Demera Restaurant — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Restaurant Review: A Redemption Story Worth Repeating

If you’re looking for food that punches you in the taste buds and hugs you afterward, this spot is the real deal. After a rough first visit that left more to be desired in the service department, I returned—and I’m so glad I did. Because wow. What a glow-up.

Let’s Talk Food:

Somsa: • Chicken: Hands down my favorite. Flaky, buttery, and bursting with flavor. It’s like someone gave a croissant and a spice rack a baby. • Cheese: Mild, in the best way possible—gentle, creamy, and a perfect palate cleanser. • Lentil: Okay, confession—I’m not a lentil fan. But this one? This one might convert me. It’s mild but layered with a surprising depth, and the veggie combo inside actually works. Respect. • Sauce Game: That sauce that came with the somsa? Whew. Full-bodied, rich, and the kind of spicy that dances all the way from first bite to aftertaste. It doesn’t just complement the somsa—it elevates the whole thing. A true MVP.

Platter (3 meat, 3 veggie): A tour-de-flavor, this platter is where the kitchen shows off. Every element stands tall, but a few deserve a spotlight. • Collard Greens: Sorry, “down South,” but these greens just won. Milder spice, but still singing. Especially good with the bread. • Lentils (again): Yup, they’ve done it twice. This version is bold, perfectly spiced, and absolutely one of my favorites. • Cabbage and Carrots: Meh. Not bad, just… kind of the water break in the middle of a sprint. • Lamb: Lightly spiced, juicy, and made to be eaten with that heavenly bread. • Chicken: Subtle but rich, the sauce wraps around every bite. Easily a favorite. • Beef: Bones are not my vibe, but the sauce makes it worth the excavation. The cheese (yes, there’s cheese!) is mild, but it works brilliantly with the heat.

Service: The Comeback Kid

Previously… let’s just say service was not the star of the show. But this time? A complete 180. • Drinks refilled without asking. • Greeted and acknowledged throughout. • Observed consistent attention to surrounding tables… with one exception: the wall table. They had to flag someone down, which was eerily similar to my last experience. Maybe the wall seating on the corner of the wall is the Bermuda Triangle of service? Might be worth a management glance.

Overall:

A beautiful dining experience. A thousand times better than my first round. The food? Always recommendable. But now the service is (nearly) flawless too. Come for the flavors, stay for the redemption arc. This place has earned a permanent spot on...

From the atmosphere to the service to the drinks & food, this place deserves more than 5 stars.

My sister & I were in town from Detroit to celebrate our birthday in Chicago for the weekend. We chose Demera as our dinner spot following a recommendation by someone in our party. We were scheduled for 6pm but called to switch the time to 8pm, as it worked best with plans. The hostess over the phone took care of it with no issues. Once we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the host, and those present were seated quickly.

The atmosphere was convivial, homey, and intimate - perfect for gatherings of friends and family. The decor was beautiful, and the smells that flowed through the air were reminiscent of my own family gatherings. Once everyone in my party arrived, we ordered the Chef's Selection Messob, Sambussas, and a few drinks. It didn't take long for our food & drinks to be brought out (very pleased!). The Espresso Martini was divine, and the Sangria was fresh and delicious. The Sambussas were absolutely delicious, and the breading was wonderful. The Demera Messob was perfect for our party of 6. Everything was full of flavor, and each combination we tried was superb. There was so much food that we actually could not finish it all, sadly, but we ate as much as our stomachs could take. At the end of dinner, my sister & I were given delicious treats to celebrate with.

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone, especially those from out of town. Those willing to try something new will almost certainly find something to enjoy at Demera. Thank you to the staff who made this a pleasant dining experience. This was a highlight of our birthday weekend, and we couldn't have...

My husband surprised me today by taking me to one of my favorite restaurants for my birthday—Ethiopian food! He doesn’t even like it himself, but he knows how much I love it, and that meant everything to me.

We were seated quickly, and the server was helpful at first—assisting us in picking three meats and veggies for our platter and bringing us a beer while we waited. The food was absolutely delicious, as always. Rich flavors, beautifully crafted, and a real treat.

Unfortunately, the service really fell short. Once our food arrived, we didn’t see our server again until the very end—no drink refills, no water, no check-in during the meal. I even placed my empty glass near the edge of the table to be seen, but nothing. Meanwhile, the server was very attentive to the other tables around us.

After we finished eating, we waited 15 minutes before I finally asked the busser to bring us our check. Another 10 minutes passed before the server returned to take payment.

This place serves some of the best food you’ll find, and I highly recommend it for the cuisine alone. But the lack of service was disappointing—especially on a day that was meant to feel special. I would’ve happily spent more here if we’d simply been given the attention every...