Melkam Ethiopian Restaurant — Restaurant in Los Angeles

CASH ONLY as of this writing.

Food is very good, the staff friendly. I ordered the seasoned beef (yeawaze tibs) and vegetable combo which was served on a large plate over a large piece of bread very similar to a fluffy crepe. It is also served with a side of the bread (injera, 30% barley 70% "teff") which you tear off and use to grab pieces of meat and veggies (Lentils, cabbage and carrots, spinach greens). If you're traditional you use only your bare right hand to eat with, which can be a bit off putting for some but it's how it's done. Just wash your hands before and after in the very basic facilities.

The flavors are all there, about as authentic as you can get them in So Cal. The atmosphere is about as close to what you might get sitting at a small cafe in Addis Ababa too. Well seasoned food with a variety of flavors. There is also a lot of food, and after ordering the two dishes I ended up taking him about half of it even with two people eating.

This is a very small restaurant, blink and you'll miss it kind of establishment with no dedicated parking, just street park where you can. Inside the place is a very tiny main dining area (1 four top, 1 two top) and what looks like a larger social room but only for sitting on the floor (reserved or dedicated?). I didn't really get the impression that being a restaurant was their main focus, as the kitchen was far bigger than the dining room (I think they make the specialty bread and sell it as a big part of their income).

I really enjoyed the experience, the very homestyle feeling of the place like you're walking into someone's home. For some people the whole no frills experience might be a huge turnoff, but it was definitely not for me. I concede it was odd to see a very limited selection of bottled beverages in a cooler that wasn't chilled, so I can understand why some people might not care for it. For me though, it's discovering these kinds of little places that make me wish I had infinite Time, a vast budget, and a...

Ethiopian food is my favorite and I have tried most Ethiopian restaurants in the LA area. Washington DC still has the best Ethiopian food I have tried but this restaurant has consistent good food. I have tried a few different cooks here and the flavor changes a bit but it has always been good. Better to call in your order ahead. You can eat in since there’s always space because most customers just do pick up orders but right now is not the nicest place for a...

I used to go to there with my mom and one time when I was little the day after I came back from the airport the lady at the register was like "aren't you the girl from the Ethiopian tv" it made my day knowing that she watched me on tv meet the pri-minister of Ethiopia I hope she will remember me...