of spices and whatever the main ingredient was. I was also pleasantly surprised when we came back for the meat platter because although there was meat on it, it wasn't a big, heavy, carnivorous pig-out. You had some meats, but most of the dishes were vegetables. I really liked that since when i left the restaurant, even though i was full i didn't feel like i was about to go into a food coma.
I hear it's supposed to rain for the next two weeks, and something tells me that once the weather gets miserable i'll be back here for some comfort food! -
Review from Andrew F.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 4/18/2011
I think I've been to Harambe now more times than I can remember, mostly due to my wife's constant cravings (for a while there I was fearing this to be a sign of pregnancy). I have to say that I've grown accustom to the slow, mediocre service and would rate the place higher if it wasn't for getting short-changed the other week. Our takeout bill came to $13.43, we gave the waitress a $20 and she gave us $6 back, no explanation. I asked where the rest of the change was, she just said "I'm out of change." No apology.
I'm more of a raver, but this deserves a serious rant. You do not do this to any customer no matter the circumstance. I'm sorry, but if you don't have any change then you give back MORE money, not less. I really don't even care about the money - hell, I might have even tipped her a dollar had she done the right thing - it's the principle. Your customers come to you with certain expectations, and if you can't meet them the minimal effort requires an apology, which we didn't even get.
I've never experienced anything this bad before, and it might have warranted not going back had it been the employer and not the employee, but rest assured I'll be letting the boss know. Am I alone in this? Can I get a witness?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/28/2010
In short, I love the food and the restaurant but despise the often ignorant service.
Injera bread is… Read more »
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Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2010
* Decent Ethiopian *
I had been hearing this was the place to go for Ethiopian/Eritrean food in town. I kept meaning to check it out and finally got to have lunch there.
I took the Chef's Choice sampler which included a variety of meats and veggie dishes. Here are the highlights:
- Yebeg Wot was the best of the bunch. The lamb was tender, the spicing was spot on.
- Doro Wot was very good. The chicken was fall off the bone tender, and the spicing was nice.
- Alitcha wot was not good at all. The meat was extremely tough, and the spicing did not come together well.
- Goment was definitely the best of the veggies. The spinach was not overcooked, and had a nice strong natural flavour with a hint of garlic.
- Tekil goment had cabbage which was at just the right level of doneness, and a very mild sauce.
- Misir wot had not stewed long enough. The lentils were a bit too crunchy. The spices also had not melded yet.
- Shero wot was nicely flavoured, with the typical berbere spicing.
- The salad was an afterthought that could have been dropped from the plate and not missed. It was just typical supermarket greens with no noticeable dressing.
- The injera was room temperature, and the right consistency. But it was not as sour as I would expect.
Service was very friendly and the food came out quickly.
Overall it was a decent meal. But I much prefer the offerings at Ziada: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...
For those who care:
1) They are on the Rewards Network (http://www.yelp.ca/lis...), so you get frequent flyer points with your meal
2) Free wifiListed in: Free Vancouver Wifi, Rewards Network Joy, Vancouver African Food
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Review from Doug G.
10/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
Gives new meaning to the term "finger food"
OK, I should have done some research. I should have read the Yelp reviews BEFORE arriving. It was an impulse lunch stop as I was working in the neighborhood and Harambe looked interesting. I was a true virgin - no idea what to expect. I left with a huge smile on my face and a strong desire to do it again - soon.
When I try a cuisine I'm not familiar with I appreciate a server who recognizes that and takes time to explain your options. After a brief discussion I deceded on the "Chefs Choice Combination". I had never heard of a single thing on the platter (except for the salad which was a no-brainer). I love trying new foods, so eagerly waited.
Shortly afterwards, my platter arrived. A large platter with a variety of intriguing options that looked and smelled delicious.
The server hadn't brought cuttlery. I reminded her of that. The diners at the other tables became silent and watched as the server screwed up a mischevious smile, put her hands scoldingly on her hips, and said "What's the matter? Your mother never taught you how to eat?" She then explained how they use the Injera to hand feed. I had a good laugh and dug in. A few minutes later she arrived with cuttlery (to the amazement of the people at the next table who were regulars and said they didn't know the restaurant even HAD cuttlery). I didn't use it.
I loved the unique and delicious flavours of the different foods. The Injera bread had a consistency and flavour that was a wonderful addition to the meal. Everything about the restaurant was great! I'm definitely a fan. -
Review from Sara M.
12/3/2010
Ethiopian food is an event. I love it.
My dining date and I shared the veggie platter, and we both decided it to be very tasty. The spicy lentil mountain made me very happy. The platter came with just the right about of 'utensils' and as always, it was super fun to eat.
