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Nazareth Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Ethiopian Ethiopian [Edit]
969 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6H 1L7
Neighbourhoods: Dovercourt, Dufferin Grove
(416) 535-0797
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu 3 pm - 12 am
Fri-Sun 3 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
54 reviews for Nazareth Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"The veggie platter is delicious and quite the serving." In 12 reviews -
"The injera soaks it up real good." In 13 reviews -
"I always get the vegetarian dish to share with my partner." In 3 reviews
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Ana M.
Toronto, ON
5/6/2012
From the outside, it looks like a deli/corner store. On the inside, it has a shipwreck vibe if that makes any sense. Low ceilings, dimly lit, kind of dingy but in a pleasant way. Cheap drinks and very cheap food that is tasty and has just the right amount of spice.
The vegetarian platter will feed 10 people! Ok maybe not 10 but easily more than 2...and it is $10. No tax??? Ok. The veggie platter is also good for take-out. It will feed you for days. -
Review from Shereen C.
4/26/2012
Best Ethiopian food I've ever had. I seriously miss this food. When I first found out about Nazareth, I couldn't help trekking here to eat several times a week -- I'd have to bring different friends since I couldn't drag the same ones back 3x a week.
The vegetarian selection is the best. Everything is tasty, fresh, fragrant, and each dish is different. At many other ethiopian restaurants, a lot of the veggie dishes end up tasting the same, but not here. I've also had fish here which was delicious. Tibs were all right.
Restaurant is cozy. Very small. Prepare to wait in line if you come around dinnertime. I'd sometimes rearrange my day to come here at 4 pm so I wouldn't have to wait. If I couldn't rearrange my day, I'd wait an hour or more sometimes. It's worth the wait.
I crave Nazareth's food. -
Review from Shiona R.
4/9/2012
I really love Nazareth! Cheap drinks, cheap food that tastes good and friendly service.
It is a small place and whenever I have visited here had to wait for a table...but it is certainly worth the wait. I love the vegetarian dish but I cannot see past the lamb tibs. Injera and lamb tibs with some beer...heaven!
The owner is lovely and always seems to remember a face...well she remembered me!
Service was fast and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Despite the queue of people I did not feel rushed.
Lots of food for the price, I have always left stuffed and satisfied.
Definitely a place to try! -
Review from Evelyn W.
Updated - 5/22/2012
I've been back a few times since my original review, and this place just keeps getting better. It was a friend's birthday last night and Nazareth laid out fun birthday napkins and brought us an app. platter for free. So spicy and delicious. She also lit candles around our tequila shots. This place is a true 5 star delight!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2012
Nazareth is half hole in the wall bar, half delicious Ethiopian restaurant.
The owner (and likely… Read more »
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Review from Tara E.
11/26/2011
I called to make reservations for Friday night. The woman on the phone yelled something I didn't catch, and then hung up on me. Thinking perhaps we had been cut off, I called back. The woman said that I didn't need a reservation, there was lots of space. I told her it was actually for Friday. She said no need for a reservation, and then hung up on me AGAIN. Which would have been fine if I had showed up and there had been space. Showed up on Friday and there was a line out the door.
1- Don't hang up on people
2- If you don't take reservations, just say so, don't tell people that there is always lots of room
Didn't end up going here obviously, and I don't think I ever will. I went to African Palace next door. The service was excellent. I'd say go there instead. -
Review from Hoa N.
9/8/2011
It can open randomly. On a Wednesday, we arrived at 3:30 PM (to avoid the reported line ups) and it wasn't. It opened at 4 PM or there abouts. At the pub next door (where we idled our time), the barkeep confirmed that the owner sorta opens whenever. OK, cool.
Once in the petite restaurant, we found ourselves happy with the full bar: favourable selection and reasonable prices for alcohol. We order a half carafe of red wine--our server, the owner, I think, despite our pointing to the menu, asks Budweiser? Ha, no!, we say, Red wine. She got it and the carafe arrived chilled--nice touch.
For "Linner" (our name for late lunch/early dinner) we received a lovely tray arrayed with food. Since we had saved our appetites for this meal, the four of us pounced on it.
The chicken was ordered for our boys (Doro Wat is the name of the dish--chicken in a berbere sauce--the Nazareth menu is sanitized of the Ethiopian names). It was a bit meagre on the chicken meat and the drumsticks were on the scrawny side. Our veg sampler was devoured. Loved the side dish of peppers (my guy, who lived in Yemen and frequented Ethiopian joints there, said this is called "bis bis"). We also appreciated the feta cheese that came with the generous salad greens.
Unfortunately, the collards (gomen) were scant in the sampler and tasted a bit under seasoned. And the plentiful yellow and brown lentils came with serious pools of oil. Tasty and filling-- but overly greasy*.
As my guy and I debriefed today: the food is 3 and a half stars while you are eating it -- and 2 stars a few hours later.
We are debating on whether to go back for the fava bean breakfast--a dish not often served but can be fabulous. It's pronounced "fool" which is better than the spelling which is "foul". It normally comes with a baguette, sour cream, bis bis and savoury fava beans....
