Elsie's Ethiopisch en Eritrees eethuis Antwerpen — Restaurant in Antwerp

Elsie's is a hidden gem! This small, simple yet cozy restaurant offers a great introduction to Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. The warm atmosphere, enhanced by colorful wall paintings and the very friendly hostess, makes it a special place. She takes her time to explain the concept and helps you navigate the menu.

Traditionally, you eat with your hands here: you tear off pieces of 'injera', a type of bread with a pancake-like texture, to pick up the food. This gives the experience an extra authentic touch, though you can also request cutlery if you prefer. The injera itself has a neutral flavor and, if I’m not mistaken, is gluten-free.

The best way to enjoy the food is by sharing different dishes with a group. We were a group of three and each chose a different meat dish. My personal favorite was the 'Minchet Abis', a deliciously seasoned minced beef. Everything was served on one large platter accompanied by various vegetable preparations. There are also plenty of vegetarian options available. Do keep in mind that some dishes can be spicy, so it’s a good idea to check with the staff before ordering.

That being said: Elsie's is a great place to try something new in Antwerp. Tasty food, a welcoming atmosphere and a unique dining experience. Definitely...

I went to the restaurant with my partner as the reviews were very positive. I did like the food and the friendliness of the staff, but there are some points to take into account to be fair on the review. 1 - Ambient: It is a very small place tables are for 2 to seat comfortably but most of them had 4 chairs, meaning that if you go with friends, prepare to squeeze. The ventilation of the place is poor, I went on a Saturday, all tables were full and the air was heavy, that said, we had to put all our clothes straight to the laundry after we returned from the restaurant. 2 - Waiting time: As I mentioned, we went to the restaurant on a Saturday and it was packed, but waiting for the food for 1h 40 minutes is quite long. So, despite the fact that the food is good, I do not think it worthies the waiting time and the ambient. My suggestion is, if you go there, be one of the first customers in the evening, so you get to enjoy a good meal without having to go through the long...

I would not recommend this restaurant even though the food is ok. We waited for almost 2h for our food! We were a group of 12 who reserved the table in advance and had chosen the plates days in advance. We were there at 18h when the restaurant opens and only got our food almost at 20h. All food was served in two big plates not offering the fair amount as if it would have been served by pair. When we complained they said that one person from the group was late (that person was the bday person who had to be surprised and in fact he arrived at 18.20). The 3 babies/children that were at the table had to get food elsewhere. The coffee also took one hour to be served. Delays can happen but the way we were served and the reply we got when we politely said that it took long for the food was just the final detail to make us write this review and never go...