Tsion Cafe — Restaurant in New York

This is a place to avoid, pure highway robbery. Been to many Ethiopian restaurants around the city and I've never been given a small portion of Ethiopian food before until now. It's also extremely over procedure for what they give you. I was told one thing and then when the food came out it ended up being another. As I ordered, I requested extra bread and I was told that my order already comes with bread inside the tray under the food and one bag with a few wrapped inside of it. I still asked for extra that I was also told comes inside a bag with a few inside but come to find out that one bag only had 1 bread and they charged me 2 dollars for it. When the food came out and I saw it was only one peace of bread inside the bag I requested for one more bread and as I'm waiting for it I realized they never gave me the one extra I already asked for. When I question the waiter she told me the bread that comes under the food and the one bag that comes with it is inside the container but I questioned her again about the fact she told me it was going to be in a bag outside the container. She still responded its inside the container and the one extra bread I requested in the beginning is the one outside the container. After questioning it again, she made it sound like I was stupid and I didnt understand here, "there is bread under the food, and on top of the food inside the container and the extra one you requested is the one you see here outside the container. After getting the other peace of expensive bread I get home and I see that I only got one extra peace of bread even though they charged me for 2, there was nothing on top of the food, only under it. All the other restaurants I've tried around the city(4 or 6 different ones) give you more food with a few peaches of bread that comes with the dish, 2 sides and even with a bunch of extra peaces of bread(about 8)(which is usually cheaper) still comes to a little less then what I got charged.

Thinking it's due to the fact that there was no one in the restaurant when I entered(around 8 or 9pm) and that have to cheat people to make up for the slow day to pay for rent. Other restaurants I go to are usually always busy from all hours, not like this one. They might get alot of returning customers if they charge a far price like other Ethiopian restaurant around the city.

The photo attached is what I got inside the container, can someone please help me look for the extra bread that's on top of the food as she claimed (the order comes with bread under the gravy and 1 inside a bag on the side)it was inside and charged me double($4) for 1 peace of bread. I left with one plate of doro watt, and 2 bags of bread(1 that's with the plate and one that I requested for and was charge 4 dollars for) and my bill came out to $30. Last time I went to an Ethiopian restaurant was to awash and I paid $30 for the same plate that came with 2 sides and 15...

Dinner at Tsion Cafe was a beautiful fusion of Ethiopian and Israeli flavors in a cozy, welcoming space. The meal was perfect for sharing, with every dish bringing something vibrant and comforting to the table.

The Sambusas were crisp and savory, filled with warm spices and paired with a bright dipping sauce that added just the right zing. The Hummus with Silsi was creamy and rich, topped with a spiced tomato sauce that gave it depth and warmth, served alongside soft pita bread.

The Fik’re Lover’s Combo was a standout—a colorful platter of stews and vegetables over injera, each component offering unique spices and textures. It was a perfect introduction to Ethiopian cuisine, with lentils, greens, cabbage, and split peas all complementing one another beautifully.

The Duba Wot with Jollof Rice was hearty and full of flavor, with the sweetness of the pumpkin stew balanced by the spice in the rice. The Ful (fava beans) was earthy and satisfying, brightened by fresh diced vegetables and served with warm bread for scooping.

The Tel Aviv Quinoa Salad was light and refreshing, a welcome contrast to the richer dishes, with Mediterranean herbs and citrusy notes. The Shimbra Asa, a spicy chickpea stew, brought a lovely kick and deep flavor, perfect for fans of bold spices.

To end the meal, the Malawach with Silan—a flaky Yemeni flatbread drizzled with sweet date syrup—was delicate, comforting, and an unexpected treat. The Redd Foxx cocktails were strong, fruity, and a great match for the bold dishes.

Service was warm and attentive, and the space had a relaxed, intimate vibe that made the whole experience feel like a...

I was recommended Tsion Café by my parents and was surprised to see that it was in Harlem! I believe it is the only ethiopian restaurant in the area.

Tsion Café offers a unique take on the Ethiopian dining experience with fusion appetizers that I’ve never seen or had at other Ethiopian restaurants. The injera chips with hummus and fava bean dip, to name a few, were excellentz

The entrées here are also comprised of very unique offerings. The mushroom tibsi and pumpkin were phenomenal. I wish more ethiopian restaurants experimented with stuff like this. The traditional ethiopian entrées are were Tsion Café lacks compared to other spots like Bunna Café. While the food is up to par, serving sizes are small and each order only comes with one of each type whereas other places double up on the various types of bites.

Overall, I was surprised by Tsion Café. It stands out among New York’s other Ethiopian restaurants in location and its unique appetizer and entrée offerings. On top of all this, the host was very ready to answer our questions and was a joy to talk to after the meal. Although I may not come here for my next Ethiopian fix, no one should shy away from coming here if they are in the area and are looking to try...