* If you dissolve and drink a teaspoon of baking soda in glass full of water, your stomach will be happier with you in the oil aftermath. -
Review from Josh K.
Toronto, ON
8/20/2011
It's really nice being back in Toronto with all the different ethnic restaurants and neighbourhoods. Nazareth is in Little Ethiopia where there are at least 10 Ethiopian restaurants. We are really spoiled in this neighbourhood.
I haven't tried all of the restaurants, but I've been to about 5 over the years. Nazareth is by far the best one. The food is great. I've only had the lamb tibs, because why get anything else? The lamb is tender, flavourful and spiced with the type of blend that you can never duplicate in your own kitchen. It comes with salad, and a feta-type cheese (a little softer and less tangy.) The injera is good, but there is never enough to mop up all the juices. They will always give you more for free, but you have to wait.
Oh, do you have to wait. I've been three times and there has been a line out the door. It helped that I was there with only one other person. We got in pretty quickly. If you go with a large group, expect to wait. Once you get in, the wait continues. It takes a good long while to get your food. I looked around once and saw nobody with food on their table. Maybe they should make bigger batches of food. I don't know. Also, hiring another waitress would help. Having said that, the staff is super nice.
The ambiance is great. Lots of dark wood, dim lighting, cool paintings and decorations on the wall. The other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to have been fairly dingy with very few people. Nazareth is always full of hip, attractive young people.
Finally, the prices are amazing. Lamb tibs costs $9 and can easily be split between two people. Beer ranges from $3 to $5. Moosehead is $3 bucks, and I always get about 3 to dull the pain of waiting.
In conclusion, if you have three hours to kill, Nazareth will definitely be worth your wait. -
Review from Jake G.
Toronto, ON
1/28/2012
Amazing, cheap food. Two people can eat for $5 each and get stuffed. Beer is cheep, too. Expect a wait if you come after 7pm, so this place is best for early dinners. Plus, the food tastes even better if you get there right when they open.
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Review from Eric L.
If you are looking for Ethiopian then don't look further. The dishes are always plentiful, fresh, delicious. The prices are always shockingly cheap. The only downside is it usually takes 1 hour from the time you arrive until the time you get food in front of you, however, don't let this deter you. Take the time and head over here for some great and cheap eats.
If you go with 2 people, get a vegetarian and meat selection. It's a great combination of flavours, textures and quantity for about $10 bucks each -
Review from Nicole P.
9/14/2011
I came here this last summer with a friend for the first time and fell in love. Not only is everything essentially dirt cheap in price, but the food itself is AMAZING. One dish will fill 2 people up, and their vegetarian dish still brings me into a solid daydream of when I will come back.
Our server was friendly, the place itself is cute, and the food is nothing short of wonderful, filling, and at an excellent price. Can't wait to come back. -
Review from Ben S.
8/22/2011
I really love ethiopian food, and I eat it a lot. That doesn't mean I'm an expert, or that I know what it "should" taste like, only what I like.
We wanted to try Toronto's ethiopian food and we went here because of the reviews on yelp. It closed relatively early, places here in DC don't really get started until midnight and clearly served a non-ethiopian clientel - the menu had the meat, but not the style of cooking on it.
We ordered kitfo - we asked and received it raw, even though it isn't on the menu that way, and the vegetarian sampler.
The Kitfo was a huge portion, not the most buttery delicious and a bit tough in places, but pretty good. It was slightly spicy with green peppers. It also came with cheese, which is always nice.
The vegetarian sampler was a TON of food, but all of the different dishes were served so close together that you couldn't really discern them and pretty soon it turned into a big mess. It was pretty tasty, but not easily identifiable as any of the vegetarian dishes that we have come to love.
The waitress was friendly, though very busy.
It was a huge amount of food, really we could have had just the vegetarian sampler and been totally fine even though we hadn't eaten all day, and very cheap. It was pretty tasty, just not exactly what I'd expect.
It wouldn't have me saying that I'm done searching for other ethiopian places, but on value alone it would be part of my rotation if I lived in Toronto. -
Review from A C.
Toronto, ON
1/9/2012
I'd gotten lots of recommendations for Nazareth from people telling me it was the best Ethiopian in the city, so went to check it out.
The food was mediocre, the place was loud and over-croweded and the servers were slow and indifferent to us. The place had a reputation for good cheap food, yet the prices were mostly higher than other Ethiopian places I've been to, at least when you consider the portion size.
The only thing I can think is that maybe they do meat well. I'm vegetarian, so I didn't try it. -
Review from Ashleigh G.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2010
It's hard to find a better deal in the city than Nazareth ethiopian food. It's often cheaper to eat here than to eat at home. I've checked out lots of Ethiopian restuarants in the city, and even the more expensive ones don't come close to Nazareth.Their vegetarian platter is only $7.99 and serves two! $4 dinner?!