The service was good, except slightly slow when it came to nailing down the bill.
Just a random side note for the Christmas season, they have an adorable tree and a faux fire. I don't know if there are any other peeps out there like me with a soft spot for a faux fire...... -
Review from Jessica O.
Vancouver, BC
7/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
I would eat pretty much anything served to me on Injera bread, so maybe my review is biased, but I LOVE the veggie platter here at Harambe.
Fllavourful veggie and bean curries with exotic flavours and textures come served in dollops on a bed of the spongy, springy moist bread (made from fermented teffe). The platter for four left us absolutely stuffed, and when I asked to take the leftover curries home they packed it in with some extra rolls of the bread! (It made a great lunch the next day, and my Tanzanian co-worker was really jealous of the delicious smell wafting through the office!)
Sure, the service is a bit slow - but every single Ethiopian restaurant I have ever been to takes their time preparing the food - these are flavours that have to sit! Budget an hour at least for your meal from start to finish.
Prices are extremely affordable and the share platters really make this a great social eating experience. I will be back! Again, and again, and again.... :) -
Review from Shelley B.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2011 1 photo
Harambe Ethiopian Cuisine revealed itself to me on Commercial Drive near 5th. Ethiopian cuisine: the ultimate comfort food. Their crepe-like bread, injera, is spongy, thick and moist as a compliment to their saucy dishes. I love the veggie combo: plots of spicy red and yellow lentils, moist spinach, slow-cooked cabbage and mixed veg. The crepe has a slight tang and can be used instead of cutlery; it does a better job than Bounty of soaking in the juices, plus they up the authenticity points for bringing spices in right from the source on trips home to Ethiopia.
After my meal the room filled with an intense incense with minty, woodsy, bark-like notes; I enjoyed a few minutes of post-feast relaxation as the scent washed away my worries. They have been at the location for 10 years!
Tej, Ethiopian Honey Wine, is made from only two ingredients: honey and hops. It is very light in flavour, but delicious and calming. -
Review from Yunn A.
7/23/2010
Very tasty dishes! We shared a 6 person platter with 10 people and it was still very very filling! Only thing is the service is quite slow. There was only one server and he forgot one of orders for our table altogether, and it took a while to get him to come by to begin with and to get additional drinks.
Decor is plain and nothing special.
But if you've never had Ethiopian food, this is a great place, but be ready to use your hands for everything! -
Review from Earl W.
2/18/2011
Wow! It's not often your taste buds experience such a pleasant surprise. Janet and I shared the vegetarian platter, but I had a meat sampler on the side. Everything was delicious and savory. This is such an exotic adventure, anyone with a thirst for the unfamiliar should try this place!! You can even eat with your hands. Atmosphere was cozy and eclectic. We sure will be going back!
Sincerely,
Earl and Janet -
Review from Kelsey P.
Vancouver, BC
8/1/2010
I really like the atmosphere and the idea of this place in general. I do not however like the honey wine, that is my opinion tho.
I also wasn't blown away with the food, but I noticed a lot of other people at other tables ordered much cooler and tastier looking food. Next time I will do the same.
In general it was a 3 1/2 to 4 star experience still. When I return I will eat less of the Injera bread (it wasn't my favorite) and more of the yummy mushy dips (and whatever everyone else in the restaurant besides myself seemed to order).
Definitely a cool place to try something different. -
Review from Davey R.
4/7/2010
This is a review for their vegetarian food :)
I came here last night for the first time with my girlfriend (her first Ethiopian food outing, how fun!) We got the vegetarian platter dealy-bob. I found the legume dishes to not be as up to par as I am used to. At least two of the larger legumes (maybe split peas?), were a little under done, and the Mesir Wat, typically my favorite dish at Ethiopian places was not up to par. It had too much nutmeg (I think?) for me, I was disappointed that it wasn't better.
That said, the vegetable portions of the meal were freaking delicious. They had a super yummy cabbage dish that I will order on its own, and their gomen was the best I have had. Super yum. I will probably come back here just for the gomen. Overall the atmosphere was nice, and the service was relaxed. Will repeat. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
10/2/2009
What finger licking pleasure@ The vegetarian platter was the perfect way to talk, to share and to get to know my dining partner. I had forgotten how much I love eating with my hands.
My tastebuds agree: the lentils and the corn were "swish" (copyright Jenni O) FTW! There's something about these simple, flavourful mountains of deliciousness that makes me feel wholesomely nourished!
Going back for dinner... is tonight too soon?Listed in: Commercial Drive's Worth the…, Veggies for Vancouver
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Review from Shannon M.
