Addis — Restaurant in Oakland

Still the best Ethiopian joint in the Bay Area!

I like eating with my hands. There are some foods that just don't work when you snatch up silverware and try to be classy about it. Pizza, for instance, loses 83% of its flavor when you cut it up to eat it in sad, lonely little chunks.

Ethiopian food has always been, for me, a tactile and messy experience that has to be shared family-style. You and your friends will smell like fenugreek and cinnamon for days, but who's complaining? When the craving for spicy, buttery meats, veggies, and injera strikes, Addis is the joint to hit up. The small space itself is always welcoming, with screens between tables that create a surprising amount of privacy. In the far corner, up to four diners can opt to eat in a more traditional setting (see: hut) on stools with no backs.

For people who have never experienced Ethiopian/Eritrean food, you are presented with a bottomless bowl of injera (spongy sourdough crepes) that comes with many bowls of stews/meats that arrive atop an epic piece of injera the size of your table. With your right hand, you pick up something tasty with a peeled piece of injera and try your hardest to not drop it all over yourself.

I don't know what magic they work here with green beans and carrots, but the fasolia is downright amazing. Flavor-bombed with berbere (Ethiopian spice mix), it is surprisingly even better-tasting the next day out of the doggie bag. For the more carnivorous, try the fish tibs, where cod is marinated briefly in lime juice before being fried with tomatoes and yet more intriguing spices. Kitfo is also a source of great joy whenever we go, since it's essentially a mountain of steak tartare seasoned with African bird's eye chillies, cardamom, cloves, and salt. And if you want a kick in the pants, definitely try the honey wine (tej).

If you ask nicely, they'll even happily give...

Food

The food was ok. I really liked the cabbage and greens. My daughter likes the salad. We got the veggie and meat combo, which was plentiful. It had a spicy beef, a beef stew, and Doro wot. We were given 1 egg for 3 people. I felt one of the beef dishes were overcooked. My daughter felt the chicken was dry. The injera was different from what we had at other ethiopian restaurants, but it was still tasty. My other daughter liked it all, so we are mixed in our opinions. All agreed that we would not go back.

Now let me say this, we are not saying that the food is bad. That is not the case. It was just different from what we're used to eating. Not all ethiopian places are going to prepare their food the same way. So this is not a negative review about the food... it just wasn't for us.

Service, we were warmly greeted. Seated and our orders were taken. The server was very attentive, and it was a nice experience.

Atmosphere, this is a very nice place to come for cocktail or happy hour if you live in the area. They have a well stocked bar. The restaurant is open...

Who knew the East Bay was a mecca for Ethiopian food? Not that I'm complaining. Addis has been on my list of several Ethiopian restaurants to try along the Telegraph vein. It's a very clean restaurant with friendly service and a lovely hut table in the back corner that you should grab if you have a group with you.

If you're new to Ethiopian food, I recommend the veggie combo and something else - either a meat dish or the catfish. You will not be provided with utensils but will be provided with lots of napkins. Flex your fingers and dig in! I love the lentil dish - it's slightly spicy and very flavorful. The lamb tibs was pretty good too. Get the coffee if you think you can handle...