The decor is interesting with an eclectic crowd - a mix of students and locals.The owner is friendly but stern, and not afraid to let you know your time is up and that you have to pass your table on to the next group waiting at the bar. But she never forgets a face, and will welcome you back and remember your favorites for next time. -
Review from Roma M.
11/2/2010
There aren't many Ethiopian restaurants in Toronto, a few but not enough to make everyone quite familiar with the cuisine. Here, Nazareth nestles itself in perfectly as an introduction to the tradition of shared platters, delicious flavours and healthy variety for vegetarians and omnivores alike.
The food was the highlight of the restaurant, it was delicious(4 Stars); incredibly spicy and a little greasy. As for the restaurant, it was pretty badly managed at the time of night, the weakest link being the young waitress with short hair. She was terrible, and also discriminatory, as her attitude changed drastically while serving the visible 'minorities' throughout the restaurant(0 stars). It's a pity because the owner was incredibly hospitable and warm.
Fire the crappy waitress and I'll be back.Listed in: Blacklisted!
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Review from Amir P.
East York, ON
5/17/2011
Been there twice since my original review. Still impressed with the food. Our bill for 2 people $18.03 with tax, ordered a Veg and Tibs (Beef) platter. Again be ready to wait to sit and to get the food, as I said in the original review below, get there by 5. Highly recommend this Ethiopian place.
Great food, lot of quantity, amazing price. And the fun of communal eating with your hands. I love their veggie platter, nicely stacked one after the other on Injer (bread), I tried chicken platter but was not very impressed. I will try the lamb next time. Watch out Injer will expand in your stomach, it will dissolve in few hours. The staff (owner) are very nice, The decor is not the greatest. Get there around 5, if you don't want to wait. i also tried their ceremonial coffee, i am not a fan of coffee, but my friend (coffee lover) was very impressed. Less than $20 for 2 people for the veg platter, some people only order one plate, 2 orders between 3 is ideal. -
Review from Anna B.
Toronto, ON
5/18/2011
Cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Tasty! Tasty! Tasty!
That is all that needs to be said. -
Review from Andrea H.
9/26/2011
I'd been wanting to try Nazareth for a while, and ended up leaving without eating! By far the worst service I've experienced in Toronto. I arrived by myself around 8:30 on a Monday. It was busy, but not packed. I walked in, and an older woman who was walking around glared at me, then ignored me. The tables were full, so I took a seat at the bar. The same woman walked behind the bar and ignored me some more, then another woman asked what I wanted. I ordered dinner and a beer. They had 4 kinds of beer but were out of 3, so I asked for the 4th. A few minutes later, she put a mug in front of me, told me that was the last one, and pointed to a guy behind me telling me he also wanted it. Um, 1) don't run out of all your beer? And 2) if you run out of something, just give it to whomever ordered it first. Don't put it in front of them then try to guilt them into giving it to someone else. After one sip, I realized it was skunky anyway. A few minutes later the server noticed I hadn't drunk any of my beer, so she grabbed it, stuck her tongue in it, and took it away. I wasn't offered anything else to drink as a substitute.
A few minutes later, a plastic bag was unceremoniously dumped in front of me, then the server disappeared. I didn't even realise it was supposed to be mine since I hadn't asked for takeout. When she returned, and wanted to be paid, I said I hadn't ordered takeout. First she said she assumed I wanted takeout because I hadn't asked for a table. Then she said she asked if I wanted takeout and I said yes (conceivable, I guess. It was so loud in there she could have asked me something I didn't hear or misunderstood- but I don't remember anything like that happening. And generally if someone orders a drink, they plan to eat in.) Anyway, I said that I had wanted to eat in, not get takeout, and was really unhappy with the service. She agreed that there was no reason I should pay for anything, and I left, hungry.
I live in the neighbourhood and love Ethiopian food, so I'm disappointed to have to scratch this place off my list. Good thing African Palace 2 doors down has good food, is less crowded, and has better service. -
Review from Mike P.
Toronto, ON
2/18/2011
Great find. Really delicious food and very cheap. 5 of us ate a ton of food, had 4 beers and 2 glasses of wine for 55 bucks. The lamb is great!
Service is friendly but can be a little slow. There's only one or two people working so be patient! -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
3/13/2011
This place is good AND cheap, but don't expect the greatest service. Nothing against the staff, there just aren't enough people working.
We were exploring the neighborhood of "Bloordale" and just happened upon a place that looked welcoming and popular. Crowded with hipsters, we figured Nazareth was worth a shot. We walked in and found two seats at the bar (good move, we would have waited a while for them to clear off a table and seat us).
Despite the lack of welcome, we stayed and read the Yelp reviews (warning us of the slow service).
The food is delicious though. And Cheap! We ordered the lamb tibs to share and it was 9 bucks and came with greek salad! The lamb was tender and succulent.
Someone else pointed out that you can get two beers and a dinner for $15. That's pretty accurate. The two of us split the one entree and it was more than enough. The waitress even offered to wrap it for us!
