Delish Ethiopian Cuisine — Restaurant in Seattle

• 2nd Visit on 8/17/2024 - Big disappointment with service! Updated from 5 to 3 stars.

We drove up from Portland specifically for dinner after an exceptional first visit back in March during our conference. We were craving the Assa Dullet, and the food was every bit as delicious as we remembered, absolutely worth the trip.

Unfortunately, the service this time was a letdown. We had a 4pm reservation for three under Nikky Barr. On arrival, I was told twice there was no RSVP under my name. Only after I insisted and pulled up my confirmation did the staff acknowledge they found it, for 8/17, the correct date. This interaction felt unnecessary and off-putting, especially after a long drive.

The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony also disappointed. The staff approached us from behind without warning, carrying a skillet that was smoking with freshly roasted beans, and said nothing until we asked. Throughout dinner, we were rushed through the coffee instead of being invited to savor it. It felt unwelcoming, and neither staff member ever introduced themselves. The receipt showed “Amy” as cashier. Since Amy is the owner and also the head chef, we know for certain we did not interact with her during this visit.

By contrast, our March server was warm, attentive, and truly elevated our experience. Service makes or breaks a meal, and I hope the front-of-house staff here get support on how to create the same welcoming environment consistently.

The food remains fantastic, but the service on 8/17 left us disappointed and wishing it had matched the kitchen’s excellence.

• 1st Visit on 3/26/2025 - A Seafood Lover’s Ethiopian Dream, Worth the Drive to Seattle!

If you’re ever in Seattle and want a dining experience that lingers in your memory and on your taste buds, Delish Ethiopian Cuisine is the place to go.

Our group of seven visited for dinner on March 26, 2025, and we’re still raving about it months later. We called ahead since they close at 9 PM, and we were arriving at 7:30 PM. The staff welcomed us warmly and made room for our large party with zero fuss. The space is cozy, tucked into a small footprint with a bar, and can get tight during peak hours, calling ahead for groups is smart.

Hours: Dinner only 4–9 PM Sunday to Friday, 1–9 PM Saturday, closed Tuesdays.

Now, the food!

We ordered the Delish Combo, which includes both the veggie and meat combos, it was more than enough for our group to enjoy and share.

But the dish that absolutely stole the show?

Assa Dullet: It was perfectly spiced, deeply flavorful, and unlike anything I’ve had from any other Ethiopian restaurant. I’d go as far as saying it reminded me of a citrusy lime-based ceviche layered with warm East African spice: bold, balanced, and utterly crave-worthy. We were genuinely floored by how good it was!

This was also the first Ethiopian restaurant I’ve found that offers seafood, which is why I picked it in the first place for our group dinner. Our entire table agreed that this dish alone was worth the visit, and we’re already talking about driving back just for the Assa Dullet!

Other highlights: The table covers included common Ethiopian phrases and vocabulary, a thoughtful cultural detail that made the experience even more special. Amy, the owner, was incredibly warm and open. I shared our high praise for the Assa Dullet and insisted it must stay on the menu. I also gave her two gentle suggestions: Please add at least one or two dessert options because we were left wandering for sweets afterward. The restroom doesn’t provide toilet seat covers, a small but noticeable detail.

Final tips: No dessert options (yet!) No toilet seat covers Street parking may be a challenge during peak hours Absolutely make a reservation if you’re coming with a group or on weekends

This place is unforgettable, I have been and I’ll be continue spreading the word to anyone who appreciates authentic Ethiopian cuisine, especially seafood lovers. Already planning my...

Update 2 - Another lie, they now again falsely claim we arrived 40 minutes late. We arrived at 7:50 PM, which is 5 minutes past the latest arrival time of our booking (7:45 PM). We also did not get a table as they also falsely claim, we sat on a corner at the bar - we have uploaded a picture of the food we ordered in which one can clearly see we’re seated at the bar. It’s concerning that they are lying and gaslighting in each of their responses.

Again, as we mentioned in the original review, our grievance is not about the policy itself but about the way we were treated and the lack of professionalism in informing us about the loss of our reservation.

At first, looking at other reviews, we had very high expectations from this place but the service we actually received was in complete contrast of what we read. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ratings are inflated with fake reviews.

We will no longer be adding more updates to our review but we felt it’s necessary to share our experience to help any future visitors.

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Update - reduced rating from 2 star to 1 star because of their gaslighting in response. They claim we never ate there when we have bills to prove otherwise. We had to end up sitting at a corner at the bar because our reserved table was given away without any contact to us.

This makes me wonder if they flag down genuine bad reviews to get a higher rating because this level of service is not expected from a 4.9/5.0 rated restaurant.

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We called three times to let them know we’ll be running slightly late due to ongoing construction on the way to the restaurant but our calls weren’t picked up and our table was re-assigned to someone else.

We had no idea our table had been reassigned and received no communication at all from the restaurant regarding that too. It’s understandable to enforce such a policy but not picking up calls and not providing any updates was disappointing. If we knew we wouldn’t get our table, we would not have wasted all the travel time to come to...

I am a vegan and I have a deep appreciation for Ethiopian/Eritrean and East Indian cuisine. Exploring different cultures through their food is a passion of mine. I have had the privilege of living in Ethiopia and Eritrea, which has given me a true understanding of the authentic flavors and tastes of Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.

Aside from living in these countries, I have also had the opportunity to travel to various parts of the United States where there is a significant Habesha (Ethiopian and Eritrean) population. Cities like DC, Virginia, San Diego, LA, San Francisco, San Jose, and even parts of Sacramento, as well as Canadian cities like Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto, have offered me a chance to experience the vibrant Habesha food scene.

In my culinary explorations, I have found that Habesha restaurants in the DC area, San Diego, and LA (outside of Ethiopia and Eritrea) tend to be more authentic compared to Delish restaurant. Unfortunately, I have found that the taste and quality of the food at Delish did not meet my expectations. Some of the vegetables, like the red beets (which tasted like canned beets) and the frozen French beans, were not prepared using fresh ingredients. Additionally, the injera was a bit more sour and overpriced (Veggie Combo special $40+???)

Moreover, I noticed that the portion sizes and overall quality of the food at Delish were not as great as what I experienced in the Habesha restaurants in DC, San Diego, LA, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto. Taking into account the customer service, quality of the food, and prices, I personally would not choose to dine at Delish again. It is worth noting that most of the customers at Delish are non-Habesha people, who may not be able to discern the difference in taste...