North Vancouver, BC
7/23/2010
I was with Yunn in the group of 10 and I have to agree with her review completely. The platter for 6 was perfect for trying out a variety of their dishes, especially since most of us had never had Ethiopian food before and didn't know what we would or wouldn't like. I appreciated that they split the platter into 2 different serving dishes (each containing several small mounds of the different foods) so that it was easier for everyone at our long table to get to the eats. And if I had to pick a favourite from the platter it would definitely be the lamb stew. Holy crap that was some good stuff. Injera bread is definitely an acquired taste, but once you get used to the sourness of it, it's very tasty. And so fun to use your hands for everything!
The service was quite slow (even though it wasn't busy at all), so if you're looking for a quick meal this might not be the best place, but everyone was very friendly and helpful, even schooling one of our party on the correct pronunciation of the honey wine (no, the word isn't mead... I can't remember what it is).
This likely won't become one of my usual stops but I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Kimli W.
7/26/2010
.. I was there with Shannon and Yunn. What can I say; we travel in packs.
Harambe was nice inside, and the server friendly (when he was around). His suggestions were very helpful for a bunch of newbs who had no idea what they were getting into, and we all had a great time with a lot of food we'd never tried before.
I'm eating my way around the world, and I'm finding that things that are meant to tickle the "sour" portion of your taste buds are not for me. I don't disagree that the food is really good; I just don't think that this particular cuisine is for me - I enjoy traditional curries much more. Still, I'm glad to have had the experience! -
Review from Susan Z.
6/9/2010
Food was generous and delicious, service left a lot to be desired.
My friend ordered some lamb stew thing which she really disliked (it had a lot of the sour bread, so was too sour). I ordered the veggie combo for one and it was delicious. Three of our friends ordered the meat combo for 3 and it was HUGE!
Despite the fact the resto was fairly busy, our food came out in a timely manner. However, our waitress was very bad at communicating with us when our checks came. She also rarely checked in on us.
When we got only one bill, we all put down our credit cards. She came over and we started to talk to her about how to split it (it was pretty simple). She kinda looked at the credit cards and walked away. We thought she was going to bring us separate bills. No. She just walked away.
The owner was very busy and involved in the restaurant and he took a few looks at our bill with the credit cards sitting on it. But he never actually came over to ask us if we were being taken care of.
My advice is: Come here if you have time to wait and are tolerant of poor customer service. -
Review from Mark H.
3/7/2010
Tired from resorting to binging on sushi this week, I wanted to try something 100% new to me. The only thing that came to mind was something African. So I hopped on Yelp and Harambe immediately popped up.
After walking the trails of Lynn Valley all afternoon, I was starving. The three of us arrived and was greeted by a buzzing place with an intoxicating smell. While waiting for a table at the bar, we decided to order their special platter for 3 which had beef, lamb, and two different chicken as well as assorted vegetable 'helpings'.
The food arrived in a huge platter with more sponge-bread on the side. Presentation wise, it was just just freaking cool because it was so different. No plates, no cutlery, just your (hopefully freshly washed) hands and napkins. If you don't like getting your hands dirty, you have issues. Eating with your hands as a group was really fun. I'd have to say my favorite was the lamb and chicken. There were other stars but I honestly don't remember what was what. We were all stuffed and cleaned the platter.
Moral of this review? Stop being a creature of habit and try Harambe.Listed in: Unique Places
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Review from Louise G.
Each time we go there I am delighted, truly amazed at this place. Food is delicious. I remember once hearing something about there being some enzymes contained in our fingers which assist in the initial breakdown of food, rather like saliva. This was offered as explanation as to why food eaten with ones fingers seems always to be particularly enjoyable. I'm not sure that absolutely covers it. There is something very raw about eating with ones own hands but the presentation and ease in which it is done makes you feel so natural. Must arouse some primal instincts within. I am comforted, enriched, nourished and excited each time I dine here.
Vegetarian is a great option, as is anything containing meat. Feel free to ask the waitresses questions if you are unsure. They will answer with a giant smile. And if you feel like imbibing, try the Tej (honey wine).Listed in: Healthier Choices, There and Back Again, VEGETARIAN
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Review from Angela L.
12/23/2009 3 photos
It was a quieter late weeknight than most when our little hungry party came bursting through the door of Harambe. The young female server who was chatting with the guys drinking up at the bar immediately welcomed us with a warm smile and ushered us to a nice cozy table by the heater.
A combo platter for two ($23.99) plus a veggie lovers platter for two ($19.99) proved to be more than enough finger licking good food for us. Throughout our meal, our water glasses and the plate piled high with spongey injera were happily refilled without us even having to ask. The tej ($5.50), or honey wine, was sweet and tangy and went well with the meal.