My only negative isn't the service, but more the speed. We had read the reviews and were prepared. Just as long as you know it'll take a while, order a beer (or two) and enjoy the delicious food. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2010
Nazareth has its charms, and its notable flaws but when you get the bill, all sins are forgiven. Where else can me and 2 friends (one being a very hungry full grown man) stuff ourselves to the point of bursting for $22? TWENTY TWO DOLLARS. It leaves you scratching your head with Injera scented hands.
I judge all Ethiopian restos on the quality of their messir wat, which is my favorite dish, and Nazarath's is not bad. Not as good as their neighbor Lalibela, but still good none-the-less.
Every Visit is prefaced by a ridiculously long wait, as maybe 15 people can actually sit and eat at once. Additionally, the entire place is run by the owner, one woman acting as waitress, busser, cashier, etc etc. She is often scattered and sometimes forgetful, but she will be brutally honest and will not let you order more food than she thinks you can finish.
There is a bar if you like to sit there and wait, and observe the kitchen through a tiny service window.
Cash Only! and Go on Off hours, trust me. Standing against a wall watching people eat is really not fun. The room is so teeny, only a handful even have the privilege to wait inside. Not good for inclement weather. And don't even attempt a party larger than 4 or you will be waiting FOREVER as she will seat deuces etc first.
Food is A-Ok, The price bumps this up a full star.Listed in: Ethiopian Wat Wat.
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Review from Michelle G.
Toronto, ON
10/11/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I went to Nazareth yesterday and we lucked out because it was nearly empty inside (however it filled up within 30 minutes of our arrival and then there was a bit of a line.)
The service was fast and friendly, but there was a bit of a wait to get our actual plate, but it wasn't uncomfortably long. Our server checked on us regularly and was very pleasant.
We ordered one order of the vegetarian combination plate, and between the two of us, we still didn't finish all of it.
Over all it was a great experience, we got there at just the right time and the bill was ridiculously cheap. -
Review from Teresa C.
4/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Really mentally and physically prepare yourself for a wait. I've waited up to 45 mins before. And I keep going back! I think it's worth the wait because I'm cheap and their beef tibs are damn good.
I find that it doesn't really matter what time I show up at the restaurant, I have to wait at least 15 minutes. Once in a while, you get lucky and get a table right away.
Do not expect to be greeted at the door. Don't bother trying to get the Nazareth's (owner) attention. She knows the business she's running. Just stay in line.
The beef tibs are amazing. So juicy and flavourful. I can't stop ripping the injera to pick up the meat when I have Nazareth's tibs in front of me. The injera soaks it up real good. And of course, only $7.99!
The veggie is decent. There is always at least one out of of the six kinds of veggie that is burnt. But for the price of $7.99, it's all good with me. Remember, one order of veggie is enough for two people.
Only when I'm out with two other people will we order TWO things.
The service is slow. The owner is the only server. She makes up for the slowness with her charm, though. Go a few times and she remembers you and knows what you want to order before you open your mouth. -
Review from Anfernee C.
Toronto, ON
10/26/2010
This is a popular place. It's been long waits (more than 30 mins) both times I've been there.
If you can deal with the wait then you get great food. The veggie platter is delicious and quite the serving. The injera is sufficiently squishy, and you can get extra if needed (but it is a space filler so don't order too much!).
As I had a vegan friend with me the last time he was concerned that they served both the meaty stuff with the veggie dish all on the same platter but the server assured us that both dishes were cooked in different pans and that there was no risk of contamination. My friend was happy with that.
Good food, great value. Long wait. -
Review from aleiza a.
Toronto, ON
10/1/2010
I really enjoy eating at Nazareth. The key is to know WHEN to go. There's a magical pocket of time, just before or after the dinner rush...you just have to make sure you get there within that pocket of time. Otherwise, you'll be left waiting for a while.
It's not a terrible wait. Just roll up at the bar and order a drink. That usually makes the wait that much quicker.
I always get the vegetarian dish to share with my partner. It's always more than enough food for the two of us. The veg platter, with an alcoholic beverage for each of us usually costs around the $15 range (with tax)...which is awesome when you're low on cash.
The service is always friendly, even when it's super busy inside.
The reason why I give it 4 out of 5 stars is because the serving size. It's huge. And I'm the type of person who will stop eating when full. You can't do that here. You get a bit of a guilt trip when you don't finish all the food on your plate - which is totally fair...
I can't eat it every week for that reason (too much food!). But other than that, you can't beat it for the price. I've been to other Ethiopian places, and they just don't compare. -
Review from Rick Y.
Toronto, ON
8/30/2010
I'm going to start this review by saying: I have no idea why people are lining up to get into Nazareth!
Sure the food is cheap, but that's the best thing that this ethiopian dive-bar has going for it. It's also slow, prone to error and omission, terribly greasy and not particularly flavorful.
My wife and I went at 6 to beat the rush. I don't know if the AC was broken or just not up to the task, but it was easily 40C in the restaurant. Sitting down we got 2 small glasses of water, ordered a spiced tea and a softdrink. The spiced tea never arrived (we didn't ask again), the soft-drink arrived only after asking for it a second time.
