Lucy Ethiopian Cafe — Restaurant in Boston

Been meaning to try Ethiopian food for a very long time -and I managed to do so at Lucy’s.

Pros: Wonderful service; counter-staff provided recommendations and constantly checked in to see how we were doing. No push whatsoever to tip – unlike other walk-up-to-the-counter places. Certain dishes were great – kik alecha (split peas)/shiro wot (chickpea stew)/peanut tea were standouts for me, with the latter being particularly frothy and light, despite the heavy-sounding name. Filling – portions looked small at first glance, but the injera is a very filling/nutritious carbohydrate, so before I knew it, I was reaching my limits. I’d say 80% filling for a 6 ft guy.

Cons: Several aspects were nothing out of the ordinary e.g., the proteins. E.g. the spicy chicken stew is very close to the sambal dishes in Southeast Asian cuisine. The beef, while nicely-cooked and tender, had no particularly standout spices. Collard greens were fundamentally boiled greens without much of a taste. Perhaps this is the authentic style? Price is a little on the higher side for the amount of protein given, especially if you are choosing the chicken, but not a show-stopper for me. Perhaps due to the higher sophistication of the dish.

All in all, this is a rock-solid place to visit if you want to try good quality Ethiopian food, with great service to boot. Would...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Lucy’s Ethiopian cafe and it was an incredible experience that transported me straight to Addis Ababa Ethiopia through its vibrant flavors and warm hospitality.

From the moment I walked in, the inviting atmosphere set the stage for a fantastic meal. We got the platter for Combo 3 Yebeg - Spicy.Lamb cubes sautéed with onion, garlic sauce, and rosemary with all Veggies.

The delectable experience cannot be described in words. We are bean-town locals & Flavors hard to simulate at home is why we visit restaurants in the city. Fortunately my spouse is a marvelous chef.

What really stood out was the communal dining experience. Sharing food from the same platter added a sense of togetherness that made the meal even more enjoyable.It reminded me of my upbringing in a traditional Muslim community in India, the Dawoodi Bohra community.

The service was friendly and attentive; our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations.

If you’re looking to explore Ethiopian cuisine, I highly recommend Lucy’s Ethiopian cafe. It’s a must-visit for anyone who appreciates bold flavors and a unique...

First time trying Ethiopian food and had an overall good experience at Lucy. Came for lunch at noon on a Sunday after a snow storm so we were one of two groups there.

Setting: nothing special. Tile floor in the bottom of a building on Mass Ave. You don't come to the Ethiopian restaurants for the ambiance.

Service: Very nice waitress who gave us an extra side dish...it pays to be nice to people!

Food: So for those who haven't had Ethiopian food before, it often comes on this thin bread called Injera (made from Teff flour). You use the bread, which is chewy, to scoop up all the yummy flavors in front of you. We ordered the combo for two which came with well-spiced beef chunks in the middle surrounded by lentils, potatoes, spinach, chickpea, and collard greens. The beef was my favorite part of the meal but I was slightly disappointed that the injera and some of the sides weren't warm...I expected everything to be at least warm, if not hot. The flavors were there across the board, just the temperature of the food could be improved (perhaps it was a fluke!).

Definitely not a place to take a first date...it's hard to have good manners eating...