The vibrant decor of the dining room is lively and fun. The Ethiopian music that was being played also added to the atmosphere. Great food, great service, great decor, and a great location. We really couldn't have asked for a better place to shelter us from the cold and fill our empty bellies! -
Review from Jessie J.
Vancouver, BC
8/8/2009
I've already mentioned that when I moved back to Vancouver from DC, I feared I would be deprived of the Salvadoran and Ethiopian foods I had come to love there. How lucky I felt when I moved near the Drive, and found that both those cravings could be amply served across the street from one another, at Rinconcito Salvadoreno and Harambe.
I eat here a lot, pretty much always sharing the vegetarian combination with my companions. (The Ethiopian Orthodox Church requires members to "fast" from meat two days a week, and throughout Lent, so unlike so many traditional cuisines, veggie dishes are authentic, not an invention for the sake of carnophobe Westerners. There are usually an assortment of legume dishes, as well as some leafy greens - spinach or collards - and a tasty blend of carrots, cabbage and potato. YUM!)
I recently went with some carnivore buddies of mine who were visiting from out of town, though, so we added the fish tibs and some doro wat (chicken stew with hard boiled egg) to my usual order. It was all fantastic.
And I learned something! One of my friends grew up in Kenya, and it turns out that Harambe (actually Harambee) is a Swahili word, meaning "all pull together", not an Amharic word at all. I wonder how often that happens in Vancouver, without most of us noticing...I remember a friend of mine being profoundly amused by a now-defunct sushi place with the Mandarin name Sui Sha Ya...
At any rate, the name may not be authentically Ethiopian, but the food is deliciously so. Go forth and feast!Listed in: My Drive
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Review from Dave B.
Campbell River, BC
2/16/2010
Overall Impression: ****
Food: ****
Service: ***1/2
Environment: ****
Price: ****
I've been to Harambe a number of times in the past few years and I'm happy to see that quality and quantity have been maintained!
Food: Food here is best enjoyed with a couple of friends. For about $40, you can get a platter for four with a good mixture of the different foods that Harambe has to offer.
The staple of the meal is injera which is a thin, spongy flat bread which tastes similar to sourdough. If you order the platter, the various dishes will come on top of the injera, and you are given extra injera to eat with (no forks, knives or spoons provided or needed!). Simply tear off a piece of injera and grab your desired dish.
The foods are similar to indian curries, though the flavoring is different, and not at all spicy (hot). As others have mentioned, the lentil dishes are quite tasty, and though I'm not a vegetarian, I prefer these dishes over the meat dishes as they are more flavourful.
Service: The owners and servers are nice people, but a little on the slow side. So go to Harambe with the intention to hang out and take it easy -- the best way to enjoy the place.
Environment: Nicely decorated and spacious. Clean and organized.
Price: very reasonable considering how full you'll be by the end of the meal!
Be warned: your hands are going to get dirty, but that's part of the fun :)
Dating tip: I've had a few friends go to Harambe on first dates with great success ;) -
Review from Luisa D.
7/16/2010
I was really keen to try Ethiopian food and it was pretty darn tasty! I wasn't a huge fan of their traditional honey wine (like mead). It was really smoky like smoked Gouda. Should have had beer. They could use some help with their beer/wine list for sure!
Our server (likely the owner) was really welcoming and friendly. He could have used the help of at least one other person on the floor though. It was busy and service was slow but we weren't too rushed. Two of our group were vegetarians so they shared the vegetarian platter for two. The other four of us were going to have the regular platter for 4 but our host suggested we go for the platter for 3 and add a chicken or fish dish so we did.
The flavours were really good and some items were spicier but nothing too crazy. The spongy bread is different. Not my favourite but it was ok. The platters didn't look like they were going to fill us up but as you have to use the bread to get the food into your mouth (no utensils here) you kind of fill up quickly. I tried using some of the bits of lettuce instead as scoops for the good stuff. It worked, kind of.
They were sweet and let us bring in our own birthday cake. When we offered him what was left of the ice cream cake he happily accepted.
I'd definitely give this place another try and order dishes instead of the combo platter to really know what I was eating next time. -
Review from Ema N.
9/24/2009
When I was at the T&T supermarket, I was hanging out and talking to my boyfriend about finding a place to eat. We were at a loss of places to eat because I cannot eat dairy.
This is when the foodie security guard from the heavens somehow descended from above and suggested Harambe and gave me great directions on how to get there. Well. The security guard actually over heard me when I was walking way ahead of him when I was talking to my boyfriend wondering if there were Ethopian restaurants around BC.