My wife is vegetarian, I'm not. So we tried to order a veg plate for 2 and a side dish with kitfo on it. After explaining the dietary restriction situation they seemed to get it; however, what arrived was 2 large platters: one with my kitfo, the other with a veg platter for 1. *sigh*... Oh well, not worth complaining and waiting for them to get it right.
We dig in. The kitfo was... well bland and completely uninteresting, and dripping with oil. The veg plate wasn't much better. Even the injera wasn't what I'd call "good".
In terms of food quality and price: this place is about on par with Queen of Sheba just west of Dovercourt (and rarely with a line) and significantly poorer than many of the great Ethiopian restaurants in the city. -
Review from Val G.
I love, love, love this place. I've been eating here for years and everyone I bring here loves it too. I always get the vegetarian plate for $7.50 which will leave 2 people feeling stuffed. At that price, I don't know how you can leave unhappy. You get plenty of injera (the sour, unleavened bread made from teff flour) and Nazaret, the owner, will always bring you more if you need it. The wat stews are delicious and even the salad has grown on me. At this point I just eat the salad with my hands to save on injera and room in my stomach for the wats. It's just dark enough in there that you can undo the button on your skinny jeans without anyone noticing. Wear a long cardigan for extra gut releasing coverage.
The veg plate (the most popular dish at Nazareth) can vary but almost always comes with spinach wat, stewed chunky vegetables, a couple of lentil wats ranging from mild to medium spicy embanked by a wall of onion and tomato salad on a base of injera. It's served on a long platter that leaves little room on the table for anything but the two side plates of injera and your drinks.
Since expanding the restaurant into the retail space to the west where Pam's Roti used to be, Nazaret has added more tables but is still keeping them all on the left side of the room while she waits for a liquor license for the side that used to be the roti joint. This kind of madness is what makes the place so endearing.
The crowd here ranges from locals of a younger age, usually during the dinner hours and as the night progresses transitions to the north/east african sometimes dining but usually lining the bar to drink and watch sports. If you show up at prime time on a thurs, fri or sat night you can expect to wait maybe 10-15mins. I've never waited longer then 15mins since she re-opened and the food comes quickly once you're seated.
One night of the week Nazareth is closed, I believe it's still Tuesday but I'm not entirely sure. On my last conversation with Nazaret she told me that, despite what the menu says, they are not open for breakfast. I doubt you're reading this because you're interested in breakfast though.
Nazareth is open late most nights. I've rolled in there at 11pm to enjoy a full meal without a wait for a table and then hung around for an ethiopian dance party complete with Teddy Afro music videos on the projection screen into the wee hours.
Moral: Veggie dinner for two and two spiced teas WITH tax and tip - $15.
*Cash only but now there's an ATM terminal - currently the only thing on the right side of the room. -
Review from Claudia B.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2011
I will add more to this later.
Went for lunch on Labour Day Monday. It's very dark inside, so that did throw me off a bit.
But damn, if the food here isn't fantastic. It's my first ethiopian restaurant in Toronto, but of all I've ever had, it's the tops. Service is their greatest downfall. Another reviewer stated it, and it's unfortunately true - there is some clear 'visible minority' service discrimination. Our order was taken last out 5 tables, when we were the 2nd table to come in.
Go for the food and cheap prices, not the service.
Will add more details later
******
Update Jan 2012 - will NOT go back here!
I have been to two other Ethiopian spots since and had WONDERFUL service at African Palace and at another nearby who's name escapes me at the moment (yes I need to write them reviews). I can say I have never felt so welcome, relaxed and at home at any restaurant as I did in those two places. Honestly, we felt like and were treated like VIP's! A nice change for once in a black person's life (yes I'm black, and race as an issue is real in every facet of my life). I went back to Nazareth (not my choice) twice more, and experienced the same AWFUL service. The third time we went, we were so blatantly ignored, passed over for newer lighter skinned customers we just left. I have give them 3 stars before, but I have had to reduce to one.
Its really hard to be discriminated against at a business one time, much less three times. Worse when its someone who is also a black+female minority, and goes through the same thing! Is there a way to give zero stars?
Bang for the Buck?
Hell yes, food is plentiful, delicious (although she is very stingy on the injera), and cheap.
Will I go back?
Hell NO! I do believe this is my first official boycott of a restaurant. I will not recommend it to any, nor bring anyone there. Being a non-local culture restaurant you want to show the best light of your country/culture/people. She does NOT do this at all. Go to ANY other Ethiopian restaurant. -
Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
5/6/2011 ROTD 5/24/2011
Delicious, plentiful and affordable: a combination that is rare at most restaurants but you'll find at Nazareth. From the 2nd most populous country in Africa, comes a small restaurant with 1st world cuisine. I came here with 3 others on a UYE.
*** FOOD ***
I had a combination of vegetable and meat servings that were served atop a large injera on a huge platter. The portions are huge - do not over indulge! All the meals are cooked in a spicy sauce and would be best described as a curry.
