Zeret Kitchen — Restaurant in London

I visited Zeret Kitchen in September 2024. The decision was made after browsing a few websites that listed London's Ethiopian restaurants, as well as the high rating that it enjoys on Google Maps (as at Sep 2024). I'm happy to report that it was a fantastic decision.

Located in South London's Camberwell area, the restaurant however, is not easily accessible by train, as the nearest Tube or train stations are a good 25-30 minute-walk away. And upon arriving, the restaurant's unassuming exterior facade might give you pause. However, the moment my party and I walked into Zeret out from the brisk autumn chill, we were immediately greeted by the warm feel of this family-run establishment, even as we were swiftly ushered to our table, located in a modest interior dining area, surrounded by lots of Ethiopian artifacts and decor.

The menu is easy to digest and understand, and offers a cleverly curated selection of Ethiopian classics, but upon recommendation, we opted for the 'Zeret Surprise' platter which is designed for sharing. It turned out to be a great choice as we got a variety of meats and vegetables and lentils that sat atop the signature 'injera', perfectly executed with just the right amount of fermented sour tang that complements this type of meal. This type of Ethiopian meal is very similar to the Dosas and assorted dishes from my Sri Lankan Tamil heritage.

The food was incredibly flavourful, the spices were balanced, without being overpowering. The Zeret Surprise is the best way to get a good sampling of most things on the menu, but if you're hungry, you can always order more of the delicious sounding beef or lamb dishes from the menu—the platter comes with beef wot and chicken tibs.

(We ate with our hands, it's highly recommended for those that wonder if they should.)

Prices here are extremely reasonable, given the portions, quality, flavour, and authenticity. And service was just nice, not too obtrusive, but helpful when needed. Having had an opportunity after dinner to chat with the proprietors, a husband-and wife duo, we found them to be wonderful people (if they are reading this and can remember us, the couple from Malaysia–thank you so much for your kindness that night).

Strongly recommended as a dining option for anyone in London, tourist or otherwise, but especially if you're looking for authentic...

A Fantastic Introduction to Ethiopian Cuisine!

Zeret Kitchen was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and it did not disappoint! I visited with my aunty after attending a prior function, and we decided to give it a try based on its strong reputation on Google Reviews.

The service was fantastic, and the staff were incredibly welcoming. They even complimented our attire, which was a thoughtful and kind gesture that added to the warm experience. We were really pleased to see that hospitality is an important part of their culture, and it made us feel at home.

We decided to share a meal and also try the coffee ceremony, which was such an interesting and fun experience! They brought out the coffee beans frying in a pan, allowing us to see, hear, and smell the rich aroma as they roasted—a wonderful touch that truly immersed us in the tradition. I had never tried anything like that before, and it made the experience even more enjoyable.

The sharing platter was also delicious. The sauces were rich and flavorful, and the staff were very helpful in explaining how to eat the meal properly. They were also attentive and provided us with extra injera whenever we needed it, which we really appreciated.

The atmosphere and decor were beautiful, creating a warm and inviting dining space. It felt cozy yet authentic, making it a perfect setting to experience Ethiopian cuisine. They also had very nice artwork, which I presume reflects Ethiopian culture, adding to the overall ambiance.

Overall, Zeret Kitchen delivered an amazing introduction to Ethiopian food and culture. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food, friendly service, and a unique...

Had my first taste of Ethiopian food today and ordered the sharing house platter (for two) with a friend. Unfortunately, we were served the vegan house platter instead and we didn't realise it until the bill came as we were fairly unfamiliar with Ethiopian cuisine and naturally assumed that one of the dips were meat-based. Furthermore, the menu does not specify that there was a vegan option and listed the house platter as coming with meat. When we brought this up when paying the bill, no service recovery was offered (including an offer to remove the service charge). The server was very apologetic about it though and it was probably a misunderstanding. Having worked in F&B before, I totally understand that mistakes do happen. It would be good in the future if orders could be clarified when brought to the table.

Nevertheless, the food was decent and the service was fine throughout the meal. The portion of the house platter was huge and it was good value for money. I'd reccomend giving Zeret Kitchen a try - though be sure to specify which variation of...