Well, we made it to Harambe and I literally ate enough food to keep me satiated until the next day. I had the veggie and meat combo and the servings of injera were abundant and tasty. The injera was perfect: moist and kind of sour.
We have a lot of Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants in Seattle and Harambe compares to the best ones down here in the U.S.! I'll be back here again when I visit Canada. Yummy! -
Review from Tara T.
BC
11/29/2008
Now this is a fun restaurant. First of all, the interior is warm, cosy, and spacious, the staff are open and friendly, and the lighting is dim and moody. The reason why Harambe is fun however, is because of the food. We ordered a lamb and chicken dish that arrived with a massive circular plate of bread, which looked very similar to a pancake. You eat the food by placing it on the bread and then rolling it up and placing it in your mouth - the whole while using your fingers as utensils.
My boyfriend and I had a great time here. It was like nothing we've done before, and having not eaten Ethiopian cuisine previously we were rather impressed.
The spices they use are interesting; probably not my perfect combination, but this restaurant gets ten points for atmosphere and originality. The only downside is that the food took a very long time to come out. We ordered a simple salad that took forever to appear (albeit it had a DELICOUS dressing on it), and our main meal took even longer. But it was worth it, and we would definitely come again. -
Review from Nicole K.
11/5/2008
I've been to Harambe now twice. It's a fun little restaurant with a good atmosphere. Both times we've ordered the veg sharing plate, but the first time added a lamb dish as well, which ended up being too much to eat.
It's good food and fun to eat as you use bread rolls to scoop up your food. Our service was a bit slow last time we went, but I think that's mostly the casual atmosphere of the restaurant - just pretend like you're in Ethiopia and have all the time in the world and you'll be fine.
I did not know we could bring our own wine or I definitely would have. Although they had bottles listed on the menu (only countries, no names or even if they're red or white), we couldn't actually get a bottle so I was stuck ordering only by the glass.
It is a fun place to go though and I am definitely interested in going back with a big group. -
Review from Doug M.
Victoria, BC
3/25/2010
this is the only place in the city that I have been for Ethopian. And I must say the food is AMAZING full of taste and very filling. If your tired of having the same old sushi that the city has to offer. Pull up a pillow on the floor with some friends and have a great spiced meal that you eat WITH YOUR HANDS !!!
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Review from Erin G.
Vancouver, BC
1/6/2010
First, let me tell you I am addicted to lentils. Green lentils, red lentils, French lentils, split lentils. I love lentils more than is probably morally decent and wholesome.
I've been to Harambe multiple times over the past couple years I've lived on the Drive. I adore the Mesir Wat (red lentil stew), so my partner and I opted to order the vegetarian combo platter for one (which already includes Mesir Wat) and another whole order of Mesir Wat. Our server had barely brought our drink order to us when our platter of lovely veggie goodness, the extra lentils, and injera arrived. The food was as delicious as it always has been each time I've gone. The injera was tangy and spongy and ready to soak up all the glorious Mesir Wat I could get past my lips. Our water glasses were refilled when empty and we were asked mid-meal how everything was.
After we'd finished eating we sat and chatted for a while waiting for the server to ask us if we'd like another drink or the bill, but she never did. At this point I had to flag her down to get additional service, but it was admittedly quite busy in the restaurant by this time so I didn't feel we were being ignored on purpose. She was very prompt with the bill once I asked for it.
I will eat here again and again, and introduce the delights of the communal Ethiopian meal to anyone who cares to join me. -
Review from Gary K.
Port Coquitlam, BC
5/30/2011
As far as I am concerned there are 3 major Ethiopian places in Vancouver. One is really good but extremely overpriced. One is relatively cheap but the food is just okay. And in the middle is Harembe.
The place is well decorated, nice and roomy, creating a great atmosphere.
The service is servicable. I have been to Harembe numerous times and the service ranges from slow and bad to okay (somewhat depending on how busy the place is but not always the case).
The food itself is really tasty and great. I usually get the Awaze Tibs but also really like the Gored Gored. Seeing as I am not a vegitarian I usally don't get the vegi stuff so I can't really write up about that stuff. The portions are big and one plate is usually enough to share but they do offer mixed variety plates for those wanting to try a little bit of everything.
I also recommend their peanut chicken soup as a starter as it is really delicious and contains peanuts (which I love and should be used in every meal as for as I am concerned).
As far as price goes it is in the middle of the road. It can seem pricy but compared to other Ethiopian place which is really pricy the food is exactly the same quality wise.
Overall I recommend the place if you want to take someone who has never experienced the unique experience of eating at an Ethiopian restaurant. It is a fun place to take out of towners, as long as they don't mind waiting a little bit for some service.