The injera is great. It's soft and moist with a slight sourness and spongy texture.
The vegetarian meals consisted of lentils, potato, spinach and salad (lettuce and tomato). I'm not often a fan of vegetarian food, but you could eat this alone without meat - it is that good. The vegetables are well cooked and the sauces are all spicy, but not hot.
The meat dishes had chicken, egg and ground beef. The beef was raw, but I couldn't really tell from all the seasoning. It tasted a lot like regular hamburger meat. The chicken and egg was really good. The sauce has a slight sweetness and is rich.
Eating this food, especially since you eat with your hands, gives you a feeling of authenticity. The food itself is truly authentic.
*** APPEARANCE ***
Nazareth is a small restaurant with seating for ~20 people. It is dark inside and the walls are adorned with Ethiopian pictures. There are TVs on almost every wall, since the restaurant is also a bar. They play modern Ethiopian music as well as some Western pop (Sexual Healing). The restaurant is clean and so are the washrooms. To get to the washrooms, you have to navigate through a labyrinth and the ceiling is low - tall people be warned! The atmosphere is pretty relaxed, almost like West Indian, but with Ethiopian decor.
*** SERVICE ***
The service is great! Two women seem to be running the restaurant and they do a fine job. You will have to wait in line to get in, but that's understandable when you have such a great reputation. The women work really fast at getting your drinks and cleaning up. Immediately after a table becomes available, they clean it and have you seated. The food takes long to come, but it is a busy restaurant and it's worth the wait.
*** PRICE ***
Dinner for 4: $40
$10/person for a delicious, large meal is phenomenal!
*** ETHIOPIA ***
Ethiopian food at first doesn't sounds as interesting as it really is. For anyone who hasn't tried it yet, you have to eat it to believe it. This food is very tasty, even the vegetarian food. Nazareth gives you the whole experience with an Ethiopian atmosphere and great food at a price that you're not likely to find anywhere else.Listed in: Noise 'n Poison, Diamonds in the Rough
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Review from elffie t.
Toronto, ON
12/27/2010
Really tasty food and really good service. Very reasonably priced menu.
We (two people) shared a veggie platter and a meat dish, and there was enough for four people or more!
This is a place I'd like to return to very soon! -
Review from Xixia Y.
Scarborough, ON
2/8/2012
This will be my farewell review.
I tried to like this place ever since I started going, been there a half a dozen or so times, and I am finally giving up. I'd rather pay the extra few dollars per plate for better service and more flexibility, as in servers who actually listen to you and give you the right food.
Their food is OK and they have absolutely no service. That's fine, you are not there for great service or great food anyway, you're there for cheap booze and cheap food. while other Ethiopean restos charge you $12 or $13 for a plate of kitfo, this place charges you $10.
When I went there for the first time they had a menu which said $7 or maybe $8 per plate. However, when I picked up the tab I was charged $1 extra for the doro wot I ordered. I asked why, and I didn't understand what the server was saying. She said something about portions being big and taking her more hassle to prepare, etc, which sounded more like an excuse to me than a legitimate explanation for the extra charge, but I just figured they raised the price and forgot to update the menu. After all, a $1 difference was not a big deal.
Now, I work with a group of Ethiopian food lovers and often place orders for takeout of some $100 to $150 worth of food, about 10 dishes. That's a lot of food in Ethiopian and I know they need some time to prepare, so I usually call the restos well in advance. If they say 1 day ahead, I call them a day ahead. If they say 1 week ahead, I give them 1 week. If they say come pick up on their least busy day/time, I do.
Nazareth, however hangs up on you when you try to place an order. I called the resto a few times on different occasions to see if they can accommodate, and the server kept hanging up on me but one day said they don't take advanced orders, and told me to just come.
So I went there on one weekday afternoon thinking it'd be better to go on a less busy time, asked if 10 dishes can be taken out. Sure enough, the server says they need advanced notice, to call them ahead of time. I ask how many days? The server goes into the kitchen to discuss with the cook, comes out and says they can't do it at all. I ask, even if I order 1 week in advance? They say no. They say, the more I order the more they lose money because they charge less than other places, and tell me to go to other restos.
So I suppose they want customers who eat in and drop more money per plate with tip and alcohol than accommodate takeouts. Well I usually do leave tip on takeouts anyway, but that's OK. I can understand that when you try to offer food for less, there are certain rules that they need to impose, written or implied.
Now, the reason I am giving up is not for the lack of service, or because they can't do large orders, or because they charge $1 or 2 more per plate than what the menu says. It's because they won't listen. That's sad.
When I order kitfo at an Ethiopian restaurant, I always ask for raw. Other restos will listen to me and will give me raw meat. Nazareth, unfortunately will take my order and give me medium rare or almost well done. When I tell them that's not what I ordered, they won't even exchange, saying they'll lose money. Of course you'll lose money if you don't give customers what they ask for.
After ordering kitfo two or three times, and even writing it down on a piece of paper "raw" and "not cooked" one time, and still getting cooked meat, I am finally giving up. I even asked if it was their policy not to serve raw meat, they said they do do raw kitfos. Why they won't do it for me, I don't know.
I will still recommend this place for someone who is not 'particular' like me, as in wanting $100 or more to take out on occasions, or absolutely wants the meat uncooked. It's hard to beat their price, and as long as you can accommodate them and not expect them to accommodate you, you'd be fine.
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Added February 9, 2012
After reading the other 1-star reviews, I wonder if the lack of service and unability to exchange mistaken orders (i.e. cooked kitfo) resulted from me being a visible minority. If that's the case, then that's really sad.
I see raving reviews about great service at Nazareth and it's hard to believe that we were talking about the same restaurant. I can understand inconsistent service, but it seems that people who get great service always gets great service, and others (like me) always get terrible service at this place. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/17/2010 1 photo
Don't be swayed by the exterior. Come inside, and you'll see it's quite inviting.
Came again with some friends late on a Saturday night.
There was one party in front of us, but we had to wait over an hour for a table for 4. There were some 2 seaters available however.
We noticed that people wouldn't get served until at least 20 mins into their sitting.
The lady who works there was really good in ensuring we order first as were at the half way mark of our wait, so that the minute we sat down, we had our order.
We got the veggie platter again. Also a meat dish, Tibs (but with chunks of meat) i found it difficult to grasp with the Injera. I liked the veggie platter the best.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/6/2010
To be honest I didn't know what to expect from Ethiopian food, but hearing Val G and her sister rave… Read more »
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Review from Karl R.
In the twenty years I've been introducing dining padawans to Ethiopian food, I've come to the conclusion your first Ethiopian experience should be style over substance. Hear me out. For a cuisine that, from the get go, seems like a cruel punchline to a cruel joke on the order of a waitress calling your order of "just water" the Bobby Sands[1] Blue plate special to the actual appearance (piles of goop) to the method for consumption (eating piles of goop with your hands and an odd pancake substance that triples as your bread, your utensils, and your plate) ... well ... you can see there are more than a few hurdles you need to over come, especially with your "but I just like to eat lasagna and not the lasagna they make at Francos because they put green peppers in it I don't know why they do that because they say well you can't taste it and I'm like then why put those green peppers in there so can't we just drive across town and have lasagna at Trevi's where I know they don't put green peppers in their sauce?" friends.
And, seriously, if your French Canadian grandmother slapped some of this stuff down in front of you in a green plastic bowl with some toasted Wonder Bread, you wouldn't touch the stuff.
So. Presentation is key. Detroit's Greektown had the perfect Ethiopian place The Blue Nile. Alas, like money, the Catholic church, and the middle class, The Blue Nile has fled Detroit for the burbs (http://www.bluenilemi....). No more jumping the tunnel bus and then the people mover to Trapper's Alley for a friend's first intro to great Ethiopian slop in a clean, pristine environment. And the women's washroom was legendary. Having boy parts, I never did get a look but every woman I ever took came back stunned and babbling. I could never get a clear explanation.
Toronto's best starter Ethiopian restaurant, for me, has been Ethiopian House http://www.yelp.ca/biz... . Good central location, nicely appointed inside. The food I know is no comparison to the more decor-challenged places in the Bloor/Ossington area. But like I say, get them comfy and then get them to Bloor/Ossington for another foray.
I decided to break my usual pattern with my coworker "Chris", his GF, and CUTE! Chinese Girl. "Chris" had a really rough week at work (sucks when your dad is the boss) and I promised him I'd buy him Ethiopian food on Friday. "Chris" despite his tender years is a pretty good foodie. I wasn't so sure about CUTE! Chinese Girl as she's never, ever, ever enjoyed any restaurant I've ever suggested but she might be homeless in a couple weeks and needs my couch and condo locker as a Plan B so she knew she had no leverage in this matter. "Chris" gf was staying meatless this Good Friday and she seemed game.
The stars were aligning nicely.
Based on Yelp research, Nazareth (a town historians aren't even sure existed at the time Jesus was supposed to be born there) Nazareth seemed like a good choice. Honestly, check out that photo of the veggie platter. That's presentation right there.
I have to say, the Ossington Ethiopian district has stepped up their game since the 1990s. There were some pretty dingy places (although the food was always top notch). I remember one joint where a couple car seats (yes car seats) were arranged around a mesob. Not a first date restaurant by anyone's stretch.
Decor wise Nazareth also knocks it out of the park. Flavor wise. OMFG. I also like the napkin and wet nap bar.
Nazareth is a small and busy place. Be prepared to wait a long time for a table. Be prepared to wait a long time for your food. Getting a table can be a little unclear and chaotic. But after you take your seats, they know their stuff. Although getting the bill can be another odd wait. People are hovering nearby waiting for your table. You don't want to be one of THOSE diners that seem to linger over long at the table. Trying to be considerate, I asked for the bill right after my dining companions issued their final groans of "full... so good". Yes, even CUTE! Chinese Girl pronounced it the best food she's ever had in Toronto (with me). However, it took about another 15 minutes before the waitress managed to get the bill to the table.
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[1] http://en.wikipedia.or... -
Review from Lauren M.
This place gets 5 stars just because it is SOOOO ridiculously cheap! I
It's gotta be the cheapest sit-down meal I can think of, plus it's super tasty.
We always get the veggie platter. As mentioned below, 1 veggie platter is big enough to 2 people (really) and costs $8. Tonight 4 of us dined and had 2 veggie platters, and we ended up paying $5 each including tax and tip. Insane!
The veggie platter comes with 6-7 different lentil, spinach, sweet potato and chickpea dishes (1-2 scoops of each). I love it because it's served HOT. A few of the Ethiopian places i've dined at (Lalibela, for example) serve the food luke warm or cold which just is not as tasty.
I have tried some of the meat dishes and they are not as good. However a meat dish paired with a veggie platter can make a decent meal for 2.
As mentioned by others, the place looks slightly sketchy from the outside but it's fine inside - dark and cosy. Expect a line up (everyone loves a bargain!) It's a perfect venue to meet up with friends, squeeze in, share a nice meal and catch up.
I did notice tonight that Nazaret has hired help! There was another woman serving and things seemed to move a bit quicker once we were seated. The food took about 10 minutes to arrive and water was topped up occasionally. The bill came fast too.Listed in: My fav cheap eats
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Review from Ella B.
Toronto, ON
9/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Tucked away west on bloor, Nazereth immediately stands out for how busy it is and the delightful aroma coming out of this eatery. If you are unlucky like me and my dinner companions, you may need to wait quite a while to get a seat at this small restaurant.
Between the four of us we shared a lamb and a vegetarian dish. All the food is served on tasty Ethiopian bread. The Lamb and veggie dish were delicious and the food was abundant. The lamb was a little spicy but yummy. You can also get extra bread if you are ambitious like my friends and come with an expandable pair of pants!
This place also provides great value, between the food and beer my meal was 10$, including tip and tax! -
Review from Daniel B.
1/7/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Fifteen dollars doesn't buy you much nowadays. Robotic penguins in Chinatown. Five subway tokens. Two extra value meals perhaps....
But at Nazareth it buys you dinner for two AND two bottles of beer.
I think that's noteworthy enough to recommend this place. The food is quite good and the ambience is always busy and sorta-hipster.
One woman seems to do everything here. She cooks. She cleans. She serves. She has so-so conversational skills.
It's quite ok. -
Review from The Vong Choice I.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011
After a grueling ultimate frisbee match, my friend Heidi took me to her favourite neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant - Narareth. This cute Bloor and Ossington spot was busy still around 9pm when we got there still serving people on dates and groups who wanted some late night eats. (The kitchen closing only at 1am.) It's quite intimate as you walk inside as it's dimly lit making it a very romantic spot. I would definitely recommend to go on dates to and experience the essence of Ethiopia with authentic paintings and local art covering the walls while easy classic tunes play on. While we were there, we heard classics like Wham's "Never gonna dance again", Lionel Richel's "Hello" and my personal favourite, Chris de Burgh's "Lady In Red".
There are limited menu items with three choices, beef, chicken or veggie. The most popular and Heidi's favourite being the veggie platter which the owner knew to get us as Heidi is a regular there. The best thing about this place is the affordability. Since the portion sizes are huge, you can order a platter that would be enough to share for 2 or 3 people for under $8. The veggie platter came with all types of lentils, boiled cabbage, spinach, peas, salad mixed with all kinds of delicious spices. With 2 coronas and a veggie platter, the bill was $15 with tax and tip! Talk about value! -
Review from Min Min T.
Scarborough, ON
9/28/2009
Came here one September evening with a few friends. The restaurant recently bought out the store next door and widened, but were still waiting for the liquor license on the other half . Therefore, my boyfriend was only allowed to drink his Corona on ONE side of the room ...
The injera here is fresh and a little tangier than I'm used to. The collard greens were good but the spices in the lentils were too watered down. For the price ($9 for two people), it's a steal and you can stuff yourself easily, but when you've been spoilt at Ethiopian House, it's hard to say that I was really pleased with my meal.
Not likely to come back unless I'm conveniently in the area and am short on money. -
Review from Ryna D.
5/12/2011
One of the best Ethiopian dinners I've had! I've had Ethiopian food in DC and here in NY, as well as at the home of some Ethiopian friends. Nazareth was as good as the home made food I had! And it's super inexpensive!
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Review from Nadia C.
Toronto, ON
9/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Pros: Good food, cheap drinks
cons: long wait. -
Review from Richard S.
8/19/2011
Really enjoyed eating at Nazareth! Our server was sooo nice and the food was cheap, plentiful, and delicious! Had plenty left over for lunch on the way back to the States and of course as many folks know Ethiopian is even yummier